St Albans City

St Albans City FC is a non league football club from the beautiful old Roman city in Hertfordshire, twenty two miles north of London. 'The Saints' as the club are nicknamed were formed in 1908 and they moved into a ground in the splendid Clarence Park, where football had already being played for several years. 

A previous club St Albans FC had been formed in 1881, prior to meeting its demise in 1904.

The club first competed in the Spartan League, a competition they won on two occasions in 1909-10 and 1911-12, before joining the Athenian League in 1920. This would prove to be sage move, as Saints went on to lift the Athenian League title in their first two seasons, before progressing to the Isthmian League.

In 1923-24 St Albans were crowned as Isthmian League champions. The team showed their strength in the FA Cup the following campaign as Brentford were defeated 5-3 at Clarence Park. This was a glory period for the club as further Isthmian titles were racked up in 1926-27 and 1927-28.

A runners-up place in 1954-55 was as close as the club came to adding further major honours, for a long period, although several local and county cups were won. The 1968-69 season saw a fine FA Cup run as Saints battled through four qualifying rounds before dispatching Wealdstone after a replay. The run ended at Fellows Park against Third Division Walsall in a second round replay.

Cup form continued the following season as an excellent run saw the team battle through to the semi-final of the FA Amateur Cup, where they drew 1-1 with Dagenham at The Den, before going down 1-0 in the replay at Kenilworth Road as St Albans fell one step short of a Wembley appearance. 

In 1974 Saints were relegated to what would become Division One. They reached the FA Cup second round in 1980-81, but lost a replay 4-1 to Torquay United at Plainmoor. A further demotion came in 1982-83. Former Saints and Fulham player John Mitchell was put in charge of team affairs, and he led the side to promotion in 1983-84 and 1985-86 with championship wins.

In 1993 the team finished as league runners up, but were denied promotion to the Conference because of an hundred and forty year old oak tree which stood on the terracing behind one of the goals. It was deemed a safety hazard. Five years later the tree was felled.

The 1996-97 campaign saw another fine FA Cup run all the way to the second round, before Bristol City put pay to any third round exposure with a 9-2 thrashing at Ashton Gate. Gary Hill took the team all the way to the FA Trophy semi-final in 1998-99, but Saints were once again denied a trip to Wembley as Forest Green Rovers won the tie 4-3 on aggregate.

The clubs future was put in doubt as they were taken to the High Court after six figure debts repayments agreed by previous directors had not been upheld. Sainsts were also threatened with expulsion from the Isthmian League until new owners stepped forward to save the day.

St Albans City became founder members of the Conference South in 2004 and two years later they were promoted to the Conference National for the first time in their history after a play off victory over Histon. Clarence Park was smartened up and rumours did the rounds that the club may look to move elsewhere.

Manager Colin Lippiatt couldn't keep the side up in their first season, while director and journalist Ian Ridley left the club over policy decisions. John Gibson was Chairman of the time who made his money through his building company William Verry. Richie Hanlon, Dave Anderson and then Steve Castle had time as team manager. Castle was not very popular with supporters, but he had to work with a reduced budget.

Castle did keep the club up on the final day of the 2007-08 season, while Gibson faced increased hostility from fans over the way he ran the club and his plans to move The Saints to a new home on Green Belt land. In the summer of 2009, Gibson's company went into administration, but he assured supporters that the clubs future was secure. Not everyone was convinced as rumours circulated of potential new buyers.

However, things were evidently not right. St Albans were deducted ten points and fined £7,500 by the FA for financial irregularities, which transpired to be illegal payments to players during the 2008-09 season. City were relegated to the Southern League at the end of the season.

On the 12th May 2011 local businessmen Lawrence Levy and John McGowan bought the club from Gibson for an undisclosed fee. Within weeks Castle had been replaced as manager by the highly respected Dave Howell who arrived from Harrow Borough, and Ian Ridley returned to take up the role as club Chairman.

However, Ridley soon departed and Howell followed after an unsuccessful spell to be replaced by joint bosses James Gray and Graham Gold, while the club once again looked into the possibility of moving from Clarence Park.

The 2013-14 season saw Saints regain their Conference South place through play-off victories against Cambridge City and then in front of a full house away to Chesham United. The Conference was renamed the National League for the 2015-16 season, with joint managers Gray and Gold departing in November 2015, with Harry Wheeler being appointed as interim boss.

City were under real pressure as the 2015-16 season progressed. The appointment of former Arsenal player and ex Boreham Wood boss Ian Allinson proved an inspired move as they put together a fine late run to quell any fears of relegation.

