AYLESTONE PARK FC

HISTORY OF AYLESTONE PARK FOOTBALL CLUB

Aylestone Park Senior Section was formed way back in 1980 and at that point it was a natural progression from youth team football where we were very successful at local level. Our early years saw us develop from Sunday morning adult football in the Charnwood League to our first taste of Saturday football courtesy of the Leicester & District League where we were very successful, gaining many league honours and various County F.A Cup successes. The season 2012/2013 was a beneficial one when APFC beat Ashby Ivanhoe 3-1 to lift the Senior Cup and the following season we were invited into the East Midlands Counties League following an 11th hour resignation from one of its member clubs, needless to say, we duly accepted the offer.

Season 2018/19 saw another milestone in the history of the club. The Leagues Committee that operates from the National Wembley Stadium decided to alter all step 5 and 6 Leagues in an effort to ease travelling time and also revert to 20 team constitutions. This re-organisation saw us relocated ‘sideways’ to the United Counties League. This also coincided with our highly successful youth team manager Matt Wormleighton stepping up to the plate to manage first team business.

In July 2021 Bob Stretton, one of the founder members of the club, retired from the role of Chairman from the club. Without Bob’s vision, determination and ingenuity the club would not even exist and would certainly not be in the positive position it is now. John Greaves, a former player for the club, was elected as the new Chairman and has been hugely instrumental in continuing to deliver further progress to the club. Indeed, since his tenure, a new 500-seater grandstand complete with accessible and standing areas has been installed, a new 6M x 3M digital scoreboard is in evidence, a new post and rail system now surrounds pitches 1 & 2, a new sports bar was opened in June and a complete refurbishment of the changing rooms was completed prior to season 2021/2022.

Season 2022/2023, saw a change in the management/coaching team with Matt Wormleighton stepping down after 4 years in the role as 1st team manager to undertake a new role at the club. Josh Dixon was appointed as first team manager and he was joined by Kade Lewis, as assistant manager, Liam Smithas coach and Martin Milnes as the goalkeeping coach. Dean Wright was the club’s physio and Kev Matthews continued in his role as kitman. With the introduction of several new players and a different style of football the club won the UCL Division 1 title by 6 points and were top of the league throughout the season after the opening round of matches.

The end of October 2023 saw a change in the management structure and James Dodd became 1st team manager and Elliot Shilliam was appointed as assistant manager with Matt Coates, Michael Milnes, Kev Matthews and Dean Wright all supporting James in their respective roles. Season 23/24 saw the club finish in 3rd place, narrowly losing out to Racing Club Warwick in the play-off final. Season 24/25 saw further changes to the back-up staff with Kev Matthews, Matt Coates and Dean Wright all leaving the club, Martin Milnes took onboard the kit persons role, Jake Duffy joined the club on a player/coach role and Beth Roberts became the club’s physio.

The club reached the 24/25 play-offs but like the previous season they narrowly lost in the final, this time to Rugby Borough. The summer of 2025 brought changes at management level with James Dodd, Elliot Shilliam and Jake Duffy all leaving the club. Lee Barratt became the 1st team manager and Kade Lewis returned to the club as assistant manager. Martin Milnes and Beth Roberts continued in their respective roles. In September Joe Conneely joined the club as 1st team manager alongside Lee Barratt and Alfie Marsden joined the club as 1st team coach, however both left the club in January 2026.

At the end of the season the club competed in a play-off semi-final but were beaten at Coventry United FC. The summer of 2026 saw changes to the managerial structure with Lee Barratt, Kade Lewis, Martin Milnes and Beth Roberts allleaving the club. Karl Towers was appointed manager, Kev Doherty took on the role of coach, Andy Hohn returned to the club as goal keeper coach, Jack Whitmore arrived at AP as the new physio and Ray Keeber stepped into the role of kitman.

Admission Prices: Adults £6, Concessions £3 

Programme: Complimentary

Refreshments: There is a selection of hot and cold food available at 2 outlets including burgers, wraps, nuggets, chips, soups etc plus general confectionary and sweets. We cater for personnel who have food intolerances, allergies, and coeliac disease. A licensed bar is situated within the main clubhouse and teas, coffees, soft drinks can also be procured.

Directions: From M21 jct 21 follow A563 Soar Valley Way towards Oadby at Pork pie roundabout take 5th exit onto Saffron Lane B5366, ground is 400 yards on LHS

 Parking: We have parking spaces available for 110 cars, plus spaces for accessible parking and blue badge holders. In addition we have spaces available for bicycle and motorbikes. We can, with prior arrangement, accept coaches and mini-buses but this would impact on the spaces available for general car parking.

Nearest Train Station: The nearest mainline railway station is Leicester Railway Station based at London Road, Leicester LE2 0QB. To complete your journey from the railway station to APFC, bus service no. 47/48 is available from Leicester Haymarket Bus Station, Belgrave Gate, Leicester, LE1 3HP. The designated bus stop to dis-embark for APFC is on Saffron Lane at Grant Way – approximate bus journey time is 25 minutes.

There is also a dual platform train station at Kenilworth Road, South Wigston, Leicester LE18 4XU which is a 15 minutes walk to APFC. Please note – there are no general facilities or public conveniences available at this station. The transfer time between railway stations is 10 minutes.

For information regarding times/dates of trains, and in particular information for inter-linking trains between the aforementioned railway stations please visit www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk

• UCL Division 1 winners season 2022/2023
• East Midlands Counties League Cup winners 2016
• Leicestershire Senior Cup winners 2013