Books

This is a summary of the books that are available about Mitcham.

Mitcham Histories

Books written about Mitcham by the late Eric Norman Montague, of the Merton Historical Society (MHS). These books can be bought in Merton public libraries, and through the MHS website, click on a link below.

  1. The Cricket Green
  2. North Mitcham
  3. Pollards Hill, Commonside East and Lonesome
  4. Lower Mitcham
  5. Lower Green West
  6. Mitcham Bridge, The Watermeads and the Wandle Mills
  7. The Upper or Fair Green, Mitcham
  8. Phipps Bridge
  9. Colliers Wood or ‘Merton Singlegate’
  10. Ravensbury
  11. The Cranmers, The Canons and Park Place
  12. Church Street and Whitford Lane
  13. Willow Lane and Beddington Corner
  14. Upper Mitcham and Western Road (includes series index)

Personal Histories

David’s Memories 1947 – 1972

Front cover design by Mr Tony Brooks

David’s life growing up in Mitcham, living in De’Arn Gardens and Homefield Gardens, attending the Star and Western Road schools; making grottoes, going to the Fair; cricket; Leo’s Ice Cream; Turner’s Bakery; Davis’s Coaches and the River Wandle.

A5 size, 208 pages, 21 chapters.

Price £14.95 hardcover, £10.95 softcover.

Please contact the author at jdbtcin@icloud.com

Mitcham Common

If unavailable through Amazon, copies might be available via the Friends of Mitcham Common or the Mitcham Common Conservators.

Mitcham Common : A Short History

Mitcham Common by Eric Montague

Mitcham Common Ecology Trail by R. Morris

All Change on Mitcham Common by Janet Morris

Cricket

James Southerton

by Adrian Gault OBE (Author), David Smith (Foreword)

James Southerton played for England in the first two Test matches ever played. He holds records that will never be broken – the first Test cricketer to die; and records that could yet be broken, but have stood so far since 1877 – the oldest man to make his Test debut (49 years and 119 days). Born in Petworth, in 1827, his family moved to Mitcham, Surrey when he was a child. He grew up playing cricket on the famous Mitcham Cricket Green, the nursery of Surrey cricket.

The Mitcham Cricket Club have other books and booklets that can be ordered from their website.

Football

The Tooting Terrors In The 70s

A History of Tooting & Mitcham United FC during the 1970s,
including FA Cup successes – set to a background of social events of the time

By Jeff Brooks

It’s in A4 format, with 152 pages, and contains lots of photographs and memories from old players. Not just football, but some local and national social history.

Cover Price £15.

For orders in the UK, the price is £19.70, which includes £4.70 for second class postage and packing in a padded envelope.

Please contact the author at brooksjeff18@aol.com

Reviews:

The latest volume in Jeff’s trilogy is a valuable addition to Merton’s sporting heritage. A great read for football fans, local history enthusiasts and nostalgia lovers alike, it captures the spirit of the 1970s, as well as giving a comprehensive account of Tooting & Mitcham’s FA Cup runs. The use of contemporary newspaper coverage offers a fascinating insight into the people and players driving the club, as well as the challenges faced by local football during this turbulent period.

Sarah Gould, Service Manager,
Merton Heritage & Local Studies Centre,
2nd Floor, Morden Library, Merton Civic Centre, London Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 5DX