Allinson took his side to three consecutive mid table finishes in 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19. In 2016-17 the team progressed to the first round of the FA Cup; going down 3-5 at home to Carlisle United. City were just above the drop zone as the 2019-20 season was decided on points per game owing to the Coronavirus pandemic before reaching the play-off places when the 2020-21 campaign was also ended early. 

After six years in the role, Allinson was sacked as manager in September 2022 to be replaced by former midfielder David Noble. He led the side to the playoffs later that season, as Chelmsford City and Dartford were defeated before Saints missed out on promotion to the highest level of non-league football following a defeat to Oxford City.

Noble departed to Wealdstone in January 2024, to be replaced by Jon Meakes who was formerly the assistant boss. The roles were resumed in May of the same year as Noble returned.

St Albans City FC will compete in the National League South in the 20214-25 season.

My visits

St Albans City 0 Scarborough 1 (Saturday 6th February 1982) FA Trophy Round Two (att: 683)

Scarborough had to wait a week or two to find out who their next round opponents would be in the Trophy as City had to travel to Dulwich Hamlet for a replay. I told my pals at school that I was pretty confident that we'd be heading for South London, but that was probably my heart ruling my head. I really wanted to visit the huge Champion Hill ground.

However, City won four three, so it was to Hertfordshire we would go. Actually, I was close to not going. I had been suffering from a chest infection and desperately wanted to play for the school team on the Saturday. My parents were sensible and stood firm and as a sweetener to probably stop my whining, they booked me a place on the supporters bus to St Albans.

My first impressions were of a lovely place. We parked down the side of Clarence Park and walked to the ground. The park had hockey games taking place on what was the cricket ground in the summer. The cricket pavilion looked superb. The rest of the park had plenty of greenery and a large playground.

The ground had terracing round three sides, with the ends curving away behind the goals. The Park Side had a basic cover over the half way line while the Railway Side had a lovely old low Main Stand with bench seating along the whole touchline. A clubhouse stood behind the roof.

Boro had their usual bus load of enthusiastic rowdies with them, as well as two official coaches. The team, under the managership of Jim McAnearney were the better side but they could not break the deadlock. During the first half the figure of a travelling fan (who was later become a good friend and travelling companion of mine) appeared on the clubhouse roof with a large Scarborough Union Jack!

The second half followed a similar pattern until Pat Olney pounced to send us home happy. The unofficial bus, AKA Fez's International Tours (they'd once gone to Bangor City!) entered legend amongst those travelling on it when it took part in the 'Battle of Newport Pagnell'. By all accounts it was more of a bunfight than a battle as the fans entered the services and had a food fight while couples and families sat down to their evening meals.

St Albans City 1 Molesey 1 (Saturday 3rd December 1983) Isthmian League Division Two (att: approx 200)

I was at college in Borehamwood, and staying in Radlett which wasn't very far from St Albans. I wanted to revisit the city after hearing lots of nice things about it as well as being impressed on my previous visit.

I took the train the few stops and then went exploring in the city centre where a market was in full flow. I had a walk to the Cathedral and generally enjoyed the place, grabbing some food at one of the market stalls, before heading to Clarence Park.

The ground was just as I remembered, and even better there was a super programme shop where I bought some local editions. I also went to the clubhouse for a pre match drink. I stood on the terraces with the home fans who cheered on their team playing in an all yellow kit.

City were going for promotion, whereas their visitors from Surrey were further down the table. A home win was roundly expected, but Molesey spoilt the script by going ahead. Well into the second half the City fans were growing with frustration. One fan shouted, "I see you've got your IQ on the back of your shirt, number three", to a time wasting full back. I found that very amusing at my tender age!

City bought a lanky sub on who looked far better than anyone previously on show called Robbie Smale. He created chances which allowed Paul Mayles to equalise. The Saints continued to press but a winner wouldn't come.

I headed back to the station after thoroughly enjoying my day out. City went on to win the division two championship at the end of the season.

St Albans City 1 Dagenham & Redbridge 3 (Monday 24th January 2000) Isthmian League Premier Division (att: 1,264)

I was now back in London full time and staying in Willesden Green. After finishing work at Lord's for the day I got changed, headed for the tube to West Hampstead and took the train to St Albans.

I headed for the clubhouse straight from the station trying to remember where the footbridge was over the railway line. This game promised to be a cracker with The Daggers top of the league and City pushing them close. They really needed a home win to close the gap.

I had a couple of beers and then went to enjoy the decent atmosphere, with a couple of hundred away fans making the journey.

