A famous name from the non-league football past will be returning for the 2024/25 season.
Wokingham Town Football Club, which was formed in 1875, played its last competitive match in April 2004.
It then merged with Emmbrook Sports to form Wokingham & Emmbrook Football Club.
Wokingham Town led a nomadic existence after being forced to sell its Finchampstead Road home to property developers in 1999 to settle spiralling debts. It ended up playing ‘home’ matches in other parts of Berkshire, as well as in Buckinghamshire and Surrey.
During its illustrious history, the club reached the FA Cup first round in November 1982, the quarter-finals of the FA Amateur Cup in 1958, and the semi-finals of the FA Trophy in 1988.
After discussions with the Berks & Bucks FA, the Football Association, and informing all current leagues and competitions it participates in, the club has confirmed its intention to affiliate under the new name in the coming weeks.
An indicative vote by members at an annual general meeting of Wokingham & Emmbrook FC earlier this year showed unanimous support for the move.
The club, which labels itself at ‘the Town’s team’, boasts more than 75 teams from under-5s through to the senior men and ladies teams. More than 700 players represent the club every week throughout the season.
Steve Williams, chairman of Wokingham & Emmbrook FC, said: “The new season will mark the 150th anniversary of the formation of Wokingham Town Football Club, so we feel now is as good a time as any to revert to the previous name.
“Because we have so many teams, it will take a while before they’re all playing with the Wokingham Town-branded kit, but we are looking forward to building on the history that the former club has created.”
He confirmed that Emmbrook will remain a significant part of the club, that the club will retain its ‘Sumas’ nickname as well as the orange and black colours that have been part of football in Wokingham since its inception.
He added: “We will continue to play our matches at Lowther Road at our current level, and the new club logo will also be based on the current one which includes a reference to Emmbrook.”
