| Full name | Tamworth Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Lambs The Reds |
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| Founded | 1933 | ||
| Ground | The Lamb Ground Tamworth (Capacity: 4,195 (518 seated) |
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| Chairman | Bob Andrews | ||
| Manager | Marcus Law | ||
| League | Conference National | ||
| 2010–11 | Conference National, 10th | ||
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| Current season | |||
Tamworth Football Club are an English semi-professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Blue Square Bet Premier - Conference National, the fifth highest tier in the English league system.
The club were formed in 1933 after the previous Tamworth club, Tamworth Castle, ceased to exist. They originally played at The Jolly Sailor Ground but after a year moved into The Lamb Ground.
Local rivals include Burton Albion and Nuneaton Town, and to a lesser degree Atherstone Town, Bedworth United and Bolehall Swifts. The team are currently managed by Marcus Law, and the club captain is Paul Green.
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The town of Tamworth had been represented at football by Tamworth Castle F.C. until the club folded in 1933. This void was filled thanks to a campaign started by a letter local from a businessman in the local newspaper setting in motion the formation of Tamworth F.C. Originally playing next to the Jolly Sailor pub, the club moved to their present ground, The Lamb Ground, in 1934. Tamworth began life competing in the Birmingham Combination, before joining the West Midlands League, which was later renamed the Birmingham League, in the 1950s. In the 1960s Tamworth experienced success, winning the league in 1963–64 and 1965–66, as well as lifting the West Midlands League Cup, Birmingham Senior Cup and Staffordshire Senior Cup in that decade.
1972 saw Tamworth promoted to the Southern League, but a period of falling attendances and financial difficulties followed. The club returned to the West Midlands League, and it was taken over by a consortium of local businessmen in 1984. In 1987–88 Tamworth won the League and were promoted back to the Southern League.
Tamworth, managed by Graham Smith, won the FA Vase in 1989, beating Sudbury Town. The final was played at Wembley Stadium, but the game finished 1–1, meaning that the winner would have to be decided by a replay. The replay was played at London Road, the home of Peterborough United, and Tamworth won 3–0 to lift the FA Vase for the first time.
Tamworth won promotion to the Conference National in 2002–03 after winning the Southern League in 2001–02, only one year after narrowly missing the same promotion. That year, Tamworth earned a 3–3 draw on the final day at Folkestone Invicta while Kettering Town won, passing Tamworth for first place and winning promotion to the Conference National. Tamworth also reached the final of the FA Trophy in 2002–03 season where they played Burscough but were denied a double, losing 2–1.
The club completed perhaps their highest profile signing of all time on 23 February 2006, with the capture of former Arsenal, Aston Villa, Walsall and English national midfielder Paul Merson.[1] However, the arrangement meant that until the end of the season, the majority of Merson's wages were to be paid by the club he used to manage, Walsall. The arrangement however only lasted two games, although Merson only played once in the 2–1 home loss to Halifax Town. Merson was dropped to the bench for the following game, which was a 5–0 defeat away to Grays Athletic. Merson later announced his retirement from professional football as a player on 9 March 2006, less than a month after joining Tamworth.[2]
Although the club finished the 2005–06 season in 21st position (the last relegation position), in the Conference National, the club were spared the drop after Canvey Island resigned from the league. The Lambs did, however, reach the 3rd round of the FA Cup for the first time that season.
Despite a fairly poor 2006–07 league campaign, Tamworth once again found themselves at the 3rd round stage of the FA Cup. Norwich City beat The Lambs, and 18 days later Tamworth manager Mark Cooper and assistant manager Richard Dryden were dismissed with the club at the foot of the league table. They were replaced two days later by the former Tamworth managerial duo of manager Gary Mills[3] and assistant Darron Gee.[4] Despite the change in leadership, Tamworth were relegated after finishing in 22nd position. Tamworth kicked off the 2007–08 season in the Conference North, a disappointing league campaign saw the club finish in 15th position.
