This article was destined for our match programme against Rochester Untied on the 28th of December, but with a host of covid-hit postponed games and no sign of the season resuming we’ve decided I publish Stephen’s story:

“I moved to Rusthall in 2006 as a Millwall season ticket holder and continued to travel to games on a Saturday afternoon. At the time I was working in London and I spent a fair bit of time commuting. Getting a train that was after the peak of the day made for a comfortable journey with less people travelling. I ended up striking up conversation with what I eventually found to be Rusthall FC's finest bartender (if you're lucky, on rare occasions you can still catch him around the vicinity of the bar today). Spending most of the week in London I didn't really get out and explore the village (I know it's massive right?), so it wasn't until said bartender suggested I popped down Jockey Farm to get some eggs that I even knew it existed! I continued to get eggs from the farm years before making a Rusthall match. After getting married and having kids, the time and cost to visit The New Den just became incompatible with family life. I still made the odd game here and there when I could but beyond that it was nappies and playgrounds for a Saturday afternoon.

It wasn't until the summer of 2017 that I made a familiar journey for eggs to Jockey Farm, noticing as I passed through the car park that a few fence panels were missing and breeze block footings had replaced. I had read something about a recent promotion and remarked to my son that I thought they were going to put a stand there. That was the start of my interest in the club and it wasn't long before I saw some images on social media showing the new stand being dropped into position.
Having been brought up in Crowborough, it took a local derby to finally get me to a game. With less than fond memories of turning out for their under 8's/9's, I was really keen to see Crowborough get beaten. With my son in tow for his first ever football match I'm pleased to say that Rusthall delivered a late winner in a very entertaining match. It was the lowest level in the football pyramid I'd ever attended and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of football. In truth I think I expected most goals to go in off someone's *rse, but that was far from the case as that late winner proved.
An enjoyable afternoon with the right ingredients. Travelling was down to a 10 minute walk and my son was entertained. Entrance was cheaper than travelling to London with beer to boot. All in all, it made for a excellent way to spend a Saturday afternoon with my son and daughter, and I've rarely looked back since.
A particular highlight for me over the last few seasons was a Rusthall Millwall double header, fitting in Rusthall's away match at Fisher in an early kick off and Millwall's win over Everton in the FA Cup in the evening. This was one of Jimmy's first games in charge and whilst the influence was positive, it wasn't Rusthall's day against table topping Fisher.

Last season I took a last minute decision to race up the M25 to Glebe's Foxbury stadium for our match against Stansfeld. Glebe's Cup game at Beckenham had been called off and it wasn't until part way through the first half I realised Glebe manager and former Millwall striker Gary Alexander was sat behind me. Meeting the goal scorer of the finest goal at Wembley was definitely the highlight of the afternoon given that Rusthall were once again beaten on the road (I wasn't a luck charm).

Looking forward, I'm eager to see a Rusthall promotion having seen relegation along with some near misses in my three and a bit seasons. It's a wonderful family friendly club to follow and as the current times have brought home recently, not to be taken for granted. I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who has made the club what it is today. Three seasons of supporting is nothing compared to the generations of work that have taken place and as always my thanks goes to the committee, volunteers, players and management past and present.

Whichever month this season finishes in, I sincerely hope we've got two seasons worth of partying to do!”

If you’ve got a Rusthall FC related story or want to tell us how you became a supporter feel free to drop us an email: media@rusthallfc.com