Uxbridge F.C.

History

Early years

Uxbridge Football Club was founded on 3 February 1871 in an inaugural meeting attended by the Rev. T. S. Shepherd and local men, Hubert Heron, Frank Heron, P. Aldworth, F. J. Smith, R. T. Smith, W. M. Gardiner, W. Fassnidge, E. White, and P. White. At the meeting Mr. William Mansfield Gardiner was appointed president and a committee of four elected to manage the club. It was agreed that the established rules of the club be those of the 'Football Association of London', the subscriptions would be fixed at 2s. 6d. per annum and 'that the uniform of the club consist of a white jersey with light blue Maltese cross and a light blue velvet scull cap with silver tassel'.

The team started by playing friendly return games. Their first game was not recorded but was likely to have been played against Marlow on Uxbridge Common as the return game at Marlow took place on 8 April 1871. Other recorded return games in 1871 and early 1872 were played against Windsor Home Park, Maidenhead and Southall.

Uxbridge Football Club's first games:

February or March 1871 Marlow Home

8 April 1871 Marlow Away

18 October 1871 Windsor Home Park Home

21 October 1871 Southall Away

25 November 1871 Maidenhead Away

2 December 1871 Windsor Home Park Away

20 January 1872 Southall Home

10 February 1872 Maidenhead Home

Uxbridge's first captain was Reginald T. Smith who served until 2 September 1873, when Hubert Heron was appointed captain and hon. secretary at the club's annual general meeting (AGM). By this time, Hubert Heron had gained a full international cap as a forward for England in the 2nd annual game against Scotland on 8 March 1873. As Uxbridge captain, he would gain a further cap at the 3rd annual game on 7 March 1874.

Amalgamation

Since the 1883–84 season, the Uxbridge Crescents club had been growing significantly with games being played against senior teams in the area such as Southall, Hanwell, Burnham, Hounslow as well as Uxbridge F.C. themselves. On 14 August 1886, a letter to the editor of the Buckinghamshire Advertiser written on behalf of members of Uxbridge F.C. set out the reasons for a possible amalgamation with Uxbridge Crescents and proposed a committee of three members from each club to discuss the matter. Negotiations were carried out by committees of the two clubs. After membership approval, a joint General Meeting was held at Uxbridge Town Hall on 26 August 1886 to give notice of the amalgamation and to elect officers for the forthcoming season. A formal resolution was passed deciding that the name of the Uxbridge Crescents should be retained as an alteration of name would necessitate them relinquishing their claim to the 1885-86 West Middlesex Cup.

The amalgamation saw the club adopt red shirts which are still the colours worn today, and the nickname "The Reds" first used. The first game of the combined club took place on Mr. S. W. Light's Field against Maidenhead on 2 October 1886, ending in a 3–2 defeat. On 12 March 1887, the club reached the final of the 1886–87 season West Middlesex Cup competition facing Southall at their home ground, but were defeated 1–0. The 1886–87 season also saw a change of home ground for Uxbridge from Mr. S. W. Light's Field to the tenancy of Mr. Johnson's Field. At the club's AGM on 25 August 1887 it was unanimously decided for the club's name to be changed to the "Uxbridge Football Club".

Uxbridge reached the final of the West Middlesex Challenge Cup again in the 1887–88 season but lost 4–2 to Chiswick Park F.C., watched by 800 spectators at Yiewsley's ground in West Drayton on 11 February 1888. The first trophy won by the amalgamated team was the Henesey Challenge Cup on 16 March 1889 when they defeated Colnbrook 6–0 at Mr. Johnson's Field in front of 800-1000 spectators. (The Henesey Challenge Cup competition took place from the 1888–89 to the 1892–93 season. It was organized by Uxbridge F.C. and was open to clubs located within 10 miles of Uxbridge Market House.) The following Saturday, 23 March 1889, they defeated Colnbrook again; this time 1–0 in the final of the West Middlesex Cup at the Dolphin ground, Slough.

After returning to Mr. S.W. Light's Field for the 1889–90 season, the club moved to Colne Farm for the 1890–91 season, opening there with a 4–3 win against Slough on 27 September 1890. They would continue their success in the West Middlesex Cup with three consecutive titles in the 1890s. On 11 April 1891, they defeated Hounslow 3–2 at Southall. On 26 March 1892, they defeated Harrow Athletic 3–2 also at Southall and on 15 April 1893 they defeated Southall 3–0 at Yiewsley. On 19 April 1893, Uxbridge won the Henesey Challenge Cup for the second time, defeating the 2nd Scots Guards 2–1 at Colne Farm watched by over 1500 spectators.

