Witham Town Football Club, nicknamed “The Town,” is a non-league football club based in Witham, Essex.
Established in 1876, they currently compete in the Pitching In Isthmian League North Division, which is part of the eighth tier of English football. The team calls Spa Road their home ground.
The clubs’s football history dates back to the 1830s, with the first official team formed in 1876. Initially playing on a field by the River Brain, the team later moved to The Park, shared with the cricket club. By 1894, they relocated to The Grove, where they gained recognition as a strong junior side, known as the ‘Red Herrings’ for their red kit. The club saw success, reaching the Essex Junior Cup final in 1894. With the outbreak of World War I, the entire team enlisted, leading to a temporary hiatus. Reformed in 1919, Witham Town FC achieved notable success in local leagues but disbanded in 1938 due to declining support.
Witham Town FC was revived in 1948, overcoming humble beginnings to win several local trophies. The club moved to The Park and later joined the South Essex League, achieving significant success. By 1958, Witham had stepped up to the Essex and Suffolk Border League, securing senior status and winning multiple championships. In 1970, they moved to Spa Road, where they became founding members of the Essex Senior League and won its inaugural championship in 1971-72. The mid-1980s were particularly successful, with several top finishes and cup victories, leading to their admission to the Isthmian League in 1987.
Their Isthmian League tenure began strongly but saw fluctuations in performance, with the highest finish in 1993-94 and relegation in 2000. After restructuring and achieving runners-up in 2005-06, they returned to step 4 football. Despite relegation in 2009, Witham rebounded by winning the Essex Senior League in 2011-12 under Garry Kimble. The subsequent seasons saw playoff success and promotion to the Isthmian Premier Division, though financial constraints led to immediate relegation. Following managerial changes, the club aimed for stability, achieving mid-table finishes and avoiding further relegation under various managers, including the recent appointment of Marc Benterman.