American Football team Kent Exiles celebrates its quarter century of successive competition this year.

At the beginning of the season, not even the most diehard fan of the Orpington-based club could have predicted a year of such spectacular on-field success for their team. 

As things stand, the U17, U19 and adult teams have all qualified for the post-season play-offs for the first time in the club's history.

Each team has done so by winning each of their respective divisions.

In an extremely competitive division, the U17s retained the SE Conference title for the third season running and head to the national finals in Doncaster on September 12.

The U19s conceded the fewest points of any of their rivals on their way to lifting the Division Two South crown.

That set up a quarter-final meeting with South London Renegades on Sunday, but sadly they missed out on a place in the last four.

A comprehensive victory over the Bournemouth Bobcats saw the Exiles’ senior team complete the hat-trick of divisional titles as they lifted the SFC Two South championship.

Their reward is a home quarter-final with the London Hornets on Sunday at the Beaverwood Club in Chislehurst, kick-off 2.30pm. 

This year’s unprecedented success is made all the more poignant as it follows the unexpected death in February of Kent Exiles’ head coach Tony Bainbridge following a long and brave battle with Crohn's Disease.

All of the players have proudly worn the initials TB on their helmets to help keep his memory alive in every game.

The Exiles have also been raising money for Chrohn's research throughout the season.

To make a donation, click here or here to find out more about the club.