Bowers & Pitsea F.C.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bowers & Pitsea
Bowers & Pitsea logo.png
Full nameBowers & Pitsea Football Club
Nickname(s)Bowers
Founded2003
GroundLen Salmon Stadium, Pitsea
Capacity2,661 (300 seated)[1]
ChairmanBarry Hubbard
ManagerRob Small
LeagueIsthmian League Premier Division
2020–21Isthmian League Premier Division (season curtailed)
WebsiteClub 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[]

See also[]

  • Bowers & Pitsea F.C. players
  • Bowers & Pitsea F.C. managers

References[]

  1. ^ a b Club Information Bowers & Pitsea F.C.
  2. ^ a b c d History Bowers & Pitsea
  3. ^ Bowers United at the Football Club History Database
  4. ^ a b Honours Bowers & Pitsea F.C.
  5. ^ "Late heartbreak for Bowers & Pitsea as Morpeth Town book FA Vase final spot". The Echo. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 25 March 2016.
  6. ^ a b c Bowers & Pitsea at the Football Club History Database
  7. ^ a b c d Jon Weaver (2005) The Football Grounds of Rural Essex, p7
  8. ^ Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2012) Non-League Club Directory 2013, p657 ISBN 978-1-869833-77-0
  9. ^ 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 / 51.57404389; 0.51810000

Retrieved from ""