C O M M E N T S    /
H I G H L I G H T S

3rd out of 15

Premier Division

FAC

1q

Redhill

1-4

AC

Pr

Redhill

1-2+

LC

Either not entered, or not run this year. All
three of Epsom's matches were in last year's competition.

LC

F

Walton on Thames

0-2

SSC

1st

Tooting & Mitcham Utd

2-3+

SCS

1st

Sutton United

1-5

LSC

2nd

Wood Green Town

0-1

President

Arthur W.Turner

Chairman

H.C. (Charles) Pettett

v-c G.King

Pettett was
formerly of Williams, Pettett and Gardner, Architects.

Secretary

Harry Hawke

Manager

Selection Committee

Treasurer

Len Anderson

Asst Bill Townsend

Len's address "The Summit" Downs
Wood,

Home
Ground:

West Street, Ewell

Epsom Downs

Club Colours

Light and dark blue hoops

Publicity
Secretary

Ernest A Taylor

Press
Secretary

DWG Jones

Trainer

Sid Bristow - replacing Tim Coleman

Committee - elected at AGM on 21/7/38  F.G. Talbot-Butler, William (WI) Bowe, A
Easton, Fred Darch, Ted Wheal,

Frank
Hutchins E White, P Parr (senior & junior), Albert Tuck, C Sproat, C
Pritchard, Ernie Sperring and W Voller.

Additional
First Team records in THE BOOK. No reserve team this year

Epsom were
landlords at West Street to Venner Sports this season having discontinued
their

arrangement
with Ewell and Stoneleigh F.C. See 8/10/38 entry.

Venners were
in the Surrey Senior League and finished 8th out of 14.

June 38
Banstead FC "reform". No Chairman appointed but Mr Powell elected
President, and HB Ellis Secretary

with EW Case
Treasurer.

June 38
mention of a complete overhaul of Sutton's ground complete with concrete
stand for 1,000. Never happens.

14/7/38 AGM
of Supporters Club. Decide to rename as Epsom F.C. Supporters Club again as a
result of the

discontinuation
of the agreement for Ewell and Stoneleigh to share the ground. Honorary
Auditor Mr C Measures

junior asked
whether it was possible to continue supporting both, to which Sid Basford
said that

this was not
possible as home games would now clash on occasions. Epsom Supp club to write
accordingly, but

that they
would give support in every way possible.

Ewell &
Stoneleigh were not represented at the meeting, despite receiving detail s of
the annual report.

AE Oakes re-elected Chairman of SC, with SAC Lacey
Secretary and HE Border Treasurer and CH Head President.

Committee:
Burrage, Sadler, Chandler, Foulger, Burgess, B Lacey, Moss, Suttle and Weal
(Wheal?)

Chairman
Oakes said that the club had had a good season and was now on a level with
any amateur club in the

country. The
supporters must now ensure that the ground was packed, and then they could be
sure that they had

done their bit
towards brightening Epsom football.

According to
Herald, the AGM stated that "it was with regret that Ewell &
Stoneleigh have had to cancel their

agreement to
share with Epsom FC" "We feel we are losing very good friends and
wish them luck"

Bryn Evans also received a presentation to commemorate his
wedding. Supporters club also celebrated winning the

Stoneleigh Snooker Club cup, but this was tempered with
sadness for Messrs Allen and Parr who were in the team,

and were
killed last Christmas in a car accident.

21/7/38 AGM at Hollies Club Epsom where replica cups were
presented to Epsom players by Chairman HC Pettett.

Club lost £34.12s last year but outstanding liabilities
now totals £590.7s.6d. Financial position not good but Venners

Sports would
be paying expenses this year and "not land Epsom with the lot". Was
this a possible reference to

the previous
arrangement with Ewell & Stoneleigh?

Playing
membership remained at one shilling and non playing members reduced from
2s.6d to 1s.

Chairman and
Secretary re-elected. Secretary Harry Hawke had travelled from Felixstowe to
be at the meeting.

Treasurer EH
Flight declined to stand as Treasurer, so Len Anderson stood.

Replica Cups
were given to all players to commemorate their runners up position in the
London League.

Season report
said  43 matches were played W26 D7 L10
F 139 A 75, Jones highest scorer with 36, Brian Beglan

got 20, Rochester 17, Basil Solly 14, and Jackie Pullen
12. This all agrees with my records except that I have another

match away v
Dunkerque which was lost 0-7. This doesn't appear to be covered by the club.

Bryn Evans and Brian Beglan were ever present (Evans
missed game in Dunkerque though). Bobby Gill was captain,

while Frank
Allen and Jackie Parr were remembered at the meeting.

21/7/38 trials
announced for 17/8, 20/8 and 24/8.

15/8/38 SC
Treasurer HE Border summoned to Epsom Petty Sessions and charged with
"causing to be used a

motor vehicle
as an express carriage otherwise than under a road service licence".
Basically, on 23/4/38 Epsom

travelled to
Kingstonian for the SSC SF v Dulwich, and ran a coach over for the fare of 1s
6d. Some however were

not asked
whether they were members, and the London Passenger Transport Board were
already running extra

vehicles on
that route. Because there was an advertisement, announcing the coach, it
could be argued that this

was not being
run for a private party, which it needed to be, otherwise it was effectively
a public bus, for which

they had no
licence. Case was dismissed, as it was not the fault of the Treasurer, and it
was deemed a special

case, although
an application for costs was refused.

Aug 38 Brian Beglan leaves for Dulwich Hamlet, where he
remains for over a decade. Also signed Amateur forms for

Tottenham
while he is at Epsom. Probably due to the influence of the current President
Arthur Turner.

Aug 38 Herald
says Ewell & Stoneleigh are now playing at another ground close to West
Street, which indicates

that they
probably continued, and only left Epsom because of the rental costs. Where
did they play, and in which

League? Sutton
& District? Surrey Intermediate? Definitely not Surrey Senior League
though.

Aug 38 Newly
formed Epsom & Ewell League. CW Bromley President.

Aug 38 AF
Curtis joins from PO Engineers, and R Forbes joins from Dartford.

Future player
Freddie Boatwright joins Redhill from Enfield. Formerly with Leyton.

17/8/38 Trial
was good. Only Rochester, Randall and Toleman were regulars. Reference to CE
Thompson returning

from holiday in Jersey if required, while David Wesley
will return from a cricketing tour on 19/8. Approx 100 applicants

for trials.

19/8/38 AGM
of Epsom Wednesday. Hon Sec N Salter. President Mr Pendarves had died, so Mr
Herbert Smyth

was elected
new President. They are to play at West Street again.

Trial on 24th August. Chairman F Salter, Sec address 57
Links Road, Ashtead. Treasurer Mr C Greentree. They are

in the
Kingston & District Wednesday League and various county cups.

20/8/38 Trial on this day against Venners Sports the new
tenants. New players at trial were: BLUE: E Holmes (Army),

J Elfred (g/k 2nd half) (23) 5ft 10 1/2 and 13st (local),
EW Pierce (17) (local), S Tingey (Wandgas) (23) 5 ft 9 1/2 and

10st, W Sullivan (20) 5ft 10 10st 2lbs, F Curry
(Winchester) A Riches (Bishops Stortford for 3 years) (outside right),

S Straughan
(20) 5ft 9 (Hersham), J Attwell (Irish Free State League), J Hastie
(20)(Berwick Senior League),

R Fulford
(Wimbledon), W or TG Temlett (Ashtead) (played once last season). W Williams
(Manor Hospital). RED:

TJ Cains (23) 5ft 10 1/2 (Balham League), T Pierce (Manor
Hospital and ex-player), W Toleman (regular), A Dempsey

(regular), W Randall, Tommy Rochester, T Laker (24) 5ft 8
1/2 (Wimbledon), T Waltham, T Coombes (20) 5ft 9 10st

10lbs,
(Tooting & M, West Norwood, Wandsworth, Streatham), HT Nicholls (Cornish
League), A Chattem (Army),

AF Curtis
(P.O.Engineers and Army) Proceeds to Surrey County Benevolent Fund, Royal
Free Hospital, and the

London FA
Benevolent Fund.

Paper also states that there is no truth in the rumour
linking Bobby Gill with Hersham. Epsom won 4-1 v Venners in

the trial. Venners come from New Malden and are a works
side. HT 1-0 Jones, while F Morgan (ex Epsom
Reserves)

played for
Venners. Pullen scored for 2-0, then 2-1 while Wesley was temporarily
replaced in goal by W Thairs

(Dundee).
Curtis and Pierce got the other two goals.

24/8/38 trial saw J O'Donnell and G Magee who were both
from the Army and had recently returned from Egypt. Not

enough players at the trial so only 8 a side game.
Reference to Temlett having scored 60 goals for Ashtead 2 seasons

ago. Others at trial included E Holmes, (g/k), A
MacDonald, A Walthew, A Chattem, R Fulford, and R Forbes (24) who

lived in
Brixton and works at Darenth Hospital, and had previously played v Epsom for
Banstead Hospital in the

Amateur Cup.

