 | ||||
| Full name | AFC Telford United[1] | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nicknames | The Bucks, Lillywhites | |||
| Founded | 27 May 2004 | |||
| Ground | New Bucks Head,Telford | |||
| Capacity | 6,380 (2,200 seated)[2] | |||
| Chairman | Ian Dosser | |||
| Manager | Kevin Wilkin | |||
| League | National League North | |||
| 2024–25 | Southern League Premier Division Central, 3rd of 22 (promoted via play-offs) | |||
| Website | telfordunited.com | |||
AFC Telford United is afootball club based inTelford,Shropshire, England. The club was formed in 2004 after the originalTelford United F.C., founded in 1872, folded due to financial problems. They are currently members of theNational League North and play at theNew Bucks Head inWellington, part of thenew town of Telford. The club's colours are white and black.
Telford United experienced severe financial difficulties towards the end of the2003–04 season while playing in theFootball Conference following the collapse of the Miras Contracts business of chairman and sole shareholder Andy Shaw.[3] The club went intoadministration, 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 theNorthern Premier League bythe Football Association.[5]Bernard McNally was appointed as manager and a new squad assembled.[6]
The new club'sfirst season saw them finish third in Division One,[7] qualifying for the promotion play-offs. After beatingEastwood Town 1–0 in the semi-final, they defeatedKendal 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] Thefollowing season saw them finish tenth. During the season, McNally was replaced as manager by Rob Smith.[10] In2006–07 the club finished third, having missed the chance to win the league when they lost 2–1 at home to eventual championsBurscough 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 after a 2–0 win overMarine in the semi-final, they defeatedWitton Albion 3–1 to earn promotion to theConference North.[13]
Telford finished second in the Conference North in2007–08, again qualifying for the playoffs, in which they lost 4–0 on aggregate toBarrow.[13] The2008–09 season resulted in a fourth-place finish and another play-off campaign. After beatingAlfreton 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 toGateshead.[13] The season also saw them reach the first round of theFA Cup for the first time, where they were drawn at home toFootball League clubSouthend United. Following a 2–2 draw, the club lost 2–0 in the replay.[7] In theFA Trophy they reached the semi-finals, losing 4–2 on aggregate toYork City.[7] However, they were victorious in theConference League Cup, beatingForest Green Rovers 3–0 on penalties after a 0–0 draw.[14]
In2009–10 Telford finished eleventh in the league, resulting in the sacking of Smith and his replacement withAndy Sinton.[15] Sinton'sfirst season saw them finish as runners-up again. In the play-offs they defeatedNuneaton Town 3–2 on aggregate in the semi-final,[16] before beatingGuiseley 3–2 in the final with an injury-time winner by Phil Trainer,[17] earning promotion to theConference Premier. They also reached the first round of theFA Cup again, losing 3–1 at home toLincoln City.[7]
The2011–12 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 atChelmsford City. Sinton left the club mid-way through thefollowing season,[18] and was replaced byMark Cooper, who remained in charge for only six games, before resigning to take a coaching role atSwindon Town. He was replaced byGraham Hyde, who lasted just two games, resigning after a defeat toMacclesfield 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]
In2013–14 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 beatingBasingstoke Town 2–1 in a first round replay, they lost 1–0 atBristol 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 in2017–18 but lost 1–0 atHereford.[7] In2022–23 the club finished bottom of the National League North and were relegated to the Premier Division Central of theSouthern League.[22] They were runners-up in the Premier Division Central thefollowing season; in the subsequent play-offs the club defeatedMickleover 2–0 in the semi-finals before losing 1–0 toLeamington in the final.
In2024–25 Telford finished third in the Premier Division Central. They went on to beatHalesowen Town 3–2 in the play-off semi-finals andKettering Town 4–2 in the final to earn promotion back to the National League North.
