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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Football club infobox
{{More citations needed|date=September 2019}}
|clubname = Ryde Sports
{{Infobox football club
|image =
|fullname = Ryde Sports Football Club
|clubname = Ryde Sports
|image = Ryde_Sports_F.C.jpg
|fullname = Ryde Sports Football Club
|nickname =
|nickname =
|founded = 1888
|founded = 1888
|dissolved = 2004
|dissolved = 1997
|ground = Smallbrook Stadium, [[Ryde]]
|ground = [[Smallbrook Stadium]], [[Ryde]]
|capacity =
|capacity =
|chairman =
|chairman =
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|season =
|season =
|position =
|position =
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'''Ryde Sports Football Club''' (1888-1997) was an English [[soccer|football]] club based in [[Ryde]], [[Isle of Wight]].
'''Ryde Sports''' (1888–1997) were an English [[soccer|football]] club based in [[Ryde]], [[Isle of Wight]].


Before its demise, Ryde Sports was for many years a successful and significant club on the [[Isle of Wight]] and in [[Hampshire]], and an important part of the town of Ryde.
Before their untimely demise, Ryde Sports was for many years a successful and significant club on the [[Isle of Wight]] and in [[Hampshire]], and an important part of the town.

==Foundation==
'''Ryde Sports F.C.''' was founded in [[1888 in football (soccer)|1888]] and became one of the eight founder members of the [[Hampshire League]] in [[1896 in football (soccer)|1896]]. Although finishing at the foot of the table the club soon improved by twice finishing runners-up before winning the title in [[1899-00 in English football|1899-00]]. Ryde also spent the [[1898-99 in English football|1898-99]] season in the [[Southern Football League|Southern League]] when it finished as runner-up in the Southern Section. Success returned to the club in 1925-26 when it completed the double by winning the league title and [[Hampshire Senior Cup]].


==History==
==History==
'''Ryde Sports F.C.''' was founded in [[1888 in football (soccer)|1888]] and became one of the eight founder members of the [[Hampshire League]] in [[1896 in football (soccer)|1896]]. Although finishing at the foot of the table in the inaugural season, the club soon improved by twice finishing runners-up, they also spent the [[1898-99 in English football|1898–99]] season in the [[Southern Football League|Southern League]] where they finished as runner-up in the short lived Division 2 South & West Section. The [[1899-00 in English football|1899-1900]] season was a highly successful one in which they won the Hampshire League and Hampshire Senior Cup double. After the Great War, Ryde joined the [[Isle of Wight League]], twice being champions before returning the county fold in 1923 when they promptly won the East Division title at the first attempt. Further success soon arrived, in [[1925-26 in English football|1925-26]] they were league champions and [[Hampshire Senior Cup]] winners the following year.
The Thirties continued to be very successful for the club, which won the County Senior Cup five seasons running from 1935 to 1939. The league title eluded Ryde during this period although a top five final position was achieved each season. It was also during this period that Ryde recorded some fine runs in the [[FA Cup]], most notably when they reached the 1st Round proper in 1936-37, losing 5-1 to [[Gillingham F.C.|Gillingham]].


The thirties continued to be very successful for the club, twice more winning County Senior Cup [[1935-36 in English football|1935–36]] and [[1938-39 in English football|1938–39]]. The league title eluded Ryde during this period, although a top five final position was achieved each season. It was also during this period that Ryde recorded some fine runs in the [[FA Cup]], most notably when they twice reached the 1st Round proper; in [[1932-33 in English football|1932–33]] they lost 0–5 away v Margate, then in [[1936-37 in English football|1936–37]], when they lost 1–5 at home to [[Gillingham F.C.|Gillingham]] in front of a record 5,000 crowd. They nearly made it again in [[1947-48 in English football|1947–48]], when after navigating their way past some tough opponents they heartbreakingly lost 0–1 at home against Trowbridge Town in the final qualifying round.
It was not until the [[1952-53 in English football|1952-53]] season that Ryde Sports suffered its first setback when, for the first time, the club was relegated from the Hampshire League's top flight. After several years of consolidation Ryde returned as Division 2 runner-up five years later, only to be relegated straight back again. Worse was to follow in 1963-64 when Ryde was relegated again to Division 3 but made a good recovery by immediately returning as champion; and in 1967-68, finished as runner-up in Division 2, which was enough to return to the top-flight.


