History of Molesey Juniors

ORIGINS

DR KNOX

Competitive football was brought to Molesey in 1892 by Dr. James Jenkinson Knox, a prominent player for Corinthian FC at the time and then later for Derby County FC, as well as a notable local general practitioner. He established the Hampton Court and East Molesey Association Football Club during the summer of that year. The club's inaugural match took place on September 24th against Barnes FC, where Molesey triumphed with a score of 14-5, with Knox serving as the captain. In 1896, the club adopted the name Molesey Football Club.

Corinthian Football Club

As an amateur, Knox was a distinguished footballer, even being listed as a reserve player for Blackburn Rovers FC for their 1886 FA Cup Final team.

Unfortunately, Dr. James Knox passed away in 1898 at the tender age of 32, and so did not witness the flourishing of Molesey football that followed.

Many local historians regard Knox as the founder of football in Molesey, as his numerous sporting achievements inspired the formation of early association football teams in the late nineteenth century.

Molesey & St. Paul’s Football Club

In the early twentieth century and during the interwar years, several successful adult teams emerged, including Molesey Athletic FC, Molesey St. Paul’s FC, Molesey & St. Paul’s United FC, and the West Molesey Old Boys FC. These clubs ceased operations with the onset of World War II.

Had it not been for James Knox’s significant contributions and exemplary leadership, youth football may not have been established in Molesey immediately after World War II. In 1946, following a seven-year hiatus due to the war, football resumed with the merger of Molesey & St. Paul’s United FC and West Molesey Old Boys FC, leading to the reestablishment of Molesey Football Club.

MOLESEY YOUTH CLUB & NIELSENS UNITED FC

In April 1947, the Molesey Youth Club founded the first youth football team in Molesey, created by the Youth Club's chairman, Albert Crouch, with matches being played at the West Molesey Recreation Ground, entering a U18 boys football team in the Esher and District Youth League. Former players of Molesey & St. Paul’s United FC volunteered to train the team.

Molesey Youth Club (1948)

The following month, at the Molesey Football Club’s first AGM, the club's committee discussed plans to further develop football in Molesey by creating their own youth football team, Nielsens United FC, to compete alongside Molesey Youth Club, named after and created by the Molesey FC President Christian Nielsen.

Molesey Youth Club were easily crowned champions in the 1947/48 EDYL season, scoring 89 goals in only 22 games, conceding 35. Their players showed the local area what they could do in their very first competitive season with dominant league wins coming against Esher Air Training Corps, Esher Youth Club, Ditton CBL and Surbiton Juniors. Leading MYC players Babbage, Grace, Applegate, Jeeves, Jones and Gardhouse all received commendations for their efforts in the Local newspapers just before they played an end of season friendly against local rivals Nielsens FC, winning the game 6-2.

In the following EDYL season, the Molesey Youth Club again took the league by storm and were crowned 1948/49 champions with Nielsens United FC finishing a close runners-up. The success of the two Molesey boys teams prompted Molesey Football Club to further expand Molesey youth football a year later.

MOLESEY FOOTBALL CLUB

On Thursday, July 13th 1950, at the annual Molesey FC’s dinner and dance at Nuthall’s restaurant, Hampton Court, Mr. F Kipping, the club’s newly elected president made a speech about the prospect of the club’s current youth team, Nielsens United FC, eventually amalgamating with the highly successful and dominant Molesey Youth Club, under Albert Crouch, with the intention of developing young players for the senior Molesey FC teams of the future, which was greatly welcomed by the club’s members and dinner guests. “New blood will improve football in Molesey” said Mr. Kipping.

A month later, at the Molesey FC’s 1950 AGM, it was confirmed that the current Molesey Youth Club team would amalgamate with them and it's players joining the club as scholars and four youth teams would be run but still representing Molesey Youth Club – the top team (‘A’ team) would enter the North Surrey Minor League, the ‘B’ and ‘C’ teams staying in the Esher & District League and the ‘D’ team playing friendly matches. This was a huge leap for the youth players of Molesey as the North Surrey Minor League contained prestigious clubs such as Crystal Palace Juniors and Brentford Juniors (the equivalent of their present-day youth academy u18 teams).

