[1] They entered the FA Cup in 1876–77, but withdrew after being drawn against holders Wanderers as they could not afford to travel.

In 1890 club secretary Arthur Smith, the headmaster of the local Boy's National School, negotiated an annual fee of £3 with Lord Braybrooke for the use of a piece of land in Loft's Lane; previously the club had played on the town common, but had been unable to charge spectators an entrance fee.

In 1926 the club reached the final of the Essex Junior Cup, where a record crowd of 6,000 saw them lose 2–1 to Rainham Athletic.

After finishing sixth the following season, the club joined Division Two North of the Isthmian League.

They won the league in 1999–2000 and were runners-up the following year, but ongoing work on the ground prevented the club from being promoted.

In August 2011 they resigned from the league claiming that their financial situation meant that they could not guarantee that they would complete the 2011–12 season.

Six years later, floodlights were added to Catons Lane, with a friendly against Norwich City inaugurating them, in front of a crowd of 1,500.