Wealdstone F.C.

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Template:Short description Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Short description{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox football club with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y| alt | American | body1 | body2 | body3 | capacity | caption | chairman | chrtitle | clubname | coach | coordinates | current | dissolved | founded | fullname | ground | image | image_size | kit_alt1 | kit_alt2 | kit_alt3 | league | leftarm1 | leftarm2 | leftarm3 | manager | mgrtitle | nickname | owner | owntitle | pattern_b1 | pattern_b2 | pattern_b3 | pattern_la1 | pattern_la2 | pattern_la3 | pattern_name1 | pattern_name2 | pattern_name3 | pattern_ra1 | pattern_ra2 | pattern_ra3 | pattern_sh1 | pattern_sh2 | pattern_sh3 | pattern_so1 | pattern_so2 | pattern_so3 | position | rightarm1 | rightarm2 | rightarm3 | season | shortname | short name | shorts1 | shorts2 | shorts3 | socks1 | socks2 | socks3 | stadium | title | upright | website }}{{#if:| }}{{#if:| }} Wealdstone Football Club (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell) is an English semi-professional football club based in Ruislip, London Borough of Hillingdon, and affiliated to the Middlesex County Football Association.<ref>Find a Club Template:Webarchive Middlesex County FA</ref> They currently play in the National League, the fifth level of the English football league system. Their traditional colours are royal blue and white, and they are nicknamed "The Stones" or "The Royals".

Whilst formally established in 1899, the club has roots dating back to 1887 and was created through a series of local team mergers.<ref name="wfchistory"/> For most of its existence the club was based at the Lower Mead stadium in Harrow until 1991. After a long period of homelessness and ground sharing with various local clubs, since 2008 they have been based at Grosvenor Vale.

The club were the first to achieve the famed non-League 'double', winning both the FA Trophy and the Alliance Premier League (now the National League) in the same season (1984–85). The latter happened two years before automatic promotion to the Football League began;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Wealdstone has never been a member of the Football League so far.

History

Early years

Approximate location of what was the original ground of The Oaks F.C. in 1887

The club was formed at the start of the 1899–1900 season, joining Division Two of the Willesden & District League.<ref name=BW>"Today's visitors: Wealdstone – club history" Boreham Wood Football Club</ref> A previous "Wealdstone F.C." existed, for workers at a local gunsmith in Wealdstone, a Middlesex village to the north of Harrow Hill - itself has its origins in a club called The Oaks. An article published by the Harrow Observer states that the Wealdstone football club formed in about 1890, playing home games in a field in Hindes Road (present-day Harrow) and meeting at the Railway Hotel, close to Harrow and Wealdstone station.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This club merged into another local club called Harrow Athletic F.C. in September 1894, while other clubs bearing the Wealdstone name soon formed. A merger between clubs called Wealdstone Rovers and Wealdstone Juniors resulted in the formation of Wealdstone Albion F.C. for the 1898 season, and using the same blue and white striped colours of the old Wealdstone F.C. A year later, Wealdstone F.C. took its place.<ref name="wfchistory">Template:Cite web</ref> At this time their home turf was a field between Headstone Drive and Marlborough Hill, Wealdstone.<ref name="grounds">Template:Cite web</ref>

Their first game was a friendly match on 7 October 1899 against Northwood, which they won 6–1. They were promoted to the league's Division One for the 1900–01 season after Division Two was scrapped.<ref name=BW/> In 1903 they moved to the College Farm Ground in Locket Road, Wealdstone, and soon after another nearby ground in what is now Byron Park.<ref name="grounds"/> In 1905–06 the club won Division One, but on 20 October 1906 a notice was posted in the local newspaper stating that the club was to be disbanded due to 'a lack of interest' from players and supporters.<ref name=BW/>

The club was soon reformed in time for the 1908–09 season, rejoining Division One of the Willesden & District League.<ref name=BW/> In 1910 they moved to Belmont Road, and won Division One again in 1912–13. Following World War I the club joined the London League and the Middlesex Senior League.

At the start of the 1922–23 season, Wealdstone F.C. switched to the Spartan League and at the same time moved south to a ground called Lower Mead in what is now central Harrow;<ref name=BW/> this would become the permanent home ground of the club for 69 years.<ref name="grounds"/> The club had their record win on 13 October 1923, beating the 12th London Regiment 22–0 in an FA Amateur Cup game.

