Nickname – Gappy 

Ruts Appearances – Until the 5/10/96 – 156…records then lost by Mark Barber.

Ruts Goals – Until the 5/10/96 – 35…records then lost by Mark Barber, which is a shame cos a hell of a lot more hit the back of the net in the matches after.

Question 1 – When did you join the Old Ruts and why?

I joined in 1991/92, the second season after the football section had reformed. I had been playing my Saturday football in the Southern Amateur League for Carshalton, who had their clubhouse and two lovely pitches at the back of Beddington Park. It was a fantastic league with each club putting out 8 teams plus a Vets team every Saturday. There were a few fixtures over in North London which could be a drag but also in the league were all the major bank sports clubs, (including the Bank of England), insurance Companies, the Civil Service and my favourite Lensbury, which was Shell Oils Sports Club. The facilities, pitches, food and bars at these places were exceptional and the hospitality often meant a late return back to the Carshalton clubhouse, which was always buzzing. So it needed something big to get me away from there, and for me you can’t get bigger than the Old Ruts. I had been playing cricket down the club since I was 13, nearly all my mates were egg chasers down there, it was local and I loved the place, so when Gavin asked me to join the football section it was a no-brainer. 

Question 2 – What was your most memorable match and why?

Without doubt the 1996 Teck Cup Final vs Kingston Albion. They had smashed us at their place in our first league meeting earlier in season. We were the new boys in the division and they taught us a lesson, but by the time of the home fixture at Poplar Road, (the week before the Cup Final), it was clear we were the best two teams in the league. The game ended 0-0, but Albion’s linesman raised his flag to deny Capper a perfectly good goal with a great diving header. So on to the final. Albion were the favourites, they were confident and a number of players wore those nasal breathing plasters across their noses….(t…..!). Gary Newcome, our player/manager, had prepared us well and from the first whistle to the last it was our turn to teach a lesson……a 3-0 lesson. 

Question 3 – Who was the best Manager/Captain you played under?

Gary Newcome. His experience at playing at a higher level was evident in his team talks and training sessions. Not only did he bring that to the club, he was one of the best players to grace Poplar Road, what a left back.

Question 4 – Your funniest Ruts Football Memory.

You can’t get any funnier than a woman marching on to the pitch screaming that she doesn’t know the password ……..the only person who didn’t find it amusing was H.

Question 5 – What is your least favourite Ruts Football memory?

Finding out that the ‘Dalek-style’ coat-stand, that entered the UK illegally after the ‘Grim Reaper Tour’ to Belgium in 1995, had been thrown out during renovations to the OR Clubhouse. 

Question 6 – Best Player you ever played with for the Ruts?

That’s a difficult one. As previously mentioned Gary Newcome was a great player who had played at a higher level and that was clear in his performances for the club. Then there was the young scamp up front, Boony. It’s not just about the amount of goals he scored but a lot of them were beauties, add that to the goals he created for others with his skill and vision and it’s no wonder he’s an OR legend. I feel lucky to have been part of great era while playing in the first team, and it was a privilege to play with many fantastic players but the team-mate who I’m gonna choose is centre-mid partner Jeremy Capper. It was a joy to play with him…..we had a great understanding, at times it felt telepathic, instinctive and trusting. His energy was boundless, his tackling fearless, as good in the air as he was with the ball at his feet and always able to hit the back of the net with more than his fair share of goals. On top of this he represented the USA soccer team at the 1994 World Cup!

Question 7 – Favourite Goal you scored or were part of in the build up?

It wasn’t a big part I played but it was a big goal, one of the biggest in the clubs history. I nodded the ball back to either Piers Capper or Steve Rowlands, who smashed the ball out to Darren Knott on the left wing. He produced the type of cross that he was so good at…..a pin-point cross to the far post…..it was begging to be finished off by a big no.9…..but who was there, the smallest firefighter in the fire brigade and possibly the worst headerer of a ball in the club, Simon Minihane. But what a finish, he rose like a salmon and headed the ball past the stranded keeper, and in doing so won the first Surrey Cup for the Old Ruts…..and earned player/manager Erol Yilmaz ‘the Freedom Of Poplar Road’.

As someone who has spent some time between the sticks I’d like to include the best save I’ve seen by an OR. It was in the same season and it ensured the 3rd team progressed in the Surrey Cup, in effect it helped us win the Cup. I don’t know who the opposition were but it was played at Nursery Road, and with the ball flying toward the top corner, Steve Shaw somehow managed to fling himself in the air and tip the ball on to the bar and over.  A remarkable save from a remarkable fella.

