We are delighted to officially announce the launch of a brand new Sunday XI for this coming Season.

Joint Managers David Cecil & Sean Thornton (pictured) have assembled their enthusiastic and ambitious young squad in recent weeks, and the lads will be competing in the Southern Sunday Football League Division 10 in their first campaign – starting this Sunday 5th September.

We wish the team every success on this new Ruts football journey.

David Cecil & Sean Thornton – Old Ruts Sunday XI Joint Managers.

The 2nd XI lost 4 – 3 to Motspur Park FC earlier today. Dean Riordan put the OR’s ahead from the penalty spot, only for MPFC to take the lead by the interval.

Fabio Bagulho launched a stunning long ranger after the break, following neat link up play from Billy Holder & Sam Leatherby. Alas, the Ruts fell further behind before rallying and scoring again courtesy of Billy Holder, who notched at the end of decent team move, after Toby Lempriere threaded a pass to Liam Washford-Bent on the byline, which he cleverly crossed to Holder to slot home.

A tad of controversy saw debutant Yinka Akinloye’s valid effort disallowed for offside from an Ashley Daly free kick, which would have secured the Ruts a draw. However, that was not to be on the day. Our thanks to Carl McAlllister for stepping in for his Ruts and Goalkeeping debut by donning the No 1 Shirt.

The 4th XI travelled to Waddon Wanderers FC for a 1pm KO, with just a bare 11, following a couple of inexplicably poor no shows!

Manager Yilmaz reported , ‘Yeah we lost 4-2 – we dominated them, but 4 stupid goals and countless chances were missed. We ended up losing, our goals came from Billy Finnis with a cool finish and Erol ‘Elmo’ Yilmaz Bullet Header (really?) from a Simon Minihane cross. Thanks to 3rd XI Manager Christian Cittie for stepping up in goal too.

The Walking Football Ruts team suffered a 5 – 1 reverse against an established well drilled Pimlico side earlier today.

Early injuries to Peter Gillman, Terry Holland & Rob Hellewell hampered our efforts and a phenomenal Goalkeeping display from debutant and MOTM John Walker helped to significantly keep the score-line respectable.

Darren Knott scored a penalty on his 499th Old Ruts performance before sustaining an injury late on in the game. We hope you recover soon Knotty, as we look forward to you hitting your magical 500th when you are able to play again.

Onwards and upwards in their next game in 4 weeks, as hopefully this will allow enough time for our multiple crocks to recover! Speedy recoveries Chaps.

League games for the 1st & 2nd XI’s next weekend and potentially 3rd & 4th XI Friendlies, if limp availability improves. Also, our newly formed Sunday XI will be playing their first league game.

Without a doubt, the BIGGEST Event this coming Saturday is the overdue Wedding of our 1st XI Co Manager George Tidey, to his lovely ‘very soon to be Wife’ Becky Coleman!! We all know you will have a truly wonderful day, and a supremely magnificent Marriage and life together!!

The 2nd XI are at Home to Motspur Park FC. Venue – Prince Georges, Raynes Park, SW20, the entrance is off Grand Drive. Kick Off is at 3.00pm.

The 4th XI are Away to Waddon Wanderers. Venue – John Fisher Old Boys, Limpsfield Road, Warlingham, CR6 9RD. Kick Off is at 1.00pm.

The Old Ruts over 50/60’s Walking Football Team are Away to Pimlico FC. Venue – Goals, Tolworth. Kick Off is at 10.00am.

Best wishes to all of the Ruts Teams competing this coming Weekend.

ORA President Gary Forge made his Walking Football Debut for the OR’s today against AFC Wimbledon. Forgey put the OR’s one nil up with a fine yesteryear strike. However, AFCW hit back twice to secure themselves a 2 – 1 victory. ORA Chairman Kevin Wilde and ORCC Chairman Richard Slatford also played this morning.

Not the best day for us results wise this afternoon, although it was all about getting minutes under our belts.

The Ruts highlight of the day saw our Record Appearance Holder Craig Lyle reach his phenomenal 800th!!! as he stepped in to help the 1st XI in their Friendly at Chiddingfold FC. It is also worth mentioning that Craig also scored 88 goals for the OR’s during his younger days when he played outfield. What a truly fantastic achievement and massive congratulations.

However, the result did not go our way, as the lads conceded 2 goals in the first 30 minutes and despite creating numerous chances themselves they were unable to get on the scoresheet and the final score was 2 – 0 to our welcoming hosts.

The second game saw our Reserves take on Chiddingfold Reserves, and this game followed a similar early pattern, as the hosts went in to a relatively easy 2 goal lead, before a terrific strike from Sam Leatherby reduced the arrears, desspite this lifeline, Chiddingfold added 3 further goals to secure themselves a comfortable 5 – 1 interval lead.

Pleasingly the Ruts upped their game in the second half and they notched again ( by what I am informed was a stunning strike from Dean Riordan) The Ruts also missed two penalties! So ultimately the score line could have potentially been closer.

