A Look Into Histories

Petworth FC was first established in 1875 and were one of the original founders of the West Sussex Football League which is Intermediate and sits below the Southern Combination.

Their ground is in Petworth Park and is one of the most picturesque grounds, not only in Sussex but the country, Because of its beauty, the grading has never reached higher than an open field with pavilion sharing with the cricket club in Midhurst Road.

The Division they played in during 2022-23 had only 14 games so Cup games filled in the missing gaps making it a worthwhile length of season though although the club finished in a relegation position they were saved and remain in the Premier Division.

Our Match Programme is somewhat of a rarity being the first ever issued by the club on 25th September 1965 and was for their Reserve game with Ford United in Division Five.

The programme found its way into my small Ford United, late of the Essex Senior League collection before I realised the opposition were from Ford in Sussex!

Priced 3d it was a small Red and Black A5 production with usual adverts, teams, though Ford’s were missing, and Notes stating the First team had won 2 from 3 and the Reserves 1 win, 1 draw and a loss. It further states that some spectators had enquired whether tea can be provided for First team games in future, so the answer was it could be arranged if volunteers came forward!

Petworth, besides being a beautiful town had a railway station which was two miles from the centre but now has a very popular attraction with choice of staying in the station building itself or in the countries largeste private collection of Pullman coaches, including 1906 Princess Ena, fully kitted out in bedrooms and lounge for folk to stay, a must for lovers of that historical record of rail travel.

Alternatively there is Petworth House to visit with its incredible art collection particularly J M W Turner and one of his paintings is a panoramic view of the cricket field!

Rob Errington, League Historian