The history of our beloved football club trundles back well over a
hundred years and not having the benefit of rich patrons in early years the
club relied on enthusiastic supporters and keen dedicated players.
The
Crouch
The Crouch is the name given to Seaford Football Ground, the name
deriving from an old English wording meaning cross and possibly evolves from
the existence of a cross on the hilltop where Crooked Lane, Crouch Lane and
East Street converge.
Seaford Town was first founded in 1888 as Seaford FC succeeding Seaford
Rovers FC founded in 1882. Like all
Sussex clubs games were not played during the First World War and part of the
pitch was dug up to grow food.
In the early days the club not having any wealthy patrons could not
boast a home ground with lush and level turf with surrounding stands and
clubhouse. The club is rumoured to have been started by three workers at the
Elm Brewery in Croft Lane with its close proximity to the land at The Crouch
made it a natural venue choice.
Give
us a sign!
Seaford’s main football club has played at The Crouch since at least the
early 1990’s with its slightly sloping pitch close to the Town Centre ,but its
location still a mystery to many locals because no one has ever thought to sign
post its location.
The land was purchased in 1909 by cement owner John Plaister who lived
at Crouch House and made the field available for use of local footballers
because he happened to like the game and felt it deserved a home. In 1930
following his death the land was sold by auction to the then Seaford District
Council. In 1974 it passed into the
hands of Lewes district council but was returned back to Seaford Town Council
in 2007.
A
true survivor
At one stage the Nazis tried to get rid of football in Seaford. Three bombs
were dropped in the middle of the football ground in November 1940 creating
large craters and damaging the club house with another bomb landing there in
1942.
The original spectator stand was in existence by the mid 1930s in the
same spot the stand today occupies then constructed of wood, although post war
improvement saw it enclosed in corrugated iron and painted green. It was eventually demolished when it gave
into the onslaught of sea spray and strong winds and was replaced by a far less
comfortable concrete block structure.
However it sadly fell victim to vandals.
Now however the ground boasts new floodlights and the new 108 seating
stand opened in October 2010 called The David Jordan Stand.
Truly an integral part of Seaford’s community and steeped in history and
still today it survives and flourishes. We are proud to be associated with such
a key part of the Seaford community
Happy New Year to you all from David Jordan
Estate Agents
Tel: 01323 898414