It was not until the [[1952-53 in English football|1952–53]] season that the club suffered its first setback when, for the first time, they were relegated. After several years of consolidation Ryde returned as Division 2 runners-up in [[1957-58 in English football|1957–58]], only to be relegated straight back again. Worse was to follow in [[1963-64 in English football|1963–64]] when Ryde were relegated again to Division 3 but made a good recovery by immediately returning as champions; and in [[1967-68 in English football|1967–68]] they finished as runners-up in Division 2, which was enough to clinch promotion back to the top flight.
The Seventies continued to up and down for Ryde. After two seasons in Division 1 the club was again relegated in 1969-70 and in 1976-77 again dropped down into Division 3. The early Eighties saw troubled times for Ryde, twice finishing bottom of the league and having to apply for re-election. Luckily Ryde regained its place and slowly rebuilt, with the Division being renamed Division 2 in 1986 following the formation of the [[Wessex League]].


The seventies continued to up and down for Ryde. After two seasons in Division 1 the club was again relegated in [[1969-70 in English football|1969–70]] and in [[1976-77 in English football|1976–77]] again dropped down into Division 3. The early Eighties saw troubled times for Ryde, twice finishing bottom of the league and having to apply for re-election. Luckily Ryde regained its place and slowly rebuilt, and in 1986 were placed in restructured Division 2 following the formation of the [[Wessex League]].
Finally, Ryde's fortunes changed and with a powerful side the club won the Division 2 and Division 1 titles in successive seasons 1988-89 and 1989-90. In 1990 the club vacated its traditional Partlands home to play at a new multi-purpose Sports Complex at Smallbrook Stadium, on the outskirts of Ryde. The team was elected to the [[Wessex League]] that year.


Finally, Ryde's fortunes changed and with a powerful side the club won the Division 2 and Division 1 titles in successive seasons [[1988-89 in English football|1988–89]] and [[1989-90 in English football|1989–90]]. For a number of years, developers had been eyeing up the clubs much loved Partlands home, and in 1990 the club vacated the premises to play at a new multi-purpose Sports Complex at [[Smallbrook Stadium]], on the outskirts of the town. The team was elected to the [[Wessex League]] that year.
==Demise==
Ryde initially did well in the [[Wessex League]] where it was frequently in the top half of the table with its highest positions being 3rd in 1995-96 and 4th a year later. Ryde ran into financial problems and a player exodus saw the club struggle badly during the 1997-98 campaign. A local appeal for support was unsuccessful and the club, rock bottom of the table, withdrew from the competition in December 1997 with its playing record being expunged.


Ryde initially did well and were frequently in the top half of the table, with their highest positions being 3rd in [[1995-96 in English football|1995–96]] and 4th a year later. They also hosted a series of prestigious friendly matches against Premier League opposition, most noticeably [[Sheffield Wednesday]], [[Aston Villa]] and [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]].
==New Club==
A new club, Ryde '98 was formed to play in the local [[Isle of Wight League]] but the new team never climbed out of the basement division and folded in [[2004 in football (soccer)|2004]].


Sadly this did not last and a combination of poor attendances and high overhead costs put them in financial difficulty, resulting in a player exodus. For the [[1997-98 in English football|1997–98]] campaign, Ryde appointed former Bournemouth FC Coach Larry Clay, who in turn brought with him a youthful group of players from the mainland to help rebuild the club. The younger players included Hose Edin, Peter Williams and Lee Johnson of who all ended up playing in the first team far sooner than intended. Ryde played a friendly against Bristol City at Smallbrook Stadium with the professional side winning 7–0 with a certain [[Shaun Goater]] scoring 5 goals. That season he left to join Manchester City.
Ryde Sports F.C. remain sadly missed in local football. Their old ground, Partlands was sold for housing whilst Smallbrook Stadium is still used for various sporting events, most notably for Speedway and athletics.