At the start of the 1950/51 season, all four Molesey Youth Club teams unveiled a new all blue kit, donated to them by Molesey FC, and an article appeared in the Molesey & Ditton News: “YOUTH CLUB TO BECOME FOOTBALL NURSERY... The Molesey Youth Club are to cooperate with Molesey F.C. and become the nursery for local football talent. A resolution for this scheme was passed at a special meeting at the Molesey Youth Club. Albert Crouch will join Molesey FC as youth leader and oversee youth development” At this meeting Mr. Crouch outlined his plans and made the following speech: “The idea is to groom young talent for the senior teams. Experienced (senior) players from the Molesey Football Club will coach the youngsters and the Molesey Youth Club will field new teams in cooperation with Molesey FC”.

At the end of the 1950/51 season, on May 5th, Molesey Youth Club reached the reached the Surrey County FA Minor Challenge Cup Final and drew 1-1 with Banstead Juniors, at the Stompond Lane Stadium, Walton-on-Thames. The match was watched by a huge local crowd and was reported to be a be a fair result. The MYC goal came from the prolific Molesey youngster Jimmy Apps and the tie was settled by a coin toss which MYC won and so took home the trophy (no penalty shootouts in them days). News of the Molesey Youth Club’s domination of the local youth football league over the following seasons reached London setting up the creation of a new club...

FOUNDERS

ALBERT CROUCH

Molesey Juniors Football Club was founded on Monday, July 16th, 1952, at the Molesey Conservative Hall (East Molesey Conservative Club) by Albert Crouch, at the AGM of Molesey FC. Albert Crouch will always be fondly remembered as the founder of Molesey Youth Football, for the football accomplishments of the Molesey Youth Club and the founding of the Molesey Juniors Football Club. Unfortunately, no photos of Mr. Crouch have survived.

East Molesey Conservative Club

Esher News & Mail Newspaper - June !952

FULHAM FOOTBALL CLUB

At this AGM, were representatives of Fulham FC in attendance who were keen to link with Molesey Football Club after hearing of the local football achievements of the Molesey Youth Club Football Teams.

Albert Crouch joined Fulham youth leaders to announce to the 1952 AGM their plan that the Molesey Youth Club’s players would merge with the existing scholars of Fulham Juniors for a single season, a new team to play under the name "the Molesey Juniors Football Club”, with the aim of developing youth players as a ‘nursery club’ for both the Fulham FC and Molesey FC adult teams.

For the 1952/53 season, Molesey Juniors FC would play their home matches at the Craven Cottage Stadium in London but would still train at the West Molesey Rec, would adopt Fulham’s kit of white jerseys, black shorts and black socks but would keep their precious blue Molesey Youth Club kits as their away shirt, a tradition Molesey Juniors have kept to this day...

2024/25 Molesey Juniors U11 'Panthers' in their blue away shirts, 72 years later

ARCHIE MACAULEY

Fulham and Scotland player Archie Macauley came to Molesey to help with the founding of Molesey Juniors FC in the August of 1952. Macauley’s experience and football wisdom was invaluable to the establishment of the Molesey Juniors, carrying on from the work of Albert Crouch, and even led a coaching session on West Molesey Recreation Ground, which attracted a huge local crowd. Macauley also played for Rangers, West Ham and Arsenal, and represented his country 7 times.

EARLY YEARS

INAUGURAL SEASON: 1952

In September 1952, Molesey Juniors Football Club was accepted by the FA to enter the North Surrey Minor League, keeping the place in the top ‘Senior’ division previously vacated by the dissolved Molesey Youth Club football team, for the club’s inaugural season. Their first ever match came on October 4th, 1952, losing 12-1 away to Brentford Juniors. This was a baptism of fire for the young Molesey team as they would see out the remainder of the season unbeaten, finishing the season a respectable 3rd on 22 points (P14, W9, D4, L1), only 1 point behind runners-up Brentford Juniors and the champions Crystal Palace Juniors (who won the league on goal difference). This was the first season Molesey Juniors played and in the highest level of competitive football of the area, and reaffirmed an old rivalry with a last match of the season 9-0 victory over local rivals Walton & Hersham Youth who finishing 5th on 9 points.

