History
In 1938, it was decided that a professional club should be formed in Chelmsford to join the Southern League. It was decided to close down the existing club (Chelmsford Football Club) and to reform as ‘Chelmsford City’, despite the fact that Chelmsford itself would not be granted city status until 2012. On 27 August 1938, Chelmsford City played their first game, drawing 3–3 against Bristol Rovers Reserves. They made an immediate impact in the FA Cup, reaching the fourth round in their first season.
The club were the Southern League’s first champions when football resumed after World War Two, also winning the Southern League Cup that season. Chelmsford won the Southern League Cup again in 1959/60 and the league title in 1967/68 and 1971/72. They remained in the top division of the Southern League until 1976–77, when they were relegated to Division One South. In 1977, City were one of six clubs to represent England in the Anglo-Italian Cup.
In 2004, Chelmsford transferred to the Premier Division of the Isthmian League and were champions in 2007/08, earning promotion to the Conference South. They reached the play-offs in the following season but lost to Hampton & Richmond in the play-off semi-finals. After a period of mid-table finishes, Chelmsford qualified for the play-offs again in 2016/17 after finishing fourth in the renamed National League South. After beating Dartford 2–1 on aggregate in the semi-finals, they lost 2–1 to Ebbsfleet United in the final.
A third place finish the following season led to another play-off campaign, but the club were beaten 1–0 by Hampton & Richmond Borough in the semi-finals. In the 2018/19 season, Chelmsford finished fourth, however lost 3–2 in the play-offs away to Welling United; their ninth play-off campaign in total. Chelmsford saw a successful 2022/23 Season leading to another play-off campaign having finished fifth but it wasn’t to be as the Clarets lost their play-off eliminator fixture 0-1 at the Melbourne Community Stadium to eventual defeated finalists St Albans City.
Last season, they finished 2nd in the league table, 11 points behind champions Yeovil Town and level on points with Worthing. The Clarets faced Essex rivals Braintree Town in the Semi-Finals and were beaten in extra time.
Form
Under new ownership this season, the Clarets have made a fairly inconsistent start to the campaign as they find themselves in 15th with 21 points from 16 matches.
The Clarets have had a difficult run of late as they are without a win in four in all matches competitions and they have only won one of their last eight encounters.
Last Six
16/11 – Peterborough Sports (A) – Lost 2-0 (FA Trophy)
09/11 – Dorking Wanderers (H) – Lost 0-4
05/11 – St Albans City (A) – Drew 1-1
02/11 – Torquay United (A) – Drew 2-2
26/10 – Salisbury (H) – Won 2-1
21/10 – Hemel Hempstead Town (A) – Drew 2-2
The Gaffer
Robbie Simpson signed for the Clarets as a free agent in August 2019 after leaving MK Dons at the end of the 2018/19 season. He was appointed as Interim Manager in late January 2020 following Rod Stringer’s departure. After going unbeaten in 4 from mid-February, without losing at home, he was appointed as the Club’s new permanent First Team Manager in March 2020.
Robbie has had a fruitful career in the Football League, featuring for the likes of Cambridge United, Coventry City, Huddersfield Town and Exeter City.
He began his youth career with Norwich City without making an appearance for the first-team. After his release, he signed for Cambridge City where he stayed for 4 years scoring 33 goals in 118 appearances for the Lilywhites.
His performances caught the eye of Cambridge United in June 2006 where he stayed for 1 season. Despite a knee injury hampering his playing time, he was still able to score 17 goals in 33 appearances.
Coventry City took a chance on Simpson ahead of the 2007/08 season where he stayed for 2 seasons.
Throughout his career, he has also featured for Brentford, Oldham Athletic, Leyton Orient, Cambridge United for a second spell and most recently MK Dons, whom he helped gain promotion back to League One last season.
The Captain
Defender Cameron James was named Chelmsford City club captain at the start of the season.
Cameron returned to Chelmsford City for a second spell in August 2020 after leaving Colchester United, where he made 31 appearances in all competitions, including both League One and League Two.
Chelmsford-born James had spent time out on loan with Maidstone United and Welling United for the 2019/20 season. He made 10 appearances for the Wings, scoring two goals, and featured primarily as a right wing-back. He initially joined City in January 2018 on loan from Colchester and made his debut in the 2-0 win against Chippenham Town. He made 6 appearances before injury cut his season short.
The versatile defender can play centre-back, rightback, and central midfield. Cameron is the highest-capped first-team player at Chelmsford City, with the 24/25 season marking his fifth with the club.
Key Player
Attacking midfielder Charlie Ruff has been involved in eight league goals this season, scoring four and providing four assists.
Ruff is currently enjoying his second spell as a Claret. Prior to joining the club for the first time in July 2022, the attacking midfielder plied his trade with Isthmian Premier side Hornchurch. He had a successful spell at the Hornchurch Stadium, and played a significant role in helping the Urchins win the FA Trophy in the 2020-21 season.
He made 20 appearances and scored 7 goals for the Clarets in the 2022-23 season during his first spell playing at the EMJ Community Stadium. The 24-year-old departed Essex to sign for Havant and Waterlooville in November 2022, where he went on to score 5 goals in 23 National League South appearances for the Hawks.
Following the end of the 2022-23 season, ‘Ruffy’ re-joined the Clarets ahead of the 2023-24 season for his second spell with the club. The attacking midfielder ended the 23-24 campaign as the Clarets’ top goalscorer after registering 19 National League South goals.
