ATHERSTONE TOWN

Early Years and Formation
The original club was formed in 1887. Their first notable achievements came in the 1907-08 season when they
reached the semi-finals of the FA Amateur Cup but lost 3-0 to Stockton. The following season, they made it
to the semi-finals again, this time losing 3-0 to Clapton.

Joining the Birmingham Combination

After playing in several local leagues, the club joined the Birmingham Combination in 1911 and were runners- up in their first season. However, they faced difficulties, finishing bottom of the league in both the 1923-24 and 1928-29 seasons. Post-World War II, the club had a resurgence, becoming league champions in the 1947- 48 season and also winning the Birmingham Senior Cup.

Transition and Reformation
When the Birmingham Combination folded in 1954, Atherstone joined the Birmingham & District League’s
transitional Northern Division. They faced ups and downs, including relegation to Division Two in 1957-58
but bounced back to Division One the following season. The league rebranded to the West Midlands
(Regional) League in 1962, and Atherstone became members of the Premier Division in 1965. They were
runners-up in 1971-72, earning promotion to Division One North of the Southern League. The club had a
strong run until folding at the end of the 1978-79 season.

Atherstone United Era
The club was reformed as Atherstone United, starting in Division One of the West Midlands (Regional)
League. They quickly climbed the ranks, becoming Division One champions in 1981-82 and winning the
Premier Division title in 1986-87, which earned them promotion to the Midland Division of the Southern
League. They reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in the 1987-88 season. Further FA Cup
success came in 1990-91 and the following season, although they were ultimately knocked out by higher-tier
teams.

Challenges and Reformation
Atherstone United finished bottom of the Southern League Premier Division in 1999-2000 and were relegated
to the Western Division. They folded midway through the 2003-04 season. The club was then reformed as
Atherstone Town, joining Division One of the Midland Combination for the 2004-05 season. They
immediately found success, winning Division One and the President’s Cup in their first season, followed by the
Premier Division and League Cup in 2005-06, which earned them promotion to the Midland Alliance.

Recent Achievements and Challenges
Atherstone Town continued their success, winning the Midland Alliance in 2007-08 and earning promotion to
Division One Midlands of the Southern League. In the 2008-09 season, they finished third in the division and
qualified for the promotion play-offs, although they were defeated in the semi-final by Chasetown.
Division One Midlands was renamed Division One Central in 2010. Atherstone faced challenges, being
relegated back to the Midland Alliance at the end of the 2010-11 season after finishing second-from-bottom.
The following season saw another relegation, this time to the Premier Division of the Midland Combination
after again finishing second-from-bottom.
In 2014, the Midland Combination merged with the Midland Alliance to form the Midland League, and
Atherstone were placed in Division One.”

M42 Junction 10, take A5 towards Nuneaton. At Holly Lane Roundabout take the 1st exit onto Holly Lane – B4116. At next roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Holly Lane. After ½ mile turn right into Sheepy Road. The ground is on the left hand side.