Croydon F.C.

Last updated

Croydon
Croydon F.C. logo.png
Full nameCroydon Football Club
Nickname(s)The Trams
Founded1953 as Croydon Amateurs
Ground Croydon Arena
South Norwood, London
Capacity8,000
ChairmanGavin English
ManagerAntonio Gonella
League Southern Counties East League Division One
2023–24 Southern Counties East League Division One, 8th of 16
Website Club website

Croydon Football Club is an English semi-professional football club based in Croydon, London. Until 2006, they played in the Isthmian League, but lost their place in that league as part of the 2006 re-structuring of non-league football, and now play in the Southern Counties East League Division One. They play at Croydon Sports Arena in South Norwood. The club was founded in 1953 as Croydon Amateurs.

Contents

History

The club was founded in 1953 as Croydon Amateurs FC and its original players came from some of the stronger clubs playing in local football. The club was specially formed to play at the Croydon Arena (still its home today) when it was officially opened in 1953. The team made its debut at the Arena against Malden Town on Saturday 5 September 1953, winning 4–3. The club spent their first ten years in the Surrey Senior League but whilst failing to win the championship (thrice finishing runners-up), evolved into one of that competition's strongest teams. In 1963–64, they joined the Spartan League, winning the league title at the first attempt in their only season in the competition. [1] 1964 saw them join the Athenian League where they spent the next ten years, winning the Second Division title in 1965–66, suffering relegation four years later and then gaining two successive promotions to the Premier Division as runners-up to Herne Bay (1970–71) and Harlow Town (1971–72) under the managership of Jimmy Rose. Rose's departure to Dulwich Hamlet saw a mass player exodus and a season of struggle ensued. 1973 saw the suffix Amateurs dropped due to the impending changes to the status of players and a year later, under the management of Ted Shepherd, election to the expanding Isthmian League.

Two seasons later, after an unbeaten 1975–76 campaign, the club gained promotion to the Isthmian's top division – initially titled Division One but then retitled the Premier Division where they spent twelve seasons before relegation to the First Division in 1989. [2] An FA Cup run in the 197980 season led to a home draw in the 2nd round to Football League opposition in the shape of Division Three Millwall. The tie was switched to be played at Selhurst Park and in front of almost 10,000 people the Croydon team, captained by Alec Jackson held their League opponents to a 1–1 draw thanks to a Rod Ward goal. The replay three days later could not separate the two sides after 90 minutes with Constable scoring twice for Croydon, but Millwall eventually winning the match narrowly 3–2 after extra time. A further relegation followed in 1994, but following Ken Jarvie taking over as Chairman / Manager and internal reorganisation, they were promoted back to Division One within two seasons. The club's first Isthmian League title – champions of Division One followed in 2000, before relegation two years later. [2]

Alec Jackson, captain of the 1979-80 cup run team, meeting players of the 2019-20 squad Alec Jackson, Captain of the 79-80 cup run team, meeting players of the 19-20 Croydon FC squad. Jan 2020.jpg
Alec Jackson, captain of the 1979-80 cup run team, meeting players of the 2019–20 squad

The non-league scene was reorganised at the end of the 2005–06 season and this restructuring saw them placed in the Kent League where following a third-place finish in 2006–07, the club finished in mid-table the following two seasons. 2008–09 culminated with success in the Kent League Cup after a penalty shootout win over Erith Town.

The Croydon team lifting the 2009 Kent League Cup. Croydon FC win the League Cup in 2009..jpg
The Croydon team lifting the 2009 Kent League Cup.

That turned out to be the club's final Kent League fixture as they were shuffled sideways into the Combined Counties League (a competition which evolved from the Surrey Senior League) for the 2009–10 season. This was effectively back where they spent their first ten years and there is long-term rebuilding underway - the first three seasons in the CCFL saw them finish lower midway. For the 2014–15 season, the club was switched to the Southern Counties East League (formerly the Kent League).

The club also runs a successful youth programme, a midweek Under 18 team playing in Ryman Youth League, a second under 18 team playing in the new Combined Counties league and a Sunday team who play in the Croydon Municipal league. In their first season the Sunday side were promoted and won the Leonard Vase Cup (2012–13) Recent players to have graduated from the youth programme include Danny Mills, Lee Brown and Stefan Payne.

