Lancaster City F.C.
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| Full name | Lancaster City Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | The Dolly Blues, City | ||
| Founded | Original Club Formed 31 May 1905 (as Lancaster Athletic) | ||
| Ground | Giant Axe, Lancaster | ||
| Capacity | 3,500 (513 seated) | ||
| Chairman | Stuart Houghton | ||
| Manager | Darren Peacock | ||
| League | Northern Premier League Division One North | ||
| 2012–13 | Northern Premier League Division One North, 13th | ||
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Lancaster City F.C. is an English football club based in Lancaster, Lancashire. The club are currently members of Northern Premier League Division One North and play at Giant Axe.
History
The formation of Lancaster City as we know it today has recently been in dispute. In the course of a detailed investigation into the history of Lancaster City FC, information and facts have come to light which show that the formation of the club as it is known today was actually 1911, not 1905 as originally thought. A thorough study of local newspaper archives and minutes of Lancashire FA committee meetings was undertaken by David Cunliffe, official historian of Lancaster City FC.
It was already known the club formed in 1905, Lancaster Athletic FC/Lancaster FC, folded in 1910 and was believed to have been reformed as Lancaster Town FC in 1911. However this investigation has revealed the new club would only have been permitted to join the Lancashire FA if it had satisfied the authorities it had no connection whatsoever with the previous Lancaster club. Records unearthed by David Cunliffe confirm the new club, Lancaster Town FC, was indeed a completely new and separately constituted entity from 1911 onwards. Lancaster Town FC were as such accepted by the Lancashire FA and admitted into the Lancashire Combination. The club were subsequently renamed Lancaster City FC following the granting of the Royal Charter to Lancaster in 1937. Therefore it is now believed that Lancaster City as exists today was in fact formed in 1911 and not 1905 and as such should have celebrated its centenary in 2011 despite having celebrated it in 2005. David's comprehensive report, which delved into records as far back as the 1880s, is available for scrutiny from the club office.
The original Lancaster club was founded on 31 May 1905 at Temperance Hall in Lancaster, and were originally named Lancaster Athletic Football Club. They immediately joined Division Two of the Lancashire Combination, but resigned from the league at the end of the 1909–10 season. The club dropped into the West Lancashire Football League, and changed their name to Lancaster Football Club. However, they failed to complete their fixtures when the shareholders decided to disband the club in March 1911. In May 1911 a new club was formed as Lancaster Town Football Club and were admitted back into the Division Two of the Lancashire Combination for the start of the 1911–12 season.
After World War I the Combination was reduced to a single division. The club finished as runners-up in 1919–20, and the following season the club applied to join the new Third Division North of the Football League, but were unsuccessful. However, they won the Combination for the first time in 1921–22. In 1928–29 the club reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time, but lost 3–1 at home to Lincoln City. The following year they won the Combination for a second time and reached the FA Cup first round again, losing 4–1 at New Brighton. The first round was reached again in 1930–31, 1931–32 and 1933–34, but the club lost on each occasion. Back-to-back league titles were won in 1934–35 and 1935–36,[1] and in 1937 the club adopted its current name after the town was given city status as part of King George VI's coronation celebrations.
In 1970 the club left the Combination to join the newly-established Northern Premier League. After finishing seventeenth in 1981–82 the club resigned from the Northern Premier League and dropped into Division One of the North West Counties League when financial difficulties led them to fold and reform. Two years later they were relegated to Division Two after finishing second from bottom of the league. However, despite only finishing thirteenth in 1987–88, the club were accepted into the new Division One of the Northern Premier League thanks to in no small part to ground standard and support.
In 1995–96 Lancaster finished as champions of Division One and were promoted to the Premier Division. After finishing eighth in 2003–04 the club were placed in the newly-established Conference North. This proved to be a hugely successful period for Lancaster with the club enjoying healthy league positions, several cup successes as well as reaching the FA Cup first round proper on four occasions. However financial problems led to the club folding at the end of the 2006–07 season, in which they suffered a 10-point deduction for going into administration, and finished bottom of the league with one point. During the summer, the club reformed and were accepted into Division One of the Northern Premier League.
