Club Details & History

CONCORD RANGERS CLUB HISTORY

Concord Rangers originated from a team of boys headed by Steve Lant. They played friendly matches during 1966 on a pitch along the Canvey Island seafront close to the Concord Beach hence the name Concord Rangers and the nickname Beach Boys.

1967 – Albert Lant, Steve’s father and current Club President became the team manager and took the club into competitive football. The Club joined the Thundermite Boys Football League.

1973 – Concord joined the Vange and District League and during this period they won several league and cup honours.

1979 – Concord became the first winners of the Essex Sunday Junior Trophy managed by current Secretary Chris Crerie, with a 4 – 1 win over Bishops Park from Brentwood, the final being played at Tiptree FC. Saturday football was introduced to the club when

Concord joined the Mid Essex League and played theirhome games at Waterside Farm on Canvey Island.

1985 – Concord secured some land at Thames Road, Canvey Island, the club developed the clubhouse and ground with Jack Smith, current club treasurer being the mastermind behind the project, he organised thefunds, labour and materials and worked many hours himself on the site. A special mention goes to the late Clive Smith ( Jack’s brother ) without Clive’s machinery and labour Concord’s pitch would not exist also Martin Gill, Steve Barnes, Brian Godfrey, Lee and John Slater, Rob Fletcher ( Electrics ) all contributed.

1988-1989 Concord joined the Essex Intermediate League and was Divisional League and Cup Winners.

1991-1992 Concord joined the Essex Senior League and achieved the following.

1996-1997 Essex Senior League Cup winners defeating Ford Utd 1 – 0.

1997-1998 Essex Senior League Championship winners
                 Manager – Lee Paterson

1999-2000 Harry Fisher Memorial Trophy winners defeating Burnham Ramblers 3 – 2

2002-2003 Essex Senior League Championship - Runners-up

2003-2004 Essex Senior League Championship winners
                Manager – Ben Embery
                Danny Heale is the winner of the Don Douglas Trophy this season for the Leagues top scorer with a tally of 32 goals.

2007-08    Concord Rangers 40^th Anniversary season   Danny Scopes and Danny Cowley become joint managers and managed the team in this important year for the Club and they had a magnificent year, Concord ended the season winners of the Essex Senior League. Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy winners and were Essex Senior League Cup Finalists. Concord also reached the Qtr-final of the FA Vase this season before losing 1 – 0 to Lowestoft Town who went on to reach the final which was played at Wembley Stadium. Concord’s Danny Heale won the Don Douglas Trophy for the second time as the Leagues top marksman scoring a magnificent 46 goals and setting an Essex Senior League record. Club President, Albert Lant won an outstanding achievement award from the Essex County FA for 40 year’s service to Concord Rangers.

2008-09  Having gained promotion from the Essex Senior League we would have been happy with a mid table position at the end of our first season in the Ryman Football League. The Management team of Danny Scopes and Danny Cowley got the best out of our players and managed to get us into a Play-off position having finished 5^th. We then went on to beat East Thurrock Utd, who had finished in 2^nd spot 1- 0 in the semi-final, Danny Heale scored a magnificent goal to put us through to the final and play Waltham Abbey. Concord was only 10 minutes away from playing in the Ryman Premier League this season having gone one up through Fabien Batchelor but Waltham Abbey’s Harry Elmes scored in the 80^th minute to take the game to penalties when we finally lost out 5 – 4.

Albert Lant retired after 25 years as Chairman in 1992 to become the Club President. Current Club Treasurer Jack Smith then held the Chairman position for two years, Grant Beglan who is the Chief Executive at our main sponsor, Aspect Contracts then became Chairman and also held the position for two years. Antony Smith is the current Chairman and is very hands-on in his approach, under Antony’s guidance the Club has seen fantastic progress these past few seasons both on the playing side and also on the development of the ground.