Walton Casuals

Walton Casuals FC was a non-league football club based in Walton-on-Thames in Surrey, about sixteen miles southwest of central London. The club were formed in 1948 by a group of ex-servicemen to play in the Surrey Intermediate League before being dissolved in the summer of 2022.

‘The Stags’ won a promotion in 1952-53 before going on to join the Surrey Premier League in 1969 moving into their home at Franklyn Road. Two years later Casuals joined the Suburban League playing games at Walton & Hersham’s Stompond Lane.

A season later the club moved to Liberty Lane at Addlestone for eight campaigns before returning home to where the clubs reserve side had remained. A Surrey Premier League runners-up place in 1994-95 under manager Kim Harris saw Casuals win promotion.

As members of the Combined Counties League, Casuals installed floodlights at Waterside Stadium a couple of years later to assist the club's progression. Mickie Byrne took over as manager in March 1997 to be followed in quick succession by Gary Millar, David Grindrod and Ray Noad.

The teams struggled but improved under joint-managers Mick Sullivan and Garry Clark who were appointed in July 1999. Noad returned for a second spell between September 2001 and November 2002 as former West Ham United star Tony Gale arrived as Director of Football.

Spencer Collins became manager as Casuals were placed in the Premier Division of the extended competition. The Stags stormed to the Combined Counties League title in 2004-05 and were promoted to the Isthmian League. 

After a poor start Harris was reappointed in November 2005 remaining in place until November 2007 when Luke Dowling was appointed. His short spell was followed by an even shorter one from John Morris leading to the recruitment of the formerly successful Collins.

Former Chelsea striker Neil Shipperley arrived as team boss in 2010 after the side finished second bottom but left after a year to be replaced by the returning Mick Sullivan. His reign lasted a year before Danny Carroll replaced him. 

The local council announced plans to develop a new Sports Hub including Waterside Stadium and the adjacent Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Centre around the same time. Carroll’s side finished bottom of Division One South in 2012-13, but Casuals were handed a reprieve owing to the extension of the Isthmian League. 

Mark Hams arrived to take over as team manager, taking the team to a record ninth place finish in 2013-14 before leaving the club in September 2014 after a poor start to the season. Defenders Liam Collins and Simon Huckle took on the management role, leading Casuals to safety.

The club left their Waterside home in the summer of 2015 as the site was developed, with the club promised a new home as part of a sports hub. The Stags shared the Moatside ground with Merstham, as Anthony Gale; the son of Tony took over as team manager.

Casuals moved in as tenants at Whyteleafe's Church Road ground for the 2016-17 season and going on to finish in mid table, before moving into the new Elmbridge XCel Sports Complex for the 2017-18 campaign.

After a sixth place finish the club defeated Cray Wanderers and then Corinthian-Casuals away from home on penalties with Denzel Gerrar the goalkeeping hero to win the play-offs and promotion to the Southern League Premier Division South for 2018-19 after non-league reorganisation where Casuals ended in seventeenth place. 

Manager Gale resigned in May 2019 to be replaced by Steve Conroy who departed in January 2020. Temporary bosses were placed in charge as the season petered out shortly after owing to Coronavirus with Casuals sat near the bottom of the table.

Gale was reappointed in time for the 2020-21 league campaign which was again abandoned owing to ongoing pandemic. In 2021-22 the side ended in eleventh, as the club looked for new owners as the board felt that they had them as far as they could.

By this time Walton & Hersham had sorted themselves out on and off the pitch and were attracting far larger crowds to Elmbridge. In June 2022 the board carried out a managed closure of the club who folded debt free.

My visits

Waterside Stadium

Tuesday 6^th September 2006

My first sight of Waterside Stadium came on a fine late summer’s afternoon. I had decided to try out my new digital camera while visiting lots of football clubs and unfamiliar places on a day off work. At the same time, I took the opportunity to do some serious leg work, rather than just relying on public transport.

My previous call was to the home of Molesey FC. Rather than taking the most direct route I decided to cut through several suburban avenues down to the footpath along the south bank of the River Thames, walking past reservoirs and several lovely views. 

Eventually I passed the weir at Sunbury and arrived by the gates of Waterside Stadium. The venue was locked but it was easy to see inside the neatly set out but basic arena. The clubhouse and changing rooms were by the entrance to the ground, running along a third of the side. 

