AFC Croydon Athletic
Association football club in England
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Association Football Club Croydon Athletic is a football club based in Thornton Heath in the London Borough of Croydon, England. Founded by supporters of Croydon Athletic after it folded, 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.[1]
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| Full name | Association Football Club Croydon Athletic | ||
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| Nickname | The Rams | ||
| Founded | 2012 | ||
| Ground | Mayfield Stadium, Thornton Heath | ||
| Owner | AFC Croydon Athletic 2023 Ltd | ||
| Co-chairmen | Danny Young, Wilfried Zaha and Stormzy | ||
| Manager | Danny Kedwell | ||
| League | Isthmian League South East Division | ||
| 2025–26 | Isthmian League South East Division, 2nd of 22 | ||
| Website | croydonathletic.com | ||
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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,although Peter Deadman was heavily linked to the role he was replaced by Kevin Rayner.[7] At the end of his first season in charge he led the team to their highest finish of his reign of seventh. At the end of the 2020–21 season the club were transferred to the Premier Division South of the Combined Counties League.
In 2023, the club was bought by a consortium consisting of Premier League footballer Wilfried Zaha, rapper Stormzy and former Crystal Palace head of care Danny Young.[8][9] Jermaine McGlashan was appointed manager during the 2023–24 season and led the club to a fifth-placed finish in the Premier Division South, qualifying for the promotion play-offs. After beating Jersey Bulls 2–1 in the semi-finals, they defeated Knaphill 2–1 in the final to earn promotion to the South East Division of the Isthmian League.[10] McGlasham left the club nine matches into the 2024–25 season and was replaced by Keith Millen. In February 2025, Danny Kedwell replaced Millen.[11]
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.[12] In January 2013 the Mayfield Stadium clubhouse was destroyed in a fire,[12] but was rebuilt and the club moved to the ground in 2014, playing their first match there against Banstead Athletic on 15 November 2014.[13]
Current squad
- As of 7 August 2026[14]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Club officials
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Danny Young |
| Vice-chairman | Paul Smith |
| Secretary | Paul Smith |
| Matchday Communication | Sean Ryan |
| Manager | Danny Kedwell |
| Assistant Manager | Dean Beckwith |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Ben Kilsby |
| Data Coach | Dave Kast |
| Physio | Sam Oyarhono |
Managers
- As of matches played 1 May 2026. All competitive matches are counted.[15]
| Name | From | To | G | W | D | L | %W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antony Williams | 29 May 2012 | 4 May 2016 | 166 | 86 | 17 | 63 | 51.81 |
| Kevin Rayner | 26 May 2016 | 18 May 2023 | 286 | 89 | 58 | 139 | 31.12 |
| Lee Roots & Kevin Rayner | 19 May 2023 | 13 September 2023 | 15 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 53.33 |
| Danny Young (Caretaker) | 16 September 2023 | 11 October 2023 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 60.00 |
| Jermaine McGlashan | 11 October 2023 | 16 September 2024 | 48 | 27 | 4 | 17 | 56.25 |
| Michael Kamara (caretaker) | 16 September 2024 | 18 November 2024 | 14 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 35.71 |
| Keith Millen | 18 November 2024 | 13 February 2025 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 21.43 |
| Danny Kedwell | 14 February 2025 | current | 68 | 38 | 10 | 20 | 55.88 |
Honours
- Combined Counties League
- Premier Division South Play Off winners 2023–24
- Division One Cup winners 2012–13
- London Senior Trophy
- Winners 2014–15
Records
- Best FA Cup performance: Second qualifying round, 2025–26[3]
- Best FA Trophy performance; Second qualifying round, 2024–25[3]
- Best FA Vase performance: Second round, 2018–19[3]
- Record attendance: 1,262 v AFC Whyteleafe, Isthmian League South East Division play-off final, 1 May 2026[citation needed]
- Most appearances: Nahum Green, 242[16]
- Most goals: Brandon Pierrick, 62[16]
- Most goals in a season: Warren Mfula, 45 in 2016–17[17]