Question 8 – Most embarrassing moment in a Ruts Shirt? (Playing or Socially)

Will keep this brief…..it happened whilst playing in goal. The opposition had played the ball towards our goal and with their centre forward chasing a hopeless cause I came out to gather the ball only to slip on some leaves, miss the ball and gift the centre forward the easiest of goals.

Nicknames – The Rash/Huge Backwheels/Big Arse

Ruts Appearances – 321 (Including 1 this Season!)

Ruts Goals – 95

Question 1 – When did you join the Old Ruts and why?

The legend and visionary manager Howard ‘H’ Meredith made a big money approach just as my professional career was about to take off, I think 2001 or 2002. He hounded me for months and finally persuaded me to sign with a tour of the OR’s stadium, facilities and training complex. It was the communal bath that did it for me. As a Rutlish boy it was great to start playing with a lot of my good mates again and although the football on the pitch was good, it was the laugh we all had off of the pitch that made it such a special place to play.

Question 2 – What was your most memorable match and why?

Maybe a Cup Final where some bright spark decided to bring a stereo in to the changing room before hand and give it the big-un pumping out the tunes, I think it was DJ Polar Bear aka Dave Cundy! We had never done that before and we looked like right twats. Then we played like s… and lost 1-0.

Or the Surrey Cup Semi Final in 2007 in which Ryan Brown and Scott Ryder got sent off, one for tripping the other, Brown then got two yellows, as did Steve Nash and we played most of the match with 8 players.

Or the Charity match when we beat the Chelsea legends 5-1 and they were moaning at half time as we were being too physical with them!

Question 3 – Who was the best Manager/Captain you played under?

Too many, Brian Kerwick, Jimmy Bolton, Peter Heyne, Clayts and H as managers. Captain, probably the housewives favourite, Philly Rea, or The Beast.

Question 4 – Your funniest Ruts Football Memory.

Where do I start, maybe Blommers trying to explain his ‘spare man theory’ to the team during a corner we were defending in the last seconds of a match. Basically he would be the spare man up the pitch and when we got the ball, we would play it to him and he would score, he then ran off up the pitch. They took the corner and the bloke who he was supposed to be defending scored. When we asked him about it after the match, he tried to explain why his spare man theory was flawed, he ran around in circles with his fingers in his ears shouting ‘I’m not listening!’

Or being on tour in Lloret de Mar, I mean Barcelona, and H speaking ‘Dutch’ the whole weekend and doing his best dance moves, basically just going down on one knee for ages, everywhere we went. We were all doing it by the last night. So simple, but so effective at pissing off the locals. Then on the same tour after two days of drinking, going straight to the match after a night out. It was baking hot and the other team where warming up as we got off the coach, they all looked fit as f…, so all 30 of us volunteered to be subs. We only lost 2-1 though! Probably one where you had to be there for.

Or the time Maddy was waiting for us in the hotel reception at 3am after a night out on tour in Manchester, he was trying to tell us how we should be more professional and not go out drinking. The next day we smashed the tournament and he loved us again!

Question 5 – What is your least favourite Ruts Football Memory?

Two stand out, either the time when some arsehole came to pre-season training, played a couple of matches then went off injured early in the season and nicked all our valuables and did the offs in Steve Nicola’s car. Or the time that it all kicked off when the oppo and their supporters started attacking a Ruts player and the police blocked off Poplar Road.

Question 6 – Best Player you ever played with for the Ruts?

Far too many to mention, Phil ‘razor/meathead’ Rea, Richard ‘The Beast’ Lines, Boony, Jonny ‘fittest man on earth’ Woods, Trig, Raggs, Scottie Ryder, H, Knotty, Wally, Murph, Higgy, Skeetsy, Terry McG etc etc. but the one who is head and shoulders above them all is the one and only, Matt ‘mad dog’ Blomeley. He had everything, vision, pace, leadership qualities, loved a tackle, fanastic footballing brain and always giving everything for the team. He will tell you himself, players like Steve Finnan wouldn’t have made it to the Premier League and won the UCL without him. The Ruts very own Luis Figo, as Matt liked to call himself!

Question 7 – Favourite Goal you scored or were part of in the build up?

