Match Preview: FC Clacton v The Bridge

It’s been a tough season for The Seasiders, both on and off the pitch. The club faces eviction from its home at the end of the season unless an agreement over unpaid bills can be reached with Tendring Council. On the pitch, results have been poor, with the club currently bottom of the ESL Prem.

Sitting in 20th place, FC Clacton have just 6 points from their 17 games. 1 win, 3 draws, and 13 defeats have produced 11 goals (the lowest in the division) and 56 against (second only to Sawbridgeworth with 58) for a -45 GD. From their 8 home matches, they have 1 draw and 7 defeats, with a -20 GD (1 for, 21 against) which places them, not surprisingly at 20th in the ESL home table. Their one victory this season in the ESL was at The Bridge in September where they won 3-1!

Here’s what The Seasiders have been doing in their last six matches…
FC Clacton – season 24/25 – The Last Six
(most recent results first)
Great Wakering Rovers 5 FC Clacton 0
In a season full of big defeats, this was another one. Kieron Shelley’s first game back in charge ended in a five-goal thrashing at GWR with Callum Boylan grabbing a hat-trick and Harry Talbot scoring two.

Takeley 3 FC Clacton 1
The Seasiders were 3-0 down after 53 minutes with Lanre Balogun opening the scoring before Olly Miles scored twice. A consolation from Emmanuel Ikwuegbu made the scoreline look better but it’s another defeat for Clacton.

Stanway Rovers 8 FC Clacton 0
Stanway top the ESL table but this is still a huge defeat for the visitors who are 3-0 down at half-time and concede another five in the second half. Goals came from Jamie Bennett (2), Nathaniel Mardell (2), George Okoye, Tom Maycock, Harry Thomas, and a Fletcher Hanna OG that started it all in the 6th minute.

FC Clacton 0 White Ensign 2
Another home defeat for The Seasiders who succumb to two Chinedu Duru goals, one in each half.

Woodford Town 2 FC Clacton 2
The only bright spot in recent games was this surprising draw at second-placed Woodford. Georges Kebi put the Woods ahead before Ben Sargeant equalised. Nathan Sollosi restored The Woods lead before Ben equalised for a second time with a penalty.

Romford 5 FC Clacton 0
Another heavy away defeat as Romford hit five without reply. It’s 3-0 at half-time with goals from Kennedy Feyi, ex-Bridge man Sam Elwood and Chris Millar. Two more in the second half from Sam again and an OG from Harry Harvey on another miserable day for The Seasiders.

First Team Squad & appearances:
Player Appearances
1 Emmanuel Ikwuegbu 19
2 Glory Longi 18
3 James Letts 17
4 David Ogbechie 17
5 Josh Fowler 16
6 Steve Downes 15
7 Luwa Luwabelwa 14
8 Nkosinathi Mwanza 13
9 Robert Adams 12
10 Freddie Barnes 12
11 Fletcher Hanna 12
12 Jordan Rock 12
13 Tyrese Miller 10
14 Ben Sargeant 10
15 Arion Svarqa 10
16 Remy Newell Barnard 9
17 Dion Tansele 9
18 Harry Harvey 7
19 Tyler Alexander 6
20 Douglas Herrington 6
21 Jayden Hanna 5
22 Cameron Button 4
23 Makhi Johnson-Reid 4
24 Robert Keenan 4
25 Jonathan Hardy 3
26 Idreess Namisi 3
27 Haytham Bakhlakh 1
28 Oscar Booz 1
29 Arthur Bright 1
30 Brogan Cordice 1
31 Brodie Cowdry 1
32 Maeson Harding 1
33 Spencer Jacobs 1
34 Stan Madzikanda 1
35 Michael Nwankwo 1
36 George Pollard 1

Last Season:
The Seasiders finished 17th in the ESL last season. The Bridge finished in 12th.
The teams met twice during the season.

Game one was on the 5th of December 2023 at Lower Road and FC Clacton won the game 3-1. Martin Tuohy scored for The Bridge but goals from Reuben Cowler, Louie Kudiabor, and Shayden Baker-Williams made sure that Clacton took the three points.

