Dynamo Molesey Football Club

Dynamo Molesey Football Club History (2006/07 - 2009/10)

Starting a brand new football club was always going to be a difficult task but following a brief meeting in June 2006 outside Wetherspoons, Leatherhead between Tom Holder, Tim Crosthwaite and Mark Twiselton the club - Dynamo Molesey FC - was formed. Their previous club had recently folded and in order to keep playing, a new side had to be set up. Elected to the Leatherhead & District League shortly after, Dynamo were ready for their debut season in Sunday league football. The name 'Dynamo Molesey' comes from a 5-a-side team that finished runners up in the Imber Court tournament 2002, run by the same set of players responsible for this new 11-a-side outfit. Mark Twiselton, with years of experience of club committees from his Thameswood Days was elected as Club Chairman. Tom Holder was elected Club Secretary and Tim Crosthwaite as his assistant. Holder also took the reigns of First Team Manager.

Eight months later, the club succesfully applied for FA Charter Standard Adult status in recognition of good practice and qualified FA coaches. At this time, we were the first of this kind in Elmbridge. It was a huge achievement for the club, still less than a year old.

The first season in 2006/2007 was also a major success on the field. The club took huge steps forward in establishing itself as one of Surrey's top Sunday morning outfits. In the Lower Junior Section of all three cup competitions; Molesey reached the semi-finals of the County Cup and the final of the League Charity Cup, being beaten on both occasions on sudden-death penalties in the former, and 3-0 in the latter. The side also claimed runners-up spot in the league, taking AFC Hazelhurst all the way but a 1-1 draw on Easter Sunday meant Molesey had to win their remaining games and score 28 goals in the process. The end of the season brought the two runners-up honours and plenty to build on.

Above: Club Chairman Mark Twiselton (center) and Club Secretary Tom Holder (right) are presented with the FA Charter Standard status by Steven Edwards (left), Football Development Officer at Surrey FA

In the summer of 2007 the club took development seriously and in co-operation with the club sponsors at the time, the Prince of Wales pub, launched a reserve team. With so many people at the pub wanting to play football it was clear that one team would not be enough, so Dynamo succesfully applied to have a second side enter the Leatherhead League for the coming season. The first team were promoted four divisions in recognition of their achievements in 2006/2007 and began the season in Division 4, whilst the new reserve team entered the league in Division 8. Nigel Shaw was appointed Reserve Team Manager, and after playing most of the season 'on the road', the club found itself a new home ground at Richmond Upon Thames College.

In a similar fashion to 06/07, the first team 'ran out of steam' in the closing weeks of the season. Having looked for most of the year like a possible cup treble was on the cards; the team were hammered 5-0 in the Junior County Cup semi-finals and then lost in extra-time to AFC Ewell Reserves in the League Junior Challenge Cup final. Focusing on these cup runs the league form began to stutter and following defeats away at Howard Old Boys and home to Ponies left Holder's team needing maximum points from their remaining games to take the title. Having to play four games in a week was never going to be easy, and following a 6-2 win over Poplar and a 3-0 win at Ponies Molesey knew that a win against FC Tolworth would pretty much give them the title but in a real all-or-nothing contest they lost out 6-2 and the title went to Tolworth. Dynamo settled for runners-up once again.

It was not all doom and gloom however, as the club did win its first (and only, to date) piece of silverware. After an 11-10 sudden death penalties win over Livingstone RARA Reserves in the semi-finals the Molesey side reached the League Junior Charity Cup final and ran out 1-0 winners against FC Tolworth thanks to Owen Davies' first half header.

Unfortunately, after suffering a difficult first season in the league the reserve team finished 9th and were relegated from Division 8.

Above: The First Team celebrate winning the Junior Charity Cup beating FC Tolworth 1-0 with Owen Davies scoring the only goal. It was the first trophy won by the club.

In the summer of 2008 the club restructured it's reserve team and Pete Tugwell was appointed the new Reserve Team Manager. They were to start the 2008/09 season in Division 9, whilst the First Team were promoted one division to Division 3. The Price of Wales pub closed for refurbishment and as such, the club found new sponsors in Jenrick CPI and Ideal Personnel. The Red Lion in Thames Ditton also became our new post-match venue.

With the hunt for more silverware in their eyes both sides started the 2008/2009 in good fashion. By christmas, the first team established themselves as front runners in the league; and still in all three cup competitions. The Intermediate County Cup run however came to an end in the quarter-finals after the first team were beaten 4-1 at Wimbledon Royals. Two weeks later and they were also dumped out of the League Intermediate Challenge Cup at the same stage. In the Charity Cup the first team did get all the way to the final but lost 4-1 to Merton Royals to take runners-up once again.

In the league it was another season that came down to the last day in May. After holding on to top position for three months, Dynamo needed only a point away at Tolworth to clinch the title but lost the game and finished runners-up in Division 3.

The reserve team enjoyed good results at the start of the season and at the end of the season, including winning their first ever cup match to reach the 2nd Round. Unfortunately injuries over the winter months had a big effect on results and once again the side finished 9th overall.

Above: Steve Bennett (right) presents Tom Holder and Mark Twiselton with the County FA and Football Association CS Adult Club of the Year awards

In 2009, Surrey FA voted us as 'Surrey FA Charter Standard Adult Club of the Year' in recognition of our continued support of grassroots football. This meant the club entered the Regional Award Category at the Football Association and were successful, being named The FA South East Regional Charter Standard Adult Club of the Year for 2009. Tom Holder was also awarded the Surrey County Football Workforce Winner in recognition of these awards.

Above: Club Secretary Tom Holder with the three awards won in 2009 presented by Steve Bennett (Premier League referee) at Leatherhead FC in July 2009.

 

During the summer of 2009 the club announced the launch of a third side alongside the existing first and reserve teams, called Dynamo Molesey 'A'. After the resignation of first team manager Tom Holder in May 2009 following three years in the role, the club appointed Ken Redgewell as the new first team gaffer. Gavin Redgewell made the step up as his assistant. Pete Tugwell continued in the role of reserve team manager, and Nick Brough became the 'A' team manager.

For 2009/2010, the First Team will play in the Premier Division; the Reserves in Division 7 and the 'A' Team in Division 8.

Dynamo Molesey Football Club Honours (2006/07 to 2009/10)

First Team

2008/09 LDSFL Division Three Runners-up

2008/09 LDSFL Intermediate Charity Cup Runners-up

2007/08 LDSFL Junior Charity Cup Winners

2007/08 LDSFL Junior Challenge Cup Runners-up

2007/08 LDSFL Division Four Runners-up

2006/07 LDSFL Lower Junior Charity Cup Runners-up

2006/07 LDSFL Division Eight Runners-up

Club

2009 The FA South East Regional Charter Standard Adult Club of the Year Award

2009 Surrey County FA Charter Standard Adult Club of the Year Award

2007 FA Charter Standard Adult Club Status achieved