The Legacy of Stephanian Ottery AFC
A Century of Football, Family and Fortitude
The story of Stephanian Ottery AFC is one steeped in resilience, community, and a fierce love for the game. It all began in 1924, in Loader Street, Green Point, where the Pastor, Andrews, Meyer, and Groenewald families laid the foundation of a football club named in memory of Stephen Hilario, a young man who tragically drowned at the Old Pier. His legacy would live on—not just in name, but in a club that would stand the test of time.
Stephanian first competed in the Cape Peninsula Union and proudly called the Green Point Common their home turf. By 1931, with the formation of the Metropolitan FA, the club shifted its allegiance and was rewarded with access to top-tier facilities on Stephen Road—an extraordinary achievement in a segregated South Africa, as such fields were typically reserved for “white only” clubs.
The post-war era saw Stephanian join the Alliance FA in 1945 at Rosmead Sports Ground, Kenilworth—ushering in a golden era. By 1962, the club swept every competition in the Alliance FA. Just two years later, they lifted the prestigious Maggot Trophy after consecutive final appearances. Off the pitch, the Stephanian spirit thrived with the formation of table tennis and netball teams, which helped bind the community through the summer months.
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Throughout the 1960s and into the 1980s, the club faced tremendous social upheaval, including the forced removals driven by the Group Areas Act. Yet, unlike many clubs, Stephanian found ways to keep its community connected through shared travel and unwavering support. Around this time, Clarewood FC broke away—with the full blessing of Stephanian leadership—to serve players in Claremont. The resulting derby soon became a cornerstone of the Alliance FA’s football calendar.
Women played a pivotal role in Stephanian's success story—not only rallying support on the sidelines but also powering fundraising efforts and, in the 1970s, fielding their own team to play curtain-raisers at knockout finals.
By the early 1980s, shifting dynamics led the club to leave the Alliance FA for the Football Association of the Western Province. In 1979, Stephanain secured victory in the Virginia Super League, marking a defining moment in the clubs history. Just a few years later, in 1982, they mirrored the remarkable accomplishment first achieved in 1962, underscoring a legacy of consistent excellence and determination.
There, they again rose to dominance—particularly in the Virginia League—until they exited the FAWP in 1995.
Meanwhile, at Alexander Sinton High School, a parallel story was unfolding. In 1959, the Joshua family founded the Sinton Football Club, later chaired by the respected Wilfred Gordon. Pupils were shuttled to William Herbert in Wilfy’s iconic “volksie bus” for just one rand. Due to escalating political unrest in the 1980s, training was relocated to Kroomboom Park and Kewtown. In 1991, Sinton merged with Ottery Ferness to become Ottery Sinton.
A new chapter began in 1995, when Stephanian United and Ottery Sinton joined forces. Together, they formed Stephanian Ottery AFC, based in Tristania Road, Ottery, competing in the Cape District Local Football Association. By 2022, driven to further elevate their football exposure, the club transitioned into the Cape Town Tygerberg Local Football Association, where it continues to make its mark.
From humble beginnings in Loader Street to becoming a beacon of football excellence across generations, Stephanian Ottery AFC stands as a proud symbol of perseverance, unity, and the enduring love of the beautiful game.
