2003/04 - The Vision

Our story starts with 5 names Mark Wolsey, Dave Smith, Andy Gerrard, Jules Managhan and Kev Walsh. Legend has it that the five met in The Old House At Home in a smoke-filled room in Lordswood Road to form the new club. They were looking for a sporting pursuit to keep them occupied during the long winter months and turned their attention to the beautiful game after much previous armchair management from the bar.

With initial training at Lightwoods park, Old House moved to their first proper home in Late August and Portland Pavilion was taken on for two years at an extraordinary price.

The newly formed Old House Athletic made their debut against Greenland Select in early September in the Coronation league division 4. For the record Old House won 2 - 1 with goals from Joe Cummins and future captain Tom Haycock.

By late December Old House were fast becoming the division’s dominant force – one memorable game seeing them hammer rivals Lyndon Underground 9 - 2!

The 03/04 season saw Old House win 14 out of 20 outings. Old House had become one of the dominant teams in the Coronation league in just one season.

2004/05 - On the up

A year later, Old House were at the forefront of realignment of the Coronation league and September saw them debut in Division 2 with a 3 – 1 defeat. Tony Lennon scoring the club’s first goal of the season. The season then went from strength-to-strength, with Old House scoring 105 goals in 25 games and finishing up as runners-up to Hare & Hounds.

2005/06 - The battle continues

Another year, another promotion saw Old House arrive in Division 1, with several new faces in the squad. The third season for the club was one of frustration and injuries and the Old House found it hard to keep their heads above water, taking points in only 10 of their 22 games, but grinding it out to finish 8th out of 12.

2006/07

A second year in Division 1 saw Old House strive to push on for another promotion. However, their previous achievements were hard to keep up with. A season of inconsistent performances and attendances saw improvement in both goals scored and conceded and points, but in such a competitive division could only finish in 8th for a second season running.

2007/08

With a major change in personnel over the summer, Old House were almost back to the drawing board. A third season in Division 1 to refresh that initial drive for success didn't come to fruition. The newly restructured team struggled to gel and a very inconsistent and disappointing season saw Old House finish bottom of the table and were relegated to Division 2, taking points in only 6 league games. 

2008/09 - The story to date

With the team now working together through some excellent results against teams in higher divisions in pre-season frendlies, Old House Athletic started with a disappointing run of results. A much improved second half of the season was unfortunately too much too late and a top place finish was out of reach by then and had to settle for a 6th place finish. A super cup run instigated by as single goal from the Late Grant Booker saw an excellent cup run but an unlucky semi-final defeat to Hampton Sports in the Jim Walsh cup. Old House looked set for another season in division two, but with the credit crunch biting, many teams were dropping out from all over the Coronation league and so were promoted back into Division 1. 

The Future

In honour of Grant Booker, the team decided on a name change for the new season and after six seasons as Old House Athletic, became Booker Athletic FC. A shuffle in management saw John McDermott take over as secretary to allow Dave Smith to concentrate on the coaching role. After an emotionally draining previous season, the team are closer now than ever. The desire to succeed is illustrated by the professional manner in which the team is operated and supported, now and for the future...

Keep your eye on this page, there will be more to come soon...........