Welcome

Good afternoon everyone and welcome to Colston Avenue for this Isthmian Premier fixture. I would especially like to welcome the officials, players, and fans of Chatham Town FC

Please can I remind you:

• We serve a selection of draft beers and real ale in our clubhouse.
• We serve a wide range of food from our matchday kitchens from 12pm.

I would like to wish both teams the best of luck in this important fixture.

Paul Dipre – Chairman

Match Officials

Team Officials

	Carshalton Athletic FC Peter Adeniyi
	Chatham Town FC Kevin Hake

Recent Clashes

20/09/2025		2-1
05/05/2025		3-0
21/12/2024		2-0

History

Carshalton Athletic FC 1906

Chatham Town

The club was formed in 1882 as Chatham United, when Rochester Invicta merged with the football team of the Royal Engineers Band with the intention of creating a side that was capable of holding their own with the best in the country.  Harry Hobart’s plan being to bring together all the best players in the Medway Towns in one team.  They played their first match on 7th October that year, beating Harley Street F.C. 4-0. Owing to their strong Army connections, Chatham soon moved to a regular home on “The Lines”, where they were to remain until 1889 – the beginning of season 1889/90 seeing them move to “Alderman Winch’s Enclosed Ground”, or as it is now better known, the Maidstone Road Ground.

Having been formed with an eye to competing in the F.A. Cup, they went on to reach the Quarter-Finals in 1888-89 – famously defeating Nottingham Forest after two replays, only to lose to the holders West Bromwich Albion.  This game, which was played on “The Lines” where an admission fee could not be charged owing to Army regulations, was instrumental in the decision by the Football Association that all future matches in the competition must be played on fully enclosed grounds, where the visiting club would receive a share of the gate money.

In 1894 Chatham were founder members of both the Southern League and the original Kent League, becoming the first winners of the latter competition. They were also winners of the Kent F.A. Badge in the three seasons it was contested, and the first winners of its successor, the Kent Senior Cup, in 1888/89.  They also became the first club to win the Thames and Medway Combination, the direct predecessor of the present Kent League, in 1896/97.

Chatham were forced to resign from the Southern League during the 1900/01 season, owing to financial difficulties, but they soon rebuilt the club – playing as Chatham Amateurs for a brief spell in 1901 – before winning both the Kent League and Thames & Medway Combination in 1903/04 without losing a single game in either competition.  They repeated the feat the following season, losing just three games, whilst also defeating Sittingbourne 3-1 in the Final of the Kent Senior Cup.

The First World War brought an end to football in the Medway Towns, but Chatham were one of the first clubs locally to return to action in 1919 – winning both the Kent Victory Cup and the Chatham Charity Cup (for the eighth time) in a shortened season.  They briefly rejoined the Southern League in 1920/21, after the formation of a Third Division for the Football League had taken half its’ members, but once again withdrew at the end of the season finding that the increased travel costs were a severe drain on finances.

They once again had some success in the F.A. Cup during the 1920s, reaching the Second Round Proper in 1926/27 before losing to Norwich City – who beat them again, this time in the First Round Proper in 1928/29.  They also reached the First Round Proper in 1925/26 and 1927/28, losing to Sittingbourne and Kettering Town respectively.

A third spell in the Southern League, starting in 1927/28 almost finished the club.  They stuck it out for two seasons this time, but once again the increased expenses – coupled with dwindling attendances – saw them drop back into the Kent League.  Things were to get progressively worse, and 1933/34 saw the club take voluntary relegation into Division Two of the Kent League, which they won in 1934/35 without accepting promotion, before opting to revert to Amateur status.  Having played in both the Kent League and Kent Amateur League in 1938/39, they decided to play in just the latter competition the following season – only to see all football suspended with the beginning of World War Two.  They played just one game that season, beating London Paper Mills 2-0 on 26th August – and would not play again until 1946.

Post War, Chatham won the Premier Division of the Kent Amateur League in 1946/47, which was to be their last honour under that name – having previously dropped the ‘United’ in 1898.  On 7th January 1947 they merged with Shorts F.C., the combined club taking the name Chatham Town at the request of the local Council, and a place in Division One of the Kent League for the following season. There they were to remain until the League disbanded in 1959, whereupon they moved to the newly formed Aetolian League.  During this latter period they appeared in the Aetolian League Cup Final in each of the five seasons it was contested, though winning only once in 1962/63.  The following year they finally captured the League Championship, as well as the Aetolian/London League Cup and then, when the Aetolian League formally merged with the London League they moved to the Metropolitan League, in 1964/65, in search of stronger opposition.

