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AFC Telford United

Full name	Association Football Club Telford United
Nickname(s)	The Bucks or Lillywhites
Founded	2004
Ground	New Bucks Head Telford (Capacity: 6,300[citation needed])
Chairman	Lee Carter
Manager	Andy Sinton
League	Conference National
2011–12	Conference National, 20th
Home colours Away colours

AFC Telford United is an English football club based in Telford, Shropshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. The club plays its home matches in Wellington, which forms part of the new town of Telford. Telford is one of the largest towns in England without a Football League club.^[1]

They were formed on 28 May 2004 by supporters of Telford United after it became clear that the club would cease to exist. Bernard McNally was installed as the manager as the team embarked on their first ever season. The club's colours are black and white.

Contents 1 History 2 Stadium 3 Rivals 4 Players 4.1 Current squad 5 Management and Coaching Staff 6 Managerial History 7 Club honours 8 Season-by-season performance 9 Club Records 10 See also 11 External links 11.1 Official websites 11.2 Unofficial websites 12 References

  History

The town of Telford's original football club, Telford United also formerly known as Wellington Town F.C., were experiencing severe financial difficulties towards the end of the 2003–04 season following the collapse of chairman and 100% shareholder Andrew John Shaw's business empire and were forced into administration. The club's supporters rallied and raised around £50,000 in two months, but with very large debts owed to various creditors amounting to over £4 million there was little hope for the club, and Telford United were forced into liquidation on 27 May 2004. On the same day that the proposed liquidation was announced the Supporters' trust, Telford United Supporters Ltd, created and became the sole owners of a new football club, AFC Telford United, giving the club the Latin motto numquam obliviscere (English: never forget). In the close season, manager Bernard McNally was appointed and a new squad assembled, the ground lease and assets were secured and the new club was placed in the Northern Premier League Division One by the Football Association.

In their first season, the club began with indifferent form, with a lack of consistency leaving them in mid-table and out of both the FA Cup and FA Trophy. However, following a 1–0 away defeat at Willenhall Town on 30 December 2004, the side didn't lose another league game all season, challenging for the title before eventually finishing third place, three points behind the champions North Ferriby United. In the subsequent playoffs, they defeated Eastwood Town 1–0 before defeating Kendal Town 2–1 in the final to clinch promotion. The final was attended by 4,215 people, a record in that league.

Midway through their second season Telford were second from bottom in the league, leading to the removal of manager McNally, to be replaced by Sean Parrish as caretaker. Results improved immediately, and the side were unbeaten under Parrish's guidance. On Thursday 16 February Rob Smith was announced as the club's new manager, assisted by Larry Chambers. The pair had been managing Willenhall Town. The new regime started with an unbeaten run and Telford finished the season in 10th place.

After a summer of transfer activity during which virtually the entire squad was renovated AFC Telford United topped the Northern Premier League table after 15 games, accumulating the best goal difference of any senior team in the British Isles. Telford could not maintain championship-winning form and a 2–1 home defeat to fellow challengers Burscough on the final game of the season, in front of a record crowd of 5,710, left the club finishing third, enough to qualify for the promotion play-offs. A 2–0 home win over Marine in the play-off semi-final was followed by a 3–1 away win at Witton Albion to give the club its second promotion in three years.

During the 2007–08 season Telford finished second in the Conference North, again qualifying for the playoffs. A two-legged semi-final against Barrow saw Telford lose 0–4 on aggregate.

During the 2008–2009 season, AFC Telford United showed a good run of cup form, reminiscent of the famed 'giant killers' reputation garnered by the old club. On 28 October 2008 the club secured a 3–0 victory over Northwich Victoria to secure a berth in the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time. A fortnight later on 8 November, two goals from Jon Adams saw Telford come from behind against League One side Southend, who agonisingly equalised in injury time to prevent a major cup upset. Although the Bucks walked away with a very creditable 2–2 draw, the replay at Roots Hall was not fortuitous, as the teams 15-game unbeaten streak (in all competitions) was ended with a 2–0 loss. However, Telford continued their fine cup form in the FA Trophy, but a 4–1 aggregate loss to York City in the semi-finals denied the team a place at Wembley, and a chance to echo the joint record-winning endeavors of the club's previous iteration.

