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STFC History
Although the record books reveal the existence of a Shifnal Town Football Club as far back as the 19th century, the modern day club was founded as recently as 1964, originally being named St Andrews Club F.C Youth. As members of the local Wellington and District League, the club’s first significant event was the involvement of the current Club President and as a result, the organization of the club improved, and the first change of identity occurred, with the resurrection of another historic name from the town’s footballing past, Shifnal Juniors being the chosen new title. The clubs first honours came in 1968, when after finishing runners-up in the third division of the Wellington League they were promoted to division two where they again finished runners-up. The decision was then taken to bypass the first division of that league and to seek to gain election to the higher Shropshire County League, still based at their original Idsall School home. The club’s first year was a disaster as they did not win a league match and finished bottom. Ken Jones was then appointed as manager and with the inclusion of three players the team won the division one in 1971, followed by the Premier Division Cup and Consolation cup in 1972. The final change of name, to Shifnal Town, came in 1972 and after lifting the Premier Divison Cup again in 1975, the club’s finest hour in County League membership occurred the following year, when the Premiership Division Championship was accompanied by an appearance in the Welsh Intermediate Cup Final, losing to Cardiff College at Knighton Town F.C. 1977 saw election to Division One of the West Midlands (Regional) League. Just two years later, the Divisional title was won, and with the Club able to boast much improved facilities at the council owned Admirals Park, promotion to the Premier Division was obtained. Back to back Premier Division championships followed in 1981 and 1982 but promotion to the Southern League was denied due to the absence of floodlights. The 1982/3 season saw Shifnal’s best ever F.A. Cup run, when their giant killing exploits took them to the fourth qualifying round, where only a 4-1 defeat at Alliance Premier Leaguers Boston United prevented progress into the competition proper, where we would of faced Crewe Alexandra who beat Sheffield United after a replay away.
The same season also saw Shifnal pull off a shock victory over Boston’s divisional colleagues Telford United in the Shropshire Senior Cup, to set up a final meeting with a strong Shrewsbury Town, who lifted the cup with a narrow 1-0 success. Sadly, 1985 was to bring catastrophic news, with the compulsory sale of the land on which Admirals Park stood. The club had no alternative but to resign from the West Midlands (Regional) League, but club officials were determined to see the club rise again. Back in the Shropshire County League, and once again temporarily based at Idsall Sports Centre, the club then purchased 5.5 acres of land to construct and develop what is now the present day Phoenix Park stadium. As work continued on the new facilities, the club also re-emerged as a playing force, twice lifting the County League Premier Division Championship, as well as the J.W. Hunt Cup in 1990, Shropshire Challenge Cup in 1991, Tom Jones Cup in 1992 and the Premier Division Cup in 1993. The improvements at Phoenix Park saw the club return to senior ranks for the 1993/4 campaign, with Shifnal spending their one and only season as members of the Skol Midland Combination Premier Division, where an eventual third place saw the club invited to become founder members of the Midland Football Alliance. The installation of floodlights in 1994 then ensured that Shifnal were now able to compete at the highest level since their formation. Since then success has been limited to a penalty shoot-out defeat in the 1995 Polymac Services Midland Invitation Triangular Trophy Final, but at least the club recovered from a disastrous bottom place at the conclusion of the 1997/8 campaign, with relegation only avoided due to the lack of promotable clubs from the respective feeder leagues. This was followed by finishing a highly respectable eighth in the final table of1998/9 and again in 1999/2000. A sixteenth position followed in season 2000/1and then they finished just outside the relegation position in season 2001/2, ending the season in nineteenth position under manager Reg Priest. The club appointed Bernard Mackey as manager for the 2002/3 season but after a poor run of results, he was replaced by John Powell. Unfortunately John was unable to prevent the club being relegated back into the Midland Football Combination. Shifnal Town appointed a string of managers following relegation, i.e Joe Owen, Ken Howells, John Newell and Mervyn Rowe as caretaker. The club then appointed a new team manager in Mick Tranter, which was followed by a hugely successful period in their history. 2006/7 saw the best season Shifnal had enjoyed for many years, winning the West Midlands Premier League by 10 clear points, so gaining promotion back to the Midland Football Alliance, winning the League Cup, and scoring 100 goals in the league campaign. Shifnal Town Reserves also gained promotion to the Shropshire County League Premier division, winning their league by a single point. A business disaster led to Mick resigning at the end of the season, Les Bristow being promoted to take over. He resigned in October 2007, and Darren Goodall was appointed for his first managerial role. Town finished in 15th position in the league, which was rather disappointing as they fell away with a congested fixture list towards the end of the season. However, success in the League Cup competition at Walsall’s Banks’ Stadium against Coalville Town was a great achievement. A night I remember fondly.
