# Leiston F.C.

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English football club

Football club

Leiston Full name Leiston Football Club Nickname The Blues Founded 1880 Ground Victory Road, Leiston Capacity 2,250 (250 seated)[1] Owner Andy Crisp Chairman Andy Crisp Manager Chris Wigger League Southern League Premier Division Central 2025–26 Southern League Premier Division Central, 10th of 22 Website http://www.leistonfc.co.uk Home colours Away colours

**Leiston Football Club** is a [football](/source/Association_football) club based in [Leiston](/source/Leiston), Suffolk, England. They are currently members of the [Southern League](/source/Southern_Football_League) Premier Division Central and play at Victory Road.

## History

Established in 1880, the club was initially closely linked to the [Richard Garrett Engineering Works](/source/Richard_Garrett_%26_Sons). They reached the final of the [Suffolk Senior Cup](/source/Suffolk_Senior_Cup) in 1892, 1897 and 1904, losing on each occasion, although the club did win the Junior Cup in 1895. In 1894 Leiston joined the North Suffolk League, which they played in until 1909. In 1900 the club also joined the Ipswich & District League (later the [Suffolk & Ipswich League](/source/Suffolk_and_Ipswich_Football_League)) and were champions in their first three seasons.[2] In 1904 they transferred to the [South East Anglian League](/source/East_Anglian_League), but left in 1907 before rejoining in 1911 (when it had been renamed the [East Anglian League](/source/East_Anglian_League)).[3] Between 1912 and 1914 the club also played in the Ipswich & District League.

After [World War I](/source/World_War_I) the club was reformed as Leiston Works Athletic and rejoined the Ipswich & District League and the East Anglian League. In 1920 they left the EAL and joined the [Essex & Suffolk Border League](/source/Essex_and_Suffolk_Border_League). At the end of the 1920–21 season the club left both the IDL and ESBL to join the [Norfolk & Suffolk League](/source/Norfolk_%26_Suffolk_League) before rejoining the IDL in 1926. After finishing bottom of the table in 1934–35 they were reformed as Leiston and dropped into Division 2B.[2] The club won all seventeen league matches in 1937–38 and were promoted to Division One after defeating Division 2A winners Manningtree Rovers in a play-off.

In 1948 Leiston rejoined the Norfolk & Suffolk League, but transferred back to the Ipswich & District League in 1953. Despite finishing bottom of the Senior Division in 1979–80, the club avoided being relegated as the division was expanded.[4] However, after finishing bottom again in 1981–82 they were relegated.[4] They were promoted back to the Senior Division at the first attempt,[4] also winning the Suffolk Junior Cup, which they retained in 1983–84. Leiston then spent several years as a [yo yo club](/source/Yo_yo_club) as they were relegated in 1988–89, promoted back in 1989–90, relegated again in 1991–92 and returned to the Senior Division in 1996–96. After finishing third in 2000–01 the club stepped up to Division One of the [Eastern Counties League](/source/Eastern_Counties_Football_League).

The [2003–04 season](/source/2003%E2%80%9304_Eastern_Counties_Football_League) saw Leiston finish third in Division One, earning promotion to the Premier Division. The club reached the final of the [Suffolk Premier Cup](/source/Suffolk_Premier_Cup) three times in succession between 2006 and 2008, but lost on each occasion; 3–2 after extra time against [Lowestoft Town](/source/Lowestoft_Town_F.C.) in 2006, 8–0 to [Ipswich Town reserves](/source/Ipswich_Town_F.C.) in 2007, and on penalties to [Needham Market](/source/Needham_Market_F.C.) in 2008. In the same season they beat [Brentwood Town](/source/Brentwood_Town_F.C.) on penalties to win the East Anglian Cup. In the [2008–09 FA Cup](/source/2008%E2%80%9309_FA_Cup) the club reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time; drawn at home to [Conference North](/source/Conference_North) club [Fleetwood Town](/source/Fleetwood_Town_F.C.), they drew 0–0 in front of a record crowd of 1,250, before losing the replay 2–0.[5]

