St. Francis Rangers FC was formed in 2002, following the amalgamation of St. Francis Hospital, and Ansty Rangers. The latter club had earlier been formed as a result of a merger between Lindfield Rangers FC and Ansty FC in 1996. Lindfield Rangers had joined Division 3 in 1991/92 and had their best season in 1994/95 when they finished 4th.

St. Francis Hospital joined Division 3 of the Sussex County League in 1983/84, were they remained for two seasons before being relegated back to the Mid-Sussex League. In 1992/93 the club returned to Division 3 and achieved its best ever placing when finishing 3rd in 1998/99. Ansty Rangers meanwhile reached their highest ever position in 1999/00 when they finished third in Division 3.

Sadly the newly formed St. Francis Rangers did not appear to have benefited much from an increased fan-base, as evidenced by a paltry average attendance of just 36 in its first season of existence. However, this rose to 50 in 2004/05 when Rangers won promotion to senior football, finishing a distant runners-up to champions Crowborough Athletic. Unlike many clubs making the move up from Division Three in the past, Rangers adapted extremely well to Senior football, finishing in a very encouraging 4th place in the knowledge that had they finished any higher they would not have been able to accept promotion in any case due to lack of floodlights.

In contrast to the previous season when they knew that promotion would not be possible, Rangers were incensed when they were denied promotion to the League’s top division at the end of the 2005/06 season, after finishing in 3rd place, a massive 13 points clear of Westfield in fourth. The club maintained that it had been misled by the League with regards deadlines for its floodlights, whereas the latter maintained that Rangers had been told on more than one occasion what the requirements were, and that this was also detailed in the League Handbook.

Rangers began 2006/07 as the favourites of many pundits to achieve the promotion that had been denied them the previous season. After a slow start it looked as though they would miss out once more, but the second half of the season saw them clinch a late promotion spot. The club was grateful for two points awarded following a 1-1 draw against Broadbridge Heath after which their opponents were found to have played a player under suspension. The additional points lifted Rangers from 4th into 2nd place in the table, albeit ten points behind champions Pagham.

Description of ground
Tucked away in the grounds of the Princess Royal Hospital, the home of St. Francis Rangers, is something of a little gem if one has a liking for a somewhat ‘rustic’ quality.

The ground is accessed by following a winding one-way system around the hospital, whereupon it is clearly visible beyond an indoor swimming pool on the left. Car parking is available on the grass adjacent to the pitch; and when it is wet, outside the impressive old St. Francis Hospital building opposite, newly converted into private housing (take care not to park in prohibited or reserved spaces though!). There is a path to the right of the swimming pool that leads down to the ground itself.

Formerly home to St. Francis Hospital FC prior to their amalgamation with Ansty Rangers FC prior to the 2002/03 season, the elevated clubhouse-cum-dressing room building is situated behind the near goal, and still painted in the old green livery of the hospital side. Hard standing has been laid; whilst there have also been improvements to fencing and the dressing room area. The only shelter is from a rather quaint wooden shelter on the far touchline, with two new dugouts straddling the half-way line further on.

Planning permission for floodlights was achieved during the 2005/06 season but unfortunately these were not in place in time to enable Rangers to take their place in Division of the County League, despite having finished in a promotion place. However they were finally switched on for the first time for a pre-season friendly vs Eastbourne Borough in July 2007 (see photographs). Note that the photographs show an incomplete perimeter rail as this was only a friendly fixture. The pitch is normally completely enclosed.

The best feature of the ground is the views, with the old hospital almost as impressive as the surrounding countryside.

Directions
Enter through the main entrance of the Princess Royal Hospital, on the A272 Uckfield to Haywards Heath road. Follow the signs to the Sports Complex at the rear of the hospital.

Nearest railway station: Haywards Heath (approximately 20 mins walk).

Map (link to www.streetmap.co.uk)