Runners-up in the Essex Senior League last season, The Bloods will be Boro’s opponents in league action for the first time since 2003 in the coming season.

Brief History:

The club was established as Saffron Walden in 1872 and are the oldest senior football club in Essex. They were founder members of the Essex County FA in 1882.

The Town suffix was added to the club’s name in 1967, and in 1971 they left the Herts County League (of which they had been members since 1955), to become one of the founder members of the Essex Senior League. In 1974 they were ESL Champions, and the following season moved across to the Eastern Counties League, where they spent 10 seasons, winning the league in 1983.

The Bloods took up membership of the expanded Isthmian League in 1984, joining the Second Division North, and they remained at that level until 1996, when they rejoined the Essex Senior League. In 2003 they applied to be transferred to the Eastern Counties League, and when their request was denied, took the bold step of resigning from the Essex Senior League and spending a season playing only friendlies before taking up their place in the Eastern Counties League for 2004-05.

In 2018 they once again transferred to the Essex Senior League where, in the only two seasons completed as a result of covid, they have finished fourth and second.

Previous Meetings:

Romford have met Saffron Walden four times in competitive matches. The first meeting was in the Essex Senior Cup in 1994 and The Bloods won 3-1 in a game played at their Catons Lane ground. The next two fixtures were in the Essex Senior League during the 2002-03 season and both ended in wins for the Boro, 2-1 at Catons Lane and 5-1 at Rush Green Road. In 2008 the sides met in the Essex Senior Cup once more and after a 1-1 draw at the end of 120 minutes, Boro won a penalty shoot-out 5-4.

The two most recent games between Romford and Saffron Walden have been friendlies, with Boro winning both, 4-1 at Ship Lane in 2014, and 1-0 at Catons Lane in 2020.

Last Season:

Saffron Walden were runners-up in the ESL last season, finishing nine points behind champions Walthamstow. Their second place earned them a play-off against Isthmian League North side Witham Town for a spot at Step 4, but Witham ran out 3-0 winners to keep Saffron Walden at Step 5.

In the ESL’s cup competitions, Saffron Walden were beaten 4-0 by Enfield in the Errington Challenge Cup, and in the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy beat Woodford Town before exiting at the hands of Takeley. In the FA Cup, a 7-0 win at Biggleswade United in the Extra-Preliminary Round was followed by a 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Hadley.

The FA Vase saw The Bloods reach the 4th Round. After wins over Southend Manor, Kirkley & Pakefield, Cornard United, and Tring Athletic, they went out on penalties to Loughborough Students.

Leading scorer for Saffron Walden last season was Gavin Cockman, who netted 22 times in all competitions.

Saffron Walden had the highest average attendance in the league last season – 309 – and the second highest gate of 776 for the visit of Hoddesdon Town.

Home Ground and How to Get There:

Saffron Walden’s home ground is at Catons Lane, Saffron Walden, Essex CB10 2DU. By road, it’s roughly 47 miles from Romford, so should take about an hour door to door. The easiest route is to take the M11 to Junction 9A, and then the A1301 exit for the B184 for Saffron Walden. From the A184, turn left into Castle Street and left again into Lime Avenue. Catons Lane Long Stay Free Car Park is next to the ground. Spaces are limited however, with room for just 53 cars.

By public transport, the nearest station is Audley End out of Liverpool Street, then it’s a 301 bus to the stop nearest the ground in East Street, which is a ten minute walk away.

Website:

http://www.saffronwaldentownfc.com/ NB: Both Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome throw warning messages about this site, and when you do manage to access it, you’ll find that it hasn’t been updated since March.

Twitter:
@SWTFootballClub