Leiston (in red) playing [Margate](/source/Margate_F.C.) in 2013

In [2010–11](/source/2010%E2%80%9311_Eastern_Counties_Football_League) Leiston won the Eastern Counties League Premier Division, earning promotion to Division One North of the [Isthmian League](/source/Isthmian_League). In [2011–12](/source/2011%E2%80%9312_Isthmian_League) they won Division One North, achieving back-to-back promotions and moving up to the Isthmian League Premier Division.[6] They finished fifth in the Premier Division in [2017–18](/source/2017%E2%80%9318_Isthmian_League), going on to lose 1–0 in the play-off semi-finals to [Dulwich Hamlet](/source/Dulwich_Hamlet_F.C.). The club were transferred to the Premier Division Central of the [Southern League](/source/Southern_Football_League) at the end of the [2017–18 season](/source/2017%E2%80%9318_Isthmian_League) as part of the restructuring of the non-League pyramid.

## Ground

Leiston initially played at the old Recreation Ground, today known as Park Hill,[2] with players changing in the White Horse Hotel or at the Works Hall. In 1921 they moved to their current ground on Victory Road, then known as the Leiston Works Athletic Association, after Garretts bought the ground. It was later renamed the Leiston Town Athletic Association.

## Current squad

- *As of 11 February 2026*[7][8]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under [FIFA eligibility rules](/source/FIFA_eligibility_rules); some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Pos. Nation Player GK ENG Oliver Dawson GK ENG Billy Johnson GK ENG Marcus Mehew DF ENG Ben Batho DF IRL Kyle Callan-McFadden DF ENG Seb Dunbar (captain) DF CAN Wyatt Hill DF ENG Eddie Jackson DF ENG Billy Jordan DF ENG Ethan Oldman MF ENG Fraser Alexander MF BER Willie Clemons MF ENG Jude Frostick Pos. Nation Player MF ENG Ollie Griggs MF ENG Mitchell Jackson MF ENG Ryan Jarvis MF ENG Jack Manly MF ENG Adam Mills MF TLS João Rangel MF ENG Cameron Rayworth MF ENG Harvey Sayer MF ENG Billy Walsh FW ENG Charlie Atkin FW ENG Ronnie Blois FW ENG Ben Fowkes FW ENG Joe McNeill

*The [Southern Football League](/source/Southern_Football_League) does not use a squad numbering system.*

## Management and coaching staff

### Boardroom

- *As of 24 December 2024* [7]

Position Name Chairman Andy Crisp

### Current staff

Position Name Manager Chris Wigger Head Coach Lee Norfolk Player-coach Ryan Jarvis Head of Football Strategy Darren Eadie

### Managerial history

Period Manager Notes 2006–2007 Jason Dozzell 2008–2010 Carl Chenery 2010–2013 Mark Morsley 2013 Danny Laws 2013 Steve Pitt [9] 2013–2014 Steve Ball [10] 2014–2016 Richard Wilkins 2016–2018 Glen Driver [11] 2018–2019 Stuart Boardley [12] 2019 Ian Cornforth [13] 2019–2020 Glen Driver [14] 2020–2024 Darren Eadie & Chris Wigger [15] 2024– Chris Wigger

## Honours

- **Isthmian League** - Division One North champions 2011–12

- **Eastern Counties League** - Premier Division champions 2010–11 - Division One Cup winners 2001–02

- **Suffolk & Ipswich League** - Champions 1900–01, 1901–02, 1902–03 - Division 2B champions 1937–38

- **East Anglian Cup** - Winners 2007–08

- **Suffolk Premier Cup** - Winners 2017–18, 2018–19

- **Suffolk Junior Cup** - Winners 1894–95, 1982–83, 1983–84

## Records

- Best [FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup) performance: First round, 2008–09[6]

- Best [FA Trophy](/source/FA_Trophy) performance: Fourth round, 2022–23[6]

