Rye Bay Football Club was formed in 1996 and was originally known as Winchelsea Beach Football Club. Prior to 1996 John Cork founded Winchelsea Beach Sports Club and with help built the pavilion now on the Harbour field with funding from Sport England. His vision was to provide a sports pavilion and field for any sports, the local community would like to play.

 

During 1996 Shaun Taberer was involved in an after school football club at Winchelsea school and together with Kevin Williams who had a son aged 9, who was looking to play football on a regular basis, formed Winchelsea Football Club using the Harbour Field at Winchelsea Beach as their home. The clubs first game was a 10-0 away loss at Sedlescombe FC U10’s. 

 

Despite this loss, enthusiasm in both children and the helpers remained high, as training sessions were organised and younger friends of the children playing were encouraged to form teams within their own age groups. Soon under the management of Colin Warne another age group was playing in organised matches. The club continued to grow in subsequent years and the club had teams in many age groups and had to play some of their games away from Harbour Field with grounds at Guestling and the Old Freda Gardham School being utilised.

 

In 2002 the club was one of the first to achieve the Standard Charter Mark which was presented by Kevin Tharme of the Sussex FA an award that the club is proud to still hold, confirming its commitment to the welfare of the children within the club.

 

As the club continued its success in offering organised football that was fun for all its players it attracted large numbers of children some of which came from outside the original catchment area of Winchelsea Beach. It was therefore decided to change the clubs name to Rye Bay Football Club to reflect where many of the players and helpers now came from, a name that continues to this day.

 

The club is very proud of the large number of children within the Rye Bay area that have enjoyed their first taste of football within our club. Many players have continued to play football, many within the local district all applying skills that were first acquired at this club. As a club we hope to show many more young players how they can enjoy the game of football in a safe and enjoyable atmosphere.