Chandler’s Ford Chess Club was formed in 2015, when the players chose to move location from the Eastleigh Railway Institute to the Chandler’s Ford Central Club. A small hisory of the club is below, but please do supply additional information on the club, as I will add information as supplied.
Picture above is the team at Fareham Chess Club for the annual pre season friendly match in 2024.
Club History
Although the Chandler’s Ford Chess Club was formed in 2015, this was really an ongoing amalgamation of several chess clubs in and around Eastleigh. This was captured in an article on the Chandler’s Ford website detailing the history of the club. A History of Chandler’s Ford Chess Club – Chandlers Ford Chess Club. I would recommend reading this for a much more in depth look at the club.
The reason for the move of venue is on the article, but since the move the club has gone from strength to strength and currently field 5 teams in the Southampton Chess League and hold several tournaments.
COUNTY ASSOCIATION. In the late Spring of 2015, Nobby George, previously a chess captain of his school and member of The Welcome Inn chess club in Bishopstoke, then Bishopstoke Social Club, then Eastleigh Working Men’s Club and finally Eastleigh Rail proposed a move to The Chandler’s Ford Central Club in Bournemouth Road Chandler’s Ford. Despite initial reticence by some members, most agreed and this is now our current excellent and welcoming home and hopefully will continue to be so for many years to come.
A History of Chandler’s Ford Chess Club – Rob Sims
Formation Details
The club as it currently stands was formed from the following clubs
Looking back to the original formation, this was reported in the West Sussex Gazette in October 1912.
Like most chess clubs Eastleigh would close during the 1st World War, but it was re-formed in 1919. This was reported in the Hampshire Advertiser, and it mentions several of the officers. It seems the chairman was also a Mr Sims, like the current chairman.
Early Matches
In 1914 Eastleigh had two teams in the Hampshire League Competition. At this time the Hampshire League was a junior competition (created in 1912) to attract new and smaller clubs. This was ideal for Eastleigh, as the Hampshire Trophy had the heavyweights of Portsmouth and Southampton (Southampton teams would have been weaker than the ones in the Hampshire League).
To get an indication of strength I checked the Hampshire County matches results and AJ Woodford played five matches normally on the middle boards (11 to 15). There may have been the odd game from the other players, but nothing I can particularly pinpoint.
Eastleigh’s first success was in winning the Hampshire League in 1919 / 20 on tie-break, ahead of Southampton I. The naming convention for the leagues do seem to vary, but this was certainly the smaller competition compared to the County Trophy.
Trophies
Under the various names the club has won trophies in the Southampton League as well as the no longer run Hampshire League. The various headings can be sorted and there is a search table function. Full details of the SCL League winners can be found here.
| Season | League | Club | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1919 – 1920 | Hampshire League | Eastleigh | Division 2 |
| 1953 – 1954 | Southampton Cup | Eastleigh | Rob Cup |
| 1958 – 1959 | Southampton League | Eastleigh B | Division 3 |
| 1969 – 1970 | Southampton League | Eastleigh | Division 3 |
| 1970 – 1971 | Southampton League | Eastleigh | Division 2 |
| 1976 – 1977 | Southampton League | Eastleigh | Division 2 |
| 1984 – 1985 | Southampton League | Eastleigh BR A | Division 1 |
| 1985 – 1986 | Southampton League | Eastleigh BR A | Division 1 |
| 1986 – 1987 | Southampton League | Cricketers Arms A | Division 2 |
| 1986 – 1987 | Southampton League | Cricketers Arms B | Division 3 |
| 1987 – 1988 | Southampton League | Cricketers Arms C | Division 4 |
| 1989 – 1989 | Southampton League | Cricketers Arms B | Division 2 |
| 1990 – 1991 | Southampton League | Cricketers Arms A | Division 1 |
| 1995 – 1996 | Southampton League | Eastleigh BR A | Division 3 |
| 1995 – 1996 | Southampton Cup | Eastleigh Railway | Rob Plate |
| 1995 – 1996 | Southampton League | Stoke Social | Division 4 |
| 1996 – 1997 | Southampton League | Eastleigh Unity B | Division 2 |
| 1996 – 1997 | Southampton Cup | Eastleigh Railway | Rob Plate |
| 1998 – 1999 | Southampton League | Eastleigh BR A | Division 4 |
| 2001 – 2002 | Southampton League | Eastleigh Unity A | Division 1 |
| 2001 – 2002 | Southampton League | Eastleigh Unity C | Division 4 |
| 2002 – 2003 | Southampton Cup | Stoneham | Rob Cup |
| 2004 – 2005 | Southampton League | Eastleigh Railway B | Division 2 |
| 2004 – 2005 | Southampton Cup | Eastleigh Railway | Rob Plate |
| 2004 – 2005 | Southampton Cup | Eastleigh Railway | Rob Plate |
| 2005 – 2006 | Southampton League | Eastleigh WMC | Division 4 |
| 2008 – 2009 | Southampton Cup | Eastleigh Rail D | Division 4/5 Cup |
| 2013 – 2014 | Southampton League | Eastleigh Railway C | Division 4 |
| 2013 – 2014 | Southampton Cup | Eastleigh Railway A | Rob Cup |
| 2022 – 2023 | Southampton League | Chandler’s Ford B | Division 4 |
| 2023 – 2024 | Southampton League | Chandler’s Ford A | Division 2 |
| 2023 – 2024 | Southampton Cup | Chandler’s Ford B | Rob Plate |
Players
Chandler’s Ford have had numerous strong players in their teams, but have been more well known as a friendly club which welcomes players of all levels. That said, in its previous clubs (and current ones) many Hampshire Individual Champions have played for the club. Iwan Cave, Charles Morris (who has also been Welsh Champion), John Wilkinson, Keith Gregory and Leslie Vine (back in 1952).
Some of the regular players can be seen below, but there is also a gallery of C Ford players on the website.
Sam Murphy, Rob Sims, Dick Meredith, Pat Pavey, Peter Lasham, Alikhan Menseitov, Geoff Parish & Rob Strachan
Acknowledgements and Sources
- Chandler’s Ford Chess website.
- Hampshire Chess Archives
- Hampshire Advertiser