Club Background
Leatherhead has a history stretching back to 1907 and is one of Surrey’s most established non-league clubs. From its early beginnings in local football to famous FA Cup exploits against Football League opposition, a Wembley appearance and battles for survival, the club has enjoyed more than a century of memorable moments.
Although the modern Leatherhead, was officially formed in May 1946 following the merger of Leatherhead Rose and Leatherhead United, the club’s roots can be traced back to the formation of Leatherhead Rose in 1907. Research into the club’s origins subsequently led the Surrey Football Association to recognise the 2007–08 season as Leatherhead’s official centenary.
Leatherhead Rose initially played friendly matches before joining the Dorking and District League, becoming its first champions in 1909–10. The First World War interrupted football in the area, and the club suffered tragic losses, with four players and a committee member killed during the conflict. Football resumed after the war, with Rose going on to enjoy further success in the Kingston and District League.
Leatherhead United was formed in 1924 and quickly established itself in local football, winning Division One of the Sutton and District League in 1925–26. United later joined the Surrey Junior League, winning the championship in 1933–34.
Following the Second World War, officials from both clubs agreed to join forces. At a public meeting on 27 May 1946, Leatherhead Football Club was officially established, with the new club adopting United’s Fetcham Grove ground as its home.
The merger proved successful. Leatherhead won four consecutive Surrey Senior League championships before progressing into the Metropolitan, Delphian and Corinthian Leagues. In 1963, the Tanners were crowned Corinthian League champions, subsequently joining the Athenian League and earning promotion from Division One at the first attempt.
Further success followed in 1969 when Leatherhead won the Surrey Senior Cup, alongside the Surrey Intermediate Cup and Senior Shield.
The 1970s proved to be a golden era for the club. After reaching the FA Amateur Cup semi-finals in both 1971 and 1974, Leatherhead joined the Isthmian League and embarked on an extraordinary FA Cup run during the 1974–75 season.
Having negotiated the qualifying rounds, the Tanners defeated Colchester United 1–0 at Fetcham Grove before overcoming Brighton & Hove Albion at the Goldstone Ground, thanks to a goal from Chris Kelly, famously nicknamed the ‘Leatherhead Lip’ for his outspoken personality which made him a national name in the club’s Cup runs in the 70s.
Their reward was a fourth-round meeting with First Division Leicester City at Filbert Street. In one of the most remarkable episodes in the club’s history, Leatherhead established a 2–0 half-time lead against their top-flight opponents before Leicester fought back to win 3–2.
The club’s cup exploits continued, with further victories over Football League opposition in Cambridge United and Northampton Town.
In 1978, Leatherhead reached Wembley Stadium for the FA Trophy final, although the occasion ended in defeat. The achievement came during a difficult year for the club following the sudden death of chairman Chris Luff, a driving force behind Leatherhead’s rise, just months before the final.
The following decades brought more challenging times. Leatherhead were relegated from the Isthmian League’s top division in 1983 and dropped into Division Two South in 1990, before returning to Division One in 1997.
Financial difficulties threatened the club’s existence towards the end of the decade. In the summer of 2000, Leatherhead came within days of folding, only to be rescued by supporters who took control following a crisis meeting. Their intervention secured the club’s future and began a period of rebuilding.
The Tanners returned to the national spotlight in 2006–07 when they became the lowest-ranked club to reach the FA Cup first round proper, eventually losing 2–1 away to Football League side Torquay United.
Under manager Mick Sullivan, appointed in 2009, Leatherhead enjoyed renewed success, winning the Isthmian League Cup in 2009–10 and reaching the league play-offs. The following season, a dramatic 4–3 extra-time victory over Dulwich Hamlet secured promotion back to the Isthmian Premier Division for the first time since 1983.
Although that stay lasted just one season, the club returned to the Premier Division in 2014 following play-off victories over Guernsey and Folkestone Invicta.
Another memorable FA Cup campaign followed in 2017–18 under manager Sammy Moore, who guided the Tanners to the second round proper, a county cup final and a top-eight league finish. His successor, Nikki Bull, also secured an eighth-place finish despite having to rebuild much of the squad.
