Despite lofty ambitions and full-time investment, the Fleet teams of the Forties and early Fifties had yielded only two Kent Senior Cups. In 1952, the club finished second from bottom of the Southern League and found themselves propping up the whole division three years later.

Former England international and Arsenal FA Cup winner Lionel Smith was brought in as manager in 1955 and a marquee signing of the time was wing wizard Jimmy Logie who came from Highbury to much fanfare – and the Scotsman didn’t disappoint as he dominated Stonebridge Road through the Fifties. He was followed by numerous other players with top-level experience as non-league clubs were able to exploit a maximum wage structure in the Football League to sign big-name players towards the end of their careers.

The Fleet were one of the first to install floodlights and from 1953 played prestigious evening friendlies that drew in the crowds as Fleet continued to be ambitious despite some poor seasons on the field. The strategy to pay full-time players led to some financial issues, with the Supporters Association crucial in keeping the club funded and afloat during the decade.

It was not until 1957-58 that the club tasted league success, with Smith’s patient approach to team building paying off. His star-studded and attacking side claimed the Southern League title in 1958, scoring 135 league and cup goals along the way.

The Fleet were runners-up the following season and also settled for second in the Southern League Cup as Stonebridge Road continued to bring in big crowds to the end of the decade, with the side one of England’s leading non-league teams and twice applying (unsuccessfully) for election to the Football League.