A Brief History of the Club
28 Feb 2008

HERONGATE ATHLETIC FOOTBALL CLUB

A brief history

The exact day that the club was formed is not known but a resident of Herongate has produced a photograph (this now hangs in the small bar) dating back to the 1908/09 Season. Our playing record was: -

PLAYED 23 : WON 16 : LOST 3 : DREW 4. GOALS FOR 90 : GOALS AGAINST 23

(So, no problems scoring that year then)

Quite when “Athletic” was introduced to our name is also not known and, in fact, the whole of our early history is sketchy until the 1960’s. This period represent more then half of the club’s current lifespan so if anybody reading this is able to help with any historical information then please do contact us.

By the 1960’s we were running two Saturday teams; both played on the local INGRAVE JOHNSON School playing field. Towards the end of this decade our then chairman negotiated a lease with a local landowner for the area of land we still use. At the same time a wooden construction Public House (the Oakwood) became available in Loughton and Club members dismantled and transported this building before re-E******N where it still forms the major part of our Clubhouse.

During the 1970’s a third Saturday team was added and also a Sunday side. Extra dressing rooms with a plunge bath were built – again by club members.

In the 1980’s we further improved the facilities and four new changing rooms were constructed along with Referees and Physio’s rooms. All are still in use today. The playing side was further strengthened by the introduction of one Saturday veterans (over 35) team and much more recently another. We are also currently running three male and two female Youth teams with plans to introduce Mini-Soccer facilities for our Centenary Season 2008-09.

During our history we have enjoyed football success at every level; a walk through out entrance hall and main corridor with testify to this.