Chertsey Town Football Club, based in Chertsey, Surrey, England, is a historic football club that currently competes in the Isthmian League South Central Division. Established in 1890, the club has a rich history and has been an integral part of the local community for over a century.
The origins of organised football in Chertsey can be traced back to the Victorian era, although the club's official founding took place in 1890 when matches were played in the West Surrey League. The club enjoyed its first major success in 1897 when they secured the Surrey Junior Cup. Football in Chertsey experienced interruptions due to the Great War, but the club joined the Surrey Intermediate League in 1919. After another break in football during World War II, Chertsey Town became founder members of the Surrey Senior League in 1946, achieving senior status.
During its early years, the club played at various locations within the parish before settling down at its current home in 1926, which was donated by Sir Edward Stern as a football ground. The addition of the suffix 'Town' to its title came 24 years later. The ground also accommodates Chertsey Cricket Club, with whom the football club shares facilities. The main stand was constructed in the mid-1950s, the original clubhouse was added in 1960, and the first covered enclosure was built three years later.
Cover behind each goal was added in 1994 and 2010, completing the current infrastructure of the stadium.
Chertsey Town experienced success on the pitch, winning the Surrey Senior League championship in 1960 and repeating the feat twice in the following years. The club also won the League Cup on three occasions. Despite their achievements, the club was unable to progress to the Corinthian League, which led to a controversial decision to turn professional and enter the Metropolitan League in 1963. Although entertaining, the financial burden became unsustainable, resulting in a drop to the Greater London League for one season before joining the Spartan League in 1967.
The club faced indifferent results for almost two decades until a brief relief in 1974/75 when they were league and league cup runners-up. Behind the scenes, the club continued to build its foundations, and it eventually climbed through the London Spartan and Athenian leagues to join the Isthmian family in 1984. Instant relegation to the Combined Counties League followed, but a rejuvenated side won promotion back to the Isthmian ranks within a year, also winning the League Cup in the process. The club experienced good league positions but was initially denied further promotion.
One of the club's toughest seasons came in 1991 when the two Division Twos were split, and Chertsey Town had to settle for a place in the new Division Three. However, they quickly rectified this by securing a runner-up spot in the following season, also reaching the quarter-finals of the F. A. Vase.
The club's success continued, with 102 points and another runner-up promotion place to Division One in the following year.
Chertsey Town FC has a strong and passionate community following. With a rich history and a commitment to playing entertaining football, the club continues to be a central part of the Chertsey community.