After an unsuccessful appeal for local support and enduring some heavy defeats, Ryde, rock bottom of the table, withdrew from the competition in December 1997 with their playing record (just 2 points gained from 17 games) being expunged.
The town of [[Ryde]] is now represented by Ryde Saints F.C. who currently run two sides in the [[Isle of Wight League]].


The Reds remain much missed. Many blame their tragic demise on their relocation and over ambition.
==External links==
(http://www.fchd.btinternet.co.uk/RYDE.HTM)


==Honours==
(http://www.fchd.btinternet.co.uk/RYDESP.HTM)
*'''[[Southern Football League|Southern League]] Division 2 South & West Section'''
**Runners-up 1898/99
*'''[[Hampshire League]] Division 1'''
**Champions 1899/1900, 1925/26 and 1989/90
**Runners-up 1897/98, 1898/99 and 1932/33
*'''[[Hampshire League]] Division 2'''
**Champions 1988/89
**Runners-up 1957/58 and 1967/68
*'''[[Hampshire League]] Division 3'''
**Champions 1964/65
*'''[[Hampshire League]] East Division'''
**Champions 1923/24
*'''[[Isle of Wight League]] Champions'''
**Winners 1919/20 and 1920/21
*'''[[Hampshire FA]] Senior Cup Winners'''
**Winners 1899/1900, 1903/04, 1926/27, 1936/37, 1938/39
**Finalists 1925/26 and 1935/36
*'''Isle of Wight Senior Cup'''
**Winners 1926/27 and 1980/81
*'''Isle of Wight Gold Cup'''
**Winners 1926/27, 1946/47, 1948/49, 1955/56, 1961/62 and 1962/63
**Finalists 1927/28, 1928/29, 1929/30, 1930/31, 1932/33, 1933/34, 1947/48, 1950/51, 1956/57, 1960/61 and 1963/64
*'''Portsmouth Senior Cup'''
**Winners 1899/1900, 1900/01, 1905/06, 1919/20, 1953/54, 1966/67 and 1989/90
*'''[[FA Cup]]'''
**1st Round Proper 1932/33 and 1936/37

