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Barnet v Telford United

Nationwide Conference
Saturday 23 March 3.00pm

Updated 22/03/02

Telford have had a fairly mediocre season so far. Currently tenth in the league their won (11), drawn(12) and lost (10) record is roughly the same as ours.

They had a good run in November and December when they had an unbeaten eight game run, including five wins on the trot. This came to an end with three consecutive defeats.

They have lost their last two games, both away, 0-1 at Doncaster and 1-3 at Boston United.

Their best result of the season has to be beating Dagenham 5-1 on their own patch. They also won away at Hayes, 4-1.

With the Bees flying high at the moment, it should be three points in the bag for the boys in Black and Amber, and it is probably worth noting that it could also be our second double of the season, having beaten them 2-1 away back in September.

Updated 22/03/02

Defender Greg Heald is an injury doubt for Barnet’s home clash against Telford. Heald, who is suffering from a back problem, was forced to miss the midweek mauling of Dagenham with Lee Pluck taking his place. Rob Sawyers remains doubtful with the shin injury which has ruled him out of the last two matches.

Jake King is without three key players for their tough trip to face in-form Barnet. Defender Mark Albrighton is ruled out of the Underhill clash as he starts a five-match ban. Steve Palmer is sidelined with a knee problem, while Jake Edwards (groin) is also forced to watch from the stands.

Last Six

All League games
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Home
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Away
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Telford have had a fair amount of success in the FA Cup over the years. In 1984/85 they got through to the fifth round, beating league opposition all the way.

They finally met their match against Everton (who were quite good in those days ;-) They were beaten away, 3-0, by the then First Division leaders. (And that was when the First Division was the First Division!)

They also made the final of the FA Trophy final in 1971/72, but lost to Barnet.

League Snippet

Below is Barnet and Telford's league details based on their Home and Away performances. Going by this it should be a close call. However, as mentioned in other previews, the relative positions of both clubs in their respective tables seems to have as much to do with the final result as the weather in China.

Abridged from telfordunitedfc.co.uk

Telford United can trace their roots back to 1872 when the Wellington Parish Church Institute was formed. By March of 1873, the Institute was running its own football team, but in 1879, the 'PCI' team changed its name to Wellington Town.

By 1887 Wellington had competed in the Welsh Cup. At about this time the club joined the Shropshire League, and in the early 1900's was admitted to the Birmingham & District League. In 1902 Wellington Town won the Welsh Cup, a feat repeated four years later.

Throughout the twenties and thirties they had various success, including winning their league three times, and defeating Swansea 4-1 in the final of the Welsh Cup. They entered the Cheshire League in 1938.

They won the Cheshire League in 1946, and had even greater success the following season, winning the Cheshire League Championship, and local trophies. In the succeeding years, the club was one of the most consistently successful in the Cheshire League, with one further championship, two second places and two third places. Wellington joined the Southern League (North-Western Section) in 1958 and in that season qualified for founder membership of the Premier Division.

The Club changed its name to Telford United in 1969, when the New Town of Telford was designated. That season also marked the inauguration of the FA Challenge Trophy competition, (the first time non-professional footballers could play at Wembley) and Telford reached the first final, losing 0-2 to Macclesfield Town.

A year later they were back for a second final at Wembley, and won 3-2. They also won the Southern League and Midland Floodlit League.

An outstanding record in the FA Trophy continued in 1971/72 as Telford again reached the Semi-final, only to lose to Barnet.

In 1978 they qualified for membership of the Alliance Premier Football League.

In 1982/83, on top of a competent sixth position in the Alliance, Telford defeated Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup before losing to Tranmere Rovers, after a replay in the Second Round. The high spot of the season, however, was undoubtedly in the FA Trophy, where following an incredible 5-1 victory in the second leg of the Semi-final, Telford appeared in their third Final at Wembley and gained a 2-1 victory over Northwich Victoria.

In 1984/85 victories over Lincoln City, Preston North End, Bradford City and Darlington resulted in a visit to Goodison Park in the Fifth Round of the FA Cup, where champions Everton gained a 3-0 success in front of over 47,000 spectators the highest gate of the season for the home team.

Season 1987/88 and 1988/89 saw Telford reaching successive Trophy Finals, losing to Enfield after a replay again at the Hawthorns and gaining a single-goal victory over Macclesfield to gain revenge for defeat in the first final.

Performances have been less spectacular in the nineties, but season 1991/92 did see victory over Stoke City in the FA Cup coupled with a solid performance in the Conference.

And as for 1997/98, Jake King left before the start of the season, Steve Daley was appointed Manager only to last until the beginning of December. Telford were lying in 20th position and seen by the Directors to be struggling. Jimmy Mullen became the 3rd Manager in just over 12 months and tried his best to stop the slide.

At Rushden in the final game of the 97/98 season, with Telford needing to win, a thrilling game went the wrong way to send the Lilywhites down for the first time in the 126 year history of Telford United (or Wellington Town). However, with the Conference setting new ground regulations, 8th placed Slough found they could not meet the required standards. Telford were handed a reprieve from relegation and have continued as one of the remaining 3 founder members.

In January 1999, the Telford United Board of Directors "relieved" Manager Jimmy Mullen of his duties at the Bucks Head. Assistant Manager Allen Lewer continued as "Caretaker" Manager for the time being.

Jimmy Mullen failed to hold onto his job as he became the latest in a line of managers to fail to fulfill the dreams of the supporters! Alan Lewer finally got the job as Manager with Andy Mutch appointed as "Player/Assistant Manager"
However with an announcement of 'total ground re-development' came the decision that on July 1st 2000 the club would turn 'full time'. Alan Lewer and Andy Mutch were the first to be offered the chance to turn full time, but after months of indecision and meeting on February 11th 2000 it was decided that they were not the right people to take the Bucks forward. Telford United told Alan Lewer and Andy Mutch they would not be part of the club's plans when it turns full-time in the summer.

Former manager Jake King was reappointed towards the end of the 1999/00 season and the clubs historic first season as a full time club was not a bad one. A promising final finish of sixth place was achieved, and with this seasons introduction of the playoff system there is now a real possibility of league football at the New Bucks Head for the first time ever.

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