Club History

Club History


FC Stratford, originally known as Stratford Town A, joined the Midland Combination ahead of the 2009/10 season. A strong first season in Divison Three lead to a fifth placed finish out of sixteen sides.

It was the 2009/10 season that FC Stratford/Stratford Town A missed out on a Challenge Urn final spot too. Wins against Polesworth and Coventry Amateurs lead to a two legged semi final against Blackwood.

A 4 - 1 win in the first leg over Blackwood left FC Stratford/Stratford Town A in a good position looking towards the final. The second leg however was one to forget as Blackwood ran out 5 - 1 winners and securing their place in the final at Pilkington XXX with a 6 - 5 aggregate win.

FC Stratford/Stratford Town A would however suffer second season syndrome. A poor season meant for a tenth place finish in a Division Three with just fourteen sides.

Despite a poor league finish, FC Stratford/Stratford Town A were to go one better in the Challenge Urn in the 2010/11 season. Wins against Dosthill Colts Reserves and Coventry Amateurs set up a two legged semi final with Alveston Reserves.

FC Stratford/Stratford Town A won both legs of the semi final, 3 - 0 at home and 2 - 0 away from home. A final against Aston at Pilkington XXX would await. An even final, finishing 2 - 2 would be decided on penalties. FC Stratford/Stratford Town A secure the Challenge Urn with a 4 - 1 penalty shoot out victory.

At the end of the 2010/11 season, Division Three of the Midland Combination was disbanded. Sides were placed into Division Two whilst the Midland Combination also set up a second Reserve Division.

It was also following the 2010/11 season that Stratford Town A changed their name to our current name, FC Stratford.

The new couple of seasons, under the new name of FC Stratford, would see a mid table finishes in Division Two.

The 2013/14 season was the beginning of a struggle for FC Stratford. Struggling for a side most weeks would see the club finish fourteenth on a sixteen side league.

Following this season the Midland Combination joined forces with the Midland Alliance to form a Midland League. FC Stratford were to remain in the bottom division, now known as Midland League Division Three.

The 2014/15 season in the new Midland League Division Three was going to be much like the previous season. Again each week was a struggle and FC Stratford finished twelfth of fifthteen teams.

The following season and the tide was turning for FC Stratford. A strong start to the season left the club as one of the favorites for promotion. This was unfortunately to be undone with a blip mid way into the season but nevertheless, FC Stratford finished the season fourth.

A 2 - 0 Semi Final defeat in the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup against Woodlands WMC at Coventry Copeswood and a 3 - 0 Semi Final defeat in the Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity Cup against Chelmsley Town was the closest FC Stratford got to cup success that year.

2015/16 season was a hugely succesful year for FC Stratford though. The progression the club had made was massive.

Pete Stephens went 'upstairs' following this season and former Alcester Town manager, Dave Poulson, stepped into the Managerial role.

The 2016/17 season was always going to be tough, a few strong teams were added to Midland League Division Three and FC Stratford would have their work cut out to match the previous season.

A strong start once again but another mid season blip meant FC Stratford finished sixth in a league of fourteen.

It was the Les James Challenge Cup where FC Stratford were to endure some success though. A Semi Final penalty shootout victory over local rivals Redditch Borough should've seen FC Stratford going to Walsall's Bescott Stadium in May.

Unfortunately, due to a rule that wasn't picked up by anyone, FC Stratford were removed from the competition after the captain, James Robbins, played for Studley earlier in the season.

Dave Poulson continued the following season as manager of FC Stratford and made some very good signings to begin the season and his side got off to a flyer. Once again the club suffered a dip in form but on this occasion managed to maintain their league position. By the end of the 2017/18 season, Dave Poulson had completed what he had set out to do when taking over - getting FC Stratford promoted into Midland League Division Two.

FC Stratford finished third in what would prove to be a tough league. GNP Sports ran away with the league title whilst a strong Boldmere Sports & Social Falcons side finished runners up. Just goal difference proved enough to see Poulson's side promoted over his former club, Alcester Town.

This season proved to be Poulson's last with a new business venture his main priority. Nick Ballinger took over the FC Stratford side for their first ever season in Midland League Division Two. A player overhaul would make for a tough campaign for a highly rated Ballinger.

Ballinger's side would complete their aim for the season, with a third from bottom placed finish the club would survive relegation back to Midland League Division Three. Alongside this, a cup final defeat to league runners up GNP was a superb achievement.

Ahead of the 2019/20 season, Ballinger decided to step away from FC Stratford to spend more time with his family. Dave Poulson resumed charge of First Team affairs and once again, albeit on a slightly smaller scale, a player overhaul was needed.

Poulson's side lost their opening two games of the season but then pushed on and despite a controversial end to the season due to COVID-19, the club looked set to mount a challenge for promotion.

With the 2020/21 season upon us, Danny Janes took over as manager of FC Stratford with Dave Poulson taking on the role as Chairman.

The season had barely got started before COVID-19 again halted proceedings. With the club sat fourth in Midland League Division Two having lost just once in the first eight games, the season was brought to an end.

So we move to the 2021/22 season, following the National League System restructure there was something new for FC Stratford to look forward to.

The club had been moved from the Midland Football League to the Hellenic League, not only that, FC Stratford had been moved from Step Seven to Step Six.