Aug 38 reference to Len Anderson "the new and
energetic Honorary Treasurer" says vice president donations and subs

total over£26
compared with £5 14s 6d for all of last season.

27/8/38 Epsom
4-0 PO Engineers. This was a League Cup 2nd round tie held over from last
season. There was no

separate competition for 1938/39. Epsom then played Grays
in SF and Walton in Final of 37/38 comp. Final was on 22/4/39.

Epsom played
mainly regulars v PO Eng, although Jimmy Jones and CE Thompson were both on
holiday.

An
exceptionally big crowd for this game "It is seldom that Epsom have
opened their season so auspiciously" the

Engineers were
completely outclassed. FD Rawkins playing for PO Engineers.

Aug 38 Venners
Sports play at Morden v Sutton Strollers.

3/9/38 Epsom
take lead but lose 5-1 at Dagenham. Scoreline is harsh on Epsom. Billy
Williams (ex-Epsom)

playing for Dagenham. Also Billy Neave played for
Dagenham, but would play during the war for Epsom. H.Smith HT.

Epsom player W Toleman was an ex-Dagenham player and Bobby
Gill was captain this season. H.Smith HT for Dagenham.

3/9/38 Future
war time player J Judge now with PO Engineers. Formerly with Park Royal.

3/9/38 Venners Sports draw 0-0 in their first home SSL
match with West Norwood. Reference to them being unable to

find suitable
accommodation locally.

Venners line
up this day was R Sumner, W Pearson, F Heaysman, E George, W Scott, RF
Hutcheson, FB Rolfe,

G Frewin, J
Gould, FW Simpson, E Bigg

3/9/38
Banstead's first ever match at Tattenham Way lost 4-1 to Epsom Athletic.

Lots of Epsom
based sides at this time. Epsom Athletic, Epsom Spartans, Epsom Blues, North
Ewell, and

Stoneleigh
Park (playing at Cuddington Rec). However, no mention of Ewell and Stoneleigh
who may have folded.

7/9/38 Venners
lose at home 1-4 to Met Police in a game shortened to 40 minutes each way.

7/9/38 Also this day Epsom Wednesday win 10-2 against
Malden Athletic in a friendly. They start in K & D League on

14/9/38.

7/9/38 Epsom
fortunate to win 2-1 at Carshalton Athletic in near darkness on a Wednesday
evening. A large

attendance
saw Epsom go 1-0 down in first half, but an o.g. that the reporter couldn't
see in the darkness and late

winner by
Billy Heal ensure a 2-1 win. "Almost a total blackout by the end of the
game"

Sept 38 Hugh Pratt rumoured to be joining Woking but stays
at Sutton - Pratt guests for Epsom later in the season.

10/9/38 Epsom
unable to play Sutton in SCS match due to a rearranged London League match v
Eton Manor.

Surrey Charity
Shield Draw - 8 teams Sutton v Epsom

Nunhead v PO
Engineers

Tooting &
Mitcham v Met Police

Woking v
Walton on Thames

10/9/38
Another reference to a "big crowd" at Epsom for an easy 2-1 win
over last year's Champions Eton Manor.

Not reflective of Epsom's superiority. Dick Wilson scores
the first goal of his career (exc penalties) from a free kick,

and receives
an ovation from the crowd for it!

Herald says  there
was "a fair crowd, but fewer present than expected". Wilson's goal
was a free kick just inside Eton

Manor's half,
which was floated in but missed by everyone and crept in. Keeper was
distracted by Forbes.

Sept 38 SSC
Exempt to 1st round after SF performance last season.

14/9/38
Carshalton Ath start with ten men, but by the time Price takes the field
Epsom are 2-0 up and win 6-0.

16/9/38 Mr Reg Heathorn of 104 Green Lanes, Ewell writes
in to ask why Epsom can't have a reserve team. He wanted

a trial, but
wasn't allowed, and has since joined a club further away.

17/9/38 Epsom
have comfortable win over West Norwood in FAC. Epsom have only lost one FAC
tie with West

Norwood, and
that was their first ever tie in 1925. Jimmy Jones mispen in 2nd half at 2-0,
but scored one earlier.

West Norwood
were sharing at Hersham this year. Quite a distance away from Norwood!

24/9/38
Programme numbered "7", but it was only the 5th home game of the
season. Were Venners Sports

programmes
numbered, or even produced in the first place? Were a couple issued for
trials? More likely.

24/9/38
"A Huge crowd" at Epsom for Redhill in AC. "One of the most
exciting cup ties ever played at Ewell"

All three
goals in extra time. Epsom well on top in 1st half, but Redhill more dominant
in 2nd. Redhill scored

first in
extra time, then Epsom scored, only for referee to rule it out and award a
penalty. This was scored, but

referee
ordered a retake for "some slight infringement". The retake was
saved, but it fell to the penalty taker

Billy Heal
who then finally scored! Future player Sid Faggetter scored a second time for
Redhill with 4 minutes left.

Local lad Fred
Chitty tried out, and played well but tired and became a virtual passenger by
the end.

Future post
war player Fred Boatwright also playing for Redhill.

24/9/38
Before game in the morning, captain Bobby Gill got married. He is one of the
best backs in the game and

missed out on
an International Cap three years previously due to injury.

24/9/38
reference to David Wesley being unavailable for 17/9/38 win in FAC due to
tennis commitments. He was

a "star
performer at cricket, rugger, heavyweight boxing and tennis" says
programme. He and his sister

won a mixed
doubles competition and had trophies presented by Bunny Austin the famous
English player.

Oct 38 future player Jim (JH) Stubbs is at Wimbledon
Reserves. Leaves for Tooting & Mitcham in October but is with us by
April.

1/10/38
Redhill visit again, this time for FAC, and win more easily than last time.
Faggetter scored again.

AF Curtis and
Redhill captain ED Colwell resorted to blows near the end of the game, but
fortunately, the referee

was lenient and allowed them to stay on the field. David
Wesley (gk) unavailable "duty's call". Jones scored a second

half
consolation from 30 yards.

BOOK says SA
Clarke played in his place, but was this FA Clarke, ex-Carshalton who played
at Dunkerque?

I can't prove
it, and have to assume they were two different people. SA Clarke lived in
Ealing in 1938, so playing for

Carshalton is
unlikely, but I can't say for certain.

1/10/38 Venners beat Aquarius 4-1 in AC replay but had
drawn away from home the week before so where was this played,

as Epsom were
at home again?

Oct 38 J
Kinsela joined from Cobham.

Oct 38 HS
Pratt joins Woking from Sutton United. Formerly with Redhill and Epsom.

Oct 38 former
Ewell & Stoneleigh and future Epsom player Reg (EJ) Hunt joins Wimbledon.
Would

make
occasional first team appearances.

8/10/38 Epsom
were due to play Uxbridge in the league, but waived their right so that
Venner Sports could play

PO Engineers
in the AC at West Street, winning 4-0. A big surprise.

Epsom then
played a friendly at Kingstonian and beat their Isthmian counterparts 4-2.

Curtis's second goal was from 40 yards but the keeper let
it through his hands. Jones did not play, as he had an injured

leg and a
chill. Epsom were 4-1 up with a minute left at Kingstonian.

A programme
was issued for this friendly. Epsom had only played at Kingstonian twice
before. Both in SSC SF's

1929 beat
Wimbledon and 1938 lost to Dulwich Hamlet.

15/10/38
Banstead MH 4-1 Venners.

15/10/38
Wesley ill Strudwick deputised. This is H Strudwick, not Fred (FEJ), who
played in 1932 and 35/36.

Dull game in
some parts v Woolwich. Epsom were 5-2 up but let two late goals in. HT 2-2

Oct 38 reference to AC and BC Griffiths playing for
Tooting & Mitcham. They were with Epsom for the last two years.

22/10/38 Ray Chenery and Roy Marlow selected for Epsom
& District Schools (no Leatherhead in title) in Hood Shield (which

they won the year before) v Dorking & District at
Epsom Central School, Lintons Lane. Epsom won 9-0 and Marlow played

in goal, never
requiring to touch the ball! He didn't even have a goal kick to take!

22/10/38 David
Wesley pensave late in 2nd half (WIDE) from Gray says Herald..

Wandsworth
United are defeated 5-0 at West Street. Henry A.Allingham was in

goal for
Wandsworth. He was the old Ewell and Stoneleigh keeper. M.Snowball debut
"A strapping young

player in his
teens" Previously played for Carlisle United Res and Ashtead.

27/10/38 Jimmy Jones and Tommy Rochester selected for
Surrey XI this day v Sussex at Horsham - 3pm. Also Archie Griffiths.

29/10/38
Epsom's first ever match with Uxbridge who moved over from the Athenian
League.

29/10/38 game
played at RAF Stadium Uxbridge. Uxbridge pen miss (wide) in 2nd half at 4-2
to Epsom.

"Epsom
have not given such a thrilling display since they met Dulwich last season in
SSC". Perfect conditions.