Well far too many to remember! One of my favourites was against Oxted, I chipped the keeper from outside the box. Or a header playing for the vets against, Grafton. It was 3-3 after a hard but fairish match, apart from Del getting in a bit of bother with their manager/ref. The ‘ref’ played about 10 minutes extra time, unheard of in a vets match as all we wanted to do was get in the bar, in the hope that they would get the winner, but then we broke down the right and I made a last ditch lung busting run into the box to power a header home, the ‘ref’ immediately blew for full time!

Question 8 – Most embarrassing moment in a Ruts Shirt? (Playing or Socially)

Probably the first two matches I mentioned in question 2. Or rounding the keeper and putting the ball wide from about two yards, I still blame the dodgy pitch!!

The 1st XI eventually overcame a dogged Whitton Villains to win 1 – 0 at Poplar Road earlier today. To be honest this was not the prettiest of games, as both sides struggled to get much flowing football going and both teams largely nullified the other one out for large periods.

However, 5 minutes from time a good team move involving a number of players ended with Billy Liffen firing home the Ruts winner with a decent strike to secure all 3 points and the OR’s MOTM award.

The 2nd XI match was postponed away.

The 3rd XI obtained a much improved Score-line, although they lost the match versus NPL ‘A’ FC 5 – 4, despite leading at times during the match. The Ruts Scorers were Mark Todd, Ciaran Moorhouse, Sam Hobbs and Pierce Gleeson. Robbie Larcombe was the OR’s MOTM.

The resurgent 4th XI secured a very decent 2 – 1 win at South London Elite FC, thanks to Goals from Andy Flanagan and Jason Hughes. A big shout out to the Ruts Record Appearance Holder & MOTM Craig Lyle for saving a Penalty!

Best wishes to the Ruts Junior Teams tomorrow

Nickname – Boony

Ruts Appearances – 336

Ruts Goals – 300

Question 1 – When did you join the Old Ruts and why?

In 1990, because my brother encouraged me to and at 17, frankly unless I was getting paid to play, I didn’t really have any other choice 😉

Question 2 – What was your most memorable match and why?

Beating Worcester Park at Malden Vale in 1999 in the League Cup Semi Final after they had knocked us out in the Surrey Cup Semi the week before, in which H & I both missed due to injury! I’ve since had 15 years of Erol & his crew talking about the first Ruts first Surrey Cup Win!

Question 3 – Who was the best Manager/Captain you played under?

Howard ‘H’ Meredith – although god knows how he thought I was a defender and played me at Sweeper! Great team talks sometimes in a Dutch sounding accent. Really miss him.

Question 4 – Your funniest Ruts Football Memory.

Definitely H’s Wife Ivette stopping a game at the club for “An emergency” when she couldn’t remember the WiFi code at home!

Question 5 – What is your least favourite Ruts Football Memory?

None I loved it all, which you only realise later, as I did having had to stop playing at 28.

Question 6 – Best Player you ever played with for the Ruts?

Alan Whiter & Trigger I always felt if they were both playing we had more chances of winning (Trig was probably younger than 20 when I stopped playing so the nights before weren’t yet affecting him!)

Question 7 – Favourite Goal you scored or were part of in the build up?

The 4th goal against Sheen Athletic in the last game of the season. Newcs played a long ball down the line, which Wally did a lovely step over dummy! I ran on to it and crossed for Gappy to make it 4-0. We had needed to win our last 7 games to win the league and we did!

Question 8 – Most embarrassing moment in a Ruts Shirt? (Playing or Socially)

None really, so I’d have to say me using Iain Worley’s name for 5 bookings a season once I’d hit my quota.

The 1st XI are at Home to Whitton Villains at Poplar Road. Kick Off is at 2.00pm.

The 2nd XI are Away to Motspur Park Res FC. Venue – Sir Joseph Hood Rec, Marina Ave, Motspur Park, KT3 6NE. Kick Off is at 2.00pm.

The 3rd XI are at Home to NPL ‘A’ FC. Venue – Tudor Drive, Morden. Kick Off is at 1.30pm.

The 4th XI are Away to South London Elite FC. Venue – Taunton Ave, Raynes Park, SW20 0BH. Kick Off is at 2.00pm.

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

The 1st XI took up the offer of a Friendly Match from Lyne FC of the Elite League knowing full well they would be in for a tough and busy afternoon against opposition playing 3 divisions higher.

This scenario actually played out fully in the first half, as the Ruts were punished by plenty of skilful Lyne play to find themselves perhaps a tad unlucky to be 5 nil down at the break, having created scoring opportunities too.

The above said – a committed and dedicated second half display saw the Ruts recover well after falling further behind by reducing the arrears through strikes from Whitto and Tidey. Will Mortimer was the OR’s MOTM with a very sound display. Final Score 6 – 2 with plenty of positives to take from the match.

