A brief History of Bookham Football Club

The club was set up prior to the 1914-18 war, when it was known as the "Bookham Blues" but it was not until 1921 that the club became affiliated to the Surrey FA.

Our clubhouse today seems light years away from the days when players changed in the cowshed and the game could not start until the local farmer had chased the cows off the field that doubled as the pitch.

After the Second World War the club ran three teams and in the 1960's enjoyed its greatest successes with league and cup doubles in successive years. If you listen to the opinions of some of the older members of the club, they would have you believe that this was Bookham's best ever side. Funny how time plays tricks on the memory.

The club now runs three Saturday teams and four Sunday teams as well as a thriving vets team, for those who refuse to hang up their boots. We also have a very successful Colts section with football catered for all ages from seven to seventy at the club.

In their most recent history Bookham Football Club have had their most successful season in terms of the standard played and their final league positions. The club have finished third in the Combined Counties first division in seasons 2003/04 & 2004/05 after finishing fourth in the Surrey Senior League in the two previous seasons.

In season 2005/6 Bookham's 1st team, managed by Glyn Mandeville, once again finished in third place in the Combined Counties League Division 1 and achieved promotion to the Premier Division. The Reserve team, managed by Paddy O'Riordan, finally gained the recognition it deserved winning the Combined Counties League Division 1 Reserves section being awarded the Division 1 Reserves Cup. The third team known as Bookham "A' suffered relegation from the Redhill & District Premier Division after a difficult season.

Season 2006/07 will see Bookham facing many new challenges as they move up into the Combined Counties Premier Division with all the new teams coming into it from the Ryman League and we hope to make many new friends.

Season 2010/11 in the Combined Counties Premier division had a new look management team that consisted of Andy Taylor and Kevin Ward whilst the reserves were taken charge by James Leitch. After a poor start to the season due to injuries and consistency Bookham performed well after christmas but it was not enough to lift them out of the relegation places. The reserves also had an inconsistent season with a mid-table finish.