opposition history

The forerunners of Sittingbourne Football club commenced playing on the newly-opened Recreation Ground in 1881, being known as Sittingbourne United.In what must have been one of the first local derbies in the early days of the game, United met Faversham in 1885, winning 3-1. The two clubs met again in 1886, with United again victorious, this time by 3-2. The first match with Sheppey Rovers took place on a field near the Halfway, with United coming out on top 1-0.
 
In 1886 it was decided to lapse the old united and form a new team- Sittingbourne Football Club. Another local club calling themselves “Nil Desperandums” had been formed, and during the following season, (1887/88),the “N.D” were growing in enough strength for many of their players to regularly turn out for the town team; and so an 1888 meeting of local footballers decided that the Sittingbourne and Nil Desperandums clubs should merge as one.
 
By 1890 many junior clubs were springing up in the area and, with the “Rec” becoming crowded each Saturday, Sittingbourne migrated to the Gore Court Cricket Ground which at that time was just behind where Sainsbury’s is now in the town. It is not the current Gore Court in London Road.
 
By 1892 the club was experiencing some bother with Mr. Jessup of nearby Trotts Hall Farm, to the extent that a new home for the club had to be found. A field at the rear of the Bull Hotel, Vallences Meadow, could be obtained on good terms if taken on a five year lease. Consequently, the club secured the field, fenced it and made a charge of 3 old pence (1 old penny for children), for admission. That “meadow” was to become the club’s ground until 1989! On October 8th, 1990, both teams turned out in Black & red and these have remained the official club colours.