In truth the game was abit of a let down as a neutral as Gary Hill's team were far the better side. Danny Shipp was a real handful up front as Dagenham sealed another victory on their road to the Isthmian League title.

A good thing about a visit to Clarence Park was the vicinity to the railway station and I was in good time for a fast service back home with several happy Daggers.

St Albans City 3 Margate 3 (Saturday 20th November 2004) Conference South (att: 280)

On the Friday night before this game I was drinking with my good friend Colm in Lulas in Willesden Green with the following day off work, as well as it being my birthday! I suggested that he might like to go to a nice place for the day, with the promise of some good pubs.

He agreed, even when I mentioned the match. so we met to go to Cricklewood station before midday. We were soon heading into St Albans city centre and into O'Neills for our first drink. The lunchtime game in the Premier League was Manchester United against Charlton Athletic, but ideally we wanted to watch the Celtic v Rangers game. Sadly we couldn't find a pub showing it, despite much research!

We tried a couple of pubs by the market when we bumped into a City fan and real ale buff who was a real character! We headed down to the fine pub, The Mermaid where the beer was top drawer. It was busy as England were about to play rugby, so we went on our way rapidly down to the ground.

The clubhouse was friendly and met with Colm's approval. It was showing Soccer Saturday on the TVs as I had a pre match beer before heading outside. Colm came with me, but he retreated after about ten minutes to watch the scores come in.

He missed an absolute cracker as both sides went for it hammer and tong. Margate had the county cricketer Peter Trego playing in goal, who's skills I was to enjoy on many a summer afternoon while he played for Middlesex. 

The visitors from the Kent coast started the season on minus ten points owing to a financial transgression, but their performance on the day must have encouraged the handful of fans who'd made the trek north.

During the game I'd rung Bunner to tell him of my location and how I could still picture him appearing on the clubhouse roof! I popped back inside at half time where Colm had made himself most comfortable.

After the game we went back to The Mermaid and another couple of pubs, including the lively Robin Hood near to the station, where many locals seemed intent on celebrating my birthday all day! The Wales rugby match seemed to attract many afficienados, as any sporting event does when people have been on the pop all day.

We got the train back. I couldn't be tempted to stay out for the Barcelona v Real Madrid game, but young Colm filled his boots. It had been yet another cracking day in St Albans, where I'd yet to see the home team win in four attempts!

Thursday 23rd June 2009

I had the day off work and wanted some exercise to repair my hamstring, which I'd managed to tear through a combination of a lack of fitness and trying to relive my youth as I'd scrambled through for a single in a twenty twenty cricket match.

I'd been to Bedford, where I'd overdone things, and then Harpenden. I was determined to get the photos I required from Clarence Park, hobbling or not.

Inevitably the ground was locked and since Mr Gibson had taken over the club, a huge fence surrounded it. I did my best to get some shots from all angles, getting some very strange looks in the process.

I managed to get lost and go the wrong way up to the town centre, and when I got there I decided I didn't really fancy a beer anyway! At least it was a lovely sunny day.

St Albans City 1 Chelmsford City 1 (Monday 28^th December 2015) National League South (att: 668)

I had made arrangements a couple of weeks previously with my good pal Jeff Cards to head to a game on Bank Holiday Monday over Christmas. As I was on night shift we had to stay relatively local with Wealdstone v Sutton United our first choice.

When I awoke at lunch time that fixture had bitten the dust because of a waterlogged pitch so we needed a Plan B. Jeff was fine with St Albans, so we headed for a rendezvous at West Hampstead station.

My Network Railcard came up trumps with the return fare coming to just £10.60 for both of us. The ride on the fast service took just fourteen minutes. It was time to find a nice pub!

Jeff needed to use what was proving to be an elusive cash machine near to the station, so we walked up to the town centre. It was looking as well as ever. I really do like St Albans. We headed to the Blacksmiths Arms, as I’d used it previously while waiting for a bus.

The pub served a decent choice of ales and was showing the South Africa v England Test match, and we enjoyed the excellent Inferno hoppy ale from the Oakham Brewery. We still had time to pop into The Mermaid down Hatfield Road, and what a good idea that turned out to be.

The pub was everything a local should be. There was a good crowd in, the nicely set out pub, with outdoor areas at the front and back. It had a fine display of old advertising plates on the walls from brewers far and wide, and an advert for live Sixties music on New Years Eve. The Oakham Citra ale was absolutely spot on. How we yearned for it to be our local!

Admission to Clarence Park was a steep £15, with the programme an additional £2.50. The ground hadn’t changed since my previous visits; thankfully! It still had its old charm and terracing, offering excellent views slightly set back from the pitch.

