13/2/2004

Yesteryear

Glory days of Guildford City

Guildford City run out to play Bedford in the 1955-56 season. Click on this and all pictures to enlarge.

THIRTY years ago on Tuesday, February 12, 1974, Guildford City FC played their last ever match at their Joseph’s Road ground.

Guildford City Reserves v Brighton Reserves, 1955-56 season. In goal for Brighton is Dave Hollins.

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Sadly, it was the end of senior football in the town.

The sorry tale of how the club lost its well-loved ground and then moved to Dorking was told on the archives page of the Surrey Advertiser five years ago. (Unfortunately, it is not available on this website).

Guildford City v Barry Town, 1955-56 season. City won 4-0.

The club that began in 1921 played its football on a semi-professional basis in the Southern League. There were glory years – the 1937-38 season when they won the Southern League title and in the 1962-63 season and again in 1966-67 when City won the Southern League Cup.

Guildford City v Gloucester City. 1955-56 season. City won 3-0.

They also lifted the Southern League title in the 1955-56 season, from which these pictures were taken.

The photographer was David Cooper who at the time worked for the Surrey Times. They are not only interesting for the action that he has captured, but show what a good following the club had at the time. The stands and the terraces are packed. He now lives in Kent.

Guildford City v Ramsgate. 1955-56 season. This was an FA Cup match. The game at Joseph's Road was a draw and City lost the reply.

His brother Hector Cooper played for Guildford City's reserve side. He still lives in the Guildford area.

City had two managers during this winning season. First there was Archie Macauley, who later left to manage Dundee. Bill Thompson succeeded him. The captain was Mick Morton. Sid Stevens was the goalkeeper for the majority of the season later losing his place in the team to Charlie Dore.

Guildford City v Tonbridge. 1955-56 season.

Up front was Rick Pearson. However, Pearson didn’t play in the game when City won the league – Bill Browning took his place and scored a hat-trick.

In the first picture here, Guildford City run out to play Bedford Town in the 1955-56 season.

City won the match 4-3 to clinch the Southern League title. The attendance was 5,942.

Guildford City v Yeovil Town, 1955-56 season.

Who can name the small boy who was the mascot on the day and the man in the light-coloured suit carrying what appears to be a lucky horseshoe? 

Answers to chief sub-editor David Rose on 01483 508920 or e-mail: newsdesk@surreyad.co.uk

Guildford City v Gravesend. 1955-56 season

Guildford City v Gravesend. 1955-56 season.

Guildford City v Poole Town. 1955-56 season. This was a friendly match that City lost 3-2.

Guildford City v Hastings

Guildford City v Hastings. 1955-56 season.

Guildford City v Barry Town. 1955-56 season.

Guildford City v Ramsgate, November 1955. Sid Stevens is in goal.

Guildford City v Ramsgate. 1955-56 season.

First printed in: Surrey Advertiser