The club merged with Southlake FC in 1973, and by 1979 were fielding a Saturday team, playing on park pitches at Crossways.

The club finally gained senior status during the summer of 1987 and were accepted into the London Spartan League Premier Division for the 1987–88 season.

The club joined the Kent League in June 1990, where they remained until 2008, generally finishing amongst the top half dozen in the table.

In 2002–03, they missed the runner-up spot on goal difference, despite having scored more points than league champions Cray Wanderers.

This was due to placings being decided on points per game after Faversham Town failed to complete the season.

They beat Witham Town 3–2 in the play-off semi-final and Maldon & Tiptree on penalties in the final to gain promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division for the first time in their history.

The club crest was a traditional shield in design, white in the background with green writing and logo.

The three wavy lines at the top denote the River Thames, which is just 200 yards from the club's Bayliss Avenue ground.

The cannons derive from the town's previous use as a military testing ground for the artillery munitions works in neighbouring Woolwich.