Athenian League years (1928–1964)

In 1928–29 they switched leagues again, this time joining the Athenian League.<ref name=BW/> In 1929–30 the club won the Middlesex Senior Cup and the Middlesex Senior Charity Cup for the first time.<ref name=BW/> On Saturday 16 November 1929, Wealdstone played Dulwich Hamlet in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round, with the match ending in a record-breaking 7–7 draw; there has never been a 7–7 scoreline in any other FA Cup match before or since, and none either in the top four divisions of the League Pyramid (including play-offs), the League Cup, League Trophy, FA Community Shield, FA Trophy or FA Vase. Four days later, Dulwich won the replay 2–1.

During World War II the club continued to play, playing at Wembley Stadium in the final of the Middlesex Senior Red Cross Cup in 1942. In December 1944, they recorded their heaviest defeat ever, losing 14–0 to Edgware Town in the London Senior Cup. In 1946 the BBC showed part of Wealdstone's Athenian League match at Barnet, the first post-war match to be televised live.<ref name=BW/>

Television cameras followed Wealdstone in the FA Cup qualifying rounds in 1949-50, with a 1-0 success at Edgware Town in the Third Qualifying Round and a home victory against Colchester in the Fourth shown live on the BBC.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Wealdstone reached the first round of the FA Cup for the first time, losing 1–0 to Port Vale.<ref name="FCHD" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 1951–52 the club won the Athenian League, and went on to win the Middlesex Senior Cup in 1959, 1963 and 1964.

Amateur Cup win and turning professional (1964–1979)

In 1964 they switched to the Isthmian League. In 1965–66 the club reached the first round of the FA Cup again, losing 3–1 at Millwall, but went on to win the FA Amateur Cup, beating local rivals Hendon 3–1 in the final.<ref name=FCHD>Template:Fchd</ref> The following season saw Wealdstone entered at the first round of the FA Cup, losing 2–0 at home to Nuneaton Borough.<ref name=FCHD/>

The club joined the Division One North of the Southern League in 1971, turning professional.<ref name=BW/> They were moved to Division One South the following season, and won the division in 1973–74, earning promotion to the Premier Division. In 1977–78 Wealdstone progressed beyond the first round of the FA Cup for the first time; after beating Third Division Hereford United 3–2 at Edgar Street in a first round replay, they went on to defeat Fourth Division Reading 2–1 at home in the second round, before losing 4–0 at First Division Queens Park Rangers in the third round.<ref name=FCHD/>

Conference and non-league double (1979–1988)

In 1979 the club were founder members of the Alliance Premier League, the new national top division of non-League football. After finishing 19th in 1980–81 they were relegated back to the Southern League, but then made an immediate return after winning the South Division of the Southern League the following season; a play-off ensued against Midland Division champions Nuneaton, with Wealdstone winning on penalties after winning the home leg 2–1 and losing 1–0 away.<ref name=FCHD/> Wealdstone's return to the Alliance Premier League was much more positive than their first stint, finishing 3rd in 1982–83, and then 4th the following season.

In 1984–85 the club had its most successful season to date. Under the management of Brian Hall, Wealdstone won the Alliance Premier League and also the FA Trophy, beating Boston United 2–1 in the final at Wembley Stadium.<ref name=FCHD/> This was first occasion that the non-league "double" had been achieved by any team. However, in spite of this, Wealdstone were not promoted to the English Football League; automatic promotion from the Alliance Premier League would not be introduced until two years later, and in any case Lower Mead was deemed not to meet Football League stadium requirements so the club was not eligible to apply for election.

Following the double, a period of sharp decline soon set in; after finishing tenth the season after with an aging team, they finished 19th in 1986–87, and were eventually relegated at the end of the following season.

Decline and ground loss (1988–2004)

By the end of the 1990–91 season, financial problems caused by boardroom improprietyTemplate:Citation needed were seriously exacerbated by the owner selling the club's Lower Mead ground for commercial development, for which the club, after protracted legal wrangling, received only a very small share of the proceeds.<ref name=BW/> They then signed up to an expensive ground sharing arrangement at Watford's Vicarage Road, and at the end of the 1991–92 season the club were relegated again, dropping from the Southern League Premier Division into the Southern League South Division.

