Kidsgrove Athletic Football Club, nicknamed “The Grove,” is a non-league football club based in Kidsgrove, Staffordshire.
Established in 1952, they currently compete in the Pitching In Northern Premier League Division One West, which is part of the eighth tier of English football. The team calls Hollinwood Road their home ground.
Established in 1952 in a meeting at the Blue Bell pub, as a response to Kidsgrove United’s preference for non-local players. Ernie Langford, instrumental in the club’s foundation, remained involved for sixty years. The club began in the Burslem and Tunstall League, later moving to their current ground in 1961. Success in local leagues led to joining the Mid Cheshire league, where they won multiple league and cup titles.
The 1980s marked significant growth for the club, culminating in joining the North West Counties league in 1990. The team enjoyed on-field success, including near FA Vase final appearances, but faced financial challenges. Notable achievements included multiple Staffordshire FA Senior Cup wins and fair play awards, despite relegation threats. Recent years saw impressive FA Cup runs under managers Ryan Austin and Scott Dundas, and the club remains optimistic about its future with plans for new facilities.