==Playing records==

=== League ===
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style=text-align:center
!Season
!Division
!Position
!Significant events
|-
|1896/97||[[Hampshire League]]||8/8||Founder Members, re-elected
|-
|1897/98||[[Hampshire League]]||6/8||
|-
|1898/99||[[Southern Football League|Southern League]] Division 2 South & West Section||2/6||Runners-up, left competition
|-
| ||[[Hampshire League]]||3/8||
|-
|1899/1900||[[Hampshire League]]||1/8||Champions, left league
|-
|1900-03|| || ||
|-
|1903/04||[[Hampshire League]] South Division||3/9||
|-
|1904/05||[[Hampshire League]] South Division||6/9||
|-
|1905/06||[[Hampshire League]] South Division||3/8||
|-
|1906/07||[[Hampshire League]] South Division||3/8||
|-
|1907/08||[[Hampshire League]] South Division||6/10||
|-
|1908/09||[[Hampshire League]] South Division||6/8||
|-
|1909/10||[[Hampshire League]] South Division||8/10||
|-
|1910/11||[[Hampshire League]] South Division||5/9||
|-
|1911/12||[[Hampshire League]] South Division||6/8||left competition
|-
|1912-23|| || ||
|-
|1923/24||[[Hampshire League]] East Division||1/8||Champions, promoted
|-
|1924/25||[[Hampshire League]] County Division||10/16||
|-
|1925/26||[[Hampshire League]] County Division||1/16||Champions
|-
|1926/27||[[Hampshire League]] County Division||5/16||
|-
|1927/28||[[Hampshire League]] County Division||6/16||Re-organisation
|-
|1928/29||[[Hampshire League]] South Division||7/13||Re-organisation
|-
|1929/30||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||9/16||
|-
|1930/31||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||6/16||
|-
|1931/32||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||3/16||
|-
|1932/33||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||2/15||Runners-up
|-
|1933/34||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||5/16||
|-
|1934/35||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||12/16||
|-
|1935/36||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||3/16||
|-
|1936/37||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||5/16||
|-
|1937/38||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||5/16||
|-
|1938/39||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||5/16||
|-
|1939-45|| || ||
|-
|1945/46||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||9/16||
|-
|1946/47||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||11/14||
|-
|1947/48||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||4/14||
|-
|1948/49||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||5/14||
|-
|1949/50||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||4/14||
|-
|1950/51||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||11/14||
|-
|1951/52||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||12/14||
|-
|1952/53||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||13/14||Relegated
|-
|1953/54||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||5/14||
|-
|1954/55||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||12/14||
|-
|1955/56||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||6/16||
|-
|1956/57||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||5/16||
|-
|1957/58||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||2/16||Runners-up, promoted
|-
|1958/59||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||14/14||Relegated
|-
|1959/60||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||11/16||
|-
|1960/61||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||5/16||
|-
|1961/62||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||8/16||
|-
|1962/63||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||10/16||
|-
|1963/64||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||15/16||Relegated
|-
|1964/65||[[Hampshire League]] Division 3||1/16||Champions, promoted
|-
|1965/66||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||9/16||
|-
|1966/67||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||8/16||
|-
|1967/68||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||2/16||Runners-up, promoted
|-
|1968/69||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||11/16||
|-
|1969/70||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||16/16||Relegated
|-
|1970/71||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||10/16||
|-
|1971/72||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||13/16||
|-
|1972/73||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||11/16||
|-
|1973/74||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||11/16||
|-
|1974/75||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||13/16||
|-
|1975/76||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||16/16||Not relegated
|-
|1976/77||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||15/16||Relegated
|-
|1977/78||[[Hampshire League]] Division 3||11/16||
|-
|1978/79||[[Hampshire League]] Division 3||12/16||
|-
|1979/80||[[Hampshire League]] Division 3||12/15||
|-
|1980/81||[[Hampshire League]] Division 3||17/18||Re-elected
|-
|1981/82||[[Hampshire League]] Division 3||16/16||Re-elected
|-
|1982/83||[[Hampshire League]] Division 3||12/15||
|-
|1983/84||[[Hampshire League]] Division 3||14/18||
|-
|1984/85||[[Hampshire League]] Division 3||15/18||
|-
|1985/86||[[Hampshire League]] Division 3||10/18||Re-organisation due to formation of [[Wessex League]] in 1986
|-
|1986/87||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||11/18||
|-
|1987/88||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||14/19||
|-
|1988/89||[[Hampshire League]] Division 2||1/19||Champions, promoted
|-
|1989/90||[[Hampshire League]] Division 1||1/18||Champions, promoted
|-
|1990/91||[[Wessex League]]||11/20||
|-
|1991/92||[[Wessex League]]||7/19||
|-
|1992/93||[[Wessex League]]||6/21||
|-
|1993/94||[[Wessex League]]||12/22||
|-
|1994/95||[[Wessex League]]||12/22||
|-
|1995/96||[[Wessex League]]||3/21||
|-
|1996/97||[[Wessex League]]||4/21||
|-
|1997/98||[[Wessex League]]||21/21||Withdrew, record expunged
|}