Game two at the Rush Green Bowl on the 9th of March 2024 was a 5-2 win for The Bridge. Oluwatobi Coker with two, Jon Evans, Adam Topley, and Owen Bellamy score The Bridge five. Noah Alsterlind and Jenson Mulqueen replied for Clacton who had Steven Downes red-carded.

This Season:
FC Clacton repeated their 3-1 Lower Road win from 23/24 with a win by the same scoreline as they visited the T.J. Cottis Stadium on the 28th of September. Freddie Moriaty gave Ther Bridge a 1-0 lead before Luwa Luwabelwa, Robert Adams and Emmanuel Ikwuegbu won it for the visitors.

Club Facts:
Founded: 1892 (re-founded 2007)
Ground: The Rush Green Bowl, Rush Green Road, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO16 7BQ
Chairman: Stephen Andrews
First Team Manager: Kieron Shelley

Club History
The original Clacton Town was established on 27 October 1892 and joined the North Essex League in 1895. They won Division Two in 1898–99 and 1899–1900, as well as the Essex Junior Cup in 1900. They were then promoted to Division One, but folded at the end of the 1900–01 season. A group of former players formed Old Clactonians, who joined the Harwich & District League in 1902. They remained in the league until 1905, when they were renamed Clacton Town and joined the Clacton & District League, winning it in their first season. The club then returned to the Harwich & District League and also joined the South East Anglian League in 1907, winning Division Two in 1907–08.

In 1908 they joined the East Anglian League and the Colchester & District League, winning Division Two and the Division Two cup of the latter in 1909-10, and the former in 1910–11. In 1912 the club folded for a second time, but were re-established the following year. They rejoined the Essex & Suffolk Border League (as the Colchester & District League was now known), remaining in it until 1934. During this period the club also played in the Ipswich & District League from 1921 until 1924, and again in 1927–28. In 1934 they left the Border League to join the Ipswich & District League. In 1935 they were founder members of the Eastern Counties League, finishing as runners-up in 1936–37. The following season they switched to the newly established Essex County League, finishing bottom in its only season before returning to the ECL in 1938. In 1948 the club turned professional and in 1952-53 finished as runners-up for a second time.

In 1956-57 the club won the East Anglian Cup and reached the fourth and final qualifying round of the FA Cup, but lost 3-2 at home to Yiewsley. After finishing fifth in 1957–58 the club moved up to the South-East Division of the Southern League. Although they finished second from bottom in their first season, the following year they won the newly renamed Division One and were promoted to the Premier Division. In their first season in the Premier Division, they reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first, and to date only time, but lost 3–1 at home to Southend United. However, after finishing twenty-first out of 22 clubs in 1962–63, they were relegated back to Division One, and after a mid-table finish in 1963–64, returned to the Eastern Counties League.

The club finished as runners-up in their first season back in the league, a feat repeated in 1974–75, a season in which they again reached the final qualifying round of the FA Cup. They also won the League Cup in 1974. They remained in the Premier Division until the end of the 1991–92 season, in which they finished second from bottom, and were relegated to Division One. They returned to the Premier Division as Division One champions in 1994–95 and won the Eastern Floodlit Cup the following season. They were relegated again in 1997-98 but won the Division One Cup and Division One at the first attempt to make an immediate return. In 2000 they won the East Anglian Cup for a second time, and in 2002 won the League Cup.

In 2005–06 the club failed to win a league match all season, finishing bottom of the Premier Division with only a single point and a goal difference of -159. Despite the poor performance, they were not relegated as two clubs (AFC Sudbury and Bury Town) were promoted from the league, and one club from Division One (Fulbourn Institute) were refused promotion. Although they improved the following season, finishing twenty-first with 38 points, they were relegated to Division One.

On 15 June 2007, the club was reborn as FC Clacton, a community interest company. They returned to the Premier Division as Division One runners-up in 2009–10.FC Clacton was announced on 15 June 2007 following the end of Clacton Town Football Club - after a long and distinguished 115-year history, having been formed in 1892.

