Peterborough United

Peterborough United FC is a professional football club from the town of Peterborough, Cambridgeshire which is located just under eighty miles north of London. The club was formed at the towns Angel Hotel in 1934, moving into the London Road ground.

The previous inhabitants of their venue, Peterborough and Fletton United who had folded a couple of years earlier. It is from that era that 'The Posh' nickname is believed to have come from 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. Posh ended as runners-up in 1953-54 before winning the title in 1955-56, 1956-57 and 1957-58 with George Swindin in charge of the team.

Peterborough made it five titles in a row with further triumphs in 1958-59 and 1959-60 after former England international Jimmy Hagan had taken over as manager. The club were 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 had made an impact during their golden era, as the team also became formidable FA Cup opponents. A victory over Torquay United saw Bristol Rovers overpowering Posh in the second round in 1952-53.

In 1953-54 a win against Aldershot saw a third round clash away to Cardiff City end in defeat. The 1955-56 campaign saw a 3-1 home win against Ipswich Town in the first round before Peterborough went out after a replay to Swindon Town.

London Road 1988

Further FA Cup glory came in 1956-57 with wins against Yeovil Town, Bradford Park Avenue and Lincoln City in a replay. The run ended in round four at Leeds Road against Huddersfield Town.

In their final two seasons as a non-league outfit the performances continued, no doubt assisting in their bid for election. In 1958-59 another future League club, Headington United were seen off before Fulham prevailed in a third round replay at London Road.

Giant killing wins against Shrewsbury Town, Walsall and Ipswich Town saw Posh again in the fourth round, where they went out away to Sheffield Wednesday. League status didn’t stop further fine runs as the fourth round was reached in 1960-61 and again in 1961-62 before losing out to Aston Villa and then Sheffield United.

However, the 1964-65 season would usurp previous efforts. Wins against Salisbury, Queens Park Rangers, Chesterfield, Arsenal and Swansea Town 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 the club reached the semi-final stage of the League Cup where they went out on aggregate to West Bromwich Albion. The 1967-68 season saw Posh finish in ninth position in Division Three under manager Norman Rigby, but illegal payments to players were discovered, so the club were placed bottom of the table and relegated.

Jim Iley was appointed as team boss in January 1969, remaining in position until October 1972 when he was replaced by Noel Cantwell who led his charges to promotion in 1973-74 as Division Four champions as the likes of Chris Turner, John Cozens, Eric Steele and Bert Murray starring.

Further notable FA Cup games followed with a defeat to Leeds United in the fourth round of the title winning season, before the team went one step further in 1974-75 where Middlesbrough ended the run. The 1975-76 season saw a sentimental journey for boss Cantwell who led Posh to the fourth round and defeat to old club Manchester United.

John Barnwell succeeded Cantwell, whose side narrowly missed out on promotion before the appointment of Peter Morris who couldn’t save Posh from relegation in 1978-79. The club was riddles with financial woes in the early 80’s as Martin Wilkinson had a spell as manager prior to the arrival of John Wile as David Seaman played in goal.

Wile took the team to the fifth round of the FA Cup in 1985-86 before Cantwell returned for a second spell at the helm with United missing out on a play-off spot in 1987-88. Mick Jones was next in line in the managers seat before Mark Lawrenson and then Dave Booth had short tenures.

Former playing hero Chris Turner took over midway through the season to lead the side to promotion as team boss in 1990-91 before taking them to the play-offs in 1991-92. Huddersfield Town were beaten before Stockport County were defeated 2-1 at Wembley as Ken Charlery scored both goals.

The team included the likes of skipper Mick Halsall, Worrell Sterling, Marcus Ebdon and Tony Adcock in their line up. Posh’s time in the second tier lasted a couple of seasons before they were relegated in 1993-94.

By that time Lil Fuccillo had taken charge of the team before Turner returned but could not stop the demotion. John Still arrived for a time as manager before Halsall was given the opportunity to lead Peterborough. Barry Fry became owner and manager of the club in May 1996.

His first season at the helm ended in relegation to the fourth tier Division Three before recovering by the 1999-00 campaign which ended in playoff glory. Barnet were beaten before a 1-0 final win against Darlington at Wembley with an Andrew Clarke goal saw Posh promoted.

London Road 1988

Around the turn of the millennium, Victoria Beckham AKA Posh Spice was involved in a silly battle over the clubs attempt to copyright their nickname. It can be read about here. 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 prior to Steve Bleasdale taking charge.

In 2006 Fry brought in the TV cameras along with Ron Atkinson to lend a hand to manager Bleasdale while the club was filmed behind the scenes, which ended in the manager walking out but Fry getting 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 for the start of the 2007-08 season to succeed previous boss Keith Alexander.

Ferguson was successful as quality non-league signings such as Craig Mackail-Smith and George Boyd were brought in to supplement the squad which ended as League Two runners-up in 2007-08. Posh continued in similar vein to end as League One runners-up in 2008-09 to reach the Championship.

The successful squad also contained Joe Lewis, Russell Martin, Dean Keates, Aaron McLean and Craig Morgan. Unfortunately, Posh only lasted one season in their elevated status as Ferguson moved to Preston following a fall out with McAnthony. He was followed in the manager’s seat by Mark Cooper, Jim Gannon and Gary Johnson.

Ferguson returned in January 2011 as the team were scoring lots of goals as well as leaking them. He oversaw a transformation which led to a playoff win against Milton Keynes Dons. 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.

Posh survived their first season, ending it in eighteenth place, but there was to be no escape in 2012-13 as the side were relegated. The team regrouped to reach the playoffs in 2013-14 where they lost in the semifinals to Leyton Orient.

However, consolation came through the winning of 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. Ferguson was replaced by Dave Robertson in February 2015 who lasted until the following September when Graham Westley was appointed. Grant McCann was given his opportunity as manager after an initial caretaker spell from April 2016.

Following McCann’s dismissal in February 2018, Steve Evans was appointed as manager, lasting until January 2019 when Ferguson arrived for a third term in charge. The side ended the 2019-20 campaign in seventh place on points per game after the COVID-19 pandemic ended the season early.

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. Ferguson returned to the post in January 2023.

Peterborough reached the playoffs where they lost in the semifinals in dramatic fashion to Sheffield Wednesday. Ephron Mason-Clark put away the goals in 2023-24 as the side again reached the playoffs. Two goals from Harrison Burrows had earlier helped United lift the Football League Trophy with a 2-1 win against Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley.

However, dreams of promotion were ended in the semifinals by Oxford United.

Peterborough United FC will play in the EFL League One in the 2024-25 season.

My visits

Scarborough 1 Ashford Town 0 (Saturday 31st March 1973) FA Trophy Semi Final (att: 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 sat with my Dad and Paul sat in the Main Stand. 

Some local skinheads came in half way through the first half looking for trouble but found none. My dad bough 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 blokes 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 (Monday 2nd May 1988) Division Four (att: 3,244)

We travelled by mini bus for this Bank Holiday fixture laden with a tray of legendary Sammy Bairstow pies after George Johnson had asked for a special order. We stopped at a smashing pub at 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 play off spot. They took out their anger after the game by waiting for the away fans bus escort which led to another mini bus of Scarborough fans stopping to discuss the situation. 

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

Peterborough United 1 Scarborough 4 (Saturday 3rd September 1988) Division Four (att: 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 The Moyes Terrace. A similar construction was at the other end was 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 1950's construction with a big seating deck with a 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 (Saturday 30th December 1989) Division Four (att: 4,153)

I went with Crusher on the Supporters Club bus and if I remember correctly we managed to gain access into 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.