A small practice court also stood on the same side. Each end had small covers behind the goals. The far side had another small, seated cover. The rest of the ground consisted of flat open hard standing and grass.

I continued walking around the perimeter, past the leisure centre and on for another mile or so to Stompond Lane for a look at Casuals neighbours; Walton & Hersham.

Walton Casuals 2 Fulham Under-21s 3 (Saturday 12^th July 2014) Pre Season Friendly (att: approx 250)

Refreshed with a sleep after night shift, I awoke on a glorious Saturday lunch time in readiness for my first game of the 2014-15 season. As in the previous campaign I was keen to tick off grounds where I’d visited without seeing a game. A trip to Waterside Stadium would complete that task from a groundhopping walk several years earlier.

The Tune In Radio app on my IPhone gave me entertainment on the train to Hersham as Jimmy Anderson and Joe Root put on a world record tenth wicket stand for Test matches. 

The 564 bus, which left from from outside the station turned up late and then got snarled up in traffic as it meandered through smart residential streets and then Walton town centre before eventually arriving at a packed Xcel Leisure Centre car park. A young couple heading to the game were relieved that I knew where we were.

The £9 admission for a friendly against an age group game had me pondering whether to choose an alternative game. The £6 return bus ticket and £8 rail fare were soon totting up the expense. 

I was not particularly impressed by charging £2 for an eight-page glossy programme either, but it was a nice day, and such fixtures were an immense help to clubs such as Walton Casuals, as well as myself trying to tick off a previously unvisited venue for a game.

A good crowd including many young kids in Casuals kit and families were assembled. A few had gone along to cheer on Fulham. Waterside Stadium was in fine fettle and looked at its best in the warm sunshine. I refreshed with a tea and then a bottle of water, which both cost a reasonable £1.

An impeccable minute's silence was held before kick-off for a former Fulham club photographer. Once the game got underway both sides treated the good crowd to some fine football. Attacks were launched at each end, although the visitors showed far more composure, as one would expect of full-time pros.

Kit Symons oversaw the Fulham side which included several under-18s players as the pick of the under-21s, who reached the final of the FA Youth Cup a couple of months earlier, were with the first team on the tour of Scotland. 

They went ahead through French winger Ange-Freddy Plumain after around fifteen minutes. Further goals from Josh Smile and a second from Plumain set up a 3-0 lead. The warm weather was leading to a steady procession to the bar. 

One or two clowns supporting each side included a home fan that found it funny to squeal at regular intervals and a visitor who shouted out instructions like it was a relegation decider. The very warm conditions and alcohol no doubt aided their display.

Casuals pulled a goal back just before the interval through Scott Day. The excellent referee had earlier stopped play for a drinks break. Despite the temperatures and the ‘friendly’ status, tackles flew in and both sides gave it everything.

In an excellent moment soon into the second half, the marauding Fulham right back was chopped down with an awful challenge on the edge of the box. While the ref wasn't looking, he appeared take retribution and deck the Casuals offender. 

While he stayed down holding his jaw, his skipper grabbed him up by his collar and told him to get on with it. I hoped to see more old school like that as the season commenced. With around ten minutes left on the clock Casuals further reduced the arrears through substitute Jamail Okai. 

I decided to catch the hourly bus back, which was scheduled to leave at 4.47. I left the ground but saw much of the last few minutes over a fence. The bus arrived on time, and I was back at home in Kingsbury for a siesta before work at 6.30.

It had been a very decent start to the new season, but it could have done with being just a few degrees cooler.

Walton Casuals 2 Guernsey 2 (Tuesday 6^th February 2018) Isthmian League Division One South (att: 112)

It was the end of my set of night shifts and thankfully the horrendously wintry weather and snow had eventually gone. I’d had a tough week and was ready to enjoy a match and a few beers knowing I could sleep in the following morning.

Therefore, I was delighted when my pal, Tony Foster suggested the match at the Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Complex. I’d been to Casual’s old home but wanted to tick off their new place. It had been on my list of maybes a few days earlier, but the game had fallen foul of the weather.

I was in good form after a good sleep and an online chat to a pal in Australia, as I took the tube to North Harrow. There was time to grab my first food of the day at the local chippy, before my mate picked me up at just gone 6pm.

