First Played: 1989-90
Win Rate: 100% (from 1 games)
Boro’ haven’t actually come up against Brightlingsea Regent; the team formed by a 2005 merger involving Brightlingsea United. Now, the latter is a side we’ve met. They were our FA Vase opponents in 1989. You can ask us why we have a profile for them and not others in a similar position. The answer? We don’t know. But, if you care, we won that FA Vase clash to hold a perfect and indestructible record against the old Rs.
Taydal Stadium
North Road, Brightlingsea, Essex, CO7 0PL
It’s one of the more unusual names, we’ll grant you that. At the same time, however, a nice change from all the boring Towns, Uniteds and Cities dotted throughout the English pyramid. The Rs, however, used to strut their stuff as Brightlingsea United and that’s how we’d have known them at the time of our one and only meeting to date. And their ‘Regent’ moniker? Well, that came a little later. 2005, in fact, and their merger with Regent Park Rangers. It almost feels like we missed the boat. But crack on with this we must and crack on we shall…
So, as we said, we just have the one meeting with Brightlingsea Regent – or Brightlingsea United as they were – to report on. It’s back to November 1989 we go. Just a couple of weeks after the Berlin Wall came down in, er, Berlin, another historic moment was being forged. Yes, that’s right. The FA Vase Second Round draw paired us with the Rs, with Boro’ making the jaunt eastwards to North Road. Noel Blackwell and Ian Richardson found the net as Brian Williams’ side ran out 2-0 winners and earned a place in Round Three. And, well, that’s about it.
| Pl | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts* | WR% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 100% |
| Home | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Away | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 100% |
| League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Cup | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | n/a | 100% |
* league points only
| Marcus Gouldbourne | Profile |
From Stevenage, head east; first toward Ware using the A602, then north on the A10 and finally east on the A120. Stay on the A120 until you reach Marks Tey. Here, you’ll need to join the A12 east for Colchester and Harwich. After three miles, take the exit for the A134.
Take the second exit at the roundabout for the A133; continuing on this road for three-and-a-half miles through eight roundabouts. After you come into Hythe, take the first exit at the roundabout to stay on the A133.
As you are leaving the town, look for the right turn onto the B1028 and then turn left onto the B1027. Four miles down the road, take the second exit at the roundabout for the B1029. Turn left onto Ladysmith Avenue after 2.4 miles and then left again onto Seaview Road. It’s then right onto Spring Road and left onto North Road.
Tools: AA Route Planner | Highways Agency
There’s a small car park at the end of North Road where the ground is.
Brightlingsea is one of those frustrating places that doesn’t have a station. It’s a real pain if you had your heart set on the train.
Tools: National Rail | TfL Journey Planner
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