Now absorbed by the great big beast that is London, the small Essex town of Aveley has a lot of prehistoric significance. And, if you like that sort of thing, it has even given its name to an interglacial period of history dating back around 200,000 years; Neanderthal man’s time on this planet. But Boro’ were only formed in 1976. So, that means we’re going to ignore around 199,980 years of human evolution and cut straight to the chase. That good with you?
Our head-to-head record in the league against Aveley is top and tailed by some pretty convincing wins – if we’re being honest. We’ve had no reason to meet them, however, since our 1991-2 Diadora League Division 1 title-winning season.
Better late than never, the Millers made themselves a part of Aveley’s long story in 1927. It was a quiet start to life for the club; playing their football in local leagues until World War II. After that, they made their way to the London League via the Thurrock Combination League and tasted success with their 1954-5 title win. Soon after, they were on the move once more; competing in the Delphian and Athenian Leagues during the late 1950s and 1960s.
Why do we know Aveley?
The 1973-4 season saw the formation of the Isthmian League’s new Division Two. And that’s something the Millers got in on. For the next decade-or-so, the club spent most of its life in the lower half of the table; both before and after a decision to re-badge it as Division One. In 1986, however, they came bottom and were relegated to Division Two North. And that’s why we know ’em, right?
Er, no. At the end of the 1985-6 campaign, we were promoted up into Division One. So, we’d end up missing each other for another couple of seasons. Until we too were relegated…
How to get to Aveley – Travel Information – Distance: 50 miles
By Road
Go around the M25 to Junction 30/31 for the A13; you can either use the A1(M) or the A602/A10 combo to get to the M25. Once you come off the motorway, take the second exit at the roundabout for the Thurrock-bound A13.
As you reach the next roundabout, go right around for what should be the fourth exit – past the Premier Inn – into Ship Lane. Continue down Ship Lane for 1.2 miles into the town centre, before turning left onto High Street and again right onto Mill Road.
The ground is up on the right before you reach St Paul’s Close.
It looks like the closest stations on the C2C lines to and from London are either South Ockendon or Rainham. It’s quite a trek, however, so you’ll need bus route 372.
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