Telford won their first silverware since reforming on 9 April 2009, defeating Forest Green Rovers at The New Lawn on penalties, after a goalless 90 minutes. Ryan Young saved all three Rovers penalties, with Jon Adams, Mark Danks and Gavin Cowan completing a 3–0 penalty demolition. The jubilant scenes that followed, with Telford supporters flooding the pitch and celebrating with the players, showed the watching public just how far the club had come in its five years in existence.

A third consecutive finish in a playoff position meant that Telford faced Alfreton Town in the first leg of the 2008–9 Conference North Semi-Final Playoffs on 29 April, a game which they subsequently won 2–0, thanks to goals by Emeka Nwadike and Danny Carey Bertram. The second leg was played on 3 May with Telford losing 4–3 but securing a 5–4 aggregate victory and a place in the playoff final against Gateshead on 8 May.

The play off final against was played at Gateshead due to them finishing in a higher league position than Telford. Gateshead went on to win the match 1–0 with a goal coming in the last 10 minutes of the game after Telford had fullback Lee Vaughan sent off only a few minutes before.

After the end of a disappointing 2009–10 season Rob Smith and Larry Chambers left Telford, to be replaced by Andy Sinton supported by Darren Reid and John Psaras.

Telford finished second in the 2010–11 Conference North and qualified for the play-offs. After beating Nuneaton Town 3–2 on aggregate in the semi-final^[2] they won the final against Guiseley 3–2, Phil Trainer scoring an injury-time winner.^[3] As a result, A.F.C. Telford United played the 2011–12 in the Conference National, the last division that the club's previous incarnation had competed in. The club stayed out of the relegation zone all season. The club secured safety with two games still remaining, with Phil Trainer again scoring the winner in a 1 - 0 victory over Tamworth in a dramatic night at the New Bucks Head on Tuesday 17th April 2012.

  Stadium

AFC Telford United play their home games at the New Bucks Head. Construction of the stadium commenced in 2000, replacing the Bucks Head ground which had been home to Wellington Town and later Telford United for over a century, which was in much need of renovation. In between the old ground closing and new one opening, 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. The stadium, which could originally hold up to 6,300 supporters was completed in 2003 and was the 111th largest football ground in England, the official capacity of the Stadium is now 5400 after league final ties with Burscough in the Northern Premier League saw the stadium packed out. AFC Telford had the highest average attendance in the Conference North Average Attendances 2010/11 with an average gate in the 2010/11 season of 1,946.

  Rivals

AFC Telford United's local rivals are nearby Shropshire neighbours Shrewsbury Town, while the teams have rarely competed in the league the Shropshire Senior Cup final is often contended between the sides. But in the one season (2003–2004) that they competed in the same league Telford United came out on top drawing 0–0 at the Gay Meadow & winning 1–0 at The New Bucks Head in the league. And then 1–1 away & then winning 2–1 at home in the quarter final replay of the FA Trophy.

While in the Northern Premier League local derbies were contended with Willenhall Town, Leek Town, Hednesford Town and Witton Albion, the latter of whom The Bucks defeated in the playoff final of 2006/07 season 3–1.

Since their return to the Conference league system AFC Telford United have been reunited with former sparring partners, including Tamworth and Stafford.

  Players

  Current squad

As of 15 June 2012.

