AFC Telford United is a non-league football club from the new town of Telford, which is located around thirty miles west of Birmingham. The club was formed on the 28th May 2004 by supporters of Telford United FC when it became apparent that the club would not survive.
The original club had a long proud history, having being formed in 1872 as Parish Church Institute FC. Seven years later they took on the name of the town that they represented taking on the title of Wellington Town FC, and becoming founder members of the Shropshire League in 1890-91.
After winning two league titles, the club progressed to the Birmingham & District League in 1898-99. Wellington defeated Wrexham to list the Welsh Cup in 1901-02, going on to win the competition for a second time in 1905-06 with a win against Whitchurch.
After World War Two 'The Bucks' or 'The Lillywhites' as the club were nicknamed moved into the Cheshire County League, where they became champions in 1945-46, 1946-47 and 1951-52.
In 1958-59 The Bucks became members of the North Western zone of the Southern League, with a debut season seventh place was enough to progress to the Premier Division. In 1969 the club changed its name to Telford United FC after the new town that had developed around Wellington.
In their time as Wellington, the team played in the FA Cup first round on several occasions, losing at that stage to the likes of Doncaster Rovers, Southend United, Stockport County, Mansfield Town, Port Vale, Watford, Norwich City, Gillingham and Bristol City. The 1929-30 campaign saw a second round appearance end in defeat to Wrexham.
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| The original Main Stand at Bucks Head |
In the 1969-70 season Telford reached the inaugural FA Trophy Final at Wembley where they were defeated 2-0 by Macclesfield Town. They weren't to be denied glory though, as they lifted the 1970-71 Trophy defeating Hillingdon Borough 3-2 in the Wembley showpiece.
The Bucks also enjoyed relative FA Cup success over the same seasons after falling to Bristol Rovers in the first round and then Swansea City in round two before Chelmsford City ended their run in the second round in 1972-73. Chester proved too strong in the first round the following season.
In 1979 United became founder members of the Alliance Premier League, later to become the Football Conference. The 1980's saw many good FA Cup runs to keep the Bucks Head faithful happy as well as lifting the Trophy for a second time in 1982-83 after defeating Northwich Victoria.
That same season they reached the second round of the FA Cup. Tranmere Rovers proved too strong after Wigan Athletic had been beaten beaten in a home replay. The following season Stockport County, Northampton Town and Rochdale were sent out of the competition before United lost 3-2 in the Fourth Round at the Baseball Ground to Derby County.
In 1979 United became founder members of the Alliance Premier League, later to become the Football Conference. The 1980's saw many good FA Cup runs to keep the Bucks Head faithful happy as well as lifting the Trophy for a second time in 1982-83 after defeating Northwich Victoria.
That same season they reached the second round of the FA Cup. Tranmere Rovers proved too strong after Wigan Athletic had been beaten beaten in a home replay. The following season Stockport County, Northampton Town and Rochdale were sent out of the competition before United lost 3-2 in the Fourth Round at the Baseball Ground to Derby County.
However, their best run was to come the next season as The Bucks reached Round Five. That magnificent tour took them past Lincoln City, Preston North End, Bradford City and Darlington. Their reward was a tie at Goodison Park. The might of Everton saw them through with a 3-0 victory.
Derby County defeated Telford in the second round in 1985-86 after Stockport County had been seen off. The last great run of that period resulted in the third round appearance in 1986-87. Leeds United won the game 2-1 at the neutral Hawthorns as the police moved the game away from Bucks Head. Telford had earlier beaten Burnley and Altrincham.
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| Bucks Head in 2019. Photo: Steve Speller |
In 1987-88 Telford were runners up in the FA Trophy as Enfield won out after a replay at The Hawthorns. The following 1988-89 season they returned to Wembley for their fifth final and defeated Macclesfield Town 1-0 to avenge their 1970 defeat.
Stars of the successful cup years managed by Stan Storton, included Kevin Charlton, Tony Turner, Mark Hancock, Antone Joseph, Colin Williams, Ken McKenna and John Alcock.
Stoke City were added to their list of Football League scalps in the FA Cup during the 1991-92 season, while the club plugged away in the Conference without threatening to win any league honours.
A new owner, the businessman Andy Shaw arrived at Bucks Head in 1998 with big plans for the club. He set about transforming the aging stadium and for a season United played their home games at St George's Lane, the home of Worcester City.
A new owner, the businessman Andy Shaw arrived at Bucks Head in 1998 with big plans for the club. He set about transforming the aging stadium and for a season United played their home games at St George's Lane, the home of Worcester City.
On their return to the sparkling new arena now called New Bucks Head with its ajoining hotel, cash was spent on the playing side of the clubs' operation, as they turned full time during two separate spells.
Despite this it only really paid dividends in the FA Cup during the 2003-04 season as once again the club reached the Fourth Round. League sides Brentford and Crewe Alexandra were defeated along the way, before that seasons finalists Millwall ended their dream in the home tie.
All was not well by this time. Shaw's company Miras Contracts collapsed and with it the funding going into the club. Shaw had not run the club to allow for such circumstances as he threw money in his personal goal to get them into the Football League, allegedly spending up to a million pounds a year.
When he departed they were left with debts of around £640,000. The players agreed to a wage deferral so that the club could see out their season. At its end, Telford United FC entered into liquidation.
Despite this it only really paid dividends in the FA Cup during the 2003-04 season as once again the club reached the Fourth Round. League sides Brentford and Crewe Alexandra were defeated along the way, before that seasons finalists Millwall ended their dream in the home tie.
All was not well by this time. Shaw's company Miras Contracts collapsed and with it the funding going into the club. Shaw had not run the club to allow for such circumstances as he threw money in his personal goal to get them into the Football League, allegedly spending up to a million pounds a year.
