The Old Rutlishians Association Football Club is made up mostly of ex-pupils of Rutlish School. It was reformed after a 58 year absence in the summer of 1990 having originally run from 1907 until 1932 when it folded after being replaced by Rugby as the popular winter sport at the Old Rutlishians.
The
club fielded one side in the Wimbledon and District League Division
One during the 1990/91 season and duly won the league and cup double.
In time for the 1991/92 season the club switched to the Kingston
and District League and began to run two teams, with the 3rd and
4th XI's introduced in 1992/93 and 1993/94 respectively.
It was during this period that the Ruts enjoyed huge success, working their way up from Division Six right through to the Premier Division, which they won in 1995/96 and again in 1997/98 when they added the League Junior Cup to complete another double.
This
encouraged the club to apply for Intermediate status and the first and
reserve teams joined the Surrey South Eastern Combination in 1998/99 with
the 3rd and 4th XI's following suit in consecutive seasons. The first
team immediately secured yet another double, winning Intermediate Division
Three and the League Senior Cup.
The reserves also fared well in the Combination, finishing runners-up in Junior Division Four in 1998/99 and winning Junior Division Three then Junior Division Two in subsequent seasons.
The first team moved to the Amateur Football Combination for season 2003/04 and won Intermediate Division Two South while the reserve and 3rd teams won Kingston & District League Divisions One and Four respectively. The reserves came runners-up in the Teck Cup while the 3rds won the League Junior Cup to cap a very successful year for the club.
The club moved back into the pyramid by joining the Surrey Western League in 2004/05. They won back to back titles immediately, Division One in 2004/05 and the Premier title in 2005/06. The reserves also did back to back Division One Reserve and Premier Reserve titles, and picked up the Reserve Challenge Cup in 2004/05 and came a creditable runners-up in the Surrey Junior Cup.
The 3rds won the Surrey Lower Junior Cup in 2004/05, the club's first ever Surrey Cup.
Much of our success can be attributed to Life President and ex-player Gavin Lennard, an instrumental figure at the club from the beginning who set a record by winning the Secretary of the Year award five times in 12 years.
Current Club Chairman Graham Clayton, Media Manager Steve Nicola and Life Vice President Roland Heal have also made hugely significant contributions to the club over a long period of time.
Since 1990 Graham has served and held virtually every Committee position highlighting his commitment and dedication to the cause.
Steve designed and maintains the club's award winning website, player records, match reports and Fantasy Football competition.
Another major contributor to the good ship ORAFC, Roland was Club Treasurer, Kit and Equipment Officer and general disciplinarian for more than a decade.
Every man a true Old Rut and not surprisingly all former recipients of the Clubman of the year award.
Click here for a history of our club from 1907-1932, taken from the 1956 ORA Yearbook.
