Saints played their matches at Pell Lane without threatening to gain promotion for their first decade as league members until they were elevated to Division 2 with the team finishing in sixth place 2014-15.
Saints momentum continued with a runners-up spot in 2015-16 which saw promotion to the top tier Division 1 as the club also added several trophies to their list of honours as more sides were added to the throng.
The club continued their ethos of all being made welcome with training remaining free for adult players. However, Saints were relegated in 2017-18 prior to finishing third in Division 2 in 2018-19.
Despite this setback, Ryde made great strides off the pitch as the first team moved into Smallbrook Stadium as the club were awarded the Isle of Wight Club of the Year award for their general structure and efficiency.
The club also took on Salters Park in the town for junior football which was landscaped with the pitch at Smallbrook being given a full new drainage system. The club was promoted back to Division 1 despite the 2019-20 season being declared null and void under manager Andy Brown.
Ryde Saints FC will play in the Isle of Wight League Division 1 in the 2020-21 season.
Tuesday 21st July 2020
I was desperate need of escaping from London for a couple of days after the tough times of lockdown during the Coronavirus pandemic. Restrictions were being lifted gradually, which afforded me the opportunity with three days off after completing my set of night shifts.
I’d really enjoyed my brief visit to the Isle of Wight the previous year, so a return to adventure further and do plenty of walking with the weather set fare seemed a marvellous idea. I got booked up and headed down by train and hovercraft.
Ryde seemed a good place to stay, with it’s excellent travel links and plenty of pubs and places to eat. Shanklin on my previous trip was pretty if a bit limited in choice last time. I selected to stay in The Crown Hotel on St Thomas’ Square in the heart of the town.
After an early start and little sleep, I was ready for a nap to let my tea settle and so I could enjoy the evening. The staff seemed friendly enough and my room was comfy. All was good in the world as I set out on a lovely evening for a stroll to Smallbrook Stadium.
My pal Steve Barnes said he had been across and visited the arena to watch Isle of Wight Islanders speedway team with his son George in the past. I was keen to have a look, even though it looked a little bit out of the way.
The size of the town surprised me as I headed south up High Street. There was certainly enough for all my needs. I didn’t realise but I went past where the old Partlands home of Ryde Sports FC once stood. They folded not long after leaving and heading to Smallbrook.
The walk continued as I had to be at my most vigilant along Ashey Road, which didn’t have footpaths not soon outside the town boundary. I was more than happy to see the floodlights across some fields and signs advertising speedway.
The venue had The Premier, a large social function suite along with a couple of workshops. Thankfully the stadium was open. It was decent enough with a long low seated stand above banking down one side. The rest of the venue was open but with catering facilities for events.
There was also a gym behind the main stand which is probably why the stadium was open. The pitch looked to be in good condition thanks to the investment from Saints. Once done I decided to head back to town via a different route.
Again, I had to be most careful. The location of Smallbrook would surely restrict Saints if they wanted to attract crowds and advance up the football pyramid unless transport could be provided to games as the speedway team do.
Smallbrook Lane led me down over the Island Line railway past a vineyard where a footpath led back towards Ryde alongside it, going past a skate park and coming out on Slade Road, where I was hoping to take in some more local football culture.
Unfortunately, the small enclosed ground of fellow Isle of White League club Oakfield FC was locked up. Not to worry, as I wanted to walk back in that direction to start my mini pub crawl around the corner.
Sadly, The Railway was limited to two average ales when they normally have a good selection. They were in transition mode after lockdown. It was still probably a better option than the Crown underneath my room as it transpired.
The London Pride was just about passable, and it had Arsenal getting beat on the big screen so it obviously had its attractions, before I crossed over the square to the S. Fowler & Co branch of Wetherspoons.
It turned out to be a good choice with steady ale in the wonderful building that was once a large store. It certainly did its job for me. While I’ve undoubtedly been in better pubs it would pan out that I’d have given a limb for it by the end of 2020.
Unprecedented times but I was so glad I had made the effort to return to the Isle of Wight.
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