The Official History of Oakwood FC
08 Nov 2006

The club was formed in 1924 by medical and domestic workers of the now defunct Oakwood Hospital, for the enjoyment of patients as much as for players. The Hospital itself was originally the Barming Mental Asylum, built in 1833 in the west borough district of Maidstone.

Playing friendlies prior to the outbreak of World War 2, it was decided after the war to join a league in another area of Kent to give the patients an afternoon outing once a fortnight. With this in mind the club joined the Tonbridge League, and two coaches of “supporters” were to taken to away games. This continued to the mid 1950s.

By the 1960s outside influences had become involved in the club, resulting in a stronger side and a reserve team being formed, the first of many trophies being won in 1965 (Tonbridge Intermediate Cup).

In the 1970s and early 80s many honours were won and on winning the Tonbridge Premier, the club was elected to the then Kent County Amateur League. The reserves played in the Tonbridge Premier and the 3rds in the Sevenoaks Premier. Success continued each year with the first team winning promotion to the senior section by 1982, finishing runners-up that year.

In the spring of 1982 the club had a major setback, when with the building of the new hospital the club was told it could no longer use the old hospital facilities. A ground was found at the Technical School and the club was restructured dropping the word hospital from its name. In 1987 the club moved to its present ground in Otham, south of Maidstone.

In the late 1980s and early 90s Oakwood became the only club to win the Sevenoaks Charities Cup four years consecutively (1988-91). In 1991 Oakwood became the Kent County Western Section Champions and won the Kent Challenge Shield. In 1992 the club again became League Champions, the last year of the division before consolidation took place with the Eastern Section.

In the mid 90s relegation two years in succession saw the first team in Division 2 of the Kent County League but after two seasons and a Kent Junior Cup Final appearance they won the Division 2 Championship in 2001 and were runners-up in Division 1 in 2002. During the next 2 seasons the Division 1 Championship and promotion to the Premier League eluded the first team after being well set both years. Long cup runs in each year hindered the league campaigns, but resulted in the team winning the West Kent Challenge Shield in 2003, and being runners-up in the Kent Intermediate Shield in 2004.

During the restructuring of the Kent County League prior to season 2004/2005 Oakwood were moved over to play in Division 1 East. Again needing to win the league to gain promotion to the Premier Division Oakwood came close but eventually finished second behind Norton Sports. Oakwood reached a cup final, the Sir Les Leckie Cup, for the 3rd successive season only to succumb in extra time to their league rivals Norton. Season 2005/2006 brought a number of changes to the playing personnel at the club and a season of consolidation followed. Although never in the race for promotion Oakwood still managed to achieve a 4th place finish and were semi finalists in the Sir Les Leckie Cup.

Oakwood Reserves joined the Kent County League Reserve Section in the mid 90s after spells in the Tonbridge League and the Maidstone League. They won Division 2 in 1999/2000 by 18 points, but then struggled for the next 2 seasons in the top Reserve League. However, building on an appearance in the Reserve Cup Final in 2003, the Reserves claimed their highest ever league placing in season 2003/2004, finishing 4th in Division 1. They also reached the semi final of the Reserve Cup.

In the restructuring of the Kent County League in 2004 the Reserves section was split into 2 divisions, East and West. Competing in the East Division Oakwood eventually finished 3rd after leading the way for much of the season. Again they were halted at the semi final stage in their bid to win the Reserve Cup. Last season was a similar story as the Reserves entered the final 3rd of the season with a chance to win the league, but ultimately finished 3rd.