Horley Football Club was first affiliated to Surrey County FA in 1896. In 1903 another local club by the name of Gatwick Rovers was formed and the two clubs merged in 1908 with Horley retaining its name. Both these original clubs played in the same colours of red & black and it was not until 1912 that Horley adopted the colours of claret & blue that they still wear to this very day.

Intermediate football was tasted for the first time in season 1925/26 following an appearance in the Surrey County Junior Cup Final in 1923/24 and winning the Surrey County Junior Charity Cup in 1924/25. Following the Second World War, Horley was faced with the prospect of losing its home at “The Kings Head” ground and set about finding a new home. A local landowner by the name of Major A.L.N. Jennings became the Club’s benefactor (and President) following his generous decision to give the club 10.7 acres of land in Smallfield Road. The land was held in trust for the people of Horley from 1947, in memory of those that died in the defence of their country, and the ground was appropriately named “The Defence”.

Season 1950/51 saw Horley win the Surrey Intermediate League Eastern Section and seek election to the Surrey Senior League for season 1951/52. This excursion into Senior football was short lived as the Club found themselves back in Junior football by season 1954/55. Intermediate status was regained in 1956/57 season and in season 1957/58 they entered their first ever Youth team in the local Redhill & District League.

With the expansion of the village of Horley to a town the Club changed its name in 1974 to become Horley Town F.C. During this spell in senior football, Horley Town enjoyed their most successful period culminating in the winning of the Surrey Senior League title and Surrey Senior League Challenge Cup in 1976/77. The Club also reached the final of the Surrey Senior League Charity Cup in this season.

The club went on to compete in the London Spartan League and the Athenian League before returning to the Combined Counties League (formerly the Surrey Senior League).

The early 1980’s saw the Club expand their interest in Youth football with the creation of Horley Town Minors. This relationship has grown over the years and is the reason why the Club has evolved into a well respected “community club” providing football for the people of Horley irrespective of age, sex or race.

In September 2003, Horley Town moved to their new ground, named “The New Defence” in deference to their old home, behind the New Leisure Centre. The Club has been in the Combined Counties League Premier Division since 2006 and, in addition to its Reserves and Youth teams, incorporates numerous successful junior football teams at all age levels.

2011/12 saw Horley Town FC do well in the FA Cup and finish in the top half of the CC League.

In 2014/15 the Club had a very successful season, finishing 6th under the management of ex-players Anthony Jupp and Chris Weller.

Club and League top goalscorer Ashley Nadesan scored 99 goals in two seasons before signing for League 1 Fleetwood Town. Ashley has since had a loan spell with Carlisle and returned to scoring goals for local side Crawley Town.

2015/16 was again another successful season for Town, but big changes came in the close season with Anthony Jupp and Chris Weller standing down and experienced ex Dorking boss Glynn Stephens stepping in as manager. More work was completed on the ground with a further 52 seats fitted to the stand behind the goal. 2017/18 saw the club get through to the fourth Round of the FA Vase.

For the 2019/20 season Anthony Jupp returned to his position as manager and the Club was moved to the Southern Combination League Premier Division but only for two seasons before being returned to the Combined Counties League Premier Division and finishing 7th.

In 2022 Martin Rapson (formerly U23 Manager) was appointed Manager for the 2022/23 season with Mitch Chatfield managing the U23.

Please see the attached match day program for Horley Town F.C. vs Tottenham Hotspur F.C. for a bit of nostalgia!