=== FA Cup ===
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style=text-align:center
!Season
!Round
!Opponents
!Result
|-
|1899/1900||1st Qualifying Round||A v Portsmouth||L 0–10
|-
|1927/28||3rd Qualifying Round||unknown||
|-
| ||4th Qualifying Round||unknown||
|-
|1932/33||1st Round||A v Margate||L 0–5
|-
|1936/37||4th Qualifying Round||A v Wells City||D 1-1
|-
| ||''Replay''||H v Wells City||W 8–1
|-
| ||1st Round||H v Gillingham||L 1–5
|-
|1945/46||1st Qualifying Round||H v Cowes||L 1–3
|-
|1946/47||1st Qualifying Round||H v Gosport Borough||L 1–8
|-
|1947/48||Preliminary Round||A v Sandown||D 2-2
|-
| ||''Replay''||H v Sandown||W 4–1
|-
| ||1st Qualifying Round||H v Thornycroft Athletic||W 3–0
|-
| ||2nd Qualifying Round||H v Poole Town||W 2–1
|-
| ||3rd Qualifying Round||A v Gosport Borough||W 2–1
|-
| ||4th Qualifying Round||H v Trowbridge Town||L 0–1
|-
|1948/49||Preliminary Round||A v Dorchester Town||W 2–0
|-
| ||1st Qualifying Round||H v Poole Town||L 0–1
|-
|1949/50||Extra-Preliminary Round||H v Andover||W 1–0
|-
| ||Preliminary Round||H v Newport||D 1-1
|-
| ||''Replay''||A v Newport||W 5–3
|-
| ||1st Qualifying Round||H v Weymouth||L 2–6
|-
|1950/51||Extra-Preliminary Round||H v Andover||W 2–1
|-
| ||Preliminary Round||H v Dorchester Town||D 3-3
|-
| ||''Replay''||A v Dorchester Town||L 2–4
|-
|1951/52||1st Qualifying Round||A v Totton||L 0–3
|-
|1952/53||1st Qualifying Round||H v Alton Town||L 3–4
|-
|1958/59||Preliminary Round||A v Fareham Town||L 2–4
|-
|1968/69||1st Qualifying Round||H v Salisbury City||L 1–7
|-
|1969/70||Preliminary Round||H v Salisbury City||D 1-1
|-
| ||''Replay''||A v Salisbury City||L 2–3
|-
|1970/71||1st Qualifying Round||H v Newport||L 0–3
|-
|1971/72||1st Qualifying Round||H v Thornycroft Athletic||L 1–4
|-
|1972/73||1st Qualifying Round||A v Gosport Borough||L 0–2
|-
|1973/74||1st Qualifying Round||A v Bognor Regis Town||L 0–3
|-
|1974/75||1st Qualifying Round||A v Gosport Borough||L 1–7
|-
|1975/76||1st Qualifying Round||H v Guildford & Dorking United||L 0–4
|-
|1992/93||Preliminary Round||H v Southwick||L 1–2
|-
|1993/94||Preliminary Round||A v AFC Totton||D 1-1
|-
| ||''Replay''||H v AFC Totton||L 1–3
|-
|1994/95||Preliminary Round||H v Thatcham Town||W 3–2
|-
| ||1st Qualifying Round||A v Poole Town||L 1–5
|-
|1995/96||Preliminary Round||A v Bemerton Heath Harlequins||W 3–2
|-
| ||1st Qualifying Round||H v Weymouth||D 1-1
|-
| ||''Replay''||A v Weymouth||L 1–2
|-
|1996/97||Preliminary Round||A v Gosport Borough||L 1–2
|}

=== FA Vase ===
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style=text-align:center
!Season
!Round
!Opponents
!Result
|-
|1991/92||Extra-Preliminary Round||H v Kintbury Rangers||W 3–2
|-
| ||Preliminary Round||A v AFC Lymington||L 0–1
|-
|1992/93||Extra-Preliminary Round||H v Wantage Town||L 1–2
|-
|1993/94||Preliminary Round||A v Hamworthy United||W 5–1
|-
| ||Round 1||H v Andover||L 0–3
|-
|1994/95||Preliminary Round||A v Banbury United||L 0–3
|-
|1995/96||1st Qualifying Round||A v Brockenhurst||W 4–0
|-
| ||2nd Qualifying Round||A v Bicester Town||D 1-1
|-
| ||''Replay''||H v Bicester Town||W 3–1
|-
| ||Round 1||A v Whitstable Town||L 0–4
|-
|1996/97||1st Qualifying Round||A v North Leigh||L 0–1
|}

==Successor clubs==
A phoenix club, '''Ryde '98''' was immediately formed to play in the local [[Isle of Wight League]] but the new team never climbed out of the basement division and folded in [[2004 in football (soccer)|2004]].

