Founded in 1882, the history of Southwick FC is a long and chequered one. Founder members of the Sussex County League in 1920, they won the championship four times between 1923 and 1948, and finished runners-up on a further four occasions.

In 1952 the club left the league for two seasons to compete in the Metropolitan & District League but, after finishing bottom in 1954, rejoined the County League. The following season saw Southwick relegated to Division Two, but in 1965 they were promoted after finishing as runners-up (on goal average) to Sidley United. Between 1965 and 1983 Southwick added a further two Division One titles, and in 1970 missed out only on goal average to Ringmer, who ironically they had edged out of promotion five years earlier. In addition they finished runners-up on a further three occasions.

In 1974/75 the Wickers reached the 1st Round proper of the FA Cup, before going out at AFC Bournemouth five-nil.

In 1984 Southwick left the County League for the second time, to join the Combined Counties League. This time the move was a success and the following year the Wickers were promoted to Division Two (South) of the Isthmian League after finishing as runners-up. Success followed success and in 1986, Southwick were promoted to Isthmian League Division One as champions. After finishing 4th in their first season, and 3rd in 1989/90, they were relegated and opted to rejoin the County League for a third time in 1992/93, taking their place in Division Two.

1986/87 saw Southwick come close to a place in the 1st Round of the FA Cup for the second time, only to finally go out at the 4th Qualifying Round stage after three replays against Maidstone United.

After two seasons in Division Two of the County League, promotion was gained to Division One as runners-up to arch-rivals Shoreham, only to be relegated back at the end of the 1996/97 season.

In 2000/01 Southwick were promoted again, as champions of Division Two and, after narrowly escaping relegation the following season, finished 2002/03 in a more respectable 6th place under the guidance of Sammy Donnelly, who subsequently left to join Three Bridges as Manager.

The Wickers fell to 14th the following season, and escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth on the last day of the 2004/05 campaign, beating Littlehampton Town at Old Barn Way, after picking up just one point from their previous seven games; whilst East Grinstead could only manage a draw at already relegated Sidlesham, sending them down instead. Southwick were not as fortunate in 2005/06 and finished bottom, 20 points adrift from the safety of 18th place, although as it turned out six points would have been enough to spare them the drop, with only one club being relegated from the Division.

With much traveled striker Dominic Shepherd taking on his first managerial role for 2006/07 there were hopes that the Wickers would be able to make an immediate return to Division One; however, early season results demonstrated that another relegation battle was more likely than a promotion challenge as the club eventually managed no better than 13th place. The average attendance (not helped by the loss of a local derby against Shoreham) plummeted from a modest 54 to a miserable 35, the second lowest in the Division; with even the traditional poor relations Mile Oak managing to attract more to their games.

Shepherd quit during the 2007 close season, stating that Southwick's ambition did not match his own but also that still only 28, he did not want to give up playing. His place was taken by veteran goalkeeper Keith Cheal.

Description of ground
The loss through fire in the late 1990s, of the low roofed wooden stand and adjacent covered terracing that used to grace the far touchline at Old Barn Way was a major catastrophe for the ground, as it became deprived of its main focal point, and a reminder of past glories for the club. The stand had been a patched-up descendent of the original stand built in 1920 but, along with two further covered areas on either side, as well as behind the near goal, provided spectators with a good choice of sheltered accommodation.

The ground, which has floodlights, is situated next door to the local leisure centre, which provides an additional place to park, besides in the roads nearby. The original floodlights, which were pretty rudimentary went up in 1968 and the Wickers became the first club in the County League to play a game under artificial lighting. However, they had been replaced by the time the club joined the Isthmian League in 1985.

On 26 July 2003 a £100,000 grant from the Football Stadia Improvement Trust enabled the Wickers to open a new changing room block, replacing the original ‘temporary’ facilities originally built in 1978! The new building incorporated a smart new Directors’ and Officials’ Lounge, with windows fronting on to the pitch, just to one side of the quaint brick-built press box.

The area immediately in front and adjacent now provides the only source of cover at the ground, following the loss of what was an increasingly ramshackle-looking covered area, constructed in 1989 from metal poles and corrugated iron that stood behind the near goal. By the time of Colin Peel's photograph in October 2004 only the scaffolding framework remained.

Visiting Old Barn Way in July 2007 was a rather depressing experience, especially for one who remembers what it was like in the not too distant past. One can only hope that it will one day be improved and once again host football at a higher level of the Pyramid, although no work is planned in the immediate future.

Directions
Old Barn Way is off Manor Hall Road and adjacent to Southwick Leisure Centre (signposted). From either east or west, proceed along the A270 Old Shoreham Road towards Southwick. If approaching from the east turn left into Southwick Street at traffic lights (look for Leisure Centre sign). Turn left into Manor Hall Road at church. Old Barn Way will be found on the right hand side soon afterwards. If approaching from the west, turn left into Southwick Street than as above.

Nearest railway station: Fishersgate (10 min).

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