Originally founded in 1881 – St Albans City FC was professionally established in 1908 during a meeting held on April 13th at the Town Hall. The meeting was conducted by George Wagstaff Simmons to discuss forming a new team and thus at the end of the day, ‘St Albans City Football Club’ came into being.
(Photo: The Crystal Palace public house. First headquarters of the St Albans football club)
Here’s the list of top 5 historical facts about St Albans City FC that will revamp your history about football.
- A Century Old Home
St Albans City FC has played numerous matches but each club has its home ground. Clarence Park is considered to the home of St Albans city FC for more than 100 years. The park first came into being by Sir John Blundell Maple Bart, an MP, who big-heartedly gave away the site of the park (24 and a half acre) to the natives of St Albans.
But Football was being played in the park before 1894….
Before Sir John’s generosity, football was already being played at Clarence Park. In fact, the first team to ever play in the park was none other than St Albans City FC (original team of 1881). Due to frequent matches played by the club, Sir John was quite influenced to donate the park site to them.
- The Rising Tide
After its official formation in 1908 – St Albans City FC played its early matches by mostly playing in the Spartan Leagues and regional matches in the Herts County. Until in 1920, when the club availed a great opportunity by participating in the Athenian League. The club put every inch of their utmost performance and won two consecutive titles of the Athenian League in three years.
Promoted to participate, St Albans City FC finished the decade by further winning three consecutive champion’s title for Isthmian League.
- The ‘Late’ Oak Tree
During the Premier Division of the Isthmian League in 1992-93, the saints finished runners up after being denied promotion any further due to the presence of an old oak tree around the Clarence Park. Despite the Saint’s brilliance performance, the conference committee was compelled to make this harsh decision.
Prior to the League, the conference visited the park for inspection and called for £80,000 for its renovation and improvements, however, they never mention anything about trees being a problem as there was plenty of it present around not just one oak tree.
The Oak tree was chopped down in 1999.
- Unwanted Record
Widely Recognized as the ‘Saints’ – St Albans City FC has had numerous record breaking wins with great enthusiastic football playing., The Saints have made several semi-final appearances without reaching the finals. It became quite awkwardly common as the management in 1999 suggested the club to go forward with such achievement for a record.
Unfortunately, the saints only recognize two semi-finalist spot both of F.A: Amateur Cup and Trophy.
- All Hail the Saints
Throughout their span of football, the Saints have produced record-winning players with crowning results and great performances. Some of the famous saints are:
- Wilfred Minter: Top Goal scorer with 356 goals in 362 games, also scored most goals for a losing side
(Photo: Wilfred Minter)
- Arthur Grimsdell: captained the Saints during 1921 Tottenham Hotspur FA Cup
(Photo: Arthur Grimsdell holding the FA cup after winning the Tottenham Hotspur final in 1921)
- Harold Miller: One of the International footballers of England, also a 14-year-old Chelsea veteran
(Photo: Harold Miller)
- Allan Cockram: Player with most games played for Brentford (around 100 or more)
(Photo: Allan Cockram)
- Dean Austin: International English footballer with most expensive transfer St Albans City FC to Southend United in £14,000 in 1990
(Photo: Dean Austin in action for Crystal Palace)
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