Seeking to reduce expenditure, in 1993 the club began a two-season ground sharing agreement at The Warren, Yeading's ground. In June 1995, with the club in administration and only having two players to its name, Gordon Bartlett was appointed manager.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Later that year, Wealdstone re-joined the Isthmian League to further reduce their travelling expenses, having to agree to drop a level into Division Three in the process. Yet again, they moved grounds, this time entering into a ground share with Edgware Town at their White Lion ground that was to last ten years.<ref name=BW/>

After winning the Isthmian League Division Three in 1996–97, they finished second in Division Two in 1997–98 and were promoted again, this time to Division One. However, after finishing third in Division One in the 1998–99, the Isthmian League denied the club promotion to the Premier Division because required improvements at the White Lion ground were not completed until six days after a specified deadline.<ref name=BW/>

Home search and recovery (2004–2019)

File:Wealdstone FC's Grosvenor Vale 2016 (01).jpg
Grosvenor Vale in March 2016

The club attempted to redevelop the local disused Prince Edward Playing Fields at Canons Park, owned by the London Borough of Harrow, into a new home ground. Construction of the new stadium started in 2003 but, when over 30% completed, building work was suddenly halted in April 2004 when the private company who were co-financing the project in partnership with the club went into insolvency. Unable to afford to complete the new stadium on their own, Wealdstone had to leave the project unfinished for two years. Eventually, Harrow Council, frustrated that the site remained unused and was falling into dereliction, eventually sold the property lease to Barnet F.C., who used the site as a training centre before later moving permanently in to what became The Hive Stadium in 2013. The terms of the council's lease offer indicated that the new owner should complete the stadium for Wealdstone's use, but this was ultimately ignored and the club's financial investment in the project was lost.

In 2004 Wealdstone were promoted to the Isthmian League Premier Division as a result of the creation of the Conference North and South. The club faced Dulwich Hamlet in the playoff final, with the game finishing 2–2 before Wealdstone won 5–4 on penalties.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The club's first two seasons at Premier Division level saw them steer clear of relegation, with back to back 18th-placed finishes.<ref name=FCHD/> Off the pitch, the club began a further new groundshare arrangement in 2005, this time moving to Northwood's Chestnut Avenue ground.<ref name=BW/> In 2006 they were switched under FA reorganisation to the Southern League Premier Division for a single season, before returning to the Isthmian League the following season.

In January 2008, Wealdstone acquired Ruislip Sports and Social club and the associated lease at Ruislip Manor's Grosvenor Vale ground, starting the 2008-09 season there.<ref name=BW/> With the ground share agreement at Northwood coming to an end and still no specific completion date in sight for the club's Prince Edward Playing Field project, Wealdstone instead decided to invest in the Grosvenor Vale stadium to upgrade the playing facilities as a priority, in order to meet the necessary ground grading requirements to play Isthmian League Premier Division football in the 2008–09 season. The club's first 3 seasons at the Vale saw the club fail to reach the playoffs, finishing 7th, 6th and then 12th. They did however reach the first round of the FA Cup in 2009-10, where they lost 3–2 at home to Rotherham United<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

2011–12 saw Wealdstone embark on an FA Trophy run in which they reached the semi-final, knocking out three teams from higher divisions in the process. A 2–1 win at home to Conference side Barrow and a 1–0 win in a replay against Dartford of the Conference South set up a quarter-final away at Cambridge United which Wealdstone won 2-1 thanks to a Richard Jolly brace,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> before eventually losing 3–1 on aggregate to Newport County in the semi-final. They also reached the promotion play-offs in the Isthmian Premier Division that year, but lost 2–1 to Lowestoft Town in the semi-finals. The following season saw them losing in the play-off semi finals again, this time losing 2–1 against Concord Rangers. However, in 2013–14 did win promotion as league champions,<ref name=FCHD/> with their promotion to the Conference South being secured with a 1–0 win away to Margate.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Wealdstone did not win any of their first 9 games in the Conference South, with the run ended by a 1–0 victory away to Whitehawk. An upturn in form meant that they finished the 2014-15 season in 12th place,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and they would go on to finish 13th the following season. The summer of 2016 saw the club change ownership when Peter Marsden, previously chairman of Accrington Stanley, took over the club in late July.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The 2016-17 season saw Wealdstone experience a greater degree of success on the pitch, with the club pushing for the playoffs. However, their hopes were dashed when it was announced that they would be ineligible to compete in the playoffs due to missing the cut off point to meet ground grading requirements.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Wealdstone's eventual 8th-placed finish would not have seen them compete regardless.<ref name=FCHD/>

