Walton Casuals F.C.
 | |||
| Full name | Walton Casuals Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Stags | ||
| Founded | 1948 | ||
| Ground |
The Moatside Stadium Merstham Surrey (Groundshare at Merstham F.C.) | ||
| Capacity | 2,000 | ||
| Chairman | Tony Gale | ||
| Manager | Anthony Gale | ||
| League | Isthmian League Division One South | ||
| 2015–16 | Isthmian League Division One South, 16th | ||
| Website | Club home page | ||
|
| |||
Walton Casuals Football Club is a semi-professional football club based in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. Founded in 1948, they currently play in the Isthmian League Division One South, having last gained promotion from the Combined Counties League Premier Division.[1] The club is affiliated to the Surrey County Football Association, and have been part of the football pyramid since 1992.[2]
The club currently play their home football at the Moatside Stadium, the home of Merstham while developments take place at their former ground, the Waterside Stadium.[3] Plans are in place to build a Waterside Drive Sports Hub by August 2017, which will see the club share facilities with Walton & Hersham and the Walton Athletics club.[4]
Walton Casuals' most notable rivalry comes with Walton & Hersham, with the club recording their first ever 'derby double' over the historic Swans during the 2014-15 season.[5] The club also has a rivalry with Molesey, who also play in the Isthmian Division One South. The two teams regularly compete in a pre-season fixture for the Mick Burgess Memorial Trophy.[6]
History
1946-1969: Formation and early origins
The earliest roots of Walton Casuals Football Club lead back to World War Two. Following the conclusion of the war, a group of ex-servicemen returned to their council homes in the Walton-on-Thames area. They soon decided to form an "illegal" Sunday football team, who would go on to play friendlies against other "illegal" teams throughout the 1946-47 and 1947-48 seasons. They adopted the name White City FC, due to the outside walls of their houses being painted that colour.
In 1948, they decided to become a legitimate Saturday club, and Walton Casuals as they are currently known were founded in July 1948. They became affiliated to Surrey County Football Association and acquired the use of a pitch at Elm Grove Recreation Ground. The club started off in Division One of the Surrey Intermediate (Central) League, and gained promotion to the Premier Division in 1952–53. Walton Casuals would go on to finish as runners-up on 3 occasions: 1954–55, 1956–57 and 1964–65. The Surrey Intermediate (Central) League disbanded in 1965 and the club moved into the League’s Western Section for three seasons.
1969-1992: Various leagues
In 1969 Casuals joined the new Surrey Senior League and moved into its most notorious home at Franklyn Road Sports Field, later known as the Waterside Stadium. Two years later Casuals became founder members of the Suburban League, playing one season at Walton & Hersham’s Stompond Lane ground before moving to Addlestone's Liberty Lane ground for eight seasons. The club then returned to Franklyn Road, where the Reserves had been continuing playing in the Surrey Combination League. The 1982–83 season saw Casuals win their first major honour, becoming champions of the Southern Section of the Suburban League and setting a league record of going 23 games unbeaten under manager Kim Harris. The following year Casuals were runners-up behind Sutton United, and in the 1986–87 season reached the Surrey Premier Cup Final, only to lose to Croydon.
1992-2002: Entering the football pyramid
Subsequent years saw the club slip into a steady decline and it was regularly finishing in the bottom two of the Suburban League. After 21 years of competing in the Suburban League, the club decided to switch to the Surrey Premier League in June 1992 in order to join the pyramid system. A year of consolidation paved the way for major changes at Franklyn Road the following summer as Kim Harris was reappointed as manager after a successful spell at Hersham RBL and the club expanded into both Sunday and youth football. In 1993–94 Casuals won the Surrey Premier League Challenge Cup, defeating Holmesdale after a replay, and in 1994–95 the club finished runners-up to Chobham in the league. They were also were losing finalists to Vandyke in the Challenge Cup.
