Vintage Pictures of Guildford City FC Always Draw A Crowd

Published on: 28 Mar, 2013
Updated on: 28 Mar, 2013

The date of the picture seen here is Wednesday, November 30, 1938. It was the occasion of a first round replay in the FA Cup between Guildford City Football Club and near rivals Aldershot.

Guildford City’s Joseph Road ground in 1938 and a crunch match against Aldershot.

A record 9,989 spectators crammed into the Jospeh’s Road ground. Unfortunately, City lost 4-3. But it was a thrilling game and the Shots had led 3-0 before half time.

Guildford City FC is alive and well once again and today plays its matches at Spectrum. Take a look at its website, click here, for some newly emerged historic photos of the old Joseph’s Road ground that the club vacated in 1974. They were dark days and the club was soon to fold, after a brief partnership with Dorking football club.

On the current City’s website check out the details of its latest big derby match taking place at Spectrum this Easter Monday. The visitors are City’s local rivals in the Evo-stik Southern League Central Division – Godalming Town.

Godalming are very much in the hunt for the league championship and City still have an outside chance of a play-off berth.

And to prove that we at The Guildford Dragon NEWS are not biased when it comes to sporting matters, here’s a photo of a Godalming side from the early 1900s!

A Godalming team from the 1906-07 season.

Responses to Vintage Pictures of Guildford City FC Always Draw A Crowd

Chris Pegman Reply

March 28, 2013 at 1:45 pm

Nice little story, thanks for publishing. Should be a good game at Spectrum Stadium on Easter Monday, we’re expecting a big crowd.
Norman Hamshere Reply

March 28, 2013 at 8:02 pm

David, Very interesting aerial shot of the football ground and also Stoke rec. I hope you didn’t miss the old white roofed brick shelter still standing and the possible mound of the Anderson one near where two buses are parked.
Brian Holt Reply

March 28, 2013 at 10:00 pm

As an old City supporter since 1950 it was nice to see the little story and photo.
It brought back memories of then teams like Chelsea, who sent their first team down to open the City’s floodlights, which included a young Jimmy Greaves in the team.
Then beating Brentford 2-1 in the FA CUP.
Looking forward to Easter Monday local derby with our neighbours Godalming Town, 3pm kick off at the Spectrum Stadium.
- Martin Bummery Reply
  
  December 28, 2023 at 11:00 pm
  
  I went to the Chelsea game in 1960. Unfortunately Jimmy Greaves did not play, but was the only player missing from their usual first team line up. Albert Tennant was ex Chelsea which may have been why they sent a very strong side down.
David Rose Reply

March 28, 2013 at 10:53 pm

My thanks go to Norman Hamshere for pointing out the air-raid shelters in the aerial photo.
For readers who have not seen it, I have recently written a story about wartime air-raid shelters that can be found under the Through Time section. More information is coming to light and a follow-up is planned.

And Brian Holt’s memories of the old Guildford City are interesting. I recall an evening friendly match between Guildford City and a West Ham United XI that took place on a December 22, about 1969 or 70. I watched it with my dad, and a certain young Harry Redknapp was playing for the Hammers!
Bernard Parke Reply

March 29, 2013 at 7:41 am

There was an added attraction to us as young boys when we attended these matches for each programme bore a draw number.

At the end of the match the holder of the lucky programme would win the ball used in the game.

Footballs in those days were like “gold dust” many of use had to make use of such things as old tennis balls or the occasional sorbo rubber ball.
p.phillips Reply

March 29, 2013 at 3:25 pm

I own the origial ‘photo of the City v Shots if you enlarge the far corner the Friary Brass Band can be seen.

David Rose adds: Thanks Pete. I should have added your name as a credit. Gosh that was some time ago now that Graham Collyer and I used the photo in our 1998 book Images of Guildford. On the same page on which the picture appears there is also an image of a page from the Daily Mirror that covered the match in some depth and the cover of the match programme.
Stephen Holt Reply

January 2, 2015 at 3:41 pm

I have lots of Guildford City memorabilia, always looking to add to the collection, hope someone can help
- James Brown Reply
  
  May 12, 2016 at 3:38 pm
  
  I would like to help add to the collection and to see what you all have as well. Contact me, James Brown, the son of Jimmy Brown, 1937 – 1939 Guildford City forward, at robyburns@hotmail.com.
- Ian Powell Reply
  
  October 6, 2018 at 8:03 pm
  
  I have a few programmes from the 1970s just before they went to Dorking.
  
  Grandad took me to them, or to Aldershot.
Eddie Russell Reply

May 13, 2016 at 10:37 am

An article about James Browns’ father is on the Guildford City website as I’m sure he knows but for the benefit of others, please click here.
Keith Wilson Reply

February 14, 2022 at 2:54 pm

I have been trying to locate a picture of any team photos with the name of my grandfather, Jim Wilson as a player. I’m guessing around the early 1920s.

I believe the picture was in a edition of the local newspaper at the time any info would be greatly appreciated.

David Rose replies: The book, The City Boys Are In Town, is a who’s who of just about anyone who played for Guildford City Football Club, assuming that is the club your grandfather played for.

There are two Wilsons listed in the book. The first, without a first name given, played just one Southern League Game for the team in 1931. There is not a photo of him in the book.

The other player is Norman Henry Wilson, who made 36 senior appearances for the team between 1933-35, and who is pictured.

Stuart Phillips complied the book and is the most learned authority of the history of the club on the planet! Do email him at stuart.phillips@ntlworld.com