CLUB HISTORY

Leiston F.C were first affiliated with the Suffolk County FA in 1880 and was closely associated with the Richard Garrett Engineering Works at that time. In 1980 the club recieved the "illuminated Address" from the football association,
to celebrate the clubs centenary.

Leiston F.C has also had players of note in their ranks:-

Ian Gillespie:- Joined Leiston F.C after the war, ex-Ipswich Town and Crystal Palace player. Also was Leiston's player coach in the early 1950's.

Jackie Warne:- Went on to play for Ipswich Town.

Ted Phillips:- Went on to play for Ipswich Town.

In the early days, Leiston played their games on the old Recreation Ground adjacent to Gas Hill (now known as Park Hill), players would change either at the White Horse Hotel or at the Work Hall.

The home ground was changed to the LWAA (Leiston Works Athletic Association) when Garrett's bought the ground in Victory Road in the early 1920's and has remained the home ground to this day. The ground name was changed to LTAA (Leiston Town Athletics Association)

During the Second World War the King's Regiment was stationed at Leiston, which included most of the players of Liverpool FC. They played some of their matches on the LTAA ground and the late Arthur Harvey from Ipswich would cycle down to Leiston to referee those games.

Leiston F.C were "full members" of the Football Association from the early 1950's until approximately 1982(the only other Suffolk teams to be full members at that time were Ipswich Town and Lowestoft Town). During this period Leiston were accepted and played in the F.A Cup, F.A Amateur Cup and later the F.A Vase. Leiston F.C Youth team were the first club in Suffolk to enter the F.A Youth Challenge Cup, playing Arsenal F.C Youths at Highbury in 1954.

Mainly due to the efforts of then Chairman, Barry Spall, a hard surface playing area complete with lights was opened by Sir Stanley Rous CBE on July 28th 1984. Sir Stanley had one time played at the LTAA for Kirkley F.C in a Senior Cup match.

Despite Leiston's prestigious history it has not had the best fortune in silverware, Six times they have been losing finalist in the Suffolk Senior Cup (1892, 1897, 1904, 1949, 1966 and 1986). However, in the Suffolk Junior Cup fortunes have faied more favourably. Four finals and three wins, in 1895, 1983 and 1984, with 1984 also seeing the club lift the SIL Division One trophy as well. The 2nd team have not faired much better, but most recently they collected the SIL Intermediate B trophy in 2000.

Today Leiston F.C have some of the best facilites in East Anglia and comments are often made about the excellent condition of the pitch.

This years promotion to the Ridgeons Premier League for the first time in the clubs history is where the club deserves to be, being one of the County's oldest sides..