Aveley F.C.

Aveley F.C.
Aveley Football Club are a semi–professional football club based in Aveley, Essex, England. They are currently members of the and play at Parkside.
History
The club was established in 1927 and played in local leagues until World War II. In 1946 they joined the Thurrock Combination League, and went on to win the Essex Junior Cup in 1948 and 1949. In 1949 the club joined Division Two of the London League. They finished fourth in their first season, and were promoted to Division One. The following season they won Division One, but were not promoted to the Premier Division. However, despite finishing ninth in 1952–53, they were promoted. After finishing seventh, then third in their first two seasons in the Premier Division, they won the division in 1954–55. In 1957 the club switched to the Delphian League, finishing as runners-up in their first season. When the league folded in 1963 they joined Division Two of the Athenian League. After finishing second in 1968–69, the club was promoted to Division One. They won the Division One title in 1970–71, earning promotion to the Premier Division.
In 1973 Aveley joined Division Two of the Isthmian League, which became Division One in 1977. They won the Essex Thameside Trophy in 1979–80 and the Hornchurch Charity Cup in 1982–83. In 1985–86 they finished bottom of the division, and were relegated to Division Two North. After finishing second in 1989–90, a season in which they also became the first club from the bottom division to win the League Cup, the club was promoted back to Division One. Although they finished fourth in their first season back in Division One, the club finished bottom of the division the following season, but were not relegated. However, in 1992–93 they finished bottom again and were relegated to Division Two. In 1994–95 the club were relegated to Division Three, where they remained until 2002, when league reorganisation saw them placed in Division One North.
Aveley were transferred to Division One East of the Southern League in 2004, before returning to Division One North of the Isthmian League in 2006. They won the division in 2008–09, and were promoted to the Premier Division. After finishing third in Isthmian League under manager Rod Stringer, the club lost in the promotion play-off semi-finals to eventual winners Boreham Wood. In 2011–12 the club were relegated back to Division One North after finishing third-from-bottom. In their first season in Division One they finished fifth and qualified for the promotion play-offs. They lost 3–1 to Maldon & Tiptree in the semi-finals. In 2021–22 Aveley were Division One North champions and were promoted to the Premier Division. The following season saw the club win the League Cup, defeating Potters Bar Town 3–0 in the final. They went on to finish fourth in the league, and after beating Canvey Island in the play-off semi-finals, defeated Hornchurch 1–0 in the final to earn a second consecutive promotion, this time to the National League South.
Ground
The club played at Lodge Meadow until moving to Mill Field in 1952, at which point they gained the nickname the Millers. The new ground was built by supporters on land they had purchased, and a stand was bought from Grays Athletic for £100, subsequently becoming known as the Pepper Stand. The ground was opened with a local derby match against Grays. Terracing was installed on the other side of the ground, on which a 400-seat wooden stand was erected in 1958 at a cost of £2,600, together with additional terracing. Floodlights were installed in 1967, with Grays again the visitors for the first match played under them. At the time of its closure, the ground had a capacity of 4,000, of which 400 was seated and covered.
During the 2010s the club bought the site of a former gravel pit from Thurrock Council using money raised from selling Mill Field to developers. The 2016–17 season was the club's last at Mill Field, as they moved to Parkside for the start of the 2017–18 season. The new ground featured two seated stands on either side of the pitch, one of which was built into the clubhouse, with the clubhouse roof overhang providing cover. Two covered terraces were erected behind each goal, either side of the goalmouth, whilst an artificial pitch was installed. In 2018 Parkside hosted a number of games in the CONIFA World Cup. The ground has also been shared by Grays Athletic (2017–2023), May & Baker (since 2019), Cannons Wood (since 2023) and Hashtag United Women (since 2023).
Current squad
Out on loan
Honours
Isthmian League
Division One North champions 2008–09, 2021–22
League Cup winners 1989–90, 2022–23
Athenian League
Champions 1970–71
London League
Premier Division champions 1954–55
Division One champions 1950–51
Essex Thames-Side Challenge Trophy
Winners 1979–80, 2004–05, 2006–07
Records
Best FA Cup performance: First round, 1970–71
Best FA Trophy performance: Quarter-finals, 2019–20
Best FA Vase performance: Fourth round, 1995–96
Biggest win: 11–1 vs Histon, 24 August 1963
Heaviest defeat: 8–0 vs Orient, Essex Thames-Side Trophy
Record attendance: 3,741 vs Slough Town, 27 February 1971
Most appearances: Ken Riley, 422
Record goalscorer: Jotty Wilks, 214
See also
Aveley F.C. players
Aveley F.C. managers
References
External links
Club website
Football clubs in England
London League (football)
Delphian League
Athenian League
Isthmian League clubs
Southern Football League clubs
Football clubs in Essex
Association football clubs established in 1927
Sport in Thurrock
1927 establishments in England
National League (English football) clubs