Stafford Rangers F.C.

History

Early history

Despite extensive research, no one has been able to prove conclusively when Stafford Rangers was actually formed, as early minute books were destroyed during the First World War. Rangers' formation year is recognised as 1876 because of articles in the local Advertiser newspaper, but an alternative theory on Rangers' formation date, printed in the Sentinel newspaper during 1891, suggests that the club was founded by a Bible class in 1877.

Rangers' early matches were cup games and friendlies, with the club reaching the FA Cup First Round in both 1884–85 and 1885–86. The club then had spells in the Shropshire League, Birmingham League and North Staffordshire League up to the turn of the century, and moved to their present Marston Road home in 1896. In 1900–01 Stafford rejoined the Birmingham League and in 1904–05 had an FA Cup run to the last Qualifying Round, losing in a replay at Second Division Blackpool.

Rangers were demoted to the Birmingham Combination in 1912 but won the championship at the first attempt (1912–13) and then finished runners-up in two of the next four seasons either side of the First World War. Rangers won the Birmingham League title in 1926–27, twice finished runners-up (1928–29 and 1929–30) and were twice third in five memorable seasons. During this period a total of 542 league goals were scored with striker Eddie Cameron regularly scoring goals. Due to financial troubles the team spent the mid to late 1930s struggling to avoid re-election and in one game were so short of players that the club secretary R.P. Brown had to play and actually scored a goal. During April 1935 a successful appeal for £100 to pay creditors enabled the club to survive. When war broke out in 1939, Rangers participated in an emergency Birmingham League during the 1939–40 season, finishing as runners-up, and then disbanded.

Post-war

After the Second World War the club reformed and played in the Birmingham Combination for six seasons, achieving a highest position of 6th in 1950–51. With a view to progress, Rangers joined the Cheshire County Football League in 1952 and finished 3rd in the 1954–55 season. However, Rangers' spell in the Cheshire Football League was generally one of struggle and during the early 1960s financial difficulties again threatened the club's existence. There were, however, some positive results, including the seven goals scored by Les Box in an 11–0 FA Cup victory over Dudley Town during September 1957.

In 1965, the appointment of Colin Hutchinson as manager started an improvement. Rangers won the 1967–68 Cheshire League Cup and following season finished as Cheshire League runners-up to earn a place in the Northern Premier League.

The seventies were the most successful era in the club's history. With Roy Chapman as manager, the club recorded a Northern Premier League Championship, FA Trophy and Staffordshire Senior Cup treble in season 1971–72, with Ray Williams scoring a club record of 48 goals in a single season. However, they did not apply for election to the Football League, and have never since finished high enough to enter the Football League.

Three seasons later Rangers progressed to the FA Cup Fourth round defeating Stockport County, Halifax Town and Rotherham United on the way to a defeat against Peterborough United in front of a crowd of 31,160 at Stoke City's Victoria Ground. The home Third Round tie with Rotherham attracted a record of 8,536 people to Marston Road. After Chapman had departed to manage League club Stockport County, under his successor, Colin Meldrum, in 1975–76 Rangers came close to repeating the treble success of 1971–72. They were again at Wembley Stadium for their second FA Trophy Final but they lost to Scarborough 3–2 after extra time, finished as runners up in the Northern Premier League by one point and lost the Staffs Senior Cup final to Stoke City. At the end of that season Rangers competed in the Anglo Italian tournament against Serie C outfits Udinese and Monza who have since reached Serie A, winning 3–2 against the former at Marston Road and gaining a 1–1 draw away at Monza, the eventual winners. Meldrum was dismissed before the return fixtures in Italy and Rangers finished mid-table in 1976–77 before Roy Chapman returned as manager and success continued with a second FA Trophy Final win in 1979, this time against Kettering Town and qualification for the new Alliance Premier League.

21st century

After two seasons in the Premier Division, finishing seventh and ninth respectively, Painter left the club in April 2002. During Painter's final season, Rangers recorded a club-record 15–0 victory over Kidsgrove Athletic in a Staffordshire Senior Cup tie on 20 November 2001. Kidsgrove Athletic later went on to lose again to Rangers 11-0 the following season.