Croydon dropped down to Step 6 at the end of the 201819 season after finishing bottom of the SCEFL Premier Division with just 11 points all season. They have remained at that level since then, finishing 8th and 7th during the two pandemic-affected seasons. They came 8th in 202122, and then 10th in 202223.

Croydon fell short of promotion again in the 202324 season. The club overcame a slow start to get themselves into the play-off mix but four straight defeats at the end of the campaign saw them finish 8th with 44 points from 30 games. However, the club did end their 15-year trophy drought, beating Wimbledon Casuals 10 to win the 202324 London Senior Trophy.

Nickname

The club's nickname "The Trams" was adopted around 2000 when the Tramlink system opened, running round the back of the ground, Arena being the closest stop less than two minutes walk from the turnstiles. [3]

Supporters

Croydon fans at Lydd Town Croydon Supporters.jpg
Croydon fans at Lydd Town

Croydon fans are collectively known as 'The Trams Barmy Army' and are referred to as the '12th man' by the club. They are known for their vocal support but friendly nature. [4] [5]

Ground

Croydon FC supporters flags in the main stand at Croydon Sports Arena Croydon FC Flags.jpg
Croydon FC supporters flags in the main stand at Croydon Sports Arena

Croydon play at Croydon Sports Arena, Albert Road, South Norwood, SE25 4QL. [6] The Croydon FC clubhouse overlooks Croydon Sports Arena and has a bar where supporters meet before and after games.

As of November 2020, the club had a temporary switch of home ground to the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre which, in the event, lasted for one game. It has a capacity of 15,500, but can be and has been in the past expanded to 24,000 with temporary seating. [7]

Club honours

Players celebrating the Kent League Cup in 2009 Kent League Cup WIn 2009.jpg
Players celebrating the Kent League Cup in 2009

Club records

Former players

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canvey Island F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Canvey Island Football Club is a football club based in Canvey Island, Essex, England. They are currently members of the Isthmian League Premier Division and play at Park Lane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashford Town (Middlesex) F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Ashford Town (Middlesex) Football Club are a football club based in Stanwell, Surrey, England. The club are currently members of the Isthmian League South Central Division and play at the Robert Parker Stadium in Short Lane. They are affiliated to both the Middlesex FA and the Surrey FA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corinthian-Casuals F.C.</span> Association football club in London, England

Corinthian-Casuals Football Club is a football club based in Tolworth in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, England. Affiliated to the London Football Association, they are currently members of the Combined Counties League Premier Division South and play at King George's Field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bromley F.C.</span> Association football club in London, England

Bromley Football Club is a professional association football club based in Bromley, Greater London, England. They are currently members of EFL League Two, the fourth level of the English football league system. Bromley play their home matches at Hayes Lane.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tooting & Mitcham United F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Tooting & Mitcham United Football Club is an association football club based in the London Borough of Merton. They are currently members of the Combined Counties League Premier Division South and play at Imperial Fields in Morden. Their nickname is "the Terrors" or "the Stripes".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bracknell Town F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Bracknell Town Football Club is a football club based in Sandhurst, Berkshire, England. Affiliated to the Berks & Bucks Football Association and nicknamed The Robins, they are currently members of the Southern League Premier Division South and play their home matches at Bottom Meadow in Sandhurst.

Staines Town Football Club was a football club based in Staines-upon-Thames, Surrey. Founded in 1892, it last competed in the Isthmian League, until it was dissolved in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walton & Hersham F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Walton & Hersham Football Club is a semi-professional football club based in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. Founded in 1945 following the amalgamation of Walton FC and Hersham FC, they currently play in the Southern League South Division. The club is affiliated to the Surrey County Football Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carshalton Athletic F.C.</span> Association football club in London, England

