AFC Telford United is a football club based in Telford, Shropshire, England. The club was formed in 2004 after the original Telford United, founded in 1872, folded due to financial problems. They are currently members of the and play at the New Bucks Head in Wellington, part of the new town of Telford. The club's colours are white and black.
Telford United experienced severe financial difficulties towards the end of the 2003âÂÂ04 season while playing in the Football Conference following the collapse of the Miras Contracts business of chairman and sole shareholder Andy Shaw. The club went into administration, and although supporters raised around ã50,000 in two months, the club's debts totalled over ã4 million, resulting in liquidation on 27 May 2004. On the same day, Telford United Supporters Limited announced that a new club would be formed, which was named AFC Telford United; a new club motto, numquam obliviscere (never forget) was also adopted. In June the new club were placed in Division One of the Northern Premier League by the Football Association. Bernard McNally was appointed as manager and a new squad assembled.
The new club's first season saw them finish third in Division One, qualifying for the promotion play-offs. After beating Eastwood Town 1âÂÂ0 in the semi-final, they defeated Kendal Town 2âÂÂ1 in the final to earn promotion to the Premier Division. The attendance of 4,215 for the final was a club record. The following season saw them finish tenth. During the season, McNally was replaced as manager by Rob Smith. In 2006âÂÂ07 the club finished third, having missed the chance to win the league when they lost 2âÂÂ1 at home to eventual champions Burscough on the final day; the attendance of 5,710 being a new club record. However, they qualified for the promotion play-offs, and after a 2âÂÂ0 win over Marine in the semi-final, they defeated Witton Albion 3âÂÂ1 to earn promotion to the Conference North.
Telford finished second in the Conference North in 2007âÂÂ08, again qualifying for the playoffs, in which they lost 4âÂÂ0 on aggregate to Barrow. The 2008âÂÂ09 season resulted in a fourth-place finish and another play-off campaign. After beating Alfreton Town 5âÂÂ4 on aggregate in the semi-finals (a 2âÂÂ0 win at home and a 4âÂÂ3 defeat away), they lost 1âÂÂ0 to Gateshead. The season also saw them reach the first round of the FA Cup for the first time, where they were drawn at home to Football League club Southend United. Following a 2âÂÂ2 draw, the club lost 2âÂÂ0 in the replay. In the FA Trophy they reached the semi-finals, losing 4âÂÂ2 on aggregate to York City. However, they were victorious in the Conference League Cup, beating Forest Green Rovers 3âÂÂ0 on penalties after a 0âÂÂ0 draw.
In 2009âÂÂ10 Telford finished eleventh in the league, resulting in the sacking of Smith and his replacement with Andy Sinton. Sinton's first season saw them finish as runners-up again. In the play-offs they defeated Nuneaton Town 3âÂÂ2 on aggregate in the semi-final, before beating Guiseley 3âÂÂ2 in the final with an injury-time winner by Phil Trainer, earning promotion to the Conference Premier. They also reached the first round of the FA Cup again, losing 3âÂÂ1 at home to Lincoln City.
The 2011âÂÂ12 season saw Telford finish twentieth, one place above the relegation zone. Another appearance in the first round of the FA Cup resulted in a 4âÂÂ0 defeat at Chelmsford City. Sinton left the club mid-way through the following season, and was replaced by Mark Cooper, who remained in charge for only six games, before resigning to take a coaching role at Swindon Town. He was replaced by Graham Hyde, who lasted just two games, resigning after a defeat to Macclesfield Town. John Psaras took over for the remainder of the season, which saw them finish bottom of the division and be relegated to the Conference North. Liam Watson was appointed as manager in May 2013.
In 2013âÂÂ14 Telford won the Conference North, earning an immediate return to the Conference Premier. However, the following season Watson was sacked in December with the club bottom of the division and replaced by Steve Kittrick. They finished 23rd, resulting in relegation back to the North division. However, the season also saw them reach the second round of the FA Cup for the first time; after beating Basingstoke Town 2âÂÂ1 in a first round replay, they lost 1âÂÂ0 at Bristol City. In August 2015 Kittrick was sacked and Rob Smith returned for a second spell as manager. They reached the first round of the FA Cup again in 2017âÂÂ18 but lost 1âÂÂ0 at Hereford. In 2022âÂÂ23 the club finished bottom of the National League North and were relegated to the Premier Division Central of the Southern League. They were runners-up in the Premier Division Central the following season; in the subsequent play-offs the club defeated Mickleover 2âÂÂ0 in the semi-finals, before losing 1âÂÂ0 to Leamington in the final.
In 2024âÂÂ25 Telford finished third in the Premier Division Central. They went on to beat Halesowen Town 3âÂÂ2 in the play-off semi-finals and Kettering Town 4âÂÂ2 in the final to earn promotion back to the National League North.
Telford play their home games at the New Bucks Head. The ground was renamed following renovation in 2000, having previously been known as the Bucks Head. During the renovations Telford United played with only two terraces in operation, with a small temporary stand situated on what is now the East Terrace and portable cabins in the car park were used for changing rooms. It had previously been home to Wellington Town and Telford United.
The ground has a capacity of 6,380 of which 2,220 is seated and 4,800 covered. The club's record attendance at the ground is 5,710 against Burscough on 28 April 2007, the final day of the 2006âÂÂ07 season.
Shropshire rivals Shrewsbury Town are traditionally seen as the club's main rival. Matches contested between the two are known as the Shropshire derby. However, due to the league gap between the two clubs, most meetings between the two sides are in the Shropshire Senior Cup.
During United's time in the National League North through the late 2010s, a rivalry developed with near neighbours Kidderminster Harriers, based in North Worcestershire.
Telford play in their traditional kit of white shirts and black shorts, similar to that of its predecessor Telford United F.C.. Their away and third kits often use the colours of red, blue (or a combination of the two), and yellow.
Since the club's reformation in 2004, the club has had a single main kit sponsor for its entire existence, that being Capgemini.