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AFC Wallingford came into existence following the merger of the two clubs then playing in the town, Wallingford Town, founded in 1922 and for many years members of the Hellenic League, and Wallingford United, formed in the 1970s and members of the Chiltonian League. Since its formation the club has made sound progress on and off the pitch. The club spent its first 3 seasons in the Chiltonian League, finishing a highly creditable third the 1995-96 season, and winning the League Cup following a tension-filled final against Denham played at Henley Town. The temporary departure of manager Larry Hill disrupted the club, which found itself in mid-table the following season. Hill returned, however, to lead the club to a convincing win in the Chiltonian League in 1998, during which the club won 26 matches out of 34, scoring 148 goals in the process. Carl Henry was the goalscoring sensation that season, setting a club record with no less than 62 goals scored at an average of over 2 per game. With the championship came promotion to the Combined Counties League. AFC set the early pace and were top at Christmas. Unfortunately we could not sustain this run, nonetheless finishing in the top ten. History was made in the summer of 1999 with the erection of floodlights for the first time. During the following season the club improved its final position to 7th and had a good run in its first season back in the FA Vase. At the end of this season long serving manager Larry Hill left the club after a highly successful 8 years at the helm. Hill’s replacement, Dave Crowdy, successfully maintained the club’s upward rise and, during the 2000-2001, led AFC to runners-up positions both in the League Championship and the Berks and Bucks Senior Trophy. AFC made it into the spotlight of the national media as well, being chosen as the non-league club to be followed by a journalist from The Times. Season 2001-02 saw the club go one better in both competitions, a fantastic season culminating in the Combined Counties League Championship. Didcot Town were amongst the victims as we won the Senior Trophy, beating Milton Keynes City 3-2 in a thrilling final at Aylesbury United F.C. 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 were trophyless as, despite phenomenal totals of 115 and 100 league points, we were pipped to the league title first by Withdean 2000 and subsequently by AFC Wimbledon. The summer of 2004 saw major upheavals at the club, with the departure of long-serving Chairman and sponsor Lindsay Townsend, manager of 4 years Dave Crowdy and the entire first team squad. 2004-2005 turned into a long and ultimately unsuccessful struggle against relegation. The club found itself in the Combined Counties First Division for the first time, but thanks to a tremendous run after Easter managed to bounce back at the first time of asking. Following the demise of Ryman Division 2 and an influx of clubs to the Combined Counties League, the club has transferred back to the Hellenic Premier from which the old Wallingford Town were relegated in 1989. Off the pitch progress continues to be made, as, with the aid of grant funding from South Oxfordshire District Council and the Football Foundation, we have installed a 114-seat stand and opened new changing rooms and spectator toilets in March 2006. The club now has facilities to be proud of.
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