Epsom did well in first half, which was just as well, as
Uxbridge fought back. They were 1-0 down after 12 minutes, but

Curtis (12) and Collins (20) took Epsom 2-1 up and they
then dominated, with a Snowball header from a Solly cross

after 44 minutes 3-1 HT. Kinsela was injured so Jones
played inside left this day. David Wesley was briefly knocked

out during the game, and his first words to trainer Sid
Bristow after regaining consciousness were "they didn't score,

did they"!

The Times says Snowball got a HT while Collins only got
one but this appears wrong. Herald agrees that Snowball and

Collins both
got two. What does BOOK say? Check!

After the
game, Epsom FC won the Royal Free Hospital Cup for swimming again, and they
were represented by

Bobby Gill, Charlie Thompson, Billy Heal and AF Curtis,
beating PO Engineers for the second season. RN Depot also

competed this
time.

29/10/38 Venners beat Cranleigh 5-1 in SSL at West Street.
EL George has now left Venners (business commitments).

Reference in
report to a match programme being produced this day so assume they were
regularly produced.

29/10/38 English Schools Shield match @ Epsom. Epsom
Schools beat Tooting 2-1. Roy Marlow was injured in 1st

half, and was a semi passenger, but he still scored both
goals! During play a rabbit appeared and ran down the wing!

Ray Chenery
also played.

Oct 38 Charlie Thompson is leaving the club, because work
is transferring him to Birmingham, but he will try to play

occasionally.
Toleman is an adequate replacement, but Herald says he is a little too old.

5/11/38 Epsom lose to a penalty at Wood Green Town in LSC.
Not too many spectators see Wood Green just about

deserve to win.
Final qualifying round. It was a listless display, and the penalty was just
before HT and was awarded

for pushing by Heal, although Herald thought it was harsh.
AF Curtis had earlier "scored", but the ref "without
neutral

linesmen" wasn't up with play, and felt that the ball
hadn't crossed the line, even though Herald said it was over by a

foot. Then
Jimmy Jones missed an easy chance. Only David Wesley played well.

We would have been at home to Aldsmede in the First Round
Proper. Never heard of them but Wood Green beat them 3-1.

5/11/38 Venner
Sports 4-5 Vickers - SSL.

11/11/38
reported that Tommy Rochester has undergone a successful operation for
cartilage trouble, but is not

expected to
play before xmas. He returned in February.

12/11/38
Epsom led 2-0 at Leavesden but lose 4-3 "One of the best London League
encounters of recent times"

12/11/38 George Knight makes debut from Enfield, but
played as a right back instead of his usual left half. Does not

play again for the club, but not sure if positioning was
the reason. He was a friend of Billy Heal and had been at Enfield

for four
years. 5ft 10 1/2 and 11 stone.

12/11/38 Epsom's third goal may have been an og by JEARROD
who put the ball in after "a perfect centre by Solly". As

THE BOOK credits Solly with the goal, I will do likewise.
The Times agrees with the own goal crediting it to Gerrard.

12/11/38
Venners 3-4 Vickers in SSC. 3-1 HT. Had also lost to them on 5/11 in SSL.

19/11/38 RW Luchford to make debut. Played for Colchester,
Dagenham & Chelmsford, and is ex-West Ham amateur.

He is 21, and
5ft 9 and 11stone. Also GW Baker makes debut. He had played twice for Kent
last season,

and had also played for London Paper Mills
in Kent League..

His son Brian has been in touch in 2010. George went on to
play for Littlebrook Sports and Social after the war before

moving on to
Gravesend and Northfleet, where his career ended following a clash of heads
with an opponent. He

developed a
blood clot and spent seven months in hospital before making a full recovery,
but he died in 1979.

A Solly winner after 88 minutes edged Guildford City out
after 90 minutes of "gruelling football, in which the initiative

swung from side to side and thrilled the crowd".
Debutants did well. Collins scored after 9 minutes, and it was 2-0 after

17, but a minute later it was 2-1, and 35 minutes 2-2. HT
2-2. Downhill second half "Curtis centred and Solly took the

ball out of a
crowd of players and twisting around, scored a brilliant goal". Bobby
Gill pulled a thigh muscle says

Herald but he
continued to play. Not sure about the severity of this injury, as Gill played
the week after too.

19/11/38
North v South final trial for Surrey Boys at West Street at 10.30. Roy Marlow
is selected. Epsom,

Leatherhead
and District Schools play v Greenwich in 3rd Round of English Schools Shield
at Goldsmiths College

Ground, New Cross on 26/11/38. Mr J Gregory, their
secretary thanks Epsom FC for the regular use of their ground,

especially as
so many amateur clubs will not tolerate boys football on their ground these
days.

Nov 38 Basil
Solly selected for London League v Isthmian @ Dulwich on 30/11. Jimmy Jones
is a reserve.

19/11/38
Venners win 3-1 at Leyland Motors - SSL.

26/11/38
former and future player Gordon Brogdale playing for Wandsworth v Tilbury in
London League

26/11/38
Venners beat Banstead MH in SSL LC after extra time. HT 0-1 90 mins 1-1. The
winner was scored in

closing stages
"almost in darkness".

26/11/38 Epsom
win 4-1 at RN Depot in Chatham. All goals scored in first 30 minutes! Basil
Solly mispen.

London League
also played Isthmian League at Dulwich on 30/11/38. Basil Solly represented
League here too.

I have
programme for this game. Billy Heal also picked. Did
he play?

Epsom were 1-0 down after a short while, but were 2-1 up
two minutes later. Right at the end, Forbes was fouled, but

Solly missed
the penalty.

2/12/38
reported that Epsom have purchased their ground for £1,550.

The bank have
advanced the bulk of the cash, and Chairman Charlie Pettett, G.King (v-c), WI
Bowe (one of the

oldest
members of the club) and AE Tuck have been declared trustees of the ground.
It is 13 years since the late

president of
the club Mr R Bradshaw purchased the ground for the benefit of the club. He
expended a great sum of

money and gave
the club the option to purchase it within 21 years. They have now done this.

Herald reports on 2/12/38 that Albert E Tuck was appointed
last year as a member of a sub-committee to look into the

matter. He
reported not as a lawyer, but as an old footballer and one who liked the
game. He took a keen interest

because he
used to play football for a team (35 years ago, but not sure about this) that
was at the same level as

Epsom, and
who played at Nunhead, but had to disband as they were behind on rent. He
also refers to Nunhead's

lease expiring in 1940. Rent is £85 10s a year and
interest on a purchase loan would be less. Also they will be able to

undertake advertising at the ground. Mr Tuck wrote to the
two trustees for Robert Bradshaw, Mr Eggar, and Mr Jackson,

who were prepared to resign. Charles Pettett
tried to get a reduction in the cost, but was advised that this wasn't

possible, as the estate was in trust for his children.
Money was owing for rent, and the trustees accepted £100 for this.

The Bank agreed to lend "a certain sum" and Mr
Pettett and Mr King covered the balance. Unanimously voted for at

meeting at
Hollies Club, Church Street on 28/11/38. Proposed by WI Bowe, and Seconded by
P Parr (senior).

2/12/38 Mr SV Holingsworth writes to Herald asking if the
club will now do something about the car parking around the

area. He lives at Spring Cottage, The Mount, Ewell. Says
it is impossible to even get in and out of your own garage.

Suggests that
the club should have a car park, but if it is too small for one, that is not
the residents fault.

3/12/38 No
game for Epsom this day.

3/12/38
Venners 2-4 Banstead MH - SSL. J Morgan playing for Venners.

Dec 38
mention of Ewell Boys School FC. Captain is Roy Marlow, son of Reg, and
future player for Epsom, along

with future Player and Manager Ray Chenery, who was also
in the boys side, and both regularly feature in the District side.

Marlow is
rumoured to be in line for his County cap and possibly even an International
trial.

10/12/38 Epsom
beat Grays in LC SF 5-1 which is a flattering scoreline. Mention of League
Cup being a

comparatively recent institution. Excellent football in
this match though, and Epsom got three near the end in fading

light. Fred
Stenning made his debut from Cobham and scored a hat trick. He repeated this
the following week.

He had already scored 25 for Cobham this year, and got 57
a couple of seasons ago. Aged 23 5ft 11, and 12 stone,

with Rep Honours for SSL v London University. It was a
very muddy game, but Epsom fully merited their victory. All

Stenning's goals were easy ones according to Herald.
Curtis scored first after 10 minutes after numerous escapes for

Epsom, then Stenning got his first after 22 minutes. HT
2-0 Grays got it back to 2-1 after 67 mins, but two in the last

five minutes helped to flatter the
scoreline.

The Times says
Stenning only got two and that Jones got two instead of one. Check!

16/12/38 SV Hollingsworth writes again, as he felt that
Press Secretary Ernest Taylor had described him as a moaner,

and was very
disappointed with the remarks by the club. Taylor responds the next week to
state that he wasn't

describing them as moaners, but that people at Arsenal did
not moan if cars were left outside their ground. Also says

that
Hollingsworth should have written to club first, not the press. He also
states that the committee supports the

comments, and
all of them have an interest in sport in the district. Response is a little
harsh, but it probably was

wrong to go to
the press first.

16/12/38 Herald says that Bryn Evans kicks the ball out a
lot, and if he was on the opposition, the supporters would

have been
shouting "Redhill!"