Although the club were drawing crowds of up to 1,000 playing against strong Non-League opponents as well as sides from Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United, they lost no time in returning to the Kent League when it was reformed in 1968.  Up until their return to the Southern League in 1983, they had won the Kent League on four further occasions, completing the League and Cup double in both 1971/72 and 1977/78.

For a brief period during the seventies they changed their name to Medway F.C., again at the request of the local Council, but happily reverted back to Chatham Town in 1979.  In 1980 they achieved their biggest post-war success to date in winning the Eastern Professional Floodlight League, playing against some of the strongest Non League clubs of the day, including Maidstone United, and defeating Chelmsford City in the Final over two legs.

In 1983 Chatham returned to the Southern League for the fourth time, this time staying there until 1988, when having failed to gain re-election they were relegated back to the Kent League – once again in severe financial difficulties, with crowds often in double figures against poorly supported clubs, as opposed to the much healthier attendances they had enjoyed in the Kent League against more local opposition.

After struggling during their first couple of seasons back in the Kent League, the real turnabout in the clubs’ fortunes came with the appointment of popular former player John Adams as First Team manager, however despite reaching the Third Qualifying Round of the F.A. Cup in 1993/94, taking the club to the Final of the Kent Senior Trophy in 1995/96 and finishing in the top three of the Kent League for three successive seasons, he was dismissed by the club following a disastrous start to the 1996/97 season.

1997/98 was to prove one of the most difficult seasons in the club’s history.  Problems with a new drainage system meant that only a handful of games could be played at Maidstone Road – which led to a brief return to their “spiritual home” on the Lines, courtesy of the Royal Engineers, as well as a brief ground-share with Gillingham at Priestfield Stadium.  The club returned home for the 1998/99 season under new manager Carl Laraman, fortunes improving immediately before in January Laraman left to take up a coaching position at Charlton Athletic.  His assistant, Steve Hearn, was appointed player-manager and finally led the club to the Kent League Championship, and promotion to the Dr. Martens League, in 2000/01.

The club enjoyed a good start to their first season back at this level, but a poor run of results at the end of the season led to Steve Hearn’s resignation and the appointment of his assistant Peter Coupland as his successor. After a bad start to the 2003/04 season, Clive Walker replaced Coupland. Things improved dramatically, and a season that had looked certain to end in relegation, ended instead with Chatham in a mid-table position.

The 2004/05 season saw Chatham being placed in the newly formed Southern League Eastern Division. The campaign got off to a promising start, with Chatham sitting as high as fourth in early October, however a poor run of results coupled with Clive Walker’s decision to return to his old club Dover Athletic, saw the Chats slip to 16th.  Assistant Steve Binks was appointed manager and results improved towards the tail end of the season. Chatham finished the season in 11th place, and was Kent’s highest placed club.

Following yet another Pyramid reshuffle, the next few seasons saw the club ping-pong between the Ryman League North and South Divisions with regular mid table positions. Frustratingly the club experienced regular wins against top six and promoted sides but often followed up with defeats to bottom six sides. Season 2006/07 saw Phil Miles – another popular former player – move up to take over as Manager. December 2007 saw Phil stand down due to work commitments with Steve Binks taking over the job again, then to be followed by 1^st team coach Alex O’ Brien stepping up for the 2009-10 campaign. Throughout this period the club’s strong youth policy provided several new established first team players and the club also achieved the coveted FA charter Standard award.

Season 2010-11 saw the club struggle on the pitch with Manager Paul Foley resigning in the final weeks of the season with Player coach Kevin Watson taking over. After achieving some great results Kevin was appointed to his first Managerial position at the age of 30 after four seasons Kevin resigned following a run of poor results but left the club with a legacy of some very good  players for the new incoming Manager Kevin Horlock in October2015, Kevin stood down at the end of the season due his commitments with Colchester United, Tony Beckingham took over in the Summer of 2016, the club now back playing in Division 1 South of the Ryman League, for their second season, after four seasons in the North, Tony stood down as Manager in September 2016, Darren Anslow took over as Manager, after suffering some heavy defeats, Darren was relieved of his duties in November 2016 and Paul Piggott was installed as Manager.

