St Albans City F.C.
Clarence Park | |||
Capacity | 5,007 (667 seated) | ||
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Owners | Lawrence Levy and John McGowan[1] | ||
Manager | Jon Meakes | ||
League | National League South | ||
2023–24 | National League South, 11th of 24 | ||
Website | Club website | ||
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St Albans City Football Club (nicknamed The Saints) is a semi-professional association football based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England. The club currently competes in the National League South, the sixth level of the English football league system.
It was founded in 1908 and plays its home matches at
History
This article appears to be slanted towards recent events. (February 2012) |
Early history
Formed in April 1908, St Albans City FC became members both the Spartan League Eastern Division and the Herts County League Western Division.[2] City were champions of the Spartan League Eastern Division and the Herts County League Western Division in 1909–10.[2] St Albans joined the Athenian League in 1920 and won the Athenian League in 1920-21 and 1921–22.[3]
City's most famous match was arguably on 22 November 1922 in a fourth round qualifying
St Albans joined the Isthmian League in 1923 and won it in 1923–24, 1926–27 and 1927–28.[5] City were runners-up in the Isthmian League in 1954–55.[2] In 1973–74, the Saints were relegated from the Isthmian League Premier Division to Division Two along with Corinthian Casuals, being the first clubs to be relegated within the Isthmian League.[3][6] Division Two was renamed Division One in 1977–78, and in 1982–83, St Albans were relegated to the new Division Two.[2] However, City were promoted back to Division One a year later, with a second promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division occurring in 1985–86.[7] St Albans were semi-finalists in the 1998-99 FA Trophy, losing 4–3 over two legs to Forest Green Rovers.[8] In the 2003–04 Isthmian League, St Albans finished 19th in the Isthmian League, but due to a restructuring, they participated in a playoff for a position in the newly formed Conference South.[5] They won the playoff, beating Heybridge Swifts 4-3 and Bedford Town 5–4.[2]
Promotion to the Conference
On 7 May 2006, St Albans City beat
Following the team's promotion, Clarence Park was redecorated and improved slightly, a noticeable difference being the acquisition of a new club sponsor, as well as new advertising boards. There were rumours at the time of the promotion that St Albans were possibly moving to a larger venue. However, nothing was confirmed or denied.
2006–07 season
The Saints' first three games in the Conference were a mixed affair, with the team winning, drawing and losing their first three games respectively. After then St Albans had a poor run of games and were hovering around the relegation zone. Their hopes being restricted by being a part-time team whilst going up against full-time opponents. However, Colin Lippiatt remained positive about his team's chances. Having been knocked out in the FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round by Yeading, the team's concentration was focused on staying in the Conference.
St Albans started the second half of the season just one place off the relegation zone. In terms of transfers, The Saints allowed defender Dave Theobald to return to the
In January 2007, director (and chief football writer for The Mail on Sunday) Ian Ridley left the club amid disagreement over policy. Ridley argued that the club needed to bring in older, more experienced players (citing Steve Claridge) to bolster the campaign to stay in the Conference; the remainder of the board wanted to maintain a strong reliance of "young, hungry" players.[10] St Albans continued throughout the new year with a run of poor results. On 9 April 2007 (Easter Monday), a 1–1 draw with Tamworth guaranteed St Albans relegation from the Conference and the team finished bottom of the table. The Saints were the first team to be relegated from the Conference, but were later joined by Southport, Tamworth and Altrincham.
In addition to the Saints returning to the Conference South Colin Lippiatt resigned as manager at the end of the season. In a statement he stated that it was 'right and proper' for him to leave. He has since rejoined Conference side Woking (where he was once manager) as a director.
Back to the Conference South
After relegation to the
More players where to leave Clarence Park as Striker Leon Archer joined
Not long into October after a bad string of results, Richie Hanlon was sacked as St Albans manager. Former Hendon and AFC Wimbledon manager Dave Anderson was given the role, and has since taken City to one win at Bromley and a draw. He has wasted no time in adjusting the squad and has signed Jon Stevenson and Gary O'Connor amongst others. Anderson became another managerial casualty after the 4–0 New Year defeat to Cambridge City.
