3-2 Books
Publishers and Researchers of Sports History
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FOOTBALL MAGAZINES

HOW GREEN IS MOLE VALLEY

The History of Leatherhead FC

By David Johnston & Graham Mitchell

The publication of club history books, not just at non-league level, have declined in recent years. Bath City and Yeovil Town are the last significant ones I can recall. Therefore it is pleasing to welcome a major work for Leatherhead, who recently celebrated their Diamond Jubilee.

The Tanners, as they are nicknamed, had their golden era in the 1970s. This includes an epic FA Cup run and an appearance at Wembley in the FA Trophy Final. Into  the 21st century, they are recovering from a  1990s financial crisis and are at Level 4 of the National League System.

 In this 280-page, A4 size book there is significant information on the first town club and what happened to it. The emergence and successes of Rose and United, the town’s junior clubs, are also well covered. Their commentaries include some district league tables such as the Kingston & District League.

The two clubs merged in 1946, developing through the Surrey Senior League and other senior competitions to become Isthmians in 1972. The year-by-year commentary approach is continued alongside statistical summaries, matches to remember and well over 150 photographs. All the league tables in which the first team took part from 1946 to 2006 are included. Among the trivia is mention of the club’s 1,000th game and 2,000th game. The first landmark took more than 23 years compared to less than 18 years for the second. There is also a section on the development of Fetcham Grove and a contribution from the Leatherhead Lip—Chris Kelly, the club’s most famous graduate to the Football League.

The authors claim that Leatherhead were the first club to wear green shirts on ‘Match of the Day’, their colour gives the book its title. That it parodies one of my favourite novels (by Richard Llewellyn) does not prevent me from praising this book as an excellent club history and a good model  to follow if you are planning a similar venture.

Cheques: Graham Mitchell, 116 Cobham Road Fetcham, KT22 9JS £18.50 + £5 .00pp