Reports courtesy of Richard Lambert of www.eefconline.co.uk

Farnham Town 3-2 Epsom & Ewell Pre-season Friendly Saturday 2nd July 2022.

The artificial surface at Kings College in Guildford was the place to be to witness the opening match of the Anthony Jupp and Liam Giles era.
Farnham are a Step Five team and they held the balance of the play in the first half, although only broke through in the third minute of injury time when a near post right wing cross was converted with a sidefooted volley past our keeper.
The half time whistle blew immediately after the restart, and both teams changed a number of personnel and in our case, the formation too. This bore fruit within 35 seconds as a smart strike from the left about fifteen yards out put us back on level terms. We then hit the face of the bar with a shot from the left before another shot took a slight deflection and came back off the Farnham post.
Unfortunately a foul just inside the penalty area gave our opponents a spot kick which was converted in the 73rd minute and then two minutes after we had hit the post once again in the 87th minute, Farnham scored a third goal with a fine finish into the top corner from just inside the box.
This third goal was a little harsh on our team, but in the 91st minute we did get a second of our own when our earlier scorer latched on to a fine pass, held off his man and steered the ball under the keeper from an angle about ten yards out for his second of the match. It was the least we deserved, having also hit their woodwork on three occasions during that period!
As always at this stage of the season the performance is more important than the result, but with so many players absent it is hard to say much more than the scoreline was about fair, largely due to Farnham holding a greater balance of play in the first half. Suffice to say our new Management seemed happy enough with the way things went and that’s all that really matters at this point. We move on to meet another Step Five team when we visit Hassocks next Saturday.

Hassocks 0-1 Epsom & Ewell Pre-season Friendly Saturday 9th July 2022.

It is generally accepted that the most pretty ground in the area is Arundel’s; sitting in the shadow of its imposing castle. However, Hassocks home ground of The Beacon would certainly fit in the tier just below that, and on a gorgeous day that was probably too hot for football an impressive crowd around the 130 mark were present to witness our victory, although once again the support from an Epsom point of view was really low. This was a pity as the performance showed a clear upgrade from the previous week, despite the heat, although admittedly both teams were almost entirely changed at half time, so most players only played one half of the match.

This was an incredibly unusual result. In my forty years as a regular supporter I can only recall a couple of previous occasions where the only goal of a match occurred in the opening minute, but that’s exactly what happened in this contest. There were more new faces on show at Hassocks, including another former Epsom player from 15 years ago, although the only goal after just 18 seconds, came from a familiar face as Athan Smith-Joseph collected the ball some thirty yards out and strolled unchallenged to the edge of the penalty area before casually striking the ball into the corner of the net. It’s possible that our opponents hadn’t realised we were playing three at the back to start the match and lost track of the extra man we had further forward, but either way we caught the hosts cold with this strike.

From that point, the home team had as much of the match as we did and had a couple of really good chances to equalise; firstly in the 38th minute when a deep ball to the left was volleyed across goal only for the Hassocks 10 to strike over the bar from close range, and then in the 79th minute when a free kick to the far post was headed against our crosssbar and as the ball bounced down and then up again, it wouldn’t come down in time for the incoming striker who headed the loose ball over. Our (currently) unnamed keeper, who was different to last week’s, also had a good game and made a couple of solid saves, but the match was largely devoid of real goalmouth action and this was a fairly attritional contest at times, which isn’t always a bad thing when you are leading.

Did we deserve the win? Maybe a draw would have been fairer over the 90 minutes, but I also felt we were worth a draw at Farnham Town last week and we didn’t get it! Whilst the actual result isn’t that important at this time of the season, I felt we saw the match out well and this bodes well for the future when some of our other new names will be appearing to strengthen the competition for a place. All in all though; sunny day, lovely ground and my team won. Why would you want to be anywhere else if you truly are a genuine and loyal Epsom supporter?

AFC Uckfield Town 0-2 Epsom & Ewell Pre-season Friendly Tuesday 12th July 2022

In my last report I referred to the clean sheet secured at Hassocks being our first in a long time and we have now added a second just three days later with a good 2-0 win at Step Five AFC Uckfield Town at the Oaks.

We had visited this ground before, back in 2009 for an F.A. Cup tie when one half of the merged Uckfield club were previously known as Wealden FC, and it remains as picturesque as it was back then. Around 65 people attended on a warm and sticky evening to watch the home team hold the upper hand in early proceedings, but without really looking like they would break through.

However, the pattern of the match changed in our favour in the 21st minute. I wouldn’t normally advise the name of an unsigned scorer, but seeing as he did it himself on social media, I can advise that Jahobi Maher collected the ball just over 45 yards out and launched a strike at goal. The keeper stumbled, at which point you knew instantly that it was going in for a spectacular opener.

Confidence grew from that point and we should have made it 2-0 with a great move, but Ricardo Fernandes blazed over from the edge of the penalty area. In response the home side flicked a shot at goal but our keeper was able to deal with it comfortably and we extended our lead in the 42nd minute when new signing Nick Wilson met a long throw with a glancing header across and beyond their keeper from around eight yards out, and only a great save from the home keeper stopped a spectacular third goal after a good move concluded with a superb volley from the edge of the area, but the ball was tipped over the bar.

