Club History

Upminster Park Rovers is a Football Association Charter Standard club based in Upminster, Essex. We are one of the largest junior football clubs in Havering with around 30 teams in all age groups from 6 up to the age of 18. We compete in a number of local leagues. Our club colours are black and white stripe shirts, black shorts and red socks.

We started in 1965 when Dennis Wyman and Jim Sadler decided to start a team for their sons and quickly formed a team with boys from the local area. We joined the Echo League in 1966 and became the first team to play matches at Hall Lane playing fields in Upminster. The cost of hiring the pitch for that first season was £5.

The next season another team joined the club managed by Ted Butler and recorded the club’s first success in winning the under 12 cup in their first season by beating Basildon Boys in the final under the lights at a packed Hornchurch Stadium.

Scott Croly who played in the final has the following recollection of that season.

We were a very good team and came very close to winning the league that season, but finished second in the Echo League division 2. Basildon Boys were in a higher Division and were hot favourites to win the game.

We went into the game without our captain, Gary Stewart, who had a broken arm and would be badly missed. Ted Butler, our manager, and Dennis Wyman prepared us for the game and sent us out determined to win our individual battles and the game.

Right from the kick off it was a good game with both teams playing well. It proved to be a very tough game, but we played ever so well throughout the whole game and managed to win 3-2 with two goals from George Lay and one goal from Rob Vogel.

Our Team was: Rick Eyers, George Lay, Rob Vogel, Kev Bilton, Scott Croly, Mark Rampling, Peter Crane, Gary Armstrong, Alan Powell, David Howe, Peter Nicholson and substitute Chris Butler.

As the club expanded over the following seasons so did the area from which it drew its members. We now have members from all over Havering and from many neighbouring areas. Over the years we have had many committed club members and committee members who have helped the club expand and develop. All have contributed to making the club what it is today. Dennis Wyman, one of the two founder members, was Chairman of the club and took part in the running of the club until his death in 2020. In January 2006 we achieved FA Charter Standard status.

It was our 50th anniversary in 2016 and we held an enjoyable fun day at Hall Lane Playing Fields.

 

Company Information

Upminster Park Rovers Junior Football Club is a registered charity No. 1184407. Our registered address is Abacus House, 68a North Street, Romford, Essex, RM1 1DA.