The 2008–09 season was the last one for ex player and fans favourite Barrie Stimpson. He was replaced by ex manager Tony Hesketh towards the end of the season, returning for a second spell, while he was joined by assistant and ex City player Phil Brown, who has strong links with Myerscough College. Lancaster lost the 2009–10 play-off final 1–0 at home to Colwyn Bay but unfortunately, the pair couldn't guide the squad to a play-off position (2nd to 5th), finishing 7th in 2010–11 and 6th in 2011–12. Hesketh was relieved of his duties early into the 2012–13 season being replaced by former Sunderland, Darlington and Morecambe player Neil Wainwright and current player and local non league stalwart Michael Stringfellow as joint managers. Both Wainwright and Stringfellow left in February 2013 due to budget cuts leaving the club without a first team manager. On 21 April 2013 Lancaster City appointed former Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers and Queens Park Rangers defender Darren Peacock as their new manager.
Stadium
The club play at Giant Axe, located close to Lancaster railway station and both Lancaster Castle and Lancaster Priory Church. It has been their home ground since the formation of the original club 1905, although the club played its first two home games at nearby Quay Meadow, located behind the buildings on St Georges Quay by the River Lune. Giant Axe was given its name as it was the centrepiece of a sports club, the exterior wall of which was, when viewed from above, the same shape as an axe head. In those early years, tennis was also played at the ground, and the football pitch was at the centre of a huge circle of grass called 'the sixpence', which also featured cricket pitches. The ground has been the club's home since the early days, but was renovated in the 1970s when the original main grandstand was destoyed by fire and a new main stand was built. The ground was again modernised in the 1990s with the new Club End/West Road terrace being built and new modern plastic seating installed in the main stand .
The Giant Axe layout consists of the 513-seat Main Stand, named the John Bagguley Stand after the clubs late president. Alongside the main stand are the players and officials changing facilities, the directors lounge, toilets, club shop and Dolly's Diner refreshments bar. The open West Road Terrace is situated behind one goal and a covered terracing called The Shed at the other. Opposite the Main Stand is the Long Side, a small open terrace which also plays host to a raised sponsors hospitality box and the dugouts. The club offices are now placed in the club car park behind the West Road Terrace.
The clubs social club The Dolly Blue Tavern was located outside the ground, adjacent to the car park, but within the club entrance and played host to the club offices. However the social club closed in August 2012. Lancaster City are now using the area underneath the hospitality box as the matchday supporters bar. Supporters are also using other nearby pubs before and after home games.
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Reserves, Ladies and Youth teams
Lancaster City also have several other teams starting with Lancaster City Reserves who play in the Lancashire League West Division, winning the 2011–12 title in a league that includes several other non-league reserve teams from the North West of England. The clubs under 18's team currently play in the North West Youth Alliance while Lancaster still has links with Myerscough College from whom several first team players have progressed and who still run the clubs reserve team from there facilities near Garstang. Lancaster City Ladies F.C. play in the Lancashire Ladies County League West Division while there are also several youth and junior teams ranging from under 7's to under 16's that play in the Lancaster and Morecambe Service to Youth League and the Lune and District Junior Football League.
Coaching staff
Coaching and Medical Staff
- 1st XI Manager: Darren Peacock
- Director of Football: Mick Hoyle
- Fitness Coach: Derek Bull
- Physio/Sports Therapist: Kevin McGuffog
- Kit Managers: Hughie Sharkey, Billy Heron
- Reserve Team Manager: George Norrie
- Under 18s Manager: Dominic Ward
- Ladies Team Manager: Kyle Young
Honours
- Northern Premier League Division One
- Winners (1): 1995–96
- Northern Premier League Division One League Challenge Cup
- Winners (1): 1995–96
- Lancashire Combination
- Winners (4): 1921–22, 1929–30, 1934–35, 1935–36
- Lancashire Combination Cup
- Winners (1): 1921–22
- Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy
- Winners (6): 1927–28, 1928–29, 1930–31, 1934–35, 1951–52, 1974–75
Club records
- Record attendance: 7,506 vs Carlisle United, FA Cup fourth qualifying round, 17 November 1927
- Record win: 17–2 vs Appleby, FA Cup, 1915.