The 2nd XI drew 0 – 0 at Oxted & District Res FC. MOTM TBC with Adam Randall securing the Ruts MOTM nomination.

The 3rd XI had a day to forget as they were heavily beaten 9 – 0 by Oxted & District ‘A’ FC in the Surrey Lower Junior Cup. Ciaran Moorhouse was the Ruts MOTM

The resurgent 4th XI secured their 1st League win of the Season thanks to a Michael Dodd 40 yarder which helped towards his MOTM award at Home to Wanderers Res FC. 1 – 0 final score.

Best wishes to the Ruts Junior Teams tomorrow.

Nicknames – Razor or HWF (Housewives Favourite)

Ruts Appearances – 282

Ruts Goals – 32

Question 1 – When did you join the Old Ruts and why?

In 1998 I finally Joined, aged 23

I was working at Comet in Wimbledon on Saturdays from the age of 16 to 23 selling washing machines to all the local housewives …which I was particularly good at. 😉

My oldest mate Jimmy Wilkes had been asking me for years to quit Comet and come down and play for the Old Ruts!! But hang on I was only 20 years old ..I was a young Rut not and old Rut !

Jim would talk lovingly about his football mates Gappy, Knotty, Juppy, Boony,,Zanzy, Murphy but they all sounded a bit weird to me. Nah I was having none of that.

Once I joined I wished I had joined earlier – these boys were legends and I would have the honour to play with them for many years.

Question 2 – What was your most memorable match and why?

I am severely lacking some memory cells probably due to heading the football multiple times a game for over 13 years ….

However I do remember getting pulled into a game for the 2nd or 3rds one hot sunny Saturday in April or May and we had to win the game to win the league , we were awesome that day… even Ben Barber played well which was rare 😊 The game was very tight and we won in the last few minutes, the celebrations after were memorable with loads of man love which I was always into.

Question 3 – Who was the best Manager/Captain you played under?

Captain was Alan Whiter…. Calm, good talker, grafter, led by example

I enjoyed all the managers I played under..

Fred Jupp, Howard Meredith, Peter Heyne, Graham Clayton ….Brian Kerwick all good managers.

Peter Heyne played me in Midfield for a season so I have a soft spot for him

If I had to choose one it would be Brian Kerwick – he was more like my Dad.

Question 4 – Your funniest Ruts Football Memory.

Loads of funny tours

Lloret de Mar Football Tour maybe year 2000 sticks out – We must have gone off season as no one was there, and after a few beers , and the realisation that the pub was a bit of a sausage fest we plotted to kidnap a live parrot that was randomly in a cage in the Pub.

As I approached the cage, and went to pop my hand inside the Parrot screamed “ Ola Amigo” and I lost my bottle (ok that last bits not true)

Question 5 – What is your least favourite Ruts Football Memory?

Cant think of one – all good memories , maybe realising that I was too old to play anymore and we would never be in that boiling hot bath all together again.

Question 6 – Best Player you ever played with for the Ruts?

Tough one, I played with a few great players at the twilight of their careers like Knotty ,Gappy Boony, Capper, Howard all had amazing football brains, none had any pace at that point but were like wizards on the ball.

Alan Whiter one of my best mates, I can honestly say he made you a better player when you played with him.

But my choice is Linesey aka “The Beast” for the reason he could play in any position he wanted to and would probably be the best on the pitch at it , in Goal, defender midfielder and Striker, his commitment to winning was ridiculous . he could win games on his own.

Best Headerer of the ball, strongest tackle, had a good touch for a bit of a lump 😊

I was always so happy to have him in my side and so glad I never had to play against him.

Question 7 – Favourite Goal you scored or were part of in the build up?

I only scored headers from corners or free kicks, and they were all the same about 4 yards out…

My favourite goal was one I set up. It wasn’t any special game, but it sticks in my memory as I have never replicated it before or after….We were playing at Wimbledon Common extensions and I dribbled the ball from the edge of my box to the oppos corner flag (I was playing centre back btw) everyone was telling me to pass it as I was very well known for losing the ball by overplaying….i just ignored them and kept going , I went passed 3 or 4 players and by the time I got to the corner flag I was literally on my knees . I knew if I lost it I would have to sprint back and deal with the stick I would get for being greedy..(mainly from Ryan Brown ) So instead with the last bit of energy I had I barged past 1 more player and then swung my leg and the ball went flying across the face of the goal onto Alan Morley’s head…. GOOOOOOOALLL!