The journey was smooth once we’d avoided some rush hour traffic around Ruislip. Tony was in his wife’s car without the usual Sat Nav, to I was left to navigate via the Google Maps App on my phone. Thankfully, I called it about right.

Admission was £10, with a very average match programme a couple of quid more. There was time to head upstairs to the top of the stand to enjoy a beer and take in the impressive new facilities.

The bar looked out over the football ground at one side and the athletics trick out the other. The leisure complex also included an upgraded sports centre and several outdoor floodlit artificial pitches. It was indeed a facility that the town could be proud of.

We went back outside where Tony grabbed a seat, while I went for a look round. The raised seating deck had plentiful leg room and a standing area at the back. The rest of the ground had open flat standing all the way around, with the far side having extra space for an extra stand if required.

The match kicked off over five minutes late. This was something that infuriated me with the Isthmian league and its midweek fixtures. Far too many were not sticking to the appointed start time. Fortunately, I wasn’t relying on public transport on this occasion.

The match had meant to have taken place the previous Saturday. Guernsey must have had a good understanding with the airline who transported them to the mainland every other week. The team flew to Gatwick and then by hired coach to the ground.

The visitors were struggling at the wrong end of the table and arrived with a weakened side including several teenagers, while Casuals were in a play-off position and looking to push for automatic promotion.

The hosts got off to a flying start, with appeals for a penalty for handball being turned down by referee Mr Greaves, who adjudged that Alex le Prevost had made a legitimate block. The players surrounded the official, screaming their displeasure.

I commented to the senior linesman how over the top modern players were. He agreed! Walton looked a top-quality outfit, as they played fast passing football. The Green Lions were under the cosh from early on, with Josh Kelly and wide man Youseff Bamba causing havoc as he tormented his markers.

On the way back round to the stand I bought a decent sausage in a bun for £3. The catering outlet was like I'd seen in Germany, with the van opening out on three sides and having a large griddle in the centre. 

The defenders somehow held out before Paris Periera tried an audacious lob for Guernsey that floated just over after noting that home goalie Denzil Gerrar was out of position. Callum Stanton pulled off a top stop from a Daryl Coleman drive as Casuals poured forward.

It was somewhat of a shock when Guernsey went ahead on twenty-four minutes. A fine move from a short corner routine saw Glyn Dyer send the ball into the box, where Jamie Dood teed up le Prevost to fire home.

The twenty or so away fans were jubilant and then relieved as Stanton tipped over a Coleman header. There was disbelief among the crowd as Guernsey doubled their lead after half an hour, as an unmarked Charlton Gauvain volleyed home a Ryan Zico-Black free kick.

The action then swung to the other end as Stanton made terrific stops from Jack Sammoutis and Bamba before Dodd headed a rebound from Sonny Black off the line. Sammoutis then rattled the bar with a fierce shot and Coleman saw another header go narrowly wide.

Kelly had a goal chalked off for offside just before the interval. I remained in my seat during the break, trying to comprehend the awful bullying handed out to Dulwich Hamlet by their owners and to catch up on my fixed odds coupon.

We were thoroughly enjoying the match, which had taken on a type of attack against defence training session. Guernsey were doing all they could to protect their lead while under massive pressure. Black dragged a shot wide of the post as the action continued.

Casuals puled a goal back on fifty-three minutes as Sammoutis finished smartly. The same player then saw a drive go narrowly over and later had a powerful effort come back off the crossbar after Samba had hit the foot of the post.

The pressure eventually told as the referee decided that Seb Skillen had brought down Bamba halfway through the second period. Harry Mills made no mistake from the twelve-yard mark.

The Stags constant attacking abated to a degree as the islanders tried to retake the lead. Periera had a decent effort just wide and continued to work hard. The game gradually calmed down, which was no surprise given the efforts being put in by all the players.

The home fans were becoming irate at some of the time-wasting tactics being employed by one or two of the Guernsey players. Keeper Stanton was pushing his luck in all fairness. Mr Greves blew for full time after extended stoppage time.

Several visiting players collapsed with exhaustion at the end. Many were inexperienced, and this would surely have been a massive leap in their learning curve. We had enjoyed the game thoroughly; helped no end with having a fantastic view of proceedings.

