The Rams have seen a return to form at home which is lucky for fans because it is is the only place in Croydon where you can still get your live football fix in these unusual Covid times.

The Thornton Heath club is continuing to work hard to make sure that supporters can enjoy watching live games, writes Paul Smith.

With strict adherence to Government guidance you can attend games at Mayfield Stadium and do so safely although you must wear face masks to enter the clubhouse along with track and trace, temperature checks at the turnstiles and maintaining social distancing.

After an indifferent opening to the season AFC Croydon Athletic are now three games undefeated at home having beaten Bearsted and Canterbury City as well as getting a draw with local rivals and promotion contenders Beckenham Town.

Manager Kevin Rayner is pleased with the progress the team is making and particularly the return to fitness of a number of his squad.

He said: “Our start to the season was very tough with having to contend with so many injuries and being unable to field the same team twice. After more than 20 years in management I have never known such a situation with up to nine first choice players side-lined for some games. With games coming thick and fast early on too it was very difficult but now that players have started to return the team is settling down and the results are starting to come along.”

The Covid 19 restrictions do mean things are slightly different than they normally are. Fixtures would normally be released for the whole season but they are instead being published just a few weeks ahead.

So far, all the games have taken place as planned and spectators are cooperating to ensure that everyone can enjoy the games safely.

Two upcoming fixtures will see the visit of Hollands & Blair on Saturday November 7, with a 3pm kick-off while on Tuesday November 10 Chislehurst based Glebe are the visitors with a 7.45pm kick-off.

The game against Hollands & Blair is the closest fixture to Remembrance Sunday and will see the club mark the commemoration with the laying of a wreath and a minute’s silence before the game. First team players will also be wearing the poppy on their shirts for the game.

The County Football Associations have also announced the draws for their Senior County Cups. The Surrey Senior Cup has pitted AFC Croydon Athletic away against either Kingstonian or South Park, both of whom play at a higher level. In the London Senior Cup they have been drawn against Charlton Athletic U23 in a mouth-watering tie that will take place at Mayfield Stadium later in November.

The last month has also seen the junior season get underway with the club’s teams from U8 to U15 all playing their Sunday morning games. Nearly 200 young people from the local community are members of the club’s 14 junior teams that compete in the Tandridge Youth Football League and London County Youth Football League.

The U15 Eagles have already started with back to back league wins and an excellent victory away in the Cup against a team from a higher division. The U13 Hawks, who play in the top division in this age group, have started with four wins out of five and are joint top of the table.

For details of forthcoming fixtures visit the Club’s website:
www.afccroydonathletic.co.uk