There were less changes than usual at the break with only three players coming on, bringing the total of subs up to four at that point after one of our players had limped off ten minutes from half time. One of these was our keeper from last year, Kane Charles and he would prove to be very busy in the opening quarter of an hour, making a couple of spectacular saves, although he needed some help in the 49th minute when a defensive header back into our penalty area enabled a home striker to shoot at goal, but Louis Chin was perfectly positioned to head the ball off the line via the crossbar and out to safety!

We made four more changes after an hour and the contest, which had been a bit niggly throughout to this point then flared up again after one of our players crashed into the hoardings near the dugouts which required his replacement, but the home side seemed to run out of ideas a little and the game ended in a fairly comfortable 2-0 win in the end.

Richard Lambert pays homage to the late great footballer who played for Epsom and Ewell FC.

[Photo: Phil Walker pictured running the line at West Street on 24th October 1976 in a Charity Match as a Dennis Waterman XI defeated an Epsom XI 11-10 with the recently deceased Waterman scoring a hat-trick. Over 2,000 were present along with many other famous names like Alan Mullery, Dave Sexton, Tony Gubba and Trevor Lee.]

Photo: Gemini Reynolds

On Friday 8^th July 2022 our club lost one of its most famous names when the death was announced of Philip Leonardus Walker at the tragically young age of 67.

Phil was born in Parsons Green on 29^th August 1954 and went to Battersea County School in Culvert Road, Battersea where he met another youngster, Trevor Lee. Their stories would of course become inextricably linked, although had Phil been born three days later, he would have been in a different school year and their paths may not have even crossed!

Both of course connected well at a time when it must have been extremely difficult growing up as a young black man in South London, but the pair would become footballing pioneers in arguably the most hostile of environments, the Den; home of Millwall FC.

Although both were very good at football, they went in opposite directions at first. Phil was working in a factory in Acton and got talking to a workmate who was at Wingate F.C. so he went and played with them, scored in his first match and stayed a while.

However, in 1973 he teamed up with Trevor again at Cobham alongside another player in Steve Jones. All three would then sign for Epsom and Ewell in the summer of 1974.

Saturday 08/02/75 v Hornchurch F.A.Vase – Won 1-0.

Back Row: Steve Jones, Ted Yorke, Chris Page, Johnny Eales, Dave Worby, Trevor Lee, Willie Bennett, Dave Ritman

Front Row: Tommy Tuite, Trevor Wales, Phil Walker, Pat O’Connell, Alan Webb

Our club were of course just picking themselves up after years in the doldrums and had just finished as runners-up in the Surrey Senior League, but Manager Pat O’Connell; a former professional himself at Fulham, wanted our club to achieve much more.

Phil joined our club a month after Trevor, due to a holiday in America, and made his debut on Saturday 7th September 1974 when we defeated Chobham 3-0 in a Surrey Senior League Cup tie at West Street, but it was a slow start for the new lad who only made four first team appearances by the December. However, he forced his way into the team as the season progressed and by the end of May we had won the League and Charity Cup double with Phil firmly entrenched in the number 10 shirt.

Phil scores our only goal in the F.A. Vase win over Hornchurch on 8th February 1975

Johnny Eales is the other Epsom player in the photograph and to my knowledge is the only other member of the 12 man squad to have passed away as I write this.

Of course most supporters will remember that 1974/75 season for our run to Wembley Stadium in the very first FA Vase competition, where Phil was a focal part of the run. He scored the only goal in our Quarter-Final victory over Hornchurch and the winner against Stamford in the first leg of the Semi-Final, which was won 2-1 and essentially earned the trip to Wembley, following our goalless draw in the second leg.

Trevor Lee and Phil Walker share a moment at the F.A. Vase Final post-match get together at the Cavalier in Wallington on 19th April 1975 with Manager Pat O’Connell and his Assistant Arthur Evans

 Our boys celebrate with the Surrey Senior League Trophy at West Street on 22nd May 1975

Although the day at Wembley ended with a 2-1 defeat, our club was on the football map again and in the early part of 1975/76 Millwall Manager Gordon Jago came calling. The new man in charge already knew of our club and ground, having played against us in the early fifties as Captain of Maidstone United in the Corinthian League. Jago actually took four of our players for trials at Cold Blow Lane. Willie Bennett, one of our finest defenders in club history, and Tommy Tuite, who would become our greatest ever goal scorer were also asked to attend along with Trevor and Phil, but ultimately injury hurt Bennett’s chances, while Tuite was considered too small at five feet eight, ironically the same height as Kevin Keegan! Both played matches for Millwall in the Football Combination, before returning to leafy Ewell Village.

However, Trevor and Phil were successful and Phil made the last of his 41 appearances for us against Southall and Ealing Borough (who had another non-league success playing in their team by the name of Alan Devonshire) in an F.A. Cup replay. Phil scored 19 goals in that time. Trevor would return for five appearances in 1985/86, but Phil would never wear our colours again.

