Kings History

 

 

AFC Kings were officially formed in July 1998, by highly motivated 18 year-old, Tim Wye, although there was a Junior Kings side in existence in the early 1990’s.

Originally known as Tower Hamlets Kings, the side played there first season of Senior football in the McCabe travel Agents league.

Kings first game took place against a Tower Hamlet’s veteran side in a friendly in which they triumphed 4-3.

 

The original line-up was: Vincent, P.Wright, Iberson, Davidge, Lowry, Cook, Penman, Stride, A.Wright, H.Wright, Farnum Sub: A Francis.

 

Six of this original line up are still at the club.

 

Kings enjoyed a relatively successful first season finishing a respectable mid-table, which was even more of an achievement considering that most of the players were only aged between 16-17 and were playeing against much more experienced and stronger players.

 

The side changed leagues at the beginning of the 1999-2000 season, joining the well-respected Ilford and district league. Starting off in the third division, the side exceeded expectations and ended up runners-up and gaining promotion. A deadly rivalry began with Goosley Athletic, a side who bullied there way to a league title.

 

The 2000-2001 season saw Tower Hamlet’s Kings become known as AFC Kings, a welcome change agreed by everyone. The side again enjoyed a relatively successful campaign finishing in third place and scoring 67 goals along the way- an indication of things to come!

 

2001- 2002 was undoubtedly one of the finest seasons in the clubs history. With many players now leaving their teenage years, Kings were able to win games that they were once bullied out of by stronger teams.

An unbelievable season saw the side WIN all but 1 game of the season securing  the Ilford and District league second division title, with an impressive 63 goals scored in just 18 games.

The climax to the season came in a thrilling 3-2 victory against Clayhall in the Spartak cup final. Kings went into the half-time break trailing 2-0, before goals from substitutes Deering and Farnum sent the tie into extra-time. With the match deadlocked, Cook popped up with the decisive goal to send the crowd into jubilation, this was the first piece of silverware the side had won, with the league title following on the next week.

 

After destroying all comers in the previous season, the authorities decided Kings should be immediately promoted to the Premier division. The side finished a respectable fourth in the season of 2002- 2203, winning 11 of 19 games and losing only four times.

Kings also reached the final of the League cup, but lost 3-0 to Premier League champions; Memorial Sports after never really recovering from an early Stuart David miss.

 

 

2003-2004 saw Kings pushing on further finishing a respectable second in the Premier division, and picking up the League cup with a tough encounter with old adversaries; Ryan FC.

AFC Kings Reserves and Academy sides were also formed finishing second and third in their respective leagues, another indication of the clubs growing reputation.

A special mention for the season must also go to Paul Wright who converted from a classy centre back to a formidable forward, scoring an impressive 28 goals and finishing the Ilford and District Premier League Top scorer.

 

Signs of discontent were appearing to show in the 2004-2005 season with many internal disputes between players and sometimes coaching staff, despite this the side still managed a third place Premier League finish, with the reserve team taking fourth spot in the First division. It was widely known that manager Tim Wye would be leaving the club at the end of the season and he was given the perfect leaving present with the side taking the Fenton Cup, after Anthony Wright scored the winning goal of a penalty shoot-out against Romford FC.

 

After talk of continuing the club, things looked doomed for the club after they did not take part in the 2005-2006 league season, many players moved on and it seemed the glory days were over.

Former club captain Anthony Wright decided this wasn’t to be the case and began to assemble a squad for the 2006-2007 league season, in which the side again taking part in the Ilford and District Premier league.

Under the supervision of new manger Mark Boundy and with many former first-team players rejoing the club, along with a few fresh new faces many believe this could be Kings most successful season yet.