Horsham joined the Sussex County League in 1926, and after finishing runners-up in consecutive seasons, lifted the title for the first of seven times in 1932/33. The following season they retained the title and then, after finishing a relatively disappointing 6th in 1933/34, went on finish as champions four years in succession between 1934-38. WW2 did nothing to halt the Hornets’ dominance, and they added a seventh title in 1947, and finished either 2nd or 3rd over the next four seasons.

In 1951 Horsham joined the Metropolitan & District League and true to form, won the championship at the first attempt, although subsequent success eluded them. In 1957, they joined the Corinthian League for six seasons, and then, when that League was disbanded in 1963, joined the new Division One of the Athenian League. After three seasons Horsham suffered the usual feeling of relegation, but a further three years later returned to Division One as champions in 1972.

The following year Horsham joined the new Division Two of the Isthmian League, which became Division One in 1977/78, winning the Sussex Senior Cup in 1974, and again for the sixth time in 1976. In 1980 the club was relegated to Division Two, and placed in Division Three when the League was reorganised in 1991.

In 1995/96 Horsham won promotion to Division Two as champions, and in 2001/02 finished as runners-up to Lewes. With the Isthmian League being reorganised once again, the Hornets found themselves in Division One (South), finishing 8th in 2002/03.

The new decade has witnessed good cup runs from Horsham - taking then-Conference side Yeovil Town to a replay in the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup in 2000/01; and losing out on penalties to Team Bath at the same stage in 2002/03. Season 2003/04 was overall a disappointing one, and following restructuring Horsham were placed in Division One of the Isthmian League.

2004/05 was more successful but ultimately disappointing once again. The Hornets looked likely to secure an automatic promotion place at one point, but instead fell away to finish in 3rd. Despite this they reached the Play-Off Final, only to lose 1-3 at home to Bromley who had finished three points behind them in the League.

Horsham made sure there was no similar heartbreak story in 2005/06, losing out to champions Ramsgate only on GD to gain automatic promotion, and finishing six points clear of the play-off places. The achievement completed a fantastic season for the town, with neighbours Horsham YMCA also winning promotion to the Isthmian League. The Club hoped to cap a fine campaign with a Sussex Senior Cup victory but, after having two players carried off with serious injuries, lost 3-1 to Lewes in one of the best finals in recent years.

An eighth place finish at the end of the club's first season in a very competitive Premier Division could also be considered a success as Horsham aim for a memorable final campaign at Queen Street in 2007/08 (see below).

Description of ground
Although its days may be numbered, Queen Street (officially the Atspeed Stadium) remains one of a few ‘traditional’ grounds in the County; the site having been the club’s home since around 1904 when arrangements were made with the local brewery to rent it for £25 an annum.

The original stand from Horsham’s previous ground at Springfield Park was erected on the new site, and was eventually replaced by the current stand in 1928. The stand was funded by a subscription scheme, with anyone who donated half a crown (25 pence) entitled to have a brick with their name inscribed on it. The flat-topped stand, which houses the dressing rooms and clubhouse underneath, provides a good view of the pitch, with symmetrical steps leading to the seating area from the front. Although the date of its erection is clearly displayed on the near side of the building, the Art Deco design clearly indicates the decade in which it was built.

Opposite the stand a fine covered terrace extends almost the entire length of the touchline and is well preserved, having been built in the late 1940s. Funding for this came from the proceeds of Horsham’s FA Cup run of 1947/48 which came to an end in front of 28,000 people at Notts County, the Hornets losing 1-9 in the 1st Round Proper.

More covered terrace was later added at the Gorings Mead end of the ground in 1963. The increased capacity came in handy when Horsham once again reached the 1st Round of the FA Cup in 1966, when a record crowd of over 8,000 saw them lose 0-3 to Swindon Town at Queen Street. However, this has since disappeared and is now a little overgrown.

In July 2004 it was announced that regardless of whether they had a new home to go to, Horsham would have to vacate Queen Street in May 2008 and allow Sunley Homes to develop the site. Horsham have been depending on advance funding from Sunley for some time and felt they had little option, despite the obvious risks.

Faced with having to find a new site in an area with high demand for housing, the club laid contingency plans whereby it would ground-share with Molesey (Surrey) some thirty miles away. Fortunately it will not come to that and the club's future appears to have been secured in its home town.

In December 2006 the local media announced that the club had agreed to buy land and buildings used by The Holbrook Club in North Heath Lane after landlords Royal & Sun Alliance accepted a bid. As part of the deal The Holbrook Club will be allowed to continue as tenants on the land and will retain most existing indoor facilities, two football pitches, an archery range and a cricket pitch.

This was formally confirmed by the club on its official website in March 2007.  The club stressed that given facilities already on the site, it was not planning on developing a large stadium. However, it accepted the need to enhance the existing facilities with limited, covered spectator accommodation and lighting and other improvements to meet League requirements.

However it turns out, no new ground is likely to have the character of Queen Street and whilst it is pleasing to have the future of one of the county's most historic clubs secured, the loss of Queen Street will be keenly felt.

Directions
Travel north on the A23, turning off onto the A272 at Bolney. Continue on the A272 to Cowfold then follow the A281 to Horsham. On entering the outskirts of the town, follow the A281 (Brighton Road) a short distance and the entrance to the ground on the left, immediately opposite the Queens Head PH.

Car parking is available outside the main entrance to the ground.

Nearest railway station: Horsham (15 min walk).

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