The History of Aylesbury United
The club was formed a little over a hundred years ago in 1897, when three local sides, Night School FC, the Printing Works and Aylesbury Town, decided to merge. The United team, playing in their traditional green and white, took part in local leagues for a number of years, before joining the Spartan League in 1908, where they remained until the Second World War.
In 1951, the Ducks had their first taste of national publicity when they became the only club from the Delphian League ever to reach the First Round Proper of the FA Cup, losing to Division Three side Watford.
United decided to turn semi-professional in 1976 and joined the Southern League. The club finished as runners up in Division One South in 1979/80, despite a shaky start, and then a year later had their most successful FA Trophy run, reaching the quarter finals, before losing to eventual runners up Sutton United.
A number of events then followed that would launch Aylesbury United into its most successful period. In 1983 the club appointed Trevor Gould as manager. A year later a young local lad called Cliff Hercules made his debut, unaware that he was to become the most successful player in the club's history. He subsequently made 669 appearances, scoring 301 goals in the process. Promotion to the Southern Premier was soon achieved and shortly afterwards the Ducks moved to a new stadium. This gave the town a new impetus, and in 1987/88 United became Southern League Champions and gained promotion to the GM Vauxhall Conference.
Aylesbury then hit the headlines again, becoming the only non-league side ever to take on the full England team, as over 6000 packed into Buckingham Road to see the Ducks take on the Three Lions. Unfortunately United's brush with the non-league elite only lasted one season, after which the club were relegated to the Isthmian League.
During the period between 1985 and 1972, Aylesbury boasted the best FA Cup record of any side outside the Football League, reaching at least the First Round Proper every season. The highlights being a victory over then Division Four leaders Southend United, a narrow extra time replay defeat against Northampton Town, and being shown live across Europe against Walsall.
But inevitably the bubble burst, and Trevor Gould left for pastures new in 1992. Subsequently a succession of managers has tried to return the club to former glories, but with little success.
In 1994/95 under Steve Ketteridge United won the Isthmian League Cup and once more became media celebrities. The Ducks Walk goal celebration was shown around the world, as Aylesbury went on to reach the Third Round of the FA Cup, where they eventually lost to Premiership side Queen's Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
Subsequent seasons however were a rollercoaster ride for the Buckinghamshire side. After almost going out of business, the Ducks were pipped to the Isthmian League title a year later, despite heading the table for long periods. The following season saw United back in administration and fighting for survival both on and off the pitch.
Despite defeating Football League side Reading in the Berks and Bucks Senior Cup, for the second time in four seasons, the club was relegated to Division One for the first time in their history.
In October 2000, the legendary Hercules took time out from his duties as the club's Community Development Officer to manage the Ducks, and in his brief spell in charge he secured United's promotion back to the Isthmian Premier Division and extended the club's proud FA Cup record with a First Round trip to Port Vale.
2002/03 saw Aylesbury returned to national prominence twice. Firstly the club was privileged to play a major part in an England get together as the Buckingham Road facilities were used by Sven Goran Eriksson for a media conference and by the squad for a training session. Secondly the club made their first ever appearance in the semi-final of the FA Trophy, where the Ducks were beaten by eventual winners Burscough.
Many further managerial changes were to come, at an average rate of two a season - namely Chris Boothe, Kevin Wilson, Paul Curtis, Danny Nicholls and Jon Franklin.
Managerial changes pale into insignificance after the summer the club had in 2006. Former Chairman Bill Carroll failed in his plans to convert the Buckingham Road playing surface to a 3rd generation artificial surface, his 'last ditch' idea for creating a viable football club, when the Southern League and FA baulked at his ideas.
Carroll decided to cut ties with the club he had been involved with since 1997, and popular local businessman Graham Read, assisted by John Newman took over the club. But in a cruel twist Aylesbury were left homeless after their lease expired.
Aylesbury will therefore continue ground sharing with Chesham United for the 2007/08 season whilst the committee work to find a way of getting the club back into their home town.
On the field was a great success last season, manager Jon Franklin leading a late charge that saw United narrowly miss out on the playoffs. Another change of leadership was required though when Franklin resigned, and current manager Tony Thompson takes over a young and talented squad with hopes of pushing on into the playoffs this time around.