I was in even better mood after cashing out one of my bets and making a healthy profit from the evening. Tony had me back at North Harrow with plenty of time for me to head to JJ Moon’s at Kingsbury to meet up with Steve Barnes for beers and to catch some ODI cricket.

It had been a thoroughly rewarding and profitable evening!

Walton Casuals 5 Hendon 1 (Saturday 15^th December 2018) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 163)

It was a bitterly chilly day with Storm Diedre hitting the country north of Birmingham as I headed out to attend the match that had been brought forward a couple of weeks owing to both club’s inactivity in the FA Trophy.

Bob was also on the 183 bus heading towards Harrow-on-the-Hill where we were to meet up with Lee Cousins who was driving us along with Gerry Maguire, my car park colleague at Silver Jubilee Park. The weather got worse as we travelled through heavy traffic towards our destination.

By the time we’d made Walton the wind was blowing and rain falling heavily. We dashed from the car to the turnstile to pay £12 admission and purchase a programme for £2. We took refuge in the bar area at the top of the stand to keep warm.

Unfortunately, I had to head to work after the game so there was no beer for me, sticking to tea instead. The unwelcome news was that the burger van was closed and was reported not to opening, at least until half time. This was a blow as I was relying on grabbing some food at the game.

Hendon had signed a new defender, Taofiq Olomowewe. We were hopeful that this would see the start of a meaner less leaky rearguard. The Dons fans had travelled once again in decent numbers. We went out to stand at the top of the stand as near to kick off as possible.

The wind was blowing in Hendon’s faces as the sides kicked off. Within a minute Stags skipper Joe Hicks set up Dan Bennett whose low drive narrowly missed the far post. However, the hosts would only have to wait a further four minutes before they took the lead.

I’d seen James Ewington score a hat trick for Harpenden Town away to North Greenford United the previous season and had been impressed by him. Some neat passing in the box on the slick surface saw him finish by firing past Danny Boness.

Sixty seconds later Walton nearly doubled their lead when a cross hit the side netting. The conditions were obviously difficult for the visitors and Casuals were determined to take full advantage. An excellent Jack Battie cross saw Ewington head against the bar on fifteen minutes.

Hendon countered when a Lee Chappell set piece was flicked towards goal but pushed around the post by Denzil Bennett. Visiting forwards Ricardo German and Shaq Hippolyte-Patrick were both clattered by then and hobbling. Howard Hall was forced off with a muscle injury.

It was to get worse for Hendon as Max Hustwick played a ball through the middle for Ewington to beat any attempts at an offside trap to carry on and smash the ball past Boness. Dons showed signs going forward but were giving the ball away far too easily.

Just past the half hour mark it was 3-0. Left back Tanasheh Abrahams was exposed not for the first time with Battie getting in behind him to fire a hard low cross past a slipping Boness where Ewington completed his hat trick.

German limped off and received further feedback from a normally calm, knowledgeable Dons fan, with Connor Calcutt replacing him. Despite struggling with a back injury, the sub allowed a more pressing game led by the non-stop Matty Harriott.

The pressure paid dividends right on half time as Hustwick was closed down and dispossessed by Harriott who calmly finished. The goal offered a lifeline as Hendon finally showed signs of getting into the game.

The weather worsened after the break, although the wind started to swirl rather than blowing down the pitch, which summed up Hendon’s afternoon. The visitors had lots more possession without creating any clear-cut chances.

Credit must go to a gaggle of Casuals youngsters who stayed behind the goals without cover to cheer on their team. Their team showed some excellent game management, with right back Harry Mills looking very solid. The Stags played some fine football.

Dons substitute Shaun Lucien put in a couple of good free kicks that just needed a touch to convert into goals, but it wasn’t to be. Keeper Bennett was extremely fortunate to get away with dropping a cross which Harriott couldn’t turn in. Bayley Brown missed a good chance from a header.

Another good move saw Cole Brown lay the ball inside to Calcutt who saw his shot find Bennett who saved comfortably. Hendon were pushing further forward to try and score what could have been a pivotal second goal.

However, the game was done when the excellent Battie, who’d earlier turned Abrhams inside out for umpteenth time crossed for Ewington to score from close range. That was enough for our carload. We’d got back and were driving away when news came of the fifth goal from the penalty spot scored by Reece Robins.

