THE HISTORY of the Old Wilsonians Association
Refurbishment of ladies changing roomThe Old Wilsonians Association were originally on a ground in Dulwich Common until moving to the adjacent school playing fields after the second World War.
In 1959 the OW Association moved to its present headquarters with the acquisition of the Hayes Hill Sports Ground. This was achieved by the sterling efforts of the OW Association Management Committee of that time, lead by its President A.W. (Bert) Bourner. The purchase of the ground was financed by OW Association funds, a mortgage, a contribution from the OWTC together with a substantial donation from A.W. Bourner made the existence of the Old Wilsonians’ Sports Club possible.
A.W. (Bert) Bourner with the assistance of the likes of Freddie Cross, Bill Penfold, Tom Richardson, Freddie Lang and E.G. Camden Pratt were instrumental in setting up the OW Sports Club and its management which has been well served since 1959 by past Presidents, committee officials and members.
The OW Sports Club comprises of the OW Football Club, OW Cricket Club and Colts section, Lawn Tennis Club, Squash Club , Golf Club and finally, Social membership.
Over the years additions and improvements to the Ground and its facilities have included squash courts, all weather floodlit tennis facilities, refurbished clubhouse, changing rooms, bar and kitchen. The most recent acquisition is the purchase of a piece of land owned by Ex.Blues for new cricket nets in 2010 and a new boundary fence with a gated entrance.
These improvements have been achieved by way of securing grants and loans, receiving gifts and legacies from OW’s fund-raising and of course, lots of voluntary hard work by OW’s and club members, past and present.
It is hoped that this commitment will be carried by future generations of Old Wilsonians.
As we were originally an Old Boys Association we attempt to live up to the motto of the School :- NON SIBI SED OMNIBUS (Not for one but for all)
O.W. Association Notable Events
1615
Wilson’s School founded
1882
School rebuilt in Camberwell
1886
OLD WILSONIANS’ Cricket Club founded
1888
OLD WILSONIANS’ Football Club founded
1904
OLD WILSONIANS’ Association (OWA) founded
OLD WILSONIANS’ Chess Club founded
1905
Inaugural OWA Dinner
OLD WILSONIANS’ Rifle Club founded
First issue of OLD WILSONIANS’ Chronicle published
1909
Inaugural OWFC .v. The School Match
1918
OLD WILSONIANS’ Musical and Drama Society founded
OW Territorial Army Platoon formed & attached to 1st Surrey Rifles
1928
OLD WILSONIANS’ Dramatic and Play Reading Society founded
1931
OWA Lease Sports Ground in Dulwich
1933
OLD WILSONIANS’ Lawn Tennis Club founded
1939-1946
OWA Activities suspended due to the outbreak of second world war
1947
OLD WILSONIANS’ Drama Club founded
OWA Table Tennis Club founded
OWA Chess Club reformed
1948
OLD WILSONIANS’ Masonic Lodge consecrated
First Annual Leavers' Supper
1951
OLD WILSONIANS’ Badminton Club founded
1956
OLD WILSONIANS’ Bridge Club founded
Inaugural OWA Dinner & Dance held at House of Commons
OWA Sailing Club founded
OWA Motor Club founded
OWA Photographic & Art Club founded
1959
OWA PURCHASES SPORTS GROUND AT HAYES
Inaugural OWA Gala Day at Hayes
1961
Opening of the Greencoat Building at Camberwell sponsored by Mary Datchelor School
1963
First presentation of the "Bourner Cup" to the person making the greatest contribution to the OWA in 2-3 years after leaving school
1964
OWA Diamond Jubilee
1965
350th Anniversary of founding Wilson’s Grammar School
Commemoration Ball held at Quaglinos
Anniversary Gala Day held at the school sports ground First alterations to OW Sports Club at Hayes
1967
OLD WILSONIANS’ Cross Country Club founded
1969
OWA financial crises – Save the OLD WILSONIANS’ – EGM held
OWA receive short term loan from Wilson’s School governors
