HISTORY OF HANWELL FC

HISTORY OF HANWELL FC

Hanwell Town F.C. was originally founded in 1920 by a group of 'Geordies' working in the area, and this explains the black and white striped kit, which is still used today.

The club were in the London League from 1924 - 1927 and it was in this period that they won their first major honour, sharing with Roxeth and Harrow Old Boys the Middlesex FA Junior Charity Cup in 1926. Little else is known about the club before their disbandment at the outset of the Second World War.

The club reformed in 1947/48 season playing in the Dauntless League where they climbed up through the divisions earning promotion in four successive seasons. Whilst remaining in the Dauntless League with a third eleven, the club switched allegiance to the Harrow Wembley and District League where they remained until 1969/70. During their period in the Harrow and Wembley League the club reached eight cup finals in various league county competitions and each time finished on the losing side.

In 1970/1971 the club gained promotion to the Middlesex County League and in their very first season the club won the League Cup, the side being captained by the club's current Chairman Bob Fisher.

The club remained in the Middlesex County League throughout the 1970's playing at Ealing Central Sports Ground, their home for over twenty years but in June 1981 they achieved their ambition of obtaining a ground of their own when they moved to the then derelict Reynold's fields, their current home. Thanks to a small group of volunteers the ground was able to be used from the start of the 1981/82 season. The club who were now being managed by former Exeter City and Brentford player Joe Gadston immediately won the Senior Division to gain promotion to the Premier Division where they remained until the amalgamation of the Spartan League with the South Midlands League in 1997/1998.

During this period the club enjoyed considerable success winning the London Senior Cup in 1991/1992 and 1992/1993 and being losing finalists in 1993.94. They also reached the final of the Spartan League Cup in 1993/94 and after drawing with Willesden Hawkeye at the Valley, home of Charlton Athletic F, they were beaten in the replay at the start of the following season. In 1992/1993 they reached the final of the Middlesex Senior Charity Cup where they lost to Harrow Borough at Uxbridge FC after extra time. They reached the final of the same competition in 2000/2001 when they were again beaten, this time by Ashford Town (Middx)

In 1997/1998, their position of 12th in the League meant that in the first season of the Spartan South Midlands League in 1998/1999 that they would be required to play in the Senior Division but they immediately gained promotion to the Premier Division finishing in runners up spot to Holmer Green. Both clubs finishing with the same number of points but with Holmer Green boasting a much better goal difference.

At the end of the 1997/1998 season Roy Nairn who had managed the side since the 1986/1987 season stood down to be replaced by Ray Duffy with Roy continuing his association with the club in a coaching capacity.

Following promotion to the Premier Division in Ray's first season, the club maintained a top half position in the League table in each season except fir one since then. Last season 2004/2005 the club led the Premier Division for much of the season only to suffer a loss of form in the closing weeks which allowed Potters Bar Town to finish as comfortable winners of the League title. Nevertheless, Town who finished in second spot could look back on a very successful season. In 2002/2003 the club won the Premier Division Cup when they beat Harefield United in the final at Brook House, their first cup success in ten years.

In the same season to celebrate Roy Nairn's twenty years service tot he club, Chelsea sent a side to meet the club at the start of the season. The Town ran out 5 - 3 winners with two of the goals being scored by Martin Rowlands of Brentford & QPR and Chris Boothe of Farnborough Town, both of whom having started their careers at the club during Roy's period of managership. The Rowlands's family have very strong links with the club with dad Arthur having played for the club in the 1982/1983 season and since then all five of his sons, Adam, Keith, Martin, Stephen and Anthony have worn the club's colours with Keith now the club's record goalscorers

Since arriving at Reynolds Fields, the club have steadily improved the facilities with the installation of floodlights in 1989, the erection of a small stand and more recently, thanks to a grant from the Football Foundation, the erection of a stand and toilets for disabled persons. Tottenham Hotspur led by Republic of Ireland international Chris Hughton and managed by former England goalkeeper Ray Clemence were Town's first opponents under lights and since Spurs again, Chelsea, Brentford and QPR have all played games on the ground.

The club have gained planning permission for the installation of four artificial pitches on their training area and for all the various ground improvements needed to make them eligible for promotion through the new pyramid system should the opportunity arise.

The club have spent a considerable amount of money on their pitch over the years and it has proven to be money well spent. Their groundsman Adam Rowlands having won the groundsman of the year award from the Middlesex County FA in both of the last two seasons and in 2004/2005, Adam also won a similar award from the Football Association for groundsmen at level 4 and 5 clubs in London and the South East Regions.

At the end of the 2004/2005 season club chairman Bob Fisher was awarded a medallion by the Football Association in recognition of his fifty years service to football. Bon having completed his fifty years service with the club.

The club have a thriving Youth Section and this season will be fielding 20 youth sides, ranging from Under7s to Under 18's. The Under 18's will be making their debut in the Allied Counties Youth League. Among the 20 youth sides will be for the first time a girls side in the Under 12 age group. The Youth section has achieved FA Charter standard and is highly regarded in the County.

No History of Hanwell would be complete without a mention of the club's secretary from its reformation in the 1940's to 1995, Ron Walker. Without a home ground of their own for the majority of this period, Ron's total dedication and commitment meant that the club were able to keep going whilst many round them folded. Now in his 80's Ron continues in his role of trustee to take a keen interest in the club's fortunes.


