MEET THE OPPOSITION | CHELMSFORD CITY
Oxford City are back at the RAW Charging Stadium for a huge game against play-off rivals Chelmsford. Ahead of a crucial Easter Monday clash, we took a look at the Hoops’ next opponents.
History:
Chelmsford were initially founded as simply Chelmsford Football Club, in 1878. The club was established by Chelmsford’s Tennis and Croquet club, in order to give their members something to do during the winter.
Having played in a number of different regional divisions, Chelmsford were reformed in 1938 to join the Southern League. As such, the club was renamed Chelmsford City FC, despite the fact that Chelmsford was not awarded the status of a city until 2012. Chelmsford soon found success in cup competitions, and reached the fourth round of the FA Cup in their first campaign, beating second-division Southampton on their way.
After World War Two, Chelmsford applied for membership to the Football League in 1947, 1948, 1950, 1951 and 1956, but were unsuccessful on each occasion. The Clarets continued to have success at Southern League level, and won the league's cup competition in 1960, as well as the league title in 1968 and 1972.
In 2004, Chelmsford made their way into the Premier Division of the Isthmian League, before winning promotion to the Conference South as champions in 2008. Remarkably, in the 14 seasons that have followed, Chelmsford have remained in the division. The Essex-based side have finished in the play-off positions seven times throughout that period, but have lost out on promotion to the National League on every occasion.
Chelmsford now look set to hugely improve on the 19th-placed finish of last term, and appear well on their way to securing yet another play-off place, this time under Robbie Simpson.
Current Form:
The Clarets have come into a strong run of form at a crucial time in the season, picking up four wins, a draw and a loss throughout the month of March.
Robbie Simpson’s side have impressed on their way up the table, and earned an admirable three points away to fellow play-off hopefuls Dartford two weeks ago.
Chelmsford now travel to the RAW Charging Stadium for, arguably, the most pivotal game of each team’s run-in, with the hopes of potentially leapfrogging Oxford City in the table.
Meet the gaffer: Robbie Simpson
Simpson, a tricky forward with spells at Coventry City, Huddersfield Town and Brentford, signed for Chelmsford as a free agent in August 2019.
Following the sacking of Rod Stringer in January 2020, Simpson assumed the interim manager role and went four games unbeaten in February. Having impressively stabilised the team, Simpson was confirmed as Chelmsford’s permanent manager a month later, in March 2020.
Simpson’s first campaign in charge was cut short due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and Chelmsford finished in 10th place on a points-per-game basis.
His first full season, however, was a departure from the standards previously set by the club, and Simpson could only lead his side to 19th (in a 21-team league), avoiding relegation by five points.
Impressively, Simpson has turned the Clarets’ fortunes around this season, and improved significantly on last term’s disappointment. His side are currently fourth in VNLS.
Club Captain: Dave Winfield
An experienced central-defender with 91 appearances for Wycombe Wanderers, Dave Winfield has captained Chelmsford since November 2021.
The 32-year-old, now in his second spell with the Clarets, has also played in the Football League for Shrewsbury Town, York City and AFC Wimbledon across his near 20-year career to date.
Winfield notably scored for Ebbsfleet United in their 2017 National League South play-off final victory over, which saw the Fleet promoted to the National League at the expense of... Chelmsford.
The veteran defender then joined Chelmsford for his first stint - which lasted just two months - in October 2019. He returned to the club in July 2021, and has made more than 50 appearances since.
Key Player: Michael Folivi
Folivi, a promising striker, joined the Watford academy at the age of 10, and progressed through the club’s ranks before making his senior debut in the Premier League in 2017.
Weeks later, a 19-year-old Folivi made his first of four loan moves from Watford, to Coventry City - where he played just once. In the years that followed, Folivi was sent on loan to National League side Boreham Wood and League One’s AFC Wimbledon, on two occasions. In July 2020, he was released by Watford.
The striker, who has struggled with injuries throughout his short career so far, signed with Colchester United for the 2020/21 campaign and was set to sign a new deal with the League One club before sustaining an achilles tendon injury which required surgery.
After nearly two years away from football, Folivi signed for Chelmsford in February of this year following his full recovery from injury, and has impressed since, with four goals in eight appearances for the Clarets.
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