Leatherhead suffered relegation in 2022 following a difficult season, narrowly missing out on survival despite an improvement in results under Luke Tuffs. Hayden Bird subsequently helped the club recover from a slow start to the 2022–23 campaign, guiding the Tanners to seventh place, just one point outside the play-offs.
Former Arsenal midfielder Ian Selley, who played 41 times for the Gunners in the early 1990s and was on the bench when they faced Yeovil in the FA Cup third round in 1993, was appointed manager in 2024, with the Tanners embarking on another period of rebuilding.
That work culminated in a hugely successful 2025–26 campaign as Leatherhead stormed to the Isthmian League South Central Division title. The Tanners collected 96 points from 42 matches, scoring 102 goals and finishing 12 points clear of runners-up Westfield. Remarkably, they completed the entire league season unbeaten away from home.
The championship was Leatherhead’s first league title since 1963 and secured their return to the Isthmian Premier Division, providing another memorable chapter in the club’s long history.
From famous FA Cup giant-killings and a Wembley appearance to financial uncertainty and a supporter-led rescue, Leatherhead’s history has been one of remarkable highs and difficult lows. More than a century after Leatherhead Rose first took to the field, the Tanners continue to represent a proud footballing tradition at Fetcham Grove.
We’ve Met Before
| 24/02/1979 | Away | FAT 3R | W | 1-0 | 1,800 | Platt |
Club Statistics
RECENT RESULTS
| 08/08/26 | Ramsgate | Away | ILP | W | 2-1 | Anokye-Boadi 8, Murphy 46 | ||
| 11/08/26 | Welling United | Home | ILP | W | 4-1 | Igozouln 17.20, Dickson 41, Waters 45 | ||
| 15/08/26 | Burgess Hill Town | Away | ILP | D | 2-2 | Waters 32, Igozouln 46 | ||
| 22/08/26 | Maldon & Tiptree | Home | ILP | L | 1-4 | Igozouln 54 | ||
| 29/08/26 | Dulwich Hamlet | Home | ILP | L | 2-3 | Mills 10, Talla 52 | ||
| 05/09/26 | AFC Croydon Athletic | Home | FACQ1 | W | 3-0 | |||
| 12/09/26 | Aveley | Away | ILP | W | 1-2 | Igozouln 45+1, 67 | ||
| 15/09/26 | AFC Whyteleafe | Home | ILP | D | 0-0 | |||
| 19/09/26 | Kingstonian | Away | FACQ2 | W | 1-0 | |||
| 22/09/26 | Three Bridges | Away | ILP | D | 3-3 | Hogan 32, Dryer 79, 82 | ||
| 26/09/26 | Ramsgate | Home | FAT3Q | D | 2-2 | |||
| 29/09/26 | Farnham Town | Home | SSC | L | 1-2 | |||
| 03/10/26 | Hanworth Villa | Home | FACQ3 | W | 1-0 | |||
| 10/10/26 | Cheshunt | Home | ILP | L | 1-2 | Kennett 75 |
LEAGUE ATTENDANCE STATISTICS
Highest League Attendance:
Lowest League Attendance:
Average League Attendance: 632
CURRENT SEQUENCE STATISTICS (ALL COMPETITIONS)
| Games Without A Win: | 1 | Games Without A Home Win: | 1 | |
| Games Without An Away Win: | 1 | Games Without Defeat: | 0 | |
| Games Without A Home Defeat: | 1 | Games Without An Away Defeat: | 5 | |
| Games Without A Draw: | 3 | Games Without A Score Draw: | 3 | |
| Games Without A No-Score Draw: | 6 | Games Without Scoring: | 0 | |
| Games Without Conceding: | 0 | Home Results Sequence: | LWDLWL | |
| Away Results Sequence: | WDWWD | Overall Results Sequence: | WDDLWL |
Club Information
Address: Guildford Road, Fetcham, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 9AS (click for map)
Telephone: 01372 360151
Contact Us: https://leatherheadfc.com/contact-us/
Chairman: John Dean
Vice Chairman: David Pope
Matchday Secretary: Peter Mann
Matchday Co-ordinator: Martin Richardson
Manager: Ian Selley
Capacity : 2,000
Seated : 145
Away Capacity: 300
Surface : Grass
Record Attendance : 5,500 – vs Wimbledon, FA Cup 1976
Colours : Green and white
Nickname : The Tanners
Programme : £
Ticketing
Our FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie at Leatherhead is an ALL TICKET match. We were given just 300 tickets for the tie.
