Happy 55th Essex Senior League

Without doubt the most significant date in the history of our League fell on Monday 8th February 1971 at 7.40pm when a meeting was convened at the Shire Hall in Chelmsford to consider the forming of an Essex Senior Football League. ECFA Member, B R Baker JP and later to be elected President was in the chair.

There had, in fact, already been a preliminary meeting and the Representatives of the following clubs expressed their willingness to join, Basildon United, Billericay Town, Coggeshall Town, Collier Row Motor Gear, Heybridge Swifts, Pegasus (Coryton), Saffron Walden Town, Stansted, Tiptree United and Witham Town. The Representatives of Witham Town and Collier Row MG gave brief details of their facilities and potential with membership confined to Essex clubs only so it was resolved by 9-0 (with one abstaining) that 'A Senior League be formed provided that there are at least eight clubs approved for Senior Status by the Essex County Football Association and the ten applicants above be founder members of the competition' (Your writer has always wondered why anyone would decide to abstain at such an important meeting?)

It was agreed that professionals playing under permit, but not fully, be allowed, hence inclusion at a later date of Southend United 'A'.

The Entrance fee was £5 and it was left to the ECFA to supply referees etc.

The officers were elected with Chair being Len Liddle and Secretary Len Forge. Treasurer was W J Gilbert and Fixture Secretary, D Grounds.

It would appear that Collier Row Motor Gear withdrew their interest before the season started and Coggeshall Town decided to join in 1972.

Essex Intermediate Cup holders, Pegasus (Coryton) changed their name to Pegasus Athletic playing at the Greyhound Stadium in Grainger Road, Southend and attained Senior Status.
A decision on a Reserve Division was put back for a season.

So, we were on our way!

The only Football League game saw Coventry City beaten 1-0 by West Ham United whilst in the FA Cup fourth round second replay Stoke City beat Huddersfield Town 1-0.

Robert Errington
President & League Historian