Tadcaster Albion A.F.C.

Football club infobox
clubname = Tadcaster Albion


fullname = Tadcaster Albion Association Football Club
nickname = The Brewers
founded = 1892 (as John Smith's)
ground = The Park,
Tadcaster, North Yorkshire
capacity = 1500 ("150 seats")
chairman = flagicon|England Kevin Derry
manager = flagicon|England Paul Marshall
league = NCEL Division One
season = 2007-08 | position = NCEL Division One, 12th
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leftarm1=FFFF00|body1=FFFF00|rightarm1=FFFF00|shorts1=003399|socks1=003399
pattern_la2=|pattern_b2=|pattern_ra2=
leftarm2=ff0000|body2=ff0000|rightarm2=ff0000|shorts2=000000|socks2=000000

Tadcaster Albion A.F.C. are an English football club based in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, formed in 1892. Their ground is situated behind the John Smith's brewery in Tadcaster, thus the reason for their nickname "The Brewers". Currently, they are members of the Northern Counties East Football League Division One. They are managed by Paul Marshall who was appointed in May 2008.

History

The club was formed in 1892 as John Smith's Football Club, the founders took this name as the location of their ground in Tadcaster is situated behind the John Smith's brewery. They have very old roots in the York Football League, records show that they played in it prior to 1909 [ [http://www.tonykempster.btinternet.co.uk/York_League/ylhist09-15.htm York League] ] .

York League: early history

In the 1909-10 season John Smith's gained promotion from the old York League Division Two (today's equivalent is now called Division One) into the top level of the York League system, where they would compete against the likes of York City "A", Rowntrees, Heworth and others.

The club came into problems in the early 1920s, but in 1923 came back under the new name of Tadcaster Albion. The league committee placed them in the second-level division of the York League, which they won that season and were promoted.

By 1926-27, Tadcaster were back under the "John Smith's" name and were playing at the second level of the York League again; oddly, a second team was founded in 1930 under the name of Tadcaster Albion, they both played on the same field and even rose up the divisions together (Smith's won the second level championship in 1932-33). It is thought that this was in case one club went into trouble, then the other could continue on in a better league position. They both merged because of World War II and kept the Tadcaster Albion name, along with the nickname "the Brewers".

Albion won the York Football League in 1947-48, beating out a competitive pack which included York Railway Institute (who would dominate largely in the following years). Despite winning the league, Tadcaster were not promoted and continued on through the 1950s.

Yorkshire League

Tadcaster joined the Yorkshire League Division Three in 1973-74. During their second season in the league, they were promoted to the Yorkshire League Division two, narrowly missing out on the runner-up spot on goal average.

The goal difference tables would be turned in favour of Albion during the 1976-77 season, when they were promoted to the Yorkshire League Division One on goal average. They had a very good cup run during the 1977-78 season, they reached the 5th round of the FA Vase. Relegations followed in 1979 and again in 1980.

In 1982-83 they became a founding member of the Northern Counties East League, they currently remain in Northern Counties East Football League Division One where they have been for the last fifteen seasons.

Honours

*Yorkshire League Division Two
**Runner-up: 1976-77

*Yorkshire League Division Three
**Promoted: 1974-75

*York Football League
**Champions: 1947-48
**Runners-up: 1953-54

*York Football League Division One
**Champions: 1909-10, 1923-24, 1932-33

Records

*Highest Attendance: 1,000 v Winterton Rangers, FA Vase, 1976/77;
*Record Victory: 13-0 v Blidworth Welfare, NCEL Division One, 1997/98;
*Record Defeat: 10-2 v Thackley, 1984/85
*FA Cup: Second Qualifying Round: 1998-99, knocked out by Farsley Celtic 2-1.
*FA Vase: Fifth Round: 2002-03, knocked out by Frenchville Community 2-1.

References