Both players were due to sign for Millwall on 13th November 1975 live on the main regional news show of day, The Today show; a programme that would become infamous just over a year later for an interview featuring the Sex Pistols, but back then it was very popular. However, only Trevor made the show as Phil had to have x-rays but he would soon sign a two year contract in December 1975. Both made an instant impact on their debut, with Trevor setting up Phil to score the only goal against Mansfield Town at the Cold Blow Lane end at the old Den, and Phil made 35 appearances that season as promotion to Division Three was achieved.  

Despite the obvious fact that they were the only black players in the Lions team at a sad time in our distant past when the National Front were regularly acknowledged on television as the fourth main political party, and even before the implementation of the Race Relations Act in 1976 (which expanded on the previous Acts from 1965 and 1968 and properly started to give some real teeth to the subject of discrimination) they became extremely popular at a ground where the word “hostile” was a tag that many of their supporters embellished as a badge of honour. They remain so to this day.

Promotional photo from Millwall showing Gordon Jago after capturing both Phil and Trevor from Epsom and Ewell FC

Both players became pioneers for their club, although Phil didn’t stay that long. He made 167 appearances for them, with 22 goals before moving on. Whilst there he was honoured for his contributions to sport by the Muhammad Ali Scheme in Brixton, along with Olympic Champion Daley Thompson and World Champion Boxer John Conteh.

To give full details of Phil’s professional career and achievements, it is much better to refer you to the clubs for whom he played from this point, as they will all have written their own tributes. Suffice to say though, he signed for Charlton Athletic for £120,000 in the summer of 1979 before having a loan spell at Gillingham.

He then made an unusual career move in those days by going abroad in 1983 when he moved to Hong Kong to play for Eastern AA before moving again, this time to Portugal where he joined Leixoes, Boavista and FC Maia before retiring at the age of 41. He also told me that the best ground he ever played at (excluding Epsom’s appearance at Wembley Stadium) was Benfica’s old Stadium of Light.

He also did some coaching at Maia in the early 2000s and this was put to good use in recent years when he started to run his own soccer school at Wandle Recreation Centre in Mapleton Road, Wandsworth which continues to this day.

Most people will not know that Phil was actually a member of a very talented family and had a couple of brothers; Dennis who also played regularly for Epsom and Ewell, making 102 appearances and scoring 12 goals, and Larrington (Larry) who was a very well-known actor with roles in Minder, The Bill, Inspector Morse and The Chinese Detective amongst others, yet was versatile enough to also be a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and was a good friend of comedian Lenny Henry. Also, his nephew Kyle Walker-Peters is of course currently a professional footballer with Southampton.

I was extremely fortunate to meet both Phil and Trevor in 2015 when I noticed that Phil had started following our club on Twitter and dropped him a line to see if he would like to have a chat and he was more than happy to meet up and would bring Trevor along too.

When we met that evening I found two extremely modest people who knew they were breaking down barriers and raising the public’s perception at a time when it desperately needed to be, but you got the impression that they saw themselves as simply footballers. I didn’t feel the need to ask them the same questions they must have heard hundreds of times about their race, and in all honesty, I’d have probably been able to find out those answers from many other previous interviews. I wanted to concentrate on their time at Epsom and Ewell and I think it must have been quite refreshing for them to answer some different questions. In more recent years the Achtung Millwall podcast interviewed Phil and whilst it obviously concentrates more on his time there, it is well worth a listen too.

I said my goodbyes that evening and they said they would try to get along to an Epsom game one day. Regrettably now Phil will never make that journey, but he will never be forgotten at this club while I am here to pass the baton and remind people of our former greats, of which Phil was certainly one!

Trevor Lee and Phil Walker in the summer of 2015

More coverage of our great Epsom and Ewell Football Club on their website http://www.eefconline.co.uk/

Tony Bourne, Martin Harbottle, Les Owen, Joe Cable and Bill Ayling.

Ladies’ Friendly Epsom played away at Cheam on Thursday 7th July 2022 & won on 1 rink, lost on 1 rink & lost overall 27 – 33. Details:Rink 4  Penny Payne Christine Summerfield Ruth Baker  won 19 – 13Epsom were 0 – 6 down after 4 ends, but won the next 4 ends to go 9 – 6 ahead.  Cheam drew level on the next end, but Epsom won the next 5 ends to ahead again 16 – 9.  They won by 6 shots.Rink 5  Sandy Cooper Sandie Harvey Mary Green  lost 8 – 20 Epsom led 7 – 6 after 10 ends, but lost the next 6 ends to go 7 – 17 down.  They lost by 12 shots.Final Score:  Epsom 27  Cheam 33