England U19 scout and former City boss Steve Castle was next put in the position, and he declared his ambition to bring former players of the Saints back to Clarence Park. This prompted rumours of returns for Matt Hann and Patrick Ada amongst others. On 8 January, Castle signed Dean Cracknell and Simon Martin, who are both former Saints.
Things began to look up for the team, with goalkeeper
With a stunning 3–2 victory over playoff chasers
2008–09 season
After retaining many of the previous season's squad, Steve Castle set promotion as a target for the team, after deciding to stay on himself. St Albans did not start brilliantly, failing to win in the first few games. However, the Saints recovered to begin a run of 7 wins to see them climb into the playoff positions. Paul Hakim scored many goals for City during this time, further rekindling his relationship with the fans. When the run ended, City went on a run of three games without winning, dropping to mid-table.
In the FA Trophy, the Saints saw off
2009–10 season – financial worries
In Summer 2009, it was announced that Gibson's building firm, William Verry, were to go into administration with debts mounting continuously. Gibson himself released a statement in regards to the club's future,
2010–2012
The summer of 2010 went somewhat smoother for the Saints, as the financial worries that had plagued the team in 2009 had, thankfully, not returned, and Steve Castle was able to get on with assembling his squad for the new season, albeit with one of the smallest budgets in the league.
Pre-season friendlies were lined up with the likes of Watford and Leyton Orient, before the Saints kicked off their
City opened their account for the season with a 2–2 draw with the Fleet, with goals from Roberts and the newly improved Inih Effiong setting them up with a two-goal lead, before being pegged back before full-time. Despite missing the chance to win, it was considered a good point away from home, against strong opposition.
With the signing of Adam Martin completed, meaning he joined Robbie and Ben on the club's list of 'Martins', the Saints continued their campaign with the visit of Basingstoke Town. A closely fought encounter ended 0–0, although the Saints had a good chance to scrape the game when Drew Roberts squared for Inih Effiong, only for the big striker to slip in the sodden conditions before firing wide.
The Saints' third match of the season was another home encounter – this time with the much-changed Braintree Town. City's veteran goalkeeper Paul Bastock was in sparkling form to twice deny Braintree from close range, as the Saints ground out another goalless draw. St. Albans' best chance of the game fell to winger Joe Richards, whose close range header was clawed out by the Irons stopper, thus leaving City with three points from three games, and extending their Conference South unbeaten run to four games, including last season's final day draw with Bath City.
On 4 February 2011, the F.A. fined St. Albans £7,500 and deducted 10 league points. The punishment was handed down to City chairman John Gibson and then vice-chairman Alasdair McMillin during a Regulatory Hearing at the Association's offices at Wembley, and was in relation to alleged illegal payments to players, described by the FA as financial irregularities, by the club during the 2008–09 season.[13] St. Albans appealed, but the original decision was upheld.
St. Albans were relegated on 9 April 2011 after losing 4–0 to Ebbsfleet United, they will play in the
On 12 May 2011, it was announced that local businessmen Lawrence Levy and John Mcgowan had bought the club from previous chairman John Gibson for an undisclosed fee. They revealed that they will be looking for someone with plenty of football knowledge and experience to take over the position of chairman.
On 10 June 2011, manager Steve Castle was released after many weeks of speculation. His successor was announced on 18 June to be former Harrow Borough manager David Howell who has recently taken Harrow to the play-offs in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
2011–12 season
Now playing in the
2012–13 season
David Howell started the season with a much improved budget and St Albans were among the favourites for the division signing players like Barry Hayles, despite starting the season well, a slump in October and November which also saw early exits in the FA Cup and FA Trophy saw David Howell sacked and youth team coaches James Gray and Graham Golds take over, initially as a caretaker management team, however the performances improved with some better football and they were given the job full-time. However several players left over the Christmas period and the owners introduced a controversial decision to up the admission prices mid-season.[15] St Albans finished 11th
2013–14 season
The 2013–2014 season was a major success with pre-season signings of the calibre of John Frendo who was the league's top scorer the previous season.