The Saints began the game in the relegation zone and in a state of flux. Joint managers James Gray and Graham Gold's had tendered their resignations a couple of games earlier, with caretaker Harry Wheeler taking over. The Clarets were in a mid table slot and were backed by a good following of around 100 travelling fans. Both sets of fans had an excellent display of large banners hanging onto the fences behind the goals.

The beauty of football at this level was being able to walk right around the ground without any daft segregation being enforced. We went to the far end where most home fans stood as their team were on the attack.

St Albans didn’t look like a team in trouble. They attacked at will, and were just a decent pass away from opening up the Chelmsford defence. The diminutive wide man Jernade Meade was promising, with the big men in the middle creating.

Kevin Krans had a fine effort from distance saved by visiting custodian Tim Brown as the home made continued to press, as former Premier League player Rufus Brevett looking on from the terraces.

I bought an uninspiring cheeseburger for £3.10 as we walked round to the clubhouse and bought some Chestnut ale from the Tring Brewery, served in boxes. It was good to see a choice of real ale at £3 a pint. If only all clubs made an effort.

Just before the interval Jonathan Edwards put the ball in the net for the Saints, but his effort was ruled out for offside. However, the home side were not to be denied as Tom Bender crossed to the back post for Eddie Oshodi to score with a diving header. Edwards came close to making it two, but the teams went in for the break at 1-0.

We were joined by our old pal Jason Dell from Lord’s at the break. He lived locally and took his boys to games regularly. He’s yet another example of a life time fan turning his back on attending Premier League games; Arsenal in Jason’s case.

Initially the PA announcer gave the gate as 601, which got a few chuckles from everyone. It was later amended to a more realistic figure. Chelmsford began to get on top as the second half progressed. St Albans keeper Joe Welch pulled off a brilliand save to tip over an effort from Dagasan Graham.

Although the Saints had an occasional foray, it came as no surprise when Chelmsford equalised on 77 minutes. A long throw found its way to Billy Bricknell at the back post who turned the ball in, to the delight of the away fans.

We departed just before full time so that we could make the 5.09 train, by leaving via the gate by the cricket ground. It had been a cracking game, with both sides giving it their all. It was agreed that we thought that St Albans would stay up if they put in similar displays until the end of the season.

Our fun was to continue. I confidently professed that we could get through the park and out of the other side. Jeff was not entirely convinced. The exit was padlocked with a chain, but there was a gap between the two gates. Jeff straddled his way over. I had no chance.

I had to crawl beneath the chain and through the gap. I got stuck. My pal was not exactly full of sorrow or sympathy as I eventually wriggled through on my hands and knees to the mirth of some passing teenagers.

We made the train and I was back indoors by 6pm. It had been a quicker journey than visiting many clubs around London. I would guess that we’ll be back; especially for a beer in The Mermaid.

St Albans City 4 Poole Town 0 (Tuesday 6th September 2016) National League South (att: 485)

Roll up for the mystery tour, The Beatles once sang. Well this was a little bit like that. I’d met Tony Foster for a lift to our intended match; one between Hemel Hempstead Town and Gosport Borough. We made good time up the M1 and were all parked up, when we got a shock.

There had been a big power cut in the Adeyfield area. The match was off, with several fans walking away. I would have been completely stuffed using public transport, but Tony came up trumps. Fortunately, we were early and he knew the area quite well through work.

We managed to park up reasonably close to Clarence Park and get inside just a few minutes after kick off. Admission was a steep £15, with the overpriced programme £2.50. However, our efforts would be rewarded.

Newly promoted Poole were in third place before kick off, with City just outside the play-off places. Unfortunately, I missed the opening goal, but my pal told me that it was a fine header from Josh Hill.

The standard of football from both sides on a pristine playing surface was first class. The pace and skills seemed to improve year on year at that level. Although the visiting Dolphins had their share of play, it would be St Albans who doubled their lead ten minutes before the interval through the impressive Louie Theophanous.

Plenty more entertainment followed in the second half, but it would be until twelve minutes from full time before we saw another goal. The tricky ex Wealdstone winger Shaun Lucien put in a wonderful low ball, which Theophanous flicked past the visiting keeper.

Just before the end of the game a fine one two between Sam Merson; son of the former England star Paul, and Theophanous, saw the big fella finish off in style to complete his hat trick.

With five minutes to go I’d found a young steward who seemed unaware that the gate by the cricket ground normally opened at full time. A frantic search for the key took place. Thankfully they’d located it by the final whistle to save several fans a longer walk back round to their cars.

