Below the Sea: Canvey Island FC.

Words: Paul Paxford

Images: Paul Paxford

From the moment you arrive at Park Lane, the home of Canvey Island Football Club, it is clear the sea plays a big part in both its history and future.

The Essex club was formed in 1926 but records of its history were lost during the devastating flood on a winter's night in 1953 that claimed the lives of 58 people on the reclaimed island in the Thames Estuary.

Indeed, the ground is located a goal kick away from the sea wall that now protects the island from the rising sea levels and the mural on the sea wall remembering the disaster runs alongside the ground.

A sign within the ground attached to the bank of terracing behind the goal shows that the players on the pitch are performing below sea level. At the top of the terracing you have the rather surreal site of cargo ships going back and forth to the nearby London Gateway port, above the far goal during the match.

©Paul Paxford/ Terrace Edition. Canvey Island FC.

The visitors to Park Lane on a sunny afternoon were Essex neighbours Braintree Town who arrived from the division above and with good travelling support for an FA Cup qualifying match.

Both teams attacked from the start with Canvey taking the game to their opponents and dangerous striker Evans Kouassi shooting just wide on a couple of occasions. Cheered on by an enthusiastic home crowd the hosts edged in front just before half-time when a free-kick was sent into the box, misjudged by the Braintree keeper and headed in by defender Mason Hall.

The Braintree fans moved to behind the goal at the sea end and their team attacked from the start of the second half and grabbed an equaliser when a low shot went through a crowd of players and bobbled past the home keeper. Both sides had chances to win after that, with the two keepers making fine saves before the final whistle signalled a replay back at Braintree on the following Tuesday.

The fans filed out with several heading along the sea wall into the town, grateful for the protection it applies to the Island and its football club