AFC Telford United

AFC Telford United is a football club based in Telford, Shropshire, England. The club was formed in 2004 after the original Telford United, founded in 1872, folded due to financial problems. Currently members of the National League North, the sixth tier of English football, they play home matches at the New Bucks Head in Wellington, part of the new town of Telford. Their colours are white with navy blue and red trim.

AFC Telford United
Full nameAFC Telford United[1]
Nickname(s)The Bucks, Lillywhites, United
Founded27 May 2004 (2004-05-27)
GroundNew Bucks Head, Telford
Capacity6,380 (2,200 seated)[2]
ChairmanAndy Pryce
ManagerGavin Cowan
LeagueNational League North
2019–20National League North, 14th of 22
WebsiteClub website

History

Telford United, then playing in the Football Conference, experienced severe financial difficulties towards the end of the 2003–04 season following the collapse of the Miras Contracts business of chairman and sole shareholder Andy Shaw.[3] The club went into administration, and although supporters raised around £50,000 in two months, the club's debts totalled over £4 million, resulting in liquidation on 27 May 2004.[4] On the same day, Telford United Supporters Limited announced that a new club would be formed,[3] which was named AFC Telford United; a new club motto, numquam obliviscere (never forget) was also adopted. In June the new club were placed in Division One of the Northern Premier League by the Football Association.[5] Bernard McNally was appointed as manager and a new squad assembled.[6]

The new club's first season saw them finish third in Division One,[7] qualifying for the promotion play-offs. After beating Eastwood Town 1–0 in the semi-final, they defeated Kendal Town 2–1 in the final to earn promotion to the Premier Division.[8] The attendance of 4,215 for the final was a club record.[9] The following season saw them finish tenth. During the season, McNally was replaced as manager by Rob Smith.[10] In 2006–07 the club finished third, having missed the chance to win the league when they lost 2–1 at home to eventual champions Burscough on the final day;[11] the attendance of 5,710 being a new club record.[12] However, they qualified for the promotion play-offs, and a 2–0 win over Marine in the semi-final, they defeated Witton Albion 3–1 to earn promotion to the Conference North.[13]

Telford finished second in the Conference North in 2007–08, again qualifying for the playoffs, in which they lost 4–0 on aggregate to Barrow.[13] The 2008–09 season resulted in a fourth-place finish and another play-off campaign. After beating Alfreton Town 5–4 on aggregate in the semi-finals (a 2–0 win at home and a 4–3 defeat away), they lost 1–0 to Gateshead.[13] The season also saw them reach the first round of the FA Cup for the first time, where they were drawn at home to Football League club Southend United. Following a 2–2 draw, the club lost 2–0 in the replay.[7] In the FA Trophy they reached the semi-finals, losing 4–2 on aggregate to York City.[7] However, they were victorious in the Conference League Cup, beating Forest Green Rovers 3–0 on penalties after a 0–0 draw.[14]

In 2009–10 Telford finished eleventh in the league, resulting in the sacking of Smith and his replacement with Andy Sinton.[15] Sinton's first season saw them finish as runners-up again. In the play-offs they defeated Nuneaton Town 3–2 on aggregate in the semi-final,[16] before beating Guiseley 3–2 in the final with an injury-time winner by Phil Trainer,[17] earning promotion to the Conference Premier. They also reached the first round of the FA Cup again, losing 3–1 at home to Lincoln City.[7]

The 2011–12 season saw Telford finish twentieth, one place above the relegation zone. Another appearance in the first round of the FA Cup resulted in a 4–0 defeat at Chelmsford City. Sinton left the club mid-way through the following season,[18] and was replaced by Mark Cooper, who remained in charge for only six games, before resigning to take a coaching role at Swindon Town. He was replaced by Graham Hyde, who lasted just two games, resigning after a defeat to Macclesfield Town. John Psaras took over for the remainder of the season, which saw them finish bottom of the division and be relegated to the Conference North.[7] Liam Watson was appointed as manager in May 2013.[19]

In 2013–14 Telford won the Conference North, earning an immediate return to the Conference Premier. However, the following season Watson was sacked in December with the club bottom of the division and replaced by Steve Kittrick.[20] They finished 23rd, resulting in relegation back to the North division. However, the season also saw them reach the second round of the FA Cup for the first time; after beating Basingstoke Town 2–1 in a first round replay, they lost 1–0 at Bristol City.[7] In August 2015 Kittrick was sacked and Rob Smith returned for a second spell as manager.[21] They reached the first round of the FA Cup again in 2017–18 but lost 1–0 at Hereford.[7]

Season-by-season record

Stadium
Main article: New Bucks Head
The New Bucks Head

Telford play their home games at the New Bucks Head. The ground was renamed following renovation in 2000, having previously been known as the Bucks Head. During the renovations Telford United played with only two terraces in operation, with a small temporary stand situated on what is now the East Terrace and portable cabins in the car park were used for changing rooms. It had previously been home to Wellington Town and Telford United.[22]

The ground has a capacity of 6,380 of which 2,220 is seated and 4,800 covered.[2] The club's record attendance at the ground is 5,710 against Burscough on 28 April 2007, the final day of the 2006–07 season.[12]

