In 1902 a sports teacher at Park Higher Grade School, Ilford, decided to form a football club for both pupils and teachers. Today, 100 years later the school has changed its name and location - but its ties with the club that still bears its name remain as strong as ever.

Despite the change of name, the old boys' team clung tenaciously to their original title, the Old Parkonians. Sports master Harry Heather launched the club eight months after Park Higher was founded, and under his guidance the school 1st XI was extremely strong in the early years. In the 1902-03 season - the club's first - they became champions of London by winning the prestigious Dewar Shield, beating Halstone Road School, Greenwich, in the final. Headteacher Mr Clayson was so impressed he gave the whole school the day off in celebration.

The outbreak of war twice put an end to the team as players went to Europe to fight - some never to return. But each time the club was built back up again with a mix of old and new members.

The Old Parkonians - which currently boast seven separate teams of various ages and ability - went on to a series of glory days throughout the 1950s, '70s and '80s, winning trophy after trophy in the Southern Amateur League. But arguably their best achievements were between 1985 and 1990 when they reached third place in the league's division one.

Tim Evedon, chairman of the Old Parkonians Association, played for the club in the early 80s and was the club chairman from 1988 to 1994. He said: "The Parkonians are fiercely proud to be a closed club made up of only pupils and teacher. The good thing is we always have that bond, but because it is a closed club it's not always reflected in the results. There were calls to go open five years ago but it was very strongly opposed and its links with the school have never been as close. The facilities have also changed considerably since I used to play. The quality of the pitches now is just unbelievable compared to the mud heaps I used to play on."

Since 1993 the club have played at Oakfield, behind Redbridge Sports Centre, Forest Road, Barkingside, where a purpose-built pavilion takes pride of place. On September 12 more than 400 people involved with the club attended the pavilion for the centenary dinner. Former pupils and teachers travelled from as far as Australia, Japan, Israel, USA and Canada to celebrate the occasion and meet with former team mates.

Trevor Nicholls joined the team as a 16-year-old in 1982 and continues to play 20 years on. He said: "Keeping it closed to anyone outside of the school has harmed our chances a bit, but we would rather have it that way. We're not going to win as many matches but we accept that, the camaraderie is more important. Pupils from the school join the club with their friends and we very rarely have people leaving to join other clubs. Considering we are restricted on who we can have on the team we are doing well. I've grown up with the club and I've got lots of great friends here. If you like football you want to be part of that anyway."

According to Trevor, the ever-increasing number of students going into further education, combined with the closed traditions, means Old Parkonians face a difficult future. He continues: "When I first started playing about 50 per cent of pupils went off to university but now it's more like 90 per cent. It is something that affects us badly and will continue to do so in the future."

But the club have never embraced the philosophy of winning in paramount. For players past and present, the game of football itself, the spirit in which it should be played and the reputation of the club have always been far more important factors. During the club's 1926 Silver Jubilee, general secretary Bill Olliffe said: "Many clubs have unlimited troubles for various reasons, often trivial. But it is the proud boast of Old Parkonians Football Club that it is ever a happy family and that keenness and loyalty never flag."

More than 75 years later, those values still hold true.