Three Bridges

Three Bridges FC

Ground: Jubilee Field

Capacity: 1,500

Club Founded: 1901

League: Isthmian League Premier Division - Step 3/7th Tier (current level)

Three Bridges FC is a classic example of a community non-league club gradually building and advancing through improving its facilities to increase its income.

Club History

County League Football

Three Bridges FC became a member of the Mid Sussex League a year after being formed, changing its name to Three Bridges & Worth FC in 1919. They became founder members of the Sussex County League Division Two, being known as Three Bridges United for the following decade. 

The club remained in that league for three decades or so, playing in various divisions and picking up occasional honours along the way. In 1968-69, the team won promotion from Division Two to the top flight of the Sussex County League. The side was involved in a couple of relegations followed by promotions, the last under manager Harry Easton in 1979-80.

Rise to the Isthmian League

The 1980's saw an upturn in the club's fortunes with the experienced Brian Bason in the side at the start of the decade, as the team ended as league runners-up three times. In 1992, the clubhouse at Jubilee Field burned down and took two years to rebuild. The side dropped down a level but returned to the top level of county football a couple of seasons later.

Three Bridges won the Sussex League title and promotion to the Isthmian League in the 2011-12 season under manager Paul Faili. The team then consolidated in Division One South in the fourth tier for five seasons before being relegated to the Southern Combination, as the Sussex County League had been renamed.

The side returned to the Isthmian League after just one season away. In May 2021, former player Jamie Crellin was appointed as manager, taking his side to the playoffs in 2023-24, where Chichester City proved too strong in the final. A new artificial playing surface was laid at Jubilee Field at the end of the season.

This provided the team with a better playing surface while increasing the club's rental income. The Bridges romped to their divisional title in 2025-26, to win promotion to the Premier Division of the Isthmian League as the pairing of Noel Leighton and Reece Hallard scored the goals.

My visits

Saturday 22 December 2007

I had whizzed through Three Bridges many times on the train to the south coast without stopping off. I decided that I'd visit the club's home at Jubilee Field, whilst on my way to a game at Horsham that afternoon. The ground looked idyllic. It was extremely tidy and obviously well-cared-for, surrounded by a wooden perimeter fence. 

The gate behind the goal was open, so I wandered in. Down the right-hand side touchline, there stood a neat seated stand on the halfway line. Opposite was a long clubhouse, changing rooms, and club facilities, with its roof protecting any supporters preferring to stand and watch. 

The groundsman who doubled as a club official was preparing the ground for a reserves game that afternoon. He took time out to have a natter about who I supported and what I was up to. 

I told him of my plans for the day and that I intended to call in on Crawley Town to have a look at their Broadfield Stadium. He gave me directions on foot.

I left the ground in a pleasant mood. Gentlemen like the one at Three Bridges are what football is really all about, not the avaricious "businessmen" who blight the game and ruin it for decent loyal supporters. Unsurprisingly, he was bang on with his directions and estimated timing, which was better than taking the train, which was my original plan.

Three Bridges 0 Horsham 1

Isthmian League Division One South - Monday 26th August 2013

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 251 🎟️ £8

I awoke for my early shift at 5.30am, having originally agreed to turn out for Hampstead CC in a friendly game. However, my body ached, and the thought of chasing leather around the wide expanses of the Lymington Road ground for up to forty over was too much, so I pulled out.

That said, I still needed some nice activity after not seeing the glorious sun from my bunker at Dollis Hill station, and I had plenty of choices of 3pm kick-offs. My plan for the season was to see matches at as many places I’d just called by to take photos of in the past.

The Sussex derby at Three Bridges appealed, especially after my relief arrived, giving me plenty of time to catch the train from West Hampstead. A change at St Pancras allowed me to board a direct service, arriving at 2.35pm. I went the wrong way, but found an alleyway from the main road to the grounds entrance.

A thick programme cost £2. I ventured round to the clubhouse, but decided against a beer. Instead, I opted for an excellent cheeseburger and a cup of tea. The service was slow as the lady behind the hatch was working solo, but it ensured that the food was griddled to perfection.

The Jubilee Field ground was similar to how I previously remembered it, save for the addition of a small modern raised seated stand alongside the clubhouse, to satisfy the ground graders when Bridges gained promotion.

I had noticed over the previous week that the two games I’d been to in Sussex had seen an increase in referees being lenient on tackling and general misbehaviour. Again, the man in black let far too much go in the early stages of a feisty game.

Over half the crowd were cheering on the visiting Hornets from Horsham, and they made plenty of noise. Action in the penalty areas was sparse, but there were plenty of meaty challenges. I’d moved behind the end that Horsham were attacking and was chatting to a photographer I’d met at Littlehampton the previous Sunday, when a moment of real class lit up the game.

Finally, winger Tony Nwachukwu confirmed his ability, attacking his full-back and whipping in a delicious cross, which Jamie Cade headed into the corner of Martin Grant’s net. The wide man carried on and nearly set up another goal on the stroke of half-time.

I retired to the bar for a decent pint of Doombar. Some imbibed, but pleasant visiting fans came in and sat around me. Their assessment of the number of adverts in the programme was cutting, but not totally unfair.

I wasn’t in great form as I found out that Scarborough Athletic were 2-0 down at Lincoln United as I headed out for the second period. Worse was to come from Lincolnshire, where it was now 3-0. I hoped for an exciting second half at my game. Instead, I saw the game become more ill-tempered, as I sheltered from the blazing sun. 

The Horsham bench made for entertaining listening, even if it wasn’t ideal for a family audience. Somehow, a home midfielder remained on the pitch after kicking out following a late challenge. Three Bridges were on top, but Horsham looked dangerous on the break thanks to the tireless work of Gabriel Odunaike. 

Eventually, the lenient referee lost his patience and sent the visiting skipper, Jahmahl King, for an early bath for two yellow cards. Despite home pressure, I always fancied Horsham to hold out. Their bench was close to popping with anger at the injustices that they felt were being handed out by the officials. To be fair, even mature fans were shaking their heads in disbelief.

By now, I had a huge smile, as Scarborough had somehow managed to draw 3-3. As the final whistle went at Three Bridges, there was an extra cheer apart from the Hornets faithful. I wandered back to the station, ready to get home for a meal and to watch the Manchester United v Chelsea game.

Unfortunately, the train services were poor, meaning I got home nearly an hour late. My meal was great, but the TV spectacle was boring. Indeed, I thought my match had more about it, albeit of a much lesser quality. I was therefore somewhat surprised when my brief report on the excellent Non League Matters Forum was questioned by others in attendance who considered it a terrible game.

It’s all about opinions!