Wick joined Division Two of the Sussex County League in 1964/65 and won their first 11 matches. However, they then lost 0-11 at Lewes in the Sussex Senior Cup and fell apart for the remainder of the season, only winning another four games and eventually finishing 5th. After spending eighteen seasons in Division Two, they eventually won promotion in 1983 after finishing as champions, but spent only three seasons in Division One before being relegated. However, they bounced back the following season (1985/86) after winning Division Two for a second time.

From then until their relegation at the end of the 2002/03 season, Wick were ever-present in Division One of the County League, winning the League Challenge Cup in 1987/88; and during the 1990s were one of the top sides in the county.

In 1989/90 Wick lifted the Division One title, as well as the RUR Charity Cup. In 1992/93 the club won the Sussex Senior Cup for the only time, beating Oakwood at the Goldstone Ground, and in 1993/94 won the championship for the second time, finishing 14 points clear of runners-up Whitehawk, who defeated them in the League Cup final.

Wick finished runners-up to Burgess Hill Town in 1996/97, but the League Cup proved a welcome consolation. The following season under manager Jimmy Quinn, Wick finished 3rd in the League, but reached the semi-finals of the Senior Cup, and won the RUR Cup, which they retained the following season.

1999/00 was a disaster for the club, with virtually the entire first team squad and manager Gerry Green walking out as a result of a pay dispute in January. Only their good form earlier in the season saved them from relegation, with only the bottom club going down that season, as a result of Langney Sports’ promotion to the Southern League, and the amalgamation of Chichester City and Portfield.

The following season, the club recovered remarkably well to finish 3rd, but another dreadful season in 2002/03 - the nadir of which came with an 1-11 thrashing at Lymington & New Milton in the FA Vase with Richie Reynolds in charge - finally saw the club relegated to Division Two.

A final placing of 4th in Division Two in 2003/04 however, proved to be the springboard to recovery for this once dominant club, as with Andy Gander & Dean Bradford in charge they finished as runners-up to Crowborough Athletic in 2004/05 to take what many considered to be their rightful place in the top division.

Understandably, 2005/06 was a season of consolidation with brought a respectable mid-table finish. It was surprising therefore that Gander and Bradford were sacked (subsequently renewing their partnership at Wealden in 2007/08), and the experienced Carl Stabler lured from Littlehampton Town in an attempt to lead Wick out of the County League in 2006/07. Given the club's ambition, Wickers' 16th place finish can only be considered very disappointing. However, with Mick Catlin joining the management team from Chichester City United as part of restructuring behind the scenes the club is clearly intent on leaving that form behind.

A further factor that must be considered if the club is to progress beyond the County League, is attendances. Even in the glory days, gates were small and remain so. It was no surprise that the highest attendance in 2006/07 game for the Bank Holiday derby vs neighbours Littlehampton Town (see photographs); but the dreadful attendance for the visit of Ringmer was the lowest for the Division all season.

Description of ground
I should declare a little bias at the outset, as Crabtree Park is one of my favourite County League grounds, and in all my previous visits with Langney Sports, I never once saw a bad game there.

Wick moved to Crabtree Park - then just a field next to the railway line - in November 1970, having previously used the Crabtree ground by the Six Bells pub from their formation in 1892, until 1968. Unfortunately, their tenancy was ended when the owner decided to use the land for his livestock! The club then played at Southfields Recreation Ground for a couple of seasons, before moving to Crabtree Park.

The ground is one of the best-kept in the County League and a credit to the club. It is entered through a smart brick-built turnstile block, which fronts onto a good-sized car park immediately outside the ground.

The seated stand, which runs to almost the half-way line along the near touchline, dates from 1970, although the seats were added later on. Adjacent to this is a rather quaint box for Club officials. The dugouts are equally smart and are on the opposite (railway) side of the pitch.

In November 2003 the shelter which originally stood on the touchline at Highfield Lane, erstwhile home of the defunct Oving FC, found a new home at Crabtree Park, opposite the main stand. Given a coat of paint in the club colours, the structure has been named in remembrance of former player and committee member Harry Bishop, who died earlier in 2003. Although there are no seats, the new shelter provides additional respite from the elements for those who prefer to be nearer to the clubhouse.

Finally, set back a little behind the near goal is an attractive two storey clubhouse, the upper floor of which provides a good if distant view of the action. Half-time teas and burgers etc. are served from a tea bar below, with the dressing rooms set further back to the right.

Directions
Take the A27 to the Crossbush junction (allow for queuing during holiday periods) , turning left at the traffic lights towards Lyminster (A284). Cross the level crossing and turn left into Coomes Way, just before the Locomotive pub. The ground is at the top of the road.

Nearest railway station: Littlehampton (2 miles).

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