- Best [FA Vase](/source/FA_Vase) performance: Quarter-finals, 2010–11[6]

- Record attendance: 1,250 v [Fleetwood Town](/source/Fleetwood_Town_F.C.), [FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup) first round, 8 November 2008[1]

- Most league goals: Lee McGlone 60[16]

- Most league appearances: Gareth Heath, 201

## See also

- [Leiston F.C. players](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Leiston_F.C._players)

- [Leiston F.C. managers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Leiston_F.C._managers)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-I_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-I_1-1) [Club Information](http://www.leistonfc.co.uk/a/club-information-46729.html) Leiston F.C.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MB_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MB_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-MB_2-2) Blakeman, M (2010) *The Official History of the Eastern Counties Football League 1935–2010, Volume II* [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-908037-02-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-908037-02-2)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [East Anglian League](http://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/nlmnet/Aarg3E/EAL08.html) Non-League Matters

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-NLM1_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-NLM1_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-NLM1_4-2) [Suffolk & Ipswich League 1979–1999 + 2000–2004](http://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/nlmnet/Aarg3E/ASaI79.html) Non-League Matters

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [Fleetwood Town 2–0 Leiston](https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/7726900.stm) BBC Sport, 18 November 2008

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FCHD_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FCHD_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FCHD_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FCHD_6-3) [Leiston](https://www.fchd.info/LEISTON.HTM) at the *Football Club History Database*

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Leiston_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Leiston_7-1) ["Leiston"](https://www.leistonfc.co.uk/teams/54880/the-team). *www.leistonfc.co.uk*. Retrieved 20 February 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Leiston: Squad"](https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/england/leiston-fc/12257/squad/). *Soccerway*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Brammer, Chris (20 October 2013). ["Leiston chief reveals reasons behind appointments of Steve Pitt and Steve Ball"](http://www.greenun24.co.uk/non-league/leiston_chief_reveals_reasons_behind_appointments_of_steve_pitt_and_steve_ball_1_2908963). *Green'Un*. Ipswich. Retrieved 3 January 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Bacon, Mike (4 December 2013). ["New Leiston boss Steve Ball takes charge with Rob Bate at Victory Road"](http://www.greenun24.co.uk/non-league/new_leiston_boss_steve_ball_takes_charge_with_rob_bate_at_victory_road_1_3068529). *Green'Un*. Ipswich. Retrieved 3 January 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Glenn Driver appointed new Blues boss"](https://www.leistonfc.co.uk/news/glenn-driver-appointed-new-blues-boss-1621261.html). Leiston F.C. Retrieved 26 May 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Boardley and Head take over at Leiston as Victory Road club announce new management team](https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/boardley-looking-forward-to-new-challenge-1-5757332) East Anglian Daily Times, 30 October 2018

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Blues manager Stuart Boardley resigns"](https://www.leistonfc.co.uk/news/blues-manager-stuart-boardley-resigns-2466462.html). Leiston F.C. Retrieved 16 September 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Glen Driver and Tony Kinsella return to Victory Road"](https://www.leistonfc.co.uk/news/glen-driver-and-tony-kinsella-return-to-victory-road-2485808.html). Leiston F.C. Retrieved 11 November 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["BLUES APPOINT DARREN EADIE AND CHRIS WIGGER AS JOINT FIRST TEAM MANAGERS"](https://www.leistonfc.co.uk/news/blues-appoint-darren-eadie-and-chris-wigger-as-joint-first-team-managers-2523826.html). Leiston F.C. Retrieved 18 March 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NLCD_16-0)** Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2012) *Non-League Club Directory 2013*, p561 [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-869833-77-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-869833-77-0)

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.leistonfc.co.uk)

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[52°12′15.84″N 1°34′17.13″E / 52.2044000°N 1.5714250°E / 52.2044000; 1.5714250](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Leiston_F.C.&params=52_12_15.84_N_1_34_17.13_E_region:GB_type:landmark)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Leiston F.C.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leiston_F.C.) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leiston_F.C.?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.