Tunbridge Wells FC - Supporters

Sue and John J

I can hardly remember a time when my father and subsequently my mother (can't beat them, join them) were not involved with Tunbridge Wells football club. I think it must have been the mid 1950's when Dad joined the supporter’s club and he was very hands on with his involvement with the football club.

 

The Agricultural Showground (now Showfields) was where it began for our family. Peter Peters, Bobby Bean and Alan Back were some of the players and Gordon Hurst was one of the managers during that period. I remember, as a family we became good friends with Gordon and his family and had many family days out with them, his son Peter was in my class at St John's school.

 

During this time Charlie Timms was also involved with the supporter’s club and his son Alan, who is still very much involved with the club, used to come along with his dad, and we enjoyed exploring the grounds. 

 

Gradually, our home, Tommy Atkins dry cleaners (owned by my Father’s brother) in Grosvenor Road became the hub for the football club. I had to give up my bedroom for the club office, programmes and other literature were printed on the Gestetner duplication machine. 

 

The club secretary was Irvin Morris, resident in the office together with Ron Coles who was the fund-raising manager. Some of the fund-raising activities included Thursday bingo being held in the Friends Hall in Camden Road and later at the Royal Victoria Hall Southborough, as well as Jumble Sales being a regular event (all donations were stored in our flat) and weekly 'tote' type tickets also being sold, many collected from the shop by loyal supporters, one of these being the late Ron Styles, Grandfather to Tony.   

 

Once a year, the club and my Dad were involved in the Tunbridge Wells carnival with weeks of preparation involved. Originally the carnival used to set off from the Agricultural Showground, it was a big event back then.

 

Before the club moved to the Culverden my Dad was invited on to the board of Directors as the supporters club representative, more because of his work effort than any financial support (we had no money).

 

Prior to moving to the Culverden, I remember what the land was like before and during the development (I have some photos of this). The day the ground was officially opened (18th August 1962) was my 13th birthday and my younger sister Lyn who was 5 years old presented a bouquet to the Minister of Sport who officiated the opening of the ground.  

 

I remember the enthusiasm regarding this new ground, maybe to include a running track and other sports facilities in the future, all very exciting. Derek Carey also on the board of Directors, his building company built the main stand. On the other side of the ground was the Scotsman stand, that was transferred from the Eridge Road ground was erected at the Culverden. Dad was instrumental in acquiring the Atcost precast building to be erected and used as the refreshment/bar area which was run by the Pilbeam family, he also acquired a shed which became the onsite office and a garage was the Director’s hospitality room.

 

After Gordon Hurst, managers included Harry Barrett as well as Johnny McNicol an ex Chelsea and Crystal Palace player. In those days the club provided a house for the manager in Newlands Road and Coniston Avenue. George Weddell was our trainer during this period and he was a really lovely man who lived locally in North Tonbridge. Bert Thick was the groundsman, a task which was really challenging for him in the early days with the pitch drainage problems, again a really lovely man.

 

Dad had the bold idea to raise funds by buying a brand new Ford Cortina from Stormont’s in order to raffle it. Most of the board of Directors did not share Dad's enthusiasm, however, I do remember that Derek Carey was very supportive. That summer was spent at every carnival, fete and gathering in order to sell raffle tickets. Dad, together with other supporters, including Mick Shepherd, Barry Few and Barry Penfold (known as the 3 boys), really pushed sales, half a crown a ticket, and he raised a substantial profit. The car was won by a lady living in Lansdowne Road. The next year he purchased a motor scooter and again sold raffle tickets. I remember the scooter being displayed in the shop window, again more funds were generated for the club.

 

Due to lack of funds, Dad was also the club 'taxi' taking up to 4 players to away games. I remember one trip to Barry Town FC in Wales, I always went with him. He travelled knowing he had no player wages or travel expenses, as funds were so low and he was very embarrassed. These trips were all done in a day, mainly on single carriage 'A Roads', not many motorways existed then. The Southern League covered a vast area, for example - away to teams like Corby, Merthyr Tydfil, Kings Lynn. Both Barry Marchant and Jock Munn played for the Wells and both would later remind me of one trip where there was a continual petrol smell from Dad’s car and both felt sick when they arrived prior to the game. Dad only ever had old cars that needed continual maintenance!  

 

In 1966 the Dry Cleaners closed down and we had to move, where, for the first time ever we had a large garden. My Father changed his job and his priorities had to be different, the garden took over a large part of his spare time, so he became just a supporter. He resigned as a Director, although he never lost his love for the club, continuing where possible to attend games.

 

In 1970, John and I married and Dad started coming along to watch John, who played Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings, continuing to play until he was 50 years old.

 

Dad passed away in 1995 - John had retired from playing football we were then able to go occasionally to the Culverden to support the club.

 

Our real interest was rekindled around 2010 and continues to the present day.  

 

So many happy memories.