Stafford Rangers F.C.
 | |||
| Full name | Stafford Rangers Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Boro', Rangers | ||
| Founded | 1876 | ||
| Ground |
Marston Road Stafford | ||
| Capacity | 4,000 (530 seated) | ||
| Patron | Roly Tonge | ||
| Chairman | John Bromley | ||
| Manager | Neil Kitching | ||
| League |
Northern Premier League Division One South | ||
| 2014–15 |
Northern Premier League Division One South, 6th | ||
|
| |||
- Not to be confused with the Volunteer Regiment The Staffordshire Rangers
Stafford Rangers Football Club is a semi-professional English football team from Stafford which plays in the Northern Premier League Division One South.
The team wear black and white stripes with black shorts. Stafford Rangers' rivals include Tamworth, Hednesford Town, Burton Albion, and Telford United.
Early history
Despite extensive research, no one has been able to prove conclusively when Stafford Rangers was actually formed, as early minute books were destroyed during the First World War. Rangers' formation year is recognised as 1876 because of articles in the local Advertiser newspaper, but an alternative theory on Rangers' formation date, printed in the Sentinel newspaper during 1891, suggests that the club was founded by a Bible class in 1877.
Rangers' early matches were cup games and friendlies, with the club reaching the FA Cup First Round in both 1884–85 and 1885–86. The club then had spells in the Shropshire League, Birmingham League and North Staffordshire League up to the turn of the century, and moved to their present Marston Road home in 1896. In 1900–01 Stafford rejoined the Birmingham League and in 1904–05 had an FA Cup run to the last Qualifying Round bowing out in a replay at Second Division Blackpool. They were demoted to the Birmingham Combination in 1912 but won the championship at the first attempt (1912–13) and then finished runners-up in two of the next four seasons either side of the First World War. Rangers won the Birmingham League title in 1926–27, twice finished runners-up (1928–29 and 1929–30) and were twice third in five memorable seasons. During this period a total of 542 league goals were scored with striker Eddie Cameron regularly scoring goals. Due to financial troubles the team spent the mid to late 1930s struggling to avoid re-election and in one game were so short of players that the club secretary R.P. Brown had to play and actually scored a goal. During April 1935 a successful appeal for £100 to pay creditors enabled the club to survive. When war broke out in 1939, Rangers participated in an emergency Birmingham League during the 1939–40 season, finishing as runners-up, and then disbanded.
Post-war
After the Second World War the club reformed and played in the Birmingham Combination for six seasons, achieving a highest position of 6th in 1950–51. With a view to progress, Rangers joined the Cheshire County Football League in 1952 and finished 3rd in the 1954–55 season. However, Rangers' spell in the Cheshire Football League was generally one of struggle and during the early sixties financial difficulties again threatened the club's existence. There were, however, some positive results, including the seven goals scored by Les Box in an 11–0 FA Cup victory over Dudley Town during September 1957.
In 1965, the appointment of Colin Hutchinson as manager started an improvement. Rangers won the 1967–68 Cheshire League Cup and following season finished as Cheshire League runners-up to earn a place in the Northern Premier League.
The seventies were the most successful era in the club's history. With Roy Chapman as manager, the club recorded a Northern Premier League Championship, FA Trophy and Staffordshire Senior Cup treble in season 1971–72; with Ray Williams scoring a club record of 48 goals in a single season. However, they failed to gain election to the Football League, and have never since finished high enough to enter the Football League.
Three seasons later Rangers progressed to the FA Cup Fourth Round defeating Stockport County, Halifax Town and Rotherham United on the way to a defeat against Peterborough United in front of a crowd of 31,160 at Stoke City's Victoria Ground. The home Third Round tie with Rotherham attracted a record of 8,536 people to Marston Road. After Chapman had departed to manage League club Stockport County, Rangers were again at Wembley Stadium in 1975–76 for their second FA Trophy Final but they lost to Scarborough 3–2 after extra time. Roy Chapman returned as manager and success continued with a second FA Trophy Final win in 1979, this time against Kettering Town.