However, Molesey’s inaugural season wasn't over yet as they had won their semi-final in the North Surrey Minor Cup and would meet league champions Crystal Palace Juniors in the Final. The two teams met for the final on a cold, cloudy spring evening on April 29th, 1953, at Craven Cottage, London.

Molesey Juniors lifted the Cup, winning the match 3-0. A local newspaper report read “Molesey Juniors fully deserves their good win in this final as they played much the better football. In addition to scoring two goals, Barton was the inspiration in the Molesey attack and played a fine game. Crystal Palace had an equal share of the play at the start of the second half but were unable to score. Molesey’s three goals were scored after only 35 minutes”

The Molesey outside-right named Barton was none other than Sutton-born Tony Barton, who played in that Molesey Juniors team as Fulham FC had already signed him as scholar in the summer of 1952. Barton, signed a full contract to play senior football at Fulham Football Club in 1954, and made his debut versus Lincoln City, aged 16 years, 259 days.

After a brief loan to Sutton United, Barton played his first full season alongside Fulham legends Bobby Robson, Johnny Haynes and Jimmy Hill. After Fulham, he played for Nottingham Forest FC and then moved to Portsmouth in December 1961, where he subsequently became player-coach. After retiring as a player, after 130 games and 34 goals for Portsmouth, he remained on the club's coaching staff.

Tony Barton (Fulham FC)

Tony Barton joined the coaching staff at Aston Villa, becoming assistant manager to Ron Saunders in 1980. Villa won the League Championship in 1981 (their first league title in 71 years) and Barton was promoted to the manager's seat in February 1982 after Saunders resigned. Barton then guided Villa to victory over Bayern Munich in the 1982 European Cup Final and followed this up with the 1982 European Super Cup the following season with victory Barcelona in the Final.

Tony Barton (1982)

Another player who signed as a Fulham scholar in the summer of 1952 and played in the inaugural Molesey Juniors team was centre half Derek Lampe. After playing for Molesey Juniors in 1952-1953, Lampe played for the England Youth team and finished his playing career at Fulham FC after 96 appearances.

1953 - 1957

By the start of the 1953/54 season, Molesey Juniors had finished their youth partnership with Fulham FC and re-established themselves as a singular club.

The success of the previous opening season had set up Molesey Juniors for the future and would attract interest from Molesey youngers looking to play football. Until the mid-1960’s, Molesey Juniors was seen as a ‘nursery club’ for the future adult teams of Molesey Football Club and in those days youth football clubs only had teams for the under-18s age group but often gave promising youngsters, as young as 15 years old, a place in their squads.

Molesey Juniors moved their home matches back to the West Molesey Recreation Ground. A small wooden hut was built for the players to change in and since Fulham FC coaches were no longer involved with the club, Molesey Juniors reached out for volunteers to coach the team. For training the club was able to get the Royal Air Force to volunteer to provide personal fitness coaches and experienced players from Molesey Football Club volunteered to coach.

In the 1956/57 Kingston Minor Cup, Molesey narrowly lost out on another cup final by losing a hard fought semi final to Ditton Juniors.

CUP WINS: 1958 - 1964

At the conclusion of the 1957/58 season, on Saturday, April 26, 1958, Molesey Juniors faced Kingston Boys' Club in the North Surrey Minor Cup Final. Molesey Juniors FC emerged victorious with a score of 1-0, the sole goal of the match being scored by Molesey's centre-forward, Atkins. This victory marked the second occasion within five years that Molesey secured the trophy.

Esher News & Advertiser 2/5/58

In the 1959/60 season, Molesey Juniors achieved second place in the North Surrey Minor Cup, the Kingston Minor Cup, and the North Surrey Minor League (Senior Division). Despite these close calls, Molesey Juniors remained undeterred. By the end of the 1961/62 season, they secured their third North Surrey Minor Cup title within a decade of participating in the competition.