The club began their second season in the Conference North and followed up a fantastic season with a win over Hinckley United on 21 April 2009 which secured the title and promotion back to the Conference National. The win was duly attained with a 65th minute goal from Nick Wright as the club won 1–0. Captain Martin Foster received the trophy in front of hundreds of ecstatic fans and the celebrations began at The Lamb Ground.
On the 13 October 2010, manager Gary Mills quit Tamworth to join fellow Conference National side York City, names of possible replacements started to circulate and many believed that Ian McParland had expressed interest in the job. It's also been rumoured that the board have made bids to Kevin Wilkin, Dean Thomas and Jim Gannon to take over at the club. However first team coach Des Lyttle became caretaker manager and was later hired as player-manager. He resigned as manager on 13 April 2011, and was replaced by Tamworth legend Dale Belford, who was to manage the club for the remaining four games of the season. Belford led Tamworth to last day safety with a 2–1 home win over Forest Green Rovers, with Jake Sheridan scoring the all important winning goal.[5]
In November 2010, Tamworth were drawn against Crewe Alexandra in the first round of the 2010–11 FA Cup, Tamworth won the tie 2–1, with goals coming from Alex Rodman and Danny Thomas. Tamworth were then drawn away to Carlisle United in the second round, and were knocked out after a 3–2 defeat.
Belford stepped aside at the end of the season, and the search for a new manager to lead the club for the 2011–12 Conference National season began, speculation was rife, and the names of former York City manager Martin Foyle, Eastwood Town manager Paul Cox and former Walsall assistant manager Martin O'Connor were all linked to the club, but on 25 May 2011, Tamworth announced Kettering Town manager Marcus Law as the club's new manager.
Tamworth will face Everton in the 3rd round of the F.A. Cup 2011-2012.
As of 2009, Tamworth play in an all red kit, with change colours of dark blue and dark blue shorts.
The club crest features a Stafford knot, the symbol of Staffordshire.
Tamworth have played at The Lamb Ground since 1934. Prior to this, they spent their first season at a ground adjacent to the Jolly Sailor pub. The Lamb Ground takes it name from a pub, the Lamb Inn, which formerly stood nearby. The ground has a capacity of approximately 4,000, and a directors box. All seating is in the Main Stand, which was constructed in 1997. The Main Stand occupies one side of the pitch, with a covered terrace known as the Shed on the opposite side. The two ends are terraced of which one is partially covered. The Lamb Ground also holds the record for most bags of monster munch sold during a match, this record stands at over 6 bags.
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Players with international caps in bold
See Tamworth F.C. Players
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager | Marcus Law |
| Assistant Manager | |
| First Team Coach | Paul O'Brien |
| Coach | Paul Hall |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Dale Belford |
| Kit Manager | Buster Belford |
| Backroom Staff Manager | Degsy Bond |
| Sports Therapist | Huseyin Torgut |
| Youth Team Coach | Mike Corbett |
| Youth Team Secretary | Brad Stokes |
| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 1999–2000 | Prostar | Polesworth Garage |
| 2000–2004 | Nike | Bloor Homes |
| 2004–2007 | Ocean Finance | |
| 2007–2009 | Umbro | |
| 2009– | Admiral | Snowdome |
Following seven years with Nike, Inc., the club confirmed the kit manufacturer to be Umbro for the 2007/08 season.[6]
Snowdome were confirmed as the clubs new shirt sponsor on 24 June 2009, agreeing a three year shirt sponsorship deal with the club. Automotive Solutions agreed a one year short sponsorship, while Admiral Sportswear would be manufacturing the clubs players and replica kits.[7]
On 14 July 2011, it was confirmed that Tamworth based IT Consultancy company, Computer Friendly Consultants would be renewing their back of shirt sponsor for the 2011/12 season.[8] Solus Coaches were announced as the first team shorts sponsor for the 2011/12 season.[9]
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