Surrey President v Surrey Past President Bowling AssociationEpsom hosted this match on Wednesday 6th July 2022. The President, Martin Harbottle had invited 10 Epsom men to play in this game.Details:Surrey County Bowling AssociationResult of Surrey President match v SCMPPBA played at Epsom Bowling Club on Wednesday 6th July 2022The Surrey President’s team won on 3 rinks, lost on 3 rinks & lost overall 112 – 118.  After 10 ends across the 6 rinks the President led 66 – 57, but were behind by 4 shots (100 – 104) after 18 ends.  They lost by 6 shots. NB The Surrey President’s team is listed first in each rink.RinkTeamScore1Vic Hemmett Brian Collis David Botting Peter Hamilton vDennis Knight John Hort Alan Harding Bill Ayling16 – 31 The Surrey President’s team was 14 – 15 down after 10 ends & further behind 14 – 22 on end 15.  They lost the last 4 ends & lost by 15 shots. 2Alan Endersby Stephen Danderson/Bob Blaker John Warren Norman Mann * vRobin Taylor Butch Manning Mick Gray David Candeland26 – 6 The Surrey President’s team led 13 – 2 after 10 ends & 21 – 6 after 18 ends.  They won by 19 shots 3Richard Greenfield Edward Dear Keith Roberts Martin Harbottle v Mark Medhurst Allen Kellaway Steve Parnham Joe Cable6 – 29 The President skipping this rink found themselves 0 – 12 down after 7 ends.  They were 3 – 25 down after 16 ends & lost by 23 shots. 4Allen Banks Phil Sims Les Owen Robin Fudge vColin Clarke Ray Uwins George Hope Trevor Pocock29 – 18 The Surrey President’s team were 19 – 4 ahead after 10 ends & 27 – 14 in the lead on end 18.  They won by 11 shots. 5Stefan Tomm Carl Chadbond Colin Gray Jim Scott vRoger Rashleigh George Watson Colin Homes Graham Dawber25 – 11 The Surrey President’s team led 19 – 4 on end 13 & won by 14 shots. 6David Tucker Neil Dimmock Graeme Cupit Andrew Turnbull vTerry Franklin John Southwell John Cocoracchio James Mason11 – 23 The Surrey President’s team were 5 – 15 down after 10 ends & 8 – 22 behind on end 18.  They lost by 12 shots.  * Highest winning RinkLost 112 – 118 A huge thanks goes to all the Epsom members who helped make the day successful. Everyone enjoyed the afternoon which concluded with an excellent meal.

Vilamoura Mixed LeagueEpsom played Chipstead in their second Vilamoura game on Tuesday 5th July 2022 & won on both rinks & the match 35 – 29 (6 – 0).Details:Home: Liz Hind Phil Sims Brian Collis won 15 – 12After 9 ends Epsom led 8 – 4 & were further ahead 14 – 7 after 14 ends.  They won by 3 shots.Away: Penny Payne John Lystor Fred Read  won 20 – 17Epsom were 4 – 14 down after 8 ends, but won the next 4 ends to go 13 – 14 down.  They won the last 4 ends to win by 3 shots.Final Score:  Epsom 35  Chipstead 29  Epsom 6 points  Chipstead 0 points. Did you know Epsom have played Chipstead 5 times in this league and won 4 & lost 1.

East Surrey League – Mid Week TriplesEpsom played their second game in this new league at home against Caterham on Tuesday 5th July 2022.They won on 2 rinks, lost on 1 rink & won overall 50 – 33 (8 – 2).Details:Rink 2 Richard Senior Bob Blaker Wayne Thornton  lost 14 – 15Epsom were 4 – 14 down after 12 ends, but won 5 of the remaining ends & lost by just 1 shot.Rink 4 Derek Martin John Hart Jim Scott  won 17 – 7Epsom led 10 – 3 after 10 ends & 13 – 6 after 15 ends.  They won by 10 shots.Rink 5 Mick Cooper Frank Thompson Ted Ray  won 19 – 11Epsom led 12 – 4 after 11 ends & 16 – 10 after 15 ends.  They won by 8 shots.Final Result:  Epsom 50  Caterham 33   Epsom 8 points  Caterham 2 pointsBob Blaker, Mick Cooper & Ted Ray played in their first game in this Competition.

Surrey Area 3 Top 4 – Epsom ‘B’After getting a walk over against Horley Epsom ‘B’ made the short distance to Epsom Park to play in the second round on Tuesday 5th July 2022. They lost 24 – 25.lost 24 – 25David Fearn David Bragg Keith Roberts Andrew Turnbull  lost 24 – 25David Fearn played in his first game in this Competition. Did you know This Competition only allows 1 Surrey County Badged player to be in the rink.Epsom have won the area final twice:-2006 Winners – Martin Harbottle, Ted Ray, Pat Buckley & Peter Miller2014 Winners – Brian Kenyon, Andrew Turnbull, John Warren & John Huxford.

Chrystie LeagueEpsom played at home against Bookham on Monday 4th July 2022 and won on 1 rink, lost on 1 rink & won overall 41 – 24 (3 – 1).Details:Rink 4 Derek Martin John Savill John Lystor Fred Read  won 29 – 9Epsom led 12 – 7 after 10 ends & won the next 7 ends to go ahead 29 – 7.  They won by 20 shots.Rink 5 Mick Cooper Hayden Thornton Frank Thompson Wayne Thornton  lost 12 – 15Epsom led 4 – 1 after 4 ends, but lost he next 4 ends to go 4 – 7 down.  They were 9 – 13 down on end 14 & lost by 3 shots.Final Score:  Epsom 41  Bookham 24   Epsom 3 points Bookham 1 point. Did you know Epsom have played Bookham 39 times in this league and won 23, lost 15 & drawn 1.This was Epsom’s 5th game in the Chrystie League this season.  They have won 4 & lost 1.Epsom have won 8 of the last 10 games against Bookham.

