History of Buckingham
Town FC
Background
Buckingham Town were formed in 1883 by a group of local businessmen. The local paper recorded the following:
STONY STRATFORD AND BRACKLEY TIMES - Saturday October 20th 1883
FOOT-BALL
CLUB
For some time since a foot-ball club for Buckingham has been
contemplated, but no very definite step had been taken in the
matter, till quite lately, when it was decided to hold a preliminary
meeting in the "White Hart", which took place on Friday
Evening, Oct. 12th, for the purposes of forming such a club.
The meeting was well attended, the Rev. J. Stewart being unanimously
called to the chair: and there were also present, Messrs. H H.
De'Ath, F. Higgins, F Osborne, F.B. Marsland, J. Gough, R. Jaggard,
A. Gravestock, W. Gravestock, W. G. Brown, F. Stillman, F. Page,
O.P. Bartlett, &C.
On the proposition of the Rev J Stewart, F. Higgins, Esq., was
unanimously elected Captain and it was also unanimously agreed
that Mr R Jaggard be Sub-captain, Mr. F. B. Marsland, Hon Sec.,
and Rev. J. Stewaret, treasurer, the following to be members
opf the committee, in addition to the above: - Messrs H. De'Ath,
W.G. Brown, J.Gough, F Osborne, and A. Gravestock. The practice
days will be Mondays and Thursdays, 3 pm., the subscriptions
for each member being 1s. The clubs has started with between
20 and 30 members, and will we hop prove a success. The opening
game was played on Thursday afternoon last which was well attended.
“The Robins” played friendlies each season with the first recorded game being against Banbury United. Throughout this long history the club have played on Ford Meadow, a quaint, fully enclosed ground.
BTFC 1924-5
Almost all the early years were played in local leagues; the Aylesbury & District League and North Bucks League during which time a long list of local league and cup wins were recorded. Prior to senior status being granted, their best achievement was the winning of the Berks & Bucks Junior Cup when the victorious team was honoured with a Civic reception at the Town Hall. In 1953 they became founder members of the Hellenic League leaving in 1957, according to the Non league club directory to the South Midlands League from 57-74 (although statistical websites fail to show a record for them during this period)
Under Mich Henson the club slowly established itself in the United Counties League from 74-75 when they were Division 2 runners up and 75-76 when they were Division 1 runners up. They also had numerous exciting FA Vase and FA Cup runs. After 10 years at the helm Mick decided enough was enough and in the year before its centenary, Gary Knibbs took over as manager, bringing with him the nucleus of his old side at Southern League Wellingborough. The side carried all before it. A marvellous way to celebrate the Centenary was secured with the winning of the UCL Premier title, the UCL Knockout Cup, the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup (for the only time in their history) and the Buckingham Senior Charity Cup. The official centenary match was against a full strength Leicester City side that included a youthful Gary Lineker.
The next season saw the Robins reach the 1st Round proper of the FA Cup where, on a never to be forgotten day, Orient triumphed 2-0 at a packed Ford Meadow where 2,451 attended. Success on the field continued and the following season, 1984-85 the UCL Premier title was regained and with it a successful application to join the Southern League.
After a couple of seasons consolidation in the Midland Division, the club were transferred to the Southern Division. Manager Gary Knibbs based at Northampton unhappy with the change, left, and the club had a season where four managers came and left. The last of these, Andy Falconer, doing an outstanding job.
In June 1989, Phil Lines was appointed manager and began possibly the most successful period in the Clubs history. A Quarter Final FA Vase appearance (versus Guiseley) and numerous local cup successes were culminated in the winning of the Southern League Southern Division title in 1991.
The club continued to be a top half side under Keith Baker with another FA Vase Quarter Final appearance (versus Tiverton) and continued league success under Aidy Mackay, Mick Foster and Jerry Mansfield.
Following the restructuring of the club after Chairman Chris Lawrence resigned (after years of excellent service), Steve Curley took over for over half a season before leaving, being replaced by Darren Wood from Northampton. Darren built a good young side after the relegation from the Southern League and had two seasons of top ten finishes in the UCL, also winning the Buckingham Charity Cup in 1998 and being UCL Knockout Cup runners up in 1999.
In May 1999, after Darren Wood left for pastures new, Alan Boorn and Adam Sinclair struggled as the Robins had their worst season for many years. Morell Maison took charge in April 2000 and better times looked set for the Robins as his new side had been a breath of fresh air for those loyal servants who have kept the club going during very difficult times.
The following seasons have seen the Robins get stronger under Morell's charge. For 2002-03, Morell targeted 6th place and achieved 4th as well as the Charity Cup. They scored a total of 142 goals in 60 matches with Cole, Max-Grant and McGillycuddy scoring 98 of them. They conceded 72 goals. In 2003-04 they were Runners Up in the league, Berks & Bucks Senior Cup and the Buckingham Charity Cup. After six successful years with the Robins, Morell moved on to manage Kettering Town in February 2006.
In May 2006 ex QPR and Aldershot player Tony Joyce was appointed manager of the "Robins". After a promsing start to the season and a valient struggle at the end Buckingham finished bottom of the UCL premier league and were relegated to division one.
FA Vase record
Buckingham Town have had a lot of success in the past in the FA Vase. They are rated in 2000 as having the 4th best record in the competition by the “Non-League Club Directory” (See Archive Index) having entered for 22 seasons and reaching the 6th round on two occasions in 1990-91 and 1992-1993 seasons. FA Vase record at the archive index.
FA Cup record
Their best run in the FA Cup was to the first round in 1984-85 where they played Orient, losing in front of their record attendance of 2,451. FA Cup record at the archive index.
FA Trophy record
They also competed in the FA Trophy from 1994 for three seasons, record at the Archive index.
Other records
Longest unbeaten
run:
24 games 1985-6.
Most consecutive clean sheets: Seven 1985-6.
Most goals scored for Buckingham Town: Reuben Max-Grant
- 122 (Aug 2002-Dec 2006)
Most goals in a season by a player: 41 by Meshach Cole
in 2002-03 season.
Most goals in a game by a player: Steve Hodge scored seven
times in the 12-0 victory over Ford Sports in the Daventry Charity
Cup quarter final on 27/12/86. Keith Chapman also scored seven
in a 15-1 victory over Shenley & Loughton in the Berks &
Bucks Junior Cup on 16/12/72.
Most hat-tricks in a season: Terry Shrieves - Three.