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He told us, “I was first taken by my father to our old Queen Street ground at the age of five in 1954. At that time the club played in the Metropolitan League (which they had won in 1951-52.) The league comprised a mixture of amateur non-league clubs and the reserve and ‘A’ teams of professional clubs, including West Ham United, Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion.” “I cannot say that I remembered any of the football from that first visit except that my Dad won second prize on Tuppence on the Ball for which we were given a five bob voucher for a local hardware store (we bought a torch!) “I guess I really started to follow the club seriously in my teens in the mid-sixties when the Club was in the Athenian League, attending almost every match both home and away. That was, of course, pre-M25 and I can recall travelling in my best friend’s Dad’s Mini as far as Marlow and Edmonton. “Highlights were the FA Cup 1st Round proper match against Swindon Town in 1966 in front of a record crowd of over 7000 crammed into our old Queen Street ground, and winning the Athenian Division 2 title in 1969-70 and Division 1 three years later. “In 1974, I was asked to join the committee as Treasurer. Since then I have held a variety of posts including Vice-Chairman, Programme Editor and Secretary, with a few breaks to pursue other interests. I am now a Director of the Club as well as performing the role of Club Secretary. Your hom Face-to-face mortgage advice to suit your needs T: 014 Mortgage Solutions provide expert mortgage advice in the Horsham and surrounding areas. Our advice will be specifically tailored to your needs and circumstances which could be for your first home, moving home, investing in property or remortgaging. “We have sponsored the club for around fifteen years now. We have been open in the town since 1986 and enjoy helping support a good local cause. I don’t get down as much as I should but the football I have seen is fantastic. Keep up the good work for the remainder of the season and we look forward to seeing you in the new ground next season.” Paul Watts, Mortgage Solutions We are part of one of the UK’s largest award winning mortgage brokers and can offer you expert advice. We can search 1,000s of different mortgages from a selection of lenders to find the right deal for you. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Please do not hesitate to contact us. T: 01403 241414 W: www.mortgagesolutionsltd.co.uk 13 West Street, Horsham RH12 1PB www.footballfocusmag.com 39