Men – East Surrey LeagueEpsom Men played away against Old Coulsdon on Saturday 2nd July 2022 and lost on all 3 rinks & the match 42 – 63 (0 – 10).Details:Rink 1  Derek Martin Keith Roberts John Warren Jim Scott  lost 13 – 22Epsom were 8 – 12 down after 10 ends & 10 – 19 behind after 18 ends.  They lost by 9 shots.Rink 2  David Fearn Ted Ray Andrew Turnbull Wayne Thornton  lost 16 – 17Epsom took the lead 10 – 9 on end 11 & led 15 – 12 on end 16.  They lost the next 4 ends to go behind 15 – 17.  They scored 1 shot on the final end to lose by 1 shot.Rink 3  David Bragg Bob Blaker Les Owen Peter Miller  lost 13 – 24Epsom were 9 – 13 down on end 13 & lost by 11 shots.Final Score:  Epsom 42  Old Coulsdon 63   Epsom 0 points  Old Coulsdon 10 points. Did you know Epsom have played Old Coulsdon 41 times in this League & won 14, lost 26 and there has been 1 drawn match.In 2021 Epsom beat Old Coulsdon at home 10 – 0 which was the first time that Epsom had taken all points in a game against Old Coulsdon.Epsom played their very first ESL match in 1987 against Old Coulsdon.  Epsom lost 70 – 82 (1 – 5). Of our current members Graham Pilbrow played in this game.

Ladies – East Surrey LeagueEpsom Ladies played away against Old Coulsdon on Saturday 2nd July 2022 and drew on 1 rink, lost on 1 rink & lost overall 36 – 41 (½ – 3½)Details:Rink 4   Janet Newman Sue Skinner Frances Suttonwood Mary Green  lost 17 – 22Epsom were 5 – 17 down after 10 ends, but outscored Old Coulsdon  12 – 5 over the remaining ends.  They lost by 5 shots.Rink 5  Sandy Cooper Liz Hind Trish Southgate Sandie Harvey  drew 19 – 19Epsom led 17 – 10 on end 16, but were outscored 2 – 9 over the remaining ends to allow Old Coulsdon to tie the rink.Final Score:  Epsom 36  Old Coulsdon 41  Epsom ½ point  Old Coulsdon 3½ points Did you know Epsom first played Old Coulsdon in 1998 and have played 24 times, won 9, lost 15.This season Epsom Ladies have played 4 League matches, won 2 & lost 2.Epsom Ladies have won the League 3 times – 2005/2006 & 2019.

Pre-season Friendly Saturday 2nd July 2022. Report Source: www.eefconline.co.uk. Reporter: Richard Lambert

New era kicks off with narrow defeat. The artificial surface at Kings College in Guildford was the place to be to witness the opening match of the Anthony Jupp and Liam Giles era, although rather disappointingly out of our regular supporters, only two Committee members, plus myself and my boy Nathan were there to witness it in an attendance of 15.

Pre-season friendlies are not for everyone though and of course many players take the field who will never make the first team squad, so maybe some supporters aren’t that concerned! Obviously, due to the time of the season with many players not signed up and the recent departures of Luke Miller and Tommy Smith, I won’t be releasing any names here, except to say that many players were away this week and that out of the twenty-two players present, of whom twenty had a run out, there were only three players on the field who finished the season with us. There were also two former Epsom players on show.

Pre-season friendlies are not for everyone though and of course many players take the field who will never make the first team squad, so maybe some supporters aren’t that concerned! Obviously, due to the time of the season with many players not signed up and the recent departures of Luke Miller and Tommy Smith, I won’t be releasing any names here, except to say that many players were away this week and that out of the twenty-two players present, of whom twenty had a run out, there were only three players on the field who finished the season with us. There were also two former Epsom players on show.

The half time whistle blew immediately after the restart, and both teams changed a number of personnel and in our case, the formation too. This bore fruit within 35 seconds as a smart strike from the left about fifteen yards out put us back on level terms. We then hit the face of the bar with a shot from the left before another shot took a slight deflection and came back off the Farnham post.

Unfortunately a foul just inside the penalty area gave our opponents a spot kick which was converted in the 73rd minute and then two minutes after we had hit the post once again in the 87th minute, Farnham scored a third goal with a fine finish into the top corner from just inside the box.

This third goal was a little harsh on our team, but in the 91st minute we did get a second of our own when our earlier scorer latched on to a fine pass, held off his man and steered the ball under the keeper from an angle about ten yards out for his second of the match. It was the least we deserved, having also hit their woodwork on three occasions during that period!

As always at this stage of the season the performance is more important than the result, but with so many players absent it is hard to say much more than the scoreline was about fair, largely due to Farnham holding a greater balance of play in the first half. Suffice to say our new Management seemed happy enough with the way things went and that’s all that really matters at this point. We move on to meet another Step Five team when we visit Hassocks next Saturday.

