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Tamworth

Full name	Tamworth Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Lambs
Short name	Tamworth
Founded	1933; 86 years ago (1933)
Ground	The Lamb Ground Tamworth
Capacity	4,565 (518 seated)
Chairman	Bob Andrews
Manager	Dennis Greene
League	Southern League Premier Division Central
2017–18	National League North, 21st of 22 (relegated)
Website	Club website
Home colours Away colours
Current season

Tamworth Football Club is an English association football club based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. The club participates in the Southern League Premier Division Central.

The club was 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. Local rivals include Burton Albion and Nuneaton Town, and to a lesser degree Atherstone Town, Bedworth United and Bolehall Swifts. The team are currently managed by Dennis Greene.

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 from a local 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 Football Conference 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 Football Conference. 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.

Recent history

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 however 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. Merson later 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 last 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] 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 disappointing league campaign saw the club finish in 15th position.

The club began their second season in the Conference North and followed up a fantastic season with a win over Hinckley United on 21 April 2009 which secured the title and promotion back to the Conference Premier. The win was duly attained with a 65th-minute goal from Nick Wright as the club won 1–0. Captain Martin Foster received the trophy in front of hundreds of ecstatic fans and the celebrations began at The Lamb Ground.^[5]

On 13 October 2010, manager Gary Mills quit Tamworth to join fellow Conference Premier side York City, names of possible replacements started to circulate and many believed that Ian McParland had expressed interest in the job. However first team coach Des Lyttle became caretaker manager and was later hired as player-manager. He resigned as manager on 13 April 2011, and was replaced by Tamworth legend Dale Belford, who was to manage the club for the remaining four games of the season. Belford led Tamworth to last day safety with a 2–1 home win over Forest Green Rovers, with Jake Sheridan scoring the all important winning goal.^[6]

In November 2010, Tamworth were drawn against Crewe Alexandra in the first round of the 2010–11 FA Cup, Tamworth won the tie 2–1, with goals coming from Alex Rodman and Danny Thomas. Tamworth were then drawn away to Carlisle United in the second round, and were knocked out after a 3–2 defeat.

Belford stepped aside at the end of the season, and the search for a new manager to lead the club for the 2011–12 Conference Premier season began, speculation was rife, and the names of former York City manager Martin Foyle, Eastwood Town manager Paul Cox and former Walsall assistant manager Martin O'Connor were all linked to the club, but on 25 May 2011, Tamworth announced Kettering Town manager Marcus Law as the club's new manager.

Tamworth were defeated by Everton in the 3rd round of the 2011–12 FA Cup 2–0 on 6 January 2012. Around 5,000 Lambs supporters made the trip to Goodison Park.
^[7]

Marcus Law was relieved of his managerial duties^[8] on 14 January 2013. Dale Belford was appointed as caretaker-manager for the foreseeable future with former Lambs player Scott Lindsey as his assistant.

The 2013-14 Football Conference was ultimately one to forget for the lambs. In a season that included a few highlights such as progress to the 2nd round of the 2013-14 FA Cup, where they were beaten 2–1 at home to Bristol City, Tamworth could NOt survive in the league and finished 23rd, dropping down into the Football Conference North after five seasons in the English fifth tier.

On 15 September 2014, with Tamworth in the bottom 3 of the Conference North, Dale Belford left the club by Mutual Consent and was replaced on 23 September by former Wrexham Manager Andy Morrell. Despite a 12-game winning run, promotion was just out of reach as Tamworth failed to get into the play-offs on goal difference.

The 2015–16 season saw virtually a new squad signed but again the elusive play-offs were just out of reach as Tamworth finished 7th.

Colours and badge

As of 2009, Tamworth play in an all red kit with white sides, and with the 2010-11 season there was no change colours but the white stripes on the sides moved so they went down as far as the sleeves. In 2011-12 the white sides changed to black and the shorts also changed to dark blue.
In 2012-13 the colours changed to go back to all red kits with white stripes on the side.

The Tamworth FC badge features the Mercian flag and the Stafford knot, the symbol of Staffordshire next to the Tamworth castle.

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 its 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.

As soon as the 2015–16 season finished, work began on a new 3G pitch, the first of its kind in the Conference North. This will be ready in time for the 2016–17 season and will be available for the community as a whole to use.

