FC Stratford

FC Stratford – originally known as Stratford Town A, joined the Midland Combination League ahead of the 2009/10 season.
A strong first season in Division Three led to a fifth­ placed finish out of sixteen sides FC also just missed out on a Challenge Urn final spot following an agonising 6:5 defeat to Blackwood over two legs.

FC would however suffer second season syndrome in 2010/11, finishing a lowly tenth out of fourteen sides.

Despite a poor league season, FC were to go one better in the Challenge Urn by reaching the Final against Aston at Pilkington XXX.

An even final finishing 2:2 was decided by penalties. FC secured the Challenge Urn with a 4-1 penalty shoot-out victory.

At the end of the 2010/11 season, Division Three of the Midland Combination was dis­-banded and sides were placed into Division Two. Stratford Town A also changed their name to FC Stratford.

Over the next couple of seasons, FC achieved midtable finishes in However, the 2013/14 season proved a real challenge for FC. Manager Pete Stephens struggled to field side most weeks culminating in the club finishing fourteenth in the sixteen-side league.

During the Summer of 2014, the Midland Combination joined forces with the Midland Alliance to form the Midland Football League (MFL). FC remained in the lowest division, Division Three.

The 2014/15 season proved to be much like the previous one. Each week continued to be a struggle and FC finished twelfth of fifteen teams. However, the following season saw the tide begin to turn for FC. A strong start saw the club become one of the favourites for promotion. Unfortunately, a mid-season blip saw FC lose touch but nevertheless, FC finished a well-placed fourth. In the cup competitions, FC were to experience semi-final heartache twice: a 2:0 defeat in the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup against Woodlands WMC, and a 3:0 defeat in the Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity Cup against Chelmsley Town.
Overall, the season had seen FC make really good progress and had certainly beentheir best so far.

The 2016/17 season saw Pete Stephens “move upstairs” with the appointment of former Alcester Town Manager, Dave Poulson as boss.
With Division Three now containing some strong teams, FC had their work cut out to match their previous season. After a good start, FC finished sixth out of fourteen teams.

FC did enjoy another good cup run though, this lime reaching the Les James Challenge Cup Final at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium, following a semi-final penalty shoot-out victory over local rivals Redditch Borough. Unfortunately, FC were swiftly removed from the competition after inadvertently fielding a cup-tied player.
Dave Paulson’s new signings helped FC get the 2017/18 season off to a flyer. Despite a dip in form, FC finished third in a tough league won by GNP Sports. FC’s goal difference proved enough to see Paulson’s side pip his former club Alcester Town to earn promotion into MFL Division Two (step 7).
With his objective complete, and a new business venture in the pipeline, Poulson handedover to highly-rated Nick Ballinger to take charge of FC’s inaugural season in MFL Two. A player overhaul saw Ballinger introduce several of his Midland Floodlit Youth League Cup winners to the
MFL.

Although a tough campaign, Ballinger’s side achieved their aim, with a third from bottom finish ensuring their survival.
The season witnessed FC make their debut in the FA Vase. In a tight match, FC paid the price for a missed penalty, losing 1:0 to Bewdley Town.
Furthermore, FC also reached the President’s Cup Final where they suffered a narrow 3:2 defeat to League runners up GNP Sports – a super achievement.
Ahead of the 2019/20 season, Ballinger stepped away from FC to spend more time with his family. Dave Poulson resumed charge of First Team affairs.
Poulson’s side lost their opening two games before mounting a serious challenge for promotion.

A first win in the Vase over Chelmsley Town saw FC progress, only to lose to arch rivals GNP Sports.
FC player Danny Janes was installed as Manager for the 2020/21 season, with Dave Poulson becoming Chairman. However, the season barely got started before COVID-19 again halted proceedings.
Following the National League System restructure, FC were transferred to Hellenic League Division One (HL 1) – a move from step 7 to step 6 of the football non-league pyramid.

The new 2021/22 season also saw FC move away from playing at Stratford Town’s ground to The Home Guard Club, just down the road.
Janes’ team got off to a great start, topping the table after the first ten games. A slump in form, coupled with Janes’ November move to Pershore Town and the subsequent exodus of players, resulted in FC’s slide down the table. Chairman Dave Poulson stepped back into the hotseat as caretaker boss. Poulson re-organised the squad and having navigated a tricky time, restored stability to the club.

In January 2022, Ian Cooksey (assisted by Neil Chaundy) was appointed Manager.

Notable results against teams [to be promoted] Hereford Pegasus and Worcester Raiders helped FC eventually finish a creditable eighth in HL 1. FC’s last home game was designated part of the Easter Ground-hop weekend.

Jon Hill became Manager of FC for the 2022/23 season.

Steve Sykes became Chairman and FC returned to the Arden Garages Stadium. Hill’s young team proceeded to play attractive football as well as compete physically. An unbeaten run of ten games catapulted FC towards the play-off zone. After eventually clearing a backlog of fixtures, FC clinched fifth place and a Play-off place – their highest finish in the football pyramid.

The hectic season-end run of games caught up with the FC players in the play-off semi­ final as FC lost 4:0 to Hartpury University.

However, two weeks later, a refreshed FC squad enjoyed an emphatic 5:0 victory in the Birmingham County FA Midweek Floodlit Cup Final at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium. An incredible first-half saw FC net five goals to blow opponents Wednesfield away.

2023/24 Season saw Jon Hill continue as FC Manager with Rory Shadbolt joining him as assistant. The nucleus of the young squad stayed together. FC had a tough season in the league and got behind on games due to bad weather postponements which meant that had another back-log of fixtures at the end of season chasing a play-off spot. Unfortunately, FC were unable to gain enough wins and finished just outside the play-off in 7th position.
FC retained the Birmingham County FA Midweek Floodlit cup beating Cradley Town 5-3 in the final at Walsall. This was a more challenging game than the end score line reflected and FC had to come from behind to win.

FC were also successful in the Hellenic League marsh Supplementary Cup beating University of Bristol in the final. Scores were level 2-2 at full time with FC winning 4-2 on

Programme: 

Directions: From the Town centre – follow signs for Banbury (A422) and Oxford (A3400). Cross Clopton bridge and turn immediately left onto the B4086 (signposted Wellesbourne). After approximately 1 mile you will enter the village of Tiddington. Turn first right into Knights Lane and the ground is 800 yards on the right hand side (100 yards from School).

From M40 junction 15 – Take the B4086 via Wellesbourne to Stratford-upon-Avon. Knights Lane is the last turning on the left after the Crown Pub as you exit the village of Tiddington.