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

No. Position Player 1 GK Ryan Young 2 DF Will Salmon 8 MF Phil Trainer 15 MF Nathan Rooney 16 DF Dan Preston 18 DF Chris Blackburn 20 MF Richard Davies 23 DF Ryan Valentine

No. Position Player 25 FW Chris Sharp 27 MF Jay Smith 29 FW Steve Jones DF Steven Kinniburgh DF Luke Hubbins DF Michael Briscoe FW Jake Reid

  Management and Coaching Staff

• Manager:
  • Andy Sinton

• Assistant Manager:
  • Mike Davies

• First Team Coach :
  • John Psaras

• Youth Team Manager :
  • Darren Read

• Goalkeeper Coach:
  • Darryl Smith

• Kit Manager:
  • Derek Wellings

• Physio:
  • Ruddy Farquharson
  • Brin May

• Club Physician:
  • Dr Nick Tindall

• Medical Practitioner:
  • Simon Hester

  Managerial History

• Bernard McNally (2004–2006)

• Rob Smith (2006–2010)

• Andy Sinton (2010 – present)

  Club honours

Northern Premier League Division 1 Play off winners 2004/2005

Northern Premier League Premier Division Play off winners 2006/2007

Conference North Play off Winners 2010/2011

Setanta Shield Winners 2008/2009

Shropshire Senior Cup

• Winners 2008/2009
• Runners Up 2004/2005, 2005/2006, 2006/2007, 2009/2010, 2010/2011, 2011/2012

Supporters Direct Cup Winners 2010/11

  Season-by-season performance

Season	Division	Tier	Pos	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Points	Outcome	FA Cup	FA Trophy	Conference League Cup
2004–05	Northern Premier League Division One	8	3	42	23	11	8	78	44	34	80	Playoff promotion	Pre	Pre	N/A
2005–06	Northern Premier League Premier Division	7	10	42	14	17	11	54	52	2	59		2Q	3Q	N/A
2006–07	Northern Premier League Premier Division	7	3	42	21	15	6	72	40	32	78	Playoff promotion	1Q	1Q	N/A
2007–08	Conference North	6	2	42	24	8	10	70	43	27	80	Playoff semi-finalist	2Q	1R	3R
2008–09	Conference North	6	4	42	22	10	10	65	34	31	76	Play off finalists	1R	SF	Winners
2009–10	Conference North	6	11	40	14	9	17	52	55	−3	51		1R	3Q	not held
2010–11	Conference North	6	2	40	23	13	4	71	29	42	82	Playoff promotion	3Q	3R	not held
2011-12	Conference National	5	20	46	10	16	20	45	65	-20	46		1R	2R	not held

Brackets ( ) Indicate still in the competition.

  Club Records

All of the below records for AFC Telford United since reforming in 2004.

• Record Home Win: 6–1 vs Leigh Railway Mechanics Institute 19 January 2008
  • 5–0 vs Hyde FC 14 August 2010
  • 5–0 vs Corby Town 05/04/2011
  • 5–0 vs Gainsborough Trinity 29 October 2011 (FA Cup 4th Round Qualifying)
• Record Away Win: 7–0 vs Runcorn FC Halton 17 April 2006.
• Record Home Defeat: 5–1 vs Southport 22 March 2008
• Record Away Defeat: 5–1 vs Shrewsbury Town 27 July 2004 (Shropshire Senior Cup Final 2004)
  • 4–0 vs Witton Albion 26 December 2005.
  • 4–0 vs Barrow AFC 17 November 2007.
  • 4–0 vs Alfreton Town 12/09/2009
  • 4–0 vs Blyth Spartans 27 February 2010
  • 4–0 vs Chelmsford City 12/11/2011 (FA Cup 1st Round)
  • 4–0 vs Wrexham 1 January 2012
• Record Home Crowd: 5710 vs Burscough 28 April 2007
• Record Away Crowd: 4415 vs Southend United (FA Cup 1st Round Proper) 18 November 2008
• Unbeaten Run 37 games, 21 January 2006 to 9/12/2006

• Best League Finish: 2nd/22 – Conference North 2007/08 & 2010/11.
• Best FA Cup Performance: 1st Round Replay – Away vs Southend United 8/11/2008 (0–2) Following a 2–2 draw at the New Bucks Head.
• Best FA Trophy Performance: Semi-final – vs York City 20 March 2009 (1–4 aggregate)