Question 8 – Most embarrassing moment in a Ruts Shirt? (Playing or Socially)

Every week in the showers standing next to Simon Young!

The 1st XI are Away to Lyne FC in a Friendly Match. Venue – Jubilee High School, School Lane, Addlestone, KT15 1TE. Kick Off 2.30pm (TBC).

The 2nd XI are Away to Oxted & District Res FC. Venue – Masters Park, Church Lane, Oxted, RH8 9LD. Kick Off is at 1.30pm.

The 3rd XI are at Home to Oxted & District ‘A’ FC in the Surrey Lower Junior Cup. Venue – Poplar Road. Kick Off is at 2.30pm.

The 4th XI are at Home to Wanderers Res FC. Venue – Tudor Drive, Morden SM4 4PN. Kick Off is at 1.30pm.

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

The 1st XI suffered their first defeat of the Season as they lost 3 – 2 at Richmond & Kew FC. This was a decent competitive match which saw our hosts edge the affairs overall. The OR’s fell behind before levelling through Toby Lempriere before the break.

Kevin Foster then put the OR’s 2 – 1 up in the second half following deft work from Liffen & Bagulho. Frustratingly, the Ruts gave away an unnecessary penalty, which RKFC duly scored from and soon after the earlier score-line was fully spun on it’s head as the Ruts found themselves fall 3 – 2 down.

The Ruts continued to chase an equaliser into the late stages and had a reasonable penalty appeal turned down, right at the death with the final chance of the game Whitto narrowly headed over a free-kick which could have earned us a point. Credit to our Hosts for their impressive display and win. Jake Searles was the OR’s MOTM.

The 2nd XI drew 3 – 3 with Sutton High FC at Poplar Road. This was an end to end affair which saw the visitors take the lead, before the Ruts went 3 – 1 ahead, only for the match to end up all level by the end.

Ollie Thompson netted a brace, Sam Leatherby scored the other Ruts goal, whilst Brad Szreider secured the MOTM.

The 3rd XI suffered a miserable away day at Old Boys Clapham Res, Darren Bloomfield’s decent and determined display secured him the Ruts MOTM award.

The 4th XI secured a highly credible point and a 0 – 0 draw at high scoring Surrey Casuals. This was an impressive feat as Manager Erol Yilmaz enthused how his defensive back 5 had a combined age of 218. (Wow!!) The OR’s magic Moroccan Abdel Hafidi (pictured) was the OR’s MOTM with a solid display.

Best wishes to the Ruts Youth Teams tomorrow.

Nicknames – Spud or Murph

Ruts Appearances – 339

Ruts Goals – 310 (Still top of the Hall of Fame)

Question 1 – When did you join the Old Ruts and why?

I loved playing football and used to play in Haydon’s Road Park with a guy called Steven O’Connor every day after school. He had gone along to the ORs and then dragged me along to a training session. Was the year after I finished school, 1991 I think ? (Stats man Gav will know). The rest as they say is history 🙂

Question 2 – What was your most memorable match and why?

The Cup Final replay against the Addos in 1999, they had 2 players sent off in first half, one for punching Boon. It was 2-2 so it went to extra time. They scored with a header by the smallest player on the pitch. I then got a last-second equaliser. The shirt came off, I’m not proud! And the match then went to penalties and Zanz did his stuff despite the local hooligan’s taunts. They then decided to throw lumps of concrete from the Terrace at us. Nice! I think Wally stayed behind for a beer whilst the rest of us checked to see if our cars still had wheels.

Question 3 – Who was the best Manager/Captain you played under?

Best – Fred Jupp. He played me every week and never subbed me.

Worst – Sorry Newks ! A bit like Gerrard and Scholes, he couldn’t squeeze me and Jimmy Wilkes into the same team at the time and we both hated being subbed.

Question 4 – Your funniest Ruts Football Memory.

My wife watching the game and asking me afterwards who the tall good looking one on the team was…. it was Phil HF Rea – FFS !

Question 5 – What is your least favourite Ruts Football Memory?

Torn ACL.

Question 6 – Best Player you ever played with for the Ruts?

Hands down Alan Whiter. Best player, nicest bloke and always passed to me

Question 7 – Favourite Goal you scored or were part of in the build up?

The last one/next one, but not likely!

Question 8 – Most embarrassing moment in a Ruts Shirt? (Playing or Socially)

Pretty much most of the 90s were quite embarrassing.