Dagenham's Main Stand - pictured from around five years ago. It's since been knocked down and replaced by something rather more impressive.

Dagenham & Redbridge is the product of a seemingly endless succession of mergers and amalgamations. The club as currently constituted was formed on the 1st July 1992 following the merger of Dagenham FC and Redbridge Forest football clubs. They were quite a force for the first two seasons, finishing third and sixth under John Still, but then the rot set in when Still left for the League, and two seasons later in 1995-96 they finished last and were relegated to the Isthmian.

It took the Daggers four years to get back, during which time they had a losing appearance at Wembley to look back on and reached the Second Round of the F.A. Cup for the first time. They finished fourth, fourth and third in the Ryman Premier but it wasn't until the arrival of Garry Hill in the summer of 1999 that they put it all together and regained their Conference status. Dagenham took the top spot in September and held it for the whole season, winning the title by twenty-four points and equalling Yeovil's achievement of 101 points in 1996-97.

Storming the feeders doesn't always guarantee success at the higher level but Dagenham coped well with the transition and finished a highly creditable 3rd in their first season back (behind Yeovil and Rushden) as well as taking Premiership club Charlton Athletic to a replay in the Third Round of the F.A. Cup.

Last season was the big one for the club. It was obvious that the squad already there was very capable as it stood - the addition of proven goalscorers in ex-Chelsea and Stoke City striker Mark Stein, plus the experienced Steve McGavin and Ken Charlery rammed home the message that the Daggers wanted League football, and they wanted it now. Sadly for them and the rest of the Conference, not forgetting the good name of football throughout the country, another team wanted League football as well, and were prepared to cheat and break the rules to get it. Boston United, led by probably the most disliked manager in the English game since Don Revie, finished top of the league on goal difference to the Daggers and were subsequently promoted despite admitting to and being found guilty of cheating - a travesty of justice and a huge blow to fair play and to Dagenham in particular.

Prediction corner
We forecast that Dagenham would win the league last season, and taking the Cheats out of the equation then they did so quite comfortably, 14 points ahead of their nearest challengers, Yeovil. No cheats around this season, so is it finally going to be their year? Sorry, but no. We could be accused of being wise after the event here, seeing as this is being written 17 games into the new season with the Daggers 10th, 12 points behind the leaders, but not so - it was obvious that the Cheats undeserved promotion was a massive blow to all concerned at Dagenham and particularly in the cruel way it happened. Bad enough to lose out on goal difference, but then to find out the team that pipped you to the post had been cheating all the way through the season, and then to realise that their "punishment" would in effect be a rap over the knuckles and not much more..... Well, it's no wonder that Dagenham's collective eye has been off the ball somewhat so far this term. Having said that there have been definite signs of improvement lately and given that their squad is more-or-less the same that very nearly romped away with the Conference title last year then there are obvious causes for optimism. They've probably left it too late now for a tilt at the title itself, but a play-off place is certainly attainable and a small bet on an FA Trophy final place might not be considered foolhardy. Final position: 5th!

The best way to get to the ground by car is to get onto the A13.

From the North (M25 clockwise):

If you are coming from the North use the M25 and follow it round until you reach the M11 (Junction 27). Proceed towards London and follow the signs A406 (S), (A13), (A12). Continue on the A406 and follow signs North Circular, Docklands (A13).
After the Barking, East Ham turn off get into the left hand lane. And follow the signs for Dagenham, Tilbury, Southend, Dartford Tunnel. This will bring you onto the A13.

As you approach Dagenham you will see a leisure complex on your left. This complex consists of Mecca Bingo, a Warner Cinema complex and various restaurants (Spoofers, McDonalds etc). Stay in the left lane and follow signs to the A1306 signed Dagenham, Dagenham East. (Do not continue on the A13 which actually starts to elevate at this point otherwise you will end up visiting David Webb - actually you can rescue yourself by getting of at the first turn-off, which is also signposted Dagenham East, but from there you're on your own.)

When you reach the next set of lights you will see an ASDA on the right (these lights only give you an option to go straight ahead or turn right). Go straight on. About a 100 yards further past there is a Drive thru' Wimpy which is within a small retail park together with a Sainsbury's Homebase, Halfords etc.

Then, within a 100 yards, there is a set of major lights, go straight over these and within about 600 yards you will see another set of lights and McDonalds on your left. Turn left immediately before McDonalds.

This is Ballards Road. Proceed to The Bull round-about, which is about 1 mile, and turn left. (WARNING! The speed limit at the Bull end of Ballards Road is 30mph and there is a speed camera there.) After about 500 yards you will see Dagenham East tube station on the left, and Victoria Road is about 400 yards further past.

From the South (M25 anti-clockwise) :

You will need to cross the Thames at Dartford. Leave the M25 for the A13 at Junction 30 following the signs for Central London and Dagenham. Proceed along this road and you will see signs for the Ferry Lane Industrial Estate. Don't take this turn, but this is your cue to get into the left hand lane. Take the next slip road off, signposted Elm Park and Dagenham East, and turn right at the roundabout at the bottom of the slip road.

You will now be going under the road that you have just left and need to go straight over the next roundabout. Proceed to the set of lights and turn left onto the dual-carriageway (still the A13). After about half a mile you will see a McDonalds on your right. Get into the right hand filter lane and turn right just past it.

This is Ballards Road. Proceed to The Bull round-about, which is about 1 mile, and turn left. (WARNING! The speed limit at the Bull end of Ballards Road is 30mph and there is a speed camera there.) After about 500 yards you will see Dagenham East tube station on the left, and Victoria Road is about 400 yards further past.

One of the covered areas of terracing at Dagenham

Local Pubs

For those that arrive by tube the first pub they'll see is, a touch predictably, The Railway. It has a big screen. South down the Rainham Road a couple of hundred yards is The Bull. Could be the choice if you have children with you as it has a play area and a garden. It does a reasonable ramge of food. If you go up (north) along the Rainham Road, just past the turning to the ground the Eastbrook is on the opposite side of the road. These are the closest pubs to the ground, five minutes walk or less.

The local Wetherspoons is the Lord Denham at 270-272 Heathway (A1240). If this is your scene you are better getting off the tube at Dagenham Heathway. You will have a mile or so to walk to the ground.

Grub

There are three fish and chip shops, several cafes, an Indian and a Chinese take-away amongst other outlets in the Rainham Road. If you want to go ethnic there's a Pie & Mash outlet another few hundred yards up the Rainham Road past the ground and right into Dagenham Road. Jellied eels? Dunno.

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :

Course we does. Gawd'n bennett, m'ol china - we're all mockneys neow. 'Ave a Britney on me.

Top-Tip :

Don't ask: "Do you work for Ford?"