Basildon United's roots go back to 1955, when a club named Armada Sports was formed, joining Division One of the Southend & District League.

The club played at the Gloucester Park Bowl from 1967, with the record attendance of 5,000 being set at the stadium for Armada Sports' friendly against a West Ham United XI in 1963.

[4] In 1970 they moved to Gardiners Close and the new ground was opened with another friendly match against West Ham on 11 August in front of a crowd of 3,600,[5] although they continued to play floodlit matches at the Gloucester Park Bowl until floodlights were installed at Gardiners Close.

[5] Two covered areas were also built on the other side of the pitch, one of which had seats installed after they were removed from Leytonstone's Granleigh Road ground.

[5] Floodlights were installed in 1979 at a cost of £10,000 and inaugurated with a friendly match against Crystal Palace on 30 October, attracting a crowd of over 2,000.