Four new owners, all local men, inherited Clacton Town Football Club Ltd in 2006, which was registered with The FA as being in control of the whole football club known as Clacton Town FC. For many reasons, they were uneasy with this Ltd Company holding the club registration. Also, being a normal limited company the Club did not qualify for any tax breaks, business rates relief, etc. They were never Officials, Directors or connected to this Ltd Company in any way. The previous Directors of Clacton Town FC Ltd decided to resign from the company and informed Companies House of this which eventually resulted in Companies House striking off the Ltd Company for not submitting accounts and for having no Directors or Secretary.

The time was therefore right for a complete shake-up of how the club was to be administered a new start with a clean slate. A new club was formed and FC Clacton was born. This club is run by FC Clacton CIC, which is a community interest company, set up to run the senior teams and bar. All other teams, the changing rooms, and ground is administered by FC Clacton CASC Ltd. As a Community Amateur Sports Club.

The club entered its first season playing in the first division of the Ridgeons Eastern Counties League in 2007-08 with former Colchester United and Fulham player John Reeves and David Coyle as joint first-team Managers as the club embarked on a new beginning. The first team finished in tenth place in this first season but just six points off a promotion place. But for some horrendous injuries throughout the season, promotion at the first time of asking may well have been possible. Reeves reverted back to his sole role as Physio towards the end of the season and Coyle went alone into the 2008-09 season to push on for a return to the premier division.

2008-09 saw us finish 7th in the league but with good progress in the FA Cup, Essex Senior Cup, and FA Vase that saw a record-equalling run in the competition by reaching the fourth round proper for the first time since 1974-75.

The 2009-10 pre-season saw Paul Hillier awarded a Testimonial, having been with the club since 1998-99 with the exception of a short spell with Wivenhoe Town and a match against Ipswich Town Reserves was his reward. The visitors won 7-2 in front of 452 spectators.

That same season saw us clinch promotion as runners-up back to the Ridgeons League Premier Division after an absence of three years and in the process, we recorded a record FC Clacton win on Saturday 3 April 2010 when we beat Downham Town 9-0. We also scored our highest number of league goals ever in a season - 117. To cap a great season, we reached our first-ever cup final as FCC and beat Halstead Town 2-1 in the First Division Knockout Cup at Millfield, home of Hadleigh United.

During the close season of 2010, David Coyle stepped down as manager and was replaced by Steve Pitt. There were also a number of influential player departures which led to a very different squad starting the new season. Despite the upheaval survival was assured comfortably, ending with a 16th place finish. Shortly before the 2011-12 season got underway Steve Pitt was approached by Stanway Rovers and left to become their new manager with Andy Taylor taking over the reins. Despite another almost complete turnover of the playing squad, we again battled well and finished the season in 15th place.

Taylor departed early in the 2012-13 season with Ray Turner appointed to replace him. But with another unsettled season on the pitch, just four league games were won which saw The Seasiders finish bottom of the table, only avoiding relegation due to the league’s restructuring.

The start of the 2013-14 season was an exciting time that saw the club reach the FA Cup 2nd qualifying round whilst being followed through their four rounds by the BT Sport TV cameras. When Turner resigned in December 2013, he was replaced by Phil Yearling but he in turn only lasted four matches before being removed from his position. Under 18s manager Glenn Eldridge was named caretaker manager and he steered the club to safety and a 15th place finish. On the back of this, Eldridge was named permanent manager for 2014/15.

However, following a run of defeats, Eldridge was dismissed with David Coyle returning in October 2014 for a second spell in charge. Late in the season, the club were staring relegation in the face before a run of 16 points from 7 games saw us preserve our Premier Division status. The 2015/16 season saw great progress with Coyle’s squad securing the highest finish since the formation of FC Clacton ending the season with a top-half finish in 10th position.

The summer however saw a complete change as David Coyle departed followed by almost the entire First Team squad. Tom Gooder was appointed to replace Coyle but after eight consecutive losses to open the season, Gooder also left the club with Kieron Shelley appointed as the first team manager. The Seasiders ended the year in the relegation zone but were reprieved by a league restructure that kept them in the Premier Division.

The 2017-18 season saw the club take their place in a 24-team Thurlow Nunn Premier Division. Kieron Shelley departed as manager in February following a poor run of results, with Tom Austin appointed as caretaker boss until the end of the season. The team eventually finished in 18th position, and their place in the Premier Division was confirmed for at least another year following the FA's shake-up of the non-league pyramid.

