Welwyn Garden City

Welwyn Garden City FC, originally formed in 1921, is a non-league football club from the new town located twenty miles north of London of the same name, initially playing in friendly matches.

The club joined the Mid-Hertfordshire League in the summer of 1922, playing matches at Parkway before moving to the Bedfordshire & District League for the 1926-27 season and then the Spartan League.

The club amalgamated with Shredded Wheat FC in July 1934, which suited both parties. Welwyn were struggling financially, while the Spartan League were not admitting any further works teams.

The Shredded Wheat name was continued as the side played in the South Midlands League, while Welwyn became the first team in the Spartan League while using Wheat’s ground. In 1934-35 the team finished third in the Spartan League Division 2 East.

However, they were forced to resign from the league at the AGM as the Wheat committee withdrew the use of the ground and Parkway wasn’t up to the required standard. The club was wound up in July 1935 consequently.

In May 1937 the Shredded Wheat company invited a re-formed City back to their ground in Broadwater Road with the new club gaining admission back into the Spartan League. After a debut season the club moved to share with Murphy Radio FC at Handside Playing Fields.

The local council found the club a new home in Springfield for the 1939-40 season, which was truncated owing to World War Two. After the conflict, ‘The Citizens’ competed in the Mid-Hertfordshire League before returning to the Spartan League.

The club joined the London League in 1950-51 for three seasons before another return to the Spartan League under the management of former England goalkeeper Harry Hibbs. Welwyn dropped down to the Hertfordshire County League after a poor 1958-59 campaign.

A move to a new ground at Herns Way was made during the county league period of the 1960’s, before the Welwyn returned to the London League in 1970 and then becoming founder members of the Metropolitan London League.

In 1973 the club merged with Welwyn Garden United FC to form Welwyn Garden FC, taking over United’s place in the South Midlands League for the 1973-74 season, going on to win the Premier Division at the first attempt.

Welwyn Garden United reformed as a new club in the summer of 1975 to play in the Hertfordshire County League while Welwyn Garden were relegated to Division One of their competition in 1976-77.

Welwyn Garden added City back to their title in 1981 with the change bringing luck, with the team lifting the Division One title and regaining their Premier Division slot. John Sneddon had a spell as manager before finishing as league runners-up in 1985-86 under Ray Sullivan.

Local and league cups were lifted around this period before Sullivan departed. Managers Dave Lawrence, Jock Bruce, Pat Maslen and Ian Priest all at spells at the helm throughout the 1990’s without adding further success.

Malcolm Doctor was appointed as manager for the 1997-98 campaign as the Spartan League and the South Midlands League merged to form the Spartan South Midlands League with City placed in the Premier North Division.

A successful inaugural season saw the club qualify to play in a single Premier Division in 1998-99. Joint managers Dave Bullock and Bill Bannister arrived at the club with a partnership being formed with neighbours Stevenage Borough.

City reached the FA Cup Third Qualifying Round that season before bowing out away to Ford United after a replay. Dave Steadman took over the team for the 1999-00 season with City relegated to Division One in 2000-01.

Guillermo Ganet was the next man in the managerial hot seat in 2002. He led his team to promotion to the Premier Division in 2003-04, finishing third in the table on their return to the top flight of the Spartan South Midlands League.

Ganet departed with most of the team, with Howard Cowley coming in as his replacement. Another third qualifying round appearance in the FA Cup was achieved in 2005-06 before City bowed out in the away tie to Histon.

The FA Vase campaign also led to some memorable matches, with City reaching the fourth round; beating Newmarket Town at Herns Way after a replay but being expelled from the competition for fielding an ineligible player.

After Cowley’s departure a succession of managers were tried without success. In 2010-11, three different bosses; Phil Read, Rob Pattwell and Simon Braine were used, with Braine eventually leading the side to safety.

Scott O'Donoghue took over for the 2012-13 season before former assistant manager Adam Fisher was appointed in his place twelve months later. The goals of Jason Caswell led to a successful fourth place finish.

Joel Norris banged in the goals in 2014-15 as City romped to the Division One title and promotion as well as lifting the divisional League Cup. The league Challenge Trophy was won in 2015-16 before ground improvements were completed as the team consolidated in 2016-17.

In November 2017 Osvaldo Ardiles unveiled the ground upgrades, which included two turnstiles obtained by donation from Tottenham Hotspur’s demolished White Hart Lane. Meanwhile Fisher’s team did the business on the pitch.

The Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division title was lifted along with two cup final appearances as City reached Step 4 of non-league football for the first time; joining Division One Central of the Southern League.

In January 2019 Fisher resigned following an acrimonious dispute with the club who claimed that they had concerns as to the manager exceeding the playing budget. Many players followed him out of the door, with Dean Barker being appointed as the new team boss.

Barker led the team to a fourteenth place finish at the completion of the 2018-19 campaign before he departed for Welwyn Garden City. Former England semi-professional midfielder Nicky Ironton took over the position.

City were in fourth place when the 2019-20 season ended early owing to the outbreak of Coronavirus. The pandemic also brought an early halt to the 2020-21 campaign as the team sat in eleventh place.

Welwyn Garden City FC will play in the Southern League Division One Central in the 2021-22 season.

My visits

Monday 10th August 2009

I arrived into Welwyn Garden City in search of the football club on the train from Hitchin. I had a pretty good idea of the general location of the ground from checking out a map before I left. However, I hadn't equated for the layout of the 'city'. It reminded me very much of Milton Keynes. 