Restart

After much fund raising in the local community by 19 April 1902 Uxbridge's debt stood at £27. By this time each creditor had been paid 10s in the £. After a final push for donations the club was cleared of its debts. On 16 August 1902 a letter to the editor of the Middlesex & Buckinghamshire Advertiser written by Hon. Sec. A. H. Murray announced that the committee of the club 'having at last freed themselves from all the outstanding liabilities, have decided to make another attempt to run a football team for Uxbridge.' On 21 August 1902 a special general meeting was held at the George Hotel in Uxbridge to restart the club. The first game took place at Colne Farm on 13 September 1902 with a friendly against Yiewsley watched by 100 spectators which ended with a 5–2 win. Uxbridge joined the West Middlesex League and finished the 1902–3 season as runners-up to Hounslow. In the 1904–5 season, they moved grounds to Hillingdon House Park opening the season there on 3 September 1904 with a 7–1 win against Middlesex Wanderers. In this season, they joined the new Great Western Suburban League and remained there until The Great War. Their best league finish was as runners-up to Brentford Reserves in the 1910–11 season. During this time, Uxbridge won the Middlesex Charity Cup twice. On 18 April 1908, they won the trophy for the first time by defeating Shepherd's Bush 2–0 in a replay at Southall watched by 600-700 spectators. Having been finalists in the 1908–09 and 1910–11 seasons, they would win the competition again in the 1912–13 season defeating Hampstead Town 2–1 at Staines on 12 April 1913.

After the First World War, Uxbridge moved to the Cottage Ground in Cowley playing their first game there on 22 March 1919 against Yiewsley in front of 400 spectators. The club joined the Athenian League in the 1919–20 season as Uxbridge Town. However, they finished second from bottom and were relegated to the Great Western Suburban League. In the 1922–23 season, Uxbridge moved grounds to Lodge Farm, New Denham. Their first game at the ground was on 9 September 1922 against Windsor & Eton, winning 2–1. Uxbridge only played at Lodge Farm for one season. At their AGM on 4 July 1923, it was announced the club had secured the use of the RAF Uxbridge Stadium for the 1923–24 season. 1,200 spectators watched their opening game there on 1 September 1923 gaining a 4–1 win against Cowley F.C. The club returned to the Athenian League in the 1924–25 season. In the 1934–35 season, Uxbridge won the Middlesex Charity Cup for the third time by defeating Finchley 4–3 at Wealdstone on 11 May 1935. In the 1936–37 season, they failed to be re-elected to the Athenian League after finishing bottom of the league twice. The club then moved to Division One of the Spartan League as Uxbridge F.C. and finished top of the league. However, they were denied the championship, as it was discovered the club had played an ineligible player, so they finished third when six points were deducted. The club then joined the Premier Division of the London League in the 1938–39 season.

Post-war years

After the Second World War, the club joined the London League Western Division in the 1945–46 season, finishing runners-up to Edgware Town. Uxbridge returned to the R.A.F. Uxbridge stadium after six years on 11 May 1946 with a 3–0 win in a friendly game against Twickenham. In the 1946–47 season, the club joined the Corinthian League, opening with a 2–1 defeat at home against Eastbourne on 31 August 1946. However, issues with the lease of their home ground had arisen. At the club's annual meeting on 23 July 1947, President of the club Mr W.S.Try reported that owing to preparations for the 1948 Olympic Games, the RAF stadium would not be always available in the future and next season they would have to pay an increased price for each match there. A new home for Uxbridge was needed and on 17 September 1947 a large house called "Honeycroft" with 4.5 acres of land in Cleveland Road, Cowley was bought at auction on behalf of the club for £5,800 by Mr Try. The new ground was named after the house, which became the club's main facility. The first home game at Honeycroft was against Yiewsley in the F.A Cup on 4 September 1948 which was watched by 2,000-3,000 spectators and resulted in a 1–1 draw after extra time. After defeating Yiewsley 3–0 in a second reply and Wycombe Wanderers 4–3 in the next round, 3,700 spectators at Honeycroft would watch Uxbridge defeat Southall 1–0 in the F.A. Cup first qualifying round on 2 October 1948. Uxbridge would end their first season at Honeycroft as Corinthian League 1948–49 runners-up to Walton & Hersham.

