Peterborough United

Ground: London Road

Capacity: 13,512

Club Founded: 1934

League: EFL League One (current level)

Over the years since becoming a Football League club, Peterborough United have had their ups and downs, including spending several seasons in the second tier, while building soundly off the pitch in recent years.

Club History

Early Years

Peterborough United FC was formed at the town's Angel Hotel in 1934, when they moved into the London Road ground. The previous inhabitants of their venue, Peterborough and Fletton United, had folded a couple of years earlier. 

It is from that era that 'The Posh' nickname is believed to have come, as the manager of the old club is said to have wanted "posh players for a posh club," and the nickname stuck. United first entered the Midland League in 1934-35, winning the title in a play-off in 1939-40 under manager Sam Haden. 

Midland League Triumphs and the Football League

Under manager George Swindin and later the former England international Jimmy Hagan, Peterborough won five consecutive Midland League titles. The club was elected to the Football League in place of Gateshead FC in 1960, going on to lift the Division Four championship in their 1960-61 debut League season. 

It wasn’t just in the league that United made an impact during their golden era, as the team also became a solid FA Cup opponent. In 1956-57 they reached round four, going out at Leeds Road against Huddersfield Town.

London Road 1988

Cup Giant Killers

However, the 1964-65 season would usurp previous efforts. Wins against the likes of Queens Park Rangers and Arsenal saw Peterborough reach the quarter-finals, where they lost 5-1 away to Chelsea with Gordon Clark managing the side. In the following 1965-66 season, the side lost to West Bromwich Albion in the League Cup semi-final.

The 1967-68 season saw Posh relegated after illegal payments to players were discovered. Jim Iley and then Noel Cantwell took charge of the team as Chris Turner, John Cozens, Eric Steele and Bert Murray starred for the team that went up as Division Four champions.

Financial Woes then Promotions

John Barnwell succeeded Cantwell, whose side narrowly missed out on promotion. Under Peter Morris, Posh were relegated in 1978-79. The club was riddled with financial woes in the early 80s. John Wile was appointed manager while David Seaman played in goal.

Managers, including Mark Lawrenson, came and went before the arrival of former playing hero Chris Turner. He led the side to promotion as team boss in 1990-91 before taking them to the play-offs a year later, where Stockport County were defeated 2-1 at Wembley with Ken Charlery scoring both goals.

The Barry Fry Era

Posh’s time in the second tier lasted a couple of seasons before they were relegated in 1993-94. John Still had a spell as manager before Barry Fry became the owner and manager in May 1996. The side went down to the bottom tier but recovered to win promotion, with Andrew Clarke's goal enough to defeat Barnet in the playoff final at Wembley.

Fry called it a day as manager after United were relegated to the retitled bottom-level League Two in 2004-05. Mark Wright was his successor before Steve Bleasdale took charge. In 2006, Fry brought in TV cameras along with Ron Atkinson to lend a hand to manager Bleasdale while the club was filmed behind the scenes.

London Road 1988

The Darrah MacAnthony Era

The manager walked out, but Fry got enough money to pay the wages. Fry had already mortgaged his house to keep the club going. In September 2006, the young multi-millionaire Chairman of MRI Overseas Property, Darrah MacAnthony, became the club owner, funding transfer fees and bringing in Darren Ferguson, son of Sir Alex, as manager. 

Ferguson was successful, as quality non-league signings such as Craig Mackail-Smith and George Boyd were brought in to supplement the squad, winning successive promotions to reach the Championship. Posh only lasted one season in their elevated status as Ferguson moved to Preston following a fallout with McAnthony. 

My drawing of London Road, along with Posh kits over the years.
Click on the images to enlarge them.

Wembley Winners

Managers came and went before Ferguson returned in January 2011. Promotion was sealed following a 3-0 win over Huddersfield Town at Old Trafford with goals from captain Grant McCann, Mackail-Smith, and Tommy Rowe. Their spell in the second tier lasted a couple of seasons.

The team regrouped to reach the playoffs in 2013-14, losing in the semifinals to Leyton Orient. However, they won the Football League Trophy. Chesterfield were defeated 3-1 in the Wembley final through goals from Josh McQuoid, Shaun Brisley, and Britt Assombalonga. A new seated stand was opened at the Moys End of London Road in November 2014.

