Five AFC Telford opening days to remember
Take a look at some of the more memorable opening days for AFC Telford in the past.
AFC Telford United 5-0 Hyde - 2010
Quite the way to start a season and quite the competitive bow for a new manager.
Andy Sinton began his Bucks reign with a 5-0 demolition over Greater Manchester club Hyde.
Five different scorers got in on the act, Phil Trainer, Andy Brown, Greg Mills, James Lawrie and Steve Abbott providing an afternoon to remember.
The Bucks eventually finished second behind Alfreton, winning the play-off final against Guiseley to secure promotion to the Conference.
AFC Telford United 2-2 North Ferriby - 2004
Not just the opening game of the season, but the first ever competitive fixture for AFC Telford United.
The re-birth of the club, who then entered the Northern Premier League Division One, began with Alfie Carter notching twice against the visitors from East Yorkshire.
Under Bernard McNally, Telford secured a third-placed finish leading to instant promotion with a play-off success against Kendal Town.
It was another step on the path to a new era for the Bucks.
AFC Telford P-P Luton Town - 2011
The opening day that never was.
AFC Telford United returned to the Conference Premier and were rewarded with a high-profile game against Luton Town.
Except the Hatters never made it to Telford – due to a planned English Defence League march in Wellington.
A decision was made to postpone the fixture, despite chairman Lee Carter’s frustration, and the Bucks lost 1-0 at Cambridge three days later.
The Bucks finished 20th, one place above the drop.
Brentwood Town 5-0 Telford United - 1969
Not the most handsome of scores in Telford’s favour but a significant afternoon of football in Essex all the same.
Prior to that clash on August 9, Telford – who played in the Southern League Premier Division, were know as Wellington Town Football Club.
That season they finished eighth, just 12 points off winners Cambridge.
An impressive run in the first ever FA Trophy led to a Wembley clash with Macclesfield in the final, but Telford went down 2-0.
Barnet 0-1 Telford United - 1984
At the fifth time of trying, Telford finally got an Alliance Premier League campaign off to a winning start.
A trip to Barnet’s Underhill home was made worthwhile as the Lillywhites, as they were then known, came home with a narrow 1-0 win – thanks to a Dean Edwards goal eight minutes from time.
The great Stan Storton guided Telford to a 10th-placed finish that season it was is now the National League Premier.
