AFC Telford United is a football club based in Telford, Shropshire, England. The club was formed in 2004 after the original Telford United, founded in 1872, folded due to financial problems. They are currently members of the and play at the New Bucks Head in Wellington, part of the new town of Telford. The club's colours are white and black.
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, which was named AFC Telford United; a new club motto, numquam obliviscere (never forget) was also adopted. In June the new club were placed in Division One of the Northern Premier League by the Football Association. 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.Kendal Town season review 2004-5 BBC News, 15 June 2005 The attendance of 4,215 for the final was a club record.Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2012) Non-League Club Directory 2013, p21 The following season saw them finish tenth. During the season, McNally was replaced as manager by Rob Smith.Rob Smith: Time right to leave AFC Telford Shropshire Star, 26 September 2013 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.Honours and Records AFC Telford United 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. The 2008–09 season resulted in a fourth-place finish and another play-off campaign. After beating Alfreton Town 5–4 on aggregate in the semi-finals (a 2–0 win at home and a 4–3 defeat away), they lost 1–0 to Gateshead. The season also saw them reach the first round of the FA Cup for the first time, where they were drawn at home to Football League club Southend United. Following a 2–2 draw, the club lost 2–0 in the replay. In the FA Trophy they reached the semi-finals, losing 4–2 on aggregate to York City. However, they were victorious in the Conference League Cup, beating Forest Green Rovers 3–0 on penalties after a 0–0 draw.
In 2009–10 Telford finished eleventh in the league, resulting in the sacking of Smith and his replacement with Andy Sinton.Andy Sinton is new AFC Telford boss Express & Star, 26 May 2010 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,AFC Telford 3–2 Guiseley BBC Sport, 9 May 2011 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,AFC Telford United Manager Andy Sinton Leaves By Mutual Consent Conference League Clubs, 31 January 2013 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. Liam Watson was appointed as manager in May 2013.AFC Telford United: Liam Watson sacked by Conference club BBC Sport, 13 December 2014
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.AFC Telford United: Steve Kittrick sacked as Bucks manager BBC Sport, 24 August 2015 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. In August 2015 Kittrick was sacked and Rob Smith returned for a second spell as manager.AFC Telford bring back Smith and Chambers Shropshire Star, 27 August 2015 They reached the first round of the FA Cup again in 2017–18 but lost 1–0 at Hereford. In 2022–23 the club finished bottom of the National League North and were relegated to the Premier Division Central of the Southern League. 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
SeasonDivisionTierPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPosFA CupFA TrophyNotesNorthern Premier League Division One842231187844+34803/22PrelimPrelimPromoted2005–067421417115452+25910/22 2Q3Q2006–07Northern Premier League Premier Division742211567240+32783/221Q1QPromoted2007–08Conference North642248107043+27802/222Q1R2008–09Conference North6422210106534+31764/221RSF2009–10Conference North640149175255−35111/211R3Q2010–11Conference North640231347129+42822/213Q3RPromoted2011–12Conference Premier5461016204565−204620/241R2R2012–13Conference Premier546617235279−273524/244Q2RRelegated2013–14Conference North642251078253+29851/222Q1RChampions, promoted2014–15Conference Premier546109275884−263623/242R2RRelegated2015–16National League North642138214760−134718/222Q1R2016–17National League North6421012203857−194217/222Q1R2017–18National League North642165215569−145314/221R1R2018–19National League North6421714116455+9658/223QSF2019–20National League North634119145156−54214/222Q1RSeason curtailed due to COVID-19 pandemic2020–21National League North6175481723-61914/223Q3RSeason curtailed due to COVID-19 pandemic2021–22National League North642716194865-173720/222Q3R2022–23National League North646614263576-413224/242Q3RRelegated2023–24Southern League Premier Central Division740241066934+35822/211Q3QR2024–25Southern League Premier Central Division742191768260+22743/221Q2RPromoted2025–26National League North6421714158865206511/221R5R
Stadium
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.New Bucks Head AFC 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 JoinedLeftManager20042006Bernard McNally20062010Rob Smith20102013Andy Sinton20132013Mark Cooper (interim)20132013Graham Hyde20132013John Psaras (caretaker)20132014Liam Watson20142015Steve Kittrick20152017Rob Smith20172018Rob Edwards20182021Gavin Cowan20212021Dennis Greene (Interim)20212022Paul Carden2022PresentKevin Wilkin
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 2020FULL TIME COL 1-10 (TEN) TEL AFC Telford United on Twitter 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: Matty Stenson, 68, 2019–2020, 2024–26 (present) 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
See also List of fan-owned sports teams
References
External links