Rustington FC was formed in 1903 and joined the Bognor District League shortly afterwards. They became members of the Littlehampton District League when football resumed after the Great War, winning the title four times, in 1933, 1934, 1948, and 1949.

The club’s more recent history saw Rustington enter the West Sussex League, when a re-organisation saw all the District Leagues in that part of the county merge together. Under Vic Short, who was later to enjoy success at near neighbours East Preston, Rustington won the West Sussex League title in 1999/00.

Rustington lifted the West Sussex League title again in 2003/04 and were promoted to Division 3 of the Sussex County League. Among the players in their championship-winning side was the legendary Terry 'The Twister' Withers - a member of Littlehampton's all-conquering 1990/91 team, and subsequently a County League championship winner at Wick.

The club’s first season in the County League was something of a revelation. An 8th place finish may not appear anything special, but to a large extent this was due to a phenomenal record in cup competitions that saw manager Gareth Davies' side lift no fewer than three trophies: the Division Three Challenge Cup (vs Lingfield); the Vernon Wentworth Cup (vs Newhaven); and the very difficult to win Sussex Intermediate Cup (vs Bosham). In addition there were an impressive four Team of the Month awards picked up for Division Three.

2005/06 saw the club improve its final League position: finishing just outside the promotion places in 3rd. A repeat of the previous season’s Division Challenge Cup Final saw Rustington beat Lingfield again 12-11 on penalties, after the match finished 1-1 aet. Astonishingly, new fewer than 32 spot kicks were taken during the shoot-out. Rustington side also retained the Vernon Wentworth Cup by defeating League champions Peacehaven & Telscombe 1-0.

Not surprisingly Rustington began 2006/07 as long odds-on favourites and duly obliged, finishing 11 points clear of runners-up Pease Pottage Village. Rustington also made the headlines and were featured on Sky Sports as a 2-0 victory against lowly Bosham on 31 December 2006 saw them achieve a new record for going an entire calendar year unbeaten. The record was to remain until 24 February 2007, when it was ended by Haywards Heath.

Disappointment at losing at the semi-final stage in both the Division Three League Challenge Cup and Sussex intermediate Cup was tempered by a third successive victory in the Vernon Wentworth Cup: defeating Horsham YMCA Reserves on penalties.

Description of ground
Rustington FC share the Recreation Ground with the local cricket club. The pitch has a semi-permanent perimeter rail, with a decent sized and quite well-appointed clubhouse on the near side of the pitch, just to the right as one enters via the Jubilee Avenue entrance. There is also a small car park on this side of the pitch, and a couple of picnic-style tables outside for when the weather allows.

The directions below lead to the much larger car park as one enters via Woodlands Avenue on the opposite side of the pitch. In addition to the dugouts, there is a shallow bank that runs along this touchline. This slightly obscures the view if you wish to watch the game from your car in bad weather. On a fine day however, the bank provides a popular vantage point from which to view the game. There are currently no floodlights, although long-term plans are evidently in place for their acquisition, and also relocation of the current playing area.

Despite these limitations the club successfully completed the necessary works to meet requirements for senior football at Jubilee Avenue in 2007/08.

Directions
From the East: follow the A259 past Sainsburys on your left, then left at next roundabout on to the B2187, over Windmill bridge. Straight on at roundabout, then 1st right then 1st left into Woodlands Avenue. The car park is 80 yards on the right next to the village hall and the club house is the white building opposite the car park.

From the West: Proceed to Watersmead roundabout with the Body Shop on your left. Take the B2187 with the cemetery on your right, 1/2 mile on over the next roundabout, past BP garage on your left, take the 3rd turning on your right into Albert road then the 1st right into Woodlands Avenue. The car park is 80 yards on the right next to the village hall and the club house is the white building opposite the car park.

Nearest railway station: Angmering (two miles)

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