Rivalries

Shropshire rivals Shrewsbury Town are traditionally seen as the club's main rival. Matches contested between the two are known as the Shropshire derby. However, due to the league gap between the two clubs, most meetings between the two sides are in the Shropshire Senior Cup.[23]

During United's time in the National League North through the late 2010s, a rivalry developed with near neighbours Kidderminster Harriers, based in North Worcestershire.[24]

Players

Current squad
As of 21 August 2020[25]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Pos. Nation Player
GK  ENG Ashley Rawlins
GK  ENG Russell Griffiths
DF  ENG Shane Sutton
DF  ENG Zak Lilly
DF  ENG Theo Streete
DF  WAL Ross White
DF  ENG Courtney Meppen-Walter
DF  ENG Lee Vaughan
Pos. Nation Player
MF  ENG Henry Cowans
MF  ENG Adam Walker
MF  ENG Jack Byrne
MF  ENG James Hardy
FW  ENG Brendon Daniels
FW  ENG Aaron Williams
FW  ENG Jason Oswell

Non-playing staff
  • Manager: Gavin Cowan
  • Assistant manager: Phil Trainer
  • First Team Coach: Matthew Barnes-Homer
  • Football Operations Manager: Luke Shelley
  • Youth Team Manager: Declan Allen

Managerial history
Joined Left Manager
2004 2006 Bernard McNally
2006 2010 Rob Smith
2010 2013 Andy Sinton
2013 2013 Mark Cooper (interim)
2013 2013 Graham Hyde
2013 2013 John Psaras (caretaker)
2013 2014 Liam Watson
2014 2015 Steve Kittrick
2015 2017 Rob Smith
2017 2018 Rob Edwards
2018 Present Gavin Cowan

Honours
Conference North trophy
  • Football Conference
  • Supporters Direct Cup
    • Winners 2010–11
  • Shropshire Senior Cup
    • Winners 2008–09, 2013–14, 2016–17
  • The Huddersfield Cup
    • Winners 2018

Records
  • Best FA Cup performance: Second round, 2014–15[7]
  • Best FA Trophy performance: Semi-finals, 2008–09, 2018–19[7]
  • Biggest victory: 10–1 vs Coleshill Town, FA Trophy second round, 15 December 2020[26]
  • Record defeat: 14–1 vs TNS, Shropshire Senior Cup, 20 July 2017
  • Record home crowd: 5,710 vs Burscough, Northern Premier League Premier Division, 28 April 2007[12]
  • Longest unbeaten run: 37 matches, 21 January 2006 to 9 December 2006[12]
  • Most appearances: Ryan Young, 367, 2007–2014[12]
  • Most goals: Andy Brown, 56, 2008–2012[12]
  • Most goals in a season: Kyle Perry, 23, 2004–05[12]
  • Record transfer fee paid: £5,000, Lee Moore from Tamworth in December 2006[12]
  • Record transfer fee received: £25,000, Duane Courtney to Burnley, August 2005[12]

See also

References
  1. "Club directory". AFC Telford United. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  2. Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2016) Non-League Club Directory 2017, Tony Williams Publications, p453 ISBN 978-1869833695
  3. Telford lose Conference spot BBC Sport, 27 May 2004
  4. AFC Telford United: The club that lived on Shropshire Star, 25 March 2014
  5. Destination for AFC Telford BBC Sport, 7 June 2004
  6. Bernard McNally recalls amazing AFC Telford season Shropshire Star, 6 December 2013
  7. A F C Telford United at the Football Club History Database
  8. Kendal Town season review 2004-5 BBC News, 15 June 2005
  9. Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2012) Non-League Club Directory 2013, p21 ISBN 978-1-869833-77-0
  10. Rob Smith: Time right to leave AFC Telford Shropshire Star, 26 September 2013
  11. AFC Telford United 1–2 Burscough BBC Sport, 30 April 2007
  12. Honours and Records AFC Telford United
  13. AFC Telford United sack manager Rob Smith BBC Sport, 23 April 2010
  14. Setanta Shield results 2008/09 BBC Sport, 9 April 2009
  15. Andy Sinton is new AFC Telford boss Express & Star, 26 May 2010
  16. Nuneaton manager Kevin Wilkin looks ahead to next year BBC Sport, 9 May 2011
  17. AFC Telford 3–2 Guiseley BBC Sport, 9 May 2011
  18. AFC Telford United Manager Andy Sinton Leaves By Mutual Consent Archived 15 December 2014 at the Wayback Machine Conference League Clubs, 31 January 2013
  19. AFC Telford United: Liam Watson sacked by Conference club BBC Sport, 13 December 2014
  20. AFC Telford United: Steve Kittrick sacked as Bucks manager BBC Sport, 24 August 2015
  21. AFC Telford bring back Smith and Chambers Shropshire Star, 27 August 2015
  22. New Bucks Head AFC Telford United
  23. "Local football Derby for Shropshire and Telford". Signal 107. 3 March 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  24. "AFC Telford United 2 Kidderminster Harriers 0 – Report and pictures". Shropshire Star. 6 August 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  25. "The Team". AFC Telford United. 23 May 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  26. FULL TIME COL 1-10 (TEN) TEL AFC Telford United on Twitter
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