During the summer the club was promoted to the Combined Counties Football League, and the first four seasons of senior football proved a real struggle with Casuals finishing bottom of the table in 1996–97, but able to avoid relegation thanks to the Combined Counties League exercising its prerogative to maintain a minimum number of clubs in the Premier Division. With the help of Walton charities, the installation of floodlights at Franklyn Road was completed in February 1999, a major hurdle overcome as far as ground requirements were concerned. The appointment of Mick Sullivan and Garry Clark as joint managers in the summer of 1999 brought about a dramatic improvement in results. As well as a best-ever finish of 5th in the league, the club won the League Cup in 2000, beating Viking Greenford 4–2 in the final at Farnborough. The following season was also a relatively successful one, with a placing of 7th in the table and another appearance in the League Cup final, beaten on this occasion by double-winners Cove 3–0 at Woking
2002-2005: The Tony Gale takeover
Although 2002–03 proved a disappointment in as much as the club finished in a lowly 18th spot, the seeds of success had been sown with Spencer Collins taking over as first-team manager in November 2002 and a team capable of much better things slowly began to take shape, with ex-West Ham United player Tony Gale installed as Director of Football. After more team-building in 2003–04, and a big jump up the table to finish in 7th spot, the club took the Combined Counties Football League by storm the year after, finishing 26 points clear at the top of the table. After initially failing an FA ground inspection, the club launched a successful appeal and achieved their dream of promotion to the Isthmian League Division One for 2005–06.
2005-2014: Starting life in the Isthmian League
The club finished 15th in their maiden season in the Isthmian League, while subsequent seasons have seen them regularly finish in the bottom half. In 2009–10 the club achieved its best run in the FA Cup reaching the Third Qualifying Round, before losing to Staines Town. The club appointed Neil Shipperley manager in the summer of 2010 and managed to finish in 12th place, their best finish in the league at the time.
During early 2011 the club opened a new clubhouse and new changing facilities, with Mick Sullivan returning to the helm in October, following the resignation of Shipperley. After being sacked a year later, Danny Carroll took over as manager. With a repreival saving the Stags in the 2012–13 season, the club appointed ex-Kingstonian assistant manager Mark Hams as manager, along with his brother Neil as assistant. The duo rejuvenated the squad and impressed, leading Walton to their highest ever league finish of 9th. However, after nine league games led to nine defeats, Mark and Neil Hams left their positions at the club by mutual consent in September 2014.
2014-present: Established in the Isthmian League
Tony Gale and Anthony Gale were drafted in as caretaker managers, and immediately picked up the club's first win of the season, securing a 1-0 victory in a trip to Redhill. In November 2014, defender Liam Collins was appointed first team manager, with teammate Simon Huckle appointed assistant manager. Collins and Huckle were able to secure the club's safety with a comfortable 18th placed finish. At the end of the season, Collins announced his intentions to step down from his management position to focus on his last few seasons on the field, while Huckle parted ways with the club to join Redhill.
Anthony Gale was unveiled as first team manager shortly before the start of the club's pre-season campaign. He was joined on the touchline by Jack Johnson, the nephew of Gary Johnson and cousin of Lee Johnson. The duo bought in a number of youth prodigies recently released by professional clubs, and saw their methods result in a number of players signing professional deals elsewhere throughout the season.
Stadium
Walton Casuals currently play their home games at the Moatside Stadium, Weldon Way, Merstham, Surrey, RH1 3QB. They groundshared with Isthmian League Premier Division side Merstham in 2015-16 season while developments are made at their own ground.[3] The club will groundshare at an alternative location for the 2016-17 season, which is yet to be confirmed.
Traditionally, Walton Casuals played their home grounds at the Waterside Stadium, Waterside Drive, Walton on Thames, Surrey, KT12 2JP. Plans have been announced with the council to redevelop a Sports Hub at Waterside Drive, which will see a whole stadium built for Walton Casuals and Walton & Hersham, as well as the local athletics club with an eight-lane Olympic standard athletics track.[7] Work officially begun on the new stadium in late March, which completion expected in time for the 2017-18 season.[8]
Players
Current squad
- As of 31 March 2016.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Dual registered
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Most competitive appearances
The following table shows players who have made at least 100 competitive (league and cup) appearances for the club in descending order. Records begin in 1992 when the club joined the football pyramid.[9]
- Seasons marked with * indicate the player had multiple spells at the club
- Players in bold indicate they currently feature at the club
|
|
|
Most competitive goals
The following table shows players who have scored at least 25 competitive (league and cup) goals for the club in descending order. Records begin in 1992 when the club joined the football pyramid.[9]
- Seasons marked with * indicate the player had multiple spells at the club
- Players in bold indicate they currently feature at the club
|
|
|
Club officials
|
|
Affiliations
Walton Casuals have an affiliation with Championship club Fulham, which began through current England assistant manager Ray Lewington. With his son, Craig, playing for the club at the time, he organised an annual friendly for the two clubs, where he was assistant manager at the time.
