AFC Telford United

History

Telford United experienced severe financial difficulties towards the end of the 2003–04 season while playing in the Football Conference following the collapse of the Miras Contracts business of chairman and sole shareholder Andy Shaw. The club went into administration, and although supporters raised around £50,000 in two months, the club's debts totalled over £4 million, resulting in liquidation on 27 May 2004. On the same day, Telford United Supporters Limited announced that a new club would be formed, Bernard McNally was appointed as manager and a new squad assembled.

The new club's first season saw them finish third in Division One, qualifying for the promotion play-offs. After beating Eastwood Town 1–0 in the semi-final, they defeated Kendal Town 2–1 in the final to earn promotion to the Premier Division. The attendance of 4,215 for the final was a club record. The following season saw them finish tenth. During the season, McNally was replaced as manager by Rob Smith. In 2006–07 the club finished third, having missed the chance to win the league when they lost 2–1 at home to eventual champions Burscough on the final day; the attendance of 5,710 being a new club record. However, they qualified for the promotion play-offs, and after a 2–0 win over Marine in the semi-final, they defeated Witton Albion 3–1 to earn promotion to the Conference North.

Telford finished second in the Conference North in 2007–08, again qualifying for the playoffs, in which they lost 4–0 on aggregate to Barrow.

In 2009–10 Telford finished eleventh in the league, resulting in the sacking of Smith and his replacement with Andy Sinton. Sinton's first season saw them finish as runners-up again. In the play-offs they defeated Nuneaton Town 3–2 on aggregate in the semi-final, before beating Guiseley 3–2 in the final with an injury-time winner by Phil Trainer, earning promotion to the Conference Premier. They also reached the first round of the FA Cup again, losing 3–1 at home to Lincoln City.

The 2011–12 season saw Telford finish twentieth, one place above the relegation zone. Another appearance in the first round of the FA Cup resulted in a 4–0 defeat at Chelmsford City. Sinton left the club mid-way through the following season, and was replaced by Mark Cooper, who remained in charge for only six games, before resigning to take a coaching role at Swindon Town. He was replaced by Graham Hyde, who lasted just two games, resigning after a defeat to Macclesfield Town. John Psaras took over for the remainder of the season, which saw them finish bottom of the division and be relegated to the Conference North.

In 2013–14 Telford won the Conference North, earning an immediate return to the Conference Premier. However, the following season Watson was sacked in December with the club bottom of the division and replaced by Steve Kittrick. They finished 23rd, resulting in relegation back to the North division. However, the season also saw them reach the second round of the FA Cup for the first time; after beating Basingstoke Town 2–1 in a first round replay, they lost 1–0 at Bristol City. They reached the first round of the FA Cup again in 2017–18 but lost 1–0 at Hereford. They were runners-up in the Premier Division Central the following season; in the subsequent play-offs the club defeated Mickleover 2–0 in the semi-finals before losing 1–0 to Leamington in the final.

In 2024–25 Telford finished third in the Premier Division Central. They went on to beat Halesowen Town 3–2 in the play-off semi-finals and Kettering Town 4–2 in the final to earn promotion back to the National League North.

Season-by-season record

Main article: List of AFC Telford United seasons

Stadium

Main article: New Bucks Head

Telford play their home games at the New Bucks Head. The ground was renamed following renovation in 2000, having previously been known as the Bucks Head. During the renovations Telford United played with only two terraces in operation, with a small temporary stand situated on what is now the East Terrace and portable cabins in the car park were used for changing rooms. It had previously been home to Wellington Town and Telford United.

The ground has a capacity of 6,380 of which 2,220 is seated and 4,800 covered. The club's record attendance at the ground is 5,710 against Burscough on 28 April 2007, the final day of the 2006–07 season.

Rivalries

Shropshire rivals Shrewsbury Town are traditionally seen as the club's main rival. Matches contested between the two are known as the Shropshire derby. However, due to the league gap between the two clubs, most meetings between the two sides are in the Shropshire Senior Cup.

During United's time in the National League North through the late 2010s, a rivalry developed with near neighbours Kidderminster Harriers, based in North Worcestershire.

Colours

Telford play in their traditional kit of white shirts and black shorts, similar to that of its predecessor Telford United F.C.. Their away and third kits often use the colours of red, blue (or a combination of the two), and yellow.

Since the club's reformation in 2004, the club has had a single main kit sponsor for its entire existence, that being Capgemini.

