Basildon United F.C.

Basildon United Football Club is a football club based in Basildon, Essex. They are currently members of the and play at Gardiners Close. History Basildon United's roots go back to 1955, when a club named Armada Sports was formed, joining Division One of the Southend & District League. In 1959 Armada Sports merged with London League club Pitsea United, with Pitsea United effectively absorbing Armada Sports. However, Armada Sports later split from Pitsea United and were renamed Basildon United in 1967. The club joined the Thurrock Thames-side Combination League for the 1967–68 season, before switching to the Reserves Division Two of the Greater London League in 1968. After finishing as runners-up in the division in 1969–70, they were promoted to Reserves Division One. In 1971 the club were founder members of the Essex Senior League (ESL). They finished as runners-up in 1972–73, before winning the league in 1976–77. The club went on to win the league for the next three seasons, as well winning the League Cup in 1977–78, before switching to the Athenian League in 1980. After finishing second in their first season in the Athenian League, Basildon joined Division Two of the Isthmian League for the 1981–82 season. In 1983–84 they won Division Two and were promoted to Division One. The club remained in Division One until being relegated at the end of the 1988–89 season, when they finished second bottom of the Division, and were demoted to Division Two North. In 1991 Basildon left the Isthmian League and dropped back into the Essex Senior League. They won the league and League Cup double in 1993–94, but did not take promotion to the Isthmian League. The club won the League Cup for a third time in 1997–98 and for a fourth time in 2016–17. After finishing as runners-up in the league in 2017–18, they were promoted to the Isthmian League's North Division. Ground The club played at the Gloucester Park Bowl from 1967, with the record attendance of 5,000 being set at the stadium for Armada Sports' friendly against a West Ham United XI in 1963. The ground had uncovered seating along one side of the pitch, with a roof later built to create a 200-seat stand. In 1970 they moved to Gardiners Close and the new ground was opened with another friendly match against West Ham on 11 August in front of a crowd of 3,600, although they continued to play floodlit matches at the Gloucester Park Bowl until floodlights were installed at Gardiners Close.