There are but a few seasons that can justifiably be termed "vintage" in the history of Carshalton Football Club. 1913-14, 1925-26 and 1935-36 are three, and there can be no doubt that 1948-49 can be added to that list. The 1^st XI’s league record in the Golden Jubilee season was sufficient to secure promotion to Division 1. The cup form was equally impressive, with a long run in the AFA Senior Cup and victory in the AFA Surrey Senior Cup - a quite remarkable achievement in only the second season after reforming. Skipper Maurice Watts cited his players’ "never-say-die attitude" and an injury free season as reasons for the considerable success of the team. The AFA Surrey Senior Cup final was played on 16^th April 1949 at the Lloyds Sports Ground, Copers Cope Road, Beckenham. In 83° temperatures and on a bone dry pitch, Carshalton defeated Reigate Priory 1-0 with a goal from Ted Mattos after 57 minutes. Maurice Watts received the trophy from Graham Swales in his capacity as AFA representative.

1^st XI 1948/49 - AFA Surrey Senior Cup Winners
(Standing): J.Bull, W.Bailey, A.Barnes, B.Cotton, C.Horbrough, S.Humphries, R.Shoebridge, J.Larkman, E.Alexander, W.Power
(Seated): E.Hill, J.James, G.Burnand, M.Watts, I.Matthew, G.Mattos, E.Mattos

After the disappointment of "relegation" following league reconstruction, the Reserves romped home in Division 3. They also reached the semi final of the AFA Surrey Junior Cup before being knocked out by Bank of England.

Not to be outdone, the "A" side also had a tremendous season winning Division 2 of the SAL Minor Section in its inaugural year at a stroll. Some idea of the playing strength of the Club at the time can be measured from the fact that this considerable success was achieved using no less than 31 players. Their season’s record read:

As further testimony to the Carshalton spirit of the time, it should be pointed out that the skipper’s only goal came in a 2-2 draw at Old Latymerians in the midweek fixture which clinched the title - it cost him 12 pints!

This was indeed a season of many changes. In March, the long serving President, Mr AJM Causer retired due to ill health. In his place, Carshalton were fortunate to call upon the services of Shelton Cox (by now a Life Vice President of the AFA), who continued his long association with the Club and remained in office until 1953. At the same time, Frank Sutherland had to step down from the office of Hon. Secretary and Bill Bailey temporally added these duties to his own of Team Secretary, Pontoon Promoter, Social Secretary, etc. Obviously the Club needed a permanent successor and the Club once again produced the man for the occasion – Bill Power. He joined the Club post war, but had long been connected with AFA football – in his "spare" time he organised the Old Boys Cup. He was to guide the Club through 6 difficult seasons off the pitch. The Club showed ambitions to return to Europe and made plans for their first Easter tour to Lille over the Easter weekend. Ironically the success of the 1^st XI meant that the final of the AFA Surrey Senior Cup clashed with the plans and they had to be abandoned.

To celebrate the achievement of 50 years of existence, the Club’s Golden Jubilee Dinner was held on 12^th May at The Café Royal in Croydon. The Club could reflect on a remarkable season with the 1^st XI, "A" XI and "B" XI all in their respective top divisions and the Reserves promoted to Division 2. The bonus of the first senior silverware since 1928 made the AFA Surrey Senior Cup the star attraction.