Current squad

Non-playing staff

• Manager: Kevin Wilkin
• Assistant manager: Mark Noon
• Sports Therapist: Adam Paget
• Youth Team Manager: Benjamin Sohier

Managerial history

Honours

• Football Conference
  • Conference North champions 2013–14
  • League Cup winners 2008–09
• Supporters Direct Cup
  • Winners 2010–11
• Shropshire Senior Cup
  • Winners 2008–09, 2013–14, 2016–17
• The Huddersfield Cup
  • Winners 2018

Records

• Highest league finish: 20th in Conference Premier (2011–12)
• Best FA Cup performance: Second round, 2014–15
• Best FA Trophy performance: Semi-finals, 2008–09, 2018–19
• Biggest victory: 10–1 vs Coleshill Town, FA Trophy second round, 15 December 2020
• Record defeat: 14–1 vs TNS, Shropshire Senior Cup, 20 July 2017
• Record home crowd: 5,710 vs Burscough, Northern Premier League Premier Division, 28 April 2007
• Longest unbeaten run: 37 matches, 21 January 2006 to 9 December 2006
• Most appearances: Ryan Young, 367, 2007–2014
• Most goals: Andy Brown, 56, 2008–2012
• Most goals in a season: Matty Stenson, 31, 2024–25
• Most goals in a game: Matty Stenson, 5 vs Lowestoft Town, Southern League Premier Division Central, 18 April 2025
• Record transfer fee paid: £5,000, Lee Moore from Tamworth in December 2006
• Record transfer fee received: £25,000, Duane Courtney to Burnley, August 2005

References

References

1. "Club directory". AFC Telford United.
2. Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2016) ''Non-League Club Directory 2017'', Tony Williams Publications, p453 {{ISBN. 978-1869833695
3. (27 May 2004). "Telford lose Conference spot". BBC Sport.
4. (25 March 2014). "AFC Telford United: The club that lived on". Shropshire Star.
5. (7 June 2004). "Destination for AFC Telford". BBC Sport.
6. (6 December 2013). "Bernard McNally recalls amazing AFC Telford season". Shropshire Star.
7. {{fchd
8. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria/content/articles/2005/06/02/kendal_football_review_2004_5.shtml Kendal Town season review 2004-5] BBC News, 15 June 2005
9. Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2012) ''Non-League Club Directory 2013'', p21 {{ISBN. 978-1-869833-77-0
10. [http://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/afc-telford-united/2013/09/26/i-left-at-the-right-time-says-former-afc-telford-boss-rob-smith/ Rob Smith: Time right to leave AFC Telford] Shropshire Star, 26 September 2013
11. (30 April 2007). "AFC Telford United 1–2 Burscough". BBC Sport.
12. [http://www.telfordunited.com/info.aspx?ID=15 Honours and Records] AFC Telford United
13. (23 April 2010). "AFC Telford United sack manager Rob Smith". BBC Sport.
14. (9 April 2009). "Setanta Shield results 2008/09". BBC Sport.
15. [https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/2010/05/26/andy-sinton-is-new-afc-telford-boss/ Andy Sinton is new AFC Telford boss] ''Express & Star'', 26 May 2010
16. (9 May 2011). "Nuneaton manager Kevin Wilkin looks ahead to next year". BBC Sport.
17. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13379863 AFC Telford 3–2 Guiseley] BBC Sport, 9 May 2011
18. [http://www.league-clubs.co.uk/afc-telford-united-manager-andy-sinton-leaves-by-mutual-consent/ AFC Telford United Manager Andy Sinton Leaves By Mutual Consent] {{Webarchive. link. (15 December 2014 Conference League Clubs, 31 January 2013)
19. [[Liam Watson (footballer)
20. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34041185 AFC Telford United: Steve Kittrick sacked as Bucks manager] BBC Sport, 24 August 2015
21. [https://www.telfordunited.com/the-club/new-bucks-head-stadium/ New Bucks Head] AFC Telford United
22. (3 March 2015). "Local football Derby for Shropshire and Telford".
23. (6 August 2019). "AFC Telford United 2 Kidderminster Harriers 0 – Report and pictures". Shropshire Star.
24. "The Team- Telford United".
25. [https://twitter.com/telfordutd/status/1338960625486209027 FULL TIME COL 1-10 (TEN) TEL] AFC Telford United on Twitter
26. "AFC Telford 7-1 Lowestoft Town".