Newhaven FC is one of the oldest clubs in Sussex, and was formed by the Towner family who were brewers in the town during the latter 19th century, plus some of their enthusiastic friends. A meeting took place at the Bridge Hotel in early December 1889 during which it was resolved to form the Club and 20 members signed up on the day.

Although the club joined the Sussex County League in 1920 it was not until 1948/49 that any silverware of note found its way to the Dockers’ trophy cabinet, when the club won the Sussex County FA Invitation Cup.

In 1950/51 Newhaven finished in fourth place behind champions Haywards Heath, and in 1953/54 won the League, ahead of Rye United and Cuckfield. Although finishing fifth behind Eastbourne United the following season, success eluded the Newhaven, who were relegated to Division Two in 1964/65. The Dockers made an immediate return as runners-up to Horsham YMCA, only to be relegated again two years later.

Newhaven once again returned to the top division in 1971/72, and won the Division One championship in 1973/74, finishing two points ahead of Littlehampton Town. Just two years later though, they found themselves relegated for a third time. After fifteen years in Division Two, the club was promoted to Division One as champions in 1990/91, and in 1992/3 finished sixth. The following year they won the Sussex RUR Cup, only to be relegated in 1994/95. Further relegation to Division Three followed in 1998/99 and the club narrowly escaped dropping down to the East Sussex League the season afterwards.

Having consolidated their position, the rot set in once again in 2003/04. Newhaven finished the season just one place off the bottom of the table with only Upper Beeding (who managed just two points all season) below them. Despite boasting the best average gate in the Division in 2004/05, there was little improvement on the pitch, with only goal difference preventing the Dockers from finishing in a relegation position.

Season 2005/06 however showed a marked improvement. As well as finishing a promising 4th in the table, Newhaven also reached the semi-finals of both the Division Three Challenge Cup, and The Vernon Wentworth Cup although they lost both ties 4-0 to eventual winners Rustington. Once again Fort Road witnessed the best average gates in the Division, helped by the restoration (for one season only as it turned out) of the local derby vs Peacehaven & Telscombe, with the attendance for that match (418) not only the best in Division Three, but the entire County League.

Whilst not reaching anything like those giddy heights, Newhaven's average attendance for 2006/07 remained, with the exception of promoted Rustington, the best in Division Three. A final position of 9th however, can only be considered a disappointment although the Dockers did reach the Final of the Division 3 League Challenge Cup where they were defeated by Pease Pottage Village.

Description of ground
The sad decline of Newhaven’s Fort Road ground stands as a testament to the fragile balance that exists between success and failure in County League football. The massive unfinished - and with hindsight, hugely over-ambitious - stand dominates the far touchline. As can be seen from Bob Lilliman's photographs, taken in 1975 (link above), the new building replaced an earlier breezeblock and timber cover. Work was begun during in the early 1990s as the club spent heavily in a bid to improve its position in the pyramid, severe financial difficulties resulted in a halt to building work, and ultimately relegation down to Division Three of the County League.

The stand, which would never have won any awards for aesthetic beauty it has to be said, was to contain new dressing rooms and various function facilities, and would no doubt look a great deal more attractive in its finished state with the numerous windows in situ.  A few seasons back access could still be gained to the viewing area via steps to the side, and this commanded a magnificent view of the pitch and harbour beyond. However, this access now appears to have been sealed off as the local council considers the building to be unsafe, although the club has planning permission to create a new seated stand at a later date.

The council have expressed a desire to demolish the stand it but evidently the scheme they would like to implement is too big for the available space and it would mean relocating the Football Club. With no easily identifiable site the last attempt to do this resulted in failure. The club does not want to move and would rather seek to develop further where it is.

The club is currently [as of July 2007] constructing a new covered standing area behind the near goal. A few steps of terrace is all that remains of an earlier cover (with seats) constructed from corrugated iron and timber.

In addition to the above works, the club is working hard to improve Fort Road in other respects as as well.  This includes extending the hard standing on the western side the whole length of the pitch; enlargement of dugouts; realignment of barrier rail in some places; installation of gated entrances on to the pitch for the players, maintenance and emergency purposes; and the provision of a safe walkway for players from the changing rooms to the pitch. Once permission is granted from the Parks Department to carry out the work in council land work can begin on these improvements.

The club is also busily engaged in refurbishing the former changing rooms so that once the fence re-alignment is complete they will be within the ground.  

It can only be hoped that having narrowly survived dropping out of the County League altogether not too long ago, Newhaven FC will once more be able to establish itself in the future.

Directions
Take the A259, which becomes a one way system around the town. Turn left at the police station into South Road, which becomes Fort Road. The ground is clearly visible on the right just past a small parade of shops and before the approach road to Newhaven Fort.

Nearest railway station: Newhaven Town (approx. 15 mins walk).

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