Opposition Preview | Farnham Town FC (A)

On the road again for the second time in four days as we travel to Surrey and more specifically Farnham Town FC's 'Memorial Ground' for our eighth league game of the season.

Farnham have had a decent start to life in the Southern League Premier South, they are one of three teams still unbeaten and are also one of three teams sat at the top on 16 points, along with ourselves and Walton & Hersham FC. Tonight's hosts have shown grit and determination to come away with points during this season when the tide seemed to be against them during games.

'The Town' became centurions after winning the Isthmian League South Central last season on 102 points, only losing 4 of the 42 matches played. Tuesday's hosts have won four and drawn four so far this season, scoring 17 and conceding 9.

Their most recent result was a massive 4-0 home win against Taunton Town on Saturday, Bobby Joe-Taylor scoring two of the goals, with Sam Evans and Obi Ogo also getting on the scoresheet.

The man behind it all is Farnham manager Paul Johnson. Johnson was appointed manager in November 2022 after eight years at Bedfont Sports, and has overseen the most successful period in the club’s history. In his first full season he delivered a cup win and a strong league finish before guiding Farnham to an unbeaten title-winning campaign in 2023-24, securing promotion to the Isthmian League South Central. He then followed up with back-to-back promotions in 2024-25, taking the club to Step 3 for the first time. Known for a remarkable win rate of around 77%, Johnson signed a new two-year deal in April 2025, cementing his role as the architect of Farnham’s rapid rise.

The ones to watch for Farnham include Ex-Dorking Wanderers and Walton & Hersham winger Joe-Taylor who is always a threat on his left foot. Mat Mackenzie is also one to watch, scoring three in the opening eight game. Ex-Queens Park Rangers and Love Island star Harry Cooksley has returned to playing football after a lengthy holiday in the Love Island villa. Cooksley is a big part of the Farnham midfield and is a threat when on the ball.

This is our first meeting with the Town and we very much look forward to visiting the Memorial Ground tonight.

Club History

Farnham Town FC is a semi-professional English football club with a long and varied history. Founded in 1906 through the merger of two local teams, Farnham Bungs and Farnham Star, the club initially played in the Surrey Intermediate League, winning it in consecutive seasons in 1929-30 and 1930-31.

After a spell in lower-tiers, including winning the Surrey Junior Cup in 1945-46, Farnham joined the Surrey Senior League in 1947. The 1960s proved particularly successful: the club secured three straight Senior League titles (1965-66, 66-67, 67-68), then had strong finishes in the seasons after.

In 1971 they moved into the Spartan League, which later merged to form the London Spartan League. Poor form in 1979-80 led to a switch to the Combined Counties League. They won the Combined Counties League in 1990-91 and again in 1991-92, along with other cups, but financial or ground requirements hampered a move up.

In more recent decades the club has seen ups and downs: relegation, promotions, cup wins (including the Premier Challenge Cup in 2015-16), and strong finishes. Notably, in 2023-24, they went unbeaten in the Combined Counties Premier Division South across the league season, winning promotion, and followed that with further success to reach higher leagues, including last seasons centurion league winning season.