17/12/38
Stenning's hat trick is eclipsed by the fact that Epsom were 5-0 up at half
time v Bostall Heath, only to

draw the game
5-5!!! Epsom were very over confident at the start of the second half, and
the visitors scored two

quick goals
and grew in confidence. Dick Wilson returned to the side, but is beginning to
struggle with the pace of

the game. Herald says that the first half was a
scintillating performance. Stenning scored first after 15 minutes, and

all ten goals
were in the bottom goal! Prog Y.

24/12/38 Game
at Walton postponed, as was the friendly on 27/12/38 with Canterbury
Waverley, a pro side from

the Kent League who had made the first round of FA Cup
this year. Heavy snow and ice blamed for the postponements.

Canterbury Waverley were an unofficial Arsenal nursery
side. All major non league football was called off on 24/12 said Times.

27/12/38 At 4pm on 26th Dec the game v Canterbury Waverley
was postponed as the snow covered the ground to such

a great depth that even if a big thaw set in, it would be
impossible to play the next day. Epsom then tried to get the

BBC to announce the postponement, but they couldn't help.
They were able to let the visitors know, but Ernest Taylor

was the only
official there, as the Secretary and Chairman were both away for Christmas.
Harry Hawke was in

Felixtowe.
Programmes had been printed for the match, which meant a financial loss on
the game. Canterbury

Waverley
offered to travel at a later stage in the season if fixtures allowed, but it
never happened.

31/12/38 No
game could be arranged this day.

31/12/38
Hersham 4-0 Venners - SSL.

Dec 38 Roy
Marlow selected and played for Surrey Schools v Kent @ Epsom on 31/12/38. Won
3-2 Ht 1-2.

Dec 38 Basil
Solly reported as having offered his services to Sutton as they were having a
bad season.

7/1/39 Venners 1-3 Leyland Motors. Venners had won 3-1 at
Leyland earlier in season. Both SSL games. EG Eggboro

the former
Ewell & Stoneleigh player played for Leyland. HT 0-2.

7/1/39 Eton
Manor had the best forward line Epsom had met this season. HT 0-2, and 3-0
down before Jones got a

penalty.
Press said it was "a grand game" on a "maximum size"
pitch. A late consolation for Curtis (89). Lost 2-4.

14/1/39 Epsom
should have been 3 up at the interval and forced 5 corners in the first 10
minutes. Randall injured

after
collision with opponent left him with a fractured arm midway through the
first half. 10 men. HT 0-0. In 2nd half

Dagenham scored a goal even though linesman flagged for
offside. First home league defeat of season. Jimmy Jones

unavailable due to playing in a Welsh International trial
match at Pontypool. Epsom were very unlucky according to the

Herald, and
Basil Solly played his best game to date.

20/1/39
reported that Wales are only interested in Jimmy Jones now because it turns
out that he was not born in

Bristol as
originally assumed, but he was born in LLIPIA in Wales, and moved to Bristol
at an early age. Epsom

thought he was
a Bristolian, as he spent his holidays there. Can't have had much of a Welsh
accent!

21/1/39
T&M v Epsom (SSC) p-p for their Amateur Cup replay that day

21/1/39
Attractive game despite muddy conditions. Reference to Finchley player
Chaventre previously playing for

Ewell and Stoneleigh and Epsom. Epsom dominate game and
miss two open goals as Stenning hits post and Curtis

headed wide.
Charlie Thompson made a rare appearance this day. Finchley won 2-0.

Herald refers
to Finchley's ground being almost "an exact copy" of Epsom's,
including the slope. Hard to believe if

you've seen Finchley's ground. Herald disputes that Geoff
Collins is a left half, having only played briefly there when

Randall broke
his arm (on 14/1/39), and he is a better winger.

Randall has now had the bone reset at Royal Free Hospital
but won't be able to resume work as a furniture salesman

for another 5
weeks.

21/1/39
Venners 0-2 Met Police in SF of SSL LC. Met had won at West Street 4-1 in SSL
earlier this season.

28/1/39 A
good crowd at Tooting & Mitcham for SSC tie. T & M mispen 1st half
but still cross over 2-0 up at HT.

Epsom fight
back and force extra time (only 10 minutes each way decreed by referee and
Tooting & M score 3

minutes from
time. Winner would have been home to Woking or Dulwich in next round.

"During the course of their football career, Epsom
have rarely made such an impressive and promising rally as they did

at
Mitcham". Evans was out with flu, so Heal played in his position, and
Snowball came in to Heal's place.

T & M mispen (POST) but ex-Epsom Archie Griffiths
scores one for them. 3,000 present. Stenning also missing with

a septic leg.

28/1/39 Club
says at 1939 AGM that Evans played every game this season, yet this day,
Snowball plays

in his
absence. Club is wrong.

28/1/39 Met
Police 2-1 Venners - SSL.

Met Police
also have a team in the Spartan League. First and Reserves or a different
location?

Jan 39 GR
Blake joins club (Tufnell Park, and West Norwood) 5ft 11 1/2 11stone 6lbs. He
is an attacker.

4/2/39 Epsom fortunate to get late (75 mins) winner at PO
Engineers. Future players Judge and Rawkins played for

the
Engineers, and again on 25/3/39. They were behind after 11 minutes, but Solly
equalised with a free kick, and

Epsom were
comfortable after scoring the winner. Not a high standard of football.

4/2/39 Roy
Marlow plays for South v Midlands @ Gillingham and scores the first goal in a
4-0 win.

A leading daily paper (unknown) said: " A well built
player, the Epsom lad was a thrustful leader and brought his wings

into the game
with well judged passes. Quick of the mark, he also got good power behind his
shots".

4/2/39 Venners
6-1 Guildford @ West Street. First win for a while in SSL.

Feb 39 Roy
Marlow selected for South v North International trial @ Golders Green on
4/3/39. Won 6-1

11/2/39 Epsom
just about deserved their 2-1 win over Tilbury. After 15 mins Jones mispen,
but retake ordered

after
linesman spotted an infringement by the keeper. Tommy Rochester took the
penalty and scored it in his first

appearance
after injury for some weeks. He could have scored a second but hit the
goalkeeper in the head and

knocked him
out late in 2nd half! WH Calvert makes debut - Promising say papers.

After the
penalty the crowd encouraged Epsom "to get a real one", which they
did!

Feb 39 C Langley joins from Invicta (a South London League
Team). Recommended by Tottenham. WH Calvert is also

from London
Paper Mills.

11/2/39 Cobham
4-2 Venners - SSL.

15/2/39
Representative Match between London League and Surrey Senior League at Epsom.
Won 10-2 (4-1HT)

Epsom players
Jimmy Jones, Basil Solly, and Billy Heal and Tommy Rochester represent the
London League

Jones scored
twice, Solly once and Heal also scored from long range. Rochester played at
the back. Prog Y.

Former player Tommy "Tot" Winship (Hersham) and
Stockinger (Venners - groundsharing at West St) play for SSL.

Third match in
total having had one in 35/36 won 1-0 and 36/37 lost 7-3.

35/36 game was
at Epsom but not sure if 36/37 one was too.

Game being
used as a trial match for April's match against the Paris League in Paris

One other
trial match against Royal Navy and Marines at Guildford on 18/3/39 before the
Paris game.

I can trace no
record of the Paris game. Did it go ahead, and if so, who played from Epsom?

18/2/39 Epsom
lucky to beat Grays 1-0, as they missed two pens, one at the end of each half
(HIGH) then (BAR)

Debuts for P
Blake (from Tufnell Park) and C Langley. Langley did not play well, but
neither played again.

Herald was
harsher, saying that Langley "did absolutely nothing". Collins
(flu) Rochester (working) and Stenning

(detained at work) were unavailable. Calvert played at
centre forward and did ok. 30 minutes had passed before Calvert

hit the bar with a shot and Jimmy Jones scored from the
rebound. First penalty awarded after 43 for handball, although

the ball had hit Heal in the face!. The second penalty was
given for a great diving save from Baker after 89 minutes.

This penalty
came back off the bar and hit the taker before he could get out of the way!

18/2/39
Venners 3-1 Brookwood Hospital - SSL.

25/2/39 Epsom defeat Wandsworth United 2-1 at West Street
in a Wandsworth home match switched due to their ground loss.

25/2/39 Forbes the ex-Epsom player, engineered the goal
that put Wandsworth ahead just after HT, and Epsom had to work

hard to win
the game, after Wandsworth had dominated the first half. Not a very confident
performance, but Solly

levelled it up on 60 minutes and Stenning chested it in to
the net after 75 minutes. Curtis was injured early, and was a

passenger for
most of the game.

25/2/39
Godalming 0-4 Venners - SSL.

Feb 39 More arguments about Rochester's eligibility, as
Manor Hospital believe that they have first call on his services.

4/3/39 After
shock just before xmas, Epsom have easy 4-1 win at Bostall Heath this time.
Curtis was injured and

unavailable so Morgan played instead. Tommy Rochester
played at centre forward and "his liveliness, aggressiveness

and football skill are certainly a contrast to Fred
Stenning's slow and stodgy style of play" The papers did not appear

to like
Stenning much but he would score often enough against them in future.

