BOGNOR REGIS TOWN FC was founded in 1883 and their early years were mainly spent playing friendly matches until they joined the West Sussex League in 1896. They enjoyed a certain amount of success at this level which included winning the league five years in succession in the early twenties. As a result they joined the Brighton & Hove District League in 1926, however, their stay was short as the following season they applied to join the Sussex County League where they remained until 1972.
The club enjoyed mixed fortunes in this league, winning the Division One Championship in the 1948/49 season. Relegation to Division Two in 1969 was to start a new era for the dub. Winning their way back to the First Division at the first attempt, they went on next season to win the Championship. This prompted them to apply to join the Southern League, which meant they had played in three different leagues in three successive seasons.
Known as the `Rocks', Bognor took their time to settle at the higher level and in the 1981/82 season were runners-up in both the League and the League Cup, they also won the Merit Cup for the most goals scored in a season. The following season saw Bognor playing in yet another league, The Isthmian, they were elected to Division One, and their first season saw them promoted as runners-up to the Premier Division.
Bognor's highest Premier League placing was fifth in 1986/87 and their lowest 21st seven seasons ago when they avoided the drop due to Dagenham leaving the league and no Conference side being relegated to the Isthmian League. They were however relegated the following season and are now in their seventh season in Division One.
After winning the Sussex Senior Cup for the first time in 1955 , Bognor went on to create a competition record by winning it in five consecutive years from 1980 to 1984.
They have won the Sussex County League on four occasions and in 1986/87 season beat Hendon to win the AC Delco Cup. This was the first cup success for a Sussex side outside its own County.
The Rocks have reached the Second Round Proper of the FA. Cup on four occasions, the first time being in 1984.
After holding Swansea to a 1-1 draw at the Vetch Field in the First round, they won the replay 3-1 before a record crowd at Nyewood Lane, only to lose to Reading at Elm Park in the Second Round. The following season they reached the same stage only to lose away to Gillingham.
The 1988/89 season again found Bognor beating League opposition, this time Exeter City 2-1, but their hopes of reaching the third round for the first time were dashed when they lost 1-0 at home to Cambridge United. The Rocks last appearance at this stage was in season 1995/96 when they again failed to reach the third round. Losing 4-0 at Peterborough's London Road ground.
In addition, the club have reached the First Round Proper on three occasions, the first being 1972/72 followed by 1986/87 and 1987/88. Bognor enjoyed their best ever run in the Umbra FA Trophy in the 95/96 season, just to reach the last sixteen, losing 3-1 at home to Radcliffe Borough.
For the past four seasons, Bognor have just failed to gain a promotion place; in the 1995/96 season playing 22 Cup games and a growing injury list were the main factors.
In the 1996/97 season, a poor start in the League saw The Rocks concede points which left them with a lot of leeway to make up and despite a ten match unbeaten run from March until May, the Rocks were still four points adrift and had to be content with sixth place. The following season saw a similar pattern, winning out of the last 7 games; but again it was not enough.
In the 1998/99 season saw The Rocks lose at the first hurdle in all the six cup competitions entered, this created a new, albeit, unwanted record for the club. However this left the way open to concentrate on promotion and by Christmas the team had built up a commanding 13 points lead Unfortunately this could rot be sustained in the second part of the season, picking up just 25 points from 25 games, and finishing in sixth Place.
The 1999/2000 season saw us exit form the F.A cup at the 4th Qualifying Round and with a number of players coming and going did not help the side play consistently. This resulted in the club involved in a relegation battle for the most of the season .Our usual end of season rally saw us climb to 17th position.
Season 2000/2001 saw the club finish in a disappointing 16th position. However, they did reach the final of the Sussex Senior Cup, losing to Lewes and also reached the 3rd Round of the FA Trophy.
2001/2001 season saw the club just missed out on promotion finishing in 4th place, this after being unbeaten in the first fifteen league games. Bashley became a real thorn in the clubs side, knocking us out of the FA Cup and then the FA Trophy. After the disappointment of missing out on promotion last season the club will be going all out for success in this seasons newly formed Division One South.
2002/3 saw the club finish in 2nd place and gain promotion to the Premier League. This was achieved despite a long list of injuries, which at times devastated the squad. Promotion gave the whole club a huge lift and everyone is looking forward to the coming season.
On their return to the Premier League, the club finished in a respectable 10th position and with it qualification to the new Conference South division where the club finished a creditable 9th position in there first season .
2005/6 and 2006/7 seasons saw the club finish 12th in the Conference South league
