A LOOK INTO HISTORY 199

A LOOK INTO HISTORY ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY NINE

CROWN & MANOR FC

In Histories 192, reference was made to Hoxton Manor and our take
today reflects on that club being formed in the early 1900’s with that
name to cater for kids in one of the most notorious areas of London.
Thus grew the respected Hoxton Manor and having acquired Senior
Status in 1932 joined the Spartan League – Eastern Section and were
Champions in the first year, thus, promoted to the Premier Division.
In 1939 at the outbreak of War came an amalgamation with Crown Club
also from Hoxton and they kept going during the War with players on
leave making up the numbers. The membership was 150 boys. A major
problem for what was now Crown & Manor FC was lack of ground. In
1947 they lost their ground at Cheshunt and in 1951 were founder
members of the Parthenon League then in 1952 lost their pitch at
Hendon, returning to Cheshunt after a brief stay at Wimbledon and
eventually, having joined the Spartan League in 1960, at Albury Ride in
Cheshunt, in 1974 they arrived at the Belling Sports Ground in Turkey
Street in Enfield. In 1984-85 problems again with no ground and having
to use various pitches but despite this, won their division in the Spartan
League. After a season sharing at Cheshunt the club were able to find
East London Stadium or as we know it, Mile End Stadium, as home.
Our Match Programme has no date but would probably be sometime in
1986-87 and they welcomed Southgate Athletic in a Spartan League
match. Southgate Athletic were another club unable to continue at
Senior level due to an inadequate ground at Tottenhall Lane but back in
the day many clubs were of a similar background in pre ground grading
days. All readers had for their money were a few club notes and both
teams with a former Essex Senior League connection with Peter
Ruggerio in goal for Southgate who would become a Referee and our own
Appointments Officer. The red and white cover had a sticker stating
East London Stadium with Cheshunt Stadium printed underneath. In
1990-91 their record was expunged but they returned in 1997, then, in
1998 in a somewhat chequered existence, Crown & Manor left the
Spartan South Midlands League and joined the London Intermediate League
until the end of 2002-03 when they moved to the Middlesex County League.
After their final matches v Walthamstow Avenue & Pennant on May 18 th at Town
Mead in Waltham Abbey winning 2-0 and v Brazilian on 20 th May 2006 which was
played at Osterley Sports Club which they won 4 1 Crown & Manor FC I
#/ were dissolved but the Youth Club thrives.