In the 1950–51 season, Uxbridge won two trophies in consecutive weekends. On 5 May 1951, they defeated Maidenhead 2–0 at Maidstone to win the Corinthian Memorial Shield. A week later, on 12 May 1951, they won the Middlesex Senior Cup for the first time since 1896. Having been finalists previously in 1914, 1927, and 1935, they defeated Hayes 2–1 at Southall. Uxbridge would be finalists in the Corinthian Memorial Shield competition on two further occasions. On 25 April 1953, they won the shield for a second time by defeating Hounslow 3–2 at Slough. However, in the 1954–55 season, replayed final at Honeycroft on 27 August 1955 they were defeated 2–0 by Yiewsley. In the 1959–60 season, Uxbridge won their only league title to date when they became champions of the Corinthian League. The club remained in the Corinthian league, until the end of the 1962–63 season, when as a result of a restructuring of non-league football the league was disbanded, and were placed in Division one of the Athenian League. At the end of the 1966–67 season, the club was relegated to Division Two, which led to the club facing financial difficulties again. The club was reduced to only holding a one-third share of their Cleveland Road ground and were again required to start looking for a new home. There was hope that a new ground would be built at Hillingdon House Farm with the support of Hillingdon Council but deteriorating economic conditions meant the plans were shelved.

Recent history

June 1992 saw George Talbot take to the helm as manager. He had joined Uxbridge as coach in August 1991 after being manager at Harefield . His first success in his 14-year tenure was winning the London Challenge Cup in 1994, when, after despatching Southall, Leyton Orient (at Brisbane Road) and Football Conference sides Dagenham & Redbridge and Welling United, the club collected their first major trophy for 12 years. Three years later the London Challenge Cup was lifted again following victories over Collier Row & Romford, St. Albans City, Barking and Leyton Pennant by 1–0 in a final replay after a 3–3 draw at Fulham's Craven Cottage ground. A year later, in 1998, the club reached the London Challenge Cup Final again and also the final of the Middlesex Senior Cup, losing to Boreham Wood and Enfield respectively.

1999 saw another appearance in the final of the London Challenge Cup, this time, the club losing to Dulwich Hamlet after extra time at Charlton Athletic's ground, and a year later the club made their fourth consecutive appearance in the London Challenge Cup Final, and this time the "Reds" gained their revenge over Dulwich Hamlet, with a 5–4 win on penalties following a 2–2 draw at Dagenham & Redbridge. 2001 saw the club lose their stranglehold on the London Challenge Cup but they were victorious in the Middlesex Senior Cup for the first time in 50 years as they defeated Isthmian Premier neighbours Harrow Borough 3–0 at Honeycroft.

Uxbridge remained in the Isthmian League Division One until the 2002–03 season when the division was split and the club was allocated to Division One North. In the 2003–04 season, the club reached the final of the Middlesex Senior Cup again. They met holders Hendon on 8 May 2004 at Yeading F.C.'s ground but were defeated 3–1 after extra time. In the 2004–05 season, the club moved from the Isthmian league to the Southern league, in the Eastern Division. Their debut in the new league saw them finish in fourth place and a play-off competition for the final promotion place, which Uxbridge lost in the final on penalties at Maldon Town. Before the 2005–06 season, the club installed a new floodlighting system (up to Football Conference standard). However, a lower than expected 14th position in the league that season resulted in the departure of George Talbot.

Former Uxbridge player and Northwood manager Tony Choules was appointed as George Talbot's successor for the 2006–07 season. Under his stewardship, the club reached the Southern League Division One South & West Play-off final in the 2007–08 season, where they lost to Oxford City 1–0. The club switched to Division One Central in the Southern League at the start of the 2010–11 season. There was success in cup competition with the club winning back to back Middlesex Charity Cup's in 2013 and 2014. In the 2018–2019 season, the club joined the Isthmian League Division One South Central.

League history 1894–95 to 1945–46

For the 1946–47 season onwards, see Uxbridge at the Football Club History Database

Ground

Uxbridge play their games at Honeycroft, Horton Road, Yiewsley. It has a capacity of 3,770 with 353 seats. The ground used to be the sports and social club of the Drayton Controls company (Drayreg). Uxbridge named the ground "Honeycroft" after their former home in Cowley. It has been designated as a 'C' Grade stadium. In 2023, Honeycroft underwent an extensive redevelopment including the installation of a 3G pitch.

Ground history

1871–72 to 1873–74 - Uxbridge F.C. play home games on Uxbridge Common.

