Buckingham Town were formed in 1883 by a group of local
businessmen. “The Robins” played friendlies each season with
the first recorded game being against Banbury United. Throughout
this long history the club have played on Ford Meadow, a quaint,
fully enclosed ground.
Almost all the early years were played in local leagues;
the Aylesbury & District League and North Bucks League
during which time a long list of local league and cup wins were
recorded. Prior to senior status being granted, their best
achievement was the winning of the Berks & Bucks Junior Cup
when the victorious team was honoured with a Civic reception at
the Town Hall. In 1953 they became founder members of the
Hellenic League leaving in 1957, according to the Non league
club directory to the South Midlands League from 57-74 (although
statistical websites fail to show a record for them during this
period)
Under Mich Henson the club slowly established itself in the
United Counties League from 74-75 when they were Division 2
runners up and 75-76 when they were Division 1 runners up. They
also had numerous exciting FA Vase and FA Cup runs. After 10
years at the helm Mick decided enough was enough and in the year
before its centenary, Gary Knibbs took over as manager, bringing
with him the nucleus of his old side at Southern League
Wellingborough. The side carried all before it. A marvellous way
to celebrate the Centenary was secured with the winning of the
UCL Premier title, the UCL Knockout Cup, the Berks and Bucks
Senior Cup (for the only time in their history) and the
Buckingham Senior Charity Cup. The official centenary match was
against a full strength Leicester City side that included a
youthful Gary Lineker.
The next season saw the Robins reach the 1st Round proper of
the FA Cup where, on a never to be forgotten day, Orient
triumphed 2-0 at a packed Ford Meadow where 2,451 attended.
Success on the field continued and the following season, 1984-85
the UCL Premier title was regained and with it a successful
application to join the Southern League.
After a couple of seasons consolidation in the Midland
Division, the club were transferred to the Southern Division.
Manager Gary Knibbs based at Northampton unhappy with the
change, left, and the club had a season where four managers came
and left. The last of these, Andy Falconer, doing an outstanding
job.
In June 1989, Phil Lines was appointed manager and began
possibly the most successful period in the Clubs history. A
Quarter Final FA Vase appearance (versus Guiseley) and numerous
local cup successes were culminated in the winning of the
Southern League Southern Division title in 1991.
The club continued to be a top half side under Keith Baker
with another FA Vase Quarter Final appearance (versus Tiverton)
and continued league success under Aidy Mackay, Mick Foster and
Jerry Mansfield.
Following the restructuring of the club after Chairman Chris
Lawrence resigned (after years of excellent service), Steve
Curley took over for over half a season before leaving, being
replaced by Darren Wood from Northampton. Darren built a good
young side after the relegation from the Southern League and had
two seasons of top ten finishes in the UCL, also winning the
Buckingham Charity Cup in 1998 and being UCL Knockout Cup
runners up in 1999.
In May 1999, after Darren Wood left for pastures new, Alan
Boorn and Adam Sinclair struggled as the Robins had their worst
season for many years. Morell Maison took charge in April 2000
and better times looked set for the Robins as his new side had
been a breath of fresh air for those loyal servants who have
kept the club going during very difficult times.
The following seasons have seen the Robins get stronger under Morell's charge. For 2002-03, Morell
targeted 6th place and achieved 4th as well as the Charity Cup. They scored a total of 142
goals in 60 matches with Cole, Max-Grant and McGillycuddy scoring 98 of them. They conceded 72 goals.
In 2003-04 they were Runners Up in the league, Berks & Bucks
Senior Cup and the Buckingham Charity Cup. After six successful
years with the Robins, Morell moved on to
manage Kettering Town in February 2006. In May 2006 ex QPR and
Aldershot player Tony Joyce was appointed manager of the
"Robins".
FA Vase record
Buckingham Town have had a lot of
success in the past in the FA Vase. They are rated in 2000 as
having the 4th best record in the competition by the “Non-League
Club Directory” (See Archive Index) having entered for 22
seasons and reaching the 6th round on two occasions in 1990-91
and 1992-1993 seasons. FA Vase record at the archive index.
FA Cup record
Their best run in the FA Cup was to the first round in
1984-85 where they played Orient, losing in front of their record
attendance of 2,451. FA Cup record at the archive index.
FA Trophy record
They also competed in the FA Trophy from 1994 for three
seasons, record at the Archive index.
OTHER RECORDS:
Longest unbeaten run: 24 games 1985-6.
Most consecutive clean sheets: Seven 1985-6.
Most goals scored for
Buckingham Town: Reuben Max-Grant - 122 (Aug 2002-Dec 2006)
Most goals in a season by a player: 41 by Meshach Cole in 2002-03 season.
Most goals in a game by a player:
Steve Hodge scored seven times in the
12-0 victory over Ford Sports in the Daventry Charity Cup
quarter final on 27/12/86.
Keith Chapman also scored seven in a 15-1
victory over Shenley & Loughton in the Berks & Bucks Junior Cup
on 16/12/72.
Most hat-tricks in a season: Terry Shrieves - Three.
Their honours are:
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