Fernhurst Sports

Fernhurst Football Club was officially formed in September 1907, and the first match played on 5th October. The Parish Magazine of December 1907 reports that the team "has come on greatly since the opening of the season" and "has given a good account of itself'.

A team actually existed before this time, as The West Sussex Gazette of 2nd October 1902 states: "A preliminary meeting was held at the Red Lion on Friday, to take the necessary steps to start a football club in Fernhurst. Mr Ford was chairman, and a goodly number of young men of the village turned up. They hope to be able to start practising shortly".

This appears to have been a success as their Annual Football Meeting took place on 24th September 1903, at the Institute. A further report on 29th October 1903 states, "Fernhurst Football Club played its first match on Saturday when they met the Haslemere Old Boys at Fernhurst. Result a victory for Fernhurst by six goals to two". The club colours were black with red bands. It is thought that the traditional green strip was adopted in 1907.

The year of this Fernhurst Football Team photograph is unknown. From those identified it would appear to have been taken just before the First World War. Back row: Brothers Wyn and Percy Ford are either side of the goalkeeper; Jack Lambert far right. In the front row only Bill Glazier, on the extreme right, has been identified.

From this early beginning the club has enjoyed considerable success, with three particularly outstanding seasons in its first fifty years - 1926/27; 1946/47 and 1950/51. There is a list of club honours on a seperate page, please click here.

Fernhurst Football Team 1920-21. Winners of Midhurst & District Charity Cup. The first of many trophies won during the 1920's. Back row: G (Toby) Smith, Percy Ford, Alfred Nelson West, Julius G Ohlenschlager (President), Ted Lambert, George Lee, Jack Ford. Front Row: Tom Silver, George Lambert, Owen S Tudor, Jack Lambert, A Gerard Salvin, Jim Lambert, Reg White.

The 1926-27 team was, at that time, the most successful produced by the club. Winning three trophies was a feat that no other club in the district had ever achieved. During the season they scored 150 goals with only 19 against, including a 15-0 win against Fittleworth. Highest scorers were: T Silver 41, T Hart 27, R Creighton 26 and G Lambert 25.

Fernhurst Football Club 1926-27. First winners of the triple crown: Midhurst League, Charity and Six-a-Side cups. Back row: W Ford (Hon Treasurer), G Newman (Hon Secretary), J G Ohlenschlager (President), Canon R D Ninis (Vice President), G A Lambert and G Smith (Committee).
Middle row: W Standing and J Penton (Groundsman), E Newman and W Glazier (Committee). E J Lambert (R Back), A N West (Goal), R W P White (C Half and Captain), L Yarns (L Back), A Larbey (Res.), B Randell, H Andrews (Vice President), A G Silver (Committee).
Front row (seated): E Young (R Wing), T Hart (O Right), F W Edwards (l Right), T H Silver (C Forward), R Creighton (l Right), Jas. Lambert (O Left) and I Lambert (L Half).

There are few living today who can remember the feats of the earlier teams, but many will recognise the familiar surnames of the players.

The Fernhurst Football Team that beat Midhurst Brickworks in the 1936 final of the Midhurst & District Charity Cup. The Club also won the Midhurst & District League during the same season. From left to right: Ernie Riddle, John Pritchard, Reg Orchard, Frank Burt, George Lutlman, Reg White, Preston Spence, Sid Larbey. Bert West, Tom Silver, Ben Randell, Etherington.