THE OFFICIAL HOME OF
RYE BAY FOOTBALL CLUB
THE CLUB
Chairs Write-up from 25/26
What a season it’s been. Despite some truly unpredictable weather, this year has once again showcased everything that makes Rye Bay such a special place to play, coach, volunteer, and support. Football, fun, and fantastic progress have been at the heart of our club from the very first whistle to the last.
I want to begin by saying how incredibly proud I am of everyone involved. Our players, coaches,
volunteers, and loyal supporters show unwavering commitment week after week, and it’s that
dedication that keeps our club thriving. With safeguarding always at the centre of what we do, it’s been wonderful to provide opportunities for more than 160 young people to learn, grow, and enjoy the game this season.
One of the standout achievements this year has been watching several of our players take the brave step into refereeing. Completing their qualifications and then heading out onto the pitch to officiate—often in challenging situations—is no small feat. To see them doing so with confidence, maturity, and professionalism at such a young age is something we are all immensely proud of. They represent Rye Bay with real credit.
A huge part of what makes grassroots football so rewarding is watching our young people develop not only as players, but as individuals. Seeing them progress through the age groups, supporting one another, and embracing new challenges is exactly what Rye Bay is all about.
A special congratulations must go to our U15 Reds, who clinched the Cup against Eastbourne AS. It was a brilliant match, made even more memorable by the incredible support from across the club. The addition of mascots from our younger teams—from the tiniest Colts to our U10s—brought an extra spark to the occasion. Their excitement was infectious and gave them a wonderful chance to see the older lads in action.
Of course, presentation day also brings its bittersweet moments, as we say goodbye to our U16s. Their commitment to the sport and to each other has been unwavering, and they have represented Rye Bay with pride in the Ashford League for many years. We wish every one of them the very best as they explore new pathways in their football journeys, and we hope they continue to shine wherever the game takes them.
The U16s have been fortunate to be guided by an exceptional coach. Kaye has dedicated more than a decade to developing young people through football—not only through her coaching, but also through her leadership on our Committee and her work within the Rother League. Her
positivity, drive for improvement, and commitment to the club have shaped countless players and volunteers. Kaye, we are deeply grateful for everything you do, and we hope you’ll continue to be part of Rye Bay for many years to come.
This season also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the club. While details may already have reached you by the time you read this, we’re thrilled about what lies ahead and can’t wait to move forward together.
Finally—and most importantly—a heartfelt thank you to our incredible young people. They are the reason we do what we do. Their energy, enthusiasm, resilience, and love for the game inspire us every single week.
Here’s to another brilliant season ahead, and to the continued growth of our amazing Rye Bay family.
Liz PenDennis - Chair, Rye Bay FC
OUR HISTORY
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.
