Primal Scream sang about them and our own Eddie Hutchinson supports them almost as fervently as he follows Ashford… our next feature looking at our fellow Isthmian League South Central Division clubs is about the Rocks – Bognor Regis Town.
Bognor Regis Town trace their history back to 1883 and spent decades competing in Sussex leagues. In the early 1970s, the club was promoted to the Southern League and were Southern Division runners-up in 1980-81 but transferred to the Isthmian League where they were placed in Division One. A second consecutive runners-up finish earned promotion to the Premier Division, where they stayed for a decade. When the Isthmian League reorganised in 2002, the Rocks were naturally placed in Division One South. They were runners-up again and promoted then finished high enough in the Premier Division to become founder members of what is now National League South.
Seven years at Step Two were followed by back-to-back relegations, but rather than sinking like a stone, the Rocks regrouped and even got back to the National League South, although their second spell in the division only lasted one season. Bognor were relegated to Step 4 in 2025 after a difficult Isthmian League Premier Division.
The Rocks also have a fine pedigree in the FA Competitions, having reached the Second Round Proper of the FA Cup three times and the First Round Proper on a further three occasions. Bognor were also FA Trophy semi-finalists in 2015-16.
The road mileage from ground-to-ground is 78.5 miles which, on a good day, will take around an hour and a half. The most sensible public transport option is a train to Clapham Junction, then a change for a journey from there through Surrey and Sussex. A Saturday journey from Clapham Junction to Bognor Regis clocks in at an hour and 40 minutes just for that leg; the stopping train from Ashford to Clapham will take half an hour or so as well.
Once you get to Sussex by the Sea, Bognor have an impressive stadium. Like us, they have a new 3G pitch, but they also have 350 seats, a substantial amount of covered standing and a capacious clubhouse.
There have been five previous meetings of the clubs and historically Bognor Regis have had the advantage.
| Season | Match Date | H/A | Competition | Division / Stage | Res | GF | GA | Scorers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002-03 | 16/11/2002 | A | Isthmian League | Division One South | L | 0 | 8 | ||
| 2002-03 | 08/03/2003 | H | Isthmian League | Division One South | L | 0 | 1 | ||
| 2005-06 | 26/11/2005 | H | FA Trophy | 3rd Qual. Round | L | 2 | 3 | G Smith | Harris |
| 2009-10 | 03/11/2009 | A | Isthmian League | Premier Division | L | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2009-10 | 13/02/2010 | H | Isthmian League | Premier Division | D | 2 | 2 | D Haule | W Harris |
Bognor Regis Town are a big club at this level; their average attendance for the second half of last season was 786. We want to grow our attendances which is why our Season Ticket is such terrific value. For just £100, supporters can watch up to 32 home League matches across the Men’s and Women’s First Teams AND get 20% off in the Clubhouse and at the Tea Bar for the entire season.because holders are entitled to attend up to 32 home League matches across the Men’s and Women’s First Teams AND get 20% off in the Clubhouse and at the Tea Bar for the entire season.
