The Crows have been on the rise in Hertfordshire with Royston Town enjoying probably the most successful season of their 141-year history. Founded back in 1875, the Crows are the third oldest club in the county of Hertfordshire behind Hitchin Town and Bishop’s Stortford. Between the Wars Royston Town competed in a variety of local leagues such as the Buntingford & District League and the Cambridgeshire League. Three years after the cessation of hostilities, in 1948, the club made the switch from the Cambridgeshire League to the Herts County League. It was here that they gained their first major honour lifting the Herts County Premier League title in 1969/70 and repeating that achievement in 1972/73 and 1976/77. Promoted to the South Midlands League, they won the Division One title at the first time of asking in 1978. Two season later they were only denied the South Midlands League Premier Division title by that cruellest of dividers, goal average

The early 80’s saw Royston Town become members of the Isthmian League, competing first in Division Two North from 1984 until reorganisation in 1991 saw them placed in Division Three where they remained until resigning in 1994. Though they finished 8th that season, the punitive costs of ground improvements demanded forced the Crows’ hand. Incidentally throughout that decade of Isthmian League membership the paths of Royston Town and Dulwich Hamlet never crossed.

A return to the South Midlands League, soon to become the Spartan South Midlands League, started well enough as, under the management of former Spurs legend Tony Galvin, not only did the club finish in a creditable 4th place, they also captured the South Midlands League Floodlight Cup with a 2–1 defeat of Sawbridgeworth Town. Early success soon dwindled away and after some seasons flirting with relegation, the axe fell in 2007. Conceding a whopping 117 goals in their 40 games, the Crows finished 21st of 22 and were promptly relegated to Division One.

Behind the scenes a change of ownership pumped much-needed investment into the club and it soon told. The stay in Division One was a brief one, allowing the club to regroup and bolster the ranks. 5th in their first season was followed with the title in 2008/09 as the Crows surpassed both the century of points (103) and the century of goals (138). Returning to the premier Division refreshed and ready for the fight, Royston continued to find the back of the net with unerringly regularity. In their first two seasons back in the Premier Division, Royston finished 4th scoring 118 goals then third with 102 goals before ascending to the summit as they finished 5 points ahead of Dunstable Town to clinch the silverware. Not just in the league were the Crows successful for in that time 6 other cups were won with the South Midlands Floodlit Cup won four seasons in a row.

The Crows swiftly established themselves amongst the promotion-cashing pack in the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central. Since promotion Royston have twice finished runners-up only to drop out of contention at the semi-final stage of the playoffs. In 2014/2015 they finished 11 points adrift of runaway winners Kettering Town before a heart-breaking penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Barton Rovers. A year later lightning struck for a second time as Royston Town again finished second, this time behind Kings Langley who had been promoted as Spartan South Midlands champions. However, in front of 655 fans at Garden Walk, the Crows slipped to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of AFC Rushden & Diamonds. The current campaign sees Royston Town determined to make certain of stepping up. As things stand they currently top the table, four points clear of Farnborough and unbeaten in the league since late September when, in a madcap match, Royston conceded three goals in the first 13 minutes, rallied to 2-3 before Barton bagged 3 more to end up 6-3 victors.

Meanwhile the Buildbase FA Trophy, a competition the Crows only entered for the first time in 2012/2013, has seen the club reach the First Round Proper, a hitherto unknown territory. On the way, they have seen off two divisional rivals in the shape of Egham Town (3-0 at home), and Northwood who were dispatched 4-1 away in a replay after the sides had shared four goals at Garden Walk. Next, they comfortably disposed of another Southern League side, Wimborne Town, 4-0 at home. In the final qualifying round, the draw sent the Crows on a tough mission to Hampton & Richmond. However stout defensive work and some fine saves from custodian Joe Welch blunted the Beavers and left them toothless in attack despite the lion’s share of the possession. On the return to Garden Walk, the Beavers drew first blood as Portsmouth-bound Jamal Lowe found the back of the net after 32 minutes. But things changed after the break as Royston Town’s talismanic skipper Scott Bridges struck two superb goals to shock the visitors and ensure it would be the Crows at Champion Hill come Saturday.

Scott Bridges may be the man of the moment when it comes to the killer goals but the midfield general must play second fiddle in the goals scoring charts to experienced striker John Frendo. The 32-year-old former St Albans City, Hitchin Town and Hemel Hempstead Town forward claimed the National Strike Force Golden Boot back in 2013 when he bagged 44 goals in 48 appearances in league, FA Cup and FA Trophy games for Hitchin, almost singlehandedly keeping the Canaries in the Southern League Premier Division. With Steve Castle, once voted Leyton Orient’s most influential captain by the Brisbane Road fans, at the helm, the Crows will certainly prove no pushovers in this tie.

This Saturday’s game takes place at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD, kicking off at 3.00pm. Main turnstiles will be open from 1.15 pm with the Greendale turnstiles open shortly after. Guests and officials are asked to enter via the Health Club reception. A reminder that as this is an FA Trophy fixture, Season Tickets are NOT valid.

Admission prices:

£10 for Adults
£4 for Concessions
NB: Concessions cover Seniors - 60+, Teenagers (13-19), Unemployed (JSA), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), NHS Staff, Blue Light Services, Serving Members of the Armed Forces and Full Time Students. (Please bring a form of valid ID for your concession as you might not be admitted without that)
Under 13s FREE accompanied by a paying adult

Programmes: £2