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| Full name | Redbridge Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname | The Motormen[1] | ||
| Founded | 1959; 66 years ago (1959) (as Ford United)[1] | ||
| Ground | Techsoc.Com Stadium, Barkingside | ||
| Capacity | 3,000 | ||
| Chairman | Ricky Eaton | ||
| Manager | Chris Taylor | ||
| League | Isthmian League North Division | ||
| 2024–25 | Isthmian League North Division, 12th of 22 | ||
Redbridge Football Club is anEnglishassociation football club based inBarkingside in theLondon Borough of Redbridge. Prior to July 2004 the club was known asFord United F.C. The change of name was chosen to help associate the club within the local area and attract a larger support.
They should not be confused with the formerRedbridge Forest, a predecessor of the currentDagenham & Redbridge, though both come from the borough ofRedbridge inGreater London.
Redbridge Football Club’s proud roots lie in East London and Essex’s rich car manufacturing heritage, tracing back to the iconic Ford Motors factory in Dagenham. The club’s story began in 1959, when Ford Sports (Dagenham) merged with Briggs Sports (originally Briggs Motor Bodies), both established in 1934, to form Ford United.
Success followed in the Aetolian League, with multiple title wins. But in 1995, the withdrawal of Ford’s sponsorship threatened the club’s existence. A rescue came in the form of a new sponsorship deal led by vice-chairman George Adams and backed by Sky Sports.
In 2001, the club secured a permanent home at Oakside Stadium by purchasing the lease from Barkingside FC, allowing for substantial ground improvements under Chairman Jimmy Chapman. To reflect its local identity and broaden appeal, the club was rebranded as Redbridge FC in 2004.
After a brief spell in the Conference South, the club faced back-to-back relegations but remained competitive in the Isthmian League Division One North. Under the stewardship of former professional Dean Holdsworth, Redbridge narrowly missed out on promotion in 2007–08.
The 2011–12 season proved to be one of the most memorable in club history. Redbridge reached the Second Round of the FA Cup, beating Ebbsfleet United and Oxford City, before falling to Crawley Town. That cup run captured national attention and marked a high point for the club on the big stage.
Despite moments of promise, financial challenges and changes in management led to a difficult period, and in 2015, Redbridge were relegated to the Essex Senior League for the first time in 19 years. Efforts to bounce back began under a joint management team of Ricky Eaton and Joey May, with the club consistently competing for promotion.
Like all clubs, Redbridge were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which curtailed two consecutive seasons. But the team came back strong under manager George Christou, finishing 3rd in 2021–22 and securing promotion back to the Isthmian League the following season via an Inter-League Playoff Final victory over Haywards Heath Town.
In 2023–24, Redbridge achieved a historic milestone by lifting the Essex Senior Cup for the first time, beating EFL side Colchester United in a dramatic penalty shoot-out – a moment that will live long in the memory of every Motormen supporter.
Following the departure of George Christou in October 2024, Chris Taylor took over as manager, joining from Basildon United.
Redbridge play their home games at the Techsoc.com Stadium , Barkingside, Ilford, Essex, IG6 1NB.From the start of the 2024-25 season a brand new 3G playing surface was laid.
As of OCT 25[2]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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(includes Ford United)
(includes Ford United)
As Redbridge F.C.
| Season | Division | Position | Top League Goalscorer | Manager(s) | Extra Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 | Conference South | 22nd | Julian Edwards 9 | Jim Stannard | Relegated |
| 2005–06 | Isthmian League Premier | 22nd | Ian Luck 9 | Jim Stannard, Alan Fenn | Relegated |
| 2006–07 | Isthmian Division One North | 16th | Mitch Hahn 10 | Alan Fenn | |
| 2007–08 | Isthmian Division One North | 3rd | Stephen Butterworth & Jeff Hammond 10 | Dean Holdsworth | Lost in Playoff Final |
| 2008–09 | Isthmian Division One North | 8th | Hakeem Araba 17 | Jay Devereux | |
| 2009–10 | Isthmian Division One North | 18th | Leon Diaczuk 13 | Jay Devereux, Dave Ross | |
| 2010–11 | Isthmian Division One North | 16th | Kevin McLeod 12 | Dave Ross, Kris Taylor, Jody Brown | |
| 2011–12 | Isthmian Division One North | 6th | Joe Gardner 13 | Terry Spillane | |
| 2012–13 | Isthmian Division One North | 20th | Jacob Cleaver 16 | Del Robinson & Steve Portway | |
| 2013–14 | Isthmian Division One North | 14th | Daniel Charge 20 | Dave Ross & Ricky Eaton | |
| 2014–15 | Isthmian Division One North | 23rd | Chinedu McKenzie 13 | Dave Ross & Ricky Eaton | Reprieved |
| 2015–16 | Isthmian Division One North | 24th | Jay Knight 11 | Dave Ross & Ricky Eaton | Relegated |
| 2016–17 | Essex Senior Football League | 14th | Jacob Dingli 30 | Dave Ross & Ricky Eaton | |
| 2017–18 | Essex Senior Football League | 4th | Brian Moses 33 | Joey May & Ricky Eaton | |
| 2018–19 | Essex Senior Football League | 12th | Daniel Gilchrist 18 | Joey May & Ricky Eaton/Micky Wetherall | |
| 2019–20 | Essex Senior Football League | season expunged due to COVID-19 | Micky Wetherall | ||
| 2020–21 | Essex Senior Football League | season curtailed due to COVID-19 | Micky Wetherall/George Christou + Jack Toghli | ||
| 2021–22 | Essex Senior Football League | 3rd | Ibrahim Kehinde 24 | George Christou + Jack Toghli | |
| 2022–23 | Essex Senior Football League | 2nd | Tony Martin 13 | George Christou + Jack Toghli | won Inter League Play Off Final- Promoted |
| 2023–24 | Isthmian League | 13th | Louie Johnson 10, Solomon Ogunwomoju 10 | George Christou + Jack Toghli | |
| 2024–25 | Isthmian League | 12th | Tendi Quamina 13 | George Christou + Jack Toghli, Joey May + Ricky Eaton, Chris Taylor |
51°35′7″N0°5′22″E / 51.58528°N 0.08944°E /51.58528; 0.08944