The inaugural game saw Fulham emerge as 3-1 victors in June 2008.[10] The Lilywhites inflicted a 5-0 defeat on Walton Casuals in 2009, with Erik Nevland providing two of the goals. Philippines international Neil Etheridge and Manchester United defender Chris Smalling both played at the Waterside Stadium.[11] Walton Casuals picked up their first win of the affiliation in 2011, with Dan Burn playing as the hosts secured a 2-1 victory.[12] He also represented Fulham during a 1-1 draw in August 2012, which included Marcus Bettinelli as an unused substitute.[13] The 2014 friendly saw the visitors record a 3-2 victory, with Fernando Amorebieta and Luis Boa Morte included in the squad.[14]
The fixture was not played ahead of the 2015-16 season, with Walton Casuals deeming the friendly unsuitable given their groundshare. Friendlies between the two clubs were not played ahead of the 2010-11 or 2013-14 seasons.
The affiliation also sees Walton Casuals run an annual offer on Non-League Day for Fulham season ticket holders to gain free entry during the international break.[15] Walton were also named as a Partner Club of Fulham in September 2012.[16]
The club have a number of links to Fulham, most notably through chairman Tony Gale - who made 277 appearances for the club over a seven-year period, while remaining to write a column for the website. The Casuals signed defender Daniel O'Reilly on a youth loan during the 2013/14, and name former youth players Luke Badiali and Rhys Paul in their current squad.
Honours
Walton Casuals' most successful season arguably came in 2004-05, which saw them win the Combined Counties League Premier Division title. Recording 138 points and a goal difference of 99, the Casuals suffered just four draws and four defeats in the league all season. The same season saw the club record their biggest ever victory, a 10-0 win over Chessington United. The club found the net at least five times in a single match on no less than six occasions.[17]
The club have also enjoyed success in the Mick Burgess Memorial Trophy, a pre-season fixture typically played annually between Walton Casuals and Molesey. The trophy competition was founded in 2008, following the death of former Walton Casuals and Molesey manager Mick Burgess in February 2008. Walton Casuals have historically dominated in the competition, winning five of the seven games played. The 2015-16 season was the first year the fixture was not played since its creation, due to Molesey earning promotion to the Isthmian League Division One South.[18]
|
|
Records
|
|
Former players
Despite their relatively low stature, Walton Casuals have seen a surge in notable former players since entering the Isthmian League Division One South in 2005. One of the club’s earliest notable players, Peter Cawley, joined the club in 1987. He signed for Wimbledon later that season, before going on to play for Finnish club Koparit, as well as Bristol Rovers, Fulham, Southend United, Exeter City and Barnet. He most notably made 179 appearances for Colchester United from 1992 to 1998.[9] Leroy Griffiths also played for the club prior to their promotion to step four, having made a single appearance for the club at the age of 18 in 1995, before going on to join Queens Park Rangers and Gillingham.[9]
Another player to start his career at the Waterside Stadium, progressing through the youth ranks before making his first team debut in 2001, was Argentinian Nick Gindre. He made 35 appearances for the club after three years with the youth set-up. He went on to play for South African professional clubs AmaZulu and Mpumalanga Black Aces between 2009 and 2012.