Recent Years

Grant McCann was given his opportunity as manager in April 2016 after Ferguson once again departed before he returned for a third spell at the helm. The goals of Jonson Clarke-Harris helped Posh to a runners-up spot in 2020-21 and promotion to the Championship. 

Ferguson resigned in February 2022 to be replaced by Grant McCann, as the team went straight back down before the Scotsman again returned to the post. His side were dramatically beaten in the playoff semi-finals by Sheffield Wednesday. The side fell short of promotion in the same way the following season.

Two goals from Harrison Burrows helped United lift the 2024 Football League Trophy with a 2-1 win against Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley. Luke Williams was appointed to succeed Ferguson in October 2025.

My visits

Scarborough 1 Ashford Town 0 

FA Trophy Semi-Final - Saturday 31st March 1973

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 2,829

Boro's opponents were Ashford Town of Kent in the semi-final on the day Red Rum won the first of its three Grand Nationals. This was the final year of one-off semi-finals on neutral grounds. I suppose the gate of 2,829 contributed. London Road seemed enormous to me, sitting with my Dad, and Paul sat in the Main Stand. 

Some local skinheads came in halfway through the first half, looking for trouble, but found none. My dad bought me a Peterborough United biro of the kind produced for all Football League clubs at the time. In fact, they were, along with rosettes, some of the only club merchandise on the go at the time. How times change! 

Player-manager Colin Appleton scored the only goal from the spot. Ashford had a superb but temperamental midfielder, Zeth Vavidis. It's strange how I can remember this bloke's name without looking it up when I struggled to remember hardly anything of an academic nature. He eventually received his marching orders for dissent. 

Giant keeper Bert Garrow pulled off a miraculous late fingertip save. I can remember it as if it happened yesterday. We travelled home courtesy of a beautiful big Deltic engine. Happy, simple days, and we were going to Wembley!

Peterborough United 0 Scarborough 0 

Division Four - Monday 2nd May 1988

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 3,244 🎟️ Complimentary

We travelled by minibus for this Bank Holiday fixture, laden with a tray of legendary Sammy Bairstow pies after George had asked for a special order. We stopped at a smashing pub in Castor on the outskirts of Peterborough before the game.

Boro winger Steve Adams left me a couple of complimentary tickets, which was a bit embarrassing as some other players' relations didn't get any. He was a cracking lad, was Addo! 

The game finished scoreless, but our Boro (Scarborough) should have won, which didn't really impress the Posh fans too much. Their team really needed a win to secure a playoff spot. They took out their anger after the game by waiting for the away fans' bus escort, which saw another minibus of Scarborough fans stopping to discuss the situation. 

We headed back to Driffield for beers with the thrill of Terry Griffiths v Steve Davis on TV in the World Snooker Final to assist any insomniacs amongst us.

Peterborough United 1 Scarborough 4

Division Four - Saturday 3rd September 1988

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 3,956 

We were back a few months later at London Road, which still hadn't changed since my first visit in 1973. We were in the terracing with a low cover called the Moyes Terrace. A similar construction was at the other end, the London Road Terrace. 

They didn't offer great views, but the acoustics were great. To the left was the open Glebe Terrace, while the Main Stand was opposite. This was a large, typical 1950s construction with a big seating deck with terracing in front.

We were in full voice after the top stop in Castor again as Boro ran riot with a superb performance. Joe Neenan, who had played on loan for us the previous season, was in goal for The Posh, and he was impressed as well, going on what he said when he came out for the second half.

Peterborough United 1 Scarborough 2

Division Four - Saturday 30th December 1989

👨‍👨‍👧‍👧 4,153 

I went with Crusher on the Supporters Club bus. If I remember correctly, we managed to gain access to the Posh Supporters Club in the back of the Main Stand. Boro weren't a bad side as I kept up my unbeaten record at London Road. 

Michael Clarke justified his wages for once, scoring a beauty with a low shot from the edge of the box, which was added to by the underrated Phil Wilson.