Phil Robinson, whose playing career took him to several top Football League clubs around the East and West Midlands, joined his hometown club as player-manager in the 2002 close season and immediately set about creating a structure to develop young local talent with the introduction of reserve and youth teams. He retained only a few of Painter's squad which led to increased support on the terraces due to improved results. They finished second in the Southern League Premier Division, reached the FA Cup first round for the first time in a decade and brought the Staffordshire Senior Cup back to Marston Road with a 5–1 victory over Stoke City at Port Vale's Vale Park. Robinson's second season in charge, 2003–04, brought more success with Rangers this time finishing third in the league behind Crawley Town and Weymouth to earn a place amongst the Nationwide Conference North founder members. Rangers reached the Staffordshire Senior Cup Final but lost 1–0 to Kidsgrove Athletic. At the end of the 2004–05 season, Rangers regained the Senior Cup, defeating Leek Town in the Final at Vale Park. As well as reaching the FA Cup first round, where they lost to Chester City, Rangers finished the inaugural Conference North season in 8th position.

Stafford Rangers achieved promotion back to the fifth tier of English football after a play-off win on penalties over Droylsden in May 2006 at rivals Burton Albion's new Pirelli Stadium. This came at the end of a successful 2005–06 league campaign which resulted in a second-place finish.

In the 2006–07 season the club reached the second round of the FA Cup where they lost to Brighton & Hove Albion. A match against Dagenham & Redbridge was featured live on Sky Sports. Goalkeeper Danny Alcock was selected for the England Non-League squad in January 2007 and a month later Cameroonian Guy Madjo was selected by his nation for international duty. The club managed to avoid relegation on the final day of the season, and finished 20th in the Conference.

2007 saw Stafford struggle to compete in an increasingly difficult league with many ex-league and professional sides. Phil Robinson left the club after 5+1⁄2 years in charge. Neil Grayson and Kevin Street were placed in temporary charge of the club as joint caretaker managers.

Stadium

In the 2006–07 season Rangers had an average attendance of over 1000.

On 14 December 2018 the new Shed End, a covered terrace at the far side of the ground, was completed and opened in a league game against local rivals Hednesford Town, with the Boro winning the game 4–1. The Shed End was a fan led project. Fans are now raising money for a cantilever stand at the Social Club End. Following its completion, the ground will have cover on all sides.

Prior to the 2019–20 season a group of fans renovated two unused rooms at the football ground to create a new Fans Bar. The Fans Bar is open to home and away fans on match days.

During November 2019 the club had the away turnstiles refurbished, this also included new exit gates and new fencing being erected, the club's car park situated at the front of the ground was fully tarmacked, replacing a rubble surface.

As of August 2023, Marston Road has been renamed The Stan Robinson Stadium, due to a new sponsorship deal with the haulage company of the same name. This is due to the loyalty and support Stan Robinson showed over many years

Squad

As of 18th May 2026

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Notable players

See Stafford Rangers F.C. Players

Management

The current manager of the club is Graham Deakin who has been in charge since 2026.

Deakin was previously the Assistant Manager of the club, under the leadership of Neil Kitching.

Following Kitchin's departure from the club, Deakin was promoted to Manager in early 2026.

Post-war managers

See Stafford Rangers F.C. Managers

Honours

League champions

Northern Premier League Division One South:(1) 2015–16

Birmingham Combination:(1) 1912–13

Birmingham League:(1) 1926–27

Northern Premier League:(2)1971–72, 1984–85

Southern Football League Western Division :(1)1999–2000

League runners-up

Birmingham League 1928–29, 1929–30

Birmingham Wartime League 1939–40

Cheshire County League 1968–69

Northern Premier League 1970–71, 1975–76

Southern League Premier Division 2002–03

Conference North 2005–06

Cup winners

FA Trophy:(2) 1971–72, 1978–79

Staffordshire Senior Cup:(13) 1954–55, 1956–57, 1962–63, 1971–72, 1977–78, 1986–87, 1991–92, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2014–15, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2021–22

Conference League Cup:(1) 1985–86

Northern Premier League Shield :(1) 1985–86

Walsall Senior Cup:(1) 2013–14