A.F.C. Bridgnorth

AFC Bridgnorth is a football club based in the town of Bridgnorth, Shropshire, England. They are currently members of the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division and play at Crown Meadow.

AFC Bridgnorth
Full nameAFC Bridgnorth
Nickname(s)Meadow Men
Founded2013
GroundCrown Meadow
ChairmanStan Parkes
ManagerPeter Whitehouse
LeagueWest Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division
2019–20West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division (season abandoned)
Bridgnorth Town club badge
Crown Meadow

The club badge depicts the town hall in Bridgnorth's high town.

History

Bridgnorth Town

A Bridgnorth Town existed in the 19th century, joining the Shropshire & District League in 1899.[1] Another club by the same name was formed in July 1938 and joined the Worcestershire Combination for the 1938–39 season.[2] However, the club folded after one season due to the outbreak of World War II. The name reappeared in 1949 when Kidderminster League club Bridgnorth Boys Club Old Boys were renamed Bridgnorth Town. In 1968 they moved up to the Worcestershire Combination, which had just been renamed the Midland Combination, joining Division One.[3] In 1970–71 the club became one of a small number of English clubs to win the FAW Trophy, beating Welshpool 2–1 in the final. They were runners-up in 1976–77 and won the league title in 1979–80. After finishing as runners-up again the following season, the club won a second Division One title in 1982–83, earning promotion to the Midland Division of the Southern League.[3]

After thirteen seasons in the Southern League Midland Division, Bridgnorth finished bottom of the table in Southern League and were relegated to the Midland Alliance.[3] They remained in the Alliance until finishing bottom of the league in 2004–05, after which they were relegated to the Premier Division of the Midland Combination. After a season in the Combination the club transferred laterally to the Premier Division of the West Midlands (Regional) League. They were league champions in 2007–08 and were promoted back to the Midland Alliance. Despite finishing seventh in the league in 2012–13, the club folded due to financial problems.

AFC Bridgnorth

After Bridgnorth Town folded, AFC Bridgnorth were established as a replacement. The new club started two levels lower, in Division One of the West Midlands (Regional) League.[4] They won Division One at the first attempt, earning promotion to the Premier Division. In 2014–15 they were Premier Division runners-up, a feat matched the following season.[4]

Honours

Bridgnorth Town
  • Midland Combination
    • Champions 1979–80, 1982–83
  • West Midlands (Regional) League
    • Premier Division champions 2007–08
  • FAW Trophy
    • Winners 1970–71
  • Shropshire Senior Cup
    • Winners 1985–86

AFC Bridgnorth
  • West Midlands (Regional) League
    • Division One champions 2013–14

Records

Bridgnorth Town
  • Best FA Cup performance: Third qualifying round, 1983–84, 1984–85[3]
  • Best FA Trophy performance: Second qualifying round, 1994–95[3]
  • Best FA Vase performance: Fifth round, 1975–76, 1993–94[3]

AFC Bridgnorth
  • Best FA Cup performance: Preliminary round, 2015–16[4]
  • Best FA Vase performance: Second round, 2015–16[4]

See also
  • AFC Bridgnorth players
  • AFC Bridgnorth managers
  • Bridgnorth Town F.C. players
  • Bridgnorth Town F.C. managers

References
  1. Shropshire & District League 1890–1900 Non-League Matters
  2. Worcestershire Combination 1927–1950 Non-League Matters
  3. Bridgnorth Town at the Football Club History Database
  4. AFC Bridgnorth at the Football Club History Database

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