Ilford F.C. (formed in 1881), Leytonstone F.C. (1886), Walthamstow Avenue F.C. (1900) and Dagenham F.C. (1949). All had some success, particularly Leytonstone, who won the F.A. Amateur Cup three times and the Isthmian League title nine times.
In 1979, Ilford and Leytonstone merged to become Leytonstone/Ilford F.C., and in 1988 they absorbed the struggling Walthamstow Avenue to become Redbridge Forest F.C.. Redbridge soon moved in at Dagenham's Victoria Road ground, and achieved promotion to the Football Conference in 1991. Finally, Redbridge Forest merged with Dagenham in 1992 to form Dagenham & Redbridge.
The club was relegated to the Isthmian League in 1996, but won promotion in 2000, and have since established themselves as one of the strongest clubs in the division, finishing 3rd, 2nd and 5th in the last three seasons. They were only narrowly beaten to the title by Boston United in 2002. Boston were subsequently found guilty of making improper payments to players in their title-winning season, and Dagenham & Redbridge unsuccessfully attempted to have themselves declared Conference champions, and hence take Boston's spot in the Football League.
The Daggers have struggled in 2003-04, and as of the start of March 2004 they lie mid-table. On 27th February2004 they were beaten 9-0 by Hereford United, equalling the record highest scoreline in the Conference.
