Match Preview: East Grinstead Town FC – Away

The Moles have a pause in their league action when they travel to East Grinstead Town FC for a FA Trophy 1st qualifying round tie.

Matchday: Saturday 6th September – KO 3pm

Who are East Grinstead Town FC?

East Grinstead Football Club, established on 8 May 1890, initially competed as founder members of the Mid-Sussex League in 1900, clinching the league title in 1901–02 and notching several runner-up finishes in the early years. Their history is marked by both success and setbacks, winning the Sussex Junior Cup in 1908–09, joining the Sussex County League in 1920, and experiencing multiple relegations and returns between different divisions and leagues, including the Brighton, Hove & District League and Southern Amateur League. These moves reflected fluctuating performances, highlighted by championship and runner-up achievements, but also finishes at the bottom of league tables that led to further relegations.

The post-war era saw East Grinstead remaining in Division One of the Sussex County League until their relegation in 1978–79, with notable victories such as the Baldwin Cup in 1951–52. In subsequent decades, the club experienced several promotions and demotions, changed its name to East Grinstead Town in 1997, won the Sussex RUR Cup in 2003–04, and ultimately achieved promotion to Division One South of the Isthmian League after finishing as runners-up in 2013–14. In the disrupted 2019–20 season, they were at risk of relegation but remained in their division after the season was abandoned due to the coronavirus pandemic and all promotion/relegation was cancelled.

Season So Far

East Grinstead play in the Isthmian South East Division, a parallel league to the division that the Moles play in. This season, East Grinstead are yet to win a league game. They are currently bottom of the league with 5 defeats – the latest being a 2-1 defeat to Eastbourne Town.

In the FA Cup, they were eliminated in the Extra Preliminary Round when they lost 4-1 to Eastbourne United.