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Arlesey Town

The Blues
Address:  
Hitchin Road, Arlesey,
Bedfordshire. SG15 6RS
Telephone:
01462 734512
Fax:
01462 734512
Website:
www.arleseyfc.co.uk
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Club Notes
Arlesey Town Football Club celebrated their centenary in 1991, having been formed by a group of local people before the turn of the last century. Before the Second World War, Soccer was played on a localised basis, and in common with many clubs in the area, Arlesey competed in the flourishing Biggleswade & District League and entered the Biggleswade Knock-out Cup.

The 'Blues' as they are nicknamed, were very successful in both competitions, winning them on several occasions. During the 1920's, the club joined the Bedfordshire County League - which was later to become the South Midlands League. Arlesey originally played at 'The Bury' before moving to their former home, 'Lamb Meadow.' The ground took it's name from 'The Lamb,' a former Public House situated near the site which, for many years acted as the club's headquarters and changing rooms. The birth of the modern era is owed to the foresight of officials of the late 1940's and early 1950's. They purchased the premises and became landlords for the princely sum of just £500 in 1948. Four years later, in 1952, an adjoining area was bought and this is where the clubhouse used to stand.

The story goes that two Committee members missed their train to Kings Cross and with time to kill, saw a notice in a local Estate Agent's window for a forthcoming auction of the land. They returned the following week and purchased the said land for the clubhouse. The area lay unused for a number of years until the arrival of 'Biggs Wall' who negotiated with the club to build temporary offices and canteen facilities - which the Football Club then bought back, turning them into what was then, the clubhouse. The first competitive match under floodlights was played in January 1981 against the now defunct ‘Pirton FC’ and two months later the Blues played host to Luton Town for the official opening in front of over 1,000 spectators.

Playing fortunes have fluctuated since the war and season 1950-51 saw the Blues finish as runners-up to Bletchley Town in the S.M.L. Premier Division. The following season the 1st XI lifted the championship crown and the second string were crowned S.M.L. Division Two champions with the Youth team winning three trophies. The 1952-53 season began North Beds Charity Cup final win over Biggleswade Town (the match was held over from the previous season), and ended with a second successive championship win, Arlesey amassing S.M.L. record 52 points. In February 1954, the developing Arlesey Town Colts, local players, reached the 4th round of the F.A. Youth Cup and were drawn away to Portsmouth. The 1950's had seen the Blues compete in the South Midlands and Parthenon Leagues. Season 1968-69 saw one of Arlesey's favourite sons in charge of team affairs; Roland Legate, (who played football professionally for Luton Town) took the helm as player-manager and during his four-year spell, he took the Blues to a league runners-up spot. The start of the 1975-76 season saw Legate return as manager and the trophies came with him, 3 Hinchingbrooke Cup successes, one Beds Senior Cup, the Biggleswade K.O Cup twice and the South Midlands League Challenge Trophy once. Supporting the Executive Committee's wish to cross the pyramid to the United Counties League. With two indifferent terms in the U.C.L., Arlesey lifted the Premier Division crown in season 1984-85. During the late 1980’s the Blues won the United Counties League, Premier Division Cup and a Beds Premier Cup final appearance against Luton Town. During the 1991 centenary year in the blues lifted the South Midlands Floodlight Cup with a fine victory over fellow U.C.L. side Irthlingborough Diamonds, who went on to become Rushden & Diamonds in the football league. With the rising cost of UCL travel and the attraction of more 'local derbies' in 1991-92 it was decided to resign from the United Counties League and cross to the familiar surroundings of the South Midlands League. A successful first year campaign saw the Blues finish in third place and in their second season finished sixth in the league and lifted the Premier Division Cup. The club also gained national recognition following a marvellous run in the FA Vase to the quarterfinals, with victories Flackwell Heath 2-0, Ware 1-0, Haverhill Rovers 2-1, Eastwood Hanley 2-1, Falmouth Town 5-3, Oadby Town 2-1. In the quarterfinal the blues faced old U.C.L. foes Boston in a thrilling game and lost out to an injury time winner. With changes to support and playing staff for 1994/5 the result exceeded expectations. The South Midlands League championship was won with a record 107 points, but even this memorable feat was eclipsed when Arlesey Town defeated Oxford City at Wembley Stadium in front of over 13,000 spectators to lift the F.A. Carlsberg Challenge Vase on May 13,1995. On their way to the greatest day in the club's history, the Blues had beaten Hoddesdon 2-0, a vengeful 2-1 victory at Boston, a 2-0 win at Barnstaple, a 1-0 home win over the holders Diss Town and a 3-0 quarter-final demolition of Cammel Laird before facing U.C.L. side Raunds Town in a two-legged semi-final. The first leg, played at Raunds, saw Arlesey beaten out of sight by a score of 3-0 and very few pundits gave them much chance of overturning the deficit in the return match the following week at Lamb Meadow. Three nil at 90 minutes and 5-0 after extra-time, including a penalty save by Arlesey 'keeper Steve Young meant that the Blues were off to grace the most hallowed of turf!
Arlesey Town's Wembley side that day was: S. Young, N. Cardines, G. Bambrick, P. Palma, C. Hull, P. Gonsalves, S. Gyalog, G. Cox, N. Kane, R. O'Keefe and G. Marshall. Subs: A. Ward & T. Nicholls. The Vase travelled home to Bedfordshire for the first time.

