The club is delighted to announce the next Tanners legend to be unveiled on the ‘Hall of
Fame’ in the clubhouse.
Fred Stenning is the Tanner’s all-time leading goal scorer and his goalscoring feats are quite
simply outstanding. We want to remember and honour this goalscoring machine. Please
read about him below, it is simply amazing.
Fred Stenning – 1947 – 1952 (centre-forward)
Tanners record – 139 appearances – 185 goals
The mention of the name Fred Stenning still evokes much misty-eyed nostalgia from all who
witnessed his exploits. Fred of the thinning hair and wicked grin led Leatherhead to three of
their four Surrey Senior League championship successes and was the most potent
marksman in Surrey football either side of the war. His main strength was in the air but, as
with most great goal-scorers, he had the happy knack of regularly being in the right place at
the right time. Leatherhead has had many prolific scorers in their time but supporters still
talk about Fred Stenning as the best of them all and more than 70 years since his retirement
he still holds virtually all of Tanners’ goal-scoring records.
His senior football career started at the tender age of sixteen with Cobham but it was at
Epsom Town that he first came to prominence. Whilst there he represented the London
League and played in several trial matches for Crystal Palace. He was also approached by
Spurs but any thoughts of a professional career were ended by the outbreak of war.
Upon demob he spent a season with Vickers before arriving at Fetcham Grove, via Walton
and Hersham, in the autumn of 1947. He was soon breaking the hearts of many defences
scoring freely for the remainder of the season, averaging a goal a game. His first full season,
1948/49, was memorable. Goals were again in plentiful supply, 61 in 39 games. Even that
record was surpassed the following season. Fred was simply unstoppable netting an
incredible 71 times in just 41 games. This tally included eleven occasions on which he scored
three or more and remains a club record. Fred also scored all six in a 6-1 win over McLaren
Sports.
One of his quirks was that he would often a have a nip of whisky before the game
and at half time.
His career was blighted by injury during the next two seasons. A serious leg injury resulted in
him missing part of the 1950/51 season before he stunned the club and the supporters by
following former manager Bill Whittaker to Malden in the New Year. He marked his return,
against Cheshunt, in December 1951, by scoring one of his trademark glancing headers and
missing a penalty (something he also did on a fairly regular basis).
Fred’s playing career was ended in February 1952 when he suffered a serious knee injury
during a game against Rainham.
Here is a summary of Fred’s Tanners goal scoring records:
Most goals in career – 185 in 139 appearances (1947-52)
Averaged a goal every 68 minutes
Most League Goals in total – 127
Most goals in a season – 71 in 41 games (1949/50)
Most League goals in a season – 45 in 26 games (1948/49)
Most Cup Goals in total – 58
Most Hat-tricks – 25
Most goals in a game (joint) – 6 v McLaren Sports (1949/50)
Scored in consecutive games – 16 in 1948/49
Most goals scored in FA Amateur Cup (now called the FA Trophy) – 24