Kingstonian

Kingstonian FC is a non-league football club who were originally formed as Kingston and Surbiton YMCA FC in 1885, who continue to represent the Surrey town of Kingston upon Thames.

By 1890 it was decided to adopt a name to represent the town they came from, so the title of Kingston Wanderers FC was adopted. The club played games on the Fairfield Recreation Ground in the town centre. A motion was successfully passed in 1893 that all the major clubs in the town should amalgamate, which saw the birth of Kingston-on-Thames AFC.

The club competed in local league football and found their first enclosed ground at Ditton Road in 1898. Another ground was found at Lower marsh Road at the turn of the century, before part of the land belonging to the town's rugby club at Richmond Road was secured in 1902. 

Just as the club was establishing itself, a split occurred in 1908 over ground terms, which saw Old Kingstonians being formed and moving to the Norbiton Sports Ground, which would many years later become the site of Kingsmeadow.

The peace after the War in 1919 put the rivalry into perspective and work between the officials of both clubs saw the formation of Kingstonian FC, who entered the Athenian League.They won that title on a couple of occasions before taking the place of Civil Service FC in the Isthmian League in 1929. The K's greatest triumph of the era came in 1933 when they lifted the FA Amateur Cup.

Two league titles were lifted in the same decade before war broke out once more. In peacetime, Kingstonian found perhaps their greatest ever player, a forward from the north east called Johnny Whing. He finished top scorer in nine of his thirteen seasons at the club, scoring a remarkable 295 goals for the club.

In 1955 the great Bishop Auckland team of the day provided the record crowd at Richmond Road of 8,960 and won a remarkable game 12-3, with all three of the K's goals coming in the last six minutes. They did reach Wembley for the first time in 1960 for the Amateur Cup final against Hendon. They were three minutes from glory thanks to a Whing goal before the North Londoners created a dramatic finish. Click here watch the historic game highlights.

The K's had a good period in the 1960's, just missing out on league and cup honours before the club declined as did amateur football at the time. The 1970's and 80's were moderate for the club. Richmond Road was showing its age at a rate of knots so it was sold in 1989, while the K's decamped to share The Beveree with Hampton, while new facilities at Kingsmeadow Stadium were built.

A great period followed after a few barren years in their new abode which saw many managerial changes. The Isthmian League title was lifted again and the club joined the Conference under the popular former Woking manager, Geoff Chapple. 

League consolidation was achieved as well as consecutive FA Trophy triumphs at Wembley over Forest Green Rovers and then Kettering Town. Action is available on the link here:

Even greater success was found in the FA Cup. They reached the fourth round in 2001 and were only for Bristol City to snatch a last minute equaliser at Ashton Gate and then an 87th minute winner in the Kingsmeadow replay to deny The K's a fifth round place. League form suffered and club were relegated.

Chapple left by mutual consent in 2001 as the club hit financial troubles through overspending on the team and upgrading Kingsmeadow for a possible push towards the Football League. The club entered a period of administration before Rajesh Khosla bought the club. It is fair to say he wasn't popular and many doubted his intentions.

Fortunately, businessman and fan Jimmy Cochrane bought the club from Khosla in 2005. The club went down a league, but was revitalised off the pitch. AFC Wimbledon had moved in in 2002 to groundshare before buying the leasehold from Khosla. 

Khosla had previously transferred the ground to a separate holding company so he could charge both clubs even when he had gone. They gave the K's a long term lease at a nominal rate, partly paid for by an annual pre season friendly between the two clubs.

Under the management of Alan Dowson, the team won the Division One South title in 2008-09 and seemed to have turned the corner on and off the pitch thanks to some dedicated businessmen and the fans of the K's and AFC Wimbledon.

The K's reached the Premier Division play-offs in 2009-10 but lost out in the final to Boreham Wood after defeating Sutton United in the semi-final. Three steady finishes in the league followed before another play-of was reached in 2014-15 after the side finished as runners-up.

AFC Hornchurch defeated Kingstonian, as Dowson resigned to be replaced by Tommy Williams. The team finished in the top half of the Premier Division for the next two seasons as bad news reached the club.

