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Club History
Take a look back at Upper Hale's journey through the leagues
Established in 2020
Upper Hale FC was founded in the summer of 2020, during the height of the Covid pandemic. The idea was sparked one evening by four friends — Harley Blakeway, Leo Stewart, Dan Holden, and Nick Farr.​
By mid-August, the group held their first unofficial social at Upper Hale Rec, laying the foundations for what would soon become a growing football club. That summer marked the beginning of the Stags.
20/21 Season
Upper Hale FC entered the Basingstoke & District Sunday League Division 2 for their debut season in 2020/21. The club played its first-ever competitive fixture against Basingstoke Cavaliers on 4th October 2020.
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After a tough start and a long Covid-induced break, the team finally secured their first win in April 2021, beating Overton United. Despite early challenges, the Stags rallied to finish 8th in their inaugural season — a solid foundation for what was to come.
First Major Sponsorship
The club signed its first major sponsorship deal with Yiayias at the Fox in September 2021. The deal ensured a premium kit that season and meant the club was treated to chips, dips and pitta breads after each away game!
21/22 Season
The 2021/22 campaign marked a significant year for the club, with a major influx of players enabling us to launch both Saturday and Sunday teams. The Saturday side joined the Guildford & Woking Alliance Football League Division 3, while the Sunday team entered the Aldershot & Camberley Sunday Football League Division 1.
The new Saturday team, led by incoming manager Joe Connell, featured a squad full of fresh faces. They made an immediate impact—winning their first five matches and netting 34 goals in the process. Despite a strong run, they narrowly missed out on the title, finishing 2nd to an impressive Horsell side.
The Sunday team, however, faced a more challenging season. Competing in a particularly tough division and hampered by a slow start, they finished 5th out of 6 in what would be the club’s final season of Sunday football.
22/23 season
The 2022/23 season marked a new chapter for Upper Hale FC, with both our First Team and newly formed Reserve Team entering the Guildford & Woking Alliance Football League. The First Team competed in the Premier ​
Division, while the Reserve Team (pictured) took on their inaugural season in Division 2.
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The First Team showed strong spirit and remained competitive throughout the campaign. However, an inability to secure a clean sheet all season ultimately saw them finish 8th out of 11 teams. Despite some promising performances, defensive frailties proved costly.
Meanwhile, the Reserve Team experienced a rollercoaster of a debut season, mixing periods of good form with frustrating inconsistency. They managed 8 wins but failed to register a single draw, which—combined with several losses—resulted in a 10th place finish out of 12.​
23/24 Season
At the start of the 2023/24 season, the club made the tough decision to step back to one team after an influx of players and coaches moved on. As a result, the Stags entered the Guildford & Woking Alliance Division One — a competitive league that offered the chance to regroup and rebuild.
The season began with a setback against old rivals Horsell, but the team quickly showed resilience, battling hard each week. While goals proved difficult to come by, the Stags picked up crucial
wins when it mattered most, keeping themselves in the fight throughout the campaign.
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The defining moment came with two games left, as the threat of relegation loomed. With their backs against the wall, the squad delivered two vital home victories, climbing to a strong 3rd-place finish — turning a season of transition into one of renewed belief.
24/25 Season
The 2024/25 campaign welcomed an influx of new faces as the club set its sights on promotion from the Guildford & Woking Alliance Division One. Optimism was high, but an indifferent pre-season and an opening day defeat to Chiddingfold tempered expectations.
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From there, however, the squad clicked into gear. An incredible 11-game winning streak, stretching from mid-October to the end of March, saw the Stags storm to the top of the league and reach the semi-finals of both the league and county cups. Goals came in abundance, with the team netting a club-record 86 times in just 22 games.
The run-in wasn’t without drama — a four-game losing streak saw both cup runs ended and allowed rivals Ottershaw to close the gap at the top. But with three games to go, the Stags rediscovered their
form, producing decisive performances when it mattered most.
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The reward was historic: crowned GWAFL Division One Champions and lifting the club’s first-ever piece of silverware. A season of resilience, belief, and goals galore — and the perfect platform to build on.
Future
As the team enters the 2025/26 campaign back in the Guildford & Woking Alliance Premier Division there's renewed hope that the current group of players can take the club to new heights!