Central defender Nick Burton scored four goals in 27 games for the club during the 2009-10 season, his final spell before retiring aged 35. He previously spent two years with Torquay United.[19] Former Chelsea forward Mark Nicholls also signed for the Casuals in the latter stages of his career. Making 36 appearances for the Blues between 1994 and 2001, he went on to score seven goals in 49 appearances throughout the 2010-11 season. He also featured as player-assistant manager during his time following Gary Farrell's departure.[20]
He was often partnered up front by Charlie Ide, who found the net 12 times in 26 games that season. The Surrey-born striker played 46 times for Brentford from 2005 until 2008, and later re-signed for the Stags during the 2012-13 season, scoring seven times in 14 games.[21]
Kofi Lockhart-Adams scored four goals in 13 appearances for Walton Casuals in 2011, shortly after becoming Barnet’s youngest ever player. The 18-year-old forward initially joined the club on loan, before opting for a permanent deal after his release from the Bees.[22] French-Nigerian forward Roy Odiaka enjoyed a brief spell at the club before turning professional in Romania. Aged 21, he made four appearances for the Casuals shortly before representing Universitatea Cluj on four occasions in Liga I.[23]
Bobby Traynor joined the club in the summer of 2013, having featured for Brentford from 2002 to 2004. He scored six times in 15 games before his retirement.[24] Having made 21 appearances for League One club Peterborough United between 2001 and 2003, Gary MacDonald joined the Casuals during the 2013-14 season. He played 20 times for the club.[25] Luke Medley joined in October 2014, after featuring in ESPN’s ‘500 Greatest Ever Goals’. The former Bradford City and Barnet forward went on to score 22 times in 65 games.[26]
Ghanaian-German frontman Ferdinand Takyi also joined in October 2014, and scored one goal in two appearances for the club. He later joined Latvian professional side Spartaks Jūrmala for the 2015/16 season.[27] Striker Femi Akinwande had a brief spell with Walton Casuals on loan from Conference South club Dartford in 2014. The striker later joined Colchester United on a development contract, and made his first team debut in League One in March 2016.[27]
Former Crystal Palace, Notts County and Rushden & Diamonds midfielder Tyrone Berry joined the club ahead of the 2015-16 campaign. Having featured in the League Cup first round for Palace before loan spells in League Two back in 2005 and 2006, he featured for the Stags six times before making his departure.[28] Matt Somner also joined during the summer, with the 32-year-old lining-up twice before his departure. He had previously accumulated over 100 appearances between Brentford, Cambridge United and Notts County.[29]
Antigua & Barbuda international Moses Ashikodi joined in August 2016, and scored seven goals in 15 games. The move came after spells with Millwall, West Ham United, Rangers and Watford earlier in his career.[30] Marcel Barrington is another player who represented the club during the 2015-16 season, shortly after earning his first full international cap for Guyana. The former Leicester City scholar appeared in a 2018 World Cup qualifier against St. Vincent and the Grenadines in June 2015, and scored once in eight appearances for Walton.[31]
Recent managers
Managerial statistics
- As of 6 April 2016.
These statistics incorporate results for league matches and results in cup competitions (including the Isthmian League Cup, Surrey Senior Cup and Southern Combination Challenge Cup) as well as results in the FA Trophy and the FA Cup.
Caretaker managers are shown in italics.
| Name | From | Until | Games | Won | Drawn | Lost | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Anthony Gale | 1 July 2015 | Present | 51 | 19 | 7 | 25 | 37.25 |
| Liam Collins* | 2 November 2014 | 1 July 2015 | 24 | 15 | 4 | 15 | 44.12 |
| Anthony Gale | 20 September 2014 | 2 November 2014 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 41.67 |
| Mark Hams | 12 June 2013 | 20 September 2014 | 65 | 24 | 6 | 35 | 36.92 |
| Tony Gale | 21 March 2013 | 1 May 2013 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 12.50 |
| Danny Carroll** | 15 November 2012 | 21 March 2013 | 22 | 5 | 4 | 13 | 22.73 |
| Mick Sullivan | 20 October 2011 | 15 November 2012 | 51 | 18 | 5 | 28 | 35.29 |
| Neil Shipperley | 1 July 2010 | 17 October 2011 | 66 | 21 | 13 | 32 | 31.82 |
| Spencer Collins*** | 15 November 2008 | 5 January 2009 | 82 | 22 | 17 | 43 | 26.83 |
| John Morris | 15 November 2008 | 15 November 2008 | 21 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 23.81 |
| Luke Dowling | 19 September 2007 | 26 April 2008 | 44 | 16 | 13 | 15 | 36.36 |
* Liam Collins took the role as a player-manager, but stepped down to focus on his playing career.
