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The History of Tooting & Mitcham Utd
Continued
The 1996-97 term saw relegation to the Second Division. The 2000-1 campaign was better
with the 6 th round of the F.A. Vase reached and under the guidance of Keith Boanas and Ian
Hazel the Ryman League Division Two Championship was won.
The club moved into its new home at Imperial Fields for the start of the 2002-03 season. After
going close to promotion in 2005-06, losing to Tonbridge in the Play-offs, manager Richard
Cadette was replaced by the hugely experienced Billy Smith (who was skipper of Tooting's
1975-76 F.A. Cup side) and George Wakeling. In Billy and George's first season the Club won
both the London Senior Cup and the Surrey Senior Cup and a fantastic unbeaten league run
saw the club reach the Play-off Final losing to Hastings United 2-0. The Play-off Finals were
reached again in 2007-8 this time a Paul Vines goal secured promotion. The London Senior
Cup was also retained. At this time the club also produced a superstar by the name of Michail
Antonio who came through the ranks and signed for Reading, and has subsequently starred in
the Championship for Nottingham Forest. In 2009-10 the club reached the First Round Proper
of the F.A. Cup again going down to Stockport County 5-0.
Billy and George left the club and Mark Beard was appointed manager in May 2010. Beard
was relieved of his position in December 2011 and former West Ham player Kenny Brown was
appointed the new manager. However, Tooting were relegated at the end of the 2011–12 season.
Three more managers followed (Roberto Forzoni, Jamie Martin and Phil Simpson) but all
were unable to turn the clubs fortunes round. Craig Tanner took over in the summer of 2013
at the age of 27 assisted by Adam Moriarty. 11th position was reached in their first two seasons.
New manager Frank Wilson and assistant Mark Hams took over for the 2015-16 season, and
the team finished in 17th place in the league table.
Other Ryman Div 1 South Games
Carshalton Athletic vs Ramsgate
Chatham Town vs Corinthian-Casuals
East Grinstead Town vs Walton Casuals
Faversham Town vs Dorking Wanderers
Greenwich Borough vs Three Bridges
Herne Bay vs Chipstead
Hythe Town vs Molesey
Lewes vs Cray Wanderers
South Park vs Horsham
Whyteleafe vs Hastings United
Sunday - Guernsey v Godalming