AFC Croydon Ath
| Matchday pass numbers: | Away = 111-116, All = 117-118 |
| Chairman: | Paul Smith 07930677512 chairman@afccroydonathletic.co.uk |
| Secretary, Fixtures Secretary and Programme editor: | Peter Smith 020 8406 3557 07907 588496 secretary@afccroydonathletic.co.uk |
| Correspondence address: | 57 Alton Road, Waddon, Croydon, CR0 4LZ |
| Colours: | Shirts: Maroon, Shorts: Maroon, Socks: Maroon; Keeper Shirt: Pink |
| Change strip: | Shirts: Yellow, Shorts: Yellow, Socks: Yellow Keeper Shirt: Green |
| Manager: | Kevin Rayner 07875 432514 manager@afccroydonathletic.co.uk |
| Midweek home games: | Tuesday |
| Brief Directions: | From A23 (Thornton Road) turn into Silverleigh Road, bear left into Trafford Road and then into Mayfield Road. The ground is situated along a private road where you will find a car park adjacent to the ground. There is a height restriction on the private road.
Nearest bus route is 60 alighting on Galpins Road at the Silverleigh Road bus stop. Walk through Mayfield Park and down the private road to the Stadium. Many buses serve Thornton Heath Pond which is adjacent to Thornton Road. Nearest train stations are Thornton Heath or Norbury which are both a 20 minute walk away. Nearest Tram Stop is Therapia Lane which is a 15 minute walk away |
AFC Croydon Athletic - A History
AFC Croydon Athletic was officially born on 6th February 2012 after a group of supporters gathered at Selhurst Evangelical Church in South Norwood to form a new club. The newly appointed committee had just 7 weeks to put everything in place to convince the Football Association and the League that they were worthy of a place at Step 6 in the pyramid. Despite the challenge it was a successful journey.
The need to form a new club had about because of the demise Croydon Athletic FC who had become the innocent victims of an international cricket match-fixing scandal by their then owner. Valiant attempts to find a buyer, which looked very positive at times, turned out to be fruitless and with debts mounting and owners unwilling to pay what they owed the club folded playing its last game in December 2011.
Having secured the support of the Combined Counties League and the London FA, representatives of the Club met officials from the FA and made their case for being placed in Division One. Having made a presentation and answered questions for more than ninety minutes there followed a long wait to see if they would endorse the application. On the day of the first annual general meeting, on 10th May, the Club got the call that they had been recommended to be placed at Step 6.
The biggest challenge had been securing a stadium to play at. The club’s real home remains the Keith Tuckey Stadium off Mayfield Road but that currently lies empty as the owners of the old Club refuse to give it up and back to the Council. It is hoped that this will be resolved and discussions can start with the Council about the Club’s return there in the future. For this season at least, however, it is indebted to both Croydon FC and Croydon Council who have facilitated the use of Croydon Sports Arena as its new home.
With a place in the league secured the focus shifted from off the field priorities back to the team. On 29th May the Club were pleased to announce the appointment of Antony Williams as its first manager and along with his management team he set about the task of putting together a squad capable of competing in the division. The preparations begun in earnest with the first pre-season friendly against Fisher FC and the journey had really begun.
We completed our initial season in Division One of the Combined Counties League in a creditable 8th position. The club also won its first piece of silverware by winning the Lemon Recordings Division One cup by beating Staines Lammas 5-0 at Windsor. We now look to move upwards and on to more success.
2013/14 Season was more a season of continued consolidation. We finished one place higher in the league and with a little bit more consistency could have been in the final shake up for promotion.
The Club returned to its Spiritual home of Mayfield Stadium on 15th November 2014 with a game against Banstead Athletic. This was later than had been expected as there were problems with the pitch and floodlights. Despite these problems and having to play their first 10 matches away from home the club maintained a promotion chasing position all season and finally clinch 2nd place with a 3-0 victory over Cobham FC. The club also won its 2nd piece of silverware when winning the London Senior Trophy beating Interwood 4-3 after extra time.
With the FA Leagues Committee having placed the club in The Southern Counties East Football League (formally the Kent League) following promotion for the 2015/16 season the club then maintained their position in the league by finishing 11th.
Antony Williams resigned to take over at Chipstead FC and the club replaced him with Kevin Rayner as they looked to continue the progress they have made.
In Season 2017-18 the club finished in 13th place in the SCEFL Premier Division then 15th in 18/19 before the Coronovirus Pandemic brought an early end to the campaign in 2019/20.