Stratford Town F.C.
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Full name | Stratford Town Football Club | ||
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Nickname(s) | The Bards | ||
Founded | 1941 (as Stratford Rangers) | ||
Ground | Knights Lane, Tiddington | ||
Chairman | Jed McCroy | ||
Manager | Tim Flowers | ||
League | Southern League Premier Division Central | ||
2020–21 | Southern League Premier Division Central (season curtailed) | ||
Website | Club website | ||
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Stratford Town Football Club is a football club representing the town of Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire, England, but currently based in nearby Tiddington. They are currently members of the Southern League Premier Division Central and play at Knights Lane.
History[]
The club was formed in 1941 as Stratford Rangers, changing their name in 1949. After playing in various local leagues they joined the Worcestershire Combination (which later became the Midland Football Combination) in 1954. In 1957 they switched to the Birmingham and District League, which became the West Midlands (Regional) League in 1962, but rejoined the Combination in 1970. In 1975 they took the unusual step of joining the Hellenic League, which does not normally include teams from Warwickshire. After two unsuccessful seasons they rejoined the Midland Combination once again, where they remained until becoming founder members of the Midland Football Alliance in 1994.
The club entered financial difficulty in 1998 and were reformed to become Stratford Town F.C.
On 20 April 2013, a 1–1 draw with Stourport Swifts sealed the Midland Alliance title and promotion to the Southern Football League for the first time in the club's history, where they initially played in Division One South & West. After two seasons in the Division One South & West, Stratford Town earned promotion to the Premier Division via the play-offs with a 3–2 win against Larkhall Athletic on 4 May 2015. They successfully retained their status the following season.
The 2021–22 season saw The Bards reach the first round proper of the FA Cup for the first time in their history, defeating National League North side Boston United 3–2 in a fourth qualifying round replay after an initial 1–1 draw at the Boston Community Stadium.[1][2] Stratford were drawn at home to League One side Shrewsbury Town, with the match televised on ITV4.[3] Despite scoring first, they were eventually defeated 5–1 in front of a sell-out 2,800 spectators at Knights Lane.[4]
Stadium[]
Stratford Town moved into the Knights Lane ground, Tiddington in the 2007–08 season. They played their first league match there against Barwell on 16 February 2008, losing 1–0 to a Stuart Spencer goal.[5]
The record attendance is 2,800 for the FA Cup first round match against Shrewsbury Town on 7 November 2021.[citation needed]
Players[]
Current squad[]
- As of 11 November 2021 [6]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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The Southern Football League does not use a squad numbering system.
Management and coaching staff[]
Boardroom[]
- As of 3 September 2020 [6]
Position | Name |
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Owner | ![]() |
Ambassador | ![]() |
Current staff[]
Position | Name |
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Manager | ![]() |
Assistant Manager | Vacant |
First Team Coach | ![]() |
Goalkeeper Coach | ![]() |
Managerial history[]
Period | Manager |
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1993 | ![]() |
–2005 | ![]() |
2005–2006 | ![]() |
2006–2007 | ![]() |
2007–2009 | ![]() |
2009–2010 | ![]() |
2010–2012 | ![]() |
2012–2014 | ![]() ![]() |
2014–2018 | ![]() |
2018 | ![]() |
2018–2019 | ![]() |
2019 | ![]() |
2019–Present | ![]() |
See also[]
- Stratford Town F.C. players
- Stratford Town F.C. managers
References[]
- Mike and Tony Williams (2006). Non League Club Directory 2006. Tony Williams Publications Ltd. ISBN 1-869833-54-6.
- ^ Hughes, Ian (2021-10-20). "Football fever set to grip Stratford after Town make FA Cup history". Stratford Observer. Retrieved 2021-11-09.
- ^ James, Christian (2021-10-17). "Boston United 1-1 Stratford Town: United find bold Bards so hard to edge past". Non League Football Paper. Retrieved 2021-11-09.
- ^ "BARDS FA CUP TIE VS SHREWSBURY TO BE SHOWN LIVE ON ITV4!". stratfordtownfc.co.uk. 2021-10-21. Retrieved 2021-11-09.
- ^ "Stratford Town 1-5 Shrewsbury Town". BBC Sport. 2021-11-07.
- ^ Stratford Town match report Archived 2008-07-24 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "Stratford Town". stratfordtownfc.co.uk. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
External links[]
Coordinates: 52°11′38.94″N 1°40′34.90″W / 52.1941500°N 1.6763611°W
- Southern Football League clubs
- Midland Football Alliance
- Association football clubs established in 1941
- Football clubs in Warwickshire
- 1941 establishments in England
- Football clubs in England
- Stratford-upon-Avon