Football: the last two years
2019/20
In March 2020, under the guidance of Jack Stephenson (OK11) the 1st XI were on course to challenge for their first Arthurian Premier League title when, with just three games to play, the season was brought to an abrupt end due to the lockdown – with just one point separating them from the Old Carthusians at the top of the table, who they were due to play in the very next fixture. Despite its anti-climactic end, the season was a record-breaking one for the team on several fronts, including going an entire calendar year in 2019 undefeated in a competitive match.
2020/21
The 2020-21 season was dominated by changing government guidelines related to the pandemic, making it impossible to play out the league season, which was brought to a premature end after only nine games played. The highlight of the season, however, was the progress of both 1st and 2nd XIs in their respective cup competitions. The 1st XI reached the semi-final of the Arthur Dunn Cup after a dramatic late turnaround in the quarter-final against the Old Tonbridgians, but unfortunately suffered a bitter defeat against Old Salopians, cutting short their quest to reach the prestigious final after many years of hurt.
The 2nd XI, under the leadership of Cameron Wilkinson (OK14), went a step further, however, making it to the final of the JLC competition against all of the bookies’ odds, dominating opposition from the division above in Old Harrovians II and Old Chigwellians II. On the day the boys put in a courageous performance but narrowly lost out to a strong Old Ardinians outfit.
The Vets XI also had a strong run in the Derrick Moore Vets Cup to the semi finals that was ended by Old Brentwoods, but there was plenty to be proud of as they comfortably dispatched the previous year’s holders, Old Foresters, and knocked out another fancied team in Old Etonians.
2021/22
The 2021-22 season began in impressive fashion, with the 1st XI unbeaten after three games in the Premier League and scoring 13 goals. The 2nd XI has had a mixed start on the pitch but has continued its long tradition of recruiting fresh talent and boasts a youthful and enthusiastic core squad who are improving and growing together with every season. The Tilles Trophy (named after former Club Captain Mike Tilles OK02), staged in a stadium annually in preseason and contested between the 2nd XI and Vets XI, was closely fought for much of the game with the 2nd XI eventually running out 4-1 winners.
Despite a season largely disrupted Covid and an unthinkable amount of injuries, the 1st XI find themselves in the quarter-final of the Arthur Dunn Cup with Old Etonians welcoming them on 12th February, the 2nd XI contest their final game of the season on the same day knowing a victory over Old Alleynians III puts them in a good position to be promoted, and the Vets XI contest their Derrick Moore Vets Cup semi-final, also against Old Etonians, hoping to go further than they did last season.
All three teams will also be in action in their annual matches against the school 1st XI, 2nd XI and 3rd XI at Kingsway on Saturday 19th March.
Club setup
The club currently plays its weekly Saturday home fixtures at Imber Court in Thames Ditton, with training on Monday evenings at Battersea Park. Our club is made up entirely of KCSOBs, ranging from OK97-OK21, with the majority of our 1st XI and 2nd XI playing squad ranging from OK11-OK18. We always welcome new recruits so please do get in touch through the OKC website, any current players you know, or our social media if you want to get involved!
Club Committee: Ramon Selvakumaran (OK07), Greg Stoddart (OK07), Jack Stephenson (OK11), Cameron Wilkinson (OK14), Joe Stephenson (OK14), Ali Marshall (OK14), Calum MacQuater (OK12), Henry Hodgson (OK15), Pete Bullivant (OK13)
Vets Committee: Mike Tilles (OK02), Max Camplin (OK99), James Badgett (OK99)
