Having spent the vast majority of their modern existence in Step 3, two promotions in three years have catapulted the Urchins to the doorstep of the Football League.
While, like Worthing, the Upminster-based side enter the National League as a relative unknown quantity in the eyes of more established clubs at the level, Hornchurch’s trajectory shows no sign of plateauing heading into the new campaign.
History
Although Hornchurch Football Club has existed in multiple forms since first being established in 1881, the current iteration of the Club came into being in 2005, named AFC Hornchurch.
Beginning life in the Essex Senior League, AFC Hornchurch made their way up to Step 3 at the earliest opportunity with back-to-back promotions. From the 2007/08 season through 2023/24, the Urchins spent 13 out of 17 league campaigns in the Isthmian League Premier Division, once making it into the Conference South in 2012/13.
After achieving promotion back to the seventh tier following a three-year absence from 2015/16 to 2017/18, the club removed the AFC from its title, returning to their original name, Hornchurch Football Club.
Success followed not long after, with the Urchins winning the FA Trophy in 2021 by defeating Hereford 3-1 at Wembley. On the scoresheet that day was former Rebels striker, Liam Nash, who tallied an impressive 71 goals in 137 appearances for the Club.
It was in the 2023/24 season that Hornchurch’s fortunes took an even greater turn, with the arrival of Daryl McMahon seeing them secure promotion to the National League South. Following a ninth place campaign in 24/25, the Club went on to make history last term, beating Torquay United 3-2 in the play-off final to clinch their inaugural promotion to English football’s fifth tier.
Manager – Daryl McMahon
Before racking up over 350 appearances in his career, Dublin-born McMahon began his playing days as a trainee in the famed West Ham United academy. The midfielder went on to feature for the likes of Port Vale and Leyton Orient, before delving into non-league with stints at Stevenage Borough, Farnborough and Ebbsfleet United.
McMahon’s two-year stay at Stonebridge Road would set about his transition from playing to coaching, initially taking charge of Ebbsfleet on a caretaker basis before assuming the role permanently in 2015.
The former Republic of Ireland Youth international guided the Fleet to promotion to the fifth tier via the play-offs in 2017.
After leaving the club by mutual consent in 2018 following National League play-off semi-final defeat to Tranmere Rovers, McMahon joined League Two side Macclesfield Town, however the club’s financial turmoil meant his stay with the Silkmen would only last four-and-a-half months.
Immediately after leaving the now-reformed Macclesfield, McMahon moved back down South to manage Hornchurch’s newfound local rivals, Dagenham & Redbridge. Through his first two seasons at Victoria Road, McMahon guided the Daggers from 18th in the National League to within one point of the play-offs in 2021/22. He would not last another full season at the helm, however, as Dagenham would go on to part ways with the manager in February 2023.
Previous Meetings
Last season’s meetings between Worthing and Hornchurch served up highly-contrasting affairs between two sides entangled in the National League South promotion race.
At Woodside Road in late November, Adam Hinshelwood made it five home league wins from five after rejoining the club with a resounding 5-0 triumph for the Reds. Brad Dolaghan put the hosts in front at the break, before the Rebels turned the screw in the second half with goals from Razzaq Coleman De-Graft, Toby Byron, Dolaghan again and Nathan Odokonyero putting the result beyond doubt.
McMahon’s side would go on to exact revenge in the new year, with the Urchins capitalising on Worthing’s poor away form to start 2026 by notching a 2-1 win at the Hornchurch Stadium in February. First half strikes from Josh Rees and Dom Poleon would be enough to keep the points in the capital, with Teddy Jenks’ effort just after the interval providing the visitors’ only pushback.
A share of the points last term was befitting of the two teams’ overall head-to-head record in competitive play. In 12 meetings, Worthing slightly edge the Urchins in the victory column, winning five games compared to Hornchurch’s four.
Worthing first played Hornchurch in their inaugural season (2005/06 season), defeating them in an Emirates FA Cup tie, then played them in the Isthmian League Premier Division from 2018 to 2022. We have met in the National League South in each of the past two seasons. Hornchurch were founded in 2005 as AFC Hornchurch, following the demise of the original
Hornchurch club. Like us, this is their first season in the fifth tier of English football.
Stadium
Situated in Upminster, Hornchurch Stadium hosts both football and athletics, with a running track, sand pit and discus cage all surrounding the pitch. The stadium currently has a capacity of 3,500 in total, 800 of which is seated.
Hornchurch Stadium is owned by the London Borough of Havering Council, and in order to comply with Step 1 Ground Grading regulations, the Club and Council have agreed to undertake substantial redevelopment for the ground. Most importantly for travelling supporters, plans include a newly- allocated away entrance, along with designated WC facilities and catering options for away fans.
Distance from Sussex Transport Community Stadium: Approx. 76 miles
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