DAVENTRY TOWN RESERVES

Since forming in 1886 Daventry Town Football Club has had a chequered history over its 132 years, from a devastating fire in 2005 which threatened the club’s existence to an incredible cup run which saw over 700 fans travel to League 2 Chesterfield in 2014.

Switching to the Northants Combination in 1987, under the guidance of Manager Willie Barrett, the clubs fortunes began to flourish, Barrett leading the club to successive championships in the Northants Combination First and Premier Divisions &in 1989/90 they secured promotion to the United Counties League Division One

Leaving the “Hollow” in the centre of the town in 1990 when the club moved to its current home at the Elderstubbs, the club’s fortunes suffered a devastating blow in 2005–06, when the Elderstubbs clubhouse and changing rooms were destroyed during an arson attack.

With the club on the brink of going out of business, Iain Humphrey took the helm and work began to revitalise the club with the introduction of new floodlights, walkways and other infrastructure to support the clubs promotion ambitions.

2007–08 was a very successful season for the Town. They won UCL Division One, losing just once, and defeated three Premier division teams en route to the League Knockout Cup final, where they lost to Desborough Town 3–2.

In the season 2009–10, Daventry won promotion to the Southern League Division One Central, by becoming champions of the United Counties League under the guidance of manager Ady Fuller. Daventry Town reached the last 16 of the FA vase, the final of the NFA Senior Cup, beaten by Corby Town by 3 – 2 and the semi – finals of the UCL KO cup before Captain Paul Saunders lifted the UCL championship to secure Daventry Town a coveted place in the Southern League for 2010/11.

Under the guidance of Ady Fuller and assistant Paul Lamb, their first season in the Southern League almost ended with another promotion however they lost in the play off final to Hitchin Town.

Former Aston Villa, Charlton and Republic of Ireland international Mark Kinsella became manager in the summer 2011 however his season long spell was unsuccessful and former Daventry United/Ford Sports Manager Darran Foster was appointed with Neil Champelovier as his assistant in 2012.

Daventry Town made history in 2013-2014 by reaching the First Round of the FA Cup, a visit to Chesterfield’s Proact Stadium their reward. They were eventually beaten by 2 – 0 in front of over 700 of their own travelling supporters and a crowd of over 5269. Town also reached the first round proper of the FA Trophy losing 1 0 to Maidenhead United.

Town reached the final of the Northamptonshire Senior Cup – Hillier Cup beating Cogenhoe United, managed by Andy Marks, 3 – 0, Scott Cross (2) and Luke Keen scoring the goals.

Town had been season-long favourites for promotion from the Southern League Division One Central in 2013 -2014 but the back log of fixtures caused by the cup runs took effect. They lost the promotion play-offs at the semi-final stage at Kettering Town, narrowly beaten 1-0.

Darran Foster resigned as manager on 30th October 2014 following budget cuts and was replaced by former Watford, Oldham and Preston star, Allan Smart. Former Manager Ady Fuller was appointed as his Assistant Manager with the bulk of the players supplied by Smart’s London based Academy.

In the Summer of 2015, the club were moved to the Northern Premier League Division One South and with Smart and the players based in the South, het resigned in July 2015.

Darran Foster returned to Daventry Town as Manager just nine months after leaving however he also resigned on Easter Saturday after a 5 0 home defeat to Kidsgrove Athletic.

Club Goalkeeping Coach Derren Midson and the Club’s Juniors Development Officer Pete Flockhart stepped in as Caretaker Managers with Brian Porter returning as Club Secretary to ensure the club somehow completed their remaining 6 fixtures of the 2015/2016 season.

In a move planned to reset the club’s financial problems, Town took voluntary relegation to step 6 football and the club returned to the United Counties League Division 1.

In April 2016, Steve Tubb took over as Chairman and on the 12th May 2016, the club appointed Arron Parkinson and Andy Marks as joint managers. With a zero budget for the season, the team management have worked wonders in turning the club around and winning the UCL Division 1 title, unbeaten at home.

Andy Marks left the club at the end of the season due to family and work commitments. Ian King joined Parkinson as Joint Manager in May 2017.

