Page 14 - Cheltenham Saracens v Kidlington 060424

Introducing - Kidlington FC

Barry Hiles decided they had taken the Club as far as they could and stepped back from
managing the Club. Players Danny Leggett and Christian Perkins stepped forward to guide
the club through till the end of the season. This season was very frustrating but owing to
some decent early league results the club maintained its Premier division status.
In 2012/13 a new first team manager in Ex-Oxford United striker Paul Berry was installed.
However he resigned after only three matches to pursue alternative opportunities. Gordon
Geary and his previous backroom staff were persuaded to come out of retirement and were
re-appointed during the second week of the season. They managed to assemble a squad
with the ability to avoid the dreaded drop, finishing in 13th place. Having taken over in the
crisis, Gordon and his management team resigned, having “got the job done” of avoiding
relegation.
During the summer break the club installed Martin Wilkinson as 1st team manager for
season 2013-14 and we finished 6th in the league, making clubs history with its highest
position, also reaching the Senior Cup Final again after beating Oxford United in the Semis.
Unfortunately once again we lost, this time to fellow Hellenic side Ardley United.
Season 2014-15 saw Martin Wilkinson again at the helm assisted by Paul Harwood. The
team finished in their highest league position of 4th place after topping the table for several
weeks. Our reserves finished as runners up in Div 2 West. For the first time the club also ran
a Ladies team who were entered into the Thames Valley Ladies League, they did
exceptionally well winning their league and cup double.
This season 2015-16 again sees Wilkinson in charge and he is being assisted by Julian
McCalmon and coaches Paul Harwood and Jermaine McSporron. Our reserves now have Nick
East at the helm, our U18’s will be looked after by Barry Hiles and Phil Parker will manage
our U17’s. Matt Taylor and Sam Rodway are taking on the management roll for our Ladies
side.
Season 2015-16 was undoubtedly the best season in the clubs 108 year history, in fact a
dream come true for everyone at KFC. Manager Martin Wilkinson and his management team
of Paul Harwood, Julian McCalmon and Jermaine McSporran lead our 1st team to the
Hellenic League Premier Division Championship. The club also had our best ever runs in both
the FA Vase, where we reached the last 8, before bowing out to Bowers & Pitsea after a
replay coupled with a very healthy run in the FA Cup, losing eventually to conference side
Gloucester City. Truly our best ever season my some margin.

For this season 2016-17 Wilkinson lead the side as we embarked on our 1st season at level
4 of the football pyramid in the Evo-Stick League Division One Central. However due to work
commitments 'Wilky' resigned shortly into the season. Jermaine McSporran took over as
caretaker manager for a couple of weeks until the club appointed Julian McCalmon as
Wilkinson's successor, McSporran and Paul Harwood were confirmed as his assistants.
The team then had a good season at this higher level and eventually finished in mid-table.
Our reserves lead by Nick East as Manager had a great season winning the reserve challenge
cup and finishing as runners up in Hellenic Division 2 West.

For season 2017-18 because of geographical restrictions Kidlington 1st team have been
transferred across to the Evo-Stik League South West. The club are fortunate to have
retained the services of McCalmon as manager and he will have Jermaine McSporran & Rhys
Denton as his assistants. Our reserve team are will play with Senior Club status after
promotion and will ply their trade in the Uhlsport Hellenic Division One West