The mixed 3rds/4th XI suffered a 5 – 0 reverse against a Motspur Park XI.

Best wishes to our Walking Football Team tomorrow when they face AFC Wimbledon! COYR!

Please note revised KO Times

The 1^st & 2^nd XI’s are playing Chiddingfold FC in back to back games. Venue – Coxcombe Lane, Chiddingfold, GU8 4QB. The first Kick Off will be at 1.30pm, with the next match at 3.30pm

The 3^rd/4^th XI Mixed Squad host a Motspur Park FC XI. Venue -Prince Georges, Raynes Park, SW20, the entrance is off Grand Drive. Kick Off is at 3.00pm.

On Sunday our Walking Football Team are Playing AFC Wimbledon at Tooting & Mitcham FC, Imperial Fields, Bishopsford Rd, Morden, SM4 6BF. Rise and Shine for an early Kick Off at 9.00am

Best wishes to all of the Ruts Teams this coming Weekend.

Our Club XI ‘A’ overcame Earlsfield FC by 2 goals to 1 at Prince Georges earlier, in what was a very close game, which appeared to be heading for a draw, before a late Ruts goal gained the narrow victory.

The 1st goal was a powerfully headed effort from Elliott Gibbs, courtesy of a Lee Holland Corner, which provided the Ruts with the Interval lead.

Earlsfield levelled early in the second half and the game remained even throughout, despite chances at both ends. However, the Ruts found a late winner, as a neat team move in which Lee Holland passed to Sam Leatherby, who then deftly placed a clever pass through to Liam Washford-Bent, who calmly slotted home past the advancing Keeper.

Some good displays all round, although Ruts second half stand in Keeper David Quincey pulled off a number of excellent saves, including one which was his first touch of the ball. There were also some impressive debuts from some new Ruts!

The Club XI ‘B’ also put in decent hardworking display at Purley Old Boys in the early kick off , although they fell behind to a Penalty on the cusp of halftime, and in fairness, the OR’s had Keeper Craig Lyle to thank for pulling of several decent saves.

The Hosts doubled their lead before David Eyles notched from 10 yards after clever build up play. However, Purley found the net again to win 3 – 1.

Our thanks go to our stand in Managers, Club Legend Boo and Alex Curme, as without people stepping ‘up and in’ these games cannot be played.

We go again next week, with 3 matches to look forward to.

We are fielding 2 x Club XI’s this Saturday.

Club XI ‘A’ are at Home to Earlsfield FC. Venue -Prince Georges, Raynes Park, SW20, the entrance is off Grand Drive. Kick Off is at 3.00pm.

Club XI ‘B’ are Away to Purley Old Boys. Venue – John Fisher Sports Club, Limpsfield Road, Warlingham, CR6 9RD. Kick Off is at 11.00am.

Best wishes to both teams this coming Weekend.

The 2nd and 3rd XI Friendlies were postponed owing to the adverse Weather. However, our new and nimble over 50’s/60s mixed Walking Football team managed to secure a fantastic 3 – 1 win.

Report courtesy of Matt Fisher as per below.

Last Saturday was our first game after our sole training session a mere 4 days earlier. The match was played in heavy rain showers, but our spirits were high and the teams weren’t dampened by the conditions!

It was a game played in 3 x 20 minute “halves”. The first part was nip and tuck with both teams creating chances, although it stayed at 0-0, despite what appeared a legitimate goal that was deemed in the area.

In the second third the Ruts got into the game more, as they were getting used to the rules and as their muscles ligaments and tendons were warmed and stretched and they started to dominate. So much so that Darren Knott scored with a near post right foot screamer from 12 yards giving the Oppo Keeper no chance. This he quickly followed up with another ‘worldie’, this time from his left boot. (An interrupting note from me here – Knotty is on 498 Club Appearances for the Ruts now! the poor chap could barely walk on Sunday, although he is in close touching distance to reach his 500 soon)

The opposition managed to pull one back in this part of the game. As the third “halve” started the rain began to really fall. Pete Gillman score for the Ruts, putting us 3-1 up. We had another one disallowed, as did the Oppo, with conditions now very difficult, with an Olympic pool size puddle forming in the centre of the pitch. The Ruts held on to their lead to see the game out.

Our thanks to Boo, for getting a few snaps of some of our players on the day.A really good first game for us, but we would like a slightly bigger kit please if anyone would like to sponsor us 🙂

Our Best Wishes to 1st XI Joint Manager George Tidey, as he will be on his Stag Weekend!

The 2nd & 3rd XI’s will both be playing against Sutton High FC. Venue – Prince Georges, Raynes Park, SW20, the entrance is off of Grand Drive. Both KO’s will be at 3.00pm.

Our newly formed Walking Football Team will take on Exiles FC. Venue – Goals in Tolworth, Kick Off is at 10.00am.

Best wishes to all of the Ruts teams this coming Weekend.