Stafford Rangers F.C.

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…

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