Erith Town

ERITH TOWN - A HISTORY

Formed in 1956 as Woolwich Town, the Dockers attained senior status in 1995-96 upon reaching the London Spartan League Premier Division in 1995-96.

By then the club had already changed their name to Erith Town, reflecting a move to Erith Stadium.

After one year in the Spartan Premier, the Dockers successfully applied to cross the Pyramid to the Kent League.

After struggling in the lower reaches of the League for three seasons, the Dockers celebrated the new Millennium with a then best seventh place in 1999-2000 and reached the London Senior Cup Final, losing 5-1 to Bedfont.

In the following seven seasons Erith only once reached such heights again, finishing seventh in 2003-4.

The appointment of former Fisher Athletic player Mark Tompkins as player-manager midway through 2006-7 saw an upturn in fortunes and the following season he led the team to fifth in the Kent League. He also brought the club their first silverware as a senior club as record appearance maker Alan Hanlon lifted the Kent League Cup after a 1-0 win over much-fancied Hythe Town in the Final at Folkestone.

Tommo’s departure on the eve of 2008-9 lead to the appointment of Steve O’Boyle who took the Dockers back to the Kent League Cup Final for a second season. Despite drawing 1-1 after extra time against Croydon, the Dockers went down 3-1 on penalties.

Tony Russell took over the reins when O’Boyle departed in October 2010 guiding the club to a third successive mid-table finish but bringing the Kent Senior Trophy to the club after a 3-1 win over Tunbridge Wells in the Final.

Having achieved a new best of fourth the following season, Russell departed for neighbours VCD Athletic with Erith Town top of the League in November 2012 and after a brief spell with James Collins in charge, Tompkins returned to take the Dockers to new personal best of third spot.

Tommo repeated the feat in 2013-14 before departing and a turbulent 2014-15 saw three managers and a Houdini-style escape from relegation under Martin and Joe Ford. Seven points adrift with three games remaining their young side win the final three games to climb off the foot of the table.

Two further seasons of struggle followed before Mark Deveney took over the club in the Summer of 2017, immediately appointing former owner Albert Putnam as President for his work as player, manager and Chairman in over 50 years with the club.

A return to Erith Stadium for 2018-19 saw manager Adam Woodward guide the club to sixth spot, their best finish for five years.

On the 26th August the club took part in the last ever game at Brentford’s Griffin Park ground, losing 6-3 to the Bees’ B team in the London Senior Cup semi-final.

After two seasons lost to Corona virus, the Dockers finished seventh in 2021-22 and with a young and exciting squad are looking forward to 2022-23.