The town is now represented by '''Ryde Saints''' who currently run three sides in the [[Isle of Wight League]]. In 2014 they began using the Smallbrook Stadium for their 1st Team home fixtures and are ambitious to regain past glories.

Wessex League football returned to Smallbrook for the 2022/23 season, when [[Newport (IOW) F.C.|Newport]] took up temporary residence whilst their new ground was being built. The venue is also used for speedway.

==Famous Players==
Ryde Sports had many fine players during their long history, but there are two local lads worthy of special mention: [[Reg Flewin]] – who would later go on to famously captain the [[Portsmouth]] championship-winning sides of 1948/49 and 1949/50, and [[Roy Shiner]], who enjoyed success in the 1950's with [[Sheffield Wednesday]], where he scored an incredible 93 goals in 153 appearances. He also played for [[Huddersfield Town]] and [[Hull City]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/RYDE.HTM |title=Football Club History Database - Ryde}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/RYDESP.HTM |title=Football Club History Database - Ryde Sports}}
* https://www.islandecho.co.uk/ryde-sports-the-biggest-isle-of-wight-football-club-to-have-folded.HTM


[[Category:Defunct English football clubs]]
[[Category:Defunct football clubs in England]]
[[Category:Football (soccer) clubs established in 1888]]
[[Category:Football on the Isle of Wight]]
[[Category:Football (soccer) clubs disestablished in 1997]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1888]]
[[Category:Sport on the Isle of Wight]]
[[Category:Association football clubs disestablished in 1997]]
[[Category:Defunct football clubs on the Isle of Wight]]
[[Category:Southern Football League clubs]]
[[Category:1888 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Ryde]]

Latest revision as of 06:07, 26 September 2024

Ryde Sports
Full nameRyde Sports Football Club
Founded1888
Dissolved1997
GroundSmallbrook Stadium, Ryde

Ryde Sports (1888–1997) were an English football club based in Ryde, Isle of Wight.

Before their untimely demise, Ryde Sports was for many years a successful and significant club on the Isle of Wight and in Hampshire, and an important part of the town.

History

[edit]

Ryde Sports F.C. was founded in 1888 and became one of the eight founder members of the Hampshire League in 1896. Although finishing at the foot of the table in the inaugural season, the club soon improved by twice finishing runners-up, they also spent the 1898–99 season in the Southern League where they finished as runner-up in the short lived Division 2 South & West Section. The 1899-1900 season was a highly successful one in which they won the Hampshire League and Hampshire Senior Cup double. After the Great War, Ryde joined the Isle of Wight League, twice being champions before returning the county fold in 1923 when they promptly won the East Division title at the first attempt. Further success soon arrived, in 1925-26 they were league champions and Hampshire Senior Cup winners the following year.

The thirties continued to be very successful for the club, twice more winning County Senior Cup 1935–36 and 1938–39. The league title eluded Ryde during this period, although a top five final position was achieved each season. It was also during this period that Ryde recorded some fine runs in the FA Cup, most notably when they twice reached the 1st Round proper; in 1932–33 they lost 0–5 away v Margate, then in 1936–37, when they lost 1–5 at home to Gillingham in front of a record 5,000 crowd. They nearly made it again in 1947–48, when after navigating their way past some tough opponents they heartbreakingly lost 0–1 at home against Trowbridge Town in the final qualifying round.

It was not until the 1952–53 season that the club suffered its first setback when, for the first time, they were relegated. After several years of consolidation Ryde returned as Division 2 runners-up in 1957–58, only to be relegated straight back again. Worse was to follow in 1963–64 when Ryde were relegated again to Division 3 but made a good recovery by immediately returning as champions; and in 1967–68 they finished as runners-up in Division 2, which was enough to clinch promotion back to the top flight.

The seventies continued to up and down for Ryde. After two seasons in Division 1 the club was again relegated in 1969–70 and in 1976–77 again dropped down into Division 3. The early Eighties saw troubled times for Ryde, twice finishing bottom of the league and having to apply for re-election. Luckily Ryde regained its place and slowly rebuilt, and in 1986 were placed in restructured Division 2 following the formation of the Wessex League.

