Bowers & Pitsea F.C.
Full name | Bowers & Pitsea Football Club | ||
---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | Bowers | ||
Founded | 2003 | ||
Ground | Len Salmon Stadium, Pitsea | ||
Capacity | 2,661 (300 seated)[1] | ||
Chairman | Barry Hubbard | ||
Manager | Rob Small | ||
League | Isthmian League Premier Division | ||
2020–21 | Isthmian League Premier Division (season curtailed) | ||
Website | Club website | ||
|
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 Bowers United 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 win the league, earning promotion to Division One North of the Isthmian League. They also reached the semi-finals of the FA Vase, losing 4–3 on aggregate to eventual winners Morpeth Town.[5]
The 2017–18 season saw Bowers & Pitsea finish third in the renamed North Division, qualifying for the promotion play-offs. However, they were beaten 2–0 by Canvey Island in the semi-finals. The following season the club were North Division champions, earning promotion to the Premier Division.[6] In 2021–22 they reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time, losing 1–0 at Lincoln City.
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 site was purchased from the Basildon Development Corporation, as well as a prefabricated building that became the club's dressing rooms.[7] It was officially opened with a friendly match against Ex-Tottenham Hotspur All-Star team.[7] A seated stand was built on one side of the pitch, with the original bench seating later replaced with red tip-up seats.[7] A covered standing area was erected next to the seated stand.[7]
The ground currently has a capacity of 2,661, of which 300 is seated.[1]
Honours[]
- Isthmian League
- North Division champions 2018–19
- 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 round, 2021–22
- 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[8]
- Biggest victory: 14–1 vs Stansted, 2006–07[9]
- Heaviest defeat: 8–0 vs Ford United, 1996–97[9]
See also[]
- Bowers & Pitsea F.C. players
- Bowers & Pitsea F.C. managers
References[]
- ^ a b Club Information Bowers & Pitsea F.C.
- ^ a b c d History Bowers & Pitsea
- ^ 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 c d Jon Weaver (2005) The Football Grounds of Rural Essex, p7
- ^ Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2012) Non-League Club Directory 2013, p657 ISBN 978-1-869833-77-0
- ^ a b Club records Bowers & Pitsea F.C.
External links[]
Coordinates: 51°34′26.558″N 0°31′5.160″E / 51.57404389°N 0.51810000°E
- Bowers & Pitsea F.C.
- Football clubs in England
- Football clubs in Essex
- Association football clubs established in 1946
- 1946 establishments in England
- Essex Olympian Football League
- Essex Senior Football League
- Isthmian League
- Borough of Basildon