The Pitching In Isthmian Football League

A book of Terrors!

5 Feb 2022 By Ian Townsend

A new history of Tooting & Mitcham United- here's how to get one

Tooting & Mitcham United fan- and club historian- Ian Bullock has written a new book on the history of his beloved club. Entitled 'Tooting & Mitcham Utd- A Historic Story,' it has been a long time in planning- almost thirty five years, in fact!

Ian has been following the Terrors since 1958, when he was first taken to Sandy Lane by his father as an eight year old schoolboy. Black and white through and through, Ian spent thirty years working in the Sandy Lane tea bar, twenty seven years involved with the reserve team, and has taken on roles as diverse as Supporters Club Secretary, Programme Editor and Matchday reporter for the Non-League Paper. He is a Life Vice President of the club, and there is undoubtedly no-one more qualified to be compiling its history.

His first full season as a fan turned out to be one of the most momentous in the club's history. The Terrors leapt into the national consciousness due to their FA Cup run in 1958-59, when having beaten Football League sides Bournemouth and Northampton Town they were drawn at home to Division One side Nottingham Forest in the 3rd Round. Tooting led 2-0 at half-time, and only an own goal and a dubious penalty robbed them of more giant killing and undying fame. Forest would win the replay and lift the trophy at Wembley.

The cover

The book covers that momentous season, and many more besides, with highlights including their run to the FA Cup 4th Round in 1975-76, the last game at Sandy Lane, the move to Imperial Fields, club milestones, players who have progressed to the Football League (there have been many of late), and much, much more.

Ian first prepared a history of the club back in 1987, but it didn't get to print at that time- although his other books, Halcyon Days and Facts & Figures, did. So finally you get to see the fruits of his labours, and we've no doubt they'll be worth the wait.

Email tmufc.history@gmail.com to reserve your copy, which is priced at £30.

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Players who went on to bigger things

The book even has cartoons!

Where next?

Mackerel Men wallop Wingate- whilst the Towners keep up the pressure The Scholars shock the K’s, Wands hit three, and we’ve also wins for the Rooks, the Ambers and Margate. It’s our Pitching In Isthmian Premier round up.