A.F.C. Kempston Rovers

AFC Kempston Rovers
Full name AFC Kempston Rovers
Nickname(s) Walnut Boys
Founded 1884 as Kempston Rovers
Ground Hillgrounds Leisure, Kempston
Capacity 2,000
Chairman Russell Shreeves
Manager Dave Randall & John Guiney
League United Counties League
Premier Division
2013–14 United Counties League
Premier Division, 12th

AFC Kempston Rovers is a football club based in Kempston, Bedfordshire, England. For the 2013–14 season, they are members of the United Counties Football League Premier Division. The club is affiliated to the Bedfordshire County Football Association. The club was formed in 1884, and has been in the UCFL since 1953.

History

They were established in 1884 as Kempston Rovers F.C.. They joined the United Counties League in 1953.[1] They won their first title in 1955–56; the following season Division Two and One were merged into one league and Kempston finished runners-up. In 1957–58, the club were crowned champions of the UCL. The league was split into two division again in 1961–62 and Kempston were placed in Division Two. Despite finishing tenth that season, they were promoted to Division One.[1] In 1973, Division One was renamed the Premier Division and in 1974–75 the club were crowned champions again, and also reached the Fifth Round of the FA Vase. In 1978–79, the Kempston reached the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, the furthest they have evr got in the competition. They repeated their record FA Vase run in 1980–81, reaching the Fifth Round. Rovers were relegated in 1983, but were promoted again in 1985 after winning Division One.[1]

The club was relegated again in 2003, and in 2004, they changed their name to their present name. This was due to the merging of Kempston Rovers, Kempston Colts and Kempston Town.[2] Rovers were briefly promoted to the Premier Division for the 2007–08 season but were relegated at the end of the season. In 2010–11, the club was again promoted to the Premier Division after winning Division One for the third time.[3]

Ground

The club's ground is off Hillgrounds Road, near parkland beside the River Great Ouse. A new third generation training area has been built with the funding of the Football Foundation as well as a new set of changing rooms, board room, and physiotherapy room.

Honours

Records

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Kempston Rovers at the Football Club History Database
  2. "History | AFC Kempston". Clubwebsite.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-08-11.
  3. 3.0 3.1 A.F.C. Kempston Rovers at the Football Club History Database

External links

Coordinates: 52°7.60321′N 0°29.39711′W / 52.12672017°N 0.48995183°W