| Season | Division | Tier | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Pos | FA Cup | FA Trophy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 | Northern Premier League Division One | 8 | 42 | 23 | 11 | 8 | 78 | 44 | +34 | 80 | 3/22 | Prelim | Prelim | Promoted |
| 2005–06 | Northern Premier League Premier Division | 7 | 42 | 14 | 17 | 11 | 54 | 52 | +2 | 59 | 10/22 | 2Q | 3Q | |
| 2006–07 | Northern Premier League Premier Division | 7 | 42 | 21 | 15 | 6 | 72 | 40 | +32 | 78 | 3/22 | 1Q | 1Q | Promoted |
| 2007–08 | Conference North | 6 | 42 | 24 | 8 | 10 | 70 | 43 | +27 | 80 | 2/22 | 2Q | 1R | |
| 2008–09 | Conference North | 6 | 42 | 22 | 10 | 10 | 65 | 34 | +31 | 76 | 4/22 | 1R | SF | |
| 2009–10 | Conference North | 6 | 40 | 14 | 9 | 17 | 52 | 55 | −3 | 51 | 11/21 | 1R | 3Q | |
| 2010–11 | Conference North | 6 | 40 | 23 | 13 | 4 | 71 | 29 | +42 | 82 | 2/21 | 3Q | 3R | Promoted |
| 2011–12 | Conference Premier | 5 | 46 | 10 | 16 | 20 | 45 | 65 | −20 | 46 | 20/24 | 1R | 2R | |
| 2012–13 | Conference Premier | 5 | 46 | 6 | 17 | 23 | 52 | 79 | −27 | 35 | 24/24 | 4Q | 2R | Relegated |
| 2013–14 | Conference North | 6 | 42 | 25 | 10 | 7 | 82 | 53 | +29 | 85 | 1/22 | 2Q | 1R | Champions, promoted |
| 2014–15 | Conference Premier | 5 | 46 | 10 | 9 | 27 | 58 | 84 | −26 | 36 | 23/24 | 2R | 2R | Relegated |
| 2015–16 | National League North | 6 | 42 | 13 | 8 | 21 | 47 | 60 | −13 | 47 | 18/22 | 2Q | 1R | |
| 2016–17 | National League North | 6 | 42 | 10 | 12 | 20 | 38 | 57 | −19 | 42 | 17/22 | 2Q | 1R | |
| 2017–18 | National League North | 6 | 42 | 16 | 5 | 21 | 55 | 69 | −14 | 53 | 14/22 | 1R | 1R | |
| 2018–19 | National League North | 6 | 42 | 17 | 14 | 11 | 64 | 55 | +9 | 65 | 8/22 | 3Q | SF | |
| 2019–20 | National League North | 6 | 34 | 11 | 9 | 14 | 51 | 56 | −5 | 42 | 14/22 | 2Q | 1R | Season curtailed due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2020–21 | National League North | 6 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 17 | 23 | -6 | 19 | 14/22 | 3Q | 3R | Season curtailed due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2021–22 | National League North | 6 | 42 | 7 | 16 | 19 | 48 | 65 | -17 | 37 | 20/22 | 2Q | 3R | |
| 2022–23 | National League North | 6 | 46 | 6 | 14 | 26 | 35 | 76 | -41 | 32 | 24/24 | 2Q | 3R | Relegated |
| 2023–24 | Southern League Premier Central Division | 7 | 40 | 24 | 10 | 6 | 69 | 34 | +35 | 82 | 2/21 | 1Q | 3QR | |
| 2024–25 | Southern League Premier Central Division | 7 | 42 | 19 | 17 | 6 | 82 | 60 | +22 | 74 | 3/22 | 1Q | 2R | Promoted |
Telford play their home games at theNew 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 toWellington Town and Telford United.[23]
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]
Shropshire rivalsShrewsbury Town are traditionally seen as the club's main rival. Matches contested between the two are known as theShropshire derby. However, due to the league gap between the two clubs, most meetings between the two sides are in theShropshire Senior Cup.[24]
During United's time in theNational League North through the late 2010s, a rivalry developed with near neighboursKidderminster Harriers, based in NorthWorcestershire.[25]
Telford play in their traditional kit of white shirts and black shorts, similar to that of its predecessorTelford United F.C.. Their away and third kits often use the colours of red, blue (or a combination of the two), and yellow.
Since the club's reformation in 2004, the club has had a single main kit sponsor for its entire existence, that beingCapgemini.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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| 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 | 2021 | Gavin Cowan |
| 2021 | 2021 | Dennis Greene (Interim) |
| 2021 | 2022 | Paul Carden |
| 2022 | Present | Kevin Wilkin |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
