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| Full name | Tamworth Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | The Lambs The Reds |
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| Founded | 1933 | ||
| Ground | The Lamb Ground Tamworth (Capacity: 4,065 (518 seated)) |
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| Chairman |  Bob Andrews |
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| Manager | Gary Mills |
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| League | Conference National | ||
| 2008–09 | Conference North, 1st (promoted) |
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 Current season |
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Tamworth Football Club are an English professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference National.
The club were formed in 1933 after the previous Tamworth club, Tamworth Castle, ceased to exist. They originally played at The Jolly Sailor Ground but after a year moved into The Lamb Ground.
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History
Early years
The town of Tamworth had been represented at football by Tamworth Castle F.C. until the club folded in 1933. This void was filled thanks to a campaign started by a letter local from a businessman in the local newspaper setting in motion the formation of Tamworth F.C. Originally playing next to the Jolly Sailor pub, the club moved to their present ground, The Lamb Ground, in 1934. Tamworth began life competing in the Birmingham Combination, before joining the West Midlands League, which was later renamed the Birmingham League, in the 1950s. In the 1960s Tamworth experienced success, winning the league in 1963–64 and 1965–66, as well as lifting the West Midlands League Cup, Birmingham Senior Cup and Staffordshire Senior Cup in that decade.
1972 saw Tamworth promoted to the Southern League, but a period of falling attendances and financial difficulties followed. The club returned to the West Midlands League, and it was taken over by a consortium of local businessmen in 1984. In 1987–88 Tamworth won the League and were promoted back to the Southern League.
1989–2005
Tamworth, managed by Graham Smith, won the FA Vase in 1989, beating Sudbury Town. The final was played at Wembley Stadium, but the game finished 1–1, meaning that the winner would have to be decided by a replay. The replay was played at London Road, the home of Peterborough United, and Tamworth won 3–0 to lift the FA Vase for the first time.
Tamworth won promotion to the Conference National in 2002–03 after winning the Southern League in 2001–02, only one year after narrowly missing the same promotion. That year, Tamworth earned a 3–3 draw on the final day at Folkestone Invicta while Kettering Town won, passing Tamworth for first place and winning promotion to the Conference National. Tamworth also reached the final of the FA Trophy in 2002–03 season where they played Burscough but were denied a double, losing 2–1.
2006–present
The club completed perhaps their highest profile signing of all time on 23 February 2006, with the capture of former Arsenal, Aston Villa, Walsall and English national midfielder Paul Merson.[1] However, the arrangement meant that until the end of the season, the majority of Merson's wages were to be paid by the club he used to manage, Walsall. The arrangement only lasted two games, although Merson only played once in the 2–1 home loss to Halifax Town. Merson was dropped to the bench for the following game, which was a 5–0 defeat away to Grays Athletic. He then announced his retirement from professional football as a player on 9 March 2006, less than a month after joining Tamworth.[2]
Although the club finished the 2005–06 season in 21st position, the second relegation position, in the Conference National, the club were spared the drop after Canvey Island resigned from the league. The Lambs did, however, reach the 3rd round of the FA Cup for the first time that season.
Despite a fairly poor 2006–07 league campaign, Tamworth once again found themselves at the 3rd Round stage of the FA Cup. Norwich City beat The Lambs, and 18 days later Tamworth manager Mark Cooper and assistant manager Richard Dryden were dismissed with the club at the foot of the league table. They were replaced two days later by the former Tamworth managerial duo of manager Gary Mills[3] and assistant Darron Gee[4], who arrived two days later. Despite the change in leadership, Tamworth were relegated after finishing in 22nd position. Tamworth kicked off the 2007–08 season in the Conference North. A win over Hinckley United on 21 April 2009 secured the title and promotion back to the Conference National. The win was duly attained with a 65th minute goal from Nick Wright and promotion was gained. Captain Martin Foster received the trophy in front of hundreds of ecstatic fans and the celebrations began.
Colours and badge
As of 2009, Tamworth play in an all red kit, with change colours of dark blue and dark blue shorts.
The club crest features a Stafford Knot, a symbol of Staffordshire.
Stadium
Tamworth have played at The Lamb Ground since 1934. Prior to this, they spent their first season at a ground adjacent to the Jolly Sailor pub. The Lamb Ground takes it name from a pub, the Lamb Inn, which formerly stood nearby. The ground has a capacity of approximately 4,000, and a directors box. All seating is in the Main Stand, which was constructed in 1997. The Main Stand occupies one side of the pitch, with a covered terrace known as the Shed on the opposite side. The two ends are terraced.
Players
- As of 13 November 2009.
Current squad
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On loan
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Notable players
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Management and coaching staff
Current staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| First Team Manager | Gary Mills |
| First Team Assistant Manager | Darron Gee |
| First Team Coach | Des Lyttle |
| Goalkeeping Coach | Dale Belford |
| Kit Manager | Buster Belford |
| Backroom Staff Manager | Degsy Bond |
| Sports Therapist | Chris Leary |
| Youth Team Coach | Mike Corbett |
| Youth Team Secretary | Brad Stokes |
Managerial history
Honours
- Blue Square North
- Champions: 2009
- Southern Football League Premier Division
- Champions: 2003
- Runners-Up: 2002
- FA Trophy
- Runners-Up: 2003
- FA Vase
- Champions: 1989
- Southern Football League Division One Midlands
- Champions: 1997
- West Midlands (Regional) League
- Champions: 1964, 1966, 1972, 1988
- West Midlands League Cup
- Champions: 1965, 1966, 1972, 1986, 1988
- Birmingham Senior Cup
- Champions: 1961, 1966, 1969
- Staffordshire Senior Cup
- Champions: 1959, 1964, 1966, 2002
- Harry Godfrey Trophy
- Champions: 1994, 1997
Records
- Best League Position: 15th in Conference National (Level 5), 2004/05
- Best FA Cup performance: 3rd round, 2005/6 and 2006/07
- Record Transfer Paid: £7,500 to Ilkeston Town for Tony Hemmings, 2000
- Record Transfer Received: £12,000 from Kidderminster Harriers for Scott Rickards, 2003
- Record Attendance: 4,920 v Atherstone Town, 1948
- Record Victory: 14-4 v Holbrook Institute, 1933
- Record Defeat: 11-0 v Solihull Borough, 1940
Shirt sponsors/manufacturers
| Year | Kit Manufacturer | Shirt Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 1999–00 | Prostar | Polesworth Garage |
| 2000–01 | Nike | Bloor Homes |
| 2001–02 | Nike | Bloor Homes |
| 2002–03 | Nike | Bloor Homes |
| 2003–04 | Nike | Bloor Homes |
| 2004–05 | Nike | Ocean Finance |
| 2005–06 | Nike | Ocean Finance |
| 2006–07 | Nike | Ocean Finance |
| 2007–08 | Umbro | Ocean Finance |
| 2008–09 | Umbro | Ocean Finance |
| 2009–10 | Admiral | Snowdome |
Seasons
References
- ^ "Merson opts to sign for Tamworth". http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tamworth/4741130.stm.
- ^ "Merson announces his retirement". http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tamworth/4789770.stm.
- ^ "Mills happy with Tamworth return". http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tamworth/6307413.stm.
- ^ "Gee rejoins Tamworth boss Mills". http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tamworth/6313875.stm.
External links
- Official site
- Heritage site
- Fans forum
- Independent fans forum
- Football Conference Official Site
- Tamworth F.C. on BBC Sport: Club News – Recent results – Upcoming fixtures – Club stats
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