DO NOT TRAVEL IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A MATCH TICKET
Tickets for away supporters went on sale to Huish Park season ticket holders only on 8th October – see here – with a maximum purchase of two tickets per season ticket holder.
At the time of writing (11 October), no further details have been made about additional allocations of tickets have been made available. Keep an eye on the club’s official channels – or the Gloverscast news page – for any updates.
Official Away Travel
The Green & White Supporters’ Club is running away travel to our trip to our FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie at Leatherhead on Saturday 17th October 2026 (kick-off 3pm).
Details are as follows:
Members: Adult £28; Concession £26
Non-Members: Adult £31; Concession £29
Coach departs Huish Park: 9am
DO NOT TRAVEL IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A MATCH TICKET
To book, call Paul Hadlow on 07736 044570. You may be asked to pay a £5 deposit to reserve your seat. Prices are maximum and may reduce depending on booking numbers.
Payment can be made by bank transfer, please reference the match you are booking for and message Paul Hadlow to confirm the payment.
Account name: Green & White Supporters’ Club.
Account number: 8343 6772
Sort code: 20-68-15
Reference: Leatherhead
You may be asked to pay a £5 deposit to reserve your seat. No alcohol is allowed on the coach.
Directions To The Ground
General
Nestled in the Surrey Hills, around 20 miles south-west of central London, Leatherhead is a historic market town on the banks of the River Mole. With its quaint streets, picturesque countryside and a name that sounds more like a heavy metal band than a day out in Surrey.
By Road
It is probably around a two-and-a-half hour drive from Yeovil to Leatherhead if the A303, M3 and a short stretch of the M25 are kind to you. Navigate your way up the A303-M3-M25 exiting at junction 9 and take the A243 exit to A24/Leatherhead/Dorking, head on to the Leatherhead By-Pass and then the A245 (Kingston Road-Bull Hill), then it’s Station Road, Waterway Road across the River Mole, Guildford Road until you see a huge green sign for Leatherhead Leisure Centre. Turn off there and then take the first left towards the stadium.
Parking
As with many non-League grounds, parking at the ground is limited, there are parking spaces at the neighbouring Leatherhead Leisure Centre which are free, but with a large crowd expected arrive early to avoid disappointment.
There are a few council-run pay and display car parks in Leatherhead town centre including:
Swan Centre (266 spaces, KT22 8AH): £4.70 – four hours – see here
Randalls Road (202 spaces, KT22 7SJ):£4.70 – four hours – see here
Leatherhead Station (104 spaces, KT22 7SQ): £5.10 daily rate (Saturdays) – see here
Station Road (86 spaces, KT22 7RR): £4.70 – four hours – see here
Bridge Street (22 spaces, KT22 8BW): £4.70 – four hours – see here
There will be on-street parking in places around the town centre but, as ever, park with care to avoid finding yourself on the wrong end of a traffic warden.
By Rail
Leatherhead station is very conveniently located for the town’s train station, approximately a 15 minute walk to Fetcham Grove.
Supporters travelling from Yeovil Junction can take a South Western Railway service to London Waterloo, where direct connections to Leatherhead are available, taking approximately 45 minutes. Alternatively, Southern operates direct services from London Victoria, taking around 50 minutes. Leatherhead is also served by trains from Clapham Junction.
By Bus
Leatherhead is served by several local bus routes, with the 479 being particularly useful for supporters travelling to Fetcham Grove, as it stops close to the football ground.
