Erith & Belvedere F.C.

Football club infobox |clubname = Erith & Belvedere|

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Erith & Belvedere F.C., established 1922, is a football club representing the town of Erith, in the London Borough of Bexley. They are currently members of the Kent League Premier Division after being relegated from the Southern League Division One East in 2005.They were also founder members of the Corinthian League in 1945.

History

An Erith FC had existed at the turn of the 20th century, however Erith and Belvedere FC was formed due to restructuring of Belvedere and District FC in 1922; which itself had only existed since 1918.On formation it joined the Kent League. Apart from two seasons (1929-31) in the London League, the Deres remained in the Kent League until the war, with third place in 1928-29 being their highest finish.

After World War II, the Deres were founder members of the Corinthian League, winning the Memorial Shield (League Cup) for three seasons in succession (1948-50). The Deres were one of only three clubs to remain in the Corinthian League throughout its existence, and in 1963 they joined Division 1 of the Athenian League on its expansion to three divisions. They reached the Athenian premier division in 1971, and won the League Cup in 1974.

In 1978 the club opted to return to the Kent League, but in 1982 won the championship and were promoted to the Southern League. However, although they remained at that level for over twenty years, they always struggled until finally they were relegated in 2004-05 (the first relegation in the club's 83-year history).

To add to their problems during this period, the club was forced to leave its original ground, Park View, Belvedere, after a fire wrecked the main stand in September 1997, and entered a ground share arrangement with Welling United at their present home Park View Road (within the town of Welling).

Honours

*Kent League
**Champions 1981/82

Club records

* Best league position: 7th in Southern League Southern Division, 1992/93
* Best FA Cup performance: 3rd qualifying round on several occasions, most recently 2001/02
* Best FA Trophy performance: 3rd qualifying round,1989/90
* Best FA Vase performance: 3rd round,1976/77

Former players

* Chris Dickson- Charlton Athletic

ources

*fchd|id=ERITHBEL|name=Erith & Belvedere

External links

* [http://www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk/ Official website]
* [http://www.disa.org.uk/ Deres Independent Supporters Association]