Old Williamsonians have completed a remarkable hat-trick of promotions since reforming three years ago.

The Rochester club returned to Kent Cricket League action in 2024 after a six-year absence and have gone from strength to strength ever since.

Promotion in their first season back was followed by the Division 12 Knott title last year. Now they have added the Division 10 Knott championship to their collection, securing a third successive promotion as they continue their rapid rise.

Club manager Andy Stoute, a former Math School pupil, is determined to keep the momentum going.

He said: “We only came back in 2024 and we've gone on and been promoted three times, been league champions back-to-back, and set up a second XI as well.”

Old Wills could afford to relax on the final day of the season after doing the hard work beforehand.

They lost by three wickets to runners-up Addington Village, defending 155, but Stoute was more than happy to give some of the squad an opportunity to enjoy their final game knowing the title was already secured.

“We were in a great position. We had them at 70-7 and our captain gave some of the other boys a chance to show what they could do,” he said.

“We got the points that we needed and won the league. Addington were a nice bunch of guys and we’re happy to be going up with them.”

Back-to-back championships are something the club had never previously achieved in its history, which dates back to 1912.

There have been some outstanding individual contributions along the way, too.

Opening batter Rehan Mehmood broke the old Williamsonian individual scoring record when he hit 155 against Southfleet in July.

Old Wills posted 322-8 from their 40 overs in that game, with Mehmood and Richard Dalton putting on a club-record 228 for their first-wicket partnership.

Amir Ali also impressed with 27 league wickets, while James Hyder and Dave Philp claimed 25 apiece.

But while the first XI's progress has been rapid, Stoute insists the bigger picture is about rebuilding Old Williamsonians into a thriving club across all levels.

The club has already established a second XI for the first time in six years and now wants to improve its junior section too, with ambitions for under-13, under-15 and under-17 teams, while also developing a women's section.

Stoute said: “If we're going to go up to Div 9 next season, I want to be hitting Div 4 within five years.

“We've already made strides. We set up a second 11 for the first time in six years.

“We want to re-establish the junior section, so the under-13s, under-15s, under-17s and we would like to push the ladies' section as well.

“We had one ladies' game three years ago but because I'm essentially running myself, I can't do everything. We're always looking for volunteers to come and help.”

The club is also keen to remove financial barriers for youngsters, with juniors not charged match fees.

Stoute believes the club is in an ideal position to attract new players, with its Rochester base putting it close to two schools and providing a range of facilities.

“We want to be more professional. We want to be a bigger club,” he said.

“We're in a really good place because we're in the middle of Rochester, very accessible. We've got the two schools right there on our doorstep.

“Why would anyone not want to come and join a successful club? Why would anyone not want to join somewhere where the juniors get really looked after?

“Parents don't have to worry about spending money on their match fees or their subs or whatever. There's no barriers.

“We've got our own clubhouse. We get teas. We do indoor nets. We've got outdoor nets. We've got two pitches. I mean, it doesn't really get any better.

“We're on the way up, we’re a tight-knit club and we’re ambitious.”

Stoute also paid tribute to those working behind the scenes to help the club's revival, particularly Carl and Jake Dockwray for their work on the ground and chairman Chris Halls and the committee.

“I must give massive praise to Carl and Jake Dockwray for all of the work on the ground. They've been incredible,” he said.

“The committee, led by chairman Chris Halls, have been fantastic and we've just got a whole load of new equipment in.

“We haven't spent a fortune, but we've been quite lucky in how we've acquired some of the stuff and it's just made the club so much better, made us a lot more professional.”