1874–75 - Uxbridge F.C.'s only home game of the 1874–75 season before being dissolved on the 18 November 1874 is played on the Uxbridge Cricket Club ground against Harrow Chequers on 10 October 1874.

1874–75 to 1878–79 - Uxbridge Crescents play home games on Uxbridge Common.

1879–80 to 1883–84 - Uxbridge Crescents and the reformed Uxbridge F.C. club play home games on Uxbridge Common.

1884–85 to 1885–86 - 'Mr Light's Meadow/Field' and Uxbridge Common. Uxbridge F.C. play home games at Mr S. W. Light's Field. The ground is thought to be close to where the Rockingham Recreation Ground is today as reference is made to the 'Waterworks end'. Uxbridge Water Works stood where the Rushes Mead cul-de-sac is today, on the north-west side of the park. Uxbridge Crescents continue to play on Uxbridge Common but from 1885 some games are played at Mr. Light's Field.

1886–87 - The amalgamated team is called Uxbridge Crescents for one season. On 2 and 9 October 1886, home games are recorded as being played at Mr. S. W. Light's Field. At the club's AGM on 25 August 1887 reference is made to the club having had the tenancy of Mr. Johnson's field in the 1886–87 season.

1887–88 to 1888–89 - Tenancy of Mr. Johnson's field. Reference is made to the 'Gas Works goal'. Uxbridge Gas Works was situated off Cowley Mill Road, where the Uxbridge Royal Mail sorting office and Uxbridge Trade Park is today. The 1887–88 ground rental of £5 is doubled to £10 for the 1888–89 season.

1889–90 - 'Uxbridge Football Club ground' - reference made to the 'Waterworks goal.' This would indicate a return to Mr. S. W. Light's Field for one season.

1890–91 to 1899–1900 - Colne Farm ground, Uxbridge Moor The Colne Farm ground was renowned for its heavy soil. It was situated between two arms of the River Colne, next to Upper Colham Mill. Today this is the location of the Riverside Way Industrial Estate.

Current squad

As of 13 September 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.

Honours

League honours

Isthmian League South Central :

Runners-up and Promotion Play Off Winners: 2024–25

Isthmian League Division Two South :

Runners-up: 1984–85

Corinthian League:

Champions: 1959–60

Runners-up: 1948–49

London League (Western Division):

Runners-up: 1945–46

Great Western Combination League:

Runners-up: 1942–43

Great Western Suburban League:

Runners-up: 1910–11

West Middlesex League:

Runners-up: 1902–03

Cup honours

F.A. Amateur Cup:

Runners-up (1): 1897–98

Middlesex Senior Cup:

Winners (4): 1893–94, 1895–96, 1950–51, 2000–01

Runners-up (8): 1890–91, 1892–93, 1913–14, 1926–27, 1934–35, 1954–55, 1997–98, 2003–04

London Challenge Cup:

Winners (3): 1993–94, 1996–97, 1999–2000

Runners-up (2): 1997–98, 1998–99

Middlesex Charity Cup:

Winners (10): 1907–08, 1912–13, 1934–35, 1981–82, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2018–19, 2021–22, 2023–24, 2025–26

Runners-up (9): 1908–09, 1910–11, 1913–14, 1924–25, 1969–70, 1976–77, 1982–83, 1985–86, 2009–10

Corinthian League Memorial Shield:

Winners (2): 1950–51, 1952–53

Runners-up (1): 1954–55

Isthmian League (AC Delco) Cup:

Runners-up (1): 1985–86

Athenian League Cup:

Runners-up (1): 1981–82

Middlesex George Ruffell Memorial Shield:

Runners-up (1): 2000–01

Great Western Combination Subsidiary Cup:

Records

Best league performance: 9th in Southern League Premier South, 2025–26

Best FA Cup performance: Second round, 1873–74

Best FA Amateur Cup performance: Final, 1897–98

Best FA Trophy performance: Third round, 2021–22

Best FA Vase performance: Fourth round, 1983–84

Record attendances:

Honeycroft Cowley: 3,700 vs Southall, F.A. Cup first qualifying round, 2 October 1948.

Honeycroft Yiewsley: 1535 vs Hanworth Villa, Isthmian League South Central 2024–25 play-off final, 4 May 2025.

Colne Farm: 1,500 vs 2nd Scots Guards, Henesey Challenge Cup Final Tie, 19 April 1893.

Most appearances: Roger Nicholls, 1,054

Most goals: Phil Duff, 153