Despite a number of changes within the squad and some encouraging performances toward the end of the season, the damage had already been done and Paul and his team were unable to avoid the drop and The Chats were relegated to the SCEFL Premier. Despite this, changes at boardroom level revitalised the atmosphere around the club and a number of ground improvements have been undertaken as the first step in what will hopefully be a new era of success for the club.

Following a disappointing start to the 2017/18 season and only 1 win in 8 league games, a management change was again instigated with Paul and his team being replaced in September 2017 with James Collins. James and his team improved the fortunes of the team immediately and within a few games had staved off the threat of relegation. 2 quarter final cup appearances were achieved, losing both on penalties. Despite a disappointing 16^th place finish, there was room for optimism as exciting signings during the close season built a team that promised an interesting 2018/19 season.

And so it proved, an exciting league campaign saw the team go close but just fall short with a fourth placed finish but a double cup winning season saw The Chats win their first trophies for 30 years with the Kent Senior Trophy and the SCEFL challenge Cup finding their way back to Maidstone Road.

Vast close season changes saw a 4G artificial pitch laid and yet more improvements to the clubhouse take place, that coupled with links to local businesses and partnerships to develop sporting legacies has made it an exciting time to be part of Chatham Town FC.

Following the resignation of James Collins in October 2019, the club turned to Scott Lindsey to take The Chats onwards.

Scott brought in ex Chats player Darran Smith as his assistant, whilst retaining the experienced Tony Hine as goalkeeper coach. Ex Arsenal Carl Laraman was installed as Director of football and so, yet another chapter in Chatham Town’s rich history began.

Winning community club of the year in 2020 was a huge honour for everyone at the club and one on which we hope to build as we feel it is vitally important to connect with people and businesses in the locality and to build a club with facilities that benefit everyone in the community.

Scott Lindsey left the club prior to the 2021/22 season after he was appointed assistant manager at Swindon Town FC, Chairman Kevin Hake took over as manager and guided us to promotion at the first attempt, with a step 5 record goal tally and a record goal difference.

During this season Chatham Town also received the Queens Award for our work in the community of which we are immensely proud as we feel that work off the pitch is just as important and goes hand in hand with the progress on it.

The following year 2022/23 in their 140^th year The Chats reached the highest level in their history by becoming Isthmian League Southeast Champions and gaining promotion to Isthmian Premier league. In the same year the club also reached the Isthmian League Velocity Cup semi finals narrowly losing on penalties to eventual winners Aveley and also became runners up in the Kent Senior Cup, again on penalties. The first two seasons in the Isthmian have resulted in a 2^nd place and 9^th place finish respectively, with the team currently sitting currently in the playoff positions.

CAFC People

Chairman: Paul Dipre
Directors: Clare Dipre, Paul Williams, Kelly Riddel, Vicky Mannooch

Club Secretary: Bonnie Hare
General Manager: David Geddes
Match Day Tannoy: Gary Hollick, Tony Guest, & Christian Kemble
Admissions: Andy Rickman
Matchday Sec: Christian Kemble
Safety Officer: Clare Dipre
Programme: Christian Kemble
Media: Tom Higgs & Lin Bartley

Club Vice Presidents:
Phillip Payne, Steve Friend, Alan Walker, Kay Maynard, John Kistner, David Reilly, Martin Reilly, Peter Clews, Alec Griffin, Gary Smith, Alan Clarke, Peter Lebihan, Peter Robins, Marc Haskins, John Hillarby, Graham Skipp, Matt Hillarby

Matchday:
1st Team Manager: Peter Adeniyi
Coaches: Joe Vine, Sanchez Ming
Physio: Dave Feasey
Kit Manager: David Geddes
Matchday Safeguarding Officer: Andy Rickman

The Club is owned by Paul Dipre & Family by way of controlling interest

CAFC Snapshot

Surrey County FA
London FA
Pitching-In Isthmian League Premier Division
Isthmian Development League
The National League U19 Alliance
Isthmian Youth League
Surrey Youth League
Surrey County Women’s & Girl’s League
Epsom and Ewell League
Registration Number: 05316320