Solly scored after 20 minutes, and Epsom never looked
back. Morgan was playing for Venners this season too. Just

before HT
Jones and Solly hit the post in exactly the same place with good drives
"almost uprooted!".

4/3/39 Venners
3-1 Cobham - SSL.

11/3/39 Roy Marlow selected for England Schools v The Rest
in final trial @ Chesterfield. He scores 3 as they win 6-2.

Roy is now a pupil at West Central School in Ruxley Lane
which opened this year, after being transferred from Ewell

Boys School last December. Is only 14 and is being watched
by scouts from Wolves, Arsenal and Tottenham. Picture

in 17/3/39
Herald near back.

Mar 39 Fred
Chitty now playing with Sutton United Reserves.

March 39 Pat
Lynch at Tufnell Park still. Playe for them at Kingstonian in April.

11/3/39
Vickers 2-1 Venners - SSL.

11/3/39
Another easy win over Uxbridge and could have won 6-0, but Rochester kept
being offside!

Uxbridge
"were spiritless", but Epsom suffered from over-elaboration. Jones
penalty was for handball.

15/3/39 Epsom
Baths opened by Mayoress Mrs HW Cushine. Cost £65,000.

15/3/39 3.30
ko at West Street. Surrey Midweek Cup SF between Kingston Weds and Reigate
& Redhill Weds.

17/3/39 reported that Epsom may give a debut to J Lewis
(Hitchin Town) in a friendly. However, no game takes place.

Also reported
that "Epsom supporters are becoming well acquainted with that mythical
player A NEWMAN whose

name occasionally appears on the programme" like his
partner AN OTHER, he gets around!. The club nearly signed

John (JH) Newman this week, but chose to play for
Wandsworth instead, and the deadline was 28/2 for transfers anyway. He

had played
for Enfield and Finchley previously and Standard Telephones before that,
moving to Finchley in 1931.

18/3/39 Bobby
Gill, Billy Heal, Jimmy Jones all selected for London League v Royal Navy and
Marines @ Guildford

Jimmy Jones
was captain, but Bobby Gill was unwell so Bryn Evans played instead. Won 2-0.
No first team game.

Bobby Gill had
a boil on the back of his neck but will be fit for game on 25/3/39.

18/3/39 As a
result Epsom had no game this day.

18/3/39
Venners 4-1 Egham in SSL at West Street.

24/3/39
reported that another new right winger is to play on 25/3. J Stubbs has
played for Sutton and Wimbledon.

The club is
struggling for right wingers (a traditional problem). They had looked at R
Osborne, but he left Northfleet

for Enfield
instead.

25/3/39
Epsom's third win over PO Engineers this season, and this was the most
convincing. Epsom did go a goal

down (30),
but equalised very quickly (within a few seconds) through Rochester. J Stubbs
makes promising debut.

Epsom went 3-1
up and held on at 3-2.

Roy Marlow
played for England Schools v Ireland Schools @ Stoke on 1/4/39. England win
2-0 but Ireland are the

better side
say papers. Advertiser has a report but it is a really poor copy - almost
unreadable. Copy - N.

1/4/39 Epsom
defeated easily by Sutton in Surrey Senior Charity Shield 5-1. Bobby Gill was
playing for Surrey, so

Basil Solly was captain against his old club. He scored
Epsom's goal and was the best player on the pitch. Overall

though, Epsom were feeble. J Cooper cautioned for Sutton.
J Stubbs was not eligible for this SCS game as he hadn't

been signed for 28 days. Herald remarks that normally Bryn
Evans creates little, but is usually an effective stopper.

Not today! HT for future war time player Jack Lock.
Solly's goal for Epsom was kicked off the line, but the linesman

flagged for a goal. However the referee allowed play to
continue for nearly a minute before he consulted the linesman

upon Epsom appeals and allowed the goal. Hugh
"Tipper" Pratt who guested once for Epsom, scored the other
two

Sutton goals.
Bobby Gill was missing with flu.

1/4/39 Venners
3-1 Godalming - SSL.

7/4/39 On Good Friday Epsom are unfortunate to gain a
point at Walton in front of a large crowd. Charlie Thompson

made a rare appearance, but is out of training. 5 minutes
0-1, but Jones equalised a minute later. HT 1-1 Calvert injured

2nd half.
Passenger. L1-2

7/4/39
Novelty match at West Street as Epsom Weds play a team of local trainers and
jockeys. Herbert Smyth

(Epsom Weds
President) was to have kicked off, but wasn't present, so his brother A
"Monty" Smyth did instead.

Epsom Weds were 1-0 up at HT and won 4-1. E Weds manager
EE Thornton refereed the game, and 500 attended,

with receipts
going to Epsom Cottage Hospital. Entry 4d.

8/4/39 Epsom
lose to Tilbury deservedly, although they improved in the second half. Both
Gill and Rochester were

missing for all three Easter games through sickness. Debut
for D Brooks who had played for West Ham in Combination

on 7/4/39, but didn't play well. T Pierce played for Epsom
again. The second Tilbury goal from 20 yards out "slammed

into the net
like a ball from a cannon".

8/4/39 West
Norwood 1-4 Venners Sports - SSL.

Apr 39 Reg (EJ) Hunt (17) makes debut for Wimbledon first
XI. - Joined from local football said the Wimbledon Borough News.

10/4/39 Epsom
win a thrilling game 5-3 against Walton on Easter Monday with plenty of skill
and vigour displayed.

Epsom led 3-0
early and 4-2 at HT. Jimmy Jones mispen (POST) in 2nd half.

10/4/39 Hersham win Surrey Senior League Cup 3-0 over Met
Police Reserves at Kingstonian. Former players Tommy Dunne

and Bill Ruffell played for them that day while future
keeper Harry Tiffany also played. M.Snowball was also a Hersham player

this season
but didn't play in the final. Tot Winship also part of the squad.

5/4/39 or 12/4/39 Surrey Boys 2-4 Middlesex Boys @ Crystal
Palace (Selhurst Park). Roy Marlow played for Surrey

but "his
International cap can have done him no good" as he was poor and
ineffective. "It is a pity he is so small"

14/4/39 reported that Gill is out with flu and T Pierce
(Manor Hospital) had been playing. Stubbs was missing, as he is

best man at a wedding, and Rochester will be absent too.
As it turns out, Gill would return for game on 15/4/39. David

Wesley will play, but has to miss the following Saturday,
as he returns from Paris that day, and will miss the cup final.

15/4/39
Comfortable win over Grays but the game was far from interesting and typical
end of season fare. "Herald

says that
"a small crowd witnessed the poorest display all season". Collins
scored after 22 minutes, and Stenning

scored five
minutes later. The second half started with a goal from the kick off.
Stenning gave it to Jones, who ran

straight through the centre of the pitch and then shot. It
wasn't that strong, but the keeper still couldn't keep it out. 55

minutes 4-0,
but 4-1 with 15 left through the Grays Club Secretary G McCarthy, who was an
ex-Grays player, but

hadn't played
seriously for ten years!. Grays had many injuries.

15/4/39
Guildford 2-5 Venners - SSL.

April 39 Roy
Marlow selected for Surrey Boys v Kent @ Selhurst Park on 1/5/39

20/4/39 Marlow
played for Surrey Boys and scored 2 in a 4-0 win over Sussex @ Horsham.

April 39
Mention of Tommy 'Tot' Winship an ex-Epsom player, now at Hersham

In fact, he played at Hersham in their charity cup final
along with future players Harry Tiffany and Bill Ruffell in 38/39.

22/4/39 1937/38 League Cup Final @ Walton in rain, wind,
sun and hail! Epsom deserved to lose because of

their lifeless end of season attitude. David Wesley was
unavailable - scholastic duties in Paris! So H Welch

played as a
guest from Northfleet Amateurs and played well, as did Collins, but that was
it. Holmes (40)

and Mitchell
(55) scored for Walton. Epsom never looked like getting back into the game,
although they

should have
been 2-0 up after 5 minutes.

Herald says
that the game was "as flat as dishwater", and the game concluded in
a hailstorm!

Epsom
actually turned down an offer of help from Ralph Carr the future
International, as they were

concerned
about a slight injury that he had!!

22/4/39
Venners 1-0 Hersham - SSL.

29/4/39
Easiest victory of the season as Epsom score 5 but have three others
disallowed for odd reasons.

Guildford's goal was scored by Todd, their old trainer,
who hadn't played for ten seasons. Very odd co-incidence with

the Grays game
of 15/4/39.

29/4/39
Venners 1-2 Camberley & Yorktown - SSL.

30/4/39 A service for Sportsmen is held at the Epsom
Brotherhood Club. David Wesley was invited to read the lesson in front

of other notable sportsmen HH Whitlock the world famous
walker and Jack Crump, President of Epsom Harriers and future

England
Athletics team Manager at the 1948 Olympics. Arthur Glyn was also present.

May 39 reference in Wimbledon Borough News to former
player Charley Preece who is listed as trainer of Wimbledon Strollers.