Town finished the 2017/18 season in 10th position, winning the Buckingham Charity Cup for the first time.

2018/19 saw the return of the Reserves managed by Andy Emery. Ian King left to join Northampton Town Academy. Arron Parkinson took over as Manager with goalkeeper Matt Finlay as his Assistant Manager and Pete Harris coming in a Club Coach respectively.

After an excellent start to the 2018/19 league season and two FA Cup wins scoring 16 goals in the process, the Town went on to win the UCL Premier Division with a 1 1 draw at Pinchbeck United. The club were presented with the trophy on Easter Monday after a 3 0 win over local rivals and pre-season favourites Rugby Town in front of a crowd of 393. They also won the UCL Knock Out Cup by beating Holbeach United 3 1 in the final at Raunds Town. Town then returned back to the BetVictor Southern League Division One Central.

In 2019–20, the club returned to the Southern League, however, the Covid 19 Pandemic meant that they would not complete this or the 2020–21 season.

Sadly during this time, the Town lost three members of the Hobbs family in quick session. Club President, Frank Hobbs died just two weeks after his wife Sarah. Frank’s younger brother, Malcolm Hobbs died just three months later. Between them, they had covered just about every position within the club and had given almost 200 years of combined service to the Town.

In 2021–22, the club moved to the Northern Premier League Midlands Division. After a difficult start to the season, Jim Scott joined the coaching team and along with a number of new signings, Town ended the season in 16th place but 15 points clear of the relegation spots.

The club also started a third male adult team playing in the Northants Combination League Division 3. This team was named Daventry Town Hobbs after the sadly missed Hobbs family.

Off the pitch, the club announced that it had cleared all inherited debts since taking over in 2016 and that the club was now debt free.

The 2022-23 season was challenging for Daventry.  A slow start in the tough Northern Premier League led to the budget being cut and manager Arron Parkinson left after 6 seasons. Almost all of the players left leaving a scratch side of reserves and youth team to unsuccessfully avoid relegation from the Northern Premier League.

Prior to the 2023-24 season Daren Young was unveiled as First Team Manager. Following an inconsistent season and with only 2 wins in 2024, the club and Young mutually agreed to part company.

Jamie Forrest was appointed as First Team Manger prior to the 2024-25 season where the club would compete again in the UCL Premier Division South. This season also saw the return of the Reserves to the UCL and will be managed by Jamie Jollands.

Admission Prices: Adults £4, 18-21 and Over 60s, Students £2, U18 £1  Armed Services, NHS, Police and Fire Service employees Free

Ground Directions: 
Exit M1 Junction 18Daventry. Take third exit onto A5 then turn left at the first roundabout A428.

Take first left at second roundabout Daventry staying on A5 follow signs for A361 Daventry off the next roundabout.

At second roundabout take third exit at Daventry Court Hotel on to A361. Turn left onto A45 at second roundabout towards Daventry.

At second roundabout “Mapleleaf Garage” take second exit on A45.

At second roundabout take third exit right into Browns Road. The club is at the far end, on the left.

Exit M1 Junction 16Daventry. Take first exit onto A45 towards Daventry.

NEW ROAD = Weedon / Flore Bypass: At the first roundabout, take the second exit on the new Weedon bypass signposted Daventry. After approximately 1 mile, go straight over the A5 roundabout and the second exit on the roundabout at the top of the hill and then on towards Daventry on the old road.

When approaching Daventry, take the first exit on the roundabout.

At second roundabout take second exit into Browns Road. The club is at the far end, on the left.

Northants Combination League Division One

Winners: 1987–88

Northants Combination League Premier Division

Winners: 1988–99

United Counties League Division One

Winners: 1989–90, 1990–91, 2000–01, 2007–08, 2016–17

United Counties League Premier Division

Winners: 2009–10

Northamptonshire FA / Lower Junior Cup

Winners: 1930-31, 1960-61 and 1990-91

Runners Up: 1988–99

Northamptonshire FA / Hillier Cup

Winners: 2013–14

Runners Up: 2007–08, 2012–13

Daventry Charity Cup

Winners: 1997–98, 1999-2000

Buckingham Charity Cup

Winners: 2017–18