It’s off to Seven Kings for a 2pm kick-off tomorrow as Boro face Ilford at Cricklefields. The game has been put back a day from its original date due to ongoing problems with the floodlights at the ground that Ilford share with Barkingside, hence the early kick-off.

The pitch at Ilford’s Seven Kings ground has notoriously been quite poor over the years, but some tender loving care has been lavished on it, and Ilford are now quite proud of what they describe as, “#nolongertheworsepitchintheleague” as this picture from the club’s Twitter feed shows.

Brief History:

The original Ilford Football Club was formed in 1881 and in 1905, were founder members of the Isthmian League, which they won in 1906–07, 1920–21, and 1921–22. The FA Amateur Cup was won in 1929 and 1930, but since then the club’s only significant honours have been the Isthmian League Second Division title in 2005, and the Essex Senior League championship in 2003.

Following the sale of their ground at Newbury Park, Ilford moved into Leytonstone’s Granleigh Road ground in 1977, merging with their landlords in 1979 to form Leytonstone/Ilford, who merged with Walthamstow Avenue to form Redbridge Forest, who in turn merged with Dagenham to form Dagenham & Redbridge. Ilford FC was revived in 1987, joining the Spartan League. In 1996, the club joined the Essex Senior League and earned promotion to the Isthmian League in 2004. They were relegated to the Essex Senior League in 2013, since when their best placing has been fifth in 2016.

Previous Meetings:

Of the 15 meetings between the sides since 1992, Romford have won 9 and Ilford have won 5. Boro’s victories include the 3-0 Gordon Brasted Trophy Final in 2004 at Burnham Ramblers FC. Prior to this season, the last time the clubs met were in the opening weeks of the 2012-13 season when Romford followed up at 2-0 win at Ilford with a 1-0 home victory. Earlier this season, Boro were beaten 1-0 at home by The Foxes.

Last Season:

It was a 16th place finish for The Foxes in the Essex Senior League last season. In the FA Cup, they were 3-2 winners at Barking in the Preliminary Round, but were then removed from the competition after it was found that they had fielded an ineligible player. In the FA Vase the were 4-1 winners at Langford in the 2nd Qualifying Round, but lost 1-0 at home to Spartan League side Shefford Town & Campton in the 1st Round Proper.

This Season:

After an indifferent start – Ilford were third from bottom when they came to Mayesbrook Park to play Boro back in November – The Foxes’ league form has improved, lifting them into a current 14th spot with 36 points from 29 games. In their last six league games they have won one (5-0 at Clapton), drawn one (1-1 at home to Halstead Town, and lost four (5-2 at Barking, 2-1 at FC Clacton, 3-1 at Athletic Newham last Saturday, and 4-1 at Stansted in midweek).

In the FA Cup, Ilford opened with a 4-1 home win over Sawbridgeworth Town before losing 3-0 at home to Enfield, while in the FA Vase, a win on penalties over Cockfosters was followed by defeat against Wormley Rovers by the same method.

Home Ground and How to Get There:

Ilford play their home games at Cricklefields, High Road, Ilford IG1 1FY, which is a short walk from Seven Kings Station. Remarkably, the Elizabeth Line is running this weekend. If buses are your preference, the number 86 passes the ground.

Essex Senior League games this weekend:

Friday 17th March:
Woodford Town v White Ensign

Saturday 18th March:
Ilford v Romford
Barking v Buckhurst Hill
Clapton v Athletic Newham
Saffron Walden Town v Halstead Town
Sawbridgeworth Town v Little Oakley
Southend Manor v Enfield
Takeley v Stansted