Match Information:
- Telford Town 0-3 Stafford Rangers
- When: Saturday 12th July 2025
- Kick-off: 3pm
- Where: The DRM Aggregate Arena, School Grove, Oakengates, Telford, Shropshire TF2 6BQ
- Competition: Pre-season friendly
- Attendance: 321
Telford Town are newcomers at Step 6 of the national Non-League Pyramid this season joining the North West Counties League First Division South.
It follows winning the 2024/25 West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division title racking up an eight point margin above second place.
Playing fortunes have dramatically improved ever since a takeover of the club – then known as Wellington Amateurs - was completed in January 2024 by ex-Hednesford Town FC chairman Hayden Dando.
He quickly changed their name to Telford Town thereby unlocking greater commercial opportunities whilst boosting support and community involvement within Telford. However, a long-standing nickname of ‘The Ams’ has been retained.
Bearing all those factors in mind, I embarked on my 260 mile round trip via the M1, M6 and M54 motorways. Severe delays through Birmingham advised by Google Maps meant I was forced to take the M6 toll road.
Telford itself is a large town housing 156,000 residents. I noticed prominent “No Matchday Parking” signs on streets leading to The DRM Aggregate Arena.
Ground Description
Most teams promoted to Step 6 possess very basic facilities and must carry out major improvements to meet the required ground grading standards. Yet this is certainly not the case at Telford Town.
They already boast an excellent set-up offering two seated grandstands on opposite sides of the pitch. One of these is labelled ‘The Wednesday Crew Stand’ to recognise the club’s volunteers.
There is also standing cover in ‘The Army and Spud Terrace’ (named after a successful management duo). Social facilities comprise of ‘The Dave Gregory Clubhouse’ honouring a former Ams chairman.
Programme Details
It was called ‘TALK OF THE TOWN’ and sold at £2 from the main entry hut.
Interesting contents incorporated club honours, boardroom news, details of their rapidly expanding youth football section, player sponsors, history of visitors Stafford Rangers, a player to watch out for on each team, matchday advertising, upcoming fixtures, league sponsors, player photos and advance notice of a celebrity charity match at Telford Town on Sunday 5th October.
The Match
Attractive opposition Stafford Rangers finished 12th in the Northern Premier League Division One West last season at Non-League Step 4. Therefore spectators present holding expert football betting knowledge would have tipped an away win.
It was scoreless at half-time though so the aforementioned sports betting enthusiasts were subdued by this point.
Even so, Stafford Rangers went into second half ascendancy to notch well-taken goals courtesy of Andersen (55 minutes), Jasper (63 mins) and Cuff (71 mins).
On an extremely hot day, drinks breaks were allowed for the two teams every 15 minutes. And it was nice to see the Rangers players trotting over to applaud their loyal travelling fans after the final whistle.
The People
Telford Town stalwart Mickey Baker gave me a warm welcome and reserved my car park space which was much appreciated.
Despite the fact he had been working on the pitch maintenance until nearly midnight the previous night, Mickey was in fine form and filled me in on his club’s background.
He said: “The red seats in our stand enjoy a lengthy history. They originally served at Sunderland’s old Roker Park stadium. Then once Sunderland moved to the Stadium of Light, York City acquired them. But when York relocated from Bootham Crescent, we were able to get the seats.
“I’ve been here at the club spanning six years. I was manager for two seasons before I took on a new day job that restricted my football time. So I moved upstairs as they say to become director of football.
“My role now is to oversee the men’s senior teams, including recruitment and ensuring they have everything they need in terms of equipment and facilities. I work closely with both managers of the first team and reserves.
“The aspiration at Telford Town is to reach Step 5 as soon as possible. We have a really ambitious chairman in Hayden Dando and ‘Boz’ (Matthew Boswell) the manager wants to test himself too. We know this new league will be tough but we are excited about the unknown featuring many clubs and grounds we haven’t visited in the past.”
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Tony Incenzo*
