In this brand new season of the Essex Senior League, Great Wakering Rovers will be hosting their opening fixture at Burroughs Park as they welcome Frenford this coming Saturday.

It's a new season and all teams will be gunning to get off to the best start for their campaign.

With plenty of ins and outs happening over the summer, the objective hasn't changed as Rovers have set the bar high this season and hoping it will be fourth time lucky in a bid to achieve promotion this season following last season's cup success.

Marcus Bowers will be looking forward to the coming season ahead after a good pre-season and Saturday will see him managing the Rovers in his 150th game in charge at Burroughs Park.

The Opposition: Frenford

This will be Frenford's fourth season in the Essex Senior League and they will be looking to secure a fifth straight season after seeing them with a change in management at the helm. They are jointly managed by Imrul Gazi and player/manger Steven Carvell who is no stranger to the league.

Last season, Frenford had a difficult campaign despite their effort and were at the foot of the table going into the final five games. However, a spell of form saw them win four out of five which saw them move up to 19th in the table and were reprieved of relegation based on their scoring rate. They will now be looking to move up the table this season with the recruitment they have done in the summer.

Head 2 Head:

Rovers first faced Frenford in the 2023/24 season and have faced them seven times in all competitions of the Essex Senior League.

Played: 8
Won: 7
Drawn: 0
Lost: 1

Last Five Meetings:
26th Oct 2024 Rovers 1-0 Frenford
15th Feb 2025 Frenford 0-4 Rovers
28th Oct 2025 Frenford 1-2 Rovers Errington Challenge Cup first round
22nd Nov 2025 Rovers 1-0 Frenford
4th Apr 2026 Frenford 1-0 Rovers

Admission Prices:

Tickets can be purchased online in the lead up to Saturday HERE
Adults £10
Concessions & Students £6
U16s £2

How To Get There:

By Car:

From Southend, Take Clarence Road, Alexandra Street, Heygate Avenue and Chancellor Road to Queensway/A1160. Take Woodgrange Drive, Wakering Road and Southend Road to Little Wakering Hall Lane in Great Wakering. Drive down the road past the Exhibition Inn and turn in on the second left into Little Wakering Hall Lane and drive on till you reach the ground. Parking will be limited.

By Bus:
From Southend Travel Centre take the number 9A, 21 or 14 to the Exhibition Inn and walk straight up the road towards the British Legion and turn left down Little Wakering Hall Lane. Walk five minutes till you reach the football ground.

By Train:

Take the C2C to from Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness. Get off at Thorpe Bay and take the number 21 bus to the Exhibition Inn and walk straight up the road towards the British Legion and turn left down Little Wakering Hall Lane. Walk five minutes till you reach the football ground.

Other Fixtures In the ESL:

Friday 31st July
West Essex v Heybridge Swifts 19:45

Saturday 1st August (Kickoff 15:00 unless stated)
Barking v Sporting Bengal United
Basildon United v Romford
Benfleet v Halstead Town
Clapton Community v SOUL Tower Hamlets
Hackney Wick v White Ensign
Harwich & Parkeston v Hutton
Hullbridge Sports v Ilford
Saffron Walden Town v Woodford Town