Following the resignation of Darren Goodall at the end of the 2008-9 season, Delwyn Humphreys took the managerial reins for the 2009-10 season, however his stay proved to be a short one for in October 2009 he accepted a position as assistant manager at Hednesford Town. John Wilson, who was Delwyn’s No.2 at Shifnal, was promoted to take the position of manager. Following a poor run of results, John parted company with the club, to be replaced by former player Matt Flanagan in December. Despite Matt’s best efforts the team continued to struggle, and even a late rally was not enough to prevent a second from bottom finish and relegation back to the West Midlands (Regional) League. The 2010-11 season saw Shifnal Town back in the West Midland Premier League with a creditable 9 th place finish, and a semi-final appearance in the league cup. Following a poor 16th place finish in season 2011-2, Matt Flanagan was replaced by another former player, Darren Spittle, with Mickey Baker arriving as Assistant manager.
The same season also saw Shifnal pull off a shock victory over Boston’s divisional colleagues Telford United in the Shropshire Senior Cup, to set up a final meeting with a strong Shrewsbury Town, who lifted the cup with a narrow 1-0 success. Sadly, 1985 was to bring catastrophic news, with the compulsory sale of the land on which Admirals Park stood. The club had no alternative but to resign from the West Midlands (Regional) League, but club officials were determined to see the club rise again. Back in the Shropshire County League, and once again temporarily based at Idsall Sports Centre, the club then purchased 5.5 acres of land to construct and develop what is now the present day Phoenix Park stadium. As work continued on the new facilities, the club also re-emerged as a playing force, twice lifting the County League Premier Division Championship, as well as the J.W. Hunt Cup in 1990, Shropshire Challenge Cup in 1991, Tom Jones Cup in 1992 and the Premier Division Cup in 1993. The improvements at Phoenix Park saw the club return to senior ranks for the 1993/4 campaign, with Shifnal spending their one and only season as members of the Skol Midland Combination Premier Division, where an eventual third place saw the club invited to become founder members of the Midland Football Alliance. The installation of floodlights in 1994 then ensured that Shifnal were now able to compete at the highest level since their formation. Since then success has been limited to a penalty shoot-out defeat in the 1995 Polymac Services Midland Invitation Triangular Trophy Final, but at least the club recovered from a disastrous bottom place at the conclusion of the 1997/8 campaign, with relegation only avoided due to the lack of promotable clubs from the respective feeder leagues. This was followed by finishing a highly respectable eighth in the final table of1998/9 and again in 1999/2000. A sixteenth position followed in season 2000/1and then they finished just outside the relegation position in season 2001/2, ending the season in nineteenth position under manager Reg Priest. The club appointed Bernard Mackey as manager for the 2002/3 season but after a poor run of results, he was replaced by John Powell. Unfortunately John was unable to prevent the club being relegated back into the Midland Football Combination. Shifnal Town appointed a string of managers following relegation, i.e Joe Owen, Ken Howells, John Newell and Mervyn Rowe as caretaker. The club then appointed a new team manager in Mick Tranter, which was followed by a hugely successful period in their history. 2006/7 saw the best season Shifnal had enjoyed for many years, winning the West Midlands Premier League by 10 clear points, so gaining promotion back to the Midland Football Alliance, winning the League Cup, and scoring 100 goals in the league campaign. Shifnal Town Reserves also gained promotion to the Shropshire County League Premier division, winning their league by a single point. A business disaster led to Mick resigning at the end of the season, Les Bristow being promoted to take over. He resigned in October 2007, and Darren Goodall was appointed for his first managerial role. Town finished in 15th position in the league, which was rather disappointing as they fell away with a congested fixture list towards the end of the season. However, success in the League Cup competition at Walsall’s Banks’ Stadium against Coalville Town was a great achievement. A night I remember fondly.
Following the resignation of Darren Goodall at the end of the 2008-9 season, Delwyn Humphreys took the managerial reins for the 2009-10 season, however his stay proved to be a short one for in October 2009 he accepted a position as assistant manager at Hednesford Town. John Wilson, who was Delwyn’s No.2 at Shifnal, was promoted to take the position of manager. Following a poor run of results, John parted company with the club, to be replaced by former player Matt Flanagan in December. Despite Matt’s best efforts the team continued to struggle, and even a late rally was not enough to prevent a second from bottom finish and relegation back to the West Midlands (Regional) League. The 2010-11 season saw Shifnal Town back in the West Midland Premier League with a creditable 9 th place finish, and a semi-final appearance in the league cup. Following a poor 16th place finish in season 2011-2, Matt Flanagan was replaced by another former player, Darren Spittle, with Mickey Baker arriving as Assistant manager.