Lancing

Lancing FC, who were formed as Lancing Athletic FC in 1941 hail from the small town in West Sussex of the same name, which is located close to Worthing. In 1948 'The Lancers' became members of the Sussex County League. Four years later the club moved from the Crowshaw Recreation Ground to a nearby new ground on Culver Road and building a new grandstand.

After being relegated the leagues' Division Two in 1957, the club dropped 'Athletic' from their name. They soon won promotion, but over the course of the next fourty years, they were relegated on four seperate occasions before fighting their way back. In 1981 the Sussex FA bought Lancing's Culver Road home and rented it back to them for home games, while building a new clubhouse and installing floodlights.

During the 2007-08 season the old Main Stand at Culver Road was demolished, with many of the views impeded by the Sussex FA headquarters building. This meant Lancing playing at various locations for several months while the work was being carried out.

The old Main Stand at Culver Road taken from a scan from a book

On their return the club had an upturn in fortune with a return to Division One and a fine run in the FA Vase in the 2010-11 season when they reached the last thirty two stage. The following season saw The Lancers finish runners up in the Sussex County League.

Lancing FC will compete in the Sussex County League Division One in the 2013-14 season.

My visit

Friday 30th November 2008

I was in West Sussex visiting football grounds by train for the day, enjoying my time out of the capital. I had called in at Southwick FC and Shoreham FC before alighting at Lancing. After a short walk I found myself outside the part building sight that was the Culver Road home of the club.

My research had been lacking and I didn't realise that the aesthetically pleasing old Main Stand had gone or that the grounds owners were the Sussex FA. The good news was that there were administrative staff in the offices, so I could go and ask for permission to pop inside the ground to take my photos. Thankfully they had a sensible view to the over the top health and safety rules and said it was fine as long as I was careful around the area where the new stand was being erected.

Culver Road appeared to be a very neat and orderly venue, despite the lack of a stand. The pitch was surrounded by a new fence with hard standing and then grass at the other side of it. The dug outs were opposite where the stand was being built. The stand had the Sussex FA buildings next to it.

I departed and thankfully for me, caught the next train to Worthing with a few minutes to spare. I was impressed by the friendly and helpful welcome at Lancing and wanted to return in the future when the new stand had been completed.