Cobham F.C.

Cobham

Full name	Cobham Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Hammers
Founded	1892
Ground	Leg O'Mutton Field, Cobham (Capacity: 2,500)
Chairman	Leigh Dynan
Manager	Leigh Dynan
Coach	Stuart Siemons / Chris Whitt
League	Combined Counties League Division One
2010–11	Combined Counties League Division One, 8th
Home colours

Cobham F.C. are a semi-professional football club based in Cobham, Surrey, England. They were established in 1892 and were among the founding members of the Home Counties Football League (now the Combined Counties League) in 1978. They have reached the third round of the FA Vase twice in their history. They are currently members of the Combined Counties League Division One.

History

Cobham Football Club were formed by villagers in October 1892 entering a local junior league. The home ground was never settled with various fields around the outskirts of the village being used at different times. During the late 1920's they played in the Kingston & District League winning Division One in seasons 1928-29 and 1929-30. In the early 1930s they gained Intermediate status and quickly achieved Senior Status in 1938 upon election to the Surrey Senior League.

The club established a home ground at Cobham Recreation Ground and continued to play there until the 1955-56 season when they took up residence at the current Anvil Lane ground (also known as the Leg O'Mutton Field). As was the fashion of the day, the club needed a nickname and, because of the Anvil Lane address, they became known as 'The Hammers'

Cobham were founder members of the Combined Counties League. The closest they have come to winning the title was in 1998-99 when the Hammers finished second behind Ash United after leading the table for much of the season.

The ground's floodlights were installed in the 1997-98 season and were first used in a friendly against Woking.

The Hammers' last silverware was won in season 2001-02 when they beat Bedfont 3-2 at the Kingfield Stadium, Woking to win the Combined Counties League Premier Challenge Cup.

After a tough season in 2008/09 on and off the pitch the club saw a restructure of the board and relegation. 10 years on from winning the CCL Premier Cup Cobham are currently competing in their 3rd season in the CCL Division one. Now under the guidance of manager Dynan, the 3rd manager in three years, following Reed and Ray into the role.

Several former Cobham players have moved into the professional ranks, including Trevor Lee and Phil Walker with Millwall and David Coles at Yeovil Town. Also, cricket fast bowler turned commentator, Bob Willis, made occasional appearances in goal in the 1970s and is a life member of the club. Alan Hamlyn (1966-67) moved to USA where he played professional football in NASL for Atlanta and represented USA in the World Cup. Most recently the club has seen a brief spell from Owen Price who premier league side Tottenham had paid Charlton Athletic 500k for at the age of just 14. Currently former Premier League and Jamaican International footballer Jamie Lawrence has been an integral part of the Cobham squad bringing his experience to the forefront of the 2011/12 season.

Squad 2011/12

• GK's - Will Midmore, Charlton Hopkins, Robbie Whittiker
• DF's - Dan Gurney, Tommy Smith, Andy Rothwell, Jay Cabmar (On loan from Kingstonians), Martin Dynan
• MF's - Scott Day, Connor McClaren, Dan Akimwande, Chris Hayes Danny Young, Kim Manzambi, Pat Kirby, Dan Reeves, Clive Zammit
• FW's - Jake Baxter, Jamie Lawrence, James Robertson

Records

• FA Cup best performance: 1st qualifying round replay – 2002–03, 1st qualifying round 2010–11.
• FA Vase best performance: third round – 1985–86, 1998–99

External links

• Official website
• Cobham at the Football Club History Database