MOLESEY YOUNG BOYS FC: 1965 – 1969

Molesey Juniors FC folded at the end of the 1964/65 season.

In the summer of 1965, a collective of schoolboys from Molesey, spearheaded by Philip Holroyd along with brothers Geoff and Gerald Bourne, sought local volunteers to establish a new club, enabling the Molesey Juniors players to continue their participation in football. Thus, Molesey Young Boys FC was founded to take the place of the defunct club, with their teams donning blue shirts, white shorts, and red socks. The local volunteers who contributed to the formation of the teams were primarily the parents of the players. Unfortunately, due to a lack of significant support from the parent organisation, Molesey Football Club, the Molesey Juniors players regrettably ended their affiliation with Molesey Football Club in 1965.

Previously, Molesey Juniors players had only competed in u18 matches. In 1965, Molesey Young Boys FC formed 3 teams to play in u18, u16 and u14 matches and competed in competitive matches until the April of 1969.

The Molesey Young Boys competed at a high level and won many matches. Unfortunately, these records did not survive.

REFORMING THE JUNIORS

1969

In the summer of 1969, the committee of Molesey Football Club helped parent volunteers to make plans to reform the Molesey Juniors FC by renaming the Molesey Young Boys FC.

The 'Juniors' would stay as a separate club to Molesey FC but could use the Walton Road Stadium for matches so that they could recruit promising Molesey Juniors players for their Adult teams

The Rivermead School (now the Henrietta Parker Centre), Ray Road, would also hold home matches and the team would revert back to white jerseys, black shorts and black socks and would keep their precious Molesey Young Boys blue jerseys as an away kit.

That Summer, Molesey Juniors applied to the FA and were accepted to join the Weylands League and started playing matches in the u18, u16 and u14 divisions.

1970s

1970 - 197

Molesey worked their way up the divisions with consequetive promotion in the 1969/70 and 1970/71 seasons.

In the Summer of 1971, Molesey Juniors recruited many promising Molesey schoolboys notably xxxxxx and began to that the Weylands

... under construction

... under construction

2020 -

2024/25 Season

At the start of the season two more u7 teams were added from Mini Moles to make 35 teams in total.

Lenny Valentine - U7 'Hawks'

At the conclusion of the season, the U14 Sharks were declared champions of the Epson & Ewell Youth League (Division 5) following a decisive 10-0 victory against Ashtead Colts. They secured the league title with one match remaining before the season officially ended.

Champions - U14 'Sharks'

updated 22/3/2025

A huge thanks goes to Chris Briscoe, a local football historian, who gave us so much information about the early days of club. If you are an ex player and would to contribute to the club's history page then please do contact the club.

Club Colours: We play in black and white Stripes with black shorts

Respect: All parents and supporters MUST stay behind the spectator rope / line during the match at all times. The use of foul/ abusive language or threatening behaviour towards match officials, spectators/visitors or participating children will not be tolerated at any time. Anyone who is deemed to conflict with this policy will be asked to leave the ground with immediate effect. Please seek permission from our coach if you wish to take photos or videos.

Warm up: We ask that you please do not warm up in the goal mouths or pitches at any time. Warm up areas are provided next to pitches.

Parking: If the ‘Car park full’ sign is out, please park with consideration to our neighbours.

PLEASE NOTE: Ambulances must be able to access the car park and pitches at any time, so please do not park in a way that may block access. Alternative on-street parking can be found locally or a car park is available off the Walton Road (10min walk). Please note, police do patrol the area on busy days and tickets have been issued by them for illegal or inconsiderate parking.

Toilets/ changing: The changing rooms and toilet block are on the left as you enter the site.

Refreshments: 'The Coffee Bike' will be in attendance on Saturdays, selling hot drinks, smoothies and snacks. For more info, see https://coffee-bike.com/

Molesey Juniors pitch map

How to find us

The Wilderness
off Molesey Park Road
West Molesey
Surrey KT8 0JT

Drive into 'The Wilderness' cul de sac, the football pitches are over the bridge and down to the left. Please park considerately and do not block access to emergency services.

Please see the pitch map for your match location.

Please put litter in the bins by the car park or take it home with you!