Made an
outfield appearance for the Wimbledon Reserves on 01/05/39.

3/5/39 Leavesden needed a win to take League title but are
beaten by Epsom 2-0. Leavesden were in charge for the

first 15
minutes, but were never in it after that. Goldsack concedes penalty for
Leavesden - was this the same

Goldsack that played for Epsom when Leavesden when Epsom
were short on 21/2/48?? No, but they may have been

related, as
the 1948 one was only 16.

5/5/39
reported in Herald that there is a possibility of a new team in Epsom, Epsom
Town, who would play at West

Street when Epsom FC are away. The agreement with Venners
is unlikely to be renewed. The Herald thinks that it will

be a good
thing to have a virtual reserve team, but it doesn't quite work out like
that.

6/5/39 Epsom
require a 13 goal win to take second place, but have to settle for 4-0 and
third place, despite being

2-0 up after 5 minutes. Herald says Rochester got the
first two, the first with the aid of a slight deflection, then Jones

scored from a
Collins shot, and Bryn Evans got the fourth. BOOK disagrees. Check Ad!

Comet says o.g from a Collins shot, then Rochester header
from Stubbs cross, Jones got the third following up from

a Collins shot, and Heal got the fourth when he netted
following a keeper clearance. Also says four were disallowed!

Mitcham News says Jones scored from Collins shot, and o.g.
from Stubbs shot, a Rochester header and a Jones goal.

Ad says o.g.
from Sanders from Stubbs shot for 1st goal, then Rochester header from Stubbs
cross. HT 2-0. third

was a shot from Collins that was half saved, and Jones
scored it, the Rochester disallowed for offside on 65th minute,

with Heal
returning the ball in to the area "and Epsom's fourth goal was the
outcome". Check BOOK again.

BOOK says
Jones, Rochester, Collins, Heal. I will go with
o.g., Rochester, Jones, Heal

Times agrees
with BOOK so I will amend the o.g. to Collins.

12/5/39 Herald says that Epsom have done well this season,
especially Bobby Gill, and David Wesley. G Baker did well

as a successor to Charlie Thompson. Herald also refers to
Epsom's "breezily produced programme". Did they mean it

was upbeat, or just created quickly. Calvert may be the
replacement for Dick Wilson, but Herald cannot have realised

that Wilson
had already played his last game for the club.

May 39 Bostall Heath leave London League, as their ground
has been taken over by Woolwich and Bexley Council for

town planning
purposes.

May 39 Epsom
Town and Epsom Manor both apply for membership of the Surrey Senior League,
and both are

accepted. Brentwood and Wembley apply for the London
League and Wembley are accepted in Bostall Heath's place.

18/5/39 SCFA
AGM at Sutton Adult School. Harry Hawke present.

20/5/39 Roy Marlow makes second appearance for England v
Wales @Aston Villa and scored a HT. Alex James the

former
Arsenal and Scotland star did the report in the News of the World. He was
also selected for England v

Scotland @
Edinburgh on 27/5/39. I have a programme for the England v Wales match.

25/5/39 Epsom Town and Epsom Manor are accepted to SSL.
Guildford were re-elected and Cranleigh dropped out.

Epsom now have
three senior teams for the season 1939/40.

26/5/39
reported that Epsom Town will be neither the nursery, nor a reserve team, but
entirely separate from the

Epsom FC club, with exception of Chairman Charles Pettett,
who is the Epsom Town sponsor and it's first President.

Their ground
share is dependent on them being accepted by SSL (they were), and that Epsom
are not elected to

Athenian or
Isthmian League, where a reserve team would be a requirement (they weren't).

Jan 39 Note regarding Wallington FC who had a sports day
in 1909 at Mr Hayden's field, which is now Lavender Road.

C O M M E N T S
/  H I G H L I G H T S

LL

Not Completed

FAC

Not Completed

AC

Not Completed

LC

Not Started

SCS

Not Completed

President

Arthur W.Turner

All re-elected

Chairman

Herbert Charles Pettett

All re-elected

Secretary

Harry Hawke

All re-elected

Manager

Selection Committee

All re-elected

Treasurer

Len Anderson

Asst Bill Townsend

All re-elected

SEASON
SUSPENDED FOR WORLD WAR II - Declared 3rd September 1939

THE BOOK confirms that there was no Reserve Team again for
39/40 as Epsom Town were groundsharing with

Epsom FC this
season, following Venners Sports decision to return to New Malden.

Home
Ground:

West Street, Ewell

Woodford and Hersham are new teams in the London League
this year. Bostall Heath and Finchley have now left league.

May 39 Epsom are rejected by Athenian League again, but
Finchley are accepted. Bostall Heath lose ground for housing

and fold. They played at Wickham Street, Welling.
Wandsworth also lose their ground and leave. Wembley Town were

originally accepted but problems with the Council led to
an issue with the ground and the League withdrew the offer.

June 39 It is
reported that the Committee are keen on reforming a Reserve Team, but this
doesn't happen.

This is because of the formation of a new team, Epsom
Town. They are separate to Epsom F.C. but will share West

Street on
alternate Saturdays.

June 39
Reference to Epsom Harriers now using Gibraltar Rec.

June 39 Tufnell Park Leave Isthmian League, as their
ground is to be lost in September. London Caledonians, who share

with Tufnell Park are left with no alternative but to
fold, while Park groundshare with Golders Green for the war years, at

Claremont Road, now home to Hendon F.C. who were
originally Golders Green F.C. Caledonians had tried Walton, but

found it too
expensive.

June 39 Attempts to form a "real" Surrey County
League are proposed at Walton's Annual Dinner. Proposed to include

Epsom, Walton,
Carshalton and Hersham.

30/6/39 reported that Roy Marlow has signed for Aston
Villa. He now holds three International Caps. He is currently 14 1/2

and helping dad Reg, the former 20's and 30's Epsom goal
scorer in his grocery business at Ruxley Lane. He will play

for a local
club until he is 16, but will get trips up to Villa Park for special training
from time to time.

1/7/39
Marriage of Dick Wilson, regular Epsom FC player for seven seasons, to Bertha
Smith, who was a keen

supporter of
the club. Bertha was sister of future Committee member Wilf Smith.

8/7/39 Sports Day for Goblin Sports and Social Club at
West Street. Prog Y.
It was their first and probably last Sports Day.

Many events listed in the programme, but no recognisable
names connected with the club. Just a private hire it appears.

AGM 17/7/39
announced a profit of £24.16s.4d

Vice-Chairman G.King presided in the absence of Chairman
Charles Pettett. Reference to 1938/39 season with Pld: 39

W25, D1, L13  F 103
A 67. It says top scorers were Jones (18), Solly (17), Collins (16), Curtis
(13), Stenning (10).

My records agree with most of this, but have Jones 2
extra, with Solly and Collins one less. Club is often wrong on this.

Jones was selected for International trials for Wales, and
rep matches for London League v Surrey Senior League, and v

Royal Navy and Marines. Basil Solly, Billy Heal, Bryn
Evans and Tommy Rochester also had rep matches this year.

Stated that Bryn Evans hadn't missed a game in 2 1/2 years
since joining, yet appears to have missed the Dunkerque

away game in 37/38 and the T & M game on 28/1/39. He did. Club is wrong. Bobby
Gill was club captain last season.

During 1938/39
Venners Sports had been co-tenants, but they are returning to their old
ground.

Epsom's new co-tenants are Epsom Town football club, who
are in the Surrey Senior League this year, and are a new club.

"A new club which has no official connection
whatsoever to this club" "Quite separate" Very unusual
statements, indicating

possible hostility towards the club, the root of which
might be found in Herald between Jan-Jun 1939 (currently missing).

Income and Expenditure: Total Income £775 9s.7d inclusive
of v-p donations £48 16s, Members subs and season tickets

£30 9s.7d, Adverts and programmes £66 0s. 6d, Catering
profit £29, League matches £289 16s cup comps £158 16s.6d,

Share of gates
£21 18s. 9d. Rent received £125.

Expenditure: £750 13s. 3d inclusive of players expenses
and refreshments £231 6s.10d, ground upkeep and cost of

groundsman £136 0s. 10d, Adverts, stationery and postage
£100 6s. 8d. Last years deficiency was £590 7s 6d, which has

now been reduced to £542 6s.8d. Non-playing members costs
are up from 1s to 2s 6d, but players costs remain at 1s.

Arthur W Turner re-elected as President. Harry Hawke
advised that although Charles Pettett was President of the new

Epsom Town club, he should remain as Chairman, and the
members agreed. Len Anderson (Treasurer) and Bill Townsend

(Asst Trees), Harry Hawke (Sec), EA Taylor (Publicity) and
DWG Jones (Press). Committee re-elected except P.Parr,

E White, and EA Taylor, but addition of JW Hockley, AE
Shelbert and one vacancy to be filled by co-option. Hunt, Denyer

and Co are
elected Auditors, and Harry Cottee is still groundsman, while Mrs Parr still
helps at the canteen.

July 39 Epsom, Leatherhead & District Schools FA
meeting Sec JW Gregory said that Epsom had been put on the

football map by Roy Marlow of Ewell Central School and had
3 Internationals. Thanked Epsom for loan of the ground

at Christmas
1938 for Surrey v Kent and other matches.

