Sleaford Town F.C.
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:More citations needed Template:Short descriptionScript error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Sleaford Town F.C. is a football club based in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England. The club plays in the Template:English football updater.[1]
History
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In the summer of 2023, Sleaford Town F.C. celebrated its 100th anniversary, marking their centenary year with a history-making 2022/23 campaign. The Green Army achieved their highest-ever finish, securing 5th place in the United Counties League Premier Division North, alongside record points and wins totals, taking their promotion hopes into the final week of the season but ultimately falling just short of a play-off position.
This achievement highlights the enduring spirit and deep roots of Sleaford Town F.C., a club with a legacy that now spans over a century. Its story began in 1923, when Sleaford Red Triangle joined the Ruskington League for the 1923/24 season. By 1927/28, the club had rebranded as Sleaford Amateurs and soon celebrated its first taste of success, winning the Culverthorpe Cup in 1931/32. The club’s growth continued, claiming the Lincoln Amateur Cup in 1952 at Lincoln City’s Sincil Bank. A move to a new recreation ground in 1966/67 brought further accolades, including a Lincoln League title and another Lincoln Amateur Cup. In 1968, the club adopted the name Sleaford Town F.C., marking a new chapter as they joined the Lincolnshire League. Success came quickly, with a Division Two title in their debut season, followed by further triumphs such as the Culverthorpe Cup, Billingborough Cup, Lincolnshire Junior Cup, and the prestigious Lincolnshire League Charity Cup in 1973/74.
In 1979, club legend Brian Rowland was appointed Player/Manager, beginning an extraordinary 33-year tenure that left an indelible mark on Sleaford Town F.C. Under his leadership, the club achieved remarkable success, including Lincolnshire League championships in 1980/81 and 2003/04, along with numerous cup triumphs that solidified its place in local football history.
The 2004/05 season marked a new era for the club with promotion to the United Counties League Division One. During this time, Sleaford Town F.C. temporarily relocated to RAF Cranwell before finally settling into their long-awaited home at Eslaforde Park. This move not only provided state-of-the-art facilities but also paved the way for promotion to the Premier Division, allowing the club to compete in the FA Cup and FA Vase for the first time.
Following Brian Rowland’s retirement in 2012, the club was managed by Paul Ward (2012-2016) and Jamie Shaw (2016-2021) before Tom Ward’s appointment as Player/Manager, in 2021. A third-generation family figure in the club’s history, Tom led the team from the bottom of the Premier Division North to mid-table safety. His efforts, supported by a strong blueprint and leadership, peaked in the record-breaking 2022/2023 campaign. This historic season, driven by a largely local squad, demonstrated the club’s ability to combine ambition with effective governance to achieve success.
Following another successive season where Sleaford Town narrowly missed out on the playoff places in 2023/24, the decision of then Chairman Dean Williams to step down at the end of the campaign instigated a period of change. This ultimately led to Player/Manager, Tom Ward, Assistant Manager Paul Ward, and Club Captain Charlie Ward departing early in the 2024/25 campaign, along with several first-team players, leaving the club with a depleted squad.
Sleaford Town Reserves Manager Graham Watkins stepped in to steady the ship during this challenging time, overseeing the team while a long-term solution was put in place. From this foundation, and under a restructured Board of Directors headed by Damon Tunnicliffe, the club appointed Matt Evans—formerly Assistant Manager at Bottesford Town and Lincoln United—as the new Manager. Now, with a focus on rebuilding, the Green Army are navigating this transitional period with determination, aiming to lay the groundwork for a positive and sustainable future.
Current squad
<templatestyles src="Template:Football squad player/styles.css" /> Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Management and coaching staff
Current staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Manager | Template:Flagicon Matt Evans |
| Assistant Manager | Template:Flagicon Isaac Wilinsky |
| Coach | Template:Flagicon Brad Wright |
| GK Coach | Template:Flagicon Blake Mayo |
| Sports Therapist | Template:Flagicon George Pullen |
| Video Analyst | Template:Flagicon Morgan Xavier |
Honours
- Lincolnshire Football League[2]
- Champions: 2003–04
- Runners-up: 1989–90, 2002–03
- United Counties League Division One[2]
Records
See also
References
External links
Template:United Counties Premier
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c Sleaford Town at the Football Club History Database