Contact details
War Memorial Sports Ground, Colston Avenue.
Carshalton. Surrey SM5 2PW
Tel: 020 8642 2551
Email: enquiries@carshaltonathletic.com
Web: www.carshaltonathletic.co.uk
TV: www.robins.tv
Twitter: @CarshaltonA_FC
Instagram: (Link to your Instagram profile)

The Robins Choir

Ground Rules

Colston Avenue Ground Rules

Carshalton Athletic is a FA Charter Standard Community Club.
We do our best to make every matchday or event as safe and enjoyable as we can for players, fans, customers and officials. We also respect the amenity of our neighbours.

To those ends we have ground rules that we respectfully ask visitors to the ground to abide by.

Approaching and leaving the ground and stadium

Please respect the amenity of neighbours surrounding the ground when arriving and leaving the ground. If driving please drive very slowly and carefully in the access road approaching the ground and in the car parks inside the ground. Please avoid making unnecessary noise in the surrounding roads on your journey to the ground, please save it all up in support of your team!

Dogs

Dogs are not permitted in the stadium, regardless of size and nature. (Except guide dogs)

No Drums or clappers

Our operating licence prohibits the use of drums, clappers or musical instruments, they cannot be brought into the ground

Flags and Banners

There are plenty of places to hang flags and banners around the ground, but pleased don’t hang them over the pitch-side barriers where they cover advertising hoardings.

Bring Photo ID

Please bring photo ID. You may need it for purchasing alcohol. Seniors, U18s and all season ticket holders will need to show it at the turnstiles, no exceptions.

Challenge 25

If you are lucky enough to look under the age of 25, then you will need to show a driving license, passport or an id card bearing the PASS hologram. Staff will lose their jobs if they don’t adhere to the challenge 25 guidelines.

Video Filming

Any filming within the ground that is intended for publishing online must seek written permission before filming – except for the official videographers of opposition clubs who may film at the ground for the period beginning 2 hours before kickoff and ending two hours after kickoff. Other private or third party videographers must seek the clubs written permission prior to filming within the ground if the footage it to be published online.

Commercial Photography

Any filming within the ground that is intended for publishing online must seek written permission before filming – except for the official videographers of opposition clubs who may film at the ground for the period beginning 2 hours before kickoff and ending two hours after kickoff. Other private or third party videographers must seek the clubs written permission prior to filming within the ground if the footage it to be published online.

No foul language please

As a community club, many fans and customers are families with young children. Please help us to provide an environment suitable for the whole family.

Hospitality

Football on TV

Partners with Sky Sports & TNT Sports.

Every evening, every matchday, all the big games are showing on our big screens

Two viewing rooms – both with 75 inch LED screens, Dolby sound and fully stocked bars.

Matchday food

Gourmet Steak Burgers

Our steak burgers are fresh and from local sustainable suppliers – Scotts the Butchers.
Our Burgers are fresh, never frozen. Made with English Steak and cooked to perfection.
Our Buns are fresh, never frozen. Soft and squidgy.
Our Onions and fresh, never frozen. Slow-cooked for 4 hours and caramelised

WE DONT RIP YOU OFF – 1/4 POUNDER IS UNDER A FIVER

Chips

You wont find tastier chips anywhere.

Pies

We serve a range of meat and vegetable pies

Matchday food

Bean to Cup Coffee

Our coffee is freshly ground and brewed. Choose a cappuccino, latte, americano or flat white

Fully stocked free-house Bar

Choose from our wide selection of real ales, craft beers and a vast range of liquors.

Respect statement

“The Isthmian Football League strongly supports the FA statement that there should be a zero tolerance approach against racism and all forms of discrimination. Accordingly any form of discriminatory abuse whether it by reason of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion and belief, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, sex and sexual orientation or any other form of abuse will be reported to The Football Association for action by that Association.” (The FA 0800 085 0508 / Kick it Out 020 7253 0162). The Isthmian League and all Member Clubs in the League are committed to promoting equality by treating people fairly and with respect, by recognising that inequalities may exist, by taking steps to address them and providing access and opportunities for all members of the community.”

League sponsors