When he departed they were left with debts of around £640,000. The players agreed to a wage deferral so that the club could see out their season. At its end, Telford United FC entered into liquidation.
AFC Telford United
The new AFC Telford United were assisted in their setting up by Supporters Direct as they became a fans owned club. They were given a place in the Northern Premier League Division One by the FA.
The new AFC Telford United were assisted in their setting up by Supporters Direct as they became a fans owned club. They were given a place in the Northern Premier League Division One by the FA.
Crowds flocked to New Bucks Head as promotion was won in their debut 2004-05 season via the play-offs after victories against Eastwood Town and Kendal Town. In 2006-07 United went up once more, again through the play-offs to reach Conference North after defeating Marine and then Witton Albion.
In 2007-08 Telford lost in the play-off semi-final to Barrow before losing at the same stage in 2008-09, this time losing out to Gateshead in the final after an earlier win against Alfreton Town.
In 2007-08 Telford lost in the play-off semi-final to Barrow before losing at the same stage in 2008-09, this time losing out to Gateshead in the final after an earlier win against Alfreton Town.
However, the Bucks weren't to be denied in 2010-11 as Guiseley were overcome in the final after a win against Nuneaton Town to see the phoenix club claim back the place they had before the old club went bust.
The 2011-12 season saw United survive relegation, but it was tight. However, after Sinton left the club in January 2013 three further managers were tried but failed as Telford ended up bottom of the table and were relegated to Conference North. Former Southport boss Liam Watson was appointed as the new manager.
Promotion was won at the first attempt as the Conference North title was lifted. However, their spell at non-league's elite division lasted just twelve months with Watson being replaced early in the season by Steve Kittrick.
The same season saw a first ever FA Cup second round appearance for the new club where they went out 1-0 at Ashton Gate to Bristol City after seeing off Basingstoke Town after a replay. Rob Smith returned as manager in August 2015.
Smith lasted until 2017 when Rob Edwards arrived and lasted for just over a year before the appointment of Gavin Cowan as the Lillywhites continued to come in with lower table finishes, before a big improvement saw team end the 2018-19 campaign in eighth spot.
United were in fourteenth in the 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons when both were halted early owing to the Coronavirus pandemic. In October 2022 the club parted company with manager Cowan who was replaced by Kevin Wilkin.
The team was relegated several months later to be placed in the Southern League Premier Division Central, ending as runners-up in 2023-24. Any hopes of promotion were ended in the playoffs in the final at home to Leamington after a semifinal win over Mickleover.
AFC Telford United will play in the Southern League Premier Division Central in the 2024-25 season.
My visits
Telford United 0 Scarborough 0 (Saturday 21st February 1981) Alliance Premier League (att: 636)
I was still at Raincliffe School at the time of my first visit to Bucks Head as I travelled with a few pals on the supporters bus run by Derek Watson. Jim McAneraney was the Boro boss at the time and he'd assembled quite a decent attractive side. Even the team looked the business in their all red Umbro number which made them look like Liverpool.
Bucks Head was rare for non league grounds of the day in that it had seated stands on both sides of the pitch. The older one also contained the changing rooms and was slightly raised with a thin open paddock in front. The cantilevered stand opposite was raised high over a thin terrace.
There was a bit of open terracing either side of these stands. The Watling Street End had a large open bank made of semi hard standing with a few steps at the bottom. The other end was slightly banked and open but a lot smaller.
AFC Telford United will play in the Southern League Premier Division Central in the 2024-25 season.
My visits
Telford United 0 Scarborough 0 (Saturday 21st February 1981) Alliance Premier League (att: 636)
I was still at Raincliffe School at the time of my first visit to Bucks Head as I travelled with a few pals on the supporters bus run by Derek Watson. Jim McAneraney was the Boro boss at the time and he'd assembled quite a decent attractive side. Even the team looked the business in their all red Umbro number which made them look like Liverpool.
There was a bit of open terracing either side of these stands. The Watling Street End had a large open bank made of semi hard standing with a few steps at the bottom. The other end was slightly banked and open but a lot smaller.
I got a real national hero to sign my programme as Gordon Banks was managing Telford at the time. I waited by the tunnel after the teams had taken the field and Gordon obliged as he followed. The game ended goalless, which was a creditable result at the time, even though Boro probably had slightly more of the game.
My final memory of the day was the outstanding home made thick soup served at the refreshment hut at the Watling Street End.
Telford United 1 Scarborough 0 (Saturday 29th January 2000) Football Conference (att: 1,041)
By now I'd moved to London and Boro were having a great run in the first season back in non league. They went into the game on a six match unbeaten run, while Telford were near the other end of the table.
I travelled by train to Wolverhampton, where I changed to get my connection to Wellington. I was learning fast as I saved myself a few quid by buying two seperate tickets for the journey rather than a direct ticket when I went to buy them a few weeks earlier at Euston.
The walk from the station took just over ten minutes and before long I was in the vibrant clubhouse behind the Main Stand. I met up with Carl Ellis, who'd gone on the train from Malton and settled into a few beers. We weren't impressed that the clubhouse stayed open all afternoon but we couldn't gain access at half time.
We sat in the raised stand on a dull afternoon and watched as Boro stumbled to defeat with a very ordinary performance against even more ordinary opponents. My mood wasn't helped by a group of young local delinquents playing up during the second half.
We trudged away at full time and met up with a young Seadog who'd travelled from Lincoln. There were no trains back to Wolverhampton owing to engineering works, so a coach took us back down the motorway.
The photos in this section have been taken from books and the internet. I hope to return one day to take some of my own, ideally with Scarborough Athletic against AFC Telford United.
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