The main services are:
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479 (Falcon Buses): Guildford – Bookham – Leatherhead – Epsom. Stops at Leatherhead Leisure Centre, just a short walk from Fetcham Grove.
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465: Kingston – Surbiton – Chessington – Leatherhead – Dorking.
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408: Epsom – Ashtead – Leatherhead – Cobham.
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21: Crawley – Dorking – Leatherhead – Epsom.
By Taxi
Taxis are available from Leatherhead railway station, with a rank outside the main entrance on Station Approach. Local operators include Leatherhead Singh Taxis (01372 372767), Mole Valley Premier Taxis (01372 379379) and Leatherhead Taxis (01372 370307).
Web Resources
Web Sites
Leatherhead FC – Official Site
Social Media
@LeatherheadFC – official Twitter/X channel
Leatherhead FC – official Facebook channel
@leatherheadfc – official Instagram channel
Leatherhead FC – official YouTube channel
Tanners Supporters Club – supporters club Facebook
@ClubTanners – supporters club Twitter/X
Local Press
GetSurrey – the ‘local’ newspaper, but you’re more likely to find out about the closure of a WH Smiths than the football club.
Food & Drink
General
Matchday catering is available from the ground’s tea bar, with hot food sometimes provided by outside caterers behind the McGuire Stand for larger fixtures. One speciality worth looking out for is the £7 Tanners Burger, a sizeable offering featuring sausage, bacon, cheese and onions. Whether you’ll still have room for your half-time Bovril is another matter!
Additional bars and catering facilities have been provided for previous cup fixtures, although arrangements for Yeovil’s visit have yet to be confirmed.
Club bar
Fetcham Grove has a fully licensed clubhouse, The Grove Bar, serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, alongside a separate Fan Zone Bar. The clubhouse also has big screens showing live football.
Local pubs
The Penny Black: Housed in a former Post Office building dating back to 1895 (a fine vintage), this Young’s pub offers live sport on large screens. Young’s Bitter is a regular on the bar, alongside two guest ales, usually including one from a local brewery. Opening hours: 11am–midnight.
Address: 5 North Street, Leatherhead, KT22 7AX. Telephone: 01372 386719 Website Map
The Running Horse: A Grade II-listed pub overlooking the River Mole, with a history stretching all the way back to 1403. Plenty of character and a decent selection of real ales, with Shepherd Neame Spitfire and Surrey Hills Ranmore among the regular offerings. Opening hours: Noon–11pm.
Address: 38 Bridge Street, Leatherhead, KT22 8BZ. Telephone: 01372 37281 Website Map
Surrey Hills Brewery: One for supporters travelling by car. Located at Denbies Wine Estate, around two miles from the ground, Surrey Hills Brewery isn’t a traditional taproom but offers a good selection of ales brewed on site. Visitors can enjoy a pint in the outdoor seating area, complete with pallet-style tables and chairs. A worthwhile detour for real ale enthusiasts. Opening hours: 10am–5pm.
Address: Denbies Wine Estate, London Road, Dorking, RH5 6AA. Telephone: 01306 883603 Website Map
Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You: High. This is Surrey, darling, so expect more Range Rovers than tractors and a few raised eyebrows at the West Country accent. Just remember to pronounce your vowels properly and you’ll be fine.
Top-Tip: Take a stroll along the River Mole and explore Leatherhead’s historic town centre before heading to the ground. If you’ve got time for a pint, the Running Horse dates back to 1403, so they’ve had more than 600 years to perfect pulling one.
Local Amenities: Leatherhead town centre is a short walk from the ground and offers a decent selection of pubs, cafés, takeaways and shops. There’s a Tesco Superstore close to the town centre for essentials, while the High Street has plenty of options for a pre-match bite. Don’t expect the bright lights of London, but there’s more than enough to keep travelling Glovers entertained before kick-off.
[No responsibility is taken for any inaccuracies. This page is entirely the product of bias and prejudice.]