Club history and honours

Formed on 23rd June 2001, Enfield Town FC were the first fully fans-owned, fans-run senior football club in the country when they broke away from the original Enfield FC. Following the sale of their Southbury Road home ground, and after chairman Tony Lazarou had withdrawn from an earlier agreement to transfer ownership of the club – and escrow funds from the ground sale – to the Enfield Supporters’ Trust, members voted overwhelmingly to start afresh, believing that the regime in charge of Enfield FC no longer had the club’s interests at heart.

The newly-formed Enfield Town FC started life in the Essex Senior League in 2001-02. The club finished runners-up in that first season before winning the league championship the following year.  Their time spent in the ESL was successful, with two championships, two league cups, a Middlesex Charity Cup and wins in the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy and Capital Counties Feeder Leagues Trophy finals to show for their efforts.

After securing promotion to the Southern League (East) in 2005 under manager Jim Chandler, the Towners had a successful first season at that level, before eventually losing to Wivenhoe Town in the promotion play-offs.  The following year, following a move into the Ryman League for 2006-07, the club again finished 3rd – this time losing out in the play-offs to AFC Sudbury. In 2009-10, the club yet again only just missed out on promotion, being beaten this time by Concord Rangers in the play-off final.  v

The club originally played at Goldsdown Road, the home of Brimsdown Rovers, in a ground share arrangement. But in October 2008, the London Borough of Enfield announced a deal with the club which paved the way for it to relocate to the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium.  Realising a long-held dream, the club worked closely with the Council to see the old athletics arena restored and upgraded to be able to host Isthmian League football.  At last, the club had a home of its own, a short distance from the former Enfield FC stadium in Southbury Road. While retaining a running track as a training facility for local use, the club has been able to provide an atmospheric environment. The Stadium was formally opened in November 2011 with a match against a Tottenham Hotspur XI.  

Following the move to the new ground, and after finishing as Ryman League Division One (North) runners-up in 2011-12 under manager Steve Newing, Town overcame Grays Athletic and Needham Market in two very close play-off matches to secure promotion to Step 3. Subsequently, after aiming for a period of consolidation, safety was only guaranteed on the final day of the 2013-14 campaign with a 2-1 win at Cray Wanderers.

Bradley Quinton succeeded George Borg as first team manager in August 2014 and, such was the team’s improvement, that a play-off place was achieved – only for three crucial points to be deducted in controversial circumstances towards the end of the campaign which consequently led to a final league placing of 7th. 

In 2015-16, the side embarked upon an impressive late run, but missed out on a play-off spot by two points. Then in 2016-17, the club’s Premier Division play-off dream was realised, but a 2-4 reverse at Dulwich Hamlet in the semi-final put paid to further progress.      

Following the departure of Quinton to Braintree Town, Andy Leese took over the managerial reins at the start of the 2017-18 season and, under his management, the club progressed further in the FA Cup and FA Trophy than ever before and won the Velocity Trophy (Isthmian League Cup) for the first time.   

In June 2017, the club were awarded the Charter Standard Community Club of the Year by the Middlesex Football Association, one of several awards received in recognition of all the hard work being done to support the local community. In November 2017, a 3G training facility was opened adjacent to the club’s stadium. This London Borough of Enfield project was made possible with a grant via the Football Foundation and is used primarily by Enfield Town FC as well as a range of local schools and other clubs. Subsequently, Enfield Town FC Community Sport Development Ltd, a not-for-profit organisation run independently of the football club, was formed to support local community activities, which currently include football schools, holiday clubs, disability football and walking football. This organisation was granted charity status shortly after.

In the summer of 2018, the QEII Stadium hosted eight matches (including the final) of the Confederation of Independent Football Associations (CONIFA) Football World Cup. Between January 2019 and January 2020 three players – Rian McLean, Josh Davison and Muhammadu Faal – were signed by EFL clubs. From September 2020 a partnership between the club and the Level 7 Academy was started with a view to providing a pathway for Under 18 players to progress, potentially into the first team squad in due course.

The following season, 2021-22, was the club’s twentieth in existence. Enfield Town FC celebrated ten years at their current home, the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium, marking the occasion by showcasing the club’s various teams at all age groups and abilities; a testament to its status as a footballing hub in the local area. The senior men’s side had one of its best in recent memory, reaching the Third Round of the FA Trophy – a stage never before achieved by the club – and finishing a highest-ever third place in the Isthmian Premier Division, before falling to two late Hornchurch goals in the play-off semi-final.

2022-23 proved to be another largely enjoyable one for ETFC fans, and for the vast majority of the league campaign the Towners kept up the pace for at least a play-off spot – with an impressive mid-season purple patch taking them to the summit of the Isthmian Premier Division by the end of January 2023 – only for a collapse in form towards the end of the season resulting in Town missing out on the play-offs by five points.

Ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, the club parted company with first team manager Andy Leese, and a new team led by former Met Police manager Gavin Macpherson spearheaded a sensational season. The Towners spent the majority of the season in the hunt for a play-off spot and saw a club-record attendance of 2,225 as they beat Wingate & Finchley 1-0 in the play-off semi-final. An impressive away crowd would also follow Enfield to Copenhagen in the Fenix Trophy; a non-league competition for clubs of special societal or historical value across Europe. The season ended in fairytale fashion as a 3-0 victory away to Chatham Town in the play-off final sealed promotion to the National League South for the very first time.

Growth continues at a sustainable pace, and over the years, successful Enfield Town Reserve, Youth and Ladies sides have been developed. This is alongside other teams of various age groups and abilities, including a learning difficulties squad and a walking football side. The club continues to pursue its vision as an inclusive club for all and a football and social centre for the community, with a range of teams playing at the highest sustainable levels possible.

HONOURS:

  • Isthmian League Premier Division play-off winners 2023-24
  • Isthmian League Division One (North) Runners-up and play-off winners 2011-12
  • Essex Senior League Champions 2002-03 and 2004-05
  • Essex Senior League Runners-up 2001-02
  • Isthmian League Cup Winners 2018-19
  • Essex Senior League Cup Winners 2001-02 and 2003-04
  • Middlesex Super Cup Winners 2009-10
  • Middlesex Charity Cup Winners 2001-02 and 2007-08
  • Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy Winners 2002-03
  • Capital Counties Feeder Leagues Trophy Winners 2001-02
  • Middlesex Senior Cup Runners-up 2002-03 and 2015-16
  • Middlesex Charity Cup Runners-up 2005-06 and 2009-10