Page 14 - Cheltenham Saracens v FC Stratford 261122

Introducing - FC Stratford

FC Stratford, originally known as Stratford Town A, joined the
Midland Combination ahead of the 2009/10 season. A strong
first season in Division Three lead to a fifth placed finish out
of sixteen sides.
It was the 2009/10 season that FC Stratford/Stratford Town A
missed out on a Challenge Urn final spot too. Wins against
Polesworth and Coventry Amateurs lead to a two-legged
semi-final against Blackwood.
A 4 - 1 win in the first leg over Blackwood left FC Stratford/
Stratford Town A in a good position looking towards the final.
The second leg however was one to forget as Blackwood ran
out 5 - 1 winners and securing their place in the final at
Pilkington XXX with a 6 - 5 aggregate win.
FC Stratford/Stratford Town A would however suffer second season syndrome. A
poor season meant for a tenth-place finish in a Division Three with just fourteen
sides.
Despite a poor league finish, FC Stratford/Stratford Town A were to go one better
in the Challenge Urn in the 2010/11 season. Wins against Dosthill Colts Reserves
and Coventry Amateurs set up a two legged semi-final with Alveston Reserves.
FC Stratford/Stratford Town A won both legs of the semi-final, 3 - 0 at home and 2
- 0 away from home. A final against Aston at Pilkington XXX would await. An even
final, finishing 2 - 2 would be decided on penalties. FC Stratford/Stratford Town A
secure the Challenge Urn with a 4 - 1 penalty shoot-out victory.
At the end of the 2010/11 season, Division Three of the Midland Combination was
disbanded. Sides were placed into Division Two whilst the Midland Combination
also set up a second Reserve Division.
It was also following the 2010/11 season that Stratford Town A changed their name
to our current name, FC Stratford.
The new couple of seasons, under the new name of FC Stratford, would see a
mid-table finishes in Division Two.
The 2013/14 season was the beginning of a struggle for FC Stratford. Struggling
for a side most weeks would see the club finish fourteenth on a sixteen-side league.
Following this season the Midland Combination joined forces with the Midland
Alliance to form a Midland League. FC Stratford were to remain in the bottom
division, now known as Midland League Division Three.
The 2014/15 season in the new Midland League Division Three was going to be
much like the previous season. Again each week was a struggle and FC Stratford
finished twelfth of fifthteen teams.
The following season and the tide was turning for FC Stratford. A strong start to
the season left the club as one of the favorites for promotion. This was
unfortunately to be undone with a blip mid way into the season but nevertheless,
FC Stratford finished the season fourth.
A 2 - 0 Semi Final defeat in the Coventry Evening Telegraph Cup against Woodlands
WMC at Coventry Copeswood and a 3 - 0 Semi Final defeat in the Smedley Crooke
Memorial Charity Cup against Chelmsley Town was the closest FC Stratford got to
cup success that year.
2015/16 season was a hugely successful year for FC Stratford though. The
progression the club had made was massive.