The modern Leatherhead Football Club was formed by the merger of Leatherhead Rose and Leatherhead United in 1946. However the research undertaken by David Johnston and Graham Mitchell showed that the Tanners can trace their continuous history back to the formation of Leatherhead Rose in 1907. The Surrey FA checked their records and confirmed that the 2007-8 season was Leatherhead’s official Centenary.
Leatherhead made national headlines in 1974-75 when they reached the Fourth Round Proper of the FA Cup. After playing through all the Qualifying Rounds they had to overcome Bishops Stortford before meeting and beating Football League opposition for the first time. Colchester United went down 1-0 at Fetcham Grove before ‘Leatherhead Lip’ Chris Kelly’s goal defeated Brighton & Hove Albion at the Goldstone Ground. The Fourth Round tie against First Division Leicester City was switched to Filbert Street where Leatherhead were two goals ahead at half time eventually losing 2-3 when the fitness of the full time players took its’ toll. In subsequent seasons the Tanners defeated two more Football League sides - Cambridge United and Northampton Town.
In more recent times, (2006-7 season) Leatherhead were the lowest ranked team to reach the First Round Proper of the FA Cup, losing 1-2 at Football League side Torquay United. Unfortunately league form for the rest of the season and in the early part of the 2007-08 campaign was poor.