IT’S been cups and medals all-round for AFC Croydon Athletic’s junior footballers as the mens team prepares for life in a new league.

The Rams will be playing in the Combined Counties League Premier Division South which means a return to the Combined Counties League after a six year absence on winning promotion from Division One.

The Football Association announced the new league make up for next season and the new division is made up of 20 teams including Balham and Beckenham Town. 

A pre-season friendly against K Sports earlier this month saw the first action back at The Mayfield Stadium for nine months with a 4-2 win.

First team manager, Kevin Rayner: “Pre-season has seen us recruit some good players and our squad represents a nice mix of experience and younger lads. We look forward to opening our league season at home to Cobham FC on Saturday July 31 (3pm kick off) – a great opportunity to welcome our fans back to our Mayfield Stadium home. Our focus will then shift to the FA Cup as we travel to Crowborough Athletic (Saturday August 8).”

The junior teams have seen a range of successes with cup wins in recent weeks. The Under 8 Eagles and Under 9 Eagles both won Cup Finals.

The Under 8s won 8-3 against Selson Junior Tigers and the Under 9s beat Sports Attack 5-2.

The Under 15 Eagles won the Division 3 Championship having completed the season without losing a league game and conceding just 12 goals in their 20 league games whilst scoring 81.

The club would like to register its thanks and appreciation to all of the volunteer coaches who generously give up their team to run the teams. Similarly, the club would like to extend its thanks to all those volunteers who have supported the maintenance efforts at the Mayfield Stadium.

There were junior cup wins for the club’s Under 9 Falcons, Under 9 Eagles and Under 8 Eagles all celebrated cup wins along with the Under 15 Eagles and Under 13 Stars who won their respective leagues too.

K & R Sports Academy in partnership with the Rams are holding football camps during the summer holidays on August 9-13; 16-20 and 23 to 27 form 9.45am to 3pm. Open to boys and girls aged five to 13 of all skill levels at a cost of £12 per day. To look please email: tomkrsacademy@gmail.com or WhatsApp 07828986237.

Pictured are the Under 9 Falcons who made it a hat-trick of cup wins for our youngest teams with a 1-0 win over Unity FC.