Bowers & Pitsea F.C.

History

Bowers & Pitsea F.C. began life in 1946 as Bowers United, founded by Bert Salmon, and first competed in the Thurrock and Thameside Combination. They claimed that league title in 1958–59, helped establish the Essex Olympian League in 1966, and stepped up to the Essex Senior League in 1974. The club secured the Essex Senior League crown in 1980–81, added the League Challenge Cup the next season, and lifted the Harry Fisher Trophy in 1991–92. A league and challenge cup double followed in 1998–99.

In 2004, Bowers United merged with Pitsea Football Club, taking on the current name. Pitsea had previously played in the Vange & District Sunday League and the Basildon Sunday League, where they achieved a league treble in 1994–95 and 1995–96, and a league and cup double in 1996–97. The 2014–15 season brought a third Challenge Cup win, and the next year the club won the league, earning promotion to Division One North of the Isthmian League. That same season they reached the FA Vase semi-finals, falling 4–3 on aggregate to eventual winners Morpeth Town.

After finishing third in the renamed North Division in 2017–18, they lost 2–0 to Canvey Island in the play-off semi-finals. The following season they won the North Division title and moved up to the Premier Division. In 2021–22, the club made its first FA Cup first-round appearance, losing 1–0 at Lincoln City. Relegation back to the North Division came at the end of 2022–23, though they claimed the Thameside Trophy with a 3–2 win over Grays Athletic.

In 2023–24, a fourth-place finish led to play-off victories on penalties against Felixstowe & Walton United and Brentwood Town, securing an immediate return to the Premier Division. The next season, however, they finished bottom and were relegated once more to the North Division.

Ground

The club originally played at what became Pitsea Market, then moved to Gun Meadow. After a compulsory purchase order for the A13, the club relocated to its current ground on Crown Avenue. The site was bought from the Basildon Development Corporation, and a prefabricated building became the dressing rooms. A seated stand and a covered standing area were added. The ground holds 2,000 spectators, with 200 seats.