Orpington's future looks very bright

Football in Orpington has a bright future with AFC Orpington joining forces with Orpington Football Club, which is based at Goddington Park.

 

A club statement said: “AFC Orpington was founded in 2017 after breaking away from Orpington Football Club and took part in the Sevenoaks & District League.

“The squad was a combination of players originally from Orpington Football Club and other local teams.

“Having two successful seasons with promotions, winning and losing in two cup finals, the decision was made to try and push the team further.

“At the start of the 2019-20 season, Aaron McFerran was brought in to manage the side and bring a professional structure to the team.

“It also led to the inclusion of new players bringing much needed further quality and experience into the side.

“Having had a very disjointed season with the coronavirus pandemic, the team came together to discuss the ambition for the future.

“The squad, now consisting of a young core, needed to push itself further.

“Having already had links with Orpington Football Club and in discussion with Simon Morris, the decision was made to transfer and join the club to fulfill its ambitions.

“With the prospect of greater support, better playing conditions and a pool of young, fantastic talent coming through from the under 18 age groups, the decision was simple.  The future for the team now looks very bright indeed.”

Orpington were founder members of the Kent Invicta League in 2011 and finished bottom of the table in its inaugural campaign.

The club resigned from the First Division of the Southern Counties East Football League at the end of the 2016-17 campaign and now find themselves in the Kent County League Division Two West.

There are no plans to make an immediate return to the tenth-tier of English football (more commonly known as Step Six), as the ground that they currently play at does not have floodlights.

Visit Orpington’s website:  www.orpingtonfc.co.uk