AFC Telford United v Darlington
Saturday 7th March 2020, 3pm
Vanarama National League North
| AFC
Telford United Bucks Head Stadium, Watling Street, Telford, Shropshire, TF1 2TU. Twitter: @telfordutd Click for streetmap Tel: 01952 640064 History:
Telford United has a long history, born out of Wellington Parish Church
Institute, founded in 1872. It first became Wellington Town, competing
in the Birmingham and Cheshire leagues, as well as winning the Welsh Cup.
The club changed its name to Telford United in 1969, when Telford new
town was created and reached the first two finals of the FA Trophy at
Wembley, finally winning in 1971, beating Hillingdon. The club won again
in 1983, while in the FA Cup in the same season they beat Wigan Athletic.
Telford claimed more league scalps in FA Cup runs, including Darlington
in 1984/85 on their way to a fifth round tie at champions Everton in front
of 47,000. The 1990s saw steady performances in the Conference and another
FA Cup win (Stoke City) but after the club's owner got into financial
difficulties the club in 2004 went into liquidation. The supporters formed
a trust and the club was re-born as AFC Telford in the Unibond Northern
Premier Division 1. AFC Telford's is an inspiring story for a supporters'
trust and a go-ahead council joining forces. They've not only developed
a splendid stadium, but associated educational and sporting facilities
make it an important part of the community and the town's development.
The club enjoyed successive play-off finishes in the Blue Square North
before making further progress with a return to the Conference in May
2011. Back in the Conference North now after a bit of a yo-yo experience, Darlo previously played them in the Blue Square Premier in March 2012 and before that enjoyed a 4-0 win here in 2010/2011 during our FA Trophy winning season.
Ticket prices (2019/20 TBC):
Telford will be operating cashless turnstiles - so tickets have to be bought online and then scanned or printed off beforehand or bought from the ticket office on the day. Adult £13; concession £10; youth (16-19) £5; under 16 £1.
When segregation is in operation, away fans are housed in the Frank Nagington (South) Stand, providing covered terraced accommodation for 1,200. Seating is usually available for away fans in block A of the West Stand on request.
There are two disabled spectator areas at pitch level - at the western
ends of the David Hutchinson Stand and the Frank Nagington Stand.
There is a club bar within the Learning Centre facility on the
East side of the ground. This offers most beers (bottled and draught)
as well hot and cold snacks such as sausage rolls, chocolate bars etc.
However, it's a small bar and although away fans are normally welcome,
access may be restricted/controlled if there is a large crowd.
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From
the North: (Darlington 190 miles). It's the A1 and M1, leaving at junction
42, then merging onto the M62 and eventually the M60. Leave the M60 at junction
12, then join the M62 motorway, before joining the M6 south. For the shortest
route, leave the M6 at junction 15, then merge onto the A500. At roundabout
take the 3rd exit onto the A519 and follow the signs for Shrewsbury (A53).
At Espley roundabout take the 1st exit onto the A442, then at Shawbirch
roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the A5223. You then at another roundabout
take the 4th exit onto Haybridge Road (B5061) and at traffic lightss turn
right onto Watling Street - B5061.
You can also take the slighter longer route, all motorway, by taking
the M6 as far south as the junction with the M54. The stadium is to the
northwest of Telford in the Wellington area, and well signposted from
Junction 6 of the M54 (Wellington/Telford West).
Parking: The main car park is behind the East Terrace and David
Hutchinson Stand, which you can reach via the Haybridge Road entrance
- cost £3. Any coaches from Darlington should contact AFC Telford on 01952 640064 to reserve a free parking space. There is extra pay parking at Telford College of Arts
and Technology from Haybridge Road. There is no parking in the hotel
car park behind the Sir Stephen Roberts Stand.
Coach Contact:
Darlington FC Supporters Group, call 01325 250531 or 07951 434731 to book
a seat. Details
of the supporters' group travel can be found here.
Central Cars
01952 50 10 50
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The nearest railway station is Wellington
(Shropshire), a 20 minute walk. Turn left outside the station and up the
walled steps to Wellington bus station. Follow The Parade ( bus station
on your left) to a T-junction. Cross over and continue walking ahead through
a residential area, taking you onto Victoria Avenue. Continue along bearing
left, to a crossroads with King Street. Cross over into Regents Street –
follow the road through housing to a T-junction. Turn left into Telford
Whitehouse Hotel carpark and you reach the stadium.
Regular buses also run past the New Bucks Head from Telford town
centre and Wellington bus stations. Take number 44 ( every 10mins) and
get off at Watling Street.
For more, go to National Rail planner
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There
are a few real ale pubs in Telford, but these are the handiest:
The Cock Hotel, 148
Holyhead Road, Wellington, Telford, TF1 2DL
The Red Lion, Holyhead Road, Wellington, Telford, TF1 2EW
The Swan, Watling Street, Wellington, TF1 2NH, 01952 223781
See also The White Lion, Crown Street, Wellington, TF1 1LP,
which has some real ale. Not far to walk from station and mile from the
ground.
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Refreshment kiosk in away terrace, with range of pies, sausage rolls, hot drinks and alcoholic drinks. |
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The official
website is very comprehensive. There is a supporters' chat forum
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Although Telford is a new town,
there is plenty to see and do in the area. The Ironbridge
world heritage site (south) celebrates the industrial revolution and the
engineering mastery of Thomas Telford, with 10 separate museums, including Ironbridge Gorge. Blist Hill Victorian town is in a similar vein to Beamish in Durham.
There is accomodation in Telford and surrounding area, including chain hotels. Nearest to the ground is the Telford Whitehouse Hotel in Watling Street (prices from £90), or The Swan Inn(£30-40) |
