opposition 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 seven 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 remained the Mayfield Stadium off Mayfield Road but that currently lies empty as the owners of the old Club refused to give it up and back to the Council and whilst unused the clubhouse was destroyed by fire.

For the first season the Club was indebted to both Croydon FC and Croydon Council who facilitated the use of Croydon Sports Arena as the Club’s first 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 announced 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. AFC Croydon completed their 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. The 2013/14 Season was more a season of continued consolidation; finishing one place higher in the League and with a little 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.

His first season saw a 7th place finish; it was hoped that this would enable the team to progress further but successive seasons have seen mid-table finishes. In 2017/18 the club slipped to 13th and the following year went down to 15th. However, in 2018/19 saw progress in the FA Cup for the first time which coincided with their first home tie too. A 5-0 victory over Rochester United and then a 1-0 replay win over Hanworth Villa saw a First Qualifying Round tie.

Since then the global pandemic has curtailed two seasons. The 2019/20 season saw progress in the FA Cup again before succumbing to Herne Bay, after a replay, but after 27 games the season was abandoned. Season 2020/21 started late with a thriller of an FA Cup tie against Sutton Common Rovers; a record 174 turning up, but the season would again be curtailed after just 12 matches.

A reorganisation means that it is time to move back to the Combined Counties Football League Premier Division South for the 2021/22 season, with promotion to the Isthmian League ahead of the 2024/2025 season.