Gilbert and Doris Medcalf lived in the East End of London before, during, and after the Second World War. When Gil and Doris “emigrated” to Southend in 1955, they set up a boy’s football club, drawn mainly from young lads of 10 and 11 years of age living in the Southchurch Area of Southend on Sea.

Gil had played his football both before and after the War for his local club, Eton Manor.F.C. so, as a direct result of this, his newly formed club carried part of their name and became Southend Manor Football Club.

In 1959, Manor entered the Southend Youth League in the lowest division and in their first year finished bottom. Steady improvements were made in the Youth league and when players became too old to play in Youth Football, the Club applied for membership of the Southend Borough Combination League and was accepted into Division Five in 1964 whilst reaching the Premier Division of the league in 1969.

The Club made it’s mark in local football history during the 70’s and early 80’s by becoming one of the Borough Combination’s most successful clubs winning the Premier Division no fewer than six times, and runners up three times in twelve seasons.

Although with this pedigree the Club found it difficult to progress to a higher standard of football as it used Council pitches which were only available for a limited part of each season. In 1985, due largely to the enthusiasm and perseverance of it’s then Chairman, the late Malcolm Frost, the Club was accepted into the Essex Senior League where it has played since 1989.

The clubs opening game in the Essex Senior League was against Eton Manor Reserves on 17th August 1985, a game where we won 6-0 in front of a crowd of 72 people. This also being our first league game at our then-new and current home of Southchurch Park after spending years
previously playing at nearby Victory Sports Ground.

In the 1990’s, a decision was made by the club to establish a Youth Section which in turn by 2015 was no more as the youth teams split away and formed Southendian Manor YFC. In 1995, the youth section of the club was awarded F.A. Charter Standard status for the first time in its history.

In 2003, Manor formed a twinning association with Charleville Football Club and with Mallow Football Club in County Cork, a relationship which continues to exist.

In 2011, under the management of Russell Faulkner and John Brandon, Manor made it to the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup before bowing out at Kettering Town 3-1 in front of a crowd of 989 whilst equalling a league record set by Canvey Island less than twenty years earlier. Thus missing out on a trip to Conference South side Sutton United in the First Round proper who in turn went on to host Notts County in the Second Round proper.

In 2012, Steven Robinson succeeded Bob Westley as chairman of the club after 17 seasons in charge. In June 2019, Jerry Omango succeeded Robinson as owner of Southend Manor with the 2019/20 Essex Senior season seeing the creation of two new youth sides during that season ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.

In 2020, Manor appointed its youngest ever secretary in Andy Wilkins of 20 years old. A sign that like of recent players signed over the last few years, Manor continue to put trust into youth delivering for them both on and off the pitch.

Club Honours

League Honours

Southend Borough Combination
Winners: 1971-72, 1973-74, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1980-81, 1981-82
Runners up: 1970-71, 1972-73, 1977-78

Southend & District Alliance
Winners: 1983-84, 1984-85
Runners up: 1982-83

Essex Senior League Div 1 South
Winners: 1986-87
Runners up:1985-86

Essex Senior League Div 1
Winners: 1987-88

Essex Senior League
Winners: 1990-91
Runners up: 1999-2000, 2011-12

Cup Honours

Essex Senior League Cup
Winners: 1987-88,1989-90,2000-01
Runners up: 1985-86,1990-91,1995-96,1999-2000

Essex Senior Trophy
Winners: 1992-93

Memorial Trophy
Winners: 1990-91,1992-93
Runners up: 1991-92, 2011-12

Essex Floodlit Cup
Winners: 2002-03