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Formed in 1880, Heybridge Swifts have always been firmly planted in the local community, with many of the current committee following in the footsteps of their fathers and forefathers.

For the first 70 years of the last century the club played in the local leagues working their way through to become founder members of the Essex Senior League in the 1970-71 season.

Big boys now

The switch to senior status was a difficult at first, but three successive championships saw a move up to the Isthmian League in 1984, and solid progress was made culminating in winning the Division Two North title in 1989-90 then runners up to Oxford City in Division One in the 1995-96 season, with richly deserved promotion to the Premier Division.

This was the era of Garry Hill, later to move onto St. Albans City, Dagenham & Redbridge, Weymouth and now Rushden and Diamonds as manager. Promotion to the Premier division was achieved in 1997/98 but the following year a struggle against relegation ensued under ex Colchester boss Roy McDonagh who was soon replaced by local boy Robbie Nihill, turning things around to rescue the side and retain Premiership status.

Swifts have enjoyed some considerable success in the cups, revelling in the role of underdogs. In 1986/87 the last 16 of the FA Vase was reached; and then in the FA Trophy in the 1996/97 season Swifts lost in the quarter finals to Woking, having beaten  Kidderminster and Worcester along the way. Four years ago a long trip to Runcorn in the last 16 of the Trophy as the Ryman League's last representatives saw Swifts defeated 2-1.

Up for the cup

The FA Cup has brought notable glory, losing to Barry Fry's Barnet in the 4th qualifying round in 1990/91, then getting to the first round proper in 1994/95 defeating Boston United and Nuneaton Borough before losing to Gillingham in front of 4,614 spectators. The First round proper was reached again in 1997/98 but a trip to the south coast was not fruitful with Bournemouth winning 3-0; then again in 2003/04 when TV Cameras saw Bristol City triumph 7-0.

Former player Liam Cutbush managed the team that defeated Croydon 3-0 to win the Ryman League Cup and finished 7th in the Ryman Premier League in 2000/01. After Cutbush’s departure the side began badly under new manager Steve Dowman and he was soon replaced by ex Swifts player Dave Greene, who along with coach Dean Curtis guided Swifts to a comfortable mid table position. The following campaign was a struggle after a promising start, but a win in the final match of the season ensured Swifts survival in the Ryman Premiership.

New blood

Brian Statham was appointed as manager earlier in 2005 with Barry Lakin as his assistant, and they oversaw a rise to the fringes of the play off zone. Then in the 2005/06 campaign after a slow start Swifts finished as runners up, a tremendous achievement from all concerned, but unfortunately lost in the play offs. In the 2006/07 season, a final position of 10th. was disappointing after high expectations, but with Statham continuing at the helm for next season, the future is bright, its black and white, for perhaps the highest ranked village club in the football pyramid.