Chichester City F.C.

Did You Know?

• The club was originally named Chichester City United after a merger in 2000, then renamed Chichester City in 2009.
• In 2019–20 they reached the FA Cup second round after a bye due to Bury's removal, losing 5–1 to League One side Tranmere Rovers.
• The club changed its shirts to white in 2024, the historic colour of the original Chichester City.

History

The club was formed in 2000 through a merger of Chichester City and Portfield, initially called Chichester City United. Both predecessor sides were in Division One of the Sussex County League, and the new entity took their place in that division, losing its first league match 5–1 at home to Saltdean United. Chichester City United won the Division One title in 2003–04. The following season they finished sixteenth but captured the Brighton Charity Cup by defeating Horsham on penalties, a trophy they retained in 2005–06 with a 2–1 win over Ringmer.

In 2006–07 they claimed the Sussex RUR Cup, beating Whitehawk 2–1 in the final. The club was renamed Chichester City in 2009. When the league rebranded as the Southern Combination in 2015, Division One became the Premier Division. Chichester City won the Premier Division in 2018–19, earning promotion to the South East Division of the Isthmian League.

The 2019–20 season saw them reach the FA Cup first round for the first time; they received a bye to the second round after Bury were removed from the competition, where they lost 5–1 to League One side Tranmere Rovers. In 2023–24 they finished fifth in the Isthmian League South East Division, qualified for the promotion play-offs, beat Ramsgate 1–0 in the semi-finals, and defeated Three Bridges 5–0 in the final to gain promotion to the Premier Division. At the end of the 2025–26 season the club was transferred to the Premier Division South of the Southern League.

Ground

Chichester City initially played at Portfield's Church Road ground, with an arrangement for Chichester District Council to sell that site for housing and use the proceeds to redevelop Oaklands Park. The move to Oaklands Park occurred in 2008 after a 100-seat stand was installed; the final match at Church Road was a 5–4 win against Three Bridges on 19 April. A new clubhouse and changing rooms were completed in 2010, hardstanding was added on all four sides of the pitch, and an artificial pitch was installed in 2023–24.