	HISTORY OF HANWELL FC Hanwell Town F.C. was originally founded in 1920 by a group of 'Geordies' working in the area, and this explains the black and white striped kit, which is still used today. The club were in the London League from 1924 - 1927 and it was in this period that they won their first major honour, sharing with Roxeth and Harrow Old Boys the Middlesex FA Junior Charity Cup in 1926. Little else is known about the club before their disbandment at the outset of the Second World War. The club reformed in 1947/48 season playing in the Dauntless League where they climbed up through the divisions earning promotion in four successive seasons. Whilst remaining in the Dauntless League with a third eleven, the club switched allegiance to the Harrow Wembley and District League where they remained until 1969/70. During their period in the Harrow and Wembley League the club reached eight cup finals in various league county competitions and each time finished on the losing side. In 1970/1971 the club gained promotion to the Middlesex County League and in their very first season the club won the League Cup, the side being captained by the club's current Chairman Bob Fisher. The club remained in the Middlesex County League throughout the 1970's playing at Ealing Central Sports Ground, their home for over twenty years but in June 1981 they achieved their ambition of obtaining a ground of their own when they moved to the then derelict Reynold's fields, their current home. Thanks to a small group of volunteers the ground was able to be used from the start of the 1981/82 season. The club who were now being managed by former Exeter City and Brentford player Joe Gadston immediately won the Senior Division to gain promotion to the Premier Division where they remained until the amalgamation of the Spartan League with the South Midlands League in 1997/1998. During this period the club enjoyed considerable success winning the London Senior Cup in 1991/1992 and 1992/1993 and being losing finalists in 1993.94. They also reached the final of the Spartan League Cup in 1993/94 and after drawing with Willesden Hawkeye at the Valley, home of Charlton Athletic F, they were beaten in the replay at the start of the following season. In 1992/1993 they reached the final of the Middlesex Senior Charity Cup where they lost to Harrow Borough at Uxbridge FC after extra time. They reached the final of the same competition in 2000/2001 when they were again beaten, this time by Ashford Town (Middx) In 1997/1998, their position of 12th in the League meant that in the first season of the Spartan South Midlands League in 1998/1999 that they would be required to play in the Senior Division but they immediately gained promotion to the Premier Division finishing in runners up spot to Holmer Green. Both clubs finishing with the same number of points but with Holmer Green boasting a much better goal difference. At the end of the 1997/1998 season Roy Nairn who had managed the side since the 1986/1987 season stood down to be replaced by Ray Duffy with Roy continuing his association with the club in a coaching capacity. Following promotion to the Premier Division in Ray's first season, the club maintained a top half position in the League table in each season except fir one since then. Last season 2004/2005 the club led the Premier Division for much of the season only to suffer a loss of form in the closing weeks which allowed Potters Bar Town to finish as comfortable winners of the League title. Nevertheless, Town who finished in second spot could look back on a very successful season. In 2002/2003 the club won the Premier Division Cup when they beat Harefield United in the final at Brook House, their first cup success in ten years. In the same season to celebrate Roy Nairn's twenty years service tot he club, Chelsea sent a side to meet the club at the start of the season. The Town ran out 5 - 3 winners with two of the goals being scored by Martin Rowlands of Brentford & QPR and Chris Boothe of Farnborough Town, both of whom having started their careers at the club during Roy's period of managership. The Rowlands's family have very strong links with the club with dad Arthur having played for the club in the 1982/1983 season and since then all five of his sons, Adam, Keith, Martin, Stephen and Anthony have worn the club's colours with Keith now the club's record goalscorers Since arriving at Reynolds Fields, the club have steadily improved the facilities with the installation of floodlights in 1989, the erection of a small stand and more recently, thanks to a grant from the Football Foundation, the erection of a stand and toilets for disabled persons. Tottenham Hotspur led by Republic of Ireland international Chris Hughton and managed by former England goalkeeper Ray Clemence were Town's first opponents under lights and since Spurs again, Chelsea, Brentford and QPR have all played games on the ground. The club have gained planning permission for the installation of four artificial pitches on their training area and for all the various ground improvements needed to make them eligible for promotion through the new pyramid system should the opportunity arise. The club have spent a considerable amount of money on their pitch over the years and it has proven to be money well spent. Their groundsman Adam Rowlands having won the groundsman of the year award from the Middlesex County FA in both of the last two seasons and in 2004/2005, Adam also won a similar award from the Football Association for groundsmen at level 4 and 5 clubs in London and the South East Regions. At the end of the 2004/2005 season club chairman Bob Fisher was awarded a medallion by the Football Association in recognition of his fifty years service to football. Bon having completed his fifty years service with the club. The club have a thriving Youth Section and this season will be fielding 20 youth sides, ranging from Under7s to Under 18's. The Under 18's will be making their debut in the Allied Counties Youth League. Among the 20 youth sides will be for the first time a girls side in the Under 12 age group. The Youth section has achieved FA Charter standard and is highly regarded in the County. No History of Hanwell would be complete without a mention of the club's secretary from its reformation in the 1940's to 1995, Ron Walker. Without a home ground of their own for the majority of this period, Ron's total dedication and commitment meant that the club were able to keep going whilst many round them folded. Now in his 80's Ron continues in his role of trustee to take a keen interest in the club's fortunes.