Rangers became founder members of the Alliance Premier League but this coincided with the club finishing low in the league, as various managers found it difficult to follow the success of the seventies. After four seasons Rangers were relegated to the Northern Premier League. This form continued, but with the appointment of Ron Reid as manager during the 1983–84 season as manager the club soon began to rebuild its reputation and won the 1984–85 League title. Back in the Alliance, the Bob Lord Trophy, Jim Thompson Shield and Staffordshire Senior Cup were all won within two seasons. During the late eighties and early nineties, Rangers struggled in the Conference, with six managers in seven seasons following Reid's departure in May 1988. The sale of striker Stan Collymore to Crystal Palace in December 1990 for a substantial six-figure fee stands out in this period. Under the management of Dennis Booth, Rangers enjoyed a tremendous 1992–93 campaign. In the league they finished 6th and reached the FA Cup Second Round, defeating Lincoln City in a First Round replay at Marston Road.
After Booth departed for Bristol Rovers, Rangers found success difficult to achieve and were relegated from the Conference to the Southern League Premier Division at the end of the 1994–95 season. The slide continued at the start of the 1995–96 campaign and when Kevan Bowen took over in October 1995 Rangers had not gained a point. Bowen made an immediate impact and achieved good results in the second half of the season but the damage had already been done at the start and the club was relegated for the second successive season. With an ambition to take Stafford Rangers back to their former heights in non-league football, the Board appointed Kevin Bond as manager towards the end of 1997. Despite some good performances Rangers ended the season in a mid-table position and Bond moved on to Portsmouth.
Ian Painter succeeded Bond in the 1998 close season and in his first term Rangers finished 5th in the Southern League Midland Division with the distinction of being the equal highest scorers in the pyramid with 92 goals. In 1999–2000, following a slow start, a strengthened side achieved a club record unbeaten run of 23 league games. Rangers were once again equal highest scorers in the pyramid with 107 goals and duly won the Southern League Western Division championship.
21st century
After two seasons in the Premier Division, finishing seventh and ninth respectively, Painter left the club in April 2002. During Painter's final season, Rangers recorded a club-record 15–0 victory over Kidsgrove Athletic in a Staffordshire Senior Cup tie on 20 November 2001.
Phil Robinson, whose playing career took him to several top Football League clubs around the East and West Midlands, joined his hometown club as player-manager in the 2002 close season and immediately set about creating a structure to develop young local talent with the introduction of reserve and youth teams. He retained only a few of Painter's squad which led to increased support on the terraces due to improved results. They finished second in the Southern League Premier Division, reached the FA Cup First Round for the first time in a decade and brought the Staffordshire Senior Cup back to Marston Road with a 5–1 victory over Stoke City at Port Vale's Vale Park. Robinson's second season in charge, 2003–04, brought more success with Rangers this time finishing third in the league behind Crawley Town and Weymouth to earn a place amongst the Nationwide Conference North founder members. Rangers reached the Staffordshire Senior Cup Final but lost 1–0 to Kidsgrove Athletic. At the end of the 2004–05 season, silverware returned to Marston Road as the team regained the Senior Cup, defeating Leek Town in the Final at Vale Park. As well as reaching the FA Cup First Round, where they lost to Chester City, Rangers finished the inaugural Conference North season in 8th position with the tightest defence in the division, conceding just 44 goals.
Stafford Rangers achieved promotion back to the fifth tier of English football after a play-off win on penalties over Droylsden in May 2006 at rivals Burton Albion's new Pirelli Stadium. This came at the end of a successful 2005–06 league campaign which resulted in a second place finish. Rangers celebrated their promotion with a tour of Stafford on an open-top bus, with thousands gathering in the Market Square and players signing autographs for the fans. This attracted the attention of local newspapers and the BBC who featured the honorary lap later that night on Midlands Today.
In the 2006–07 season the club reached the second round of the FA Cup where they lost to Brighton & Hove Albion. A match against Dagenham & Redbridge was featured live on Sky Sports. Goalkeeper Danny Alcock was selected for the England Non-League squad in January 2007 and a month later Cameroonian Guy Madjo was selected by his nation for international duty. The club managed to avoid relegation on the final day of the season, and finished 20th in the Conference.
2007 saw Stafford struggle to compete in an increasingly difficult league with many ex-league and professional sides. Phil Robinson left the club after five-and-a-half years in charge and many Stafford fans were unhappy to see him leave. Robinson managed to sign some of Staffords' best performing players for the 2007–08 season including Djimi Sangare, Marco Adaggio and Ross Draper. Neil Grayson (striker) and Kevin Street (midfielder) were placed in temporary charge of the county town club as joint care taker managers.