July 39 reference to PO Engineers who offered the use of
their ground to London Caledonians, but they disbanded after the

loss of their ground. Their opening FA Cup tie on 2/9 is
Camberley & Y (H) but it is not played. Ned Kelly was their founder

in 1932, and
he would come over to Epsom in the late 40's. Harry Tiffany and J.Judge are
there currently.

However Kelly
resigns from PO Engineers in Aug 39 citing "official business" -
presume war related.

Aug 39 Roy Marlow signs for Sutton. David Wesley leaves
Epsom for Sutton. Roy Marlow is on Aston Villa's books too.

Both Epsom
sides will have trials shortly and on different days says Herald.

David Wesley gives the club plenty of notice, and Epsom
are grateful for this. Wesley said it was not an easy decision,

"but it
is only human that players have personal ambitions" and London League
football wasn't helping.

August 39
Corinthians and Casuals have now merged, and will play in Isthmian League as
Corinthian Casuals.

Aug 39 Prospects for Epsom FC. Trial was held on 19/8/39 -
Probables v Possibles. Welch remains in goal, after playing

in last year's held over cup final, and Hook joined from
Bostall Heath. Reference to the loss of Wesley "one of the best

goalkeepers Epsom ever had". Calvert will remain
despite travelling from Dartford. H Underdown would also have joined

from Bostall Heath, but he doesn't finish work in Arsenal
until 2pm on Saturdays! Calvert was from London Paper Mills.

FA Cup draw sees Epsom FC drawn at home to Hersham, with
the winners to play Sutton or Redhill (venue unknown).

Epsom have
drawn Sutton United in the Surrey Charity Shield and they are the holders
(venue unknown).

23/8/39 Practice trial match v Malden 6.30 k.o. Prince
(prob LA) joins committee. G Bolton will now train the club,

in succession to Sid Bristow, who was looking to stop.
Ground improved due to Mr Cottee. Likely line up at trial on 19/8 is

Probables: H
Welch, G Baker, Bobby Gill, Billy Heal, Bryn Evans, Geoff Collins, HE Hook,
Basil Solly, Tommy

Rochester, Jimmy Jones, AF Curtis. Possibles: J Doe
(local), RC Parminster (local), VE Curd (Worthing), (age 23 6ft 1 in),

Bombardier C Whitehouse, J Stubbs (current), R John
(Lovells Athletic & Swansea, a Welsh International triallist, who had

also had trials with Liverpool, WH Haines (Kingston League
team), H Ruckin (Nunhead, Clapton, Southend), AH Firth

(Worcester
Park, Ewell & Stoneleigh), Fred Stenning (current).

Aug 39 Tot
Winship is now at Hersham.

Aug 39 Amateur Cup draw has Epsom v Reigate Priory with
Epsom Town v Banstead Hospital both at home in Group 17.

19/8/39 Instead of a Probables v Possibles trial, it was a
sort of Epsom FC v Epsom Town trial, which Epsom won 7-1. It

was a hot day, even for cricket said the papers! Fred
Stenning got a HT whilst Solly and Curtis were amongst the scorers.

Paper says that Dick Wilson's team showed promise with his
brother T Wilson and four other youngsters, including RWF

Munns (Chelmsford Res) Ham, H Eason, J Dodswell. Also
Williamson and Billy Neave (ex Dagenham g/k) played. Ham

was replaced at HT by WH Haines, while TG Temlett played
well, while Welch replaced Bywater, and VE Curd replaced

Dodswell. Probables: Welch, Baker, J Bruce, Billy Heal,
Bryn Evans. Tommy Rochester, HE Hook, Basil Solly, Fred

Stenning, Jimmy Jones, AF Curtis. Possibles: WJ Neave, A
Williamson, JE Morgan, H Easton, J Dodswell, D Wilson,

Bywater, Ham,
RWF Munns, TG Temlett, T Wilson.

21/8/39 Further trial for Epsom Town with further new
players inc Purdie (19) 6ft 2in and over 12st. goalkeeper who came

from a local Carshalton postal team. Outside left Lloyd
came from a junior team in Twickenham. Don Butcher came from

Wandgas, and played at left back. Would become an Epsom
regular after the war. Wandgas were a London League

Division 1 team. Roy Marlow also played in this trial,
despite having left Epsom for Sutton, while WH "Bronk" Challis

was at left back, but wouldn't play regularly, as he was
getting on a bit by now. Further trial planned for 26/8 after Epsom's

game with Eton
Manor.

23/8/39 Epsom FC trial v Malden: H Welch, Bruce, Gill,
Rochester, Evans, H Liddicoat, Hook, ST Reynolds, Stenning,

R John, AF Curtis. Malden were in the top division of the
Surrey Intermediate League, but Epsom beat them 7-0 with

Fred Stenning getting four. Reynolds was ex Clapton and
Ilford, while Liddicoat was from the Streatham League. 6.30 k.o.

Aug 39 Billy
Heal reported to be leaving the club.

26/8/39 Epsom win 4-3 v Eton Manor, but after a goalless
first half, they were 3-0 up before Eton Manor levelled it up. In the

first half, there was a handball by an Eton Manor player,
but to players surprise, the referee just threw the ball up and

carried on! 2 almost identical goals from Hook put Epsom
2-0 up after three minutes of the second half, and Jimmy Jones

made it three,
but Hook scrambled a winner near the end for his hat trick.

26/8/39 Future players J Judge and Harry Tiffany are with
P.O.Engineers this day who are beaten 7-0 at Hersham in a friendly.

It was meant to be a league match but PO had player
shortages so match changed to a friendly! They withdraw from FA Cup

the following
week at Camberley & Yorktown for the same reason.

30/8/39 Epsom had another practice match with West
Norwood. Hook, Bruce, and Reynolds were late absentees, so

West Norwood, despite being the away side, lent Martin to
Epsom so they had 11! McDonald (keeper) from Bexleyheath,

D'Arcy at
right back, while Osborne was also promising. Drew 1-1.

Sept 39 reported that Eton Manor had lost their ground at
Temple Mills "taken over for national purposes" and may close down.

They would
restart after the war though.

2/9/39 Provisional friendly away at Enfield, but this was
postponed, and Epsom FC would not play another game for 6

years.

2/9/39 Other
FA Cup ties p-p this day Wimbledon v Venners and Kingstonian v Banstead
Hospital.

3/9/39 World
War II declared. All competitions suspended.

15/9/39 reported that the Epsom Committee were to meet the
following week to discuss what to do next, but Secretary

Harry Hawke
had already been called away on "government business".

It was also reported at this time that Charles Pettett was
now Chairman of Epsom Town FC, and stated that the Town

club hopes to
continue, as only 4 call ups so far.

23/9/39 Epsom
FC decide to close down for the duration of the war.

Charles Pettett is not happy with this, even though only
he and one other were in favour of continuing. Epsom Town may

well continue, but agreement will need to be reached with
the Epsom FC Committee, as the ground is not currently open.

Epsom FC players were generally older than Epsom Town, so
have not been called up yet, with exception of Jimmy Jones,

who was on reserve at the time. The FA declares that
permit players are now unrestricted, and that players may also sign

for another club, near where they are stationed, but they
may not sign for a third club. The FA also talks about an

emergency County war league, but this doesn't start as the
South East Combination takes many of the bigger clubs,

like Dulwich, Sutton, Tooting, Wimbledon and Woking.
However, the League idea was not totally shelved at that meeting,

and one would
eventually start later in 1939, with Epsom Town in its line up.

6/10/39 reported that 7 Committee members wrote to the
Herald on 4/10/39 to dispute comments made by Charles Pettett

regarding the closure of the club. There had been a
meeting on 5/9/39 but Pettett had missed this. They disputed his

Epsom-Eton remark which reminded them of the "story
of the invisible man who was hit on the head with a handful of

nothing". They state quite clearly that Epsom closed
down purely because they could not see how the club could pay its

way, especially with the debts that they already had. It
was struggling to do it in peace time, and it was felt that it was

not right that
the club should incur more costs at this particular time.

13/10/39 reported Charles Pettett responds in Herald
providing written confirmation of his remarks. He defended his

absence at the meeting, as it was two days after war was
declared, and like many others, was very busy. What he wants

is to get the game going again, and says that cinemas are
open, so why not football? He felt that he was at least trying

to do
something, while the old club wasn't.

Oct 39 Future player Reuben Leverington at Leatherhead
United this year along with Tommy (TG) Temlett and Jackie Collins,

just playing
friendlies.

Another former
player Cecil Weller plays for Leatherhead Rose throughout the war.

Epsom's centre half Bryn Evans played for Ashtead in a
friendly v Leatherhead Rose L 3-8 at Green Lane, Ashtead.

14/10/39 Future player Jack Lock (Sutton) and Sid
Faggetter (Redhill) both play in a friendly at Sutton v Redhill (won 2-1).

Basil Solly is reported to be rejoining them too. Prior to
his original spell with Sutton, he was with Newport County in the

Football League, where he was their only Amateur in the
3rd division side. Before then, was with Dulwich and Wimbledon.

