East Grinstead Town FC (H)
The Charles Ground
Isthmian League South East Division
IST
19th April 2025 - 3:00 pm
The Charles Ground
Isthmian League South East Division
IST
19th April 2025 - 3:00 pm
East Grinstead Town FC visit The Charles Ground on 19th April for a match in the Isthmian League South East Division (IST). Kick off is at 3.00 pm.
Just the three games left of our first season back at Step 4 for many years of which this Saturday's fixture is our penultimate home game. We currently boast the second highest attendance in the Isthmian South-East division (612), only behind Ramsgate. Interestingly, we would also be in the top half of attendances at Step 3 too; a huge shout out to everyone of you who support the club. Your attendance at a home matchday makes a huge difference to our continued operational, day-to-day function; thank you.
This weekend is the visit of Sussex based East Grinsted Town, as Drew Cooney's side make the 180 mile round trip to the Hoops.
CURRENT FORM
Our run of four consecutive victories came to abrupt end after 45 minutes of Saturday's fixture at Burgess Hill Town. A strong and dominant first-half performance by the Hillians reinforced their strong position in the play-off places, allowing little opportunity for us to return back to the Charles Ground with anything.
Saturday's result saw us drop a position to 10th, following Sheppey United's 1-0 victory over AFC Croydon. We currently sit six points ahead of fellow SCEFL promotees Erith Town, with both sides having three fixtures remaining.
22/03/25: Sheppey United (4-2)
25/03/25: Merstham (4-2)
29/03/25: Three Bridges (3-0)
05/04/25: Steyning Town (5-2)
19/04/25: Burgess Hill Town (0-4)
Our visitors this weekend occupy 17th position in the League and are on the back of five consecutive defeats; seven defeats in eight. Their most recent defeat last Saturday came at the hands to Sittingbourne; five goals without reply. Despite 'The Wasps'' recent poor form, and drop closer to the relegation zone, they are mathmatically safe. With three games left, the final relegation spot will be battled out between Phoenix Sports (32 points) and Littlehampton Town (40 points).
25/03/25: Sevenoaks Town (1-3)
29/03/25: Littlehampton Town (0-3)
02/04/25: Burgess Hill Town (1-4)
05/04/25: Sheppey United (1-3)
12/04/25: Sittingbourne (0-5)
As a last ten game (league fixtures) comparison it looks like this:
DTFC: LLWDLWWWWL
EGTFC: DWLLWLLLLL
ONES TO WATCH
Matthew Daniel and Connor Tighe are currently leading the club's goalscoring chart in the League; ten goals a piece for the pair. Tighe joined The Wasps in June 2023; bringing energy, creativity and goals from midfield and his previous clubs include Peacehaven, Whitehawk and Burgess Hill Town.
An eye will need to be kept on East Grinstead Town’s right-back Harrison Parker, who enjoys a long throw into the penalty area
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
We visited East Grinstead Town back on the 31st August 2024, a game that saw Deal come away victorious by the odd goal in five. You can revisit the action by CLICKING HERE.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The match will be refereed by Level 3 match official David Rowland (MAIDSTONE). He will be assisted by Kieran Williamson (GILLINGHAM) and Marian Stoichitoiu (GILLINGHAM).
Address: The Charles Ground, St Leonard's Road, Deal, Kent, CT14 9AU.
ADMISSION: Adults £10, Concessions £6, Under 18s-U15s £4 & U14s Free.
YOU CAN PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS ONLINE, IN ADVANCE, BY CLICKING HERE:
PARKING: Limited parking is available at the ground however please be mindful if not able to park within the ground be considerate around the surrounding roads being respectful to our neighbours
TRAIN STATION: The nearest train station is Deal which is approximately a 20 minute walk to the ground.
GROUND ENTRANCE: Entrance to the group is on St Leonard's Road.
FOOD & DRINK: There are two bars at the ground and food and drink is available.
PROGRAMME: Our regular, content fuelled, programme will be available both online and at the gate. Get your online copy in advance, reduced slightly from the printed version. Hard copies will be available at the turnstile, priced at £3.
Recent Deal Town results:
East Grinstead Town Football Club was formed on May 8, 1890 although it was another ten years before they played their first competitive match as founder members of the Mid Sussex Football League. In those early days the club played in blue and white with the town’s coat of arms on the breast pocket. It was some years before they adopted their current colours of amber and black and were nicknamed ‘The Wasps,’ both of which survive to this day.
In 2014 with the GAC Stadium already meeting the requirements of the Isthmian Football League after installing additional seating, the club began work on a new dressing room and hospitality complex, a new turnstile block and entrance and a resurfaced car park. Part of the 2014 funding included a £50,000 grant from FA Cup sponsors Budweiser, £100,000 from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, £40,000 from Mid Sussex District Council and £35,000 from SITA Trust.
Funnell’s side finished the season in second place, their highest ever County League position, and in May 2014, the club were accepted into the Isthmian League for the first time in our history. Funnell left the club during our first season at Step 4 and Tony Beckingham returned to East Court for a second spell. ‘Becks’ kept the club in the League but he resigned in October 2015 and Matt Longhurst took over. Matt made sure Wasps retained their Isthmian status in his first season and in his following seasons.
During 2018 the club commenced working in partnership with the local Jubilee Community Centre to develop disability football provision in the area.
2018 also saw the Football Association announcement of a revamping of the Non-League pyramid. From 2018/19 the two division step 4 Isthmian League Division One North and One South (which the Wasps competed in) was replaced by 3 divisions (North, South-Central and South-East).
2019/20 saw the end of the Longhurst era after a poor start to the season.
Leigh Dynan took over for the remainder of the season and the next both of which were disrupted by the COVID lockdown, before he had to step down dur to work commitments. A brief period in charge for Tony Reid in 2021/22 didn’t work out at all and Wasps player Drew Cooney took charge initially alongside ex Manager Tony Beckingham saw out the season.
Drew Cooney having taken sole charge in early 2022 built on the foundations and has continued to keep a core of the squad together and develop the team which has continued to maintain its Isthmian League status.
COME ON YOU HOOPS
