Enfield F.C.
|
|
Enfield F.C. are a football team from Enfield, London. Their traditional rivals are Barnet F.C.. Enfield are historically one of the most successful amateur clubs in England, but in recent seasons have been in freefall due to the club's decision to relocate to Borehamwood, and the formation of a rival club, Enfield Town F.C. (a situation that closely parallels the more publicized creation of AFC Wimbledon).
History
Enfield were formed in 1912, and spent most of the next 50 years in the Athenian League. It was not until 1962 that the club won the league title for the first time, and a second successive title in 1963 won them entry to the Isthmian League. They won seven further league titles, and were one of the first two Isthmian League clubs to join the Alliance Premier League (now the Football Conference) in 1981.
During the early 1980s, Enfield were among the strongest Conference sides, winning the title in 1983 and 1986, and the FA Trophy in 1982 and 1988. Their form slipped and they were relegated to the Isthmian League in 1990. Despite a run of seven consecutive top-3 finishes they remained in that league, being denied promotion afer winning the title in 1995 due to ground grading (please check).
In 1999, the club sold its Southbury Road stadium, and began ground sharing with several nearby clubs. Eventually, the board decided on a long term ground share with Boreham Wood F.C., 10 miles away. Fearing that the club would never return to its home borough, a group of fans set up a supporters' trust, which eventually led to the creation of Enfield Town F.C. as a new club.
The new club joined the Essex Senior League, and took most of Enfield F.C.'s support. The old club struggled in the Isthmian League Premier Division, and were relegated in 2003 with 101 goals conceded. The 2003-04 season was even worse, finishing bottom of Division One North with 238 goals conceded. They are now playing alongside Enfield Town in Division Two.
- 1912 - Founder member of Athenian League
- 1919 - Did not re-join Athenian League after the War
- 1921-22 - Rejoined Athenian League
- 1934-35 - Athenian League runner-up
- 1939-40 - Athenian League abandoned on outbreak of the War
- 1961-62 - Athenian League Champions
- 1962-63 - Athenian League Champions (2nd time)
- 1963-64 - Joined Isthmian League; F.A. Amateur Cup finalists
- 1964-65 - Isthmian League runner-up after losing Championship play-off against Hendon
- 1966-67 - F.A. Amateur Cup Winners
- 1967-68 - Isthmian League Champions
- 1968-69 - Isthmian League Champions (2nd time)
- 1969-70 - Isthmian League Champions (3rd time in a row). F.A. Amateur Cup Winners (2nd time)
- 1971-72 - Isthmian League runner-up; F.A. Amateur Cup finalists
- 1974-75 - Isthmian League runner-up (lost the title on goal average)
- 1975-76 - Isthmian League Champions (4th time). F.A. Trophy semi-finalists
- 1976-77 - Isthmian League Champions (5th time)
- 1977-78 - Division One re-named Premier Division. Isthmian League Champions (6th time)
- 1979-80 - Isthmian League Champions (7th time)
- 1980-81 - Isthmian League runner-up
- 1981-82 - Joined Alliance Premier League. Alliance Premier League runner-up. F.A. Trophy Winners
- 1982-83 - Alliance Premier League Champions
- 1984-85 - F.A. Trophy semi-finalists
- 1985-86 - Alliance Premier League Champions (2nd time). F.A. Trophy semi-finalists
- 1986-87 - Alliance Premier League renamed Conference
- 1987-88 - F.A. Trophy Winners (2nd time)
- 1990-91 - Rejoined Isthmian League. Isthmian League runner-up
- 1991-92 - Isthmian League runner-up
- 1993-94 - Isthmian League runner-up. F.A. Trophy semi-finalists
- 1994-95 - Isthmian League Champions (8th time)
- 1995-96 - Isthmian League runner-up (lost title on goal difference)
- 1996-97 - Isthmian League runner-up
- 2003 - Relegated to Division One North
- 2004 - Relegated to Division Two
- Best league position: 1st in Alliance Premier League (then level 5), 1985-86.
- Best FA Cup performance: 4th round, 1985-86
- Best FA Amateur Cup performance: winners 1966-67, 1969-70;
- Best FA Trophy performance: winners 1981-82, 1987-88
- Best FA Vase performance: 5th round, 2004-05
Source: Football Club History Database (http://www.fchd.btinternet.co.uk/)
Honours
- FA Trophy winners 1981-82, 1987-88
- FA Amateur Cup winners 1966-67, 1969-70; runners-up 1963-64, 1971-72
- Football Conference champions 1982-83, 1985-86; runners-up 1981-82
- Isthmian League champions 1967-68, 1968-69, 1969-70, 1975-76, 1976-77, 1977-78, 1979-80, 1994-95; runners-up 1964-65, 1971-72, 1974-75, 1980-81, 1990-91, 1991-92, 1993-94, 1995-96, 1996-97
- Athenian League champions 1961-62, 1962-63; runners-up 1934-35
External links
- Enfield FC official site (http://www.enfieldfc.com/) - No longer updated
- EFC Fans (http://www.efcfans.com/)
- Enfield Town official site (http://www.enfieldtownfootballclub.co.uk/)