Hailing from the other side of the river to Hampton Court Palace, Molesey would make our list of opponents to include an animal in their name. Of course, the club goes by the nickname of The Moles and anything else, we think, would be a missed opportunity. Boro’ only lost once to them in our head-to-head history; that only being was only on penalties after a 4-4 draw! Apart from that, our record is decent; both when you think about the outcome and the number of goals.
The club we know today were formed in 1946; the outcome of a merger between Molesey United and West Molesey Old Boys. The first of those two partners was also the result of two more historic clubs deciding to join forces. But that’s by the by and not directly relevant to our little bit about the Moles.
On starting out, the club entered the Surrey Intermediate League; winning the championship in their maiden season. In those early days, things moved relatively quickly. They moved into the Surrey Senior League in 1953 to mark their step up in status. A league title in 1958 came a year before the Moles made the decision to then transfer into the Spartan League; their first effort concluding with a runners-up medal. Up until this point, it was one of their longest stretches in any given competition.
Of course, that changed in 1973; the Moles joining the Athenian League – and then changing scenery again four years later when the Isthmian League took them into their fold. Here, they laid down some proper roots and lasted for three decades. In that time, they went close in their first couple of Division Two seasons – but were unable to win promotion. In 1984, and this is a bit relevant, the league expanded and reorganised. The Moles were placed into Division Two South. Boro’, meanwhile, were added to the North equivalent.
It meant that, at first, our first encounter would be in cup competition. But we’d eventually meet in a league fixture in the early 1990s; the Moles (like us) promoted to Division One. They were a year ahead of us when gaining promotion to Division One. And then followed a year behind when we were promoted to the Premier Division. Unlike us, however, they couldn’t go any higher. They went back down to Division One in 1996 – and again into Division Two three years later.
In 2008, the Moles fell to their lowest level since 1977; relegated to the Combined Counties League after an awful campaign in which they shipped 100 goals. In the seasons that followed, they scored 100+ on a trio of occasions; the latter of which earned them promotion back to the Isthmian League. Alas, they couldn’t make it stick and the end of the 2018-9 season saw them relegated back to the Combined Counties League. With Covid-19 scuppering their first two seasons back at that level, the third resulted in another relegation.
How to get to Molesey – Travel Information – Distance: 55 miles
By Road
Take the M25 counter-clockwise to Junction 12; using the left two lanes here to leave onto the London-bound M3. At Junction 1 of the M3, come off at the A308 exit; taking the fourth exit at the roundabout at the end of the slip road.
In almost four miles, you’ll reach a roundabout outside Hampton Court Palace. Nice.
Here, take the second exit to turn right and go across the River Thames. After this, take a right into Creek Road (B3379) next to the railway station. Go through one roundabout and, at the second, take the second exit onto Walton Road (B369).
We think the club’s own car park will see you right.
By Rail
Station: HAMPTON COURT
Services to: LONDON WATERLOO
Leave the station with the Thames on your right. Aim to go straight across (or more 11 o’clock-ish) onto Creek Road and follow this onto Bridge Road. Turn right onto Walton Road at a mini-roundabout and keep going until the ground appears on your left.
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