2014–15 season
St Albans returned to the
2021-22 – FA Cup run
St Albans were in the hat for the first round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2016. They beat EFL League Two leaders Forest Green Rovers in the first round but lost to Hertfordshire rivals Boreham Wood in the second.
Sponsorship
Rock band, Enter Shikari, who are from St Albans, have been the main sponsor of St Albans City Football Club since 2020.[17]
Players
First-team squad
- As of 23 February 2024[18]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Former players
Coaching staff
- As of 8 February 2024[19]
- Manager: Jon Meakes
- Head Coach: Harry Wheeler
- Goalkeeper coach: Peter Russell
- Head of medical: Dave Hall
- Physiotherapist: Elise Walters
Records
Score lines
- Largest win: 14–0, vs. Aylesbury United, Spartan League, 19 October 1912
- Heaviest defeat: 11–0 vs. Wimbledon, Isthmian League, 9 November 1946
- Most goals in one match: 8–7 vs. Dulwich Hamlet, FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay, 22 November 1922
- Heaviest home defeat: 11–0 vs. Wimbledon, Isthmian League, 9 November 1946
- Largest away win: 10–0, 11–1 respectively
- vs. Ruislip Manor, Mithras Cup second round, 24 November 1970
- vs. Tufnell Spartans, Spartan League, 17 April 1920
- Heaviest away defeat: 10–0 vs. Hemel Hempstead Town, Herts Charity Cup, 4 November 2008
Attendance records
- Record home attendance: 9,757 vs. Ferryhill Athletic, Amateur Cup fourth round, 27 February 1926
- Record attendance (away): 15,850 vs. Wycombe Wanderers, Amateur Cup fourth round, 25 February 1950
- Lowest home attendance: 41 vs. Hoddesdon Town, Herts Senior Cup second round, 1 November 1999
Honours
Source:[20]
League
- Conference South(level 6)
- Runners-up: 2005–06
- Isthmian League Premier Division
- Isthmian League Division One
- Champions: 1985–86
Cup
- London Senior Cup
- Winners: 1970–71
- Runners-up: 1969–70
- Herts Senior Cup
- Winners (17): 1924–25, 1928–29, 1934–35, 1943–44, 1946–47, 1950–51, 1954–55, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1965–66, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1999–2000, 2004–05, 2019-20, 2023-24
- Runners-up (12): 1910–11, 1941–42, 1942–43, 1947–48, 1952–53, 1957–58, 1964–65, 1970–71, 1978–79, 1989–90, 1994–95, 2018–19
References
- ^ "St Albans FC club ownership". Retrieved 10 February 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "Football Club History Database - St Albans City". www.fchd.info. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
- ^ a b "Timeline". St Albans City F.C. Archived from the original on 21 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ "Headstone for Wilfred Minter". St Albans City F.C. 6 November 2017. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ a b "England - Isthmian League". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 20 May 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ "History of St Albans City F.C." St Albans City F.C. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ "Football Club History Database - St Albans City". www.fchd.info. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ "Football Club History Database - F.A. Trophy 1998-99". www.fchd.info. Archived from the original on 24 February 2020. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
- ^ Euan Duncan. "St Albans City have won promotion to the Nationwide Conference beating Histon at Broadhall Way". BBC. Archived from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2018.
- ^ "The St.Albans Observer-reliance of "young, hungry" players". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
- ^ "Statement From John Gibson-Wednesday, 29 April 2009". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
- ^ "Statement From John Gibson-Wednesday, 15 July 2009". Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
- ^ "St Albans City fined and deducted points". www.thefa.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
- ^ "Bonus Code". Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
- ^ "Saints surprised after chairman Ian Ridley resigns". 20 November 2012. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
- ^ "Calor League Southern". Archived from the original on 16 June 2014. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
- ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
- ^ "St Albans City Men 2023/24". www.stalbanscityfc.com. Archived from the original on 12 August 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
- ^ "First Team". St Albans FC. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
- ^ Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "St Albans City (1926/27)". national-football-teams.com. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
External links
- Official website
- St. Albans at Soccerway