Chapter 8.
1986-1995
1986/87
The first serious impact on the Club of the GLC’s abolition – no longer had the manpower to sustain the 7th and 8th teams. However, a 7th team was raised to play Lloyds Bank in the AFA Cup and lost 1 - 7.
Final League Positions:
S1 First Team Sixth
I1 Second Team Fourth
J4 Third Team Second
Mb Fourth Team Fourth
Me Fifth Team Tenth
Sixth Team Friendlies and AFA Cup
Vets Friendlies and Vets Cup
1987/88
Final League Positions:
S1 First Team Seventh
I1 Second Team Tenth
J3 Third Team Fifth
Mb Fourth Team Eighth
Me Fifth Team Eighth
Sixth Team Friendlies
Vets Friendlies and Vets Cup
1988/89
Sadly, our last year as owners of Belmont.
A further decrease in numbers saw the 6th team being dropped.
Tour of Amsterdam proposed but insufficient interest.
Final League Positions:
S1 First Team Tenth
I2 Second Team First
J3 Third Team Third
Mc Fourth Team Sixth
Mf Fifth Team Fifth
Vets Friendlies and Vets Cup
1989/90
Belmont now owned by Sutton Council – we hired pitches on a weekly basis, but the bar was no longer available.
Easter Tour to Newcastle courtesy of Mike Hetherington who had moved there.
Final League Positions:
S1 First Team Second
I1 Second Team Ninth
J2 Third Team Sixth
Md Fourth Team Seventh
Me Fifth Team Sixth
Vets Friendlies and Vets Cup
1990/91
Having lost the ownership of Belmont to Sutton Council last year, this was, sadly, our last season at Belmont
The First Team finished runners-up in the top Senior League - the highest position in the Club’s history.
‘Words’ reported that ‘Our two Renegades who took up refereeing instead of joining the vets, bought us much credit this year. Colin Hudnott lined the AFA Senior Cup semi-final, which often leads to the middle in due course. Roger Hiller had the line in the A final in the lower reaches, which is pretty good as he has only two years’ experience.
An Easter tour happened, thanks to Jake Bishop's previous "experiences" of Berlin, but no account has been found.
Final League Positions:
S1 First Team Second
I2 Second Team Ninth
J2 Third Team Seventh
Md Fourth Team Sixth
Me Fifth Team Third
Vets Friendlies and Vets Cup
1991/92
Our Centenary Year and our first season at our new home, Wimbledon Park, with Clubhouse facilities being provided at the Woodman Public House, about two minutes’ walk from the ground.
A resounding success on the playing field: only the First X1, missing out by just one point but, nevertheless, equalling last season’s Club record, prevented us from having a clean sweep in all leagues. Additionally, the First X1 won the Surrey Senior Cup, beating South London Polytechnic in a replay, and the Reserves were losing finalists in the League Cup.
An increase in playing numbers, including some transferees from Fulham Compton, enabled us to field a 6th X1 on a fairly regular basis.
For the first time, the Club sported a sponsor’s name on the shirts – VECTAIR – owned and managed by one of the players, provided £750 pounds to be used in running the Club.
Costs for the new ground and catering facilities were more expensive than at Belmont and subscriptions were increased to £100. The loss of the GLC subvention and bar takings were making their effects felt.
An Easter Tour to Brittany was being investigated.
A 5th Team game at Belmont in January was treated as a trial for a return to our spiritual home, but we stayed put.
Final League Positions:
S1 First Team Second
I3 Second Team First
J3 Third Team First
Mb Fourth Team First
Me Fifth Team First
Sixth Team Friendlies
Vets Friendlies and Vets Cup
1992/93
Following the success of the 6th Team, it was entered into the league.
The Club’s Centenary was celebrated with a Dinner in the Banqueting Suite at the Oval Cricket Ground.
Discipline on the field was, once again, a problem. The Club had reached Stage 2 in the AFA’s Disciplinary Process and were within six points of Stage 3, at which expulsion would be considered. All but three of the Disciplinary Points were incurred by the 1st and 2nd teams. Members of the Committee were called before an AFA Hearing; a £50 fine was imposed and the Club warned as to its future conduct.
Final League Positions:
S1 First Team Fifth
I2 Second Team Third
J2 Third Team First
Ma Fourth Team Second
Md Fifth Team Sixth
Mf Sixth Team First
Vets Friendlies and Vets Cup
1993/94
Despite winning their Division, lack of numbers forced the 6th X1 to withdraw from the League and become an occasional friendly side.
Another change of home ground, this time to Barn Elms,
Easter Tour was advertised as a mystery tour requiring a passport, Approx £50 and some sensible precautions!
Final League Positions:
S1 First Team Second
I2 Second Team First
J1 Third Team Third
J4 Fourth Team Sixth
Md Fifth Team Fifth
Sixth Team Friendlies
Vets Friendlies and Vets Cup
1994/95
Final League Positions:
S1 First Team First
I1 Second Team Eighth
J1 Third Team Eighth
J4 Fourth Team Fifth
Md Fifth Team Second
Vets Friendlies and Vets Cup