Hailsham Town FC was founded in 1885, and was briefly known as “Hailsham Butchers” in the period just before the 1914-18 Great War. The new club joined the East Sussex League, winning the Sussex Junior Cup in 1896, and reached the final of the Sussex Senior Cup in 1902.

In 1955/56 the club joined the Sussex County League, but left to join the Eastbourne League in 1963, before rejoining the East Sussex League three years later.

Hailsham joined the Southern Counties Combination League in 1972, which was a feeder for the County League. In 1975/76 the club won promotion to Division Two of the County League as champions, and finished a creditable sixth in their first season. After six seasons, during which they were one of the leading clubs in Division Two, Hailsham finally won promotion to Division One, as runners-up to Whitehawk in 1980/81.

In 1988/89, under the guidance of Trevor Wood, Hailsham finished fourth in Division One, their best ever placing, and also reached the last sixteen of the FA Vase, losing at home to Hungerford Town in front of a crowd of 1,100. In the early 1990s, the club proved itself as one of the best in the County League and, although never finishing higher than fifth, lifted the League Challenge Cup in 1995/95.

The end of the 1990s however, saw a decline in the club’s fortunes, and they were relegated to Division Two at the end of the 1998/99 season. After just two seasons however, Hailsham returned to Division One, after finishing in third place behind Southwick and Peacehaven & Telscombe.

2004/05 saw the club in danger of relegation early in 2005, but they rallied to finish in 12th place for the second season in succession. The 2005/06 season produced a pattern that was in complete contrast to the previous one: with the Club starting well but ultimately fading to finish 10th. Hailsham were however, able to celebrate some silverware, as they lifted the Royal Ulster Rifles Charity Cup after beating Whitehawk 2-0.

The Hawks avenged that RUR defeat in 2006/07, beating Hailsham at the semi-final of the competition. However, under the astute leadership of their fiery Scot Kenny McCreadie who certainly isn't on the Christmas Card list of many SCFL referees, The Stringers finished a creditable 6th in the League, twice beating champions Eastbourne Town. There was also a good showing in the FA Vase before bowing out to Sherborne Town in the 3rd Round.

Nevertheless, attendances fell once again and have generally continued to struggle to reach the highs of the early 1990s (the average gate was inflated by derbies against the two Eastbourne clubs). However, it is safe to assume that continued improvement on the pitch, albeit without the assistance of Eastbourne Borough-bound Dan Leach, would definitely entice more locals back to The Beaconsfield.

Description of ground
Hailsham’s ground at the Beaconsfield isn’t helped by the fact that there is public access, which means it is a potential target for vandalism. The ground has been fully enclosed in recent years but access is evidently possible outside of match days presumably because it remains a public right of way and the club is not allowed to lock it (?). Thus although much has been done to tidy up the grafitti this hasn't been entirely successful. The dressing rooms and clubhouse, which were originally adjacent to the stand were burnt down in mysterious circumstances during the late 1990s, although the basic structure is still in situ.

The loss of the old clubhouse ultimately provided the opportunity to build a neat if rather functional replacement behind the goal at the Diplocks end of the pitch, which also incorporated new dressing rooms.

The only cover at the ground is provided above a shallow terraced area next to the old disused dressing rooms/clubhouse, along the near touchline at the Diplocks end. As Bob Lilliman's archive pics show, this was in place at an otherwise open Beaconsfield in 1981, and hasn't really changed much in the intervening 25+ years. There is also a tea bar serving the usual half-time fare. A recent addition is a new turnstile building adjacent to the rear of the stand making it far less easy for spectators to gain access without paying. There is however no seated accommodation at the ground; something that, one presumes, must be addressed as a matter of some urgency if the club is to maintain its place in the top division.

Directions
Heading towards Eastbourne on the A22, turn off at Diplocks Roundabout (signposed Industrial Estate). There is a passageway to ground (signposted) is on the left just before the BP garage on the corner of South Street. Alternatively, the ground can be accessed by parking in Western Road and walking across the recreation ground.

Nearest railway station: Polegate (5 miles, bus service available).

Map (link to www.streetmap.co.uk)