From grassroots beginnings to semi-professional football AFC Knowsley is a football club with a huge story to tell.

Established in 1987, AFC Knowsley has grown from its grassroots beginnings into one of the biggest and most
ambitious community football clubs in the Knowsley area.

Today, the club has more than 42 teams, 65 coaches and well over 600 registered players, providing football
opportunities for boys, girls and players with disabilities across the local community.
But the story of AFC Knowsley is about much more than numbers. It is about giving local people the opportunity
to play football, develop their skills, make friends and be part of something they can be proud of.

A historic step forward

The 2025/26 season marked a hugely significant moment in the club’s history.
After finishing fourth in the West Cheshire League, AFC Knowsley’s application to move into Step 6 of the
National League System was accepted.

That means that for the 2026/27 season, AFC Knowsley are competing in the North West Counties Football
League First Division North – Step 6 of the English football pyramid deemed as Semi Professional football..
It is the first time in the club’s history that AFC Knowsley will compete at this level.

The achievement also means that the Knowsley community now has a semi-professional football club
competing at Step 6, something that the club has worked towards for many years.

A journey that started in 2019

AFC Knowsley’s senior football journey began in 2019 under the name Knowsley South.
Despite the enormous challenges facing grassroots and non-league football during the COVID-19 pandemic,
the club continued to progress.

The team achieved promotion in its first season and then followed that up by winning another promotion as
champions of League One.

In 2021, the club became AFC Knowsley and continued its journey through the Cheshire League before moving
to the West Cheshire League.

Now, just a few years later, that journey has taken the club all the way to Step 6.
More than just a first team
While the senior men’s team is now attracting attention on the non-league football scene, the heart of AFC
Knowsley remains its community programme.

With more than 600 players, over 42 teams and a growing range of football opportunities, the club is committed
to providing football for everyone.
The club has expanded its provision to include girls’ football and disability football, alongside its established
boys’ and youth teams.
AFC Knowsley has also achieved FA three-star accreditation, recognising the work being carried out across the
club.

A club with ambition
The move into Step 6 is not the end of the journey – it is the beginning of another chapter.
The club is now operating from its new £1.4 million facilities, creating a platform for AFC Knowsley to continue
developing both its community football provision and senior football ambitions.
The immediate objective is to establish AFC Knowsley at Step 6, but the ambition is clear: to continue growing,
continue improving and see just how far the club can go.

Most importantly, AFC Knowsley wants to remain a club that the local community can call its own.

From the youngest players taking their first steps onto a football pitch to the senior team competing in semi
professional football, everyone is part of the same journey.

AFC Knowsley – One Club. One Community. One Ambition.
42+ teams.
65+ coaches.
600+ players.
One incredible football family.
And now… Step 6 football.

The journey continues.

AFC Knowsley – proud to represent our community and we are looking for local businesses to share our journey
and support the club with sponsorship packages and to partner up with us. We have in excess of 25000
followers on Social media and we can promote our partners businesses back. If you feel you can help please do
not hesitate to contact club chairman Mike Gibbons – chairman@afcknowsley.co.uk