Burgess Hill FC was founded in 1882 (the Town suffix was added in 1969), and was a founder member of the Sussex County Football Association. Within the first few years the club accomplished the unique achievement of winning the Sussex Senior Cup three years in succession. The original cup is now on display in the Leylands Park trophy cabinet, having been presented to them after the third victory. The present trophy was presented the the Sussex FA by the Hillians. Ironically, it was to be over 100 years before the club next reached the Final, being narrowly beaten by Hastings Town in 1998.

Burgess Hill won their first County League Division One title in 1975/76, but over the next twenty years success was relatively modest, winning the League Challenge Cup in 1980, and the RUR Charity Cup in 1992.

The Club’s fortunes changed spectacularly in 1997 under the guidance of manager and vice-chairman Alan Pook, as the Hillians won three successive Division One titles, in addition to a number of cup triumphs, and excellent runs in both the FA Cup and FA Vase. Burgess Hill had to settle for second-best in 1999/00 and 2000/01 behind Langney Sports (now Eastbourne Borough FC) and Sidley United respectively, but stormed to the title once again in 2001/02, and again in 2002/03.

The Hillians took their place in the Eastern Division of the Southern League in 2003/04. Although finishing in a creditable 9th place, they just missed out on a play-off for a chance in one of the new Premier Divisions.

Due to restructuring Burgess Hill found themselves competing in Division One of the Isthmian League in 2004/05 where they finished in a good mid-table position with quite a young squad. Further restructuring saw the Hillians in the newly constituted Division One South for 2006/07, having evidently secured the future of their Leylands Park ground from threats of development of the site.

Description of ground
Burgess Hill’s well-maintained Leylands Park ground was considerably improved by the addition of a large seated stand (four rows deep) along the near touchline during the 2002/03 season. This replaced a smaller covered area and allowed the Club to meet requirements necessary for promotion to the Dr Martens (Southern) League.

There is no other cover or terracing at the ground, although hard standing is present on all four sides. Dugouts are opposite the stand. The clubhouse has been extended and is situated behind the near goal, just inside the entrance to the ground.

Car parking is limited to quite a small area near to the ground, and visitors are advised to arrive early if they wish to get take advantage of these. Alternative parking is in the surrounding roads, although there are usually cones indicating prohibited areas. When a particularly large crowd has been anticipated in the past, parking has been provided in a grassed area nearby.

Leylands Park is in the middle of a housing estate and in recent years the Club has experienced continued problems off the pitch, notably for ‘environmental pollution’ from their floodlights. Cup ties involving extra-time pose a particular problem due to constraints placed upon the Club by the local authorities.

Directions
Turn east from the A273 London Road into Maple Drive. Leylands Park (signposted) is the sixth turning on the left

Nearest railway station: Wivelsfield, NOT Burgess Hill (15 minutes walk)

Map (link to www.streetmap.co.uk)