Eventually I found the ground and low and behold it appeared to be locked up! It was well protected from everywhere else by iron railings and thick bushes and trees. After walking around and seeing no photo opportunities I got worried until I realised that the padlock on the car park entrance was just there for show.

Entry through the gate from the car park was in a corner of the ground where the clubs' social club, changing facilities were positioned. Further down the touchline was a basic small stand with covering for a few temporary seats and standing. 

The rest of the ground was surrounded by a small path and flat grass, with more space behind the goals than down the sides. It was very basic and a ground I was glad I didn't go out of my way to watch a match at. 

I'm not sure what sort of crowds the Citizens attract, but I can't imagine them being very high owing to the location, lack of housing nearby and the sparse facilities on hand. It cannot be very easy for clubs to survive under such circumstances. I have every admiration for club officials who keep their beloved clubs going.

I left the ground carefully shutting the gates behind me.

Herns Lane had also played home to near neighbours Hatfield Town for a few seasons, so that they could compete in the Spartan South Midlands League until a suitable venue was found nearer home at Gosling Sports Park in the south of Welwyn.

Welwyn Garden City 0 AFC Dunstable 1 (Tuesday 5^th March 2019) Southern League Division One Central (att: 93)

I hadn’t caught up with my regular non-league companion Tony Foster for a couple of weeks, so when he texted and offered me a choice of a couple of matches, Welwyn was top of the list. He was happy, as it would also be a new tick for him.

A nap after an early shift at work proceeded the short ride up to Stanmore for 6.45pm where my willing pilot soon pulled up. It was good to have an overdue chat about all the usual football stuff and my recent interesting social media activity.

It was the first time in my recollection that fox hunting had been addressed in the car between the pair of us, or a Twitter conversation between David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd for that matter, but welcome to 2019!

The traffic was thankfully light, and Tony had soon worked his way through the myriad of roundabouts and wide avenues that new towns offer. I must confess that they weren’t particularly my cup of team having been brought up somewhere very different.

We parked up on the verge opposite the ground on Herns Lane before paying our £8 admission and another quid for a decent programme for the original match, which had been postponed a few weeks earlier.

A cuppa cost £1 for a good sized cup as we took up a position along the side near the seats. A covered standing section had been added by the entrance since my previous call to satisfy the ground graders. An enclosed artificial pitch had also been installed behind the near goal.

The pitch looked lush, with wide areas between the touchline and perimeter railings. The rain began to fall just before kick-off and would continue throughout the game, getting progressively heavier.

The game got off to a dramatic start on two minutes when City winger David Manu pushed the ball past Dunstable defender Drew Roberts. The men collided with referee Mr Donaldson pointing to the spot. It could be placed in the “soft” decision category.

Elliot Bailey saw his penalty well saved by former Welwyn keeper Dan Green. Home midfielder Jesse Walklin went down on six minutes clutching his hamstring, which had kept him out of the previous two matches.

He was in obvious pain, but still tried to run it off on the sidelines after treatment from the physio. There was no way he was going to recover and was probably risking further damage despite his valiant efforts.

That was pretty much the main highlights of the first half. Both sides tried playing football, but play became scrappy. I mentioned to my mate that I fancied AFC would come out on top. They just looked that little bit quicker and stronger.

Citizens keeper Lewis Todd saved at the feet of Martel Powell before Jermaine Hall went close for the visitors. Jon Sexton responded for the hosts with a run and shot that found the frame of Green had collected safely.

I’d done my lap of the ground as well as putting on a line on the fixed odds, which wasn’t going particularly well. Our interest was roused by Ajax going 2-0 up in their Champions League clash away to Real Madrid.

City sub Taishan Griffith was warming up and came over for a chat with his Dad stood near us. He’d been at Hendon earlier in the season, with both really pleasant characters. Taishan came across and shook my hand, which was a nice touch.

Dunstable took the lead ten minutes after the break. Their big centre forward did well on the left of the box to use his physique to hold off Dan Carr before laying the ball square for Christian Tavernier to smash the ball high into the net.

Todd saved well from Christie shortly after before the custodian denied Powell. City gathered themselves and then took over in attacking terms, forcing some pressure on the AFC defence.

Carr put in a good low cross which just evaded forwards Bailey and Eusebio Da Silva from getting a vital touch. Matty Campbell-Mhlope went close on a couple of occasions as City continued to press forward.

Referee Donaldson caused uproar among the faithful behind the goal when he halted a Welwyn attack and blew for a goal kick even though the ball looked a couple of yards from crossing the line.

City looked for an equaliser right until full time. In the last meaningful action, Da Silva pulled the ball back for Bailey whose effort was blocked by the Dunstable defence. The result was just about right. It hadn’t been a classic, but every player had given his lot.

Tony’s prudent parking proved profitable as we were soon away. Ajax went on to complete a remarkable win while my fixed odds went down the drain once again. There was still some football action in store for me.

Scarborough Athletic were taking on York City in the semi-final of the North Riding Senior Cup with the game ending 0-0 after ninety minutes. The Scarborough News page on Twitter was broadcasting a live feed of the penalty shoot out.

The wonders of modern technology allowed me to watch Boro complete a 3-0 win on spot kicks in front of 1,600 fans. I went to bed happy with ticking off a new ground and the derby win over two hundred miles away!