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About Enfield Town FC…

Club History

Enfield Town FC was formed on 23rd June 2001, when the members of the Enfield Supporters' Trust voted overwhelmingly to break away from the Isthmian League Club and start afresh. The story really began in September 1999 though, when Enfield FC became homeless following the sale of the Southbury Road stadium, its home since 1936.

After a period of ground-sharing with no less than six different clubs the Enfield FC Chairman settled on a long-term ground share with Borehamwood in Hertfordshire. Support soon dwindled and, worried that their club may never return to the borough, a group of supporters forced the local council to tackle the problem. A joint 'task force' was set up and after many months of negotiations three possible sites were identified within the borough for a new home. The Enfield FC Chairman failed to act upon their findings however, and with the considerable help of Supporters Direct, The Enfield Supporters' Trust was formed, culminating in the historic decision to break away and form the new club.

In anticipation of getting the go-ahead, the 'Trust committee had been busy finding a home and a league in which to compete and Enfield Town FC was elected into the Foresters Essex Senior League two days after being officially formed, having also secured a ground-share deal with local Spartan League club Brimsdown Rovers. Local interest in the new club was such that over one hundred season ticket sales were recorded during the pre-season and after attracting a crowd of three-hundred and fifty for the inaugural fixture, a 'friendly' against Brimsdown Rovers, the first ever home league fixture exceeded all expectations by attracting a crowd of five hundred and sixteen.

On the pitch, under the guidance of ex-Enfield manager Jim Chandler, Enfield Town FC enjoyed a superb first season. Although having to settle for the runners-up spot in the league, they really excelled in cup competitions, finishing their first-ever season with no less than three trophies to add to the Essex Senior Football League runners-up shield. They triumphed in the Cherry Red Books Trophy in March 2002, and two months later they won two more trophies within the space of four days when they picked up the Essex Senior League Cup and then defeated Ryman League Wealdstone in the Middlesex Senior Charity Cup Final.

Enfield Town's Daniel Clarke won the Essex Senior League's top goal-scoring award that season while, with 83 goals, the club also broke the league's goal-scoring record of 82, set by Tiptree United in 1977/78.

The second season was no less successful, with the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy secured in April 2003 and the Essex Senior Football League Championship clinched with one game to spare later that month. Enfield Town also reached the final of the Middlesex Senior Cup, finishing as runners-up to Ryman Premier Hendon, and enjoyed a good run in their debut season in the FA Vase.

2003-04 was not so successful on the field, with the club finishing fourth in the league and so not high enough to get promoted. Silverware still found its way into the trophy cabinet though as Sawbridgeworth Town were beaten 3-2 on the last day of the season in the final of the Essex Senior League Cup. The club also made its debut in the FA Cup at home to Clacton Town in the Preliminary Round, eventually gping out to a single goal against Carshalton Athletic ofr the Ryman Premier League.

And so to 2004-05. With the ground having been brought up to standard by a very hard working group of volunteers, the players responded and for the second time won the Essex Senior League with one game still to go. Because of the FA restructuring the non-League game, promotion was not immediately assured, but eventually all the clubs winning leagues at Step 5 were promoted and Enfield Town were placed in the Southern League Division One East for the following season, along with Enfield FC who were promoted from Ryman Division Two. The club also reached the semi-final of the Middlesex Senior Charity Cup and were runners-up in the Essex Senior League Cup.

2005-06 almost saw the club's second promotion in as many years. In fact Town spent a short spell at the top of the table and quite a lot of the season in second place, which would have secured automatic promotion. In the end, it was not to be, with a late surge from Corby Town seeing them take second place behind eventual winners, Boreham Wood. Town went into the play-offs but lost in the semi-final to Wivenhoe Town, who were themselves beaten by Stamford for the third promotion place.

On 23 June 2006, Enfield Town FC was five years old. On our way we had inspired supporters from all over the country to consider, as a last resort, breaking away from the clubs they had followed and, in a small number of cases, to do just that.

Chairman Dave Bryant said, "I think we can all be content with what we have achieved on and off the field in our first five years, and the supporters' decision to form Enfield Town has been totally vindicated. However we cannot become complacent, the challenges of the next five are every bit as great as we seek a ground of our own, to move up the football pyramid and build the club on and off the field."

Town received the following messages of support

From Supporters Direct:–

"Congratulations on the wonderful progress you've made at Enfield Town in the last five years. �You have won - and deserve to win - the support of the vast majority of fans of the old Enfield. �Many people don't realise that you were the first group of supporters in the trust movement to set up your own football club in the way you did, and for that you have my - and the trust movement's - great admiration.

Some of the happiest football moments I've had in recent years have been in the company of Enfield Town supporters, and I hope that there will be the opportunity for more such moments in the future.

Brian Lomax, Chair of Supporters Direct"

From AFC Wimbledon:–

"We are delighted to hear that all of you at Enfield Town FC are celebrating your 5th anniversary.

Enfield Town started almost exactly a year before we did. �You were very helpful when we were trying to get going and an inspiration too, because you had shown us what could be done. �We have very fond memories of those early days and send you our best wishes for a strong and healthy future on and off the pitch.

Good luck for this season in the Ryman League!

Kris Stewart, Chairman, on behalf of AFC Wimbledon's management and fans."

