Little Common Football Club formed originally as Albion United in 1966. Initially two youth teams were formed: one at Under 16 level and one at Under 14 level. However, today the club runs twenty one youth and three senior teams.

Albion United started life in the Hastings League and was very soon running two sides and they moved to the East Sussex League. After the double winning success of the 1977/78 season the club successfully applied to join the Sussex County League Division Two.

In 1974 the club committee decided to provide the club with its own club house and changing rooms, to include showers and a bar after spending eight years on grounds which did not have such facilities. Two prefabricated houses built in Fulham at the end of the Second World War, were acquired for £250 each and the necessary planning permissions granted. The club erected these two buildings, joined together, to make one large building: half was changing rooms, showers and toilets and the other half lounge and bar.

This became the club’s home on entry to the Sussex County League and their first season saw them finish in the top five. They also reached the Division 2 Cup Final only to be beaten by Crowborough Athletic. Subsequent seasons saw the club occupy a mid to lower position in the table, actually finishing bottom in 1980/81 and 1981/82 (Division Three was not formed until 1983). Albion enjoyed their best placing since entering the League when they finished 6th in 1985/86 and changed their name to Little Common Albion at the end of that season.

The newly named club again finished in 6th place the next two seasons, before their fortunes began to slump once again. In 1993/94 they were relegated after finishing bottom; and left the League altogether after finishing 15th of 16 in Division Three the following season. The 1990s proved a difficult period for the club and they rejoined the East Sussex League. A third consecutive relegation was a huge blow for the club and in the space of just three seasons they had gone from playing senior football to junior football.

The club committee decided that in order for the club to progress further new facilities were required in order to attract and retain players. Buoyed on by a thriving youth policy the club began its rebuilding process. The club joined together with the local council and cricket club in order to develop a project to build a new sports pavilion. After many years of hard work by all involved the project finally began to get moving and in 1999 a £262,000 Sport England Lottery Grant was awarded for the project. Building finally began in 2001 and the club moved into its new home in November 2002.

On the pitch the clubs fortunes continued to fluctuate: a successful 1998/99 season saw Common just miss out on promotion to Seaford before being relegated the following season. A rise followed by an instant return to the Premier Division and after avoiding relegation on the final day of the 2003/04 season the club committee decided to make a concerted effort the following season to realize its ambition of a return to the Sussex County League.

After spending ten seasons in the East Sussex League, the club were successfully crowned Premier Division champions in the 2004/05 season and applied for a return to the County League. After carrying out the essential work to their ground to achieve promotion the club was successful in its application. That first season saw Little Common consolidate in 9th place before finishing an excellent third in 2006/07, just two points outside of a promotion spot; and also reaching the semi-finals of the Sussex Intermediate Cup where they lost to Uckfield Town.

Description of ground
Promotion back to the County League for the 2005/06 season saw Common have to satisfy grading requirements, which they have achieved to a very satisfactory standard. There are a number of pitches at the Recreation ground, but Little Common’s is not too difficult to spot, being immediately behind the impressive pavilion that stands between the football and cricket areas.

A small area of prefabricated cover stands behind the near goal. Although not ideally sited it does nevertheless provide a slightly elevated view. Two small green metal dugouts stand midway along the near touchline. The playing area is fully railed, and there are evidently plans to fully enclose the ground.

There is ample parking inside the entrance to the Rec.

Directions
Travel west towards Bexhill on the A259. At Little Common roundabout take second exit into Peartree Lane. About 300 yards further, turn right into Green Lane and then left into Little Common Recreation Ground Car Park.

Nearest railway station: Cooden (2 miles)

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