Opposition Report - Rusthall FC

The Premier Division continues, with Rusthall travelling down from Jockey Farm to the Steve Cook stadium to face us. With just over 48 hours to KO, let's take a deeper look at our opponents.

General History:

The club were first registered with the Kent County Football Association on June 17th 1899 when the club joined the newly formed Tunbridge Wells League. The “Rustics” first success came in 1905 when the league was won in convincing style. The 1920’s saw the club up among the best locally with the Kent Junior Cup Group “A” being won in 1924. The club were champions of the Tunbridge Wells League in 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926 and again in 1930. The success continued through the 1930’s with more league titles and another Kent Junior Cup in 1935.

However fast forward to post World War, they we’re unable to carry on their successes, and in 1970s the club was close to shutting down but managed to keep going with the help of their then secretary Peter Smith.

The early 1980s and late 1990s saw a large intake of young players into the side which helped rejuvenate their title hopes. They lifted the Division Two titles in 1983 and the Division one title in 1984.

Fast forward well into the modern era, work at Jockey Farm continues at pace as the club strive to improve facilities and a directors lounge is now up and running and has been named the Derek Seal Suite in memory of our late Chairman who had the idea to build a ground at Jockey Farm, also a new 125 seater stand is now installed and has been named in memory of former President Bob Woodhams , a new fence and path installed on the far side of the ground along with new dugouts.

In the 2016/2017 season, Rusthall gained promotion to the Premier Division.

They we’re sadly denied promotion hopes due to the Coronavirus nulling their best season, with the same happening again in the following season. Their highest placing season came with the first season back after the pandemic where they finished 6th place.

However they did finish 19th last season but they sit firmly mid-table this season.

Manager: Jimmy Anderson

With 3 wins and a draw from their 4 league games during October, Rusthall’s impressive results meant Jimmy Anderson won the Manager of the Month Award for October 2024. Rusthall scored 15 goals in those 4 games and picked up wins against Snodland Town, Lordswood and Holmesdale. It is clear that Rusthall has a capable manager at their helm, and it could mean all the difference in the upcoming match.

Key player: Charlie Clover:

Striker, Charlie Clover is a key player in Rusthall’s attack, he has scored a total of 13 goals (and counting) this season, in 21 appearances, meaning he has scored in over half of his matches, he’s a truly clinical striker with a nasty left foot. It will take a lot of defensive prowess to slow him and the attacking line of Rusthall down.

Head-to-head:

Punjab United met Rusthall earlier this season, back in August during the FA Cup Preliminary round where Punjab United was able to come out on top with a 2-1 win, with goals from Cruis Nyadzayo and Hudson Scudder. However Rusthall striked first thanks to their main man Charlie Clover.

It’s sure to be a good contest with both teams needing three points to move up the table. Kick-Off will be at 3pm and more details of the game will be on our social media channels (X, Instagram, Facebook & Bluesky).

Written by Sahib Singh Khera