Tilbury F.C. are travelling away to Suffolk on Saturday to play Hadleigh United. Hadleigh United are very similar to Felixstowe & Walton United as there are in the same region and same league that Tilbury played last Saturday and drew 2-2. Hadleigh United have a big youth system and are a F.A. Charter standard football club. Last season Hadleigh United finished 9th under Stuart Crawford.

History

The club was founded in 1892 and joined Division Three, Section A of the Suffolk & Ipswich League (SIL) in 1929. For 1930-31 the club was moved to Division Two, Section B, and the following season to Division Two, Section A. After finishing second in 1935-36, they were promoted to Division One. However, after finishing bottom in 1937-38, the club were relegated back to Division Two, Section A.

After World War II the club returned to the SIL, playing in Division Three. In 1954 they moved to their current ground, the Millfield., though they were not allowed to play there in 1964 due to an unsatisfactory pitch, and problems with stones.[1] The club dropped out of the SIL during the 1964-65 season, but rejoined for the 1965-66 campaign.

In 1968-69 the club won the Suffolk Senior Cup, beating Westerfield 3-2 in the final. They won it again in 1971-72 with a 1-0 victory over ICI Paints. The following season the club won the SIL for the first time.[2] The 1976-77 season saw the club win the double, finishing as champions and winning the first McNeil League Knock-Out Cup. They won the league for a third time in 1978-79. More league cups were won in 1980-81, 1981-82 and 1986-87, whilst the Suffolk Senior Cup was taken in 1982-83 with a 4-1 win over Cranes.

In 1991 the club joined Division One of the Eastern Counties League.[3] They won the division in 1992-93 to earn promotion to the Premier Division. The same season, floodlights were erected at the ground.[1] However, after finishing 22nd out of 23 in 1996-97, the club returned to Division One.

The club won the Suffolk Senior Cup for a fourth time in 2003-04. In 2008-09 they finished runners-up in Division One and were promoted back to the Premier Division.

Tilbury however, will be looking to hit the season running and these pre-season friendlies will only help. Paul Vaughan will welcome back James Marrable to the side. However, Dave Bryant, Kurt Husnu and Steve Harrison are out for this game.

Hadleigh United vs Tilbury F.C. 30th July 3pm kick off!
The Millfield
Tinkers Lane (Off Duke Street)
Hadleigh
Suffolk IP7 5NG
Tel:01473 822165