We had the same dilemma with Kings Lynn. Have we played them before or not? Kings Lynn were of the opinion that the old Kings Lynn and the new Kings Lynn Town were the same team. However, the two Scarborough’s appear to be two different football clubs, as the new Athletic take none of the old clubs’ history with them. This therefore means our old Northern Premier league rivals have no association with the new club, so we meet on the playing field for the first time.

Scarborough Athletic Football Club was formed on 25th June 2007 following the liquidation of Scarborough FC. The new club was set up by the Seadog Trust, a group of supporters who originally started the trust with the aim of gaining fan representation on the board of Scarborough FC. However, as a result of the old club’s liquidation, the Seadog Trust moved quickly to ensure a football team continued to represent the town at the highest level possible. On 25th June 2007, Scarborough Athletic were accepted into the NCEL Division 1 for the 2007/08 season, and an agreement was reached for the club to use Bridlington’s Queensgate stadium as part of a ground share with no suitable stadium able to be used in Scarborough.

Scarborough Athletic FC Society Ltd is a registered society under the Co-operative and Community Benefits Societies Act 2014 as an Industrial & Provident Society. The Scarborough Athletic FC Supporters Society Ltd is solely a Supporters Trust owned club. Company No. 30123R. If you think you have seen these facts before it is because Stripes are set up under the same rules, but the difference being that Stripes do not run Stafford Rangers.

Promoted to The Northern Premier League last season, Scarborough are enjoying a good first season at step 3, lying 3rd with 21 points from their 11 games, which includes 3 away wins at Hednesford, Hyde and North Ferriby. They also attract good crowds at their new stadium back in Scarborough and are expected to bring a good following this Saturday.

However, you cannot preview this match without mentioning the old rivalry between ourselves and the old Scarborough. They were formed in 1879, 3 years after us, but they beat us to the Northern premier league as they were one of the founding clubs in 1968. The 1970s was a successful time for the club winning the FA Trophy three times including the dramatic 1976 final when equalising twice they scored the winner in the 120th minute from the penalty spot to beat us 3-2. A fact repeated many times in that in that game over 120 minutes Scarborough were only ahead for the final few seconds. Over the years we have enjoyed some happy (and unhappy) timers at Seamer Road so it was an unhappy time when debts forced the old cub to cease business.

There are many ties to link the two clubs together, not just our league and trophy encounters but the fact that in 1976 we both represented the Northern Premier League in the Anglo Italian Cup and we both beat the current Serie A side Udinese. The two club’s hotels were close, so friendships developed, and it was sad news that on 18 May 1977, 21-year-old Tony Aveyard died after collapsing because of a head injury suffered in a match two days earlier.

Let’s hope for a good turnout to see if Rangers can put their away form behind them and preserve our unbeaten home record.

Rangers games this century on this date 6th October

2001 Tiverton away, Southern Premier 3-3
2007 Forest Green away, Conference 1-3
2012 Rushall away, Northern Premier 1-1