Fernhurst Sports

Those who lived in Fernhurst during the 1940s and 1950s, will remember with pride the abilities of their football players who won numerous trophies,including four in both 1946-47 and 1950-51.

Fernhurst Football Club 1946-47. Winners of Sussex Junior Cup, Midhurst Charity Cup, Midhurst League and Midhurst Football Tournament (Six-a-Side). Back row: J Bate, Peter Upperton, Vic Keeble, Den Quinnell, George Luffman, John Gale, Jim Clear, Reg White, Ted Smith. Front row: Tom Silver, John Marriner, John Pritchard, Les Glue, Roy Jones, Arthur Whitcher, G (Tailor) Newman.

1946-47 was the first competitive season following the war. The scores given in newspaper reports of this season are almost unbelievable. On 1st January 1947 Fernhurst beat Lurgashall 17-0, although in the excitement they appear to have lost count: Les Glue 13 (thirteen!), John Marriner 2, Arthur Whitcher 2 and John Pritchard 1. After 22 games of this season the team had scored 166 goals to 22 against.

The Fernhurst FC team of 1947-8. Back Row: Leslie Glue, Tom Silver, Unknown
Middle Row: Mr Newman, Mr Morgan, Rev Esdale, John Gale, Albie Trussler, George Luffman, Mr Heath, Unknown, Mr Clear, Reg White, Ted Gale, Henry Standing.
Front Row: "Taylor" Newman, Dennis Ford. John Marriner, George John Sands, Arthur Witcher, Roy Jones, Albert Welland.

The most outstanding success of the season was undoubtedly the winning of the Sussex Junior Cup, when they beat Rye 6-1, the first North West Sussex team to win this cup since Petworth at the end of the nineteenth century. The scorers were John Marriner 3, Les Glue 2 and Roy Jones 1. Les Glue and Arthur Whitcher both received Sussex County Honours during the season.

The achievements of the 1950-51 team were gained in a higher standard of football, the winning of the Sussex Intermediate Cup being the most memorable.

Fernhurst Football Club 1950-51. Winners of Sussex Intermediate Cup, Haslemere Hospital Cup, Gingell Cup and Midhurst Football Tournament (Six a-Side). Back row: Bill Manley, Jeff White, Roy Jones, Frank Mansell, Bert Trussler, Alfie Ralph, Eric Fordham, Ernest Gale.
Centre row: Peter Upperton, Doug Embling, Dennis Ford, Colin Lambert, Les Glue, Arthur Whitcher, John Sams, Den Heath, John Gale.
Front row: Roy Randell, Stan Hawkins, J Green, Jeff Harding, Wally Gale, John Headland.