United travel to Shropshire on Tuesday evening for their Setanta Shield Third Round clash with AFC Telford at New Bucks Head. Gary Brabin will be wary of a side that have not lost at home this season thanks to a defensive record of just five league goals conceded, and who go into the match unbeaten in their last twelve outings.
So, what do we know of our Blue Square North hosts?
Well, they were formed as Wellington United in 1872, and amended their moniker to Telford United in 1969 when their namesake town took shape. They won the FA Trophy in 1971, along with the Southern League and Midland Floodlit League the same year. They were founder members of the Alliance Premier League, (now Blue Square Premier) in 1979 but, unfortunately for the Bucks Head faithful, success in this division amounted to nothing more than mid-table mediocrity throughout the 80s.
This in stark contrast to their FA Cup antics, which saw the first round proper and beyond reached on a regular basis. Memorable matches against the likes of Tranmere, Wigan, Northampton, Leeds United and Derby County boosted the financial coffers, with the pinnacle being a fifth round clash with Everton at Goodison Park in 1985 following eye-catching victories over Preston, Lincoln, Bradford and Darlington. The FA Trophy was also lifted again in 1983 and 1989.
During the 90s Telford were seemingly ever-present in the lower reaches of the renamed GM Vauxhall Conference, with only a sixth place finish to laud over in 1992. The year 2000 saw their home ground redeveloped and renamed New Bucks Head, whilst the team turned professional in an effort to clinch a Football League place. Successive finishes in the top eight germinated supporter optimism, but 2003/04 saw them conclude a disappointing twelfth, with FA Cup wins over Crewe and Brentford the only bright spots.
However, behind the scenes they were in financial meltdown, and the summer of 2004 saw monetary backing disappear after club owners were declared bankrupt. Nevertheless, the supporters rallied and a trust was formed to save them. Amazingly more than £50,000 was raised in two months, but the fans' efforts proved fruitless. The substantial monies collected were not enough to sustain football for the entirety of the 2004/05 campaign and the club was forced into liquidation.
Remarkably, though, from the ashes of Telford United the Trust created and became sole owners of the newly formed AFC Telford United within 24 hours. Despite being immediately demoted to Unibond Premier League Division One, the close-season saw Bernard McNally appointed as Manager with a new squad assembled. Meanwhile, the Bucks Head ground lease was also secured, along with many of the club's valuable assets.
Supporter loyalty was instantly repaid as the new club finished their 2004/05 campaign in third place. McNally's side remained unbeaten from 30 December to the end of the season and a tilt at the play-offs was earned. Kendal Town were then beaten 2-1 in the showpiece final attended by a healthy crowd of 4,215, and Telford found themselves in the Unibond Premier League Premier Division. 2005/06 proved consolidatory as they adjusted to their higher status, although McNally departed midway through the season to make way for Sean Parrish, acting as caretaker until the arrival of current supremo Rob Smith, who joined from Unibond Premier League Division One South side Willenhall Town and guided Telford to a concluding twelfth spot.
Further amendments to the squad laid roots for another jaunt to the play-offs in 2006/07, and following a third-place finish Witton Albion stood in the way of Blue Square North promotion. To the joy of all at New Bucks Head Chris Cornes, Steve Foster and Lee Moore made the headlines as Telford ran out easy 3-1 winners in the final, meaning Smith could make plans for a higher division. Last season surpassed many supporters' expectations as 24 wins and just ten defeats saw them finish in second-place behind runaway champions Kettering. Unfortunately for Smith, they came up against an in-form Barrow side who romped to a 4-0 triumph in the two-legged play-off semi-final, meaning Telford were resigned to another season of BSN football.
The Squad
Goalkeeper Ryan Young scooped the Player of the Year accolade last season and he is first-choice between the sticks. Young is admirably supported by a back-line containing centre-half Gavin Cowan, with the ex-Shrewsbury man generally partnered by either Indy Khela or the experienced Stuart Whitehead who has plied his trade in the Football League with Carlisle, Darlington, and Kidderminster.
The left-back slot is likely to be filled by James Meredith, who will be a familiar face to U's fans with an encyclopaedic memory and recall him making a solitary appearance for United in our 3-0 defeat to Oxford on 20 October 2006, whilst on loan from Derby County (right).
On the opposite flank to Meredith will be youngster Lee Vaughan, who has been courted by clubs higher up the pyramid, or utility man Martyn Naylor who enjoyed Champions League experience with Welsh side TNS.
In midfield, the tenacious ball skills of Jamie Vermiglio and Jon Adams will have to be monitored, as will ex-Southport man Liam Blakeman and Steve Jagielka. The latter has plenty of appearances under his belt for Stoke, Sheffield United and Shrewsbury and can operate anywhere across the middle. The speedy talents of 30-year old Emeke Nwadike may also be showcased on Tuesday evening, likewise Carl Rodgers, who can also play in defence if required.
Up front the striking trio of Terry Fearns, Andy Brown and Lee Moore are often used in a 4-3-3 formation. Loughborough University student Brown signed from Nuneaton in July and already has nine goals to his name, whilst Moore has bagged a handy six and is rumoured to be interesting Crewe Alexandra. Star striker, though, is Terry Fearns who has pocketed twelve goals this term. Fearns flew the Droylsden nest in June after a season in the Blue Square Premier where he bagged a useful eight goals in a relegated side.
The regular front men will be looking over their shoulders nonetheless, as ex-U Danny Carey-Bertram (right) has joined the club from Bath City; the 24-year old already notching two goals in two games since his arrival at New Bucks Head two weeks ago.
This season
The season started with a 2-2 draw at fancied Stalybridge and was followed up by a fine 4-2 home win over Hinckley thanks to a Terry Fearns hat-trick Fearns was on the scoresheet again as the mighty Blyth Spartans were gunned down 2-1 at New Bucks Head, and the good form continued with a 1-0 success at Redditch United. The disappointing 0-0 home draw against a Leo Fortune-West inspired Alfreton preceded a first defeat of the season as Droylsden inflicted a 1-0 away loss, and there was further misery three days later as the trip to Harrogate Town ended in a 2-0 reverse.
However, consistency has been their mainstay and they have not suffered a league defeat since. On the road, Burscough saw Telford drive away with maximum points courtesy of a Danny Carey-Bertram debut goal, and Gateshead had to be content with a point from 1-1 draw. Gainsborough and Solihull have been put to the sword at home, and the unbeaten record at New Bucks Head was maintained last Saturday thanks to the aforementioned 3-1 win over Hucknall last Saturday. Andy Brown proved the hero as his astonishing seven-minute hat-trick cemented third place for Rob Smith's men.
Away from league action, FA Cup progress has been made via wins over Corby Town, Hendon and a splendid 3-0 victory against BSP side Northwich. Lee Moore's double gift-wrapped victory over Vics, and duly secured a First Round home tie with Southend United. Meanwhile, Tuesday's Setanta Shield encounter has been set up after home wins over Gainsborough and Solihull.
Last time We Met
The two sides did meet for a pair of Southern League encounters during the 1969-70 season, Bill Leivers' amber charges winning both games, but the last time we crossed swords was for an FA Cup First Round match on 14 November 1999. Telford fielded ex-United man Mick Norbury, whilst refereeing the contest was legendary match official and cult-figure Gurnam Singh. Neither could do anything about the lethal partnership of Trevor Benjamin and Martin Butler though, as the duo grabbed a brace apiece to rubber-stamp the U's 2-0 win. Others may remember Norbury's contribution more; his rocket-propelled clearance knocking out a 70-year old spectator who, thankfully, accepted his post-match apology.
Doug Shulman
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