AFC Wimbledon had received promising news that they could return to their home borough to rebuild the Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium if plans were definitely passed. To fund the move they were to sell Kingsmeadow to Chelsea FC, for the Premier League giants to use the venue for their youth and ladies teams.

The K's would receive a payment from Wimbledon, but the club would become homeless. Plans were announced that a site in Chessington was being earmarked. Things were also getting worrying on the pitch in the 2016-17 campaign.

The team were in relegation trouble when Williams was replaced by Craig Edwards who steered Kingstonian to safety. Meanwhile, a deal was signed for the club to become tenants at Leatherhead's Fetcham Grove home. 

Edwards resigned in October 2017 to be replaced by Leigh Dynan. He led the side to thirteenth place before the club moved to groundshare King George's Field with Corinthian Casuals, just three miles from their old Kingsmeadow home.

The move proved beneficial for supporters and opened up finances with Dynan being given an increased playing budget. However, form dipped in the 2018-19 season after Christmas with the manager being sacked and replaced by Dean Brennan in February 2019.

The Irishman was gone within a few weeks to be replaced by Hayden Bird, who took the team to the second round of the FA Cup in 2019-20, going out at home to AFC Fylde after previously winning away to Macclesfield Town. The K's also knocked Woking out of the FA Trophy.

A promising season was ended prematurely owing to the outbreak of Coronavirus with Kingstonian in tenth place. The pandemic also ended the 2020-21 campaign prematurely with the team on the edge of the play-off places, with the following season also aborted.

Bird took the team to tenth place in 2021-22, before Lee O'Leary became the new manager in June 2022 as the club once again changed location to become tenants of Tooting & Mitcham United at Imperial Fields.

The change of manager lasted just five months prior to being replaced by Spencer Knight, whose rein didn't work out. Simon Lane was appointed as team boss in February 2023 as the side narrowly avoided relegation.

Kingstonian FC will play in the Isthmian League Premier Division in the 2023-24 season.

My visits

Kingsmeadow

Sunday 15th January 1984

My first ever call on Kingstonian came a long time ago when I was a student in Boreham Wood. I did my first ever days groundhop around the west of London. I was so naive that I wasn't aware of the full value of a day travelcard and therefore paid separately for each bus journey.

I had been to Feltham and caught a bus to Kingston. I wasn't as nearly prepared in those days and information wasn't as freely available. It was a Non League Annual or nothing. It suddenly dawned on me on arrival in the town that although my A to Z covered the area, it didn't have the club marked on it. Suddenly I had a brainwave. I checked out the address in a phone book. It tells how long ago it was that books were still left in phone booths back then.

That didn't entirely solve the problem of getting inside and a lap of the surrounding streets was required before I saw the open entrance.

The ground was nearing the end, and although it had character galore, it was in a bit of a mess. Down one side was a long wooden Main Stand with steps at the front leading up to the seats. A smaller pavilion stand stood next to it. 

The far end and the side opposite were banks where once terracing had provided views, but now much of it was becoming unkempt and overgrown. A small cover provided shelter from the elements on the half way line. The end where I entered had a car park and a brick social club with changing rooms.

Within five years the ground had been sold and converted into housing where Archer Close and Earle Close now stand.

Kingstonian 2 Scarborough 0 (Saturday 8th April 2000) Football Conference (att: 952)

It was a beautiful April morning when I met Carl and Chelsea from King's Cross station for the journey down to Surrey. Joe the unpredictable Kiwi barman from Lord's had joined us, more for the promise of our pre match beers I suspect.

Word had got round fans whenever we played other clubs. "Have you been to Kingstonian yet?" The Peel pub had certainly got some reputation for it's "live entertainment". The bars seemed to want to concentrate on the big two up front on the stage rather than Football Focus.

We went on to the ground via the bookies as it was Grand National Day. Kingstonian were sponsored by Grolsch at the time. The boiling weather, topping up from the night before and the strong foreign lager served in the gleaming clubhouse by gleaming promotion girls meant the day would only go one way, especially as they let us back in at half time. There was no segregation in place so we could swap ends as well. The stewards were top class.

