FC Elmstead

Brief History of FC Elmstead

FC Elmstead began life on Monday 13 October 1958 as Elmstead Rovers and changed its name to FC Elmstead in 1964 with 1 adult side.The club grew quickly and soon added reserves and a junior section.From the very first Elmstead Colts team, Ivan Farman went on to play professional football for Reading FC.By the 1970's the adult section had expanded to 8 adult teams playing under various names; Elmstead Rovers, Strollers or FC Elmstead.Elmstead Colts also expanded, fielding 12 teams in the Mercury Junior Football Leagues.FC Elmstead continued to grow throughout the 80's with many of the teams successful in winning their respective leagues and getting to cup finals.

In the 2014/2015 season, FC Elmstead were runners-up in the Kent County League (West) Div 2 and gained promotion to the Kent Invicta League for the 2015/2016, which meant Senior Football for the first time. In that season we managed to achieve 50 points from 38 games and finish 11^th in a 20-team league. For 2016/2017 the Kent Invicta League merged with the Southern Counties East Football League (SCEFL) and FC Elmstead was placed in the First Division (with a Premier Division above). Again, FC Elmstead finished 11th and had some success in both the FA Vase and London Senior Trophy.

A strong performance during 2019/20 counted for nothing when the season was left unfinished due to Covid and the same happened the following year too. There was just enough time at the end of 2020/21 to squeeze in the London Senior Trophy and against all odds, after losing our Manager and most of the squad just weeks before, we stormed through the competition and won the final 2-1 against Forest Hill Park.

The 2021/22 campaign saw us finish in 11th place while we improved to 7th in 2022/23.

Peter Nolan once again leads us into the new season.

The club runs 3 other adult teams in the Kent County and Metropolitan Sunday leagues and youth sides at most age groups in the Selkent or Tandridge junior leagues.Around 60 adults and 150 young footballers from the local community are involved in these activities each week.

To meet League regulations, FC Elmstead’s 1^st XI currently play at FC Sutton Athletic’s ground (where floodlights are available).However, FC Elmstead’s main ground is Walden Recreation Ground, in Chislehurst.Club colours of scarlet & sky blue evolved when our original colours of claret & sky blue were accidentally boil-washed, and the claret faded!The club badge is a Minorca cockerel and the motto is "NIL DESPERANDUM".Probably the most famous player to wear an Elmstead shirt is Colin Foster who went on to play for Leyton Orient, Nottingham Forest under Brian Clough, West Ham and Watford. Other notable players that have come through the Elmstead club are Mickey Pay (Charlton), Andrew Brown with 3 England FA Futsall caps, Lee Martin, (Manchester United, Charlton, Ipswich, Millwall), and Grant Basey (Charlton).

FC Elmstead’s Committee are very active in seeking their own ground in the immediate area and discussions continue regarding possible locations.FC Elmstead are also fortunate to have the support of a number of local businesses and our objective is to become an SCEFL Premiership side.