Lacey Wanderers

Lacey’s initial season was in Division Four of the 1969-70 campaign and they finished this season in a respectable mid-table position but went on to win promotion the following year. Wanderers remained members of the TSFC, winning league & cup honours until the league disbanded in 1985.

Lacey Wanderers then joined the Independent Sunday League and in eight year tenure, probably the most successful in the clubs history, they made a clean sweep of all the trophies available to them including a hat-trick of Premiership titles. Also, the team made it to the semi-finals of both the London and Essex Intermediate Cups.

Wanderers then became members of the Essex Sunday Football Combination and won the Senior division in their first season of 1993/94.

Lacey’s then left the ESFC  to join the South Essex Sunday League, but after one unsuccessful season moved on to the Barking & District League whey they finished runners-up in Division One but did manage to lift the League cup of 1995/96.

Wanderers then returned to the Independent Sunday League, winning further honours, including the Essex Area Junior Cup Final. After a four year spell the club left the ISL for a season to compete in the Essex Sunday Corinthian League, season 2001/02. This was a productive year that saw silverware in the form of the T&D Cup plus promotion from Division One.

Yet another change of league followed as the team returned to the Essex Sunday Football Combination, winning the Division Two Championship and Lizzimore Cup. A trophyless period ensued and eventually Lacey Wanderers rejoined the Independent Sunday League for 2005/06 only to be denied the chance to win the Division Two title by a single goal with a game unable to be fixtured.

The club then made their final (to date) league change returning back to the Essex Sunday Football Combination for the third spell, in time for the 2006/07 campaign, winning the 2^nd Division title and reaching the final of the McDougall Cup, eventually losing 1-4 to an inspired Laganas team.

In 2007/08 the team finished mid-table but progressed nicely to the semi-finals of the Premier Cup where they narrowly lost to the eventual Senior Division Champions Ideal. In the current campaign, Lacey’s, who have never been relegated, are currently involved in a fight to avoid that very ignominy, but are confident of finding some form to avoid the drop for the first time.. The one bright spot was a semi-final appearance in the Morfey Cup but were clipped 1-2 by Alnwick.

Chairman Cliff Nowell and Treasurer Peter Bantick were founder members of the club whilst other committee members John Hicks and Roland Stevens have been involved with the club for 30 years. Alex Marshall is currently the Player/Manager and, despite experiencing difficulties due to injuries and non-availability of players, still manages to get the team playing attractive & stylish football which is the traditions of the club. The committee have supported wherever they can as they maintain the belief in playing the game the right way.

With several teenagers and players in their early 20’s the playing future looks bright but, unfortunately, due to the loss of our sponsors recently, the club faces a bleak financial future. The club and its support team are currently looking for new financial backing so that they can continue the history of one of the longest established Sunday league teams.

By Cliff Nowell, Chairman, Lacey Wanderers Football Club.

If you are aware of anyone who may be able to help this fine club, with a long tradition in grassroots Sunday football stay in existence, please make contact with the ESFC and we will put them in touch with the club.