The Old Chigwellians' Football Club Centenary

In 2012 the legal owner of the sports pitches, tennis courts, squash courts, agricultural fields and clubhouse at Roding Lane was The Old Chigwellians’ Club (OCC). Leavers up until about 2007 had paid a subscription throughout their school years to be members of the OCC.

For many years the OCC had been facing deepening financial pressures to maintain the premises and site. Worried about this financial situation the Headmaster at the time started The Old Chigwellian’s Association where all OCs would become members on leaving school at no cost. In 2012 the OCC reached a legal agreement with Chigwell School, whereby the entire footprint of the OCC property was transferred to the ownership of the school. In exchange Chigwell School extinguished any outstanding OCC debts and agreed a legally binding Service Level Agreement (SLA) to provide services for the benefit of all Old Chigwellians' (football pitches, tennis courts and clubhouse) for an initial 100 years.

The new structure enabled the Club to survive and was welcomed as a potential renaissance. It was hoped that OCs would continue to enjoy the opportunity to meet, play sport and foster relationships. This has been the case. In addition, the Club formed an even deeper, indelible bond with the School, which we all hold dear, and from where all future members are derived. Following the ethos of ‘Aut viam inveniam aut faciam’ a way forward was found.

The OCC has to be maintained legally as it is the legal party to the SLA and so is necessary from the perspectives of both the School and the Old Chigwellians.

All agree that the OCA is the preferred alumni body for all Old Chigwellians but for various reasons at this time cannot amalgamate with the OCC. No one wants two alumni bodies but for legal and practical reasons the OCC must be maintained to oversee the ongoing execution of the SLA responsible members of society.