LONG BUCKBY AFC- A BRIEF HISTORY

Formerly known as Long Buckby Nomads, the current club was re-formed after the war in 1945 due to the efforts of local hairdresser Bill Ward and others.

There followed many successful seasons in the Rugby and District League and the Northants Football Combination. Notable players during the fifties and sixties were Jack Osbourne, Pete Dexter, Dave Rainsford, Ray Worthington, Derrick Worthington, Cyril Worthington, Bill Dicks, Ray Timbs, Aubrey (Flapper) Wykes, Cracker Wilson, Roy Muscott, Bill Tolley, and many others.

The club was ably led at that time by the likes of Alistair Bruce, John Partidge, and Jack Osbourne et al, and supported by probably the best supporters club at our level in the county led by Doreen Timbs, Joyce Worthington, and Barbara Dicks laying the sound financial foundation for the club to progress in later years.

With numerous ground improvements on the Sports Field and the beginnings of a fledgling Sports and Social Club the Bucks gathered a strong enough squad during seasons 1968-69 to apply and be accepted into the United Counties Football League in 1969. Manager at the time was Alan Rose who was to lead the club to more honors in future years. Alan, soon after the club entered the UCL brought in Pete Smith to replace himself as manager.

Under Pete Smith the club went from strength to strength in the next few years. Entering the UCL in what was then division 3 the Bucks were champions in season 1969-70 and gained promotion to division 2 which they won but were refused promotion due to ground facilities. So the next year they won it again (season1971-72) but not into division 1 but into the premier division which the UCL formed that season. Club President at that time was local business man George Taylor of Taylor and KW Coaches. Club secretary was Jock Motion. During that time the club extended their Sports and Social Club by building a large concert room which was opened by the president's wife Marie Taylor.

The club has remained in the UCL Premier Division ever since although it has been a close run thing on a few occasions. During promotion season to the Premier Division the club also won the UCL KO Cup, the Northants Junior Cup, and the Daventry Charity Cup. Following Pete Smith as manager was former player Dave Conlon who in later years went on to manage Cogenhoe United.

After Dave Conlon came once again Alan Rose and then former Northampton Town player Roly Mills. Alan Rose became Manager of the junior teams eventually building a side which was probably the strongest youth side in the county winning many competitions until they finally won the Umbro Cup (a cup sponsored by Umbro which included teams from all over the country at U16's level). Some of the games were played on Notts Forest's ground).Notable players from that team who went into higher levels of football were Gary Mills--Nottingham Forest where he won a European Cup medal and later managed Kings Lynn, Gratham Town, and Notts County with a spell at Coventry City as coach,Vince Overson who went on to captain Birmingham City, Mick Kurilla---Birmingham, and Daryl White---Southampton.

Chris Beckett was next ably assisted by Mick Worthington who produced what was probably the strongest side in our history. In 1983-84 season they finished runners up to Kettering Town in the Northants Senior Cup after drawing at Kettering only to be beaten by the odd goal in the replay at the Buck's ground Station Road, a win for Kettering inspired by Eddie McGoldrick who later went on to play for Arsenal.

The following season the Bucks were pipped at the post for the league title loosing by 1 point to Arlesey Town but won the UCL KO Cup beating Baldock Town 7-3 on aggregate.Glenn Burdett was after Chris Beckett and managed the club successfully for 2 years .

Mike Emms came next as manager serving for 9 years, the longest spell in the clubs history. During that spell in the nineties the club finished only once in the bottom half of the UCL Prem. During his time the club moved to a new pitch after the Sports Field obtained extra land mainly financed by the Bucks and The Rugby Club with help from the school and district council. Under Mike Emms's leadership and management we built the 200 seater 'Emms Stand', completely fenced the playing area, and moved and refurbished the floodlights.

After Mike Emms left the Bucks struggled at times to be a force in the UCL Prem and have narrowly avoided relegation on a couple of occasions. Managers since Emms, -Ashley Alexander, Steve Renshaw, Kev Simmonds, and Geof Green found it difficult to rebuild a strong enough side but all claimed some notable victories and admirably kept the club at its present status.

The past few of years have seen the new management pairing of Aidy Mann and Glen Boterrill take over the reins. Both were ex pros, Adie with Northampton Town. They both have had stacks of experience at this level of football and above. In2004/05 season we finished a creditable 8th in the league although in 2006/07 we just avoided relegation.

In January 2007, with a new Chairman on board, the managers role was offered to Glen Botterill who brought in ex Rushden & Diamonds player Andy Peaks as his No.2. The following season looked far more promising with the introduction of new players to strengthen the squad. This brought new standards to the club with an excellent run in the FA Vase and UCL Premier Division runners up in 2008.

Botterill left in January 2009 and former Cobblers player Adam Sandy took over assisted by Matt Muphy for the rest of the season, finishing 8th and also taking the club to the Northants Hillier Senior Cup final, beating Brackley Town 2-0 for our first major piece of county silverware. It wasn't long before our second major trophy was won when we beat Northampton Town in the NFA Premier Maunsel Cup final by 3-2 in July 2009.

Sandy was replaced in January 2010 by the returning Glenn Botterill, assisted by Senior player Matt Green and continues the success with a last sixteen place in the FA Vase in February 2010 and a third place in the Hereward Teamwear United Counties League Premier Division.

In a match where both defences were on top it was not until late in the second half that the Bucks looked more likely to secure all three points when Ashley Robinson flashed one wide of the far post. Apart from that the Bucks were mostly in control but credit to the Holbeach defence they restricted the Bucks to few opportunities.

Andy Gordon in an unusual position for him at right back was the Bucks MOM while Richard Bunting shone in the first half.

Although it was a bonus for the Buck's management that all the players came through with no injuries pending the important fifth round tie in the FA Vase at Leiston it was disappointing that they failed to get the three points.