If we thought we’d seen the last of Geoff Chapple once he quit Woking, he led Kingstonian up to the Conference to prove us wrong. Yeah, sure – coming out on top in the 1995-6 title race means you can say we pretty much won our ‘war’ with the Cards. But, far too often, Chapple got the better of us while in charge at our arch-rivals. And that came to pass when he took up the helm at the Ks; a team we had the measure of in our Diadora League days – but a different story up in the Conference. The ex-Woking gaffer came back to haunt us with such hits as a 5-2 win at our place.
Kingstonian: The Facts
King Georges Field
Queen Mary Close, Hook Rise South, Tolworth, Surrey, KT6 7NA
The Ks date back to 1885; the club starting life as Kingston and Surbiton YMCA. But you’d swear they were struggling to settle on a name that they liked. It changed in 1893 (Saxons FC), 1890 (Kingston Wanderers) and 1893 (Kingston-on-Thames). If that wasn’t enough, a split saw the club go two ways in 1908; the first team as Old Kingstonians and the ‘A’ team continuing as before. It wouldn’t be until after the First World War that harmony was restored; the pair coming back together as the united club we’d come to know in later years.
The next decade-or-so would be kind to the Ks; twice Athenian League winners (1923 and 1926) and the FA Amateur Cup to boot in 1933. By the time that trophy had been added to their collection, the club had moved to the Isthmian League and went on to win that title on two occasions during the 1930s. But it did take ’em a while to add a third Isthmian League crown to their list of honours; 61 years if you’re counting. Not that they didn’t come close in that time. But nobody remembers who came second, third or otherwise.
Why do we know Kingstonian?
Boro’ came close to catching up with the Ks during the mid-1980s; missing out on ’em as they won promotion from Division One just two seasons before we were promoted to it. A first meeting did come about, however, without the need for us to take yet another step up. And it had to be us making the effort as they were getting quite settled in the Premier Division. In October 1987, then, the FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round brought ’em up to see us.
How to get to Kingstonian – Travel Information – Distance: 44 miles
By Road
Now sharing the home of Corinthian-Casuals FC, you’re heading to Tolworth for this one. You may find that, on a Saturday afternoon, a route ‘straight’ through London is your best option for traffic. There appears to be little difference with taking the M25 around to the A3, which means it’s all down to the luck of the draw.
For the ‘straight’ route, take the A1(M) south and continue onto the A41 until you reach Brent Cross. Here, take the westbound or counter-clockwise A406 (depending on what you want to call it). Keep on the North Circular ’til you reach the M4, at which point you need to switch to the South Circular. Nifty eh?
Stay on the South Circular for just over three miles, before turning right into Priory Lane. Go through one roundabout and then head left after 0.7 miles for Clarence Lane. At the end of the road, turn right for the A306 Roehampton Lane. As you approach the A3, use any lane to make a right turn for the southbound carriageway.
Nearly six miles later, bear left for Tolworth Rise; this will direct you towards the A240 for Kingston and Epsom. Take the second exit on the roundabout for the A240, then turn left in half a mile for Jubilee Way. The ground will shortly be on your right.
The small onsite car park is unlikely to cater for all-comers. So, you might find it worth parking at Davis Road Industrial Estate.
By Rail
Station: TOLWORTH
Services to: VAUXHALL (for FINSBURY PARK)
Head north-east(ish) out of the station and onto Kingston Road. Turn right to go under the railway, and take the first left onto Jubilee Way. The walk should take no more than 12-15 minutes in total.