In 1995/5 season saw the Blues crash out of the Vase at the first hurdle but the South Midlands League Championship Crown was retained. The season culminated in three Cup finals for the club; the 1st XI were runners-up to Ely City in the Hinchingbrooke Cup, the Under 16 Youth side were beaten East Anglian Youth Cup finalists while Peter Milton's Reserve side lifted the S.M.L. Reserve Challenge Trophy. After finishing in third place the 1996/7 campaign ended with the Blues relinquishing the S.M.L. title. However the Lamb Meadow trophy cabinet remained in a healthy position as they lifted the Beds Senior Cup (the first time since 1979) and also lifted the Hinchingbrooke Cup (last won in 1982). May 1997 saw Robbie O'Keefe tender his resignation, moving on to a higher grade of football with Baldock Town. In just three seasons Arlesey Town had achieved national recognition with F.A. Vase success and two league championships, a County Senior Cup victory and a Hinchingbrooke Cup triumph.

For season 1997-98 team were unable to keep pace and their championship aspirations soon evaporated. An FA Vase 3rd round exit occurred in Cornwall's Porthleven in December and the Blues' last chance of picking up any silverware disappeared at the hands of arch rivals Stotfold who loosened Arlesey's grip on the Hinchingbrooke Cup with a 2-0 semi-final victory. Towards the end of the campaign Pete Milton indicated that he was not willing to carry on with the job for the following season and within a week or so, Pete's father, the club chairman John Milton, dropped a bombshell by resigning his post with immediate effect. Indeed, the Blues' only success came by way of the 2nd XI (still led by Graham Reed & Martin Everitt), the Reserves finishing league runners-up to Potters Bar Town after heading the table for much of the season.

After a lengthy campaign the club finally received planning permission for a new ground just a few hundred yards along Hitchin Road. After a development project the club moved in on April 30th, 1999 and are now able to boast some of the finest facilities in the area with a purpose built Members Bar, multi-purpose Function & Conference Suite, all-seater stand and training pitch.
During the 1998/99 close season, Arlesey Town appointed Gary Pilsworth however, things didn't work out and after 16 matches with the club rooted at the bottom of the league table, the management team replaced Nicky Ironton who had gained a wealth of experience having been at QPR, Barnet, Maidstone, Enfield, Barking and Baldock Town. Nicky is a former England semi-professional international. Nicky brought as his assistant former team-mate Billy Harrigan and together with Russell Ball, their objective was to avoid relegation and build a side capable of attaining promotion to the Ryman Isthmian League the following season. The Blues ended the season without silverware however, a fantastic run from the end of January signalled the club's intents. Manager Nicky Ironton had built a side more than capable of attaining Arlesey's aim of playing a higher grade of football and the Blues looked forward to season 1999-2000 with optimism.

The first season at the new Hitchin Road ground began with nine straight Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division victories as Ironton's men stormed to the top of the table. A mid season blip in form threatened the side's hard work but having secured the services of coach Alan Dawson, the Blues went from strength to strength and went on to lift their fifth South Midlands League Championship. A run in of eight consecutive victories culminated in a 2-0 triumph at Milton Keynes City on Thursday 4th May meant the Blues championship. With the 'ground grading 'Arlesey Town were promoted to the Ryman Isthmian League Division Three. Realising the gulf between South Midlands and Ryman League football, Nicky Ironton made wholesale changes to his side and introduced several players who had plied their trade at a higher level in a bid to challenge for promotion at the first attempt but the on-field personnel were not the only changes. Increased business commitments saw Eddie Haetzman step down and in his place, the Management Committee appointed Bryan Ellis as Club Chairman. The sale of Dave Kitson to Nationwide Football League Club Cambridge United halfway through the season, did little to upset their cause indeed, the signing of ex Stevenage Boro' striker Neil Trebble boosted their season. A prolific striker, Trebble netted an amazing 18 goals from 17 starts and one wonders just how many he would have scored had he been with the Blues at the start of the season.

