Downhills Park were established in March 2005. Three years on, they are still going from strength to strength. If you fancy it, take the time to read a little about our history.

2005/2006 Season

Downhills Park Football Club were born in March of 2005. Their fathers that eventful day were Kevin Lacle and Michael Russell and DPFC's entry into this world was bought about by a text from Kevin to Michael that simply asked how do you go about starting a Sunday league team?

Russell's reply at the time was telling Kevin that he had no idea, but he'd certainly find out. A boring day at the office and with google as his tool, Russell stumbled across the Edmonton District Sunday Football League. It was clear that being North-London boys, EDSFL would be where they plied their trade and in the summer of 2005. Downhills Park played their first ever game in the EDSFL beating Enfield Patriots 8-2 at Firs Farm.

Before that game, Lacle & Russell needed help. They looked towards Giancarlo Gaglione who was an obvious choice for his experience in football. He was more than happy and DPFC's management team was born.

The first meeting, held in April of 2005 bought about a million questions and few answers, but it was clear that from the crop of boys playing at Downhills Park every sunday, their squad would come from that.

First on the agenda was the name. Downhills Park Rangers was agreed upon. That would soon be shortened Downhills Park at a meeting with EDSFL's Management Committee.

Then came the talk of money. With a sponsor nowhere to be seen, and little chance of getting one before the season, it was always going to be self-funded. Credit to every player who signed up for DPFC form the first season. They all made it possible.

Ebay came to the rescue in terms of kit, equipment and that sort of thing... and with the background stuff sorted and a place in the league secure the idea of playing competitive football every Sunday morning was on every DPFC'ers mind.

A few months of mental fitness work at Downhills Park was planned and carried through. For some, it was too much and whilst most of the boys were running like nutters the likes of Michael Russell, Steve Griffin and Mark O Donaghue could be found having a mothers meeting whilst blowing out of their arses. To this day Michael Russell can still be found doing the same thing.

Downhills Park's first ever official game was preceded by two unofficial games in which they lost 3-1 and then won 3-1 to a team in the second division of the EDSFL called Russell Rovers (a name that was talked about briefly when Michael Russell's ego got the better of him during the discussions over DPFC's name.) Technically DPFC's first ever goal was scored by Rob Spinola... but the record books begin with DPFC's first ever game in the EDSFL.

It was August 21st at Firs Farm in Edmonton. It was against Enfield Patriots. It was won in style! DPFC were 8-2 winners with a hatrick EACH from Daryll Murphy and Kevin Lacle and one each from Michael Nolan and Michael Coombs. Daryll Murphy's name crops up a lot in the stats about DPFC's first year and technically he was DPFC's first ever goal scorer. Interestingly, 3 goals a piece for Lacle and Murphy were the first signs of what would become an incredible battle for the top scorer position.

DPFC's first ever EDSFL League game wasn't as successful as their first ever friendly. They lost 3-2 to Wizards who would go on to win the league and play DPFC four times that season. Wizards won twice (3-2 and 5-4) and drew twice (1-1 and 2-2 in the Divisional Cup, Wizards won on pens).

DPFC's first season ended trophyless. They got to the semi-final of the Brigg Cup and finished 6th in the league which was a real disappointment having topped the league at Christmas.

2006/2007

DPFC started their second season without their top goal scorer Daryll Murphy. They also lost Martin Reskalla, 2006's most improved player due to work commitments, so on that basis there might have been cause for concern. But it wasn't just on the pitch that things changed. Off the pitch, Downhills Park had its first manager. Steve Griffin along with his assistant Clifford Lacle took control of the team matters and set about finding new players. In came Victor Fadele, Ruben Oscar Fidalgo, Michael Roper and Michael Ameh. Later those four new players would be joined by Ian Kirkwood (a long term target for DPFC) and Daniel "D-Dash" Kika.

Downhills Park's first game of the season came against newly promoted The Bell. A 6-1 win and goals from Victor Fadele (on his debut, who would go on to score not only the first goal of the season, but also the last), two from Michael Coombs, Geoffrey Wright, Ruben Oscar Fidalgo (another debutant) and club captain Giancarlo Gaglione. The game also saw the debut of Michael Roper and Michael Ameh who stole the show with a man of the match winning display.

Downhills Park would go seven league games unbeaten to start the season and it was that set of results that surely set the trend for what eventually would be a league title winning season.

In the cups, Downhills once again struggled for the most part but progressed well in one. The year before it was the Brigg Cup, this year it was The Harry Ash Cup. Downhills progressed to the final where they eventually lost to Hop Poles in the final, 2-0.

The league was always the priority and for only a short period of time did DPFC not top the table. Only two losses during the league season (to Hop Poles once again and Artesian) was coupled with a mean defence... but the history of Downhills Park could not be written without mention of the incredible last game of the 2007/2008 season.

Downhills Park went into the game in second place behind Enfield Patriots, their opponents on the day. Patriots only needed the draw to win the league, so after half an hour, when they were 2-0 up, the title looked to be heading to Enfield. But the Tottenham outfit of Downhills Park had a different idea. At half time, the gaffer Steve Griffin made one change that signalled the cry of "attack!" to all his players. Off came Clubman of the Year Barry MacDonald and on came Austin Amadi, a winger. Michael Nolan slotted into left back and along with right back Rob Spinola was told to "attack, attack, and attack." Six second half goals later and Downhills Park were crowned champions and promoted to Division Three.

The end of season awards were an eventful night. Michael Ameh was the top scorer with 12 goals, Barry MacDonald was crowned Clubman of the Year and Victor Fadele 'did a Michael Coombs' by winning both the managers and players player of the year awards. Giancarlo Gaglione ‘did a Giancarlo Gaglione’ by spending most of the evening in bed… a little worse for wear!

2007/2008

Having gained promotion in 2007, Downhills Park started off the season full of beans and with the tag of 'Champions' around their necks, they wanted to get off to a good start. It didn't happen. A last minute equaliser by BG Outsidaz in the opening game of the season saw them draw 1-1 in a game that should have been sewn up by half time. That game saw DPFC managed by Stevie Griffin, and I'm not sure anyone would have thought that he wouldn't be in charge come the end of the season. But he wasn't. Back to back draws in the league meant Downhills had to wait until a 5-1 win over Bullsmoor until their first win in the league. The highlight of that win was our goal of the season (in my opinion) scored by Ian Kirkwood who was simply sublime all season. Top scorer from left wing with 21 goals. Daryll Murphy's early season form was a big influence. 9 goals in DPFC's opening 7 unbeaten games meant a great start to the season.

Downhills Park parted company with man who won the fourth division the previous season and in came Kevin Lacle as manager. He guided the team to promotion, finishing second in the league. Back to back promotions meant division two football.

2008/2009

Downhills Park started their fourth season as a club without a recognised manager. David Duggan was the secretary and many saw him as a figure head, but in truth it was very much a democracy with regard to how the team was shaping up.

The season - like those before it - started well with only one loss in nine games. Daryll Murphy again started brilliantly, netting 13 goals in his opening 9 games. Ian Kirkwood didn't do too badly, he got 10!

But then it all went a little wrong. Downhills went without a win in 10 games. Somewhere inbetween that, Michael Russell came in to take charge.

The season ended with an unbeaten run of 9 games and ended with the highest of highs, a trophy. Downhills beat Elm Athletic 4-0 in the Gyer Cup, Daryll Murphy netting a hatrick in the process, Steve Parry opening the scoring.

2009/2010

Michael Russell left the club due to a move to Manchester. He was replaced by Steve Griffin in August of 2009.

Statistical History