Men – East Surrey League – Division 1 League Match

Epsom Men played against Chipstead on Saturday 25th June 2022 and won on 1 rink, lost on 2 rinks & lost overall 59 – 68 (2 – 8).

Details:

Rink 3 David Fearn Bob Blaker Andrew Turnbull Wayne Thornton lost18 – 25

Epsom were 8 – 15 down after 10 ends & 12 – 20 behind after 15 ends. They lost by 7 shots.

Rink 4 John Wellard Keith Roberts John Warren Peter Miller lost 19 – 23

Epsom were 10 – 13 down after 10 ends & 16 – 22 behind after 18 ends. They lost by 4 shots.

Rink 5 David Bragg Terry Hoye Les Owen Jim Scott won 22 – 20

The scores were level 12 – 12 after 14 ends, but Epsom went behind 17 – 20 on end 18. They won the last 3 ends picking up 5 shots to win by 2.

Final Score: Epsom 59 Chipstead 68 Epsom 2 points Chipstead 8 points

Did you know?

Epsom have played Chipstead 29 times, won 11, lost 16 & drawn 2. Epsom have won 6 of the last 8 games.

East Surrey League – Top Club

Epsom played Croydon MO’s in the ESL Top Club on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 & won both singles, Pairs & lost the Triples & Fours. They won 3 – 2.

Details:

Singles: Ted Ray won 21 – 14

The scores were level 9 – 9 after 10 ends, but Ted led 15 – 12 after 15 ends. He scored 2 3’s on ends 17 & 18 to win by 7 shots.

Two Wood: Bob Blaker won 14 – 9

Bob led 7 – 4 after 10 ends & 11 – 7 after 15 ends. He scored 2 singles on ends 19 & 20 to win by 5 shots.

Pairs: John Wellard Peter Miller won 18 – 16

John & Peter led 9 – 5 after 10 ends, but the scores were level 12 – 12 on end 15. They won by 2 shots.

Triples: Mick Cooper Stefan Tomm Les Owen lost 16 – 21

The scores were level 13 – 13 after 11 ends, but Epsom lost by 5 shots.

Fours: David Fearn Phil Sims Andrew Turnbull Jim Scott lost 21 – 23

Epsom were 4 – 17 down after 11 ends, but came back well to go ahead 21 – 20 on the penultimate ends. They dropped 3 shots on the final end to lose by 2 shots.

Final Score: Epsom 3 Croydon MO’Ss 2.

John Wellard, Mick Cooper & David Fearn played in their very first ESL Top 11 match,

Did you know?

In 1997 the East Surrey League started a Top 10 Competition. This was changed to a Top 11 Competition in 2018 bringing this in line with the BE Competition.

Epsom have played 47 matches since 1997, won 28 & lost 19 in the Top 10 & in the Top 11 have played 6 games, won 3 & lost 3.

Epsom have lost in 3 Top 10 Finals – 2000/2003/2006 all to Shirley Park. They won the Competition in 2008 beating Warlingham Park 71 – 70 after winning the pairs & triples & losing the singles & fours.

Of our current playing members the following played in that final – Ted Ray, Stefan Tomm, John Hart, Graham Pilbrow, Les Owen, Martin Harbottle, Terry Hoye, & Peter Miller.

Peter Miller holds the record of 43 appearances in this Competition (Top 10 & Top 11).

Surrey Area 3 Top 4

Epsom ‘B’ Men played at home against Cheam on Sunday 26th June 2022 and lost 15 – 22.

Details

Rink 4 John Wellard Mick Cooper Bob Blaker Wayne Thornton lost 15 – 22

The scores were level 6 – 6 after 9 ends, but Epsom led 10 – 8 on end 12. They lost the next 5 ends to go behind 10 – 19. They lost by 7 shots.

John Wellard & Wayne Thornton played in their first game in this Competition.

Chrystie League

Epsom played away against Brockham on Monday 20th June 2022 and won on 1 rink, lost on 1 rink & won overall 35 – 27 (3 – 1).

Details:

Rink 2 David Fearn John Savill Mick Cooper Bob Blaker lost 15 – 16

Epsom led 8 – 4 after 9 ends & going into the last end they led 15 – 14, but dropped 2 shots to lose by 1.

Rink 4 Derek Martin John Lystor Phil Sims Fred Read won 20 – 11

Epsom led 9 – 3 after 9 ends & 14 – 11 after 14 ends. They won the last 4 ends to win by 9 shots.

Final Score: Epsom 35 Brockham 27 Epsom 3 points Brockham 1 point

Did you know?

Epsom have played Brockham 39 times, won 24, lost 14, drawn 1 & 2 games have been cancelled.

In 2021 Epsom won both games home & away.

Past Times

Epsom played Sutton in the Past Times Competition on Friday 24th June 2022. They lost at home & away losing overall 30 – 39.

Details:

Home: Derek Martin Ted Ray Keith Roberts Andrew Turnbull lost 17 – 20

Epsom were 5 – 8 down after 9 ends & 14 – 16 behind after 16 ends. They lost by 3 shots.

Away: David Bragg Bob Blaker Les Owen Jim Scott lost 13 – 19

Epsom went behind 4 – 14 after 10 ends & 12 – 15 behind on end 15. They lost by 6 shot.