Finally, Ryde's fortunes changed and with a powerful side the club won the Division 2 and Division 1 titles in successive seasons 1988–89 and 1989–90. For a number of years, developers had been eyeing up the clubs much loved Partlands home, and in 1990 the club vacated the premises to play at a new multi-purpose Sports Complex at Smallbrook Stadium, on the outskirts of the town. The team was elected to the Wessex League that year.

Ryde initially did well and were frequently in the top half of the table, with their highest positions being 3rd in 1995–96 and 4th a year later. They also hosted a series of prestigious friendly matches against Premier League opposition, most noticeably Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa and Southampton.

Sadly this did not last and a combination of poor attendances and high overhead costs put them in financial difficulty, resulting in a player exodus. For the 1997–98 campaign, Ryde appointed former Bournemouth FC Coach Larry Clay, who in turn brought with him a youthful group of players from the mainland to help rebuild the club. The younger players included Hose Edin, Peter Williams and Lee Johnson of who all ended up playing in the first team far sooner than intended. Ryde played a friendly against Bristol City at Smallbrook Stadium with the professional side winning 7–0 with a certain Shaun Goater scoring 5 goals. That season he left to join Manchester City.

After an unsuccessful appeal for local support and enduring some heavy defeats, Ryde, rock bottom of the table, withdrew from the competition in December 1997 with their playing record (just 2 points gained from 17 games) being expunged.

The Reds remain much missed. Many blame their tragic demise on their relocation and over ambition.

Honours

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  • Southern League Division 2 South & West Section
    • Runners-up 1898/99
  • Hampshire League Division 1
    • Champions 1899/1900, 1925/26 and 1989/90
    • Runners-up 1897/98, 1898/99 and 1932/33
  • Hampshire League Division 2
    • Champions 1988/89
    • Runners-up 1957/58 and 1967/68
  • Hampshire League Division 3
    • Champions 1964/65
  • Hampshire League East Division
    • Champions 1923/24
  • Isle of Wight League Champions
    • Winners 1919/20 and 1920/21
  • Hampshire FA Senior Cup Winners
    • Winners 1899/1900, 1903/04, 1926/27, 1936/37, 1938/39
    • Finalists 1925/26 and 1935/36
  • Isle of Wight Senior Cup
    • Winners 1926/27 and 1980/81
  • Isle of Wight Gold Cup
    • Winners 1926/27, 1946/47, 1948/49, 1955/56, 1961/62 and 1962/63
    • Finalists 1927/28, 1928/29, 1929/30, 1930/31, 1932/33, 1933/34, 1947/48, 1950/51, 1956/57, 1960/61 and 1963/64
  • Portsmouth Senior Cup
    • Winners 1899/1900, 1900/01, 1905/06, 1919/20, 1953/54, 1966/67 and 1989/90
  • FA Cup
    • 1st Round Proper 1932/33 and 1936/37

Playing records

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League

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FA Cup

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FA Vase

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Successor clubs

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A phoenix club, Ryde '98 was immediately formed to play in the local Isle of Wight League but the new team never climbed out of the basement division and folded in 2004.

The town is now represented by Ryde Saints who currently run three sides in the Isle of Wight League. In 2014 they began using the Smallbrook Stadium for their 1st Team home fixtures and are ambitious to regain past glories.

Wessex League football returned to Smallbrook for the 2022/23 season, when Newport took up temporary residence whilst their new ground was being built. The venue is also used for speedway.

Famous Players

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Ryde Sports had many fine players during their long history, but there are two local lads worthy of special mention: Reg Flewin – who would later go on to famously captain the Portsmouth championship-winning sides of 1948/49 and 1949/50, and Roy Shiner, who enjoyed success in the 1950's with Sheffield Wednesday, where he scored an incredible 93 goals in 153 appearances. He also played for Huddersfield Town and Hull City.

References

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  • "Football Club History Database - Ryde".
  • "Football Club History Database - Ryde Sports".
  • https://www.islandecho.co.uk/ryde-sports-the-biggest-isle-of-wight-football-club-to-have-folded.HTM
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