File:Wealdstone FC (31649040978).jpg
Wealdstone vs Sutton United in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round in 2018

On 21 August 2017, Gordon Bartlett stepped down as Wealdstone manager after 22 years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A day later, Bobby Wilkinson, formerly of Hungerford Town, was appointed manager.<ref name="wealdstone-fc.com">Template:Cite web</ref> Wilkinson's first season at Wealdstone ended in an unremarkable 11th-placed finish in the league, although the club reached the semi-final of the FA Trophy, where they lost 3–0 on aggregate to eventual winners Brackley. In January 2019, chairman Peter Marsden was voted out of his position, and replaced by Rory Fitzgerald.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the final day of the 2018–19 season, Wealdstone rose from 10th to 7th on with a 2–1 win over Hemel Hempstead to ensure a place in the playoffs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Wealdstone began their playoff campaign with a win away at Bath<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> to secure a semi final against Woking, which Wealdstone narrowly lost 3–2.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Wilkinson subsequently left the club at the end of the season.<ref name="ReferenceB">Template:Cite web</ref>

Title win and the National League (2019–present)

On 21 May 2019, Dean Brennan was appointed as new manager, with Stuart Maynard joining as his assistant.<ref name="ReferenceA">Template:Cite web</ref> 10 wins in the first 11 games of the 2019–20 season saw Wealdstone rise to the top of the league.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 26 March 2020 the season was suspended due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, with Wealdstone still top of the league. On 17 June it was confirmed that the club were to be promoted to the National League as champions of the National League South, on the basis of points won per game.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Wealdstone's first season in the fifth tier for 32 years started positively, with the club winning 5 of its first 8 games.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, following a slump in form, Brennan departed his role as manager on 2 February 2021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The club subsequently appointed assistant manager Stuart Maynard as manager, with Matthew Saunders as his assistant.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> With matches being played behind closed doors and the level below having been voided, Wealdstone furloughed a number of first team players in the second half of the 2020–21 season,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which contributed to the club suffering a number of heavy defeats. Despite this, they ended their first season back at National League level in 19th place, clear of what would have been the relegation zone.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In the 2021–22 season, Wealdstone recorded a 16th-placed finish, their highest league position for 35 years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The 2022–23 season began with Wealdstone winning 4 of their first 5 league games, seeing the club go top of the National League.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They ultimately ended the season in 13th place.

On 16 November 2023, they announced plans for a new stadium after being allocated land by London Borough of Hillingdon.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 18 January 2024, Maynard and Saunders left their roles at Wealdstone to join League Two side Notts County.<ref name="Club Statement: Stuart Maynard">Template:Cite web</ref> Eight days later, then St. Albans City manager David Noble was named as Maynard's successor.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His tenure saw only 2 league wins in 15 games, leaving the club in 20th and only above the relegation zone on goal difference. 73 days after his appointment, Noble was relieved of his duties after a 4–0 loss away to relegation rivals Boreham Wood.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> First team coach Sam Cox took charge for the remainder of the season. He guided the team to 3 wins from their last 5 games, finishing in 16th and 4 points clear of Boreham Wood in 21st.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In May 2024, former Walsall and Shrewsbury boss Matt Taylor was announced as manager.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This was coupled with the news that the club would transition to a hybrid training model for the 2024–25 season.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 2 November 2024, Wealdstone made the FA Cup second round for the first time since 1983–84, after beating League Two side Grimsby Town 1–0.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They were drawn against League One side Wycombe Wanderers but lost 2–0 in front of a record crowd of 3,534 at Grosvenor Vale.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="GROSVATT"/> In January 2025, with the club sat 21st in the league, Taylor left to join Solihull Moors.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Neil Gibson was appointed as his replacement four days later.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Wealdstone began the final day of the season in the relegation zone, however a 3–1 win over FC Halifax Town, combined with Dagenham & Redbridge only drawing with Solihull Moors, saw the club stay up by a point.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Gibson subsequently departed by mutual consent.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In June 2025, Sam Cox was reappointed as manager on a permanent basis.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Club crest

