Club History

Hullbridge Sports FC, was formed in 1945 by local residents wishing to play football. The local council purchased a piece of land by the River Crouch for use as a recreational park and that is where the first football pitch was laid.

Hullbridge started playing in the Chelmsford Mid-Essex League and after one season joined the Southend District league playing in Division 3. They remained with the district League until 1982 when Southend Borough Combination and the District League formed the Alliance league. Here the club gained honours in both League and Cup competitions before Joining the Essex Intermediate League in 1984, where they gained promotion in their first season and subsequently won the League Cup in 1987 / 1988.

The 60's saw the expansion of the club into other sports and social activities and so became Hullbridge Sports & Social Club. In the late 1970's negotiations began with the local Council to purchase their own ground and in 1980 the members tackled the mammoth task of transforming 16.5 acres of farming land into a sports complex complete with clubhouse and changing facilities which were to be second to none. The transformation was gradual and in 1983 the Clubhouse was officially opened and now boasts a licensed bar, function hall which is available to† hire for private functions to members and non members, kitchen, pool room, darts, table tennis, and match room, tennis court, netball, cricket square and extensive changing rooms and showers.

Forever looking for ways forward, 1989 saw the necessity for alterations to the ground to enable the club to gain Senior Status and for acceptance into the Essex Senior Football League. The very first senior league game played at Hullbridge was on the 25th August 1990 against Stansted in front of a crowd of 200 spectators.

A few years back, it was decided to further improve facilities at the Club, and an appeal was launched. Many fund raising activities were undertaken to raise the funds to install floodlighting at Lower Road. Following much hard work by many of our members, the floodlights were completed in time for the start of the 1998 / 1999 season.

The season 1999 / 2000 saw our best achievement when our very strong U18 squad reached the 3rd Round Proper of The Times FA Youth Cup, which was played under the lights at Hullbridge on 1st December 1999 against Blackburn Rovers. Nearly 1000 locals turned out to cheer the boys on and although Hullbridge was not to go any further in the competition the boys did not disgrace the Club with their performance.

Hullbridge Sports FC have come a very long way since playing "down the rec" in 1945 and the journey is by no means over. For all at the club are determined to continue development of the facilities for the current squads, and to ensure the highest quality for future generations of sportsmen and women.