Saltdean, along with near neighbours Peacehaven and Newhaven,is a club that once had high ambitions and was one of the leading clubs in the County, only for the bubble to burst just as quickly.

The club joined Division Three of the County League in 1984/85, finishing third in its first season, and won promotion to senior football as champions in 1988/89. The next seven seasons were spent in Division Two, eventually winning the title in 1995/96.

With financial support behind them, the Tigers quickly began establishing themselves as a force in the top division, finishing 4th in their inaugural season and also reaching the final of the Sussex Senior Cup, losing to St. Leonards by a solitary goal. In 1998/99 Saltdean finished as runners-up to champions Burgess Hill Town, and 3rd the following year when they also lifted the League Challenge Cup.

Over the next two seasons however, the club’s fortunes changed drastically. Proposed development work to Hill Park failed to materialise; and a withdrawal of funding, combined with significant changes both on and off the pitch, saw the Tigers fall to 16th position, with relegation following in 2001/02 after a particularly disastrous season that saw the club pick up just 16 points.

Despite finishing 5th in their first season back in Division Two, the next two seasons saw the club finish just above the relegation zone and it was no surprise to see the club relegated back to intermediate football at the end of 2006/07, having finished five points adrift at the foot of the table. Division Three football in 2007/08 may give Saltdean an opportunity to rebuild, but it is is hard to see The Tigers ever regaining those heady days of the late 1990s.

Description of ground
Hill Park is one of a number of grounds in Sussex that is wonderful to visit on a fine afternoon, but not one for the faint-hearted when the weather is bad.

Accessed via a long unmade track, this opens out into a small car-parking area in front of the clubhouse, and along the near touchline. There is hard standing behind the near goal, but the principal feature of the ground is the large bank (actually part of the downs) than runs the length of the far touchline. This affords a great view of the action below. Half way along a small terraced stand has been carefully built into the slope, and provides the only respite from the elements. The dugouts are immediately in front, and have undergone subtle changes over the past few years.

Directions
Turn off A259 coast road at Arundel Drive West adjacent to Saltdean Lido. Follow Saltdean Vale for about half a mile. The ground situated 200 yards along a track on the left.

Nearest railway station: Brighton (4 miles).

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