• Best Shropshire Senior Cup Performance: Winners – Away vs Shrewsbury Town, 18 July 2009, (1–1, won 4–1 on penalties)
• Best Northern Premier League Challenge Cup Performance: 3rd Round – Home vs Witton Albion, 07/01/2006 (0–1)
• Best Northern Premier League Chairman's Cup Performance: Semi-Final – Home vs Kidsgrove Athletic, 05/03/2005 (1–3 AET)
• Best Setanta Shield Performance: Winners 2009 – Away vs Forest Green 09/04/2009 (0–0, won 3–0 on penalties)

• Top 10 Goal Scorers (as of 9 May 2011)
  • 1st Andy Brown 52 (2008–2011)
  • 2nd Lee Moore 35 (2006–2009)
  • 3rd Kyle Perry 33(2004–2006 and loan for the 2011/12 season scoring 1 goal)
  • 4th Phil Trainer 29 (2009–)
  • 5th Danny Carey-Bertram 28 (2008–2011)
  • 6th Luke Reynolds 25(2005–2006), (2007–2008)
  • 7th Carl Rodgers 19 (2006–2012)
  • 7th Jon Adams 19 (2007–2012)
  • 9th Steve Foster 18 (2006–2007)
  • 10th Terry Fearns 17 (2008–2009)
  • 11th Matty Lewis 15 (2007–2009)

• Most Goals In One Season: Kyle Perry, 23 goals (2004–05)
• Most Appearances: Ryan Young 215 appearances.
• Longest Serving Player: Carl Rodgers (June 2006 – May 2012)
• Record Signing (Inward): Lee Moore from Tamworth on 08/12/06 for a fee of £5,000.
• Record Signing (Outward): Duane Courtney to Burnley on 31 August 2005 for an initial fee of £25,000.^[4]
• Promotion to Conference National: 15 May 2011; After beating Guiseley A.F.C. in the Conference North play-off final 3–2.

  See also

• List of Fan Owned Teams
• Shropshire#Football

  External links

  Official websites

• Official AFC Telford United website
• Telford United Supporters Ltd
• AFC Telford United Ladies Team
• AFC Telford United Supporters Team

  Unofficial websites

• BBC AFC Telford United
• Shropshire Star AFC Telford United
• Buckschat (Unofficial fans forum)

  References

Football Conference National Clubs AFC Telford United Alfreton Town Barrow Braintree Town Cambridge United Dartford Ebbsfleet United Forest Green Rovers Gateshead Grimsby Town Hereford United Hyde Kidderminster Harriers Lincoln City Luton Town Macclesfield Town Mansfield Town Newport County Nuneaton Town Southport Stockport County Tamworth Woking Wrexham Grounds Abbey Stadium Aggborough Blundell Park Cressing Road Edgar Street Edgeley Park Ewen Fields Field Mill Gateshead International Stadium Haig Avenue Holker Street Kenilworth Road Kingfield Liberty Way Moss Rose New Bucks Head North Street Princes Park Racecourse Ground Rodney Parade Sincil Bank Stonebridge Road The Lamb Ground The New Lawn North Altrincham Bishop's Stortford Boston United Brackley Town Bradford Park Avenue Chester Colwyn Bay Corby Town Droylsden FC Halifax Town Gainsborough Trinity Gloucester City Guiseley Harrogate Town Hinckley United Histon Oxford City Solihull Moors Stalybridge Celtic Vauxhall Motors Worcester City Workington South AFC Hornchurch Basingstoke Town Bath City Billericay Town Boreham Wood Bromley Chelmsford City Dorchester Town Dover Athletic Eastbourne Borough Eastleigh Farnborough Havant & Waterlooville Hayes & Yeading United Maidenhead United Salisbury City Staines Town Sutton United Tonbridge Angels Truro City Welling United Weston-super-Mare Seasons 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 See also: Conference League Cup