Barking F.C.

Barking Football Club is an English football club based in Barking, Greater London. The club are currently members of the Essex Senior League and play at Mayesbrook Park in Dagenham.

History

The origins of the modern club are unclear, with several potential origins; Barking Institute was either formed around 1896 as Barking Working Lads' Institute (or possibly earlier as Barking Working Men's Institute) or was a renamed Barking Rovers, who had been established in 1880 and later renamed by the Church Institute when they took over running it.^[1] The club won the Division One of the South Essex League in 1898–99, the Leyton & District League in 1899–1900, Division Two of the South Essex League in 1900–02 and Division Two A in 1901–01, before changing its name to Barking in 1902. They also played in the London League, winning Division One A in 1909–10, before winning the South Essex League again in 1911–12. In 1912 became founder members of the Athenian League. However, they withdrew after only two matches and their record was expunged.^[2]

In 1919 the club changed its name to Barking Town, and in 1920–21 won the Premier Division of the London League, before rejoining the Athenian League in 1923.^[3] In 1926–27 they reached the first round of the FA Cup, but lost to Gillingham in a replay. They also reached the final of the FA Amateur Cup, losing 3–1 to Leyton. They reached the first round of the FA Cup again in 1928–29, but lost 6–0 at Exeter City. In 1932 they reverted to the name Barking, and in 1934–35 won the Athenian League title. In 1952 they switched to the Isthmian League, but had to wait until 1978–79 before winning the league. That season they also reached the second round of the FA Cup, defeating Yeovil Town in the first round, before losing 2–1 at home to Aldershot. The following season they reached the second round again, defeating Third Division Oxford United before losing 3–1 to Reading. In 1981–82 they took Gillingham to a replay in the second round, losing 3–1. Their last appearence in the second round came in 1983–84, when they lost 2–1 at Plymouth Argyle.^[2]

They remained in the Isthmian League Premier Division until relegation to Division One at the end of the 1990–91 season. After finishing bottom in 1995–96 the club was relegated to Division Two. In 2001 Barking ceased to exist when they merged with East Ham United to form Barking & East Ham United. However, when the new club folded in 2006, Barking was re-established and joined the Essex Senior League.

Ground

Barking Institute originally played at the Recreation Ground in Barking Park, before moving to Vicarage Field, which had been in use by Barking Rovers since 1884.^[1] Floodlights were installed in 1958 and they were the first Isthmian League club to play a league match under lights. In 1973 the club were forced to leave the ground by the council and moved to Mayesbrook Park.

Honours

• Isthmian League
  • Premier Division champions 1978–79
• Athenian League
  • Champions 1934–35
• London League
  • Premier Division champions 1920–21
  • Division One A champions 1909–10
• South Essex League
  • Division One champions 1898-99, 1911-12
  • Division Two champions 1900–01
  • Division Two A champions 1901–02
• Leyton & District League
  • Champions 1899–1900
• Essex Senior Cup
  • Winners: 1919–20, 1945–46, 1962–63, 1969–70, 1989–90
• London Senior Cup
  • Winners 1911–12, 1920–21, 1926–27, 1978–79

Records

• Best FA Cup performance: Second round replay, 1981–82
• Best FA Amateur Cup performance: Runners-up, 1926–27
• Best FA Trophy performance: Second round, 1979–80
• Best FA Vase performance: Fifth round, 1996–97

References

External links

• Club website