Austin was confirmed as manager for the 2018-19 season, guiding us to a top-six finish, our best-ever as FC Clacton. The following season saw us reach the Third Round Proper of the FA Vase before the league season was prematurely curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

October 2020 saw Austin move on to take the reins at Brightlingsea Regent. The club moved quickly to appoint former Chelsea player Mark Nicholls as our new First Team Manager. His first job was to appoint Kevin Coyle to the assistant’s role. Season 2020-21 was again ended prematurely due to Covid-19. An FA restructure at the end of the season saw the club moved laterally to the Essex Senior League.

The club's first season in the Essex Senior League ended in a seventh-place finish. Nicholls and Coyle departed the club in October, and they were initially replaced by David Collis and Rob Budd, however, they parted company with the club a little over a month into the role and in turn were replaced by the returning duo of Tom Austin and Ryan Salter after their spell at Brightlingsea Regent came to an end. After a strong finish to the campaign, Tom and Salts will be looking to build as we head into the 2022/23 season.

The 2022/23 season saw the Seasiders enjoy their best campaign in nearly 50 years, finishing fourth in the Essex Senior League and runners-up in the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy, narrowly losing out 1-0 to Redbridge in the final.

Hopes were high going into last season. Tom Austin stepped down as Manager in September, replaced by Ryan Salter. A new squad of players made good progress before Salter opted to step down in February. Mick Hanna stepped up as caretaker manager to steer the ship through the remainder of a difficult campaign, with the club finishing in 17th place.

Hanna and club legend Sean Hillier formed the management team leading a new group of Seasiders into the 2024/25 season. Following a run of poor results, Kieron Shelley was appointed manager in November and took control for his first game against Great Wakering Rovers on November the 30th.

Alongside the First Team, the club runs 29 youth teams, four girls’ teams, and a ladies team. We also run a Reserve team and an A team, both of which compete in the Essex & Suffolk Border League.

Honours
Southern League
Division One champions 1959–60
Eastern Counties League
Division One champions 1994–95, 1998–99
League Cup winners 1973–74, 2001–02
Division One Cup winners 1998–99
East Anglian Cup
Winners 1956–57, 1999–2000
Eastern Floodlit Cup
Winners 1995–96
Essex Junior Cup
Winners 1899–1900
North Essex League
Division Two champions 1898–99, 1899–1900
South-East Anglian League
Division Two champions 1907–08
Colchester & District League
Division Two champions 1909–10
Division Two Cup winners 1909–10
East Anglian League
Champions 1910–11
Clacton & District League
Champions 1905–06

Records
Best FA Cup performance: First round, 1960–61
Best FA Trophy performance: First qualifying round, 1969–70, 1978–79
Best FA Vase performance: Fourth round, 1974–75, 2008–09
Record attendance:
Old Road: 3,505 vs Romford, FA Cup first qualifying round, 1952–53
Rush Green Bowl: 900 for Clacton Veterans vs Arsenal Veterans, 4 August 2002

Note: The kick-off time varies between 2 and 3 p.m. depending on the website you look at. On the FC Clacton website, it is shown as 2 p.m., and I believe this to be correct.

A quick look, or even a long one, at the form guide above, proves unhappy reading for both teams with just one green square in the ten matches shown. It’s safe to say both teams have seen better days and, I know I’m repeating myself, but this is another must-win game for The Bridge.

A win would take The Bridge 11 points clear of Clacton and away from the dreaded line for which you must not fall below. An FC Clacton win would close the gap to just five points. The other teams around us, Sawbridgeworth, Stansted, Halstead, and Ilford all have tough games, so it is a good opportunity for The Bridge to move away from the bottom and into the pack of clubs lower down the ESL table. Following this game, The Bridge face Benfleet (H) and White Ensign (A), both a little tricky, so a win to get a bit of a run going would be good, although we’ve been here before!

Still, you have to start somewhere and it would be good to start at The Rush Green Bowl on Saturday. It’s going to be a proper football day, cold, competitive, and with lots to play for, so if you fancy a day at the seaside but not on the beach, head for Clacton and The Rush Green Bowl, your entertainment awaits and…