Eastern Professional Floodlight League

[slightfold]

Can any members throw any light (pun intended) on the above. I have tried 'searching' but to no avail. I know that it was played at least until the early 70's, and maybe ended when the League Cup, which I understand was to have been called the Floodlit League Cup, was born? Did teams enter their full teams or was it for the reserves? For instance, there are games played by Cambridge United well after their final non-league fixtures had ended in their promotion season 1969/70. Any help greatly appreciated.

[The SFC Chris]

I have several Stevenage Town, Stevenage Athletic and Stevenage Borough programmes from this competition from the mid 60's all the way up to the late 80's, and from what I can tell it was always classed by us as a first team competition. The name does vary from programme to programme, and year to year from Eastern Pro Floodlight/Floodlit Cup to Eastern Pro Floodlight/Floodlit League, but as the format always seems the same I have just assumed they are all the same competition and have them filed as such in my records.

My thought is that it would have been a similar situation to most county cups - where for all league/high non-league teams it is classed as a reserve competition, but for teams lower down the non-league pyramid would be classed as a first team competition.

I have tried searching for any info on this as well - it is odd for so many teams to have played in it over the years and so little information to be available.

[slightfold]

Many thanks for your reply, it has certainly illuminated my knowledge. It would seem that it was wider than a County competition as there are teams from Cambridge, Essex and Lincoln. Incidentally I am looking for a Stevenage friendly at Histon 14/7/10 if you can help!

[The SFC Chris]

To give you an idea of teams, over the years we competed with teams such as Barnet, Cambridge City, Saffron Walden, Harlow, Welwyn Garden City, and even Dover on one occasion.

Unfortunately can't help with the Histon programme, I don't have a copy and don't know anyone who does either!

[London Lilywhite]

The SFC Chris wrote:

To give you an idea of teams, over the years we competed with teams such as Barnet, Cambridge City, Saffron Walden, Harlow, Welwyn Garden City, and even Dover on one occasion. Unfortunately can't help with the Histon programme, I don't have a copy and don't know anyone who does either!

When did you play Dover?

[The SFC Chris]

We played Dover in 1986/7 in the semi-finals - 23/04/1987 was the date of the second leg in Dover.

[London Lilywhite]

The SFC Chris wrote:

We played Dover in 1986/7 in the semi-finals - 23/04/1987 was the date of the second leg in Dover.

Oh quite recently then. I was assuming 60s but checking I have a programme for an EFL game against Ashford Town in 92/93.

[The SFC Chris]

Just found some more info in a Stevenage Town programme I have from the 60's so thought I may as well add it.

This is from the 1963-4 season:
'The club has made application to join the Eastern Floodlight League for next season [i.e. 1964-5]. This is a new league formed and will include such clubs as Colchester, Watford, Romford, Bedford, etc. Matches to be played mid-week.'

[andyfromboston]

I've a large number of BUFC homes from the EPFL, most are single sheets v Romford/Brentwood/Kings Lynn/Cambridge Clubs/Stevenage......

If you are looking for anything give me a shout, I'll have a look what spares I have, they are all from about 68/9-73/4.

[DonQuixote]

It began in 64/5 and if two teams finished level on points, a two-leg play-off was played, a la 1968, to determine the winners.

Dunno what would have happened if three teams had finished level...

Mainly first teams with squad players were used and was quite well
supported in the early years.

The Romford v Chelmsford play-offs in ' 68 both attracted crowds in excess of 3,000....

It was still going in 95-6 as Romford lost to Clacton in the semi-final after the group games.

@ Andy - talking of Romford, still after the single sheet from Boston Utd v Romford 69-70 if you know of a spare copy?

@ Chris - Did you get my PM re Stevenage v Romford EPFL info?

@ Slightfold - can probably uncover final tables up until 73. The following
season was abandoned because of the three-day week.

[London Lilywhite]

Hi DonQuixote,

I'd be interested to see the final tables if you are willing to email them?

Cheers

[DonQuixote]

Managed to get the first four seasons but AndyBoston
might help with 68-9 as I can't find a final table.

Off out now but will sort the rest (hopefully) later.
DQ

[James]

I'll have a proper check when i get home, but i am 99% certain i have a Maidstone United V Gainsborough Trinity EFL Final programme from circa 76/77.

[James]

I was intrigued and as it's quiet at work remoted back to my home pc and can confirm i have programmes from Maidstone homes in this competition as follows(this is far from a complete list as i have loads of gaps):

75/76: Dartford, Bexley Utd, Gravesend&Northfleet
76/77: Dartford, Gainsborough Trinity(Final)

Also got aways at:

77/78: Dartford
80/81: Chatham Town

So looks like it may have been regionalised at first and then the later stages semi final or final against winners from another region during this time??
_________________
Maidstone/Tottenham fan

[andyfromboston]

Eastern Floodlight League Champions

1964-65 Wimbledon
1965-66 Cambridge City
1966-67 Chelmsford City
1967-68 Romford
1968-69 King’s Lynn
1969-70 Cambridge United
1970-71 Bedford Town
1971-72 Boston United
1972-73 Cambridge City
1973-74 Competition not completed
1974-75 Chelmsford City
1975-76 Ilford
1976-77 Maidstone United
1977-78 Chelmsford City
1978-79 Competition not completed
1979-80 Dartford
1980-81 Chatham Town
1981-82 Chelmsford City
1982-83 Chelmsford City
1983-84 Stansted
1984-85 Bishop’s Stortford
1985-86 Braintree Town
1986-87 Chelmsford City
1987-88 Dover Athletic
1988-89 Dover Athletic
1989-90 Hythe Town
1990-91 Hythe Town
1991-92 Saffron Walden Town
1992-93 Saffron Walden Town
1993-94 Heybridge Swifts
1994-95 Competition not completed
1995-96 Clacton Town
1996-97 Braintree Town
1997-98 Leyton Pennant
1998-99 Leyton Pennant
1999-00 Saffron Walden Town
2000-01 Competition not completed
2001-02 Cornard United
2002-03 Southend Manor
2003-04 Concord Rangers
2004-05 Heybridge Swifts
2005-06 Billericay Town
2006-07 Competition not completed


http://www.bufc.drfox.org.uk/tab68.html

http://www.bufc.drfox.org.uk/tab69.html

These two are the only tables I could find, but on another forum someone has suggested contacting Chelmsford City FC, apparently they've got a massive archive.

[DonQuixote]

These are what could find earlier....

forget this...doesn't like pdfs turned into jpegs...will go down another route!

[London Lilywhite]

I have a booklet which records all of Dover Athletic's results from their formation to about 1990 I think. I'll try and remember to have a look and see what I can find.