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VCD ATHLETIC – CLUB HISTORY (UPDATED TO NOVEMBER 2009)
VCD Athletic is one of only a few clubs to have originated during the Great War when, in 1916
they were formed by workers employed at the Vickers armaments factory in Crayford. The
club played at the firm's sports ground, Oakwood, in Old Road, Crayford, for 81 years right
up until the end of season 1997/1998 when they had to enter a ground-share agreement
to play at the home of Thamesmead Town, pending the outcome of a floodlight application.
In the early days, only friendly matches were played as there were no official competitions
during the war years. Records show that a club called Vickers (Erith) joined the re-formed Kent
League in 1919, changing their name to Vickers (Crayford) a year later.
In their first season in the Kent League they visited Maidstone United on Boxing Day and played in front of the club’s highest crowd of 13,500. The Vickers team that day contained seven Arsenal players who were finishing off their war service. Four years later, Vickers joined the newly formed Kent Amateur League, Division One in 1923. Their first trophies came in 1927 when they won the Kent FA Junior Cup and the Kent Benevolent Cup. It was a further 25 years before more silverware came their way, when they won the Kent Division One title in 1953. The Kent Amateur Cup was won in 1962 and in 1964 but the following season saw a spectacular slump and relegation. Promotion was gained in 1969, but after a mediocre period during the 1970s, they were relegated in 1980 back to Division Two. A season later they were promoted back to Division One and in 1985 won the championship, gaining promotion to the restructured Premier Division.
By now the Kent Amateur League had changed its name to the Kent County League and the
club enjoyed further success when they won the Kent FA Intermediate Shield in 1988. In the same year the club was involved in the last ever match played at Maidstone United's London Road ground when they won the West Kent Challenge Cup. In 1993, Martin Ford joined the club as manager and, in season 1994/1995 a unique cup treble was achieved with wins in the Kent Intermediate Shield, Kent County League Cup, and the Erith Hospitals Cup. Season 1996/1997 then saw the club win
the Kent County Premier Division title for the first time in their history, and by a record 15
points. Senior status was awarded that same year and a successful application was made to join the Winstonlead Kent League (as it was known then) where, in their first season in modern times, VCD Athletic finished in a creditable ninth place.
The following season saw the club begin their ground-share with Thamesmead Town, finishing up in seventh place and also reaching the final of the Kent League Cup, where they lost 1-0 to Deal Town in a closely fought match. A season later they went one better, beating Faversham Town 4-0 in the final to bring the club a first ever senior trophy, and the season after that the club made its third consecutive cup final appearance when they reached
the final of the Kent Senior Trophy. However, they narrowly missed out on more silverware
when they went down 10-9 on penalties to Whitstable Town.
The club spent five seasons as tenants of Thamesmead Town before the agreement was ended, and then Lordswood kindly took their place. Two seasons were spent with them, but having to travel such a distance saw the club return nearing home to embark on a one year term with near neighbours Greenwich Borough. However, despite the handicap of always having to ground-share, VCD were consistently one of the league's strongest members during their time in the league. The club reached the final of the League Cup in 2002/2003, but as in 1999 there was to be no celebration as VCD were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Cray Wanderers.
The following season was a disappointment as far as the cups were concerned, but a creditable third place was achieved in the league. Further cup success followed however when, in season 2005/2006 the club reached the final of the Kent Senior Trophy for the second time. Having suffered a loss in the first KST final appearance back in 2000 on penalties, there was a reversal of fortune this time when, after having drawn 1-1 with Tunbridge Wells at the end of extra time, the VCD players held their nerve to win the penalty shoot-out 3-1 enabling the then captain and now first team manager Paul Foley to lift the KST for the first time.
During 2005 the long awaited news the club wanted to hear finally arrived when planning permission for floodlights and the development of the Oakwood ground was granted by Bexley Council. This, together with a substantial grant from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, part of the Football Foundation, enabled work to commence early in 2006. The pitch was effectively replaced completely, levelled and rotated 90 degrees and re-laid by pitch specialist contractors.
New perimeter paths were laid, along with perimeter fencing to enclose the pitch. Floodlights were erected in June 2006, at the same time that work on enhancing the changing rooms also began. The original spectator stand was re-sited with provision to be extended, and further additions
include a new raised hospitality area situated to overlook the pitch, and a new tea bar being constructed adjacent to the popular members bar.
At the end of the 2007 season the then manager Martin Ford resigned as manager of the club, and First Team coach Dean Frost took over as caretaker manager for the remaining 8 games, and the club obtained runners up spot in the league, narrowly missing out to Whitstable Town during the last week of the season. At the start of the 2007/08 season team captain Paul Foley was appointed manager with Dean Frost reverting to Assistant Manager and with ambitious chairman Gary Rump at the helm the new team looked to secure the elusive KL title. They had an immediate impact steering the club to runners up at the first attempt and reaching the last 32 in the FA Vase going out to Needham Market in a very close game at Oakwood.
They went one better in the 2008-09 season when they lifted the Kent Premier League title with a remarkable run of wins in the title run-in, and made it a double with success in the Kent FA Senior Trophy Final against neighbours Erith & Belvedere at the Dere’s own ground. Oakwood. The 2008/09 season will go down as the most successful in the clubs’ 93 year history as the club reached their highest ever level in the non-league pyramid. The jubilant scenes at Norton Sports (Herne Bay’s ground) on 25th April 2009 will live long in the memory as goals from Nick Hegley and top scorer Richard Sinden sealed a 2-1 win when only a draw was required to prevent Hythe from snatching the title had they won by a large score away to the now defunct Slade Green.
Following enhancements to the superb Oakwood facilities with toilets, additional turnstile, PA system and new referee’s room the ground was signed off as in accordance with league requirements by the FA and with an extended seated stand and two covered terraces the club was given the green light to step up to the Ryman League (Division 1 North). Assistant Manager Dean Frost left in November 2009 to join Blue Square South side Welling as coach and former Fulham captain Mark Newson was appointed to take up the vacant spot to join Manager Paul Foley, coach Andy Silk, Youth Development Manager Terry Groom, GK Coach Barry Bell and physion Phil Jeffs in the highly successful management team. The early signs are good as the team has more than held its own in the new league and the future is looking bright.
HONOURS
Kent Senior Trophy Winners 2005/2006
Kent Senior Trophy Runners Up 2001/2002
Kent Premier League Cup Winners 1999/2000
Kent Premier League Cup Runners Up 1998/1999
Kent Premier League Runners Up 2002/2003, 2006/2007, 2007/2008
FA Vase 5th Round 2004/2005 and 2005/2006
Kent County League Champions 1996/1997
Kent Intermediate Cup Winners 1995/1996
Kent County League Cup Winners 1995/1996
Erith Hospital Cup 1995/1996
Kent Amateur League Div 1 Winners 1985
Kent Amateur Cup Winners 1962 & 1964
Kent Amateur Div 1 Winners 1953
Kent FA Junior Cup Winners 1927
Kent Benevolent Cup Winners 1927
Record Attendance Away to Maidstone 13,500 1919
http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/FACup2Q_ethurrock_vcd.htm
http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup/TheFACup/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/FACup2Q_ethurrock_vcd.htm
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