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FOOTBALLERS VOTE FOR NEW LOOK

More than 650 Claygate Royals Football Club players, aged from six to 66, now take to the field each week, as the club has grown to become one of the largest in Surrey, with more than 45 boys’ and girls’ teams and a very popular veterans’ club.

During the past 12 months the club has adopted a new crest and kit, seen further growth in girls’ football, and made many more improvements behind the scenes. This is largely down to Claygate resident Michael Smith, a parent of three (two of whom play for the club and one referees), who took over as Chair in 2023, having previously been a coach and committee member. He still finds time to play for the Vets team. He says: “Filling the boots of Tony Shearman, who stood as Chair for 11 years, was tough. The club has grown exponentially over recent years and Tony had steered the club through a very difficult time during Covid. With continued growth and the recent success of women’s football in particular, we recognised we could do more in improving how the club operates. A five-year plan was drawn up that included focus on our community, our finances, our players and our identity.”

Also instrumental in recent changes is another Claygate resident, Mark Williams, founder of design agency That Thing, who volunteered to coach a team, and to work alongside the club’s committee. He met parents, coaches and players to gain an understanding of what the club meant to them, their families and the community, which led to a new brand and identity, with an updated, modern club crest that maintains a nod to history, plus new kit ideas.

At a successful Club Day in May, the players voted on their favourite kit and chose the “crown jewel” design (below). Michael says: “A huge amount of work behind the scenes goes into a club of our size and this warrants special mention to our main committee of Mike Cross, Chris Napper, Kev Warner and Jon Allen as well as all our volunteer coaches and parent helpers.”

Claygate Royals FC, founded in 1966 by a group of local lads who came together on Claygate Rec, is very grateful to all its sponsors for their continued support: Ridgeback Projects, Themis, The Hare and Hounds, That Thing, Homebright Solutions, and Winterdown Coffee.