For the first half we went in the Kingston Road End. This was a shallow terrace behind the goal with a basic roof and open areas to the sides. To the left was a similar arrangement with a slightly deeper terrace but a low roof over the centre sections. To the right was the Main Stand which had red tip up seats. The far Athletics End was just an open shallow terrace.

Boro had been having a good season, but it was before the play offs were introduced meaning only one team would go up and the season was petering out. The K's on the other hand had a FA trophy semi final coming up and were determined to make sure they hit form. They were far too much for a slightly disinterested looking Boro team on the day.

I met new friends, had a few more beers and slowly awoke on the Sunday morning with a hangover from hell.

Friday 3rd November 2006

I was out and about in Surrey and South West London. I decided a photo call at Kingsmeadow, and possibly a lunchtime pint was in order. By now AFC Wimbledon had also moved in so the signage around the ground reflected the fact. The gates were open so access was no problem.

The ground had seen improvements from my last visit. The Main Stand had been extended along at the front. A new terrace had been built at the Tempest or Athletics End with a roof. All notices were neat and tidy and had both clubs crests on them. It looked like a successful groundshare as each club had separate office space and shops at the rear of the Main Stand.

AFC Wimbledon 2 Crawley Town 1 (Thursday 23rd September 2010) Football Conference (att: 4,018)

Please click here to read an account of the matchday experience and check out some further images.

Kingstonian 2 Eastbourne Borough 3 (Sunday 12^th October 2014) FA Cup Third Qualifying Round (att: 555)

A day off work offered a choice of the FA Cup ties between Greenwich Borough v Redhill at Dartford or the game I plumped for after my pal Tony Foster said he’d be up for a trip to the south west of the capital.

We met up at Wembley Park and took the tune to Waterloo before boarding a train to Raynes Park. The service was terminating at New Malden owing to planned engineering works but the stop before proved the better option.

The 131 bus deposited us outside the ground, with enough time for a couple of pints in the clubhouse. The hand pulled ale was welcome but it didn’t taste the freshest, and it was served in plastic glasses. This made our minds up early regarding our choice of venue for the Estonia v England game later.

Admission into the excellent Kingsmeadow was £10 with an average programme, including some very small text costing £2. The stadium had changed somewhat since I’d previously been to take photos thanks to the new seated stand behind one of the goals.

Eastbourne took quite a number of fans up from the coast and they were certainly determined to be heard. Early indications were that their side would be the ones to progress. They looked a good side, with Richard Paquette and Elliott Charles looking good up front. Rob Tolfrey needed to be at his best in the home net.

Despite this Kingstonian should really have gone ahead but Andre McCollin had his shot blocked on the line after being set up. Elvis Hammond failed to connect with the rebound and Borough punished the missed opportunity. Within seconds the break had found Simon Johnson, who netted after seeing Tolfrey keep out his first effort a couple of minutes before the break.

We walked round from the cover down the side and took up a seat in the Main Stand. The catering unit and toilets were stretched to breaking point. It was a shock not to see more provisions available.

Four minutes after the interval we presumed it game over as Lloyd Foot scored with a fine curling free kick. How little we knew!

K’s boss Tommy Williams made a couple of changes, including the introduction of the big boned Nathaniel Pinney. Gradually they fought their way back into the contest against the Eastbourne side from a division above.

A fine break on the hour with excellent passing saw Pinney play a fine ball to Hammond who slotted past visiting custodian Lewis Carey to make it 1-2. Encouraged by this the men in hoops continued to press. Hammond spurned a good chance after an exquisite pass from Pinney. The provider then volleyed wide, while Carey had to be at his best on a couple of times.

With eleven minutes remaining, Hammond headed K’s level from a fine Tyrone Berry delivery. Pinney hit the outside of the post with a fierce effort as the home side pressed for a winner. The away fans were very quiet by this point, while the hosts were in full voice.

