Ebbsfleet United F.C.

1946–2007: Gravesend & Northfleet

Gravesend & Northfleet F.C. was formed in 1946 by a merger between Gravesend United (originally formed in 1893) and Northfleet United (originally formed in 1890). The new club retained the red and white home colours and the Stonebridge Road stadium of Northfleet United. The club were elected to the Southern League for the 1946–47 season and, in the inaugural season, reached the first round proper of the FA Cup, losing to fellow Southern League club Gillingham. The club reached the first round of the FA cup again in 1949–50, before being defeated by Torquay United of the Football League Third Division South. For eight seasons, the club recorded mid-table finishes in the single division Southern League (a highest of fifth in 1947 and a lowest of twenty-first in 1952) until finishing bottom of the division over the 1954–55 season. During that period, "The Fleet" twice won the Kent Senior Cup: in 1949 they defeated Gillingham 2–0 in a twice-replayed final and, in 1953, were victors 2–1 over Dartford. Following the dismal record over the previous season, in the summer of 1955 the club appointed ex-Arsenal and England player Lionel Smith as manager, their seventh manager in ten seasons. He remained in charge for five seasons until resigning in 1960. Three seasons into Smith's tenure, Gravesend & Northfleet were the 1957–58 Southern League Champions. During the following season, the league operated two parallel regional divisions and, by…

Source: League

Southern League Champions: 1957–58 Southern League, Southern Division Champions: 1974–75, 1993–94 Conference South / National League South (level 6) Champions: 2022–23 Play-off winners: 2011, 2017 Isthmian League (level 6) Champions: 2001–02 Cup

FA Trophy Winners: 2007–08 Southern League Cup Winners: 1977–78 Southern League Championship Cup Winners: 1978–79 Kent Senior Cup Winners (8): 1948–49, 1952–53, 1980–81, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2007–08, 2013–14 Kent Floodlight Cup Winners: 1969–70