Players

Current squad

As of 13 January 2019^[9]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player GK Lee Evans (player-goalkeeper coach) GK Aiden Jeynes GK Dan Jezeph (dual registation with Worcester City) GK Luke Simpson GK Jasbir Singh DF Jordan Gough DF Kristian Green DF Harrison James DF Charlie Jemson DF Joel Kettle (vice-captain) DF Fortune Maphosa DF Alex Smith DF Jayden Thorne DF Regan Upton DF Sam Walton MF Ryan Beswick (captain)

No. Position Player MF Jordan Clement MF Jack Concannon (on loan from Birmingham City) MF Claudio Dias MF Paul Green (player-coach) MF Chris Lait MF Joe Magunda (dual registation with Leamington) MF James Medford MF Chandler Pegg MF Charlie Shaw MF Aman Verma FW Kyle Hayden FW Junior Mpofu FW Gregg Smith FW Michael Taylor FW Tyrell Waite

Trialists

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player MF Dilano Reid

No. Position Player FW Jaanai Gordon

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Academy

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player DF Prudence Anaele MF Declan Somel

No. Position Player FW Ramzi Shaheen

Former players

See Tamworth F.C. Players

Player of the Year

As voted for by supporters of the club.

Year Winner 2006–07 José Veiga 2007–08 Gareth Sheldon 2008–09 Gareth Sheldon 2009–10 Danny Alcock 2010–11 Kyle Perry 2011–12 Richard Tait 2012–13 Duane Courtney 2013–14 Lloyd Kerry 2014–15 James Belshaw 2015–16 James Belshaw 2016–17 Danny Newton 2017–18 Connor Taylor Management and coaching staff Current staff Position Name Manager Dennis Greene Assistant Manager Paul Cavell Player/First Team Coach Paul Green Player/Goalkeeper Coach Lee Evans Kit Manager Buster Belford Backroom Staff Manager Degsy Bond Under 21 Manager Gary Smith Under 21 Manager Gareth Zimmerman Under 21 Coach Jamie Ralph Youth Development Manager Mike Fowler Managerial history Main article: List of Tamworth F.C. managers Honours Further information: Tamworth F.C. seasons Conference 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, 2005/06, 2006/07 and 2011/12 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/shorts sponsors/manufacturers Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor 1999–2000 Prostar Polesworth Garage 2000–2004 Nike Bloor Homes 2004–2007 Ocean Finance 2007–2009 Umbro 2009–2012 Admiral Snowdome 2012–0000 Jako Solus Coaches Following seven years with Nike, Inc., the club confirmed the kit manufacturer to be Umbro for the 2007/08 season.[10] Snowdome were confirmed as the club's new shirt sponsor on 24 June 2009, agreeing to a three-year shirt sponsorship deal with the club. Automotive Solutions agreed a one-year short sponsorship, while Admiral Sportswear would be manufacturing the club's players and replica kits.[11] On 14 July 2011, it was confirmed that Tamworth based IT Consultancy company, Computer Friendly Consultants would be renewing their back of shirt sponsor for the 2011/12 season.[12] Solus Coaches were announced as the first team shorts sponsor for the 2011/12 season.[13] Tamworth announced on 27 March 2012 that their away kit for the 2012/13 season would be sponsored by Drayton Manor, with the clubs kits now been supplied by Jako.[14] The club followed this up on 26 April 2012 with confirmation that Solus Coaches would sponsor the team home shirt for the 2012/13 season.[15] References ^ "Merson opts to sign for Tamworth". BBC Sport. 22 February 2006. Retrieved 24 March 2010..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em} ^ "Merson announces his retirement". BBC Sport. 9 March 2006. Retrieved 24 March 2010. ^ "Mills happy with Tamworth return". BBC Sport. 28 January 2007. Retrieved 24 March 2010. ^ "Gee rejoins Tamworth boss Mills". BBC Sport. 30 January 2007. Retrieved 24 March 2010. ^ "Wright secures Tamworth promotion". BBC Sport. 21 April 2009. Retrieved 1 July 2015. ^ "Tamworth 2–1 Forest Green Rovers". BBC Sport. 30 April 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2011. ^ "Everton 2 – 0 Tamworth". BBC Sport. 6 January 2012. Retrieved 20 April 2012. ^ "Dale Belford Replaces Law at Tamworth". 15 January 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2013. ^ "Tamworth". The Lambs. Retrieved 30 November 2018. ^ "2007–08 KIT REVEALED – first pics here!". Tamworth F.C. 26 April 2007. Retrieved 26 April 2007. ^ "New Kit Sponsors". Tamworth F.C. 24 June 2009. Retrieved 24 June 2009. ^ "Computer Friendly renew back of shirt sponsorship". Tamworth F.C. 14 July 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2011. ^ "New shorts sponsor for the Lambs". Tamworth F.C. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2011. ^ "New Away Kit & Away Shirt Sponsor Announcement". Tamworth F.C. 27 March 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2012. ^ "New home shirt & sponsor for the Lambs". Tamworth F.C. 26 April 2012. Retrieved 26 April 2012. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tamworth F.C.. Official website Heritage site Fan's Forum