Erith Town

The Case For Them

Here is the argument for Erith Town: England, England FA Trophy, and a ground called Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead. A second team should give you something your first one cannot, and this is a different country's whole weather system.

• The calendar you inherit

  England FA Trophy is cold-weather football: mud in February, breath visible under the lights, and a fixture list that rewards anyone who sticks it out. England does not do easy neutrals.

• Modern era club

  Formed in 1959, so the whole story is documented, arguable and still being written. Join now and you were basically there from the start.

• Something to defend

  The cabinet is not empty: Southern Counties East League and London Metropolitan Sunday League. Small enough to recite from memory, big enough to argue about in a pub.

• Home is home

  Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead is the address. Learn the walk from the station to the turnstile and you have most of what supporting a club actually is.