Horley Town F.C.

One of the few clubs to be founded during the 2nd World War, Banstead began their football in season 1944/45 under the name Banstead Juniors. They played in the Epsom & Ewell League at Tattenham Way Recreational ground. In their first season they won the League Cup and finished runners up. The following season they joined the Sutton & District League and got promotion to the Surrey Intermediate League. During the close season of 1946/47 they changed the name of the club to Banstead Athletic F.C. In their first year in the league they won the Surrey Intermediate Cup, the next two seasons captured the League title. Banstead achieved senior status and joined the Surrey Senior League for season 1949/50. The promotion to senior football marked the start of Banstead's Glory Days as the next decade brought them an abundance of honours. In their first season they achieved runners up position to Leatherhead. Their success owed much to the prolific goal scoring of Harry Clark who scored 104 goals. Before the start of season 1950/51 Banstead moved from the ground to their present headquarters at Merland Rise. First season saw them win the League title from Dorking by a margin of 11 points. Harry Clark only scored 81 goals in 26 games! They managed to win the title for the next three seasons, they were winners of six Surrey County Cup competitions. The period between 1959-1964 was a barren time for Banstead. In 1964/65 Gordon Taylor (our current President) won the League title. During nine seasons their highest placing was 5th. Banstead joined the Athenian League in 1979/80 and won the League Cup in 1980/81.With the demise of the Athenian League Banstead joined the Isthmian League Division Two (South) in 1984/85. Towards the end of season 1989/90 the club faced closure but survived. Banstead achieved 11th spot in 1990/91. The club appointed joint managers in Bob Mapleson and Mickey Sorenson, in their first season 1992/93 they got to the FA Vase quarter finals. Epsom and Ewell asked to ground share in seasons 1993/94. Banstead managed 9th in the same season, and in 1994/95 finished 8th. In 1995/96 it was a very good season but they finished out of promotion. 1996/97 saw them get to the semi-finals of the Vase but missed out getting to the finals. 1997/98 they had to rebuild the side, and Bob Langford and Mickey Stephens were bought in but they struggled that season, finishing in 13th spot. Season 1998/99 saw a change in the management team, Bob left and they bought in Chick Botley for the season 1999/2000. Botley resigned after just eight games and Langford was recalled along with Ray Best. In that season they struggled but managed 10th. 2001/2002 saw Banstead get to 5th in the league. 2002/2003 saw them flirt with relegation again but finished in 16th spot. In 2006 Banstead decided to join the Combined Counties League to save money. This led to resignations from all officials and Committee. A new start with new manager Graeme Banyard with all new players Banstead finished in 6th spot. 2007/08 saw another change, and Dave Leworthy stepped in did well in the time he was there but left, and Graeme returned. They managed mid table in 2008/09. For the start of the season 2009/10 Graeme moved on, we have Barry Barnes, who has his own team around him with a lot of experience between them. A reasonable pre-season, we would like to wish him all the best for the season ahead. After seven games Barry was finding it difficult, results not going our way, it saw a change of management within the club Paul Norris the assistant manager took over the role of Manager, Barry became coach but he deceided though he wanted to leave, so Paul brought in Darren Everett as Assistant Manager, and Dwight Lewis as the new coach in October of 2009.

Dave Tidy has left the club to persue other things. We wish him well. 2010 we have said goodbye to a few players at the start of the new year who have left to persue other avenues and we wish them well and thank them for their services.Paul has now got on board, Les Smithers as Assistant Manager, Phil Faith as Goalkeeper Coach, and added a few more players to the squad.