Dagenham F.C. is a common, though informal, reference to Dagenham & Redbridge F.C., a professional association football club based in Dagenham, East London, England. The club was formed in 1992 through the merger of Dagenham F.C. (established 1949) and Redbridge Forest F.C. (itself a merger of Ilford F.C., Leytonstone F.C., and Walthamstow Avenue F.C.). The merged entity, Dagenham & Redbridge F.C., inherited the histories and traditions of its constituent clubs.
History
Dagenham F.C., the direct predecessor to the modern club, was founded in 1949. The original club competed in various non-League competitions, including the Athenian League and the Isthmian League. They achieved success in the non-League pyramid, notably winning the Isthmian League Division One (then the top division) in the 1970s and early 1980s. Dagenham F.C. also reached the FA Trophy final in 1980, losing to Stafford Rangers.The club merged with Redbridge Forest F.C. in 1992. Redbridge Forest F.C. had been formed in 1989 by the amalgamation of Ilford, Leytonstone, and Walthamstow Avenue. The newly formed Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. took over the senior status of Redbridge Forest in the Football Conference (now the National League).
After the merger, Dagenham & Redbridge spent many seasons consolidating their position in the Football Conference. They eventually achieved promotion to the Football League Two for the first time in 2007, after winning the Conference National title. This marked their entry into professional football.
The club continued its ascent, achieving promotion to Football League One in 2010 after winning the League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium. They spent two seasons in League One before being relegated back to League Two in 2012. Subsequent relegations saw them return to the National League (the fifth tier of English football) in 2016, where they have remained since.
Club Identity
- Nickname: The Daggers (derived from "Dagenham")
- Colours: Traditionally red and blue, reflecting the colours of the merged clubs.
- Crest: Features elements representing the borough of Barking and Dagenham, often incorporating a dagger.
Stadium
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. plays its home matches at Victoria Road, also known for sponsorship reasons as the Chigwell Construction Stadium. Located in Dagenham, the stadium has an approximate capacity of around 6,000 spectators.Rivalries
Due to its location in East London, Dagenham & Redbridge F.C. has historical and local rivalries with other non-League and lower-league clubs in the region, including Leyton Orient, Barnet, and Southend United.Honours (Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.)
- Football League Two Play-off Winners: 2010
- Conference National (now National League) Champions: 2006–07
- Isthmian League Premier Division Champions: 1993–94
Honours (Dagenham F.C. - predecessor club)
- Isthmian League Champions: 1972–73, 1978–79
- FA Trophy Runners-up: 1979–80