East Preston F.C.

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East Preston F.C. is a football club based in East Preston, near Littlehampton, England. They were established in 1947 and were the founding members of the Sussex County Football League Division Three in 1983. For the 2005-06 season, they are members of the Sussex County Football League Division One.

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East Preston FC was originally formed in 1947, but unfortunately within ten years the club had folded. However it was reformed, as the present Club in 1966 when it was elected to the Worthing League.

The Club then moved on to the West Sussex League for the start of the 1968/69 season before becoming founder members of the newly formed Sussex County League Division Three in 1983/84, having won a number of honours in the seasons leading up to that. Division Three was won at the first attempt but the club were unable to take their place in senior football as the ground and facilities were not up to the required standard.

The club remained in Division Three until 1990/91 when they gained promotion once again, this time as runners up to Ifield. However this lasted just one season before being relegated back the following year. After a couple of near misses they finally achieved promotion again at the end of the 1994/95 season. In that promotion season they achieved a memorable treble also winning the Division 3 Cup and the Sussex Intermediate Cup.

In 1997/98 promotion to Division One was gained for the first time in the club’s history. The club acquitted itself well for two seasons, finishing fourth in 1999/00 before a season of crisis saw them relegated in 2000/01. Recovery however, was swift and East Preston were immediately promoted back to the top flight. Season 2003-2004 saw EP once again a force in Division One challenging and leading the division for parts of the season before finally finishing a creditable 3rd, losing out on the Runner-up spot only on goal difference.

East Preston’s ground at The Lashmar has been steadily improved over the last five years. The most recent addition being a small 50-seat stand along the near touchline, built near the end of the 2002/03 season. Previously the only cover at the ground was provided outside of the changing rooms, adjacent to where the stand has been erected. This area extends around behind the corner flag. Floodlights were added to bring the ground up to required standards of SCFL Division One some 5 years ago.

A significant improvement a few years back was the construction of a splendid clubhouse, accessed from just outside the main gate. This is both spacious and comfortable, and has been remarked upon as one of the best in the county.

Website: http://www.epfc.org.uk