On 21 February 2008, Steve Bull was appointed as Head Coach. Bull was unable to save the club and on 7 April 2008, Rangers were relegated to the Conference North following a 4–0 defeat at home to York City. He left the club on 12 December, being replaced by Chris Brindley, who was Assistant Manager under Bull.[1] At the end of the 2009 season, Stafford Rangers' future was uncertain as they needed to pay Slick Seating £50,000 by 7 July. The club came up with the idea of selling 250 tickets at £200, that would be repaid in weekly draws, this worked and the club was saved from going into administration. Jon Downing (the club chairman) stated that he was proud of the fans and that a new era lay ahead for Stafford Rangers.
On 14 April 2010, news was leaked that Chairman Jon Downing had resigned from his position as Chairman, after 17 years on the clubs Board, with two spells as Chairman. A day later, an article was published in the Staffordshire Newsletter entitled "Shock as Boro boss quits". The article stated that director Ian Seddon, was interested in taking over the role.[2]
On 27 May 2010, Darren Read held talks with new AFC Telford United manager, Andy Sinton, at New Bucks Head. That evening he signed a two-year deal as assistant manager and left Stafford Rangers. Chris Brindley appointed Steve Wynn as coach in later summer 2010.
In September 2010, Brindley resigned as manager of Stafford Rangers. On 14 October 2010, the club appointed Tim Flowers as Manager. Flowers resigned as manager on 11 January 2011 after just nine games in charge. His assistant Matt Elliott took over the job. Despite some improved performances Elliott could not prevent relegation to the Northern Premier League for the 2011–12 season. Their fate was not confirmed until the final game of the season, a 3–2 defeat at Stalybridge Celtic. Elliott initially accepted the offer to become manager for the next season but then had a change of heart and resigned. On 31 May 2011 Greg Clowes was appointed the new manager of Stafford Rangers from Newcastle Town where he would be assisted by his colleague from Newcastle, Dorian Garner. On 8 September 2013, following defeat in all of their opening seven Evo-Stik (Northern Premier League) games, Clowes, Garner and coach Mick Hathaway were relieved of their management duties.
On 9 September 2013 the club appointed Andy Mutch as Interim Manager. On 2 January 2014, Mutch departed the club. Graham Heathcote was announced as manager on 3 January 2014. Following a further relegation, this time to the Evo-Stik League Division One South, Heathcote felt he could not continue as manager on a limited playing budget.
On 28 May 2014 the former Rushall Olympic boss Neil Kitching was appointed as the new manager of Stafford Rangers. Joining him from Rushall Olympic as his assistant was a former Stafford Rangers player (and legend) Nick Amos and another Stafford Rangers legend, Wayne Daniel. Wayne Daniel has been appointed player-coach[3]
Stadium
In the 2006–07 season Rangers had an average attendance of over 1000. The stadium has recently had an increased stand capacity and new floodlights. There were rumours in local newspapers at the beginning of the season reporting that the club may move, but the club has never confirmed these reports.
Further speculation of a ground move was recently fuelled when it was revealed that Stafford Rangers had reportedly bought some land by the common in Stafford. But the mystery buyer of the land does not look like it is Boro' because chairman, John Downing promised that if Rangers stay in the Conference National the Stadiums seated capacity will rise to over 2500, with a 2000 seater stand being constructed in the Shed End. Also the Marston Roads Social Club End will have a roof built over it to meet health and safety regulations set by the league.
This resulted in two temporary stands being constructed, a 2000 capacity seated stand where the shed end was located and a temporary terrace on the social end. The deal with the stands led to financial problems. Through fundraising this was addressed and the stands were taken down. This left the club with what we have now on the social end, and a shed end without a roof.
A fundraising effort is currently being led by the fans of Stafford Rangers FC to install a new roof on the shed end. Other improvements to the Social Club are also well underway.
Stripes
Stafford Rangers Independent Supporters Trust (STRIPES) was formed in 2005 as an independent voice for fans and local companies. 235 members joined in the first year.
The club also has a very popular unofficial fans forum http://s3.zetaboards.com/staffordrangersfans/index/ and a supporters club. Membership of the supporters club entitles members to discounted away travel and merchandise from the club shop, as well as many other benefits.
