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AFC Varndeanians F.C.

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AFC Varndeanians
Full nameAFC Varndeanians Football Club
Founded1929
GroundWithdean Stadium, Brighton
ChairmanDave Bridges
ManagerJustin Jones
LeagueSouthern Combination Premier Division
2023–24Southern Combination Premier Division, 17th of 20
Websitehttps://www.pitchero.com/clubs/afcvarndeanians/

AFC Varndeanians Football Club is a football club based in Brighton, East Sussex, England. The club are currently members of the Southern Combination Premier Division and play at the Withdean Stadium.

History

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The club was formed as Old Varndeanians Football Club in 1929,[1] when Secondary Old Boys club (which was dominated by former pupils of Varndean School) was renamed and decided only to accept former Varndeanians as players.[2] Secondary Old Boys had been members of Division One of the Brighton, Hove & District League,[3] with the new club continuing in their place.[4] They were relegated to Division Two in 1930–31, and after finishing bottom of Division Two in 1934–35,[5] were relegated to Division Three.

Old Varndeanians were dissolved during World War II before being re-established in 1946, playing at Preston Park. They rejoined the Brighton, Hove & District League for the 1947–48 season, becoming members of Division Three. After finishing as runners-up in their first season back in the league, they were promoted to Division Two.[6] They finished fourth in Division Two in 1948–49, after which it was renamed the Intermediate Division. After a fifth-placed finish in 1951–52 the club were promoted to the Senior Division.[6]

They moved up to Division Two of the Sussex County League in 1956. They were runners-up in 1956–57 (also winning the Invitation Cup),[2] 1957–58 and 1958–59, before winning the division in 1959–60, resulting in promotion to Division One.[7] The club rules were also loosened to allow brothers and sons of former pupils to play for the club.[8] After finishing bottom of division in 1961–62, they were relegated back to Division Two. They remained in Division Two until leaving the league in 1973.[7]

The club rejoined the Brighton, Hove & District League and were placed in Premier Division, which they won in their first season back in the league.[6] The club were Premier Division runners-up in 1979–80, 1987–88, 1991–92, 1995–96 and 1997–98,[9][10][11][12][13] before winning a second title in 1999–2000. They went on to win retain the title the following season, and after finishing as runners-up in 2001–02, the club were champions again in 2002–03.[6]

Old Varndeanians transferred to the Mid-Sussex League in 2003,[6] winning the Premier Division in their first season and again in 2006–07 and 2008–09. In 2004–05 they won both the Montgomery Cup and the Allan Washer League Trophy.[14] In 2015 the club adopted their current name. They finished seventh in the Premier Division in 2014–15,[15] and switched to Division Two of the Southern Combination League (a renamed Sussex County League) for the 2015–16 season.[16] They won the division at the first attempt, earning promotion to Division One.[16]

In 2021 AFC Varndeanians were promoted to the Premier Division based on their results in the abandoned 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons.

Honours

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  • Southern Combination League
    • Division Two champions 1959–60 (second tier), 2015–16 (third tier)
    • Division Two Invitation Cup winners 1956–57
  • Mid-Sussex League
    • Premier Division champions 2003–04, 2006–07, 2008–09
    • Montgomery Challenge Cup winners 2004–05
    • Allan Washer League Trophy winners 2004–05
  • Brighton, Hove & District League
    • Premier Division champions 1973–74, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2002–03
  • Hove and Worthing Cup
    • Winners 1948–49

References

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  1. ^ About us AFC Varndeanians
  2. ^ a b History part 3 AFC Varndeanians
  3. ^ Season 1928–1929 Archived 22 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine Brighton, Worthing & District League
  4. ^ Season 1929–1930 Archived 22 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine Brighton, Worthing & District League
  5. ^ Season 1934–1935 Archived 22 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine Brighton, Worthing & District League
  6. ^ a b c d e History part 7 AFC Varndeanians
  7. ^ a b Old Varndenians at the Football Club History Database
  8. ^ History part 5 AFC Varndeanians
  9. ^ Season 1979–1980 Archived 22 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine Brighton, Worthing & District League
  10. ^ Season 1987–1988 Archived 22 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine Brighton, Worthing & District League
  11. ^ Season 1991–1992 Archived 22 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine Brighton, Worthing & District League
  12. ^ Season 1995–1996 Archived 22 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine Brighton, Worthing & District League
  13. ^ Season 1997–1998 Archived 22 January 2018 at the Wayback Machine Brighton, Worthing & District League
  14. ^ League Handbook 2015–16[permanent dead link‍] Mid-Sussex League
  15. ^ Gray Hooper Holt LLP Mid Sussex Football League FA Full Time
  16. ^ a b AFC Varndenians at the Football Club History Database
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