opposition history

Hartley Wintney Football Club was founded in 1897, the club's nickname 'The Row' coming from Hartley Row, a former hamlet of Hartley Wintney. In the 1940s and 50s, the club played at Causeway Farm adjacent to the cricket club, in the Basingstoke League. The minutes of meetings covering 15 seasons from 1948, compiled by the club’s outstanding Secretary, Fred Cook, includes the change of club colours from blue squares to tangerine in 1956.

The club moved to its Memorial Ground in Green Lane in 1953 and the team continued in the Basingstoke League, and later in the Aldershot League. In 1973, Glynn Howell was appointed Manager. In his six-year reign, the team won the Aldershot Senior League three times in succession, and the Aldershot Senior Cup. 

Hartley joined the Combined Counties League (formerly Surrey Senior League), and later appointed Ian Bedford as First Team Manager. An influx of senior players during the 80s included several ex-pros: Mick Travers (1980-87, ex-Reading, Portsmouth & Aldershot); Richard Walden (1985-87; ex-Aldershot, Sheffield Wed & Newport County); and Steve Finnieston (1985-88; ex-Chelsea, Cardiff & Sheffield Utd). Within Ian’s three years in management, the team secured the league title in 82-83, having finished runners-up in 81-82. The Aldershot Senior Cup was won in 80-81, and the George Allen Cup in 81-82. The Row were also finalists in the League Cup (82-83) and Aldershot Senior Cup (81-82). During this period a new clubhouse was opened. David Willoughby, then Secretary and Treasurer, and Bill Mitchell, Club Chairman, devoted exceptional hours to this venture.

In 2007-08 under manager Mike Scott, the club gained promotion to the Combined Counties Premier Division, but 08-09 ended in relegation. Under a new management team of Pete Gray and John Condon, the first team rallied, finishing 5th in CCL Div 1 in 09-10. Coach Louis King then took the reigns as manager, guiding the team to 7th in CCL Div 1 in 2010-11.

Neville Roach took charge for 2011-12, assisted by Mick Wollen and Scott Tarr, and the club secured third in CCL Div 1, good enough for a return to the CCL Premier. Hartley also had a fine FA Cup run to the Third Qualifying Round. But the euphoria of promotion was dampened when the coaching staff and nearly the entire squad left at the end of the season. 

Ex-Millwall defender, Dave Tuttle, was given the summer to prepare a squad for 2012-13. However, a string of poor results led to a second change in management within four months. 24 year-old ex-Hartley striker, Ben Dillon, was given his first managerial role. Alongside Jason Minton and Joe Lawler, Ben set about rebuilding, with Hartley well adrift at the bottom of the table. The introduction of a talented group of players restored the spirit around the club, and in what became known as the club’s ‘Great Escape’, the Row’s place in the CCL Premier was secured against all the odds after a remarkable second half of the season. 

Finishing 7th in CCL Premier in 2013-14, the footballing highlight was the run to the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the first time, losing to Daventry Town in front of a homecrowd of over 1,000. The new club crest was commissioned during the season, designer Philippa Bell incorporating elements from the 13th century when the village of Hertleye Wynteneye drew its name from ‘the clearing in the forest where the deer graze by Winta’s island’, hence the tree and stag motifs.

2014-15 saw the club finish 9th in the CCL Premier, after which Ben Dillon stepped down. Dan Brownlie and Anthony Millerick were appointed joint First Team Managers, with Luke Tuffs as First Team Coach. 

2015-16 was very eventful. After a memorable FA Cup win at Merthyr Town, Hartley came back from 2 down only to concede an injury time goal at Conference South Eastbourne Borough. In the FA Vase, a longstanding club record was broken by reaching the 5th Round Proper. In front of a sell-out 1,300 at Green Lane, eventual finalists Hereford proved too strong, but the Row went on to claim the 2015-16 CCL Premier Division title, 10 points clear. Promotion was denied due to ground grading.

The 2016-17 season under Dan Brownlie and Anthony Millerick was extraordinary. Propelled by the goals of strike duo Sam Argent and Ross Cook, the Row topped the CCL Premier Division for the entire season, reached the semi-final of the Hampshire County Cup and Final of the Aldershot Senior Cup. Guided by Chairman Luke Mullen, the club secured the required ground grading to take their place in the Southern League at Step 4 for the first time.

2017-18 was as successful as the previous season. The club embarked on their first FA Trophy campaign, going out in the First Round Proper to eventual finalists, Bromley. In Southern League South (East Division), the Row sat within the top four for much of the season. A play-off place was secured, the Row winning their semi-final against AFC Dunstable. Cambridge City had triumphed at Hayes & Yeading in the other semi. In front of a crowd of over 700 at Green Lane, a tense game was decided by a Nic Ciardini goal, on the end of Jack Ball's towering header, to gain promotion to the Southern Premier South at Step 3. The season’s closing highlight was lifting the Aldershot Senior Cup.

With Dan Turkington now alongside Anthony Millerick in the dugout, 2018-19 started well at Step 3, with a late run seeing Hartley finish 8th. To remain at the level required another round of ground improvements, stretching the club and its volunteers to the limit.

The 2019-20 campaign clicked into gear for the Row shortly before the season was abandoned due to the Covid pandemic. The return of familiar faces to the squad in the New Year promised an exciting run-in to the end. Instead, it became a battle off the pitch for the club’s financial survival. This battle was to continue when 2020-21 was again cut short, though not before Hartley reached the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, going out at National League side Dagenham & Redbridge FC by a solitary goal. In the Hampshire Senior Invitational Cup, a competition staged as Covid restrictions were eased, Hartley lifted the trophy in the final against Folland Sports.

There was deep sadness in 2021 when Club President, Bill Mitchell, passed away in April. He had been a huge influence on the club and a true gentleman who continued his family's tradition of being Hartley Wintney through and through.

2021-22 proved tough, with the club’s resources severely depleted. The huge task of surviving at Step 3 was achieved by manager Anthony Millerick and his team with another good run-in to the end. Silverware arrived by way of the Aldershot Senior Cup, the Row winning the final against Fleet Town. After his hugely successful spell as manager, ‘Millers’ stepped down at the end of the season, becoming the club’s Director of Football.

U23 Development Team manager, Ross Weatherstone, and First Team Coach, Ty Newton, were appointed joint managers for 2022-23. Pre-season results were encouraging, but the team struggled in the league and the pair resigned in October. Ex-Arsenal pro, Ian Selley, with assistant Mick Bennett, were appointed, but after a reasonable start, results again failed to meet expectations.

With the club in the relegation zone, the Row turned to two former players, ex-pro Rowan Vine, and Shane Hollamby. The pair steadied the ship and worked the team back to being competitive in every game. But the lack of financial headroom finally hit home. Without a proven goal-scorer to turn the draws and narrow losses into wins, the Row were relegated.

After so much recent success, 2023/24 sees Hartley Wintney FC in the Isthmian League South Central and rebuilding under new manager Danny Ackland.