JON DOWNING – FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

Nov 2, 2018 | Club News

CLUB PRESIDENT – JON DOWNING

The funeral of our Club President Jon Downing will take place at 11am on Monday 12th November at St Mary’s Church, St Mary’s Place, Stafford ST16 2AP.

and afterwards in the Jon Downing Suite at Stafford Rangers Social Club. Astonfields Road, Stafford. ST16 3UF

Attendees are advised that there are no parking facilities at the church.

Anyone wishing to wear Stafford Rangers FC clothing or an SRFC tie, is quite welcome to do so.

Family flowers only. Jon made a specific request for donations to be made to his favourite charities:

Cheques should be made payable to:

Motor Neurone Disease Association,  Stafford

Katharine House Hospice

Donna Louise Childrens Hospice

Anyone unable to attend the funeral but wishing to donate to the above charities can send their cheques made payable to their chosen charity to Stafford Rangers Football Club, Marston Road, Stafford ST16 3BX and they will be forwarded on to the family

JON DOWNING – CLUB PRESIDENT

Oct 31, 2018 | Club News

It is with deep regret that Stafford Rangers Football Club announce the passing of Club President Jon Downing yesterday.

Jon was a former Chairman and Director of the Club and a life-long supporter. He will be greatly missed by the Directors and staff at the football club and by the supporters. At this very sad time we send our sincere condolences to Jon’s wife Diane, sons Richard, Nick, and their families.

Gainsborough Trinity

Oct 31, 2018 | Club News

Gainsborough Trinity Football Club was formed in 1873 as Trinity Recreationists, set up by the vicar of the Holy Trinity Church for young parishioners. In 1889 they became members of the Midland Counties League. They won the Midland League championship in 1890/91 and after finishing runners-up the following season were elected to the Football League Second Division. Their first match was against Newton Heath who later became Manchester United. Gainsborough struggled and returned to the Midland League in 1912. In 1969 they became founder members of the Northern Premier League. Gainsborough have never won the NPL but were the longest-serving member of the NPL, ending a 36-year stay after finishing tenth in the Premier Division to earn a place in the Conference North for 2004/05. Current Stafford resident and ex Aston Villa star Brian Little had a short spell as manager of Gainsborough. Relegation from the National League North has enabled us to meet again for League fixtures after many years. Our FA Trophy defeat at Northolme last season was our most recent meeting, following regular encounters in the 70’s.

At the start of this season Gainsborough made it clear that they wanted a swift return to the National League North, like Altrincham did last season, with the signing of prolific strikers Damian Reeves and Ross Hannah. We all remember Reeves at Shaw Lane last season, but to help us Ross Hannah is suspended for this game. Their home has been impressive with 15 points from a possible 18, with only Scarborough going home with points, and an emphatic 8-2 thrashing of Chasetown in the FA Cup. It is on their travels where they have not been as good, and we hope that form continues this Saturday. They have won away at Hyde and Hednesford, drawn at Witton and Farsley, and lost at South Shields, Stalybridge and Nantwich. While we were progressing in the Integro league cup tie at Chasetown, Gainsborough were losing in an FA Trophy replay further down the road at Tamworth.

This game is an important fixture as we attempt to build on a mini cup win run, and much needed confidence to get back on track with some much needed league points, so your support is much welcomed to support the team.

Games played this century on 3rd November.
2001 Guisley A 0-0 FA Trophy round 1 (won replay 4-2)
2007 Exeter H 1-5 Vauxhall Conference
2012 Blyth Spartans A 0-1 Northern Premier League
2015 Lincoln United A 1-1 FA Trophy 1st qualifying round – lost 5-4 on penalties

Chasetown Preview – Phil Bennett

Oct 29, 2018 | Club News

Hot on the heels of our FA Trophy win, we are in cup action again this Tuesday night at near neighbours Chasetown. While Saturday was a sponsored cup tie and we picked up a valuable £3,250 winners’ cheque, Tuesday it is the League Cup sponsored by Integro.

Sadly, their prize money does not match Buildbase so as a result, it is unknown as to what side Steve Burr will put out. Does he keep faith in the team who despite a man disadvantage put up a spirited performance to beat Rushall. Or does he give youth a chance and give fringe players a run out. As we all know, such action backfired last week at Lye Town in the Walsall Senior Cup. What it means, is that we hope fans will travel to boost our following and support the team. Remember too, there is a very good chance to see several former Rangers players in the Chasetown line up.

In the summer, many fans picked Scott Dundas to be our next manager. Like Steve, Scott was a well-respected former player who took Chasetown to the division 1 play offs last season. Had they won they would have been at level 3 like ourselves and may even had been league rivals. Yet in a few months Chasetown find themselves in a relegation battle as they lie just outside the relegation places on goal difference and 1 point away from bottom spot. With only one league win all season, and non at home, I am sure Chasetown will be out to put one over their near neighbours and progress into the next round and follow up on their pre season victory over us.

Games played this century on 30th October
2004 Gateshead            H  2-1  FA Cup 4th Qualifying round
2007 Cambridge Utd    A  1-5  FA Cup 4th Qualifying round
2010 Solihull                  A  1-1  Conference North
2012 Chorley                 H  1-0  Northern Premier League

BUILDBASE FA TROPHY 2 Q

Oct 29, 2018 | Club News

Rangers have been drawn away to Basford United in the Buildbase FA Trophy 2Q round.

Tie to be played on Saturday 10th November 2018.

Full draw:

Second round qualifying draw:

1 Basford United v Stafford Rangers
2 Stamford or Leek Town v Kettering Town
3 Stalybridge Celtic v Buxton or King’s Lynn Town
4 Kidsgrove Athletic or Yaxley v Ramsbottom United
5 AFC Mansfield or Hednesford Town v Pickering Town or Droylsden
6 St Neots Town v Barwell or Coalville Town
7 Lancaster City v Ossett United
8 Newcastle Town v Workington
9 Marske United v Gainsborough Trinity or Tamworth
10 Halesowen Town v Prescot Cables
11 Alvechurch or Stratford Town v Mickleover Sports
12 Witton Albion v AFC Rushden & Diamonds
13 Farsley Celtic v Carlton Town
14 South Shields v Hyde United
15 Brightlingsea Regent v AFC Hornchurch
16 Lewes v Merthyr Town
17 Chipstead v Kingstonian or Bedford Town
18 Dorking Wanderers v Tonbridge Angels
19 Hendon v Biggleswade Town
20 Basingstoke Town v Enfield Town
21 Royston Town v Thame United
22 Horsham v Potters Bar Town
23 Brentwood Town v Poole Town
24 Herne Bay v Needham Market
25 Leiston v Melksham Town
26 Salisbury v Merstham
27 Swindon Supermarine or Banbury United v Hayes & Yeading United
28 Metropolitan Police or Carshalton Athletic v Harlow Town
29 Weymouth v Cinderford Town or Street
30 Yate Town or Dorchester Town v AFC Totton
31 Aveley v Kempston Rovers or Beaconsfield Town
32 Burgess Hill Town or Worthing v Haringey Borough or Chesham United
33 Walton Casuals v Bracknell Town or Bognor Regis Town
34 Folkestone Invicta v Didcot Town or Mangotsfield United
35 Greenwich Borough v Bishop’s Stortford
36 Hartley Wintney or Tiverton Town v Wingate & Finchley