The club's crest first appeared on team shirts in the 1960s. It contains four quarters representing the traditional colours of the club (royal blue and white); the "Three Lions" representing England; a football representing the club's sport; and the emblem of Middlesex, the historic county of the London Borough of Harrow where the club is from.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Rivalry

Wealdstone's main rivals are often considered to be Barnet. The clubs were both founding members of the Alliance Premier League<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and played each other regularly throughout the 1980s, although games were rarely played after that with the clubs being in different divisions. The rivalry came back to prominence when Barnet moved into The Hive Stadium which was originally intended for Wealdstone.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> With the two clubs playing in the same division (until the 25/26 season), the rivalry has become heightened after ex-Stones manager Dean Brennan joined Barnet, originally as Director of Football before becoming manager in late 2021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Other rivals have included Harrow Borough (with whom the "Harrow Derby" is contested<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>), Enfield, and Hendon,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with Wealdstone beating the latter in the 1966 Amateur Cup final.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Players

Current squad

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Out on loan

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Notable former players

For all Wealdstone F.C. players with a Wikipedia article, see Template:Cat

The club's all-time leading goalscorer is George Duck. Duck scored 251 goals for Wealdstone in 370 appearances between 1972 and 1979, and additionally set unmatched scoring records for penalties and hat-tricks.Template:Citation needed In every season he played for the club Duck was top scorer in league and cup competitions.Template:Citation needed

Amongst former players who have gone on to notable careers at the highest level of professional football are Stuart Pearce, Vinnie Jones and Jermaine Beckford. Harold Smith was the first ever player to leave Wealdstone FC for a professional career, joining Notts County in 1930.

Non-playing staff

As of 4 August 2025 Template:Fb cs header Template:Fb cs staff Template:Fb cs staff Template:Fb cs staff Template:Fb cs staff Template:Fb cs staff Template:Fb cs staff Template:Fb cs staff Template:Fb cs staff Template:Fb cs staff Template:Fb cs staff<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Fb cs footer

Management

As of 6 October 2025<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Name Role
Template:Flagicon Rory Fitzgerald Chairman
Template:Flagicon Dominic Whyley Vice-chairman
Template:Flagicon Darren Linden Executive Director Engagement and Media
Template:Flagicon Nick Symmons Executive Director Operations
Template:Flagicon Danny Kindell Executive Director Academy and Community
Template:Flagicon Quentin Fox Executive Director Legal
Template:Flagicon Peter Worby Associate Director
Template:Flagicon Paul Fruin Associate Director & Club Secretary
Template:Flagicon Joe Campbell Head of Media
Template:Flagicon Richard Hopwood Chief Operating Officer
Template:Flagicon Andrew Lane Company Secretary

Managerial history

Records

  • Best FA Cup performance: Third round, 1977–78<ref name=NLCD>Mike Williams & Tony Williams (2020) Non-League Club Directory 2021, p511 Template:ISBN</ref>
  • Best FA Trophy performance: Winners, 1984–85<ref name=NLCD/>
  • Best FA Vase performance: Third round, 1997–98<ref name=NLCD/>
  • Best FA Amateur Cup performance: Winners, 1965–66<ref name=NLCD/>
  • Record attendance (Lower Mead): 13,504 vs Leytonstone, FA Amateur Cup fourth round replay, 5 March 1949<ref name=NLCD/>
  • Record attendance (Grosvenor Vale): 3,534 vs Wycombe Wanderers, FA Cup second round, 30 November 2024<ref name="GROSVATT">Template:Cite web</ref>
  • Biggest victory: 22–0 vs 12th London Regiment, FA Amateur Cup, 13 October 1923<ref name="NLCD" />
  • Heaviest defeat: 14–0 vs Edgware Town, London Senior Cup, 9 December 1944<ref name=NLCD/>
  • Most appearances: Charlie Townsend, 514<ref name=NLCD/>
  • Most goals: George Duck, 251<ref name=NLCD/>

Honours

League

Cup

References

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