Waltham Abbey Football Club

Waltham Abbey F.C. is an English football club based in Waltham Abbey, Essex. The team currently plays in the Southern League Division One Central.

History

Waltham Abbey Youth Club, based in Waltham Abbey, first played football at “Capershotts” during the Second World War and in later years the club became known as firstly Waltham Abbey, then Abbey Sports. Both clubs gained numerous honours in the Northern Suburban League.

The club was founded in 1944 with a mix of players from Waltham Abbey Youth Club and former juniors from Tottenham Hotspur under the leadership of the trainer and manager Wally Hickman. The secretary was Mo (Maurice) Ward. The President was Capt. Larkin.

In their early years they played to a high standard and reached the final of the Herts Junior Cup in three years out of four but lost on each occasion – including a loss to Redbourn Rovers of 4–5 after they had been leading 4–1.

Some of the leading players in the early years included left winger Dave Cook who was killed in a road crash, centre-half Robbo Robinson and inside forward Frank Blower. Frank later became a dedicated treasurer of the club with Ray Buck as a similarly dedicated club secretary.

Waltham Abbey United emerged in the late sixties and a new clubhouse was built. In 1974 the club amalgamated with the successful Beechfield Sports and joined the Metropolitan League, which later became the London Spartan League.

In 1976 the club won the Essex Junior Cup beating Maldon St Mary's 1-0 at Grays Athletics ground. Alfie Hall was the goalscorer. Later that summer the club dropped the Beechfield Sports tag on the advice of The FA. Two years later the club reached the final of the Essex Intermediate Cup (losing 1-2 to Dagenham Reserves at Epping Town FC) and won the league's Division One title, and, having gained Senior Status, were promoted. In their first season they won the title without losing a game and were again promoted this time to the Premier Division where