- Record defeat: 0–10 vs Matlock Town, Northern Premier League, 1974.
- Most career appearances: Edgar J. Parkinson 531, 1949–1964.
- Most career goals: Dave Barnes, 130, 1979–84, 1988–91.
- Most goals in a season (league & cup): Jordan Connerton, 38, 2009–10.
- Record transfer fee paid: £6,000 to Droylsden for Jamie Tandy, July 2006.
- Record transfer fee received: £50,000 (including add-ons) from NAC Breda for Peter Thomson, 1999.
- FA Cup run
- FA Trophy run
- Fourth Round 2004–05[1]
- FA Vase run
- Second Round 1986–87, 1990–91[1]
Attendances
Averages
Past averages:
- 2011–12 : 232
- 2010–11 : 218
- 2009–10 : 240
- 2008–09 : 225
- 2007–08 : 318
- 2006–07 : 253
- 2005–06 : 319
- 2004–05 : 316
Source: English football site
Managerial history
- Permanent managers listed in order from 1966–67:
| Name | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Hayes | 1966 | 1968 |
| Barrie Betts | 1968 | 1971 |
| Peter Gilmour | 1971 | 1973 |
| Derek Armstrong | 1973 | 1974 |
| Sean Gallagher | 1974 | 1980 |
| Keith Dyson | 1980 | 1982 |
| Dickie Danson | 1982 | 1991 |
| Russ Perkins | 1991 | 1991 |
| John Smith | 1991 | 1992 |
| Keith Brindle | 1992 | 1994 |
| Alan Tinsley | 1994 | November 1996[2] |
| Gordon Raynor | December 1996[3] | 1998 |
| Alan Tinsley | 1998 | March 1999[4] |
| Tony Hesketh | 1999 | May 2003[5] |
| Phil Wilson | May 2003[6] | December 2005[7] |
| Peter Ward | December 2005[8] | May 2006[9] |
| Gary Finley | July 2006[10] | October 2006[11] |
| Dave Bell | 2006[11] | 2006 |
| Barrie Stimpson | November 2006[12] | March 2009[13] |
| Tony Hesketh | April 2009 | Sept 2012 |
| Neil Wainwright & Michael Stringfellow | Oct 2012 | Feb 2013 |
| Darren Peacock | April 2013 |
References
- ^ a b c d Lancaster Town at the Football Club History Database
- ^ Colin Dyer (28 November 1996). "On the ball with Colin Dyer". Lancashire Evening Telegraph. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^ Rupert Metcalf (20 December 1996). "Football: Harriers set to pull the crowds". London: The Independent. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^ "Tinlsey gives refs the red card". Lancashire Evening Telegraph. 12 March 1999. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^ "Hesketh quits City". Lancashire Evening Telegraph. 8 May 2003. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^ "Wilson back in business at Lancaster". NonLeagueDaily. 22 May 2003. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^ "... While Wilson steps in at Barrow". NonLeagueDaily. 12 December 2005. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^ "Ward and Finley take over at Lancaster". NonLeagueDaily. 23 December 2005. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^ "Shock as Ward quits City for 'Grove". NonLeagueDaily. 3 May 2006. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^ "Gary's promoted". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 24 July 2006. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
- ^ a b "Revolving door continues spinning at Lancaster". 6 November 2006. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ^ Matt Donlan (29 November 2006). "Stimmo is the new Blue". Lancaster and Morecambe Citizen. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
- ^ "Stimpson goes at Lancaster". Lancaster Guardian. 11 March 2009. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
External links
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