** Danny Carroll's statistics include two games as caretaker manager before his permanent appointment.
*** Spencer Collins' statistics include ten games as caretaker manager before his permanent appointment.
Previous managers
The following managers are currently unaccounted for in statistics, due to the exact dates of their employment being unknown.
|
|
See also
- List of Walton Casuals F.C. seasons
- List of Walton Casuals F.C. players
References
- ↑ "The Ryman Isthmian Football League". www.isthmian.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
- ↑ Association, The Football. "News | SurreyFA". www.surreyfa.com. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
- 1 2 "Groundshare confirmed for 2015/16 - Walton Casuals FC". Walton Casuals FC. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
- ↑ Smurthwaite, Tom. "Objectors fear site's alleged 'toxic nature' will pose dangers". getsurrey. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
- ↑ "2014/15 Results - Walton Casuals FC". Walton Casuals FC. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
- ↑ "Combined Counties Football League". www.combinedcountiesleague.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
- ↑ "Waterside Drive Sports Hub". www.elmbridge.gov.uk. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
|first1=missing|last1=in Authors list (help) - ↑ jdudman@elmbridge.gov.uk, Elmbridge Borough Council, Janet Dudman,. "Elmbridge Sports Hub Newsletter - Feb 2016". www.elmbridge.gov.uk. Retrieved 2016-03-22.
- 1 2 3 4 Official Walton Casuals FC statistics database
- ↑ "Reserves Face Portsmouth". www.fulhamfc.com. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
- ↑ "Walton Casuals 0-5 Reserves". www.fulhamfc.com. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
- ↑ "Walton Casuals 2-1 Reserves". www.fulhamfc.com. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
- ↑ "Walton Casuals 1-1 Fulham U21". Fulham FC. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
- ↑ "Walton Casuals 2-3 Fulham U21s | Fulham Football Club". www.fulhamfc.com. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
- ↑ "Walton Casuals Offer | Fulham Football Club". www.fulhamfc.com. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
- ↑ Association, The Football. "Fulham | SurreyFA". www.surreyfa.com. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 "Club Honours and Records - Walton Casuals FC". Walton Casuals FC. Retrieved 2016-03-10.
- ↑ Administrator, getsurrey. "Tributes flood in after death of MRA councillor". getsurrey. Retrieved 2016-03-10.
- ↑ Administrator, getsurrey. "Football: Casuals leave it late as City's hearts broken". getsurrey. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
- ↑ "Nicholls Steps Up at Casuals". nonleague.pitchero.com. 2011-08-09. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
- ↑ "Ide Signing Could Signal Play-Off Push". nonleague.pitchero.com. 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
- ↑ "Casuals Return for Striker". nonleague.pitchero.com. 2011-10-17. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
- ↑ "Swans 1 Walton Casuals 1 | Walton & Hersham Football Club". www.waltonandhershamfc.org.uk. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
- ↑ "Traynor Signing Pays Instant Dividends". nonleague.pitchero.com. 2013-08-13. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
- ↑ "Experienced Defender Joins Casuals". nonleague.pitchero.com. 2013-11-08. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
- ↑ "Quartet commit to Casuals - Walton Casuals FC". Walton Casuals FC. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
- 1 2 "Class of ’15: Where are they now? - Walton Casuals FC". Walton Casuals FC. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
- ↑ "Tyrone Berry named as latest arrival - Walton Casuals FC". Walton Casuals FC. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
- ↑ "Matt Somner joins the Stags - Walton Casuals FC". Walton Casuals FC. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
- ↑ "Stags sign Moses Ashikodi - Walton Casuals FC". Walton Casuals FC. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
- ↑ "Stags sign Marcel Barrington - Walton Casuals FC". Walton Casuals FC. Retrieved 2016-03-21.
External links
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coordinates: 51°23′57.851″N 0°24′44.122″W / 51.39940306°N 0.41225611°W