The exact day that Herongate Athletic FC was formed is not known, but a resident of Herongate has produced a photograph, which now hangs in the small club bar, dating back to the 1908/9 Season. The sides playing record that season was:
Played 23, Won 16, Drawn 4, Lost 3,
Goals For 90, Goals Against 23. There were no problems with goalscoring that year!. Quite when ‘Athletic’ was introduced to the
club’s name is also not known and, in fact, the
whole of their early history is sketchy until the1960’s. This period represents more than half of the club’s current lifespan, so if anybody reading this is able to help with any historical information then please do contact the club. By the 1960’s Herongate were running two Saturday teams; both played on the local Ingrave Johnson School playing field. Towards the end of this decade the then chairman negotiated a lease with a local landowner for the area of land the club still use. At the same time a wooden constructed Public House (the Oakwood) became available in Loughton and Club members dismantled and transported this building before re-building it, where it still forms the major part of the Clubhouse. During the 1970’s a third Saturday team was added and also a Sunday side. Extra dressing rooms with a plunge bath were built – again by club members. In the 1980’s Herongate further improved the facilities and four new changing rooms were constructed along with Referees’ and Physio’s rooms, all of which are still in use today. The playing side was further strengthened by the introduction of one Saturday Veterans (over 35) team and much more recently another. Today the Club has 10 youth teams from U6's through to U15's. During their history Herongate have enjoyed football success at every level; a walk through our entrance hall and main corridor with testify to this.
