Crowborough Athletic FC was formed in 1894 and played in the local Tunbridge Wells leagues. By the early 1950s The Crows had moved to their current ground at The Alderbrook Recreation ground (renamed the Crowborough Community Stadium in the summer of 2007)

The club joined the Sussex County League in 1974, finishing 4th in Division Two. Since then they have enjoyed mixed fortunes: moving up and down the three Divisions. In 1984/85 Crowborough found themselves in Division Three, but won promotion two seasons later. In 1992/93 the Crows won promotion to Division One, but after three seasons were relegated back to Division Two. A further relegation to Division Three followed at the end of the 1998/99 season, and although they bounced back, fell back down again in 2000/01.

Having finished 4th in Division Three in 2001/02, the Crows went one better in 2002/03, but just missed out on the promotion places behind Midhurst & Easebourne, and Haywards Heath Town. They also suffered a disappointing defeat in the Division Three Cup Final, losing to Midhurst, having already twice beaten the champions in the League.

The Crows bounced back in 2003/04 however, and comfortably lifted the Division Three title by eleven points from nearest rivals St. Francis Rangers to earn a return to senior football. Crowborough also made up for their disappointment in the League Cup the previous season, as they beat Uckfield Town to secure a League-Cup double.

Progress was maintained in 2004/05 with the Crows achieving back-to-back title successes, finishing 8 points clear of runners-up Wick to return to Division One after a nine year absence. By comparison 2005/06 was understandably one of consolidation, and Crowborough will have been very pleased with a top six finish.

That momentum was maintained in 2006/07, with the club finishing 4th (on GD), albeit some way behind pre-season favourites Eastbourne Town and Whitehawk, after being in the championship hunt for much of the season. Silverware found its way into the Alderbook trophy cabinet with a 2-1 defeat of Sidley United in the John O'Hara League Challenge Cup, coming back from a goal behind. Ambitious development plans for the Alderbrook are likely to give this friendly Club further momentum and the immediate future looks very promising.

Description of ground
The 1st team pitch of Crowborough Athletic is one of several in Alderbrook Recreation Ground, but is easily recognised by its perimeter fence, enclosing a much improved ground.

In the past the pitch has suffered badly from waterlogging in wet weather. However, extensive drainage work carried out during the 2003 close season addressed this to a large degree, whilst further works were undertaken during the summer of 2006. The present clubhouse is located just inside the entrance to the ground, and is a short walk from the pitch.

In December 2006 it was announced that the Crows had been granted funding totaling £381,879 by the Football Foundation, and its partner organisation, the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF). The Football Foundation grant of £281,878 has allowed the club to redevelop facilities at the Alderbrook by building a new community changing room block (to include six team and three referee changing rooms, a treatment room, refreshment facilities, a lounge and a community training development room).

In addition, the £100,000 FSIF grant meanwhile is going towards the construction of new perimeter fencing, two new turnstiles, terracing and two new stands. Visiting in August 2007, just 12 months since my previous visit, the transformation whilst still not quite completed, was quite astonishing and more than merits the ground's name change, although no doubt  "The Alderbrook" will be used for some years to come by supporters.

The original cover, situated half way along the far touchline, previously afforded a covered elevated view from a terrace of seven steps. It has now received a considerable face-lift and is now fully seated. Further seating is provided on one side courtesy of a pre-fabricated stand of the Arena Seating variety, with a similar albeit unseated cover on the other side. This has resulted in an interesting juxtaposition of old and new, and the club is to be applauded by retaining and refurbishing the original stand when many others would have simply demolished it and opted for an additional 'off-the-shelf' cover.

The open space behind the near goal, previously used for car parking, has been taken up by the impressive Clubhouse / Dressing Room block. It is not complete [as of August 2007] but is certainly well-appointed. The building will incorporate further cover for spectators, and the long-term plan is to build a second storey. The original clubhouse is Council-owned and will remain once its replacement is finished. The dugouts that once stood in the middle of the stand and obscured part of the view were replaced and rebuilt on the opposite touchline in 2006.

An impressive development and one imagines that should the Crows finish in a position to be considered for promotion to the next step of the non-League Pyramid the facilities at the Alderbrook will not be found wanting, and the ground now ranks as one of the very best in the County League.

Directions
From A26 traveling South: Approaching Crowborough, passing Q8 petrol station on your left, carry on straight over the roundabout (2nd exit), still following the A26 until you reach a set of traffic lights (Crowborough Cross pub). Turn left into the High Street, over zebra crossing (Woolworths on left) and take the next right into Croft Road. Follow this road past Waitrose on your right, over a mini-roundabout (road changes name to Whitehill Road) for approximately 1.5 miles until you reach another mini-roundabout. Turn left into Fermor Road, past turning for Brooklands Avenue and you will see the ground on your right. Take the next right (signposted CAFC) and immediately right again to enter the ground.

From A26 traveling North: Follow the A26 towards Crowborough, past Barnsgate Manor Vineyard and the Crow & Gate pub on your left. A little further up the road you will see a sign for the Crowborough Army Training Camp, also on your left. About 30 yards past the entrance to the camp is a right turning (with turning lane) signposted Jarvis Brook and Rotherfield - take this turn and follow the road for approximately 2 miles until you reach a mini roundabout. Go straight over this, take the second right (signposted CAFC) and immediately right again to enter the ground.

Nearest railway stations: Crowborough & Jarvis Brook (25 mins walk)

Map (link to www.streetmap.co.uk)