Page 27 - RPVFC v Kingstonian

trophies were won. After winning Peterborough United in 1992, the Conference. December 2002 saw the sudden
the Surrey Senior cup for the 9th club recorded a fine FA Cup win at However, season 2000/2001 resignation of the highly promis-
time (as Kingstonian) in 1967 ... Kingsmeadow by beating Brighton proved to be extremely mixed. The ing Sedgley as manager. The club
the club's successes dried up and in 1994; they also competed well K's made the headlines again with immediately promoted Harris, a
despite the endeavours of many the following year against Plym- a tremendous run in the FA Cup. former K’s striker, to manager and
managers and countless players, outh. In front of 3,495 supporters A home win against Devizes Town appointed former Woking man
the team went into decline. In the K's held Leyton Orient to a 0-0 was the start of an incredible run Scott Steele as player/coach. The
1979 relegation to Division One draw only to lose 2-1 in the FA Cup that saw the K's defeat Brentford, club had ups and downs over this
was suffered, but in 1985 the club 2nd Round Replay in 1998. Drawn Southport and Southend United period but only failed to make the
bounced back as runners up to away to Luton Town in the First all away from home. In the Fourth new Conference South following
Farnborough Town. K's were a Round of the FA Cup in October Round, K's were thwarted in the a single goal defeat to Lewes in a
mite fortunate as Leatherhead, 1999 saw the K's come in at half last kick of the game at Ashton Ryman League playoff.
who finished above them on goal time 1-1 only to go down 4-2 at the Gate as Bristol City scored a very Relegation to Division One
difference, had three points de- end. last gasp equaliser before winning Following a poor start to season
ducted for fielding an ineligible Victory over Forest Green Rovers the replay at Kingsmeadow in a 2004/05 Harris decided to call it
player. Kingstonian remained as At the beginning of the 1997-98 live televised match. Unfortunate- a day after just four games. Scott
members of the Premier Division season, the club appointed Geoff ly, the club's league form proved to Steele was promoted to manag-
until the end of the 1997/98 season Chapple as manager. He brought be exactly the opposite, as the K's er but, despite encouraging good
when promoted to the Nationwide about an exciting change of fortune finished next to bottom and were football from his side, was un-
Conference. for the club. In his first season, relegated back to the Ryman Foot- able to prevent what became an
Subject to vandalism he took the club to the Isthmian ball League. inevitable relegation to Division
The famous Richmond Road League Premier Division Champi- Parted by mutual consent One. However, good news arrived
ground, which was loved by so onship. In the following season, Season 2001/2002 and it was time off the field when local business-
many, became increasingly dilap- their first in the Football Confer- again for a change, as the club and man Jimmy Cochrane bought the
idated and subject to vandalism, ence, the club finished a creditable Geoff Chapple parted by mutual football club, giving the club a
so a decision was made to relocate 8th, but they capped it all off by consent. Kingstonian quickly ap- positive outlook for the first time
and develop the site for housing - a winning the FA Trophy at Wembley pointed former Dover Athletic man in several years. Steele's resigna-
move that also assisted the club's in May 1999 with a 1-0 victory over Bill Williams as their new manag- tion followed towards the end of
finances. The last game played Forest Green Rovers. The following er, who had working alongside him the season when former assistant
there was in January 1988 against season 1999/2000, in the last FA former Tottenham Hotspur player manger Ian McDonald was brought
Bromley. After one and a half sea- Trophy Final between the famous Steve Sedgley as his assistant. In in along with Stuart McIntyre as
son's ground sharing at Hampton's Twin Towers, the K's retained their late 2001 Williams departed the his coach with a view to resurrect-
Beveree ground. K's opened their title with an exciting 3-2 win over club and Sedgley moved up to the ing the club's fortunes.
brand new Kingsmeadow Stadium Kettering Town, giving Chapple his position of manager and his as- Silverware was achieved
(on the site of the old Norbiton 5th FA Trophy Final win in sev- sistant was Kim Harris who was The 2005/06 season saw K's move
Sports Ground) in August 1989, en seasons (the other three with promoted up from the position of up the table only to miss out on
when Slough Town were the visi- Woking). The club also reached reserve team manager. playoffs on the final day of the
tors. After achieving a draw with their highest position of 5th in the season, though silverware was

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