Final Score: Epsom 30 Sutton ‘A’ 39

Did you know?

This Competition started as the Times Herald Competition which ran from 1966 to 2001.

In 2002 it was replaced with the Past Times Competition. Epsom won the Times Herald Competition in 1975 (they beat Mellows Park 35 – 34) & lost in 3 finals (1980, 1987 & 1990). Epsom were finalists in the Past Times Competition in 2010. Graham Pilbrow holds the record for number of appearances – 62.

Sutton & District Bowling Association – St Raphael Pairs

Epsom played at home against Cheam Fields on Sunday 26th June 2022 and lost 17 – 22.

Details:

Rink 3 Penny Payne David Fearn lost 17 – 22

Despite losing this game this was an excellent performance against last years champions. With 2 ends to go Penny & David were 10 – 22 down, but finished with 5 shots on end 20 & 2 shots on the last end to lose by 5 shots. Well done both.

Sutton & District Bowling Association – Carol Shannon Triples

Epsom played Carshalton at home on Thursday 23rd June 2022 & won 26 – 2.

Details: Trish Southgate Ruth Baker Mary Green won 26 – 2

Our finalists in this Competition in 2021 got off to an excellent start in the 2022 Competition. They dominated the game winning 14 of the 16 ends played.

Final Score: Epsom 26 Carshalton 2

On Wednesday 6th July Epsom Bowling Club are hosting a match between Surrey County President and Surrey County Past Presidents Association. This is a 6 rink game starting at 2pm. Bar facilities will be available and bacon rolls for players, guests and visitors. Come along and see what bowls is all about and savour some good competition. Lets hope the weather is kind. All are welcome.

It is with sadness that Epsom Bowling Club have reported the death of a longstanding member, player and dedicated servant Arthur Upwood. The following is taken from an  obituary that has been posted on the the club website epsombowlingclub.co.uk

Sadly Arthur Upwood passed away on Tuesday 21st June 2022.

Arthur was Club Treasurer for 14 years & finally stood down in 2012. He had been a Club Vice President also. Arthur subsequently volunteered to look after the Membership Details in 2016. He transferred to Social Membership in 2020.

During his playing career he won Pairs 2001, Triples 1990/2016, Windeler Cup 2010, and was runner up in Triples 1994/2008, Fours 1999/2006/2012/2013, Mixed Pairs 1999/2005, The Windeler Cup 1999/2006/13.

Arthur also was a member of the squad which won the Chrystie League in 2004, appearing 44 times in total in this competition and played in 1 East Surrey League match.

He will be sorely missed.

Our sympathies go out to his family and friends.

Men – East Surrey League
Epsom Men played their second home match in the ESL against Ashtead on Saturday 18th June 2022 and won on 1 rink, lost on 2 rinks & won overall 64 – 54 (6 – 4).
Details:
Rink 1 David Fearn Bob Blaker Andrew Turnbull Wayne Thornton lost 14 – 19
Epsom led 11 – 8 after 14 ends, but lost the next 3 ends to go 11 – 17 down. They lost by 5 shots.
Rink 2 David Bragg Terry Hoye Les Owen Jim Scott won 33 – 16
Epsom led 18 – 7 after 10 ends & 26 – 15 after 15 ends. They won by 17 shots.
Rink 3 John Wellard Ted Ray Keith Roberts Peter Miller lost 17 – 19
Epsom were 6 – 17 down after 14 ends, but won 6 of the remaining ends to lose by 2 shots.
Final Score: Epsom 64 Ashtead 54 Epsom 6 points Ashtead 4 points.

Did you know?
Epsom have played Ashtead 30 times in the ESL, won 24, lost 5 & drawn 1. The best win came in 2015 when Epsom won 116 – 55 (4 rinks).

Men’s Friendly
Epsom played at home against Wallington on Thursday 16th June 2022 & won on all 3 rinks & the match 57 – 35. Wallington turned up with one player short so the game was 2 Triples & 1 pair. All rinks played 18 ends.
Details:
Rink 1 Richard Senior Ted Ray John Hart won 17 – 14
Epsom led 8 – 6 after 9 ends & 15 – 12 after 14 ends. They won by 3 shots.
Rink 2 Mick Cooper Wayne Thornton won 24 – 10
Epsom led 13 – 6 after 9 ends & won 6 of the remaining ends to win by 14 shots.
Rink 3 Les Owen Bob Blaker Fred Read won 16 – 11
The scores were level 9 – 9 after 12 ends and Epsom went on to win by 5 shots.
Final Score: Epsom 57 Wallington 35
Did you know?
This friendly fixture was introduced in 2017. Since then there have been 4 matches with Epsom winning all 4.
The game in 2019 was cancelled.

