Corinthian - Gay Dawn Farm
Corinthian Football Club
Gay Dawn Farm
Valley Road
Fawkham
Longfield
Kent
DA3 8LY
Tel: 01474 573116
BRIEFT HISTORY/FACTS ABOUT THE HOOPS:
Corinthian Football Club were formed in 1972. The club was established by Ron Billings Sr in 1972, initially as a youth team for eight and nine-year-olds. The club was named after the original Corinthian, an amateur club in the early twentieth century. They initially played only friendly matches, although they played over 60 games a season and attracted visits from Charlton Athletic, Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur. They remained without a league until 1985 when a successful application was made to join the Southern League. Despite still being an amateur club, Corinthian finished fifth in Division One South in their first season in the league. However, this proved to be their only top-half finish, and after finishing bottom of the division in 1990–91, they were relegated to Division One of the Kent League. Despite three moderately successful seasons, Corinthian struggled in Division One, and after finishing bottom of the division in 1996–97 and 1997–98, they withdrew from adult football to concentrate on their youth teams. In 2009 the club rejoined the Kent League, taking the place of Slade Green. The league was renamed the Southern Counties East League in 2013.
MY VISIT:
Corinthian 2-1 Bearsted
Saturday 14th March 2020
Southern Counties East Football League
My 1st visit to Gay Dawn Farm came in March 2020. It was a last minute decision with all the Premier League and Football League games being postponed due to the Coronavirus and with not many non-league games on, I was limited to what game to do. East Grinstead was my main one to do, but once again for about the 5th time of trying to tick it off, that was out the window. Looking on Google Maps, having to notice Corinthian was only a 40 minute drive from home, I decided to do this one. After meeting my Dad from his work around 1.40pm, we made our way to the ground arriving around 2.30pm. After taking photos, we made our way in with admission at £7 each.
The game shortly kicked off after 3pm, and it was a cracking 1st half of football to watch. Bearsted took the lead after 3 minutes from the penalty spot from Lucian Scarlat, a cool finish to put the Bears 1-0 up. Corinthian were then down to 10 men after a late challenge in the 1st half but then 2 quick goals in the 1st half put the hosts in front despite having 10 men. 2nd half was a little bit flat but Bearsted were the better side pushing for an equaliser. Corinthian then were awarded a penalty right at the death only to be saved, and the hosts held on for the 3 points. Corinthian now move joint top with Beckenham Town whilst Bearsted stay in 7th. Good day in all, ticking off Ground 165.
THE GROUND:
After establishing the club, Ron Billings created a football ground at his Gay Dawn Farm. The farm later became a wider sports complex, featuring golf and footgolf courses. When floodlights were installed Bobby Moore was the guest of honour. A wooden stand with benches is located behind one goal, whilst the two-storey clubhouse has seats on an upper balcony. A new seated stand was built (a converted hay wagon) on one side of the pitch and four small covered areas on the other when the club returned to the Kent League. The capacity at Gay Dawn Farm is 2,000 with seats on the side of the pitch and behind the goal. The nearest station to Gay Dawn Farm is Longfield, around a half an hour walk.
GROUND PHOTOS:
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