Barking will undoubtedly be looking for a quick return to the Isthmian League following their relegation at the end of last season. The club’s struggles in the Isthmian League last season came as quite a surprise, and while only their most staunch supporters would have tipped them as title contenders, it’s unlikely that anyone expected them to be relegated. That said, had they not had points deducted for failing to fulfil their home fixture against Heybridge Swifts on the scheduled date, they would have at least have had a second chance with a play-off match.

Brief History:

A number of clubs can claim the origins of Barking FC, among them Barking Institute, formed around 1896, and Barking Rovers, formed in 1880. By the early years of the 20th century, Barking FC were playing in the London League, and in 1912 they were founder members of the Athenian League. They became Barking Town in 1919, but reverted to plain Barking in 1932. In 2001 Barking ceased to exist when they merged with East Ham United to form Barking & East Ham United. However, when the new club folded in 2006, Barking were re-established.

Barking’s honours include the Isthmian League Championship in 1979, the Athenian League crown in 1935, and most recently, the Essex Senior League title in 2016-17. In addition, Barking have won the Essex Senior Cup seven times and the London Senior Cup on four occasions.

From 1952 until 2004, Barking were members of the Isthmian League, before spending two seasons in the Southern League. Following the demise of Barking & East Ham United, the new Barking club joined the Essex Senior League in 2006, earning promotion to the Isthmian League a decade later. After two seasons in Isthmian North, they were moved sideways into the South Central division, but failed to complete a season due to covid enforced abandonments. They were then moved back to isthmian North.

Previous Meetings:

Boro have met Barking 22 times since 1992, winning 9 and losing 8. The first meeting between the sides was an Eastern Floodlight Competition match played at Rush Green in October 1005, which Barking won 4-1. Boro won the return at Mayesbrook Park 3-0, with goalkeeper Allen McKnight one of the scorers. The most recent encounters between the sides, last season, saw Barking come out on top, winning 3-1 in their home fixture after a 3-2 win in their ‘away’ game, a game in which Boro led 2-0 and ended with keeper Carlos Simeon having to go to hospital for treatment after a worrying late injury.

Last Season:

Barking began 2021-22 quite well, and after four games, were top of the table, winning four and drawing once in their opening five league games. Their first defeat was at Aveley at the end of September. Between 10th September, when they beat Tilbury, and 27th December when they beat Boro, they lost 9 and drew 4 of their 13 games, and after a 6-1 home defeat at the hands of Stowmarket Town in November, parted company with long-term boss, Justin Gardner, with Charlie MacDonald taking over the reins. Only four league games were won in 2022, although a final day 1-0 victory at Tilbury might have saved them from relegation had it not been for Witham Town’s late win over Boro.

In the FA Cup, Barking reached the 2nd Qualifying Round before bowing out at home to AFC Dunstable, while in the FA Trophy they fell at the first hurdle, beaten by Heybridge Swifts in the 2nd Qualifying Round. The Velocity Trophy saw Barking reach the quarter-finals before they were beaten by Folkestone Invicta.

Joint leading scorers for Barking last term were Charlie Heatley and George Purcell, who both scored nine times.

Home Ground and How to Get There:

If you need help with this you must be very new to watching The Boro!

Barking (and Romford) play their home games at Mayesbrook Park, Lodge Avenue
Dagenham RM8 2JR

Website:
https://barking-fc.co.uk/

Twitter:
@barkingfc