A Village Club with Heart

Barnston Football Club was founded at a meeting on 17th October 1951 with the goal of forming a local village team. John Salmon was appointed as the first President, kindly allowing the team to play on his land at Martels.

In the early days, the club played friendly matches before joining the Chelmsford Combination League and moving to Barnston Brook. After several successful years, the club moved again to a new ground supplied by John Salmon (now Rayfield Close). It was here the team began to shine in the Mid Essex League, achieving promotion to the Premier Division and winning the Bardfield Cup.

Built by Hand

The late Don Churchill served as secretary through the 1950s and early 60s before current chairman Bob Tyler took over. A pivotal moment came in 1967 when the ground was sold for development.

With only £150 in the bank, the club leased the present ground. The clubhouse is a testament to the dedication of our members, who gave up Sunday football for an entire season to build it themselves.

Interestingly, many materials were sourced from contractors constructing the M11 motorway—buildings had to be knocked down and transported to Barnston! Members cleaned some 9,000 bricks by hand to reuse for the new structure. Once the bar was installed and a license obtained, the clubhouse became the lifeline of the club.

Moving up the Leagues

Football fortunes continued to rise, and the club obtained intermediate status from the Essex County FA, joining the Essex Olympian Football League in 1989. The Sunday team also enjoyed a golden era, winning the Northwest Sunday League Premier Division three seasons running.

We have continued to invest in the club, adding larger dressing rooms, new toilets, a referee's room, dug-outs, and pitch barriers. Members once again worked hard to construct a car park for 70 cars. A second pitch was leased and is currently used by our youth team and soccer schools.

Mid Essex Football League: Division One Champions (64/65), Division Two Cup Winners (84/85).

North West Essex Sunday League: Premier Divisional Champions (90/91, 91/92, 92/93), Division One Champions (89/90).

Saffron Walden & District: Division One Winners (98/99, 06/07).

Pope & Smith Sunday League: Division Two Winners (97/98).

Oakley Charity Cup: Winners (85/86, 87/88, 89/90, 90/91, 91/92).
Essex Saturday Junior Trophy: Divisional Winners (87/88).

Mid Essex: Division Five Cup Winners (Reserves 84/85).

Saffron Walden: Premier Divisional Cup Winners (98/99).

North West Essex: Premier Divisional Cup Winners (91/92, 92/93), Senior Inter Divisional Cup Winners (Hat-trick: 90/91, 91/92, 92/93), Bert Yabsley Trophy Winners (90/91).

Challenge Cups: Division One Winners (89/90), Reserve Challenge Cup Winners (85/86), Division Two Cup Winners (97/98).
Clubman of the Year: Bob Tyler (1993/94 & 2002/03).

Club Secretary of the Year: Bob Tyler (1982/83).

Sportsmanship Awards:

Senior XI (1997/98, 2003/04)

Club Award (2003/04)

Reserve Team (2004/05)

North West Essex Sportsmanship Trophy (1981/82, 82/83, 84/85, 85/86).