Fifty OW’s lend interest free loans amounting to £4000
Decision to build squash courts to increase income
Rentals charged to subsidiary clubs for the first time
OWA Committee and Management System introduced
OW Dramatic Society—winners of the Lambeth Drama Festival
1971
Sports Club improvements—including The Presidents Lounge
Improved bar facilities, games room, refurbished showers and dressing rooms
1973
OWA Squash courts opened & OWA Squash Club founded
Inaugural OWA Donkey Derby held at Hayes
1974
OWA financial crises—period of loan repayments extended
1974
Wilson’s Grammar School moves to Wallington as Wilson’s School
1975
Wilson's School moves to Wallington
1976
Financial crisis- outstanding loans paid up
Association Dinner held at the School for the first time
OWFC wins Old Boys Cup & AFA Surrey Senior Cup for the first time
1979
OWA 75th ANNIVERSARY
1982
OWFC organises the HFC Trust Soccer Classic at Selhurst Park Between the England World Cup XI and an HFC Celebrity Team
1983
OWFC organises Jimmy Greaves Southern Internationals vs Bobby Charlton’s Northern Internationals
1984
Squash team playing in Division 1 of the N.W. Kent league
1986
OWCC Centenary year lunch held at the Cafe Royale with Viv Richards and other Celebrities
OWCC Centenary Presidents Cricket Week
1988
OWFC Centenary year with dinner held at Fairfield Halls Croydon
Inaugural OWA benefit greyhound race night
1989
OWLTC install all weather surface at Sports Club
1991
OWCC first tour to Barbados with a party of 75
New kitchen installed in Sports Club
1994
OWA 90th ANNIVERSARY
1996
OWA Squash Club adds Racketball
OWLTC upgrades courts & floodlights with funding from National Lottery & Sports Council
1997
OWCC Colts Section formed
2000
Sports Club improvements—New roof and meeting room
2001
Squash team re-promoted to N.W. Kent league Division 1
2004
OWA Centenary Celebrations with Ian Forbes and "Mac" McAlister joint Presidents
OWFC join the S.A.L.
OWA Inaugural Past Presidents Lunch
2005
OWCC awarded CLUBMARK
OWFC run 10 sides on Saturdays for the first time
Terry Adams 1st player to play 1000 games for OWFC
2006
OWA inaugural NATWEST Club Force
25 lease agreed with Glebe & Hawes Down school to share playing facilities
OWCC becomes Bromleys first accredited with ECB Clubmark
2008
OWA installation of Pike’s electronic score board and score box – opened by Mike Gatting
OWCC awarded Chance to Shine Status and became a Focus club
OWFC Achieve Charter Status
Mike Harris made Life President of OWFC
OWFC obtain joint use of Hawesdown School playing fields
2009
Geoff Robinson became the 2nd player to play 1000 games for OWFC
OWA purchase land from Ex Blues for new cricket nets
New Boundary fence and electronic gates erected
OWA CELEBRATION OF THE 50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PURCHASE OF THE SPORTS GROUND AT HAYES
2010
Major rebuild of showers and changing accommodation at Hayes coupled with significant investment in new boilers
New cricket nets built on land purchased from Ex Blues with ECB grant
Major improvements to club house including new bi fold pavillion glazing in memory of Brian Morley
Tennis court refurbished
2011
Extension of pavilion balcony
2012
Refurbishment of ladies changing room
Refurbishment of obsolete tennis court to form multi use games area , funded partly by the London Mayors Trust
OWA Netball club re-formed
2013
Installation of Children's Playground
OWFC 125th anniversary celebrations at the club
2014
OWFC wins AFA Senior Cup
2015
400th anniversary of founding of the school with Founders Day celebration at Southwark Cathedral with similar at St Giles church and old school in Camberwell
OWFC wins AFA Senior Cup again
Tennis club new pavilion opened
2017
OWLTC named Kent Tennis Club of the Year
2021
Refurbished & extended changing rooms
2024
Refurbished Clubhouse & President's Bar