Carshalton Athletic Football Club is an English football club based in Carshalton in the London Borough of Sutton. They currently play in the Isthmian League Premier Division and are based at the War Memorial Sports Ground. The club also field a women's team playing in the London and South East Regional Women's Premier Division and have one of the biggest community clubs in England with over 40 junior teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banstead Athletic F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Banstead Athletic Football Club is a football club based in Tadworth, near Epsom in Surrey, England. The club are currently members of the Southern Combination Division One and play at Merland Rise. They are affiliated to the Surrey County Football Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metropolitan Police F.C.</span> English football club

Metropolitan Police Football Club is a football club based in East Molesey, Surrey, England. Originally made up of players from the Metropolitan Police, the rule requiring players to be employees of the service was removed when the Commissioner refused to sanction time off for playing. However, the club is still part-funded by a police staff lottery. They are currently members of the Isthmian League South Central Division and play at Imber Court, the base of the Met Police Sports and Social Club.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Molesey F.C.</span> Association football club in Surrey, England

Molesey Football Club is a semi-professional football club based in West Molesey, Surrey, England. They are currently members of the Combined Counties League Division One and play at Walton Road.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walton Casuals F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Walton Casuals Football Club was a football club based in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. Founded in 1948, the club was affiliated to the Surrey County Football Association, and had been a part of the football pyramid since 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epsom & Ewell F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Epsom & Ewell Football Club is a football club based in Epsom, Surrey, England. Affiliated to the Surrey County Football Association, the club are currently members of the Combined Counties League Premier Division South and groundshare at Cobham's Leg O' Mutton Field. The club have played outside Epsom since leaving their West Street Ground in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beckenham Town F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Beckenham Town Football Club is a football club based in Beckenham, London, England. They are currently members of the Isthmian League South East Division and play at Eden Park Avenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sutton Common Rovers F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Sutton Common Rovers Football Club is a semi-professional football club currently competing in the Isthmian League South Central Division. Originally based in Carshalton, the club moved southwest to Leatherhead, Surrey, in 2007 upon joining the Combined Counties League. At the start of the 2009–10 season the club moved into a groundshare with Cobham at the Reg Madgwick Stadium, and further away from Carshalton. At the end of the 2014–15 season the club announced that it would be groundsharing with Sutton United for the 2015–16 season. For the 2022–23 season, the club announced a move to Church Road now privately owned by a company called IRama. The club are now equal tenants with newly reformed AFC Whyteleafe. In 2024 - 2025 season the club announced they would move back to London Borough of Sutton to Carshalton Athletic's ground.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erith & Belvedere F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Erith & Belvedere Football Club is a football club based in the London Borough of Bexley, England. They are currently members of the Southern Counties East League Premier Division and play at Park View Road, a ground shared with Welling United.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merstham F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Merstham Football Club is a football club based in Merstham, Surrey, England. Affiliated to the Surrey FA, they are currently members of the Isthmian League South East Division and play at Moatside.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herne Bay F.C.</span> Association football club in England

Herne Bay Football Club is a football club based in Herne Bay, Kent, England. Affiliated to the Kent County Football Association, they are currently members of the Isthmian League South East Division and play at Winch's Field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AFC Croydon Athletic</span> Association football club in England

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 Isthmian League South East Division and play at the Mayfield Stadium. They are affiliated to the London Football Association.

References

  1. 1 2 3 CROYDON AMATEURS at the Football Club History Database
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 CROYDON at the Football Club History Database
  3. Croydon FC Archived 19 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine Flysouth Bysouth
  4. @Croydon_FC (31 December 2019). "Fancy joining the Barmy Trams Army for another away day... ? @Croydon_FC are planning on running a coach for our away fixture @FCRusthall on Sat 11th Jan for just £20 return. If interested, please email liam.blencowe@cemplas.co.uk or text 07747826899" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  5. "Twelfth Man | Croydon Football Club". Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  6. Croydon - Croydon Sports Arena [ permanent dead link ] Fan zone
  7. "Non league club move into historic 24,000 seater stadium". Fan Banter. 21 October 2020. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
  8. "Memorandum Of Procedures For Dealing With Misconduct Occurring". Docstoc.com. 24 April 2010. Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2013.

51°23′36.265″N0°3′38.167″W / 51.39340694°N 0.06060194°W / 51.39340694; -0.06060194