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By Steve Dennis

Leatherhead, this year will have the unusual distinction of having celebrated their Diamond Jubilee in 2006 and their Centenary in 2007, and all because of the merger of the Leatherhead Rose and Leatherhead United sides in 1946.

There was enough continuation in the structure of the clubs to establish a clear link and so the centenary came about. Having said all of that, the first Leatherhead club can be traced back to 1886 - so watch this space.

Water Polo anyone?

Leatherhead grew and evolved over the years despite regular flooding from the nearby River Mole - that often left the pitch more suited to Water Polo rather than the national game. Some of the original buildings can be traced back to the 1940s and they have gradually been added to over the years to make Fetcham Grove what it is today - a ground which may not be high tech but one that combines the charm of a country town side with new additions that demonstrate real ambition for the future. It was not always so.

The crunch came in 2000 when the club’s debts nearly saw the demise of a club that was, at one time acknowledged to be one of the leading non league sides in the country.

In 1978, they actually did reach Wembley only to lose to Altrincham 3 -1. The 80s onward were less kind to the Tanners as the side that had achieved so much finally away and the team never reached the same heady heights.

Millennium

And so to the new millennium. A new management team - formed by the supporters and running a club that was reliant on the “pledges for wedges” from its supporters
emerged.

Tim Edwards became Chairman and holds the post to this day. Of the remaining members of that board Dave Blaszowski (Head Groundsman) and Roy Haines still remain with Gerald Darby effectively the club’s Chief Executive although he holds the title of Secretary.

Progress has been steady with the last season seeing the Tanners reaching the First Round Proper of the FA Cup and a tie away at the (later) doomed Torquay United. A memorable weekend for the club saw the Tanners take an early lead through a first minute header from club stalwart Iain Hendry. Again the fitness of a full time squad took over and the Ryman League side eventually lost 2 - 1 to a Torquay side that were made to look very ordinary by comparison.


The legacy from that run has earned the club an impressive new function suite that is being completed as we speak.

Leatherhead FC

Legacy

Since 2000 another son of the club has achieved a measure of fame. Player / Manager, Alex Inglethorpe was appointed as manager to Conference side Exeter City and held the distinction of holding the mighty Manchester United to a draw. Alex, now manager of the Tottenham Hotspur Academy, is seen as one of the brightest young coaches in the game and has retained his links with the club that set him on his managerial career.