From FC United of Manchester:–

"On behalf of everyone at FC United, congratulations on your 5th anniversary. We feel we've travelled a million journeys in the twelve months we've been in existence so we're sure it's the even more for you. Teams like Enfield Town helped provide the template and inspiration behind what we are trying to achieve at FC United, so long may your success continue and hopefully we'll get to cross paths some time soon.

Jules Spencer, FC United Board"

For 2006-07 the club was moved from the Southern to the Isthmian League and competed in Division One North. The beginning of the season also saw the addition of a Reserve side and the expansion of the Youth programme to include 10 teams, and so the Club continues to grow. The Youth section competed in the Cheshunt Youth League, with the older teams progressing onto the Eastern Junior Alliance. Add to this the thriving Ladies section and Town has become one of the largest clubs in Middlesex.

The 2006-07 season was also relatively successful on the pitch with the first team reaching the play-offs for the second season in succession. Once again Town went out in the semi-final, this time to beaten finalists AFC Sudbury. The Under 18s brought some cheer to the club by winning the Eastern Junior Alliance outright following a &qout;round robin&qout; tournament with the other divisional winners, Grays Athletic and Leyton.

The Club has forged strong links with the local community, running coaching camps for juniors and setting up a flourishing Football in the Community section. These links were further strengthened when the successful Enfield Ladies FC voted to form an alliance with the new club and become Enfield Town Ladies from the start of the 2003-04 season. In addition, a partnership has been formed with Enfield Tigers Youth FC, who run three teams in the Cheshunt and Waltham Forest Leagues.

Enfield Town have secured a ten-year ground-share deal with Brimsdown Rovers and are actively supporting that club in a scheme to redevelop the Goldsdown Road ground and bring it up to Ryman League standards. The Club's long-term aim however, is to establish their own home within the borough and negotiations continue with the local council to achieve this.

A main sponsorship deal has been struck with Direct Boot and Embroidery, a local firm who are no strangers to the club, having supplied them with an extensive range of leisurewear during their first season. In addition, the S.H. Property Agents Ltd of Hemel Hempstead have sponsored the away kit and the Junior Enfield Town Supporters (J.E.T.S) have been sponsored by Haringey Sports Development.

The club remains under the ownership of its supporters and is living proof of the ability of these people to create and successfully run a senior football club, offering inspiration to the many other supporters' groups throughout the country who wish to have a greater say in how their club is run.

The Enfield Supporters Society Ltd - the ESS

(formerly the Enfield Supporters Trust) - The key facts

Q - What is the purpose of the ESS?
A - To support Enfield Town Football Club and develop football in the community in the borough of Enfield.

Q - How will the ESS support Enfield Town Football Club?
A - In two ways -
(i) Initially it will own al the shares in the limited company operating Enfield Town Football Club, appoint alll the directors and provide some financial support. In the longer term it will retain some form of control over the future of the club.
(ii) It will work with the London Borough of Enfield and other bodies to provide a permanent home in Enfield for the club. It will ensure that such land is not sold for speculative building.

Q - How will it develop football in the community?
A - In recent months the efforts of the ESS and previously the Enfield Supporters' Trust were focussed on establishing a new team, gaining entry to the Foresters Essex Senior League and making arrangements with our hosts at the Brimsdown Sports and Social Club. In the longer term the financial success of the club will be used in part to develop our permanent facilities, but also to rebuild the football in the community schemes. This will be through working with those interested in providing football facilities for the community as a whole.

Q - Are we the only supporters society?
A - No. With the help of the supporters direct and the Co-operative Union Ltd successful supporters groups have been established across the country. Some, such as that at Lincoln City, have bought shares in the limited companys running their clubs. We at Enfield Town are probably unique in actually creating and operating a club. We work closely with other groups because we share a common aim of promoting the interests of football supporters

Q - The future
A - The ESS is doing all it can to get senior semi professional football back in Enfield on a permanent basis. We want to enjoy football locally. Together we can aim to get a team back in the Conference, with a good ground and sound finances. We cannot guarantee success but we can guarantee that the commitment and generosity of supporters will benefit just the club and the aims of the ESS. No individual will gain from the efforts of the supporters.

Q - The ESS - What can I do?
A - Join the ESS. Write to the ESS c/o 6 The Vineries, Enfield, Middx, EN1 3DQ. It costs just 5 pounds. Each member has one vote no matter how much money they might give to the ESS. Basically, you need to be 16 or over to join the ESS. Younger supporters are encouraged and will be catered for by our soon to be launched junior section. The interests of younger supporters are represented by a specific director of the ESS.

Q - Who runs the ESS?
A - The directors are elected by the members of the ESS. Elections are coming up in the next few months. Consider standing for election but certainly make sure you vote! More information soon on this.

Q - How else can I help?
A - There are lots of ways - and they do not all cost money
(i) If you can, agree to make regular monthly contributions to the ESS by standing order. Details from the ESS at the address above.
(ii) Volunteer to help at games or help with our fundraising. Please contact any one of our fundraisers on match days - they will be only too pleased to see you.
(iii) Attend as many games as you can - even our away games are nearby - and bring a friend
(iv) Talk to your friends about your club - they might want to come to the games or purchase some advertising space.
(v) Tell us what you think. See our website or write to us
(vi) Attend events organised by the ESS or the supporters
(vii) Buy goods from the club
(viii) When deciding to buy products or services keep our sponsors and advertisers in mind.

More information soon

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About Enfield Town FC…

Club History

The Enfield Supporters Society Ltd - the ESS