Dagenham & Redbridge 1992
Article by Footymad
Updated Tuesday, 6th November 2001
The present club is the result of the 1992 merger of Redbridge Forest and Daganham Football Clubs.
The Redbridge Forest part of the equation can trace their ancestry back to the Ilford F. C. and Leyskenstone Clubs who were formed in 1881 and 1886 respectively.
They merged in 1979 to produce Leytonstone - Ilford who in turn merged with Walthamstow Avenue in 1988 to form Redbridge Forest.
In non-league football terms the club began life at the top, their first season saw them participate in the Conference. They finished 3rd in their inaugural season.
They also reached the 1st round of the F.A.Cup where sky televised their match against
Leyton Orient. The television viewers and a record 5,500 crowd in the ground saw a thrilling game in which Orient triumphed 5-4.
"The Daggers" were never quite able to repeat the league form shown in their first season. They finished 6th in 1993-94 and 15th in 1994-95. This downward spiral ended in the inevitable relegation at the end of the 1995-96 list.
A rebuilt side enjoyed greater success the following year. They finished 4th in the Rymans Premier Division but it was their achievements in the F. A. Trophy that were of greatest note. Dagenham fought their was through to the 1997 Trophy Final at Wembley. A crown of ***** saw the Daggers produce a spirited performance before losing to the only goal of the game to Woking.
In 1997-98 Dagenham reached the F. A. Cup second round for the first time - losing 2-3 to
Peterborough United. In 1998-99 "The Daggers" finished one place higher in 3rd spot and the current season, 1999-2000, sees them mounting a concreted challenge for the title.
Between January 31st and April 5th 1998 Dagenham went an Isthmian League record 1144 minutes without conceding a goal.
