Concord Rangers F.C.
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| Full name | Concord Rangers Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Beach Boys | ||
| Founded | 1967 | ||
| Ground | Thames Road, Canvey Island | ||
| Chairman | Antony Smith | ||
| Manager | Danny Cowley | ||
| League | Conference South | ||
| 2013–14 | Conference South, 9th | ||
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Concord Rangers Football Club is a football club based in Canvey Island in Essex, England. The club are currently members of the Conference South and play at The Aspect Arena, Thames Road.
History
Concord Rangers F.C. was officially formed in 1967 by current Club President Albert Lant, and originated from a team of boys (including Albert's son Steve) that played friendly matches during 1966 on a pitch along the Canvey Island seafront; close to the Concord Beach - hence the name Concord Rangers, and also ‘The Beach Boys’ nickname.[1] They are therefore quite possibly the only English football team to be specifically named after a beach.
The club initially joined The Thundermite Boys' Football League in 1967, with Albert Lant as manager.
In 1973 Concord joined the Vange and District League, where the club won several League and Cup honours in a 6 year period before joining the Mid-Essex League for the 1979/80 season - the club's first foray into Saturday football. At that time fixtures were played at Waterside Farm, on Canvey Island.
The 1978/79 season saw Concord Rangers F.C. become the inaugural winners of The Essex Sunday Junior Trophy, defeating Bishop's Park 4-0 in a game played at Tiptree United F.C..[2]
The club gained the land which houses the Thames Road stadium back in 1985. Concord Rangers won an Essex Intermediate League double in the season 1990–1991, this was when the real progress started.
Concord were denied promotion to the Isthmian League in 1998 after winning the Essex Senior League. Following this, several players, coaches, management team, and the chairman left. One who remained was Lee Patterson, who took over as first team manager.
The club won the Essex Senior League title once again in 2003–2004, but still remained at that level for the next season. This led to one player leaving, namely current Great Wakering Rovers stalwart Nikki Beale.
They are the winners of the 2007–2008 Essex Senior Football League winning the title by goal difference on the last day of the season against Barkingside at the Oakside Stadium. They are also the winners of the 2007–2008 Gordon Brasted Trophy (formerly the Harry Fisher Memorial Trophy), defeating fellow Essex Senior Football League side Eton Manor 3–2 at Leslie Field, the home of Burnham Ramblers.
They were promoted to the Isthmian League Division One North for the 2008–09 season. The following year, 2009–10, they were promoted through the play-offs to the Isthmian League Premier Division.
Concord Rangers have reached the First Qualifying Round in the FA Cup six times, last in season 2008–09. They have also reached the Third Qualifying Round in 2010–11. In 2013–14 the club reached their furthest stage in the FA cup getting through to the 4th qualifying round before exiting to Barnet 3–0 at the Hive. Also in the same season the club reached their furthest stage in the FA trophy getting through to the 1st round proper before losing to eventual finalists Gosport Borough 1–0
The 2012/13 season saw Concord finish 4th in The Isthmian League Premier Division, consequently qualifying for the play-offs; which they won - defeating Wealdstone F.C. away 2-1 (AET) in the play-off semi-final,[3] and beating Lowestoft Town F.C. away 2-1 in the play-off final in front of a crowd of 2,490,[4] thus winning promotion to the Conference South for the 2013/14 season - the club's highest ever level of competition. The club were also winners of The Isthmian League cup that season, defeating Dulwich Hamlet F.C. 3-2 AET at The Gallagher Stadium (home of Maidstone United F.C.).[5]
2013/14 - The club finished in a very creditable 9th place in their maiden Conference South season, and also reached The 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup for the 1st time in their history; eventually bowing out 3-0 away to Barnet F.C. of The Conference Premier[6] They went one better the following season, qualifying for the First Round Proper of the competition for the first time in their history.
Coaching Staff
- 1st Team Manager Danny Cowley
- Assistant Manager Nicky Cowley
- Goalkeeping Coach Danny Clare
- Head Sports Therapist Mike Hine
- Sports Therapist Dan Monahan
- Backroom Staff Gary Ewers, Miki Hood
Current Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Players Out On Loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Honours
- Isthmian League Premier Division[7]
- Play-off winners 2012–13
- Isthmian League Division One North[7]
- Runners-up 2009–10
- Essex Senior League
- Champions 1997–98, 2003–04, 2007–08
- Runners-up 2002–03
- Essex Intermediate League
- Champions 1990–91
Results
- FA Trophy
- First Round 2013–14
- FA Vase
- Quarter Finals 2007–08
References
- ^ http://www.concordrangersfc.com/history/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ http://www.essexfa.com/competitions/county-cups/sunday-junior-trophy.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ WestLondon, Get. "Play-off heartbreak for Wealdstone against Concord". www.getwestlondon.co.uk. GetWestLondon.
- ^ Sport, BBC. "Lowestoft Town 1-2 Concord Rangers". www.bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport.
- ^ Butcher, Peter. "Nicky is Concord's Cup King!". www.isthmian.co.uk. Isthmian League.
- ^ Colasanti, James. "FA Cup: Barnet 3, Concord Rangers 0". www.echo-news.co.uk. James Colasanti/Echo News.
- ^ a b c Concord Rangers at the Football Club History Database