Whitehawk

Club Overview

Whitehawk are an East Brighton club with a distinctive history of rising from local football into the national non-league pyramid. The Hawks compete in the Isthmian League Premier Division in 2026/27. Their home, the Enclosed Ground, is set in East Brighton Park.

Quick Facts

Founded: 1945
Nickname: The Hawks
Home: The Enclosed Ground, East Brighton Park
League: Isthmian League Premier Division, Step 3

Club History

Whitehawk began in 1945 as Whitehawk & Manor Farm Old Boys and initially played local junior football. The club progressed rapidly after the Second World War, winning local competitions before entering the Sussex County League in 1952. The club adopted the Whitehawk FC name in 1958. Sussex Senior Cup success and several county-league titles established the Hawks as a leading force in local football.

A dramatic modern rise followed from 2010, when a series of promotions carried Whitehawk into the Isthmian Premier and then the National League South. The defining cup campaign came in 2015/16: Whitehawk reached the FA Cup second round proper and took Dagenham & Redbridge to a replay. After drawing 1–1 away, the Hawks lost 3–2 after extra time at home, in front of a record crowd of 2,174. The tie brought the club close to a historic third-round appearance.

Honours and Milestones

  • Sussex Senior Cup winners in 1951 and further successes in later decades.
  • Multiple Sussex County League Division One titles, including the 1961/62 and 1963/64 campaigns.
  • Three promotions in four seasons from 2010, taking the club to the National League South.
  • FA Cup second round proper in 2015/16, including the replay against Dagenham & Redbridge.

The Enclosed Ground

The club has played in East Brighton Park since its early years. A permanently enclosed pitch was established at the current ground in the 1950s, and the first match on the present site was a 6–2 win over Southwick on 1 September 1954. The sloping setting and views towards the coast make the Enclosed Ground a distinctive Sussex venue. The record attendance remains 2,174, set for the 2015 FA Cup replay.

Visiting Whitehawk

Address: East Brighton Park, Wilson Avenue, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 5TS. Check the club’s official website before travelling for current admission prices, kick-off times, accessibility information and any match-specific arrangements. The ground is in east Brighton, so plan your public-transport or parking arrangements ahead of time.

Local Football and Rivalries

Whitehawk’s identity is rooted in east Brighton and Sussex football. Local league fixtures and cup ties against other Sussex sides have long been important dates in the club’s calendar; the exact rivalry picture varies with league allocations each season.

The Enclosed Ground and the FA Cup

Whitehawk represent the east side of Brighton and have developed a distinctive identity within Sussex football. The Enclosed Ground is known for its close-to-the-action setting and its place in the local football landscape, with the club’s red-and-white colours and community roots familiar to supporters in the area.

The club’s modern history includes an FA Cup first-round appearance in 2014, when Whitehawk took on Dagenham & Redbridge in a replay after drawing the original tie. That campaign brought a wider audience to the club and remains a memorable cup chapter. Check current club information for ticketing, entry, parking and matchday arrangements before visiting.

NonLeagueReview Ground Guide

For a visit, the story is as much about place as football: a community club founded in 1945, a ground that has evolved alongside its rise, and a cup night that brought a League Two opponent to East Brighton. Check the latest club channels for current facilities and matchday details before setting off.

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Sources and Further Reading

Club History and Key Milestones

Whitehawk FC are a Brighton-based club nicknamed the Hawks and play at The Enclosed Ground. The club’s rise through the pyramid brought it into the National League South, including a notable FA Cup run in 2015/16 when the team reached the second round proper.

Matchday Notes

Check the club’s official matchday update for the confirmed venue, kick-off time, admission prices and payment methods. Visitors should verify parking and public transport details and plan the return journey after evening fixtures. Ground names and ticket information can change, so use current club guidance.