Ashford Town F.C. (Middlesex)

Football club infobox
clubname = Ashford Town


fullname = Ashford Town Football Club
nickname = Tangerines, Ash Trees
founded = 1964
ground = Short Lane,
Stanwell
capacity = 2,550
chairman = Bob Parker
manager = Mark Butler
league = Isthmian League
Premier Division
season = 2007–08
position = Isthmian League
Premier Division, 6th
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pattern_la2=|pattern_b2=|pattern_ra2=
leftarm2=87CEFA|body2=87CEFA|rightarm2=87CEFA|shorts2=87CEFA|socks2=87CEFA

Ashford Town F.C. are an English football club based in Ashford, Surrey, currently playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division.

To avoid confusion with another Ashford Town F.C. based in Ashford, Kent, they are virtually always referred to as Ashford Town (Middlesex). The sides have started to play each other most seasons in pre-season friendlies.

The town of Ashford has actually been administered as part of Surrey since 1965, but as with many other organisations in the historic county of Middlesex, the club has retained the historic suffix. It has also retained affiliations with both Surrey County Football Association and Middlesex County Football Association.

Ashford Town won promotion as runners-up in the Southern League Division One West for season 2005-06, and were transferred across the non-League pyramid to the Isthmian League Premier Division for the following season. In 2006-07, Ashford won the Isthmian (Westview) League Cup, beating Dover Athletic 4-1 in the final at Bromley FC.

Previously, Ashford Town had enjoyed success in the Courage Combined Counties league, winning a total of five times. Some notable mentions: Gary Cambridge, Nathan Wharf, Darren Smith, Ian Miles, Paul Burgess, Dannie Bulman, Lee Holman and Paul German.

Dannie Bulman is currently the only Ashford player to sign directly for a Football League club - he made 230 appearances for Wycombe Wanderers and scored a bizarre goal on his debut, with his first touch, against Bristol Rovers by charging down a clearance by the Rovers keeper, whereupon the ball cannoned off his backside and into the net.

Ashford Town play at Short Lane, a ground which has changed drastically over the past few years. The ground has a clubhouse and a tea room, as well as terraces and seating.

Recent history

* 1982-83 - Founder members of Surrey Premier League
* 1990-91 - Joined Combined Counties League
* 1992-93 - Missed runners-up spot on goal difference
* 1993-94 - Combined Counties League runners-up
* 1994-95 - Combined Counties League Champions
* 1995-96 - Combined Counties League Champions (2nd time)
* 1996-97 - Combined Counties League Champions (3rd time)
* 1997-98 - Combined Counties League Champions (4th successive time)
* 1999-00 - Combined Counties League Champions (5th time)
* 2000-01 - Joined Isthmian League Division Three; promoted to Division Two
* 2002-03 - Moved to Division One South on league re-organisation
* 2004-05 - Joined Southern League Western Division
* 2005-06 - Promoted as runners-up in Southern League Division One West, transferred across to Isthmian League Premier Division
* 2006-07 - Isthmian League Cup winners, Reserves win Middlesex Premier Cup
* 2007-08 - First Team reach Southern Combination Cup Final (held over until pre-season 2008). The Reserves reach the Finals of both Middlesex Premier and Surrey Premier Cups. U18s side win the Southern Youth League; North Division and go on to claim the overall Southern Youth League title.

* Highest league position: 6th in Isthmian League Premier Division, 2007-8
* Best FA Cup performance: 4th qualifying round 2004-05
* Best FA Trophy performance: 1st round proper, 2006-07
* Best FA Vase performance: 4th round, 2000-01

ource

External links

* [http://www.ashfordtownmiddlesexfc.com/ Official site]

* [http://www.atfc.me.uk/ Junior Section (Under 8's - 16's)]