A magnificent first season in the Ryman League, saw the club lose just two league matches (one at home and one away) as they raced away to win the Third Division Championship scoring an Isthmian League record of 138 goals and the Blues also gained the record of being the first club to attain a 100 + goal difference in the league's 96 year history. The season was capped in June when Nicky Ironton was crowned 3rd Division Manager of the Season at the Ryman League's Annual Banquet.
During 2002 season Chairman Bryan Ellis fulfilled his promise to elevate the club to another level following a successful application to the 'Football Stadia Improvement Fund.' A six-figure grant enabled the club to meet the league's ground-grading criteria that gave the Blues a new covered stand for 600 spectators, a new open terrace and two new turnstiles. On the pitch, Arlesey boss Nicky Ironton led his side to the last 16 of the FA Carlsberg Vase, secured a highly creditable final Division Two fourth place and lifted the Beds Premier Cup for the first time since 1984.
The 2002/2003 season was a consolidation for the rapid successes of the previous years and the highlight was an extended run in the FA Cup winning 4 away matches in reaching the fourth qualifying round. The reward was yet another away fixture, this time at Nationwide Conference club, Hereford United. Arlesey Town represented the Ryman League Division One north and after going behind to a sixth minute 'soft' goal, they more than matched their opponents in all departments, even having a goal disallowed. It was such a gallant performance that at the end of the tie, the relieved Hereford fans gave their guests a standing ovation. At the end of the 2002/3 Arlesey's Hitchin Road ground hosted two EUFA Ladies qualifying fixtures including England versus Spain. It was seen as a just reward for all the hard work that had been done at the Club by many of its members in recent years.

Season 2003/2004 saw Arlesey Town yet again in the national limelight following a fantastic run to the last 16 of the FA Trophy defeating on the way, both after away draws ‘Hayes FC’ from the Ryman Premier Division and ‘Dagenham & Redbridge FC’ from the Nationwide Conference league. This resulted in an away game with ‘Exeter City FC’ who had just been relegated from the football league. Although losing the game the blues gained respect with an outstanding performance. The season ended with Arlesey Town failing to gain promotion to the new premier structure on goal difference but small consolation was gained when the Blues lifted the ‘Bedfordshire Senior Cup’ after defeating fellow Ryman League club outfit Leighton Town at Hitchin Road last May.

In season (2004/05) Arlesey Town played in the Southern League Division One East and after the successful six-year reign of Nick Ironton it was a consolidation period. Because of the club’s success, visibility and recognition most of the players will be playing in the ‘Conference League’ and premier league. After an indifferent start to the season Nicky Ironton decided to hand over the manager’s position to Jon Taylor, whom he had dealings with in the past. Jon imported a new team of players during November with the single objective of maintaining the club’s status within the Southern League Division 1. This was achieved with a mid-table position and during the close season Jon has added players with a wealth of football league and senior club experience. We are looking forward to revisiting teams from last season and going to new pastures with the addition of seven new opponents.

The season (2005/06) Arlesey Town again played in the Southern League Division One East with Jon Taylor and Scot Houghton in charge. With an exciting start 9 wins out of 10 culminating in destroying Boreham Wood’s unbeaten run 3 – 0 at their home fortress. In both the FA Cup and Trophy there were unfortunate fixtures at Premier Clubs, Heybridge Swifts(1 – 0) and Leyton (90 minute goal) ending our cup interests. Arlesey Town has a mixture of excellent and mediocre results and achieved a mid-table position.

The 2006/2007 seasons sees Arlesey Town reverting to the Ryman Isthmian Football league along with many of last season’s opponents also being reassigned, we will be entertaining and visiting friends from the past and some new. Again during the close season Jon has added players with a wealth of football league and senior club experience for the coming season’s campaign looking to climb the non-league structure.

From the history put in about Darren Hay appointmernt last october and has now brought his own team together for this season influenced by his working with the local youth through the North Herts College.
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Venue Matches W D L Goals + / -
Home 2 1 0 1 6 - 2 +4
Away 2 1 1 0 2 - 1 +1
Neutral 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 +0
Total 4 2 1 1 8 - 3 +5


Date Comp. Venue Score Stadium Crowd
13.03.2010 Southern League Midlands Division Home 1 - 2 Victoria Ground 169
05.09.2009 Southern League Midlands Division Away 0 - 0 Chateau Roux 123
28.03.2009 Southern League Midlands Division Away 2 - 1 Chateau Roux 91
29.11.2008 Southern League Midlands Division Home 5 - 0 Victoria Ground 258