Men’s Friendly
Epsom played at home against Chessington on Wednesday 15th June 2022 & won on 2 rinks, lost on 1 rink & won overall 44 – 38.
Details:
Rink 1 Derek Martin Geoff Purrott Fred Read won 21 – 14
Epsom started slowly finding themselves 1 – 7 down after 7 ends. They won the next 2 ends to go ahead 11 – 7. They went on to win by 7 shots.
Rink 2 John Lystor Richard Senior John Hart lost 10 – 12
The scores were level 7 – 7 after 12 ends, but were leading 3 ends later 10 – 7. They lost the last 4 ends to lose by 2 shots.
Rink 3 Brian Kenyon Mick Cooper Frank Thompson won 13 – 12
Epsom led 9 – 3 after 10 ends, but the scores were level 9 – 9 on end 13. Going into the last end the scores were level again, but Epsom scored 1 shot to win the rink by 1.
Final Score: Epsom 44 Chessington 38
Did you know?
Epsom first played Chessington in 1993. Since then the Clubs have met 30 times with Epsom winning 25, losing 5 & 1 game has been cancelled. Epsom last lost against Chessington in 2007.

Ladies’ Friendly
Epsom played at home against Purley on Tuesday 14th June 2022 & drew on 1 rink, lost on 1 rink and lost overall 19 – 25. Rink 1 played a triples & rink 2 played a rink (with Purley 1 player short).
Details:
Rink 1 Liz Hind Sandy Cooper Sandie Harvey drew 10 – 10
After 8 ends Epsom led 9 – 2. Purley came back well to draw the rink (15 ends played).
Rink 3 Sue Needham Janet Newman Christine Summerfield Ruth Baker lost 9 – 15
Epsom were 4 – 13 down after 11 ends, won the remaining ends, but lost by 6 shots. (15 ends played).
Final Score: Epsom 19 Purley 25.
Did you know?
The first recorded Ladies’ friendly match against Purley was in 2008. Since then there have been 9 matches with Epsom winning 3 & losing 6. 4 matches have been cancelled in this period.

Chrystie League
Epsom played their second game this season in the Chrystie League at home against Pippbrook on Monday 13th June 2022 and won on 1 rink, lost on 1 rink & won overall 35 – 21 (3 – 1).
Details:
Rink 2: Brian Kenyon John Savill Phil Sims Fred Read lost 11 – 13
Epsom were level 6 – 6 after 10 ends & still level 2 ends later. However, they then went behind & lost by 2 shots.
Rink 3: John Lystor David Bragg John Wellard Peter Miller won 24 – 8
Epsom led 10 – 4 after 9 ends & 20 – 6 ahead after 14 ends. They won by 16 shots.
Final Score: Epsom 35 Pippbrook 21 Epsom 3 points Pippbrook 1 point
Peter Miller played in his first Chrystie league match.
Did you know?
Epsom have played Pippbrook 39 times in this league, won 23, lost 15, drawn 1 & 2 games have been cancelled.

Image: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Legendary American Jockey Steve Cauthen has announced he will join ITV Racing to cover the Platinum Jubilee Derby in Epsom. Cauthen, born in Kentucky to a horse-trainer father, began his racing career in the USA before moving to the UK, where restrictions on Jockey weight are more relaxed.

He has enjoyed an extremely successful career, being the only Jockey to have won both the Kentucky Derby (1978) and the Epsom Derby (1985, 1987), he was even named Sport’s illustrated Sportperson of the Year in 1978, after becoming the youngest jockey to win the coveted U.S. Triple Crown.

Cauthen will be broadcasting in the UK for the first time ever, he’s more than familiar with Epsom and will be surely be warmly welcomed back by the racing community.

Joining Steve Cauthen on the podium will be Ed Chamberlain, triple Derby-winning jockey Johnny Murtagh and former jockey, Jason Weaver. They also be joined by ITV Royal correspondent, Katie Nicholl.

“Having won the Derby on both Slip Anchor and Reference Point, Epsom is a special place for me and to be presenting there for ITV on the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend will be extraordinary,” said Cauthen.

READ MORE: Epsom Downs Racecourse: Brian Finch appointed New Chair

Epsom & Ewell F.C. have announced that Anthony Jupp will become their new head coach, following the departure of Jamie Byatt. Jupp was formally the manager of Horley Town F.C.

Epsom & Ewell finished in 6th place in the Southern Combination League this season, and no doubt be looking to strengthen their squad over the summer.

Anthony will assume this position immeadlety, as Epsom & Ewell F.C. look to take on their pre-season friendlies…

Epsom & Ewell Times would like to congratulate Anthony wholeheartedly, as we all look forward to watching Epsom & Ewell F.C. again next season.

The Queen’s racehorse Reach For The Moon has been pulled out of the Classic after failing to recover from an injury in time. The horse was injured late last year.

The horse, trained by father-son duo John and Thady Gosden and ridden by Frankie Dettori, was the 3rd favourite.

The colt was tipped as one of the favourites to win on June 4th after finishing first at the Solario Stakes at Sandown Park last August. He later sustained an injury that was not thought serious enough to rule him out of the Epsom Derby, this was apparently not the case.

John Gosden told the Racing Post he would not contest the Classic at Epsom.

“Following a setback last autumn, Reach For The Moon has been given all the time and care he requires in his training programme,” said Gosden.

“We had planned to run him in the Dante Stakes at York next week. However, in the best interests of the horse, we have decided that this race is coming too soon for him.“

“Consequently, he will not run in the Derby and will be pointed towards Royal Ascot.”