Oakwood Football Club was founded in 1962 by a group of teenagers and was known as St. Wilfred Youth Wing. In 1966 the club changed it’s name to Oakwood, after the estate where the school was situated in Crawley. The club played on Crawley Council pitches until taking over Tinsley Lane (then a disused sports ground), whilst competing in the Southern Counties Combination in 1983.

Oakwood joined Division Three of the County League in 1984/85, and immediately won promotion after finishing as champions, six points clear of runners-up Bosham. The next five seasons were spent in Division Two, before the club once again won promotion, this time to Division One at the end of the 1989/90 season, after finishing as runners-up to Bexhill Town (now Bexhill United). In 1993 the club reached the Final of the Sussex Senior Cup, before losing to Wick.

After narrowly avoiding relegation in 1995/96, Oakwood were not as fortunate the following season, and were relegated to Division Two. In 2002/03 the club finished 4th, albeit some way behind the promoted clubs.

Oakwood were quietly fancied to do well in 2004/05 but could only finish in 8th place. They made no mistake the following season however, finishing five points clear of runners-up Selsey to take the Division Two title and return to Division One after a nine year absence. Despite being at the wrong end of the table, and eventually finishing in 17th place, Oakwood were nevertheless eight points off the relegation zone.

With competition from Crawley Town and Three Bridges near by, gates at Tinsley Lane (which isn't the easiest of grounds to find) have always been low. Attendances in the club's promotion season actually fell and there was another slight drop in 2006/07 despite good gates against champions Eastbourne Town, and Three Bridges for the local derby.

Description of ground
Oakwood FC moved to their current premises in Tinsley Lane, off the enormous Manor Royal Industrial Park in 1983.

The ground is situated right at the far end of Tinsley Lane, past what remains of the former ground of TSC FC (previously Thompson Athletic), with whom Oakwood amalgamated at the end of the 2001/02 season. Horley Town FC also briefly played at the ground whilst their new HQ - The “New Defence” - was being developed.

The ground boasts a comfortable clubhouse (built in 1990) along the near touchline, with tables and chairs provided outside, and an overhang to the roof for spectators to shelter under when the weather is wet. This provides the only cover at the ground. The pitch has undergone numerous drainage works in the past.

In the mid 1990s there were plans for the club to relocate and this was still the plan until fairly recently. However, those plans have now been shelved, hastened by the need to make a decision in the light of impending FA regulations. The Club will now see out the remainder of its lease that still has more than 50 years remaining, and redevelop the existing ground with a new clubhouse eventually.

More immediately, an application for planning permission has been submitted and Oakwood were (as of July 2006) waiting approval for erection of a new stand; covered terrace; paybox turnstile; 2m high internal screen fence; and relocation of the dugouts to the south side of pitch.

Directions
Travel via either the M23 or A264 and at J10 of the motorway, take the A2011 (Crawley Avenue) towards Three Bridges. You will see the Tinsley Lane floodlights to your right and shortly afterwards will come to a large roundabout. Although you may think you are very near to the ground, be warned that it is rather a circuitous route to actually get to it, so follow the instructions carefully to avoid getting lost.

Take the 4th exit right towards the Manor Royal Industrial Estate, and then the 2nd exit at the next roundabout, Take the first right into Tinsley Lane and the entrance to the ground is about 100 metres on the left. Follow the lane past former home of Thompson Social Club (TSC) FC. Oakwood FC is at the very end. There is plentiful car parking available inside the main gate and behind the near goal.

Nearest railway station: Three Bridges (approx. 20 mins walk).

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