Cadbury Athletic Football Club was founded in 1994 by Chairman John Peckham and Committee member Roger Hughes and gained entry to the Midland Combination Division Three. Their first signing was Gerry Boyle as Secretary. The club was affiliated with the Cadbury's factory based in Bournville, using the company's logo as its badge and even playing in the Cadbury's corporate colours of purple and white. They played at the Cadbury Recreation Ground in Bournville Lane, based within in the grounds of the company. The ground at Bournville Lane was recognized as one of the best playing surfaces in the area, even claiming links with the 'hallowed turf of Wembley. The ground was laid with the same Northumberland turf that was used for the Wembley pitch prior to its closure in 2000, and one of only 4 grounds in the UK to use it for its playing surface.
Cadbury finished 9th in their first season in Division Three but were nonetheless promoted to Division Two. After several mid table finishes in Division Two, a 4th place finish in the 2000-01 season again saw them promoted, this time up to Division One. The Reserve side was also going strong. In the 1999-00 season they won the Birmingham Works Premier League as well as winning the West Bromwich Albion Shield and Prudential Cup. On the back of this success they joined the Midland Combination Division Three where they also gained promotion to Division Two in their first season. After a few years of gradual improvement in Division One, and a Runners Up appearance in the JW Hunt Cup Final, the first team finished the 2004-05 season in 2nd place and secured yet another promotion to the Premier Division. Unfortunately, this brought problems for the club as the Recreation Ground didn't have the floodlights that were a prerequisite of obtaining promotion to the Premier Division. They were forced to ground share with Pilkington XXX, while plans to erect floodlights at their own ground were drawn up.
Life in the Premier Division proved very difficult to start with but, as in previous years, gradual improvements have been made year after year and in the last two seasons they have finished in 12th and 11th place respectively. They also reached the final of the Challenge Cup during these two seasons but were runners up on both occasions, first to Loughborough University and then Castle Vale. In the 2006-07 season they entered the FA Vase for the first time where they beat AFC Wulfrunians on their debut. A year later they made their debut in the FA Cup but lost in a replay to Alvechurch. Another switch in grounds took place during this close season as they moved from Pilkington to Alvechurch. The season started poorly as they slumped to the bottom of the table but a run of form meant that Cadbury climbed to 13th place.
The club is built on solid foundations. John Peckham remains as Chairman. Season 2014/15 sees Kevin Wilks as Club Secretary. Tony Forletta has been installed as Vice Chairman and he is responsible for the team managers; Matt Kirby (First Team Manager) and Martin Tranter & Kevin Wilks (Reserve Team Managers). The most recent achievements has seen Cadbury Athletic First Team win the Midland Football Combination Division One title last season (2013-14) and the BCFA Saturday Vase.
As well as the two open age sides, Cadbury Athletic also run a thriving Junior Section with twelve sides in the Central Warwickshire League and since 2011 have an Over 35's side that play in the Central Warwickshire over 35 league with home games being played at Cadbury Recreation Ground in Bournville Lane on a Sunday morning.