The driving conditions were awful, but Lee did a brilliant job as we made good time before dropping Gerry and I in Ickenham. My pal went for the tube, while I found a chip shop I didn’t know about while searching for a supermarket.

My relief was pleased to see me ahead of schedule and I was delighted to get the kettle on and to enjoy some hot food. It said everything that it was the highlight of the day, but that’s football and the life of a supporter.

A team isn’t just for Christmas. When things go wrong it’s time to dig in and show some fortitude. Fortunately, Hendon had some great fans. We’d be back for the next game. If only every one of the players reciprocated; and not just when they were winning, or the weather was nice.

Walton Casuals 1 Hendon 3 (Tuesday 29th September 2020) Southern League Premier Division South (att: 187)

Initially I wondered whether to bother with a return to Elmbridge. I’d nothing against the venue, but I did consider whether ticking off a new ground while the opportunity arose would be more enjoyable.

Alternatively, there is nothing like camaraderie and friendships. Lee was driving down with Bob in tow, so I decided the Dons were deserving of my support. We were picked up at the usual spot at Harrow-on-the-Hill.

The traffic continued to be light post lockdown and we found ourselves in Walton at 7pm, despite having to take an earlier diversion near Spelthorne owing to a road closure. We eventually found a parking spot on Church Street in the town centre.

The Regent like all other pubs had to serve customers at their table. We were easily accommodated in the pub by a fun barmaid who put me in my place when I said I had the App to order. “We are not a Wetherspoons” she correctly pointed out to me.

In humble mood we ordered three steady pints of Tribute. There was still time for a second pint in the excellent boozer which had multiple TV’s showing sport. It was nice to be somewhere that felt something like normal.

Up the road at the ground, we arrived in perfect timing. Admission was £12 with the programme an extra £2. Sadly, things were not like normal with no refreshments available for fans and strict social distancing being administered after we’d scanned for track and trace.

The Dons needed a performance after being systematically dismantled at home to Truro City the previous weekend. They bounced back to deliver in style. Toby Byron made his second debut after a return from Hertford Town and put in an exceptional performance at the back.

Adam Coombes and Tayshan Hayden-Smith both had early opportunities for the bright starting hosts before Joe White opened the scoring for Hendon after he nodded in at the back post after fine work by Sean Lucien and Simeon Olalerin.

I was 100% behind anyone doing their best to aid the fightback against Coronavirus but the COVID steward doing a passable Keith Lard of Phoenix Nights impression was a bit over the top at times. Better safe than sorry, I guess.

Both sides created half chances primarily from set pieces. Eddie Oshodi made a brilliant brave block to snub out Casuals forward Kyen Nicholas. The Dons doubled their lead on twenty-six minutes when Lucien’s low deflected shot beat home keeper Denzel Gerrar.

Matt Ball had a couple of efforts go perilously close while a Kieran Forbes cross nearly dropped in as the visitors looked to extend their lead before the break. If things were going well on the pitch, I got a contrasting tale chatting to club officials about the upcoming FA Cup tie.

Hendon were to host Maidstone United, but as the Stones were deemed an “elite club” from the National League, their fans would not be admitted. Only, tickets were already on sale online. It was causing a bit of a panic. I knew it would make my role interesting at the game.

After the restart, the Dons continued to press and look the most likely to score, though Walton continued to threaten. Zidan Akers produced a save out of Jonathan North as he followed up when Coombes had been tackled.

It was Hendon who scored next with a beautiful goal. Oshodi headed a corner clear to Liam Brooks who fed Lucien who in turn picked out the marauding full back Olalerin who produced a sumptuous lob which left Gerrar stranded.

It was particularly rewarding for the youngster who’d had a torrid afternoon against Truro. We thought at this point that more goals would arrive for the visitors. Perhaps, they became complacent, thought credit must go to Casuals who continued to give their all.

Impressive substitute Gabriel Odunalke reduced the arrears after beating the offside trap and then score with a low shot. It led to Oshodi and Byron needing to be extra vigilant. They were in top form when another goal back would have made things interesting.

With pubs sounding last orders at 9pm, it was a journey straight home after the game with no opportunities of libation. The three points would have to be discussed over beer later.