Lowestoft Town have a fine history stretching back well over 100 years. The club is first recorded as East Suffolk FC with games, all friendlies in those days recorded back in 1884. On merging with the original Kirkley club the title of Lowestoft was adopted in 1887 with ‘Town’ added in 1890.

When the Norfolk & Suffolk League was formed in 1897, providing the first inter-county competitive matches, Lowestoft dominated, winning the title 6 times in the first 7 years. The ‘odd’ season out 1899-1900 saw Lowestoft’s attentions turn to the FA Amateur Cup with victories over such famous names as Leytonstone (9-0), and Gt Marlow (1-0) on the way to the final which brought a 1-5 defeat by Bishop Auckland at Leicester.

In 1904 Lowestoft had to appear before a FA Commission to answer charges of professionalism after a testimonial had raised just under £5 for player Fred Timoney who was about to emigrate. Norwich City who had ‘poached’ 4 of Lowestoft’s successful side amongst others were also called before the commission. Whilst City accepted the ruling and formally adopted professionalism to start on the road that has seen them up amongst the top clubs in the country, Lowestoft paid a restitution of 2 guineas to regain amateur status.

Lowestoft were not to see the same degree of sustained success during the remainder of their stay in the Norfolk & Suffolk League. In 1925 came the decision to adopt the blue and white colours that have served them so well since.

Lowestoft became founder members of the Eastern Counties League in 1935 but before starting out on this new challenge once again merged with local rivals Kirkley. The move proved a wise one with the first season seeing them sharing the title with Harwich & Parkston and then winning it outright 2 years later.

Lowestoft, who with Gt Yarmouth are the only sides with unbroken membership of the Eastern Counties (Now Jewson) League, took the bold step of becoming semi-professional in 1962 and 7 ECL titles and twice runners up in the following 9 seasons is clear testimony to the manner in which they dominated in those years.

The ECL title was again won in 1977/8, the last time it graced the Crown Meadow boardroom. The 1980s saw a decline in the club’s fortunes as crowds and income dropped. The unique club pavilion, originally the Yacht Club before being taken down and moved from the harbour to the Crown Meadow in 1902, was gradually falling into disrepair and the floodlighting system installed in 1964 was coming to the end of its lifespan. The floodlights were updated in 1986 and the new dressing room complex occupied in 1989 and at last attention could be paid to playing matters.

As playing fortunes declined a 19 year old local lad signed for the club in 1980 who was to figure prominently in the affairs of the club for the next 20 and hopefully many more years. Micky Chapman soon became a favourite with his all action style, eye for the goal, long flowing hair and a genuine desire to bring success back to the club. 5 ‘Player of the Year’ trophies adorn his display cabinet as testimony to the respect he has earned from supporters and players alike.

Whilst many of his colleagues were lured away by financial rewards, Micky remained loyal to his hometown club turning down many lucrative offers to move elsewhere. The 1990s saw Micky progress from captain to assistant manager and finally manager in 1994.

A persistent back injury forced Mick to hang up his boots in 1997 allowing him to concentrate fully on the managerial side. With the unwavering support of successive chairmen, Roy Harper and Shaun Cole, Mick has been able to improve the side year by year and his many hours of sweat, toil and no doubt tears are finally being rewarded as his side has brought 3 trophies to the Meadow in 12 months - 2 Suffolk Premier Cups and a Jewson League Cup.

Club coach Adie Gallagher, first team star Jamie Godbold, both qualified coaches, and physio Alison Kent, a qualified Sports Therapist, were instrumental in setting up the Soccer Academy in conjunction with Lowestoft College as well as a weekly soccer school for the 6-14 year old age group. The Academy lads receive coaching from Adie and Jamie and then take the skills learned into local schools as free football coaching to local school children.

With great strides being taken to improve the club’s financial base, thanks in the main to the tremendous support of main sponsors, OWA GROUP, Chapman’s side earning credit and success on the field, and the club becoming much more active in the local community, the future looks far brighter and the Jewson League’s sleeping giant could finally be re-awakening.

After several years in the doldrums the 21st century has seen Micky team up with Ady Gallagher to bring a return to trophy winning days with the Ridgeons League title won in 2005/6 for the first time in nearly 30 years, the League Cup collected twice and the Suffolk Premier Cup brought back to the Meadow three times. The culmination of all that recent success came in May 2008 when joint managers Micky Chapman and Ady Gallagher proudly led their squad out onto the hallowed Wembley pitch in the F A Vase final. On a blazing hot Sunday afternoon in front of over 14,000 Lowestoft supporters, the Blues were in the lead for three quarters of the game before conceding a last minute goal to lose out to Kirkham & Wesham by the odd goal of three.

With a thriving youth system and a seemingly endless stream of exciting new talent in the wings the future is certainly looking brighter.