Club History

In December of 2024, Owen Wilkinson and Ben Southwell came together with the idea of starting up a football club in their village, fused by their love and passion for the sport.

 

In the following months,  Owen and Ben made steady progress with the club. On Monday 7th of February, Owen met with Dene Williams, the owner of a large piece of land on his farm and agreed to join in on the project and allow the club to use that land for a home ground. This was a massive and important step for the football club, as it gave Shamley Green FC a place to play, but more importantly, a place to play in the village. 

 

In early March the first sponsor was confirmed, Hoods Residential. They became the Main Kit sponsor, which was so important for the club as it gave them confidence and a drive due to things falling into place. Due to the sponsorship, Hoods Residential really helped show belief in the project and helped move the club's progression forward. 

 

Around this time the club was also able to confirm another sponsor: Surrey Hills Handyman. Thanks to Will at this company, Shamley Green FC were able to move forward and begin to purchase equipment due to the financial backing.

 

In the meantime, the local Parish were able to support the club to get towards their goals, getting the club in the know with the Wonersh Foundation and Fetes in the local area. The club got accepted to have a stall in two local village fetes: Shamley Green and Wonersh village fetes respectively. This was extremely important as it gave the club an early opportunity to meet the community and get more people onboard.

 

On the 25th of March 2025, Owen Wilkinson met with John Dennison, the founder of his own Under 16s team in the local area. Owen pitched to John the idea of merging the two football teams, to have two teams under Shamley Green FC. John agreed, as it would help his Under 16s team immensely. It also boosted Shamley Green's development, as they were able to advertise for more playing roles within the team, and to create more playing opportunities in the surrounding area. It also allowed players from the Under 16s team to develop and progress to the men's team, further boosting their abilities and opportunities. 

 

Following this meeting, the first committee was created; Owen Wilkinson as Chairman and Founder, Samuel Mason as Club Secretary, Richard Wilkinson as First Team Coach and Treasurer, John Dennison as Under 16s Coach and Welfare Officer and Ben Southwell as Founder. They made sure that the club was in the right place to move forward and kept the club running.

 

On 8th of April 2025, Owen, Richard and Samuel were invited to meet with the committee of the Leatherhead and District Sunday Football League to discuss joining their league for the upcoming season. The following day, Owen received conformation that the Shamley Green FC had been accepted into the league for the 2025/2026 season. This marked a key stepping stone passed for the club, as they were then able to become a competitive football club and compete against other teams in hopes for silverware.

 

As well as the adult team being accepted into a league, the Under 16s got accepted into the Surrey South Youth League, meaning the Under 16s were able to compete for silverware in the first season of the club being affiliated with the main team.

 

So much progress had been made in such little time, and so much more was expected to come as they hoped to acquire a strong group of players around them as they headed into pre-season friendlies and their first competitive season.