History

THE EARLIEST RECORDS of the Barking & Dagenham SFA date back to at least 1895, so this makes us one of the older schools’ football associations in the country.

Over the years, many famous footballers have played for the borough – Sir Alf Ramsey, Terry Venables, Bobby Moore, Jimmy Greaves, Martin Peters, Trevor Brooking, Steve Potts, Tony Adams, Tony Cottee, Paul Konchesky and John Terry to name but a few. More recently, former Monteagle pupil Benik Afobe (U16s & U17s) has represented England at youth level.

Barking & Dagenham have a proud history of success in major competitions, winning the Essex Finch League on five occasions since 1956, most recently in 2002. Added to that, are four Essex seven-a-side triumphs and eight wins in the London Crisp Shield.

The latter competition holds great memories for Barking & Dagenham as the inaugural competition was won in 1951, with Bobby Moore as captain. More recently, Barking & Dagenham contested the last ever, competitive match at Highbury Stadium in 2006, beating Islington 2-1 on a scorching summer’s day. In 2009, the team came runners-up for the second year running, but success came with the first ever District girls’ side, who rampaged their way to victory at the Mayor’s Cup in 2008 and remain unbeaten throughout their slender two year history.   

Schools’ football is unique in atmosphere, offering an experience much different to other forms of junior football. Players not only represent the borough, but also their schools, their parents and themselves. Levels of behaviour, appearance, support and football have to reach very high standards and provide memories that can last for many years.