While K’s won’t agree, the magic of the FA Cup had one last deal to deliver in stoppage time. Eastbourne sub Darren Lok had an opportunity and his shot went across Tolfrey and nestled in the far corner to set off opposite emotions from a few seconds earlier.

The excellent referee blew his whistle soon after to conclude an excellent advert for non league football and the world’s greatest knock out competition.

The bus was packed after the game, but we rightly got on board as we were the first there, having just missed the service before. We alighted and jumped inside the Raynes Park Tavern to watch the international. We at least got one forecast correct. It wasn’t a patch on the game we’d seen earlier.

King George’s Field

Kingstonian 1 Potters Bar Town 2 (Wednesday 6^th February 2019) Isthmian League Premier Division (att: 236)

When a lift down to Tolworth was offered on a day off work I was delighted to take up the offer. My Hendon supporting mate Lee Cousins was driving and picked me up at Kingsbury for the ride through busy tea time traffic.

It was good to have a nice chat catching up on football and boxing chat before we reached the ground, where we were directed in to the muddy extension car park as the players of both sides were arriving. We were there in plentiful time.

Lee’s nephew Scott Cousins was Bar joint manager. We were so early that he didn’t have time to put Lee’s name on the list for complimentary admission. It was only £11 to get in and clubs at that level need the cash so we had no issues.

We were a bit shocked that the bar wasn’t open on our arrival. We sat inside and waited for the gent to prepare and pull up the shutter. I returned outside to buy a programme for a couple of quid and have a go on the 50/50 half time draw.

The beer choice was limited so I opted to drink a couple of bottles of London Pride. Simon Cope, my Scarborough supporting mate arrived as he was working down in the capital and keen to get a new ground in.

The rain was falling steadily as we headed out for kick-off, so we decided to stand behind the goal with the gaggle of visiting fans. I’d opted for the special from the burger van of the pulled pork with apple sauce and stuffing in a bun. It was OK.

I was keen to see how Keagan Cole, the former Hendon midfielder fared as I always enjoyed watching him in action. Also, in the away sides line up was Sean Bonnett-Johnson, a recent recruit from Hendon. He would have a fine game in the engine room with another ex-Don Lee O’Leary.

In the early stages Elliott Buchanan went close with a volley for the K’s. On thirteen minutes the hosts keeper and captain Rob Tolfrey made a fine save, tipping a fierce Cole free kick over the bar. The pitch with its slight sideways slope was proving tricky in the rain.

K’s had plenty of approach play without looking like scoring, while the Scholars looked dangerous going forward. They would get their reward on the half hour mark when Ben Ward-Cochrane eventually touched the ball over the line after some frenetic goalmouth action.

Louie Theophanous was put through four minutes before the interval for Kingstonian but saw his effort well saved by Niko Tzanev. We headed back to the bar at the break for a swift drink and a warm and then heading behind the far goal to continue our part time Potters Bar support.

After the interval Bar were the better side. The home support was not best happy, with the groans and moans becoming more audible as the evening continued. K’s pressed forward but the visiting defence were in resilient mood with James Budden standing out.

Bar doubled the lead on fifty seven minutes when Cole played a superb ball across the park for former K’s man Ward-Cochrane to control and smash home past a helpless Tolfrey who had other lucky escapes throughout the game but seemed a top fella as he enjoyed the banter with fans behind the goal.

The home fans were becoming even more grumpy as the game continued, even booing substitutions. They were given something to cheer in stoppage time when Andrew Musungu fired in a late goal to finally beat the excellent Tzanev.

It didn’t stop boos at full time and shouts for the manager to be sacked. As we walked round a couple of K’s players had gone to try and placate their support before being ushered away. The contrast was huge with the Bar players and fans who were ecstatic.

I couldn’t imagine just how the K’s fans reacted to their 7-1 defeat at Dorking Wanderers a few days later, but it can’t have been passively as the board dismissed manager Dynan and his assistants after the game.

Lee and I left Simon who was catching the train back to Clapham Junction. Our route back was much quicker with the traffic having died down. I was back home in Kingsbury and in bed before 11pm ready for my early shift the next day.