Ilford FC

Ilford F.C.

Ilford F.C. are a London football club based in Ilford in the London Borough of Redbridge founded in 1987.

There was an earlier famous non-league club of the same name, founded in 1881. In 1979, it merged with Leytonstone to create Leytonstone/Ilford, a precursor to Dagenham & Redbridge.

History

The first Ilford F.C. were a famous amateur side, founded in 1881 playing in the Southern League and FA Trophy. They played at Lynn Road in Newbury Park, the ground was developed as Dellow Close (named after R Dellow - an Ilford FC player of the 1930's) until they merged with Leytonstone F.C. to form Leytonstone and Ilford

The current incarnation of Ilford F.C. was formed in 1987 and first played in the Spartan League. They dropped out of this league in 1991, rejoined in 1993, but dropped out again after one season.

In 1996 the club resurfaced in the Essex Senior League, where they played until 2004 when a second-place finish was enough to gain them entry to the Isthmian League Division Two, where they were champions at the very first attempt. Due to a realignment of the English football league system they were placed in the Southern League Eastern Division for the 2005-06 season, but after further realignment found themselves back in the Isthmian League for 2006-07, this time playing in Division One North. The team was in the relegation zone of the Isthmian League First Division North at the end of the season, but were offered a reprieve from relegation, after Enfield resigned from the league. They finished in the relegation zone again in 2007-08 but look set to receive another repreive after the resignation of Edgware Town.

Ground

Cricklefield Stadium is a multi-use stadium located on High Road, Seven Kings, Ilford IG1. The stadium holds 3,500 people. The stadium was built in 1923. It is also home to an athletics club.