History of LSFC    
 
The first known league football to be played in Leonard Stanley was in 1934.  Amongst the first commitee members were C. Anderson, W. Haste, J. Savory, W. Wheeler, S. Clutterbuck G. Flight, G. Kick, P Gale, and F. Blick. Meetings were held in the club room of the White Hart Inn. The team was entered into Division 2 of the Stroud & District League. At that time the league consisted of three divisions - Premier, 1 and 2 and Leonard Stanley finished 5th in the division 2 table that first season. Home matches were played on the agricultural field owned by Mr. L Malpass at the top of Seven Waters (opposite the site of the Swedish Houses) Changing rooms were at The White Hart so the players would have quite a walk down Church Road and up Seven Waters before matches. 
   
 

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE .... This picture was taken at the end of either the 1935/36 or 36/37 season proudly displaying the recently won silverware.

Back row L>R: - L. Savory, J. Wright, W. Wheeler, S. Clutterbuck, J. Parker, P. Gale, F. Blick, J. Savory, W. Haste, Middle row: - J. Hillman, P. Shipton, J. Pearce, G. Bailey, G. Kick, C. Anderson, R. Cave, E. Currie, Front row: - G. Adams, P. Brazington.

 

  
 
Later in the 1930s a more level field was acquired, namely 'The Conigyre' at Gypsy Lane adjacent to Leaze Farm. Here the club were able to erect a small hut which was mainly used by the gateman as a pay box.The White Hart was also used as changing rooms for this site along with a private garage in Church Road. The club colours were red and black and it was during this time that the club enjoyed some success, winning the Division 3 title in 1935/36 season with 19 wins and one draw out of 20 matches played. (The Stroud League had by this time renamed their divisions 1,2, & 3). Runners-up that year were Horsley British Legion who finished 6 points behind. After promotion Stanley went on to do well in Division 2 and finished as Runners-up behind Horsley British Legion.

The 1936/37 season also saw the formation of a Reserve team, which was entered into Division 3 but achieved little success, finishing second from bottom in the table. The following season the Reserves played only 11 matches then withdrew.

In 1938 the club made the step of leaving the Stroud League, moving to Division 1 of the Dursley & Wotton-U-Edge League where it competed until the local football programme was abandoned during the 39/40 season because of World War II.  No league football was played in the village throughout the war years.

When things resumed in 1946 Stanley rejoined the Stroud League in Division 1 with a very strong team and in that first season achieved what remains their highest league finish - Division 1 runners-up. The team was built around a George Craven who had moved into the village after a spell playing for the Lincolnshire club Boston United.   

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