Current Isthmian North side Basildon United hold the most Essex Senior League titles since the league's creation. They are the only team to win 5 ESL titles including an impressive 4 in a row.
They were also the first club to complete the League and Cup double twice, a record that has only recently been matched by Great Wakering Rovers in 2017-18.
History of Basildon United
Basildon United, founded in 1963, began as a junior club named Armada Sports. The name changed to Basildon United in 1967-68, the same year they set their current record attendance of 4,999 in a friendly against West Ham United.
Not long after their name change, the Essex County FA granted them Senior status allowing them to compete at a higher level. They went on to become a founding member of the Essex Sinor League with the league's creation in 1971.
They started strong in the ESL finishing runners-up in 1972-73; however, it was in 1976 when their dominance began.
They won their first league title then and went on to win the next three consecutively, something that has not been done since.
Their first league and cup double came in 1977-78 beating Bowers United 3-0 in the final.
After securing their fourth consecutive title Basildon moved to the Athenian League. They missed out on securing their 5th league title in a row by 1 point, Windsor & Eton were the team to steal the title.
Finishing second did grant them a promotion to the Isthmian League Division Two for the 1981-82 season.
Continuing with their winning form in 1983-84 they won the division and achieved promotion to Division One. This level was a struggle for Basildon, Their highest finish was 7th and by the end of the 1988-89 season, they had been relegated back into Division Two.
It was a short stint back down in Division Two after they decided to quit the Isthmian League in 1991.
They decided on a return to the Essex Senior League having left the league after winning 4 titles on the bounce.
Basildon became the first side to complete a second Essex Senior League and the Essex Senior League Challenge Cup double in 1993-94. This also put them on 5 ESL titles which still stands as the record for any team in the ESL.
Since then they have won two more Challenge Cups (1997-98 and 2015-16).
Currently Basildon are back in the Isthmian League North and sit fourth in their league, 4 points off the top.
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