AFC Croydon Athletic

AFC Croydon Athletic is a football club based in Thornton Heath in the London Borough of Croydon, England. The club are currently members of the Southern Counties East League Premier Division and play at the Mayfield Stadium. They are affiliated to the London Football Association.[1]

AFC Croydon Athletic
Full nameAFC Croydon Athletic
Nickname(s)The Rams
Founded2012
GroundMayfield Stadium, Thornton Heath
ChairmanPaul Smith
ManagerKevin Rayner
LeagueSouthern Counties East League Premier Division
2019–20Southern Counties East League Premier Division (season abandoned)
WebsiteClub website

History

The club was formed in 2012 by fans of Croydon Athletic F.C. after that club withdrew from the Isthmian League during the 2011–12 season and eventually folded.[2] Prior to their resignation, the club's owner Mazhar Majeed had been jailed following his involvement in the Pakistan cricket spot-fixing scandal, Majeed had been recorded admitting that he had purchased the club solely in order to launder money, and the club had been locked out of its ground by the local council due to unpaid debts.[2]

The new club joined Division One of the Combined Counties League for the 2012–13 season.[3] In their first season they finished eighth and won the Division One cup, beating Staines Lammas 5–0 in the final.[4] They finished seventh the following season and were runner-up in 2014–15, earning promotion to level eight of the pyramid. Rather than entering the Premier Division of the Combined Counties League, they were transferred into the Southern Counties East League.[5] The season also saw them win the London Senior Trophy, beating Interwood 4–3 after extra time.[6] The first season in the Southern Counties East Football League saw them finish eleventh, their highest finish to date.

After four years at the club, manager Antony Williams left to join Chipstead in May 2016, and was replaced by Kevin Rayner.[7] At the end of his first season in charge he led the team to their highest finish of seventh.

Ground

After its establishment the club were unable to continue playing at the former club's Mayfield Stadium, and so arranged to groundshare with Croydon F.C. at the Croydon Sports Arena.[8] In January 2013 the Mayfield Stadium clubhouse was destroyed in a fire,[8] but was rebuilt and the club moved to the ground in 2014, playing their first match there against Banstead Athletic on 15 November 2014.[9]

Mayfield Stadium

Club officials
Position Name
ChairmanPaul Smith
Vice-ChairmanAlan Powell
SecretaryPeter Smith
ManagerKevin Rayner
Head CoachBarry Boxall
Goalkeeping CoachGarry Henry
Junior Development ManagerTom Kavanagh
PhysioDenis Lawton

Managers
As of matches played 30 April 2020. All competitive matches are counted.[10]
Name From To G W D L %W
Antony Williams 29 May 2012 4 May 2016 166 86 17 63 051.81
Kevin Rayner 26 May 2016 Present 177 64 33 80 036.16

Honours
  • Combined Counties League
    • Division One Cup winners 2012–13
  • London Senior Trophy
    • Winners 2014–15

Records

See also
  • AFC Croydon Athletic players

References
  1. AFC Croydon Athletic Football Club Southern Counties East League
  2. Croydon Athletic FC revival plans get underway Croydon Advertiser, 13 April 2012
  3. AFC Croydon Athletic at the Football Club History Database
  4. Staines Lammas beaten in Final Middlesex Football Association, 7 May 2013
  5. AFC Croydon Athletic join nineteen-team SCEFL next season Kentish Football, 27 May 2015
  6. London Senior Trophy 2014–15 London Football Association
  7. AFC Croydon Athletic have announced their new manager for next season Croydon Advertiser, 26 May 2016
  8. AFC Croydon Athletic in race against time to return to 'spiritual home' for new season Wirral Globe, 8 July 2014
  9. Saga of the Rams David Bauckham
  10. Hall of Fame AFC Croydon Athletic

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