Bowers & Pitsea F.C.
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| Full name | Bowers & Pitsea Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2003 | ||
| Ground | Len Salmon Stadium, Pitsea | ||
| Capacity | 2,000 (200 seated)[1] | ||
| Chairman | Barry Hubbard | ||
| Manager | Rob Small | ||
| League | Isthmian League Premier Division | ||
| 2023–24 | Isthmian League North Division, 4th of 19 (promoted via play-offs) | ||
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Bowers & Pitsea Football Club is a football club based in Pitsea, Essex, England. The club are currently members of the Isthmian League Premier Division and play at the Len Salmon Stadium.
History
The club was established in 1946 by Bert Salmon as Bowers United and initially played in the Thurrock and Thameside Combination.[2] The club won the league in 1958–59, and became founder members of the Essex Olympian League in 1966, before moving up to the Essex Senior League in 1974.[3] In 1980–81 the club won the league, and the following season saw them win the League Challenge Cup.[4] They won the Harry Fisher Trophy in 1991–92, before going on to win the league and challenge cup double in 1998–99.[4]
In 2004 they absorbed Pitsea Football Club, adopting their current name.[2] Pitsea had played in the Vange & District Sunday League and the Basildon Sunday League, winning the league treble in 1994–95 and 1995–96, and the league and cup double in 1996–97.[2] In 2014–15 the club won the Challenge Cup for a third time. The following season saw them the league, earning promotion to Division One North of the Isthmian League. They also reached the semi-finals of the FA Vase, losing 4–2 on aggregate to eventual winners Morpeth Town.[5]
Ground
The club were originally based at what later became Pitsea Market, before moving to Gun Meadow. When the A13 was built, the Gun Meadow ground was subject to a compulsory purchase order, resulting in the club moving to its current home on Crown Avenue.[2] The ground currently has a capacity of 2,000, of which 200 is seated and 1,000 covered.[1]
Honours
- Essex Senior League
- Champions 1980–81, 1998–99, 2015–16
- Challenge Cup winners 1981–82, 1998–99, 2014–15
- Harry Fisher Trophy winners 1991–92
- Don Douglas Memorial Trophy winners 1997–98, 1998–99, 2002–03, 2014–15
- Thurrock & Thameside Combination League
- Champions 1958–59
Records
- Best FA Cup performance: First qualifying round, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2014–15[3][6]
- Best FA Trophy performance: Preliminary round, 2016–17[6]
- Best FA Vase performance: Semi-finals, 2015–16[6]
- Record attendance: 1,800 vs Billericay Town, FA Vase[1]
- Biggest victory: 14–1 vs Stansted, 2006–07[7]
- Heaviest defeat: 8–0 vs Ford United, 1996–97[7]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2012) Non-League Club Directory 2013, p657 ISBN 978-1-869833-77-0
- ^ a b c d History Bowers & Pitsea
- ^ a b Bowers United at the Football Club History Database
- ^ a b Honours Bowers & Pitsea F.C.
- ^ "Late heartbreak for Bowers & Pitsea as Morpeth Town book FA Vase final spot". The Echo. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
- ^ a b c Bowers & Pitsea at the Football Club History Database
- ^ a b Club records Bowers & Pitsea F.C.