Full name Stanway Rovers Football Club
Nickname(s) Rovers
Founded 10 July 1956
Ground Hawthorns, Stanway
(Capacity: 567)
Chairman Roy Brett
Manager Paul Symes & Rob Bate
League Eastern Counties League
Premier Division
2009-10 Eastern Counties League
Premier Division, 5th
Home colours



The modern club was established on 10 July 1956, although records suggest that another club had been playing in the early 1900s. The new club was initially based at the King George V playing fields in Lexden, more commonly known as Clairmont Road. The club joined Division Two of the Colchester and East Essex League, and by 1960 had reached the Premier Division. In 1961 the club moved to Stanway Secondary School. In 1973-74 the club won the Premier Division, and the following year, reached the final of the Essex Junior Cup, where they lost 1-0 to Takeley.

In 1975 the club joined Division One of the Essex & Suffolk Border League, and in 1978 were placed in the new Division Two. The 1978-79 season saw the club finish third and win promotion to Division One. In 1979 the club agreed a 99-year lease with the local council for a 4.6 acre plot of land. On 18 November 1982 the new clubhouse was opened, and named "Hawthorns".

In 1990 and 1991 the club reached the final of the Essex Intermediate Cup, but lost both matches 3-1. In 1991-92 they finished second in the Premier Division of the Essex & Suffolk Border League, and were promoted to Division One of the Eastern Counties League. In 2005-06 the club finished top of the division, and were promoted to the Premier Division.

In June 2009, the club announced on its official website that Symes and Bate had left the club. Their replacement was brought in 2 weeks later. Former Head of Youth at Colchester United, Steve Downey was appointed as First Team manager.