Tamworth F.C.

Infobox Football club
clubname = Tamworth


fullname = Tamworth Football Club
nickname = The Lambs
The Reds
shortname =
founded = 1933
dissolved =
ground = The Lamb Ground
Tamworth
capacity = 4,065 (518 seated)
chairman = flagicon|ENG Bob Andrews
manager = flagicon|ENG Gary Mills
league = Conference North
season = 2007–08
position = Conference North, 15th
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pattern_la2=|pattern_b2=|pattern_ra2=
leftarm2=FFFFFF|body2=FFFFFF|rightarm2=FFFFFF|shorts2=000000|socks2=000000

Tamworth Football Club are an English professional football club based in the town of Tamworth, Staffordshire. Nicknamed 'The Lambs', they are currently members of the Conference North.

The club were formed in 1933 after the previous Tamworth club, Tamworth Castle, ceased to exist. They originally played at The Jolly Sailor Ground but after a year moved into The Lamb Ground.

History

Early years

The town of Tamworth had been represented at football by Tamworth Castle F.C. until the club folded in 1933. This void was filled thanks to a campaign started by a letter local from a businessman in the local newspaper setting in motion the formation of Tamworth F.C. Originally playing next to the Jolly Sailor pub, the club moved to their present ground, The Lamb Ground, in 1934. Tamworth began life competing in the Birmingham Combination, before joining the Birmingham League in the 1950s. In the 1960s Tamworth experienced success, winning the league in 1963-64 and 1965-66, as well as lifting the West Midlands League Cup, Birmingham Senior Cup and Staffordshire Senior Cup in that decade.

1972 saw Tamworth promoted to the Southern League, but a period of falling attendances and financial difficulties followed. The club returned to the West Midlands (Regional) League (a renamed Birmingham League), and was taken over by a consortium of local businessmen in 1984. In 1987-88 Tamworth won the League, and were promoted back to the Southern League.

1989-2005

Tamworth, managed by Graham Smith, won the FA Vase in 1989, beating Sudbury Town. The final was played at Wembley Stadium, but the game finished 1–1 meaning that the winner would have to be decided by a replay. The replay was played at London Road, the home of Peterborough United and Tamworth won 3–0 to lift the FA Vase.

Tamworth won promotion to the Conference in 2002–03 after winning the Southern League, the club narrowly missed out the previous season with a 3–3 draw on the final day at Folkestone Invicta and with Kettering Town winning they pipped Tamworth to first place and won promotion to the Conference National. Tamworth also reached the final of the FA Trophy that season where they played Burscough but were denied a double, losing 2–1.

2006 - present

The club completed perhaps their highest profile signing of all time on February 23, 2006, with the capture of former Arsenal, Aston Villa, Walsall and England midfielder Paul Merson. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tamworth/4741130.stm Merson opts to sign for Tamworth] ] However, the arrangement meant that until the end of the season, the majority of Merson's wages were to be paid by the club he used to manage, Walsall. The arrangement only lasted two games, although Merson only played once in the 2–1 home loss to Halifax Town. Merson was dropped to the bench for the following game, which was a 5–0 defeat away to Grays Athletic, then announced his retirement from professional football as a player on March 9 2006, less than a month after joining Tamworth. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tamworth/4789770.stm Merson announces his retirement] ]

Although the club finished the 2005-06 season in 21st position in the Conference National in the (the second relegation position), the club were spared the drop after Canvey Island resigned from the league. The Lambs did, however,reach the 3rd round of the FA Cup for the first time.

Despite a fairly poor 2006–07 league campaign, Tamworth once again found themselves at the 3rd Round stage of the FA Cup. Norwich City beat The Lambs, and 18 days later Tamworth manager Mark Cooper and assistant manager Richard Dryden were dismissed with the club at the foot of the league table. They were replaced two days later by the former Tamworth managerial duo of manager Gary Mills [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tamworth/6307413.stm Mills happy with Tamworth return] ] and assistant Darron Gee [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tamworth/6313875.stm Gee rejoins Tamworth boss Mills] ] , who arrived two days later. Despite the change in leadership Tamworth were relegated after finishing in 22nd position. Tamworth kicked off the 2007–08 season in the Conference North.

Colours and badge

As of 2007, Tamworth play in an all red kit, with change colours of white and black.

The club crest features a Stafford Knot, a symbol of Staffordshire.

tadium

Tamworth have played at The Lamb Ground since 1934. Prior to this, they spent their first season at a ground adjacent to the Jolly Sailor pub. The Lamb Ground takes it name from a pub, the "Lamb Inn", which formerly stood nearby. The ground has a capacity of approximately 4,000, and a directors box. All seating is in the Main Stand, which was constructed in 1997. The Main Stand occupies one side of the pitch, with a covered terrace known as the "Shed" on the opposite side. The two ends are terraced.

Players

Current squad

Notable former players

Honours

*Southern Football League Premier Division
**Champions: 2003
**Runners-Up: 2002
*FA Trophy
**Runners-Up: 2003
*FA Vase
**Champions: 1989
*Southern Football League Division One Midlands
**Champions: 1997
*West Midlands (Regional) League
**Champions: 1964, 1966, 1972, 1988
*West Midlands League Cup
**Champions: 1965, 1966, 1972, 1986, 1988
*Birmingham Senior Cup
**Champions: 1961, 1966, 1969
*Staffordshire Senior Cup
**Champions: 1959, 1964, 1966, 2002
*Harry Godfrey Trophy
**Champions: 1994, 1997

Records

* Best League Position: 15th in Conference National (Level 5), 2004/05
* Best FA Cup performance: 3rd round, 2005/6 and 2006/07
* Record Transfer Paid: £7,500 to Ilkeston Town for Tony Hemmings, 2000
* Record Transfer Received: £12,000 from Kidderminster Harriers for Scott Rickards, 2003
* Record Attendance: 4,920 v Atherstone Town, 1948
* Record Victory: 14-4 v Holbrook Institute, 1933
* Record Defeat: 11-0 v Solihull Borough, 1940

hirt sponsors/manufacturers

easons

References

External links

Official site

* [http://www.thelambs.co.uk/ Official site]

Unofficial sites

* [http://www.tamworthfans.co.uk/ Fans' Forum]
* [http://4bleats.freeservers.com/ 4 Bleats To The Baah!]
* [http://www.tamworth-mad.co.uk/ Lambs MAD]

Media sites

* [http://www.footballconference.co.uk/News/FC_Story_Listing/0,,5876,00.html FootballConference.co.uk]