AFC Telford Utd - Who they are....

Last updated : 04 November 2009 By Peter Muxlow

AFC Telford Utd are not to be confused with the original team in Telford, namely Telford Utd. The original club were most notable for their FA Cup tradition, defeating league sides such as Wigan Athletic (1982-83), Stockport County, Northampton Town, Rochdale (all 1983-84), Preston North End, Bradford City (all 1984-85), Burnley (1986-87), Stoke City (1991-92). During their 1984/85 Cup run they actually defeated City in the first round, in a run that ended with a tie against Everton at Goodison in front of 47,000 people.

Further cup victories came in 2003–04 against Brentford and Crewe Alexandra before eventually losing at home to finalists Millwall.

The original side of Telford Utd were experiencing severe financial problems in 2003/04, and with reported debts of £4m the club went into liquidation in May of 2004.

On the same day that the proposed liquidation was announced the Supporters' trust, Telford United Supporters Ltd, created and became the sole owners of a new football club, AFC Telford United.

After a tough first season in the Northern Premier League Telford began to find Steve Torpey - Ex Imp Likely To Feature Saturdaytheir feet, and have now risen to the heights of the Blue Square North. They boast ex City player Steve Torpey in their ranks, as well as Isyden Christie who was on Kettering books last year (and played in the FA Cup ties), and Steve Jagielka the brother of Everton player Phil Jagielka.

AFC Telford United play their home games at the New Bucks Head. Construction of the stadium commenced in 2000 and replaced the old Bucks Head ground. In between the old ground closing and new one opening, Telford United played with only two terraces in operation, with a small temporary stand situated on what is now the East Terrace and portable cabins in the car park were used for changing rooms.

The stadium, which could originally hold up to 6,300 supporters was completed in 2003 and was the 111th largest football ground in England, the official capacity of the Stadium is now 5400.

The town of Telford stands in the shadow of a dominating hill called the Wreckin which this writer once had the fortune to walk up. Halfway.The Wrekin

Telford is the 39th largest city or town in England. In terms of population, this gives AFC Telford United an estimated potential fan base of 139,000 people. Towns such as Wigan, Reading and Blackburn have been able to sustain a Premier League team with similar catchment profile.

The town is also earmarked for further expansion over the next 10 years with the population expected to increase to 250,000. This population expansion would place AFC Telford United in the top 10 for potential local fan bases in England. However being in such close proximity to Birmingham often see’s the fan base diluted as sides such as Wolves and Aston Villa attract supporters from the area.