Oct 39 Sutton play another friendly v Venners, losing 2-3
but had former players Reg Marlow (38) and Maurice Gill in their side.

4/11/39 Erith & Belvedere draw 1-1 with Sutton United
in the opening match of the South Eastern Combination. Epsom Town

would join it
next season. In the Sutton side were David Wesley, Bobby Gill and Basil
Solly.

2/12/39 Cobham Avorians v Leatherhead Rose in Kingston
& District League Premier Division. Fred Stenning played for

Cobham, and
Bryn Evans for Leatherhead Rose.

19/12/39 EGM
at Hollies Club, Church Street, for Epsom F.C. Only about ten present.

7 of these were Committee members. W.Voller the acting
Secretary in the absence of Harry Hawke said "the Committee

are anxious to inform those who have supported the club
that a new club has been formed (fairly obvious by now, I would

have thought!) Apart from the rental of the ground, this
new club has no connection with Epsom FC. Certain supporters

have been approached for subscriptions and they wanted to
clarify the situation. The club currently has debts of £186 of

which £30 are pressing and the Committee have raised £11
of this with further help welcomed. Albert E Tuck was

appointed into the Chair for this meeting and stated that
it was wrong for the club to incur further losses "for
amusement".

Charles Pettett was still Chairman, but despite being
present, had declined to Chair this meeting, and Tuck asked him

why, but Pettett said that with his views it was not
appropriate at this time. Effectively, this is the date at which he
resigns,

you could argue. Tuck said that he thought Epsom Town's
formation was to foster and help Epsom FC, which Pettett sort

of agreed
with, and said would have happened had the club not closed down.

David WG Jones said that Epsom FC was not against war time
football, but they didn't feel that they could "pay their way".

Ernest Taylor
felt that ex-Epsom FC members should put the reduction of debts ahead of fund
raising. Former

Vice-Chairman G King was named as the person doing most of
the appealing. Mr Parry felt that people were adopting the

attitude of "leaving a sinking ship" and going
over to a club with a similar name, and asked why Epsom Town was chosen

as the name. Pettett was rather defensive about this, and
said that there was nothing to prevent him from doing this.

Albert Tuck advised that since the last meeting, the club
had raised £58, and debts were now £69, which was less than

they had been for a while. The Committee again stated that
they were in favour of continuing but couldn't justify the

expense. The new club is paying rent to the old club. Len
Anderson suggested that the matter was to be left to the

Finance Committee to consider ways of raising more money
and report back later. This was seconded by Ernest Taylor.

Jan 40 reference to WJ Keeling's shop at 15 High St,
Epsom. He is a house furnisher and was father of Fred and Harold.

10/2/40 Tom Ogle made his debut, and papers refer to there
only being 14 players in Epsom Town's ranks. Tom had

played briefly
in the mid-thirties for Epsom FC.

24/2/40 Former player in the 20's Harold Keeling is best
man at the wedding of SE Allen, who was the younger brother of

Frank Allen, who was killed in the car crash at xmas 1937
that also killed Jack Parr. Harold Keeling had also been in the

crash but
survived. The reception was at Nore Yacht Club in Westcliffe, Essex where the
wedding had also been.

March 40 DWG
Jones is still headmaster of Ewell Boys School and attends the annual prize
giving.

13/4/40 Worcester Park v Fetcham OB @ Epsom in Final of
Sutton & Cheam Hospital Cup. W Park won 4-3. A second ball

was required when a first ball was impaled on a corrugated
iron fence. This match was followed by the Junior Hospital Cup

Final where Cuddington beat Epsom Spartans 5-0. K.O. 6pm
after the earlier match at 3.30. There was a fair crowd and

large number
of ladies present for the Worcester Park v Fetcham game

April 40
reference to Basil Solly, Bobby Gill and brother Maurice Gill playing for
Sutton.

11/5/40 former Epsom keeper David Wesley plays at centre
forward for Sutton United in a 2-2 draw with Walton on Thames

at Gander Green
Lane.

A P P E A R A N C E S

First X1

First Name

Surname

Debut

Against

App

Sub

Goals

Reg

DOB

POB

Address

George William

Baker

1938/39

19/11/1938

Guildford C (H)

24

0

699

25 Charles
Street, Greenhithe, Kent

GR

Blake

1938/39

18/02/1939

Grays (A)

1

0

794

9 Ansdell Road, Peckham SE15

D

Brooks

1938/39

08/04/1939

Tilbury (A)

1

0

889

50 Selby Road, Plaistow E13

AJ

Bruce

1938/39

04/12/1937

RN Depot (H)

2

0

301

2 Woodbine Villas, Hornchurch

WH

Calvert

1938/39

25/02/1939

Wandsworth (H)

16

0

806

11
Kingswood Close, Dartford, Kent

Fred (FA)

Chitty

1938/39

28/11/1936

Carshalton Ath (H)

1

0

72 West Street, Ewell

SA

Clarke

1938/39

01/10/1938

Redhill (A)

1

0

21 Connell
Crescent, Western Avenue, Ealing

Geoffrey Guy

Collins

1938/39

26/12/1934

Streatham (H)

35

15

303

22 Dorking Road, Epsom

AF

Curtis

1938/39

27/08/1938

PO Engineers (H)

36

13

304

22b
Treport Street, Wandsworth SW18

Bryn

Evans

1938/39

30/01/1937

Grays (H)

38

1

306

18 Glebe Road, Ashtead

R

Forbes

1938/39

27/08/1938

PO Engineers (H)

9

7

420

39 Solon Road, Brixton SW2

Bobby (RW)

Gill

1938/39

26/09/1931

Carshalton Ath (H)

35

0

307

2 Portland Place, Epsom

previously 15 Andalus Road, Landor Road, London SW9

Billy (WC)

Heal

1938/39

27/11/1937

Carshalton Ath (H)

36

3

309

84 Carnarvon Avenue, Enfield

G

Holben

1938/39

17/09/1938

West Norwood (H)

1

0

Jimmy (JE)

Jones

1938/39

11/03/1933

Dagenham Tn (A)

34

20

553

29
Mayfield Avenue, Edmonton N9

J

Kinsela

1938/39

08/10/1938

Kingstonian (A)

6

4

655

Wingham, Oaken Lane, ??

previously 3 Dancer Road, Fulham SW6

George

Knight

1938/39

12/11/1938

Leavesden (A)

1

0

688

18 Gilpin Grove, Edmonton N18

CF

Langley

1938/39

18/02/1939

Grays (A)

1

0

807

23
Kynaston Road, Stoke Newington N16

RW

Luchford

1938/39

19/11/1938

Guildford C (H)

4

0

707

46 Cranmer
Road, Forest Gate E1

John (JE)

Morgan

1938/39

29/08/1936

West Norwood (H)

1

0

233 Poole Road, West Ewell

T

Pierce

1938/39

31/08/1929

Godalming (H)

2

0

890

16 Hook Road, Epsom

Jackie (HEJ)

Pullen

1938/39

15/12/1934

Fulham Res (H)

1

0

310

300
Garratt Lane, Earlsfield SW16

Bill (WJ)

Randall

1938/39

09/09/1936

PO Engineers (H)

2

0

53 Northern Road, Plaistow E13

Tommy

Rochester

1938/39

11/04/1936

Bostall Heath (H)

9

6

311

92 Bracken Path, Epsom

previously 52 Greenway, Epsom

M

Snowball

1938/39

22/10/1938

Wandsworth (A)

5

5

654

49 The Crescent, Wells Estate, Epsom

previously 45 Read Road, Ashtead

Basil (BC)

Solly

1938/39

19/02/1938

Finchley (A)

33

16

312

72 Sidney Road, Sutton

Fred (FG)

Stenning

1938/39

10/12/1938

Grays (H)

11

10

708

6 Crown
Cottages, Steele Lane, Oxshott

Fred (FEJ)

Strudwick

1938/39

04/05/1932

Beckenham (A)

1

0

JH

Stubbs

1938/39

10/04/1939

Walton on Thames (H)

8

0

860

Devonshire,
5 Atherfold Road, Clapham SW9

Charlie (CE)

Thompson

1938/39

28/08/1937

Tilbury (H)

10

0

9 Talfourd Road, London SE15

WJ

Toleman

1938/39

01/01/1938

Wealdstone (A)

6

0

313

7a New
Parade, Ewell Road, Tolworth

H

Welch

1938/39

22/04/1939

Walton on Thames (A)

1

0

909

David (DM)

Wesley

1938/39

06/11/1937

Leavesden (A)

35

0

314

Rydal
Lodge, Vicarage Road, Tottenham N17

Dick (RW)

Wilson

1938/39

27/08/1932

PO Engineers (H)

22

1

315

3 Strood
House, Manciple Street, Southwark SE1

o.g

2

Other registered
players

FJ

Currie

305

34 Leahall Road, Leyton E10

AS

Chattem

302

104 Stafford Road, Waddon

J

Hastie

308

25 Merebank Lane, Croydon

W

Simpson

861

206
Westward Road, South Chingford E4