An historic football club is set to make a comeback after more than 120 years.
East Sheen Football Club, originally founded in 1873, is being revived by 23-year-old Matthew Evans, a student from South Carolina.
The club, which was formed as a rugby football club in 1873 and switched to association football in 1882, is among the oldest in the world.
The East Sheen sporting community traces its roots back to the 1830s, starting as a cricket club.
East Sheen FC had notable achievements in its early years, being finalists in the first ever Surrey Senior Cup in 1883 and securing cup victories in 1885 and 1901.
The club also competed in both the FA Cup and the London Senior Cup.
It produced two England captains, left back Aurther Melmoth Walters and right back Percy Melmoth Walters.
East Sheen FC was also one of the first English clubs to tour Europe, participating in the Coupe Van der Straeten Ponthoz, considered a predecessor of the European Cup (now the Champions League).
The club dissolved in 1906 due to the development of East Sheen, which led to a struggle for players and eventually left the club behind as the area developed further.
Mr Evans, a student at Roehampton University, purchased the club, rescuing it from the FA’s defunct list where it had been for 120 years.
A group of students from the university have joined forces to support the club in their respective fields.
The club's ethos is to improve people both on and off the field, a principle demonstrated by the club’s staff who have opportunities to advance their careers through their work at the club.
East Sheen FC plans to be ready for the start of the upcoming Sunday league season in August, with two men’s teams, one entering straight into Step 8, and another playing Sunday league football.
The club also plans to have a women’s team and multiple youth teams.
This marks the official revival of the same football club that played in the 19th century, rather than a new club with the same name.
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