League Focus grassroots

A Brief History of the Essex Olympian Football League

The Inaugural Season

The Essex Olympian Football League, as it was then known, was formed in 1966, at a meeting in the Saracens Head Public House Chelmsford, and, as the then President John W. Coward wrote in his forward to the first handbook, “This new League opens up the field of competition to teams from the Mid-Essex, Harlow and District, Southend and District and Parthenon Leagues.”

The Headquarters of the League were at “The Stadium” New Writtle Street, Chelmsford, the home of Chelmsford City Football Club. Of the original thirteen clubs, Bishops Stortford Swifts, and Old Chelmsfordians are still with the League. It should also be noted that two of the founding Officers are also still with the League.

The remaining founder member clubs were, Basildon and Pitsea, Billericay Town, Bowers United, Burnham Ramblers, Collier Row, Dorstel Press, Dunmow, Little Waltham and Sawbridgeworth. Burnham Ramblers were the first League winners with Little Waltham finishing as runners-up.

Writtle made up for their poor league form by reaching the final of the League Cup, but were beaten by Bishops Stortford Swifts. The League played its first representative match against an Epping Town XI and came away with a 2 – 1 victory.

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Grassroots is proud to be supporting Farleigh Hospice

Grassroots Magazine is delighted to be supporting local charity, Farleigh Hospice. In each edition, we will be sharing with you their latest news along with upcoming events that you can get involved in!

Farleigh Hospice has been a cornerstone of our local community since 1982 when, following the death of a lady called Audrey Appleton from cancer, her friends Glenda Lance and Dr Gill Collier launched an appeal to establish hospice services in and around Chelmsford.

Since its creation later that same year, Farleigh has provided hospice care to thousands of people affected by life-limiting illnesses and bereavement across mid Essex. The hospice, which is celebrating its 40th birthday this year, continues to help people to live as actively as possible from the point of diagnosis to the end of their lives, by providing physical and emotional care, free of charge.

As a charity, Farleigh relies on the generosity of the local community to raise the £6 million it needs every year to care and support those who rely on its services. One of the ways that Farleigh engages with the community is through the range of fundraising events it organises throughout the year, which are listed on its websitewww.farleighhospice.org/events

Here we take a look at some of the exciting events coming up… the Annual Quiz, Sponsored Doggy Walk and Autumn Shopping Extravaganza!