First Played: 1988-9
Win Rate: 63% (from 8 games)
After spending big, Hornchurch got as far as Conference South before the cash ran out in 2004 and ended up liquidated. The Urchins clearly had eyes on a bigger prize at the time. But Conference South seemed to be a step too far. In our most recent meeting, however, the Essex club did manage to spring a shock on us; knocking us out of the FA Trophy at the Fourth Round stage during the 2003-4 campaign.
It’s less a case of “who are Hornchurch” and more a case of “who were they”. The current Urchins came to life in 2005, replacing the former Urchins – liquidated after running into financial strife. That outfit dated back to 1923, first known as Upminster Wanderers. So, are you ready for our little whizz through history? After playing in localish leagues before WWII, they ushered in their post-war era by joining the Spartan League. In the early 50s, it was into the Delphian League – plus what would become their home thereafter: Hornchurch Stadium.
Now, that stadium was (and still is) in Upminster. In spite of this, the club added Hornchurch to their name in 1953 and – in 1961 – removed all reference to Upminster. By that point too, the club were now in the Athenian League. As has so often been the case, however, it was election into the Isthmian League in 1975 that’d pave the way for our eventual first meeting. Admittedly, that first meeting was going to be another 13 years. We even passed them on the stairs between Divisions Two North and One in 1986; us going up, them going down.
In eight games against the Urchins, Boro’ have lost two: the first and the last. In a sense, therefore, you can see a nice bit of symmetry going on. That first encounter was in 1988, and a bit of a home humbling. The return at their gaff went a little better, even if the honours were even. After that, however, it was all us. There were two wins to nil for Boro’ in the 1989-90 Div Two North campaign, both of which pale in comparison the next season – and our record-breaking efforts in 1990-1. You’d back us in your daily accas that term…
| Pl | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts* | WR% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 63% |
| Home | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 75% |
| Away | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 50% |
| League | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 5 | 10 | 13 | 67% |
| Cup | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | n/a | 50% |
* league points only
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