Basildon United F.C.
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| Full name | Basildon United Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Bees | ||
| Founded | 1967 | ||
| Ground | Gardiners Close, Basildon | ||
| Capacity | 2,000 (400 seated)[1] | ||
| Chairman | John Moran | ||
| Manager | Laurie Carter | ||
| League | Essex Senior League | ||
| 2012–13 | Essex Senior League, 13th | ||
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Basildon United Football Club is an English football club based in Basildon, Essex. They are currently members of the Essex Senior League and play at Gardiners Close.
History
The club was established in 1963 as a junior team named Armada F.C. before becoming an adult club and adopting their current name in 1967.[2] The club joined the Thurrock Thames-side Combination League for the 1967–68 season.
In 1971 the club were founder members of the Essex Senior League (ESL).[3] They finished as runners-up in 1972–73, before winning the league in 1976–77. The club went on to win the league for the next three seasons, as well winning the League Cup in 1977–78,[2] before switching to the Athenian League in 1980.[3]
After finishing second in their first season in the Athenian League, the club joined Division Two of the Isthmian League for the 1981–82 season. In 1983–84 they won Division Two and were promoted to Division One. The club remained in Division One until being relegated at the end of the 1988–89 season, when they finished second bottom of the Division, and were demoted to Division Two North.[3]
In 1991 the club left the Isthmian League and dropped back into the Essex Senior League. They won the league and League Cup double in 1993–94, but did not take promotion to the Isthmian League. The club won the League Cup for a third time in 1997–98.[2]
Stadium
The club plays at Gardiners Close, which was opened by then West Ham players Geoff Hurst and Jimmy Greaves. The first match was played against West Ham in front of what remains the club's record crowd of 4,000.
Former players
Several former or future professional players have played for Basildon United, including:
Went onto play professional football
- Ken Charlery
- Jonathan Gould
- Michael Kightly
- Wayne Purser
- Ian Renshaw
- Steve Tilson
- Thomas Root (Record goal scorer in the non league with 203 goals in 67 appearances)
Joined the club after leaving professional football
Honours
- Isthmian League
- Division Two champions 1983–84
- Essex Senior League
- Champions 1976–77, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1993–94
- Challenge Cup winners 1977–78, 1993–94, 1997–98
- Essex Senior Trophy
- Winners 1978–79
Records
- Attendance: 4,000 vs West Ham United, friendly match, 11 August 1970[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2012) Non-League Club Directory 2013, p657 ISBN 978-1-869833-77-0
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Club history Basildon United
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Basildon United at the Football Club History Database
External links
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