The History of Grendon Rangers Football Club

1947-48 Grendon Rangers are affiliated. In the early years we had a succession of venues including Bill East's field and Bob Smith's field adjacent to The Broadway, before moving to our present Grendon Park home in the Sixties.

1950-51 Goals from S. Jones and R. Hickman (2) helped Grendon win the Twyford Shield.

1951-52 Grendon Rangers join the North Bucks League, but were second best in our first game - 3-2 against Padbury.

1953-54 Again we reached the final of the Twyford Shield - drawing 3-3 with Thornborough.

1960-61 Lost to Bow Brickhill in the final of the League Shield. At the cost of 15 shillings, a bath was bought for the pavillion.

1961-62 Two trophies came our way. A 1-0 win over Bletchley Old Boys won the North Bucks League Shield whilst a 3-2 victory over Castlethorpe secured the Buckingham Charity Cup. However, we lost out in the Division 3 play-off, beaten by Stoke Hammond. Playing record, Pld 32, Won 29, Drew 1 and Lost 2.

1965-66 Under 16's side established managed by Bill East.

1966-67 Beaten 2-1 by Oving in the Buckingham Charity Cup final - we finished runners-up in Division 2.

1967-68 The 2nd XI are formed.

1968-69 An early glimpse of the future away strip as we experiment with black and white stripes for a period.

1969-70 Buckingham Charity Cup winners again with a 4-2 win over Mursley.

1970-71 Our first youth team success - winning the Bicester Boys League. 1st XI finished runners-up in the Buckingham Charity Cup.

1971-2 The Under 16's win the Pat Burke Trophy.

1972-73 The Annual Saye & Sele Cup was established while the Under 16's win their Supplementary Cup competition. The senior section go on a very memorable tour to Ostend.

1973-74 A successful season - Premier Division champions, Twyford Shield and Ray Porter Cup winners, runners-up in the Premier Division Shield. 2nd XI are prompted from Division 3 while the minors win the Milton Keynes League and finish runners-up in the Bicester Cup. Our famous Grendon Rangers banner appears for the first time.

1974-75 Another season full of success. We retain the Premier Division Championship and Twyford Shield (beating Marsh Gibbon 4-1!). Runners-up in the Premier Trophy the 2nd XI win the Marsworth Cup with a 2-0 win over Wing and finish runners-up in both the League and Shield competitions. The Minors secure a 100% record - winning the Milton Keynes League again. Our present dressing rooms were built as part of the Village Hall extension. Our application to join the South Midlands League was rejected.

1975-76 The minors complete a hat-trick of league championships, but the 2nd XI are relegated.

1976-77 We secured the Premier Trophy for the first time with a 3-1 win over McCorquedales, and a 4-1 win over Westbury brings the Twyford Shield to Grendon Park again. However, a 5-3 defeat against Haddenham sees us finish runners-up in the Oving Village Cup. There was also a 2-0 win in the Buckingham Alliance final over LBC.

1978-79 The 110 Club is founded.

1979-80 A sad year for Grendon with the untimely death of John Wharton. His name lives on with the club, the 'John Wharton Trophy' is presented to the senior section top goal scorer each year. On the playing front, we finish runners-up in both the Premier Division and Premier Trophy following a penalty shoot-out defeat at the hands of M.K. Borough. The Ladies Social Committee is established.

1980-81 The 2nd XI win the Roseberry Bowl with a 3-0 victory over Monks Risborough.

1981-82 The first Grendon Rangers match day programme was published.

1982-83 The Grendon Invitation Cup is established. We lose the Premier Trophy final on penalties (again) to M.K. United.

1983-84 Another heart-breaking defeat in the Oving Village Cup final, 2-1 against Wing.

1987-88 Both senior sides win their respective Invitation Cup competitions.

1988-89 The Youth section is re-established.

1989-90 Our first 'End of Season Handbook' is published.

1990-91 The Under 10's finish runners-up in the League.

1991-92 The Under 11's go one better this season - completing a League and Cup double.

1992-93 We field 6 teams this season (2 senior and 4 youth). The 1st XI win the Fred Tew Trophy after a penalty shoot-out win over Westbury. The Under 15's finish runners-up in the Witney League Cup, losing 2-1 to Dorcan (aet).

1993-94 A bitter-sweet year for the club. Sadly our much respected President W. J. Hearne passed away. The youth section had a season to remember however, all 4 teams bringing home trophies. Most notably, the Under 16's won the Orlando '94 Cup in America as well as the Witney League Cup. The Under 14's won two cup competitions, while both the Under 12's and 10's complete League and Cup doubles.

1994-95 The Grendon Invitation cup is re-named the W. J. Hearne Invitation Cup in honour of our late President. The Under 15's and 13's tour Goonhavern, Cornwall, while the senior section entertain our Cornish counterparts - winning both games 4-1 and 2-0. Last seasons Under 16's are voted Aylesbury Vale 'Team of the Year' for the Orlando success.

1995-96 For the first time in our history - we are able to field an impressive 8 sides. We return the complement to Goonhavern, with the seniors beaten twice, 6-1 and 3-1. The 1st XI finish second in the Intermediate Division to gain promotion back into the Premier Division. There is also success in the Fred Tew Trophy following an extra-time win over Mursley 4-3.

1996-97 A tough season for the 1st XI back in the top division sees them finish second bottom but reach the Buckingham Charity Cup final, unfortunately beaten 3-1 by Willen. A youthful 2nd XI finish a respectable mid-table in Division 2 while the Under 13's finish runners-up in the Witney League. Pete Busby, our long standing secretary, is honoured by the North Bucks League for 25 years service.

1997-98 Both senior sides win their Invitation Cup competitions, while the 1st XI end up third in the Premier Division. The 2nd XI win their final 8 league games to secure the Division 2 Championship and promotion.

1998-99 The Under 15's win the Witney League Cup with a tense 1-0 win over Moretonville at Witney Town the goal coming from captain Adam Warr deep into extra-time.....