Basildon United F.C.

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. ==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. although they continued to play floodlit matches at the Gloucester Park Bowl until floodlights were installed at Gardiners Close. Gardiners Close currently has a capacity of 2,000, of which 400 is seated and 1,000 covered. == Honours ==

• Isthmian League • Division Two champions 1983–84 • Essex Senior League • Champions 1976–77, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1993–94 • League Cup winners 1977–78, 1993–94, 1997–98, 2016–17 • Essex Senior Trophy • Winners 1978–79 • Essex Elizabethan Trophy • Winners 1978 ==Records==

• Best FA Cup performance: Third qualifying round, 1983–84, 1998–99 • Best FA Trophy performance: Third qualifying round, 2021–22 • Best FA Vase performance: Quarter-finals, 1980–81 • Record attendance: 5,000 vs West Ham United, friendly match, 1963 ==See also ==