Players
Current squad
- As of 23 June 2014
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
Notable players
See Stafford Rangers F.C. Players
Post-war managers
See Stafford Rangers F.C. Managers
| Dates | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| February 1947 – May 1947 | George Austin | |
| August 1947 – May 1948 | Jack Dowen | |
| May 1948 – May 1950 | Billy Frith | |
| August 1950 – May 1951 | Charlie Evans | |
| August 1952 – November 1953 | Eric Hampson | |
| February 1955 – November 1955 |  Frank Brown |
|
| September 1957 – May 1958 | George Antonio |
|
| August 1958 – May 1959 | Len Millard | |
| August 1959 – September 1960 | Bert Mitchell | |
| January 1961 – October 1963 | Graham Cordell | |
| February 1964 – May 1964 | Ken Griffiths | |
| August 1964 – May 1965 | Stan Smith | |
| August 1965 – May 1969 | Colin Hutchinson | |
| August 1969 – September 1975 | Roy Chapman |
1971/72 'Treble' 1974/75 FA Cup Fourth Round |
| September 1975 | Ken Jones | |
| September 1975 – May 1976 | Colin Meldrum | 1975/76 FA Trophy Finalist |
| ??? – ??? | Reg Berks | |
| 1977 – February 1980 | Roy Chapman |
|
| May 1980 – October 1981 | Paul Ogden | |
| October 1981 – January 1983 | Bobby Thomson | |
| January 1983 – September 1983 | Colin Clarke | |
| September 1983 – May 1988 | Ron Reid | |
| July 1988 – February 1989 | Bryan Chambers | |
| February 1989 – November 1989 | Ron Reid | |
| November 1989 – May 1990 | John Williams | |
| June 1990 – January 1992 | Chris Wright | |
| January 1992 – 1993 | Dennis Booth |
|
| ??? – ??? | Brendan Phillips | |
| ??? – June 1995 | Mark Harrison | |
| August 1995 – ??? | Bob Horton | |
| ??? – ??? | Kevan Bowen | |
| October 1997 – May 1998 | Kevin Bond |
|
| August 1998 – May 2002 | Ian Painter |
1999/2000 Dr Martens League Western Division |
| June 2002 – November 2007 | Phil Robinson |
Promotion to Conference National |
| November 2007 – March 2008 | Neil Grayson Kevin Street |
|
| March 2008 – December 2008 | Steve Bull MBE |
|
| December 2008 – September 2010 | Chris Brindley |
|
| October 2010 – January 2011 | Tim Flowers |
|
| January 2011 – May 2011 |  Matt Elliott |
|
| July 2011 – September 2013 | Greg Clowes |
|
| September 2013 - January 2014 | Andy Mutch |
|
| January 2014 - May 2014 | Graham Heathcote |
|
| May 2014 - | Neil Kitching |
Honours
League Champions
- Birmingham Combination 1912–13
- Birmingham League 1926–27
- Northern Premier League 1971–72, 1984–85
- Southern Football League Western Division 1999–2000
League Runner-ups
- Birmingham League 1928–29, 1929–30
- Birmingham Wartime League 1939–40
- Cheshire County League 1968–69
- Northern Premier League 1970–71, 1975–76
- Southern League Premier Division 2002–03
- Conference North 2005–06
Cup Winners
- Leek Cup Joint 1899–1900
- Wednesbury Charity Cup 1920–21
- Staffordshire Qualifying Cup 1928–29
- Staffordshire Senior Cup 1954–55, 1956–57, 1962–63, 1971–72, 1977–78, 1986–87, 1991–92, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2014-15
- Cheshire League Cup 1967–68
- Midland Floodlight Cup 1969–70
- FA Trophy 1971–72, 1978–79
- Conference League Cup 1985–86
- Northern Premier League Shield 1985–86
- Jim Thompson Shield 1986–87
- Jenny Smith Cup 2009–10
- Walsall Senior Cup 2012-13
Statistics
| Record Win | 15–0 v Kidsgrove Athletic 20 November 2001 |
|---|---|
| Record Defeat | 0–12 v Burton Town, 13 December 1930 |
| Most goals in a game | 7 – Les Box v Dudley Town, FA Cup 6 September 1958 |
| Best FA Cup run | 4th Round 1974–75 |
| Record FA Cup Win | 11–0 v Dudley Town 6 September 1958 |
Notes
- ↑ "Non-league football: Stafford appoint Brindley as manager". The Sentinel. 17 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-17.
- ↑ "Shock as Boro boss quits". Staffordshire Newsletter. 2010-04-15.
- ↑ "Non-league football: Graham Heathcote is new Stafford Rangers boss". Express and Star. 3 January 2014. Retrieved 2014-00-21. Check date values in:
|accessdate=(help)
See also
External links
- Official site staffordrangersfc.co.uk
- Stafford Rangers Supporters FC www.srsfc.co.uk
- s3.zetaboards.com/staffordrangersfans
- Stafford Rangers JFC staffordrangersjuniors.moonfruit.com