Santos FC unofficially started in the late 1980s when a group of friends came together to enter local five-a-side and seven-a-side football tournaments. What began as a casual team quickly grew into a successful club, enjoying numerous league titles and cup victories during its early years.

A New Chapter

In 2006, Santos officially formed as an open-age side and joining the Rochdale Online League. A major milestone came in 2008 when Santos successfully applied to join the Lancashire & Cheshire League. The first team entered Division Two, while a reserve side joined Division C. The early years proved challenging, with the club battling near the foot of the table, but persistence paid off as Santos secured a third-place finish in just their third season.

Overcoming Adversity

Promotion to Division One followed in 2011, where the club spent several seasons competing against stronger opposition. However, the 2014-15 season became one of the toughest in the club's history. A significant player exodus early in the campaign forced the reserve team to step up and complete the season at a much higher level than expected.

Despite their tremendous commitment, the team endured a difficult campaign and finished without a point. As a result, the reserve side was withdrawn from the league, marking a challenging period for the club.

Rebuilding for the Future

Determined to move forward, Santos underwent a major restructuring ahead of the 2015-16 season. The club consolidated into a single team and completely refreshed its playing squad, while welcoming back several long-serving players.

Placed in Division A, Santos began rebuilding both on and off the pitch. Following a mixed first season, the club earned progression through league restructures and eventually returned to Division Two for the 2018-19 campaign.

Although results did not always reflect the effort and commitment shown by players and staff, the club continued to demonstrate resilience, fighting through difficult seasons and remaining committed to long-term development.

Back Home in Royton

After several years playing home fixtures around Middleton, Santos returned to its roots in Royton. Since 2014, the club has been based at the excellent facilities provided by The Oldham Academy North, featuring a modern 3G playing surface.

Investing in the Next Generation

One of the most important developments in the club's history has been the creation of the Santos Junior Section. Starting with a Soccer School for Year 1 children in 2009, the programme has grown year after year as players progressed through the age groups. Today, those first young footballers have developed all the way through to our open age ranks.

Santos now proudly fields teams across multiple age groups and continue to grow their girls teams. The club remains committed to providing opportunities for players of all ages and abilities and is always looking to welcome new players, coaches, volunteers, and supporters into the Santos family.

Looking Ahead

From a group of friends entering local tournaments to a thriving community football club with a growing junior section, Santos AFC has always been built on passion, resilience, and togetherness.

As we continue to develop both our senior and junior pathways, our focus remains the same: creating a positive environment where players can enjoy football, develop their abilities, and be proud to represent Santos.