Driving back through the lovely old city it became apparent just how many smart independent pubs there were and how well they seemed to be doing.

Watford U23s 1 Millwall U23s 1 (Friday 13^th December 2019) U23 Professional Development League South (att: 96)

The weather was set fine and most certainly clearer than my mind and mood after the catastrophic General Election of the previous evening. I was in a state of genuine depression and somewhat shell shocked.

I desperately needed something to occupy my mind, so I headed to West Hampstead to catch a train to St Albans. There would surely be far worse places than to spend a couple of hours than Clarence Park before my evening entertainment of Charlton Athletic and Hull City.

I’d not been to a Watford U23s game at the ground; so, I was therefore most happy to see the gate open nearest the station in the park. Admission was a most reasonable £3 after which I made my way round the ground and to the Main Stand.

My fellow hopping mate and Silver Jubilee regular Tony Marshall was in situ. He managed to grab me a teamsheet. We settled into position as I watched from the structure for the first time. Despite the pillars and restricted views, it was very homely and kept out the wind.

Tony had given me the heads up about Hornets forward Ryan Cassidy and he certainly impressed with his movement. It was him who set up an easy chance for the opener for Sam Dalby on six minutes to make it 1-0.

It was entertaining fare throughout on a decent playing surface. Millwall came into the game as the half continued. At the interval I grabbed a bacon roll and a tea from the mobile caravan, which I was slightly surprised to see in operation.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first. Millwall continued to press for an equaliser and were rewarded in the later stages after the introduction of forward Harvey Bradbury; the son of former league striker Lee.

He brought others into the play, with George Alexander finishing a fine move to get a deserved leveller eleven minutes from time. A visiting fan was perhaps a little over the top in his celebrations? The Lions continued to press and came close to winning the match.

At full time I caught up with Tony and took the train to West Hampstead where I went for a cuppa before going to see my mate Steve Jarvis and my Godson, Oscar. I enjoyed an hour testing my composure in other company before heading off to meet my mate Chewy to cheer on the Tigers south of the river.

St Albans City 2 Hendon 0 (Tuesday 3^rd August 2021) Friendly (att: 403)

I was mulling over some other games but with my pal Lee driving meaning a quick return home ready for early shift after the game won the day. The match had been earlier moved from Silver Jubilee Park.

Saints decided that tickets had to be bought in advance online or at Clarence Park on Mondays, Wednesday's or Friday's, with the ground now cashless. They cost £8 for this fixture. There were no programmes, even online from what I could see.

Lee picked up Bob and I as we made good time and got a decent parking spot. It was still a beautiful venue, especially on pleasant summer’s evening. Both ends would soon have covers over them, made from scaffolding and corrugated roofs.

The end nearest the station already had its in place. Real ale was being sold straight from the barrel by the side of the main stand from the local 3 Brewers, whose Golden English Ale was spot on. A nice little area had been created for drinkers by the side of the pitch.

The clubhouse was also open as well as a bar dispensing lagers up the yon end. The tented burgers and chips concession was busy throughout. They've got an awful lot right, but would it deter walk ups and the elderly going digital? The £16.50 charge for league games was a bit on the steep side.

Anyway, the pitch was perfect and both teams contributed in a high tempo game. Saints could and probably should have been out of sight by the break. As it was, they led after Romeo Akinola and then Zane Banton put away chances set up by excellent play from Mitchell Weiss and then Akinola.

In between which Liam Brookes had a decent opportunity on the break for the Dons before visiting keeper Fred Burbridge collided nastily with forward Shaun Jeffers outside the box. The custodian was stretchered off.

This after he had made a couple of top class saves. Fortunately, it appeared after the game that there was no lasting damage. Credit to the physios of both sides and home keeper Michael Johnson who were at the scene in seconds. Excellent work.

After the break Hendon were probably the better of the two sides as both Ian and his son Lee Allinson, made plenty of substitutions for their charges in this "family derby". Sean Lucien again impressed forcing Johnson into a fine save.

One of Hendon's subs Hamza Semakula made a difference when he came on, breaking through and rounding sub goalie L Gaulthier to tee up Bayley Brown who saw his effort cleared off the line by Alkeo Bani with the rebound scooped back in for Luca Allinson to head over. Semakula was denied when his low shot was well saved by Gaulthier.

All in all, it was a good work out for both sides. On this particular showing I expected Saints will be pushing towards the play-offs. Dons would hopefully be similar but they need to find a scorer, especially as Joe White was expected to be missing for several weeks.