FA honours Chiswick football club that has not stopped playing for 164 years

FA chair Debbie Hewitt with Civil Service Football Club President Jim Kellett (L) and Pete Worster, Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Service Sports Council; photograph FA

Civil Service Football Club, one of the founding clubs of The Football Association, playing continuously since 1863

The Football Association has honoured Chiswick football club, the Civil Service Football Club, for what it calls: ‘one of the most remarkable and enduring stories in world football’, the club’s extraordinary unbroken record of playing football continuously since 1863.

On Saturday 26 September, the Civil Service Football Club received a commemorative plaque from FA Chair Debbie Hewitt in recognition of the club’s unique place in football history.

The award acknowledges Civil Service FC’s role as one of the eleven founding clubs that established The Football Association in 1863 and celebrates its distinction as the only surviving founder club to have played association football continuously since that date.

Photograph FA

The plaque was unveiled at the club’s home, Kings House School Sports Ground in Chiswick ‘on a day that perfectly illustrated both its historic legacy and its continued vitality’, says the FA.

‘Six men’s teams were in action on Saturday in the Southern Amateur League and the West London Veterans Football League, with the women’s team playing on Sunday in the Greater London Women’s Football League, demonstrating the breadth of participation and community that characterise the club today.

‘Civil Service FC has been woven into the fabric of the game since its earliest days. As a founder member of the FA and participant in the inaugural FA Cup competition, the club helped shape the modern game’.

They have been playing at their current location since 1925.

Civil Service F.C. Continental Tour 1922

The club occupies “a truly unique place in the history of our game”

The club became a founder member of the Amateur Football Association in 1907, helping safeguard and promote amateur football for future generations. The club also played a significant role in promoting football across Europe through pioneering overseas tours at the beginning of the twentieth century.

In its hey-day, CSFC travelled Europe to play Barcelona, the Slavia club of Prague and other football clubs to nurture the game beyond the UK. Astonishingly, they beat Real Madrid, twice, in 1924.

READ ALSO: Civil Service FC celebrates 160 years

In 2013, as part of the joint 150th anniversary celebrations of the FA and Civil Service FC, the club was invited by FA Patron HRH The Duke of Cambridge to be the home team in the first competitive football match ever played in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

Men’s team pictured with Prince William, then the Duke of Cambridge; photograph Civil Service Club

Speaking about her visit, Debbie said:

“Civil Service Football Club occupies a truly unique place in the history of our game. As the only surviving founding member of the FA to have played association football continuously since 1863, the club represents a direct link to the very origins of football as we know it today.

“What makes that achievement so special is not simply the club’s extraordinary history, but the fact that it remains a vibrant and active part of the football community today.

“For more than 160 years, generations of players, volunteers and supporters have helped preserve and strengthen this remarkable institution, ensuring that its story continues to be written.

“It was a privilege to present this commemorative plaque on behalf of the FA and to recognise everyone who has played a part in safeguarding the club’s heritage and helping to grow the game for future generations. Civil Service FC is not only an important part of football’s past; it is an important part of its future.”

The club celebrated 160 years in 2023

“It is great to receive this kind of recognition”

Jim Kellett, President of the Civil Service Football Club, commented:

“It is great to receive this kind of recognition, in terms of our history and the achievements of our forebearers. We continue to build on that history, here at the club, every single day and provide opportunities for men and women to play football.

“We are still here today because of the hard work and commitment of those volunteers of the past and those who continue to serve the club today. And, without the support of the Civil Service Sports Council, we would not have the club we have today. We work hand in hand with the CSSC and their support is vital.”

Pete Worster, CEO of the Civil Service Sports Council, the club’s principal funder, said:

“This is a remarkable milestone for one of football’s greatest and most enduring stories.

“CSSC is incredibly proud to support the work Civil Service Football Club does across all levels and it is fitting that our members back the club that bears their name.

“People say that in modern football loyalty can be fleeting, players and managers come and go, but class is permanent. CSFC proves this perfectly and continues to go from strength to strength, serving their fans and community, 164 years on from their founding.”

The club is always looking for new members; photographs Civil Service Club

Looking for new members

CSFC currently runs nine men’s teams, including six open-age teams, two veterans’ teams and a Super Vets side.

The women’s section, which has benefited from CSSC support since its launch in 2018, now comprises an 11-a-side team competing in Division 1 of the Greater London Women’s Football League and a 5/7-a-side team competing in the Waterloo Superliga.

Civil Service FC is actively seeking new players across its teams and welcomes footballers of all abilities who want to enjoy competitive football in a friendly, inclusive environment.

Find out more about the club by getting in touch via csfc.recruitment@gmail.com.