Ringmer FC was formed in 1905 and joined the Lewes & District League. In 1926 the club won its first trophy when it won the Sussex Junior Cup. In 1951 Ringmer joined the Brighton League and eventually moved their way up through the divisions to achieve intermediate status.

In 1963 the club joined the Sussex County League, finishing third in their first three seasons in Division Two. In 1968/69 Ringmer won the 2nd Division title by a single point from Three Bridges, and were promoted to Division One.

The early 1970s were the most successful in the club’s history. Season 1970/71 saw them win through to the 1st Round proper of the FA Cup, losing three-nil at Colchester United, who went on to knock out Leeds United. Later that season Ringmer won the County League title for the first and only time, on goal difference ahead of Southwick. The following season saw Ringmer finish seventh, before ending 1972/73 as runners-up to Chichester City, as well as lifting the Sussex Senior Cup. After finishing fourth in 1974/75, the club’s fortunes gradually declined into mediocrity, culminating in relegation to Division Two in 1985/86, and narrowly avoiding the drop into Division Three the following year.

Ringmer returned to Division One in 1988/89 as runners-up to Seaford Town (now plain Seaford), where they have remained ever since. 2001/02 was the best for a long time, finishing as runners-up to Burgess Hill Town in the League, and to Horsham YMCA in the League Cup.

With former Brighton & Hove Albion manager John Crumplin installed as manager, and some experienced players at the Caburn, Ringmer were strongly fancied to challenge for League honours in 2004/05. Ultimately, to finish in 6th place was something of a disappointment and in part due to a poor start to the season. However, there was more than enough compensation for the Blues in cup competitions - winning the RUR Charity Cup by beating Chichester City United 1-0; and reaching the Final of the Sussex Senior Cup.

En route to the Senior Cup Final, Ringmer upset the odds by disposing of Worthing, and then Bognor Regis Town, to earn the right to take on Crawley Town. Despite being four levels below their Conference National opponents, Ringmer battled all the way, and it was only near the end of the normal time that Crawley scored the decisive goal to secure a 2-0 victory.

On the back of that Senior Cup performance, Ringmer were strongly fancied by many to take the County League title in 2005/06, with Crumplin assembling a strong squad capable of mounting a serious challenge. As the season approached its conclusion, the club looked in a strong position with just six weeks of the season remaining, but picked up just three points from their final six games, in stark contrast to Horsham YMCA who took fourteen points from theirs to ultimately romp to the title.

By then Chairman Richard Soan had already stated the club had withdrawn its application to join the Isthmian League, but that the club still had ambition to ultimately move up the Pyramid. After Crumplin decided to step down he was replaced by former Arundel, Weymouth and Burgess Hill boss Steve Johnson: a sign that Ringmer still entertained serious thoughts of promotion. With this in mind a 9th place finish in 2006/07 can only be regarded as a disappointment.

Description of ground
The Caburn Ground was one of the first I visited when I first started following Langney Sports away from home, and it remains a personal favourite. Located just off the main road that runs through the village, there is plenty of parking in Anchor Field, and a large car park in front of the ground, although in my experience the latter is invariably full.

The most noticeable feature of the attractive ground, which is bordered by trees on three sides, is a pronounced slope that runs the length of the pitch. There is netting behind both goals to catch stray balls. On the far side of the pitch is a small stand, flanked on either side by the dugouts. Opposite is a another covered area, with the large comfortable clubhouse immediately behind, and the small dressing rooms adjacent.

Teams are usually posted on a board just inside the entrance to the ground.

Directions
From Lewes, travel on the B2192 to Ringmer. Turn right into Springett Avenue (opposite Village Green). Take the first left into Anchor Field and ground is on the right.

Nearest railway station: Lewes (5 miles).

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