Boro travel to the Essex coast tomorrow evening for what will be only the second away league game of the season, the first being on the opening day at Buckhurst Hill.

Brief History:

Like Romford, FC Clacton have had a number of incarnations. The original club – Clacton Town – were formed in 1892, but folded nine years later. Old Clactonians were founded in 1902, changing the name to Clacton Town in 1905. In 1935 they were founder members of the Eastern Counties League, in which their best finish was 2nd in 1954, before they joined the Southern League in 1959, winning the Division One title at the first attempt (Romford were runners-up).

In 1964, Clacton rejoined the Eastern Counties League and were champions in 1995 and 1999.

In 2007, the club changed its name to FC Clacton and, having been relegated to the Eastern Counties League’s First Division, won promotion in 2010. In 2020 they were moved sideways to the Essex Senior League, finishing seventh.

Past Meetings:

There has been only one game between Romford and FC Clacton (then Clacton Town) since 1992. This was the Semi-Final of the Eastern Floodlight Competition, played at Clacton in April 1996. The home side won 3-0.

Boro and Clacton Town met regularly in FA Cup ties, a variety of Essex FA competitions, and the Southern League during the period between 1950 and 1978.

Last Season:

FC Clacton’s debut season in the Essex Senior League ended with a 7th place finish. In the FA Cup they were beaten 1-0 at home by Leighton Town in the Extra-Preliminary Round and fared no better in the FA Vase in which they were beaten 5-2 by Hoddesdon Town. Leading scorer last season was Mekhi McKenzie, who scored 17 goals in all competitions.

This season:

FC Clacton are currently 9th in the table with 9 points from 5 games, their points coming from wins over Stansted, Buckhurst Hill, and Barking, all at home and all without conceding a goal. A win at Little Oakley was followed by a home defeat at the hands of East Thurrock United in the FA Cup, while in the FA Vase, they won 4-1 at Frenford in the 1st Qualifying Round, but went out on Saturday on penalties against Basildon Town.

Home Ground and How to Get There:

FC Clacton play their home games at The Austin Arena, Rush Green Road, Clacton on Sea, CO16 7BQ. By road that’s 62 miles and 90 minutes from Romford. By public transport, the nearest station is Clacton-on-Sea, which is about a mile and a half away (half an hour’s walk). Alternatively, a number of bus routes (74, 5, 5A, 4 and X76) pass near the ground. The timings of the last train from Colchester means that getting home by public transport after a midweek game at Clacton isn’t practicable.

Admission price

Adults £8
Concessions £5
U18s £3