Underacheiving Football Clubs

[Tuna]

Southport, Stafford Rangers, Leek Town, Hednesford Town, Scarborough Athletic.

Edited 11 February 2021 by Tuna

[The People's Hero]

Maidstone was at one time the largest town in the country not to have league football, or something like that.

 

Gillingham must be the most popular 'second team' in the country as just about everyone in Kent sort of follows them as a second team (maybe not the die-hard Stones) but very few pick them to actively follow

 

Both Palace and Charlton used to actually bus fans in from around Maidstone; which didn't help them. 

 

The Man Utd/Kent thing is a bit of a myth; you've always been more likely to run in to a Tottenham, West Ham, Arsenal, Chelsea, Palace, Charlton, Milwall fan down here; at least in terms of those who genuinely love their football. We all look out for the gills, and there is always the hope that Maidstone / Dover (but not Ebbsfleet) make league 2 at some point in future; sadly it looks a million miles off at present and Gillingham too are struggling considering their trajectory over the last 25 years.

 

Gillingham actually is a decent shout for an underachieving side when you consider it is the only league side in Kent, possibly one of only a few full time sides in Kent (Maidstone/Bromley/Dover may be?) and realistically has the scope to pull in fans and talent from all around. If there is a wonderkid born in coastal Kent, its only really Gillingham who can nab them due to the travelling time rule. Their best players are routinely the ones they actually get on loan from PL clubs and their last player they all loved was Bradley Dack. 

[Izzy]

Hull.

 

Similar size city to Leicester and they've never achieved anything of note in the game.

[Guest Manini]

On 10/02/2021 at 13:38, BenTheFox said:

I was driving through Bradford a few weeks ago on the way to a job I had to do in North Yorkshire and I found it remarkable how such a big city is currently being represented in the fourth tier. I know they're geographically very close to Leeds and they have a traditionally successful rugby league club, but even so they should definitely be higher up the pyramid. Who do you think is underachieving? It could be based on current playing squad and finances or geographical location and circumstances. 

Did you do the drive past that goes down Canal Road and you can see the stadium on the top of the hill to the left? One of my all time favourite stadium views that one just dominates the landscape. Great ground Valley Parade. 
 

I used to go and watch Bradford a lot because their pricing is spot on. I think part of their troubles have been down to poor or lack of investment in the past. Also, central Bradford is an absolute dive to be honest which probably doesn’t make it that attractive for potential investors or players wanting to go there, although I suppose they could live in Leeds which is on the whole, a lot nicer. 

[BenTheFox]

On 12/02/2021 at 15:51, Manini said:

Did you do the drive past that goes down Canal Road and you can see the stadium on the top of the hill to the left? One of my all time favourite stadium views that one just dominates the landscape. Great ground Valley Parade. 
 

I used to go and watch Bradford a lot because their pricing is spot on. I think part of their troubles have been down to poor or lack of investment in the past. Also, central Bradford is an absolute dive to be honest which probably doesn’t make it that attractive for potential investors or players wanting to go there, although I suppose they could live in Leeds which is on the whole, a lot nicer. 

I did indeed. My second ever Leicester game was at home against Bradford at Filbert Street on New Years day 2001. Bradford were bottom of the league and we lost 2-1. A sign of things to come. 

[Stuntman_Mike]

On 10/02/2021 at 17:11, Dan LCFC said:

I've always thought that. I don't really know the ins and outs of why but in my memory there's not been another football league club in Leicestershire, since I've followed anyway.

It's crazy to think Martin O'Neill managed Shepshed Charterhouse at one point.

 

[Stuntman_Mike]

Truro City? 

 

Playing in the 7th tier yet it's the only city in the whole of Cornwall. 

[Guest Electric Yetis]

Just now, pmcla26 said:

Rushden and Diamonds, sad times when Nene Park was knocked down recently. 

Scored my greatest ever goal goal at Nene Park against their under 14s (I was also under 14).

 

Sad to see it go. Dont have many claim to fames.

[Guest Electric Yetis]

26 minutes ago, pmcla26 said:

I go past there on the way to work everyday and it’s such ashame that it’s gone.
 

Growing up in the area, and as a young lad playing against sides like Diamonds like yourself mate, always thought ‘maybe one day I might play there’. Sadly never got the privilege. 
 

 

I played for Aylestone Park and we used to play and beat all the local young academy teams (Northampton, Notts County, Leicester, Rushden, Coventry and Forest were all beaten).

 

I scored against Notts County too but Rushden was my favourite.

[Guest Electric Yetis]

Just now, pmcla26 said:

I played against Aylestone park as an U14, debut for Kettering Town after playing Sunday footy with mates, first step up in standard. 
 

I play in goal and had an absolute mare that day (same as a lot of my time at Kettering) but I remember Aylestone lads being a good bunch and the set up there being fantastic with the Astro turf and many games going on at the same time.
 

Always loved those days playing in what seemed like ‘bigger’ matches than playing with just your mates (obviously still great times with them too, just different type of buzz and feel to it). 

Sounds like your age group had a decent side from some of them scalps! Did anyone go on to play non-league or a decent standard etc?

 

 

 

A few went on to academies but none made it professionally.

 

School team included Conrad Logan, Levi Porter (year below) and Tomi Petrescu as well as a few other academy players from Ireland and Finland who never made it to the first team.

 

James Wesolowski and Lee Tomlin were also a year or two below but they didn't play in our team.

[Arriba Los Zorros]

Lincoln City?

 

Norwich?

 

Feel like Northampton town should do better than they do also. 

 

Bradford and Birmingham City are very good shouts. And also how many Surrey clubs are there? Seems underrepresented.

Edited 17 February 2021 by Arriba Los Zorros

[enmac]

Anyone mentioned Gloucester City? Largest city team to have never played in the FL, I believe. 

[spacemunky]

Notts County

 

Last played in the top tier in 1992.

 

Been a bit of a downhill ride since.

[Voll Blau]

On 17/02/2021 at 17:18, pmcla26 said:

Rushden and Diamonds, sad times when Nene Park was knocked down recently. 

Not sure they're underachieving though? Sad what's happened but they massively overachieved before it all went to pot.

 

20 hours ago, enmac said:

Anyone mentioned Gloucester City? Largest city team to have never played in the FL, I believe. 

Yep, P2. 

[moore_94]

Portsmouth, in the Prem from 2003, seemed to be finally getting somewhere under Redknapp with the FA Cup win until he left for Spurs, administration in 2010, been in League One since 2017 and always look like they make an absolute mess of getting promoted

[Nalis]

1 hour ago, moore_94 said:

Portsmouth, in the Prem from 2003, seemed to be finally getting somewhere under Redknapp with the FA Cup win until he left for Spurs, administration in 2010, been in League One since 2017 and always look like they make an absolute mess of getting promoted

I'd argue they over achieved in the first place

[dsr-burnley]

On 10/02/2021 at 17:47, Alf Bentley said:

 

True.....and I had to look up some data on counties by population: https://www.statista.com/statistics/971694/county-population-england/

 

Kent (Gillingham FC) has a bigger population than....

 

- Lancashire (Blackpool, Blackburn, Burnley, Fleetwood, Preston)

 

Don't forget Accrington Stanley and Morecambe.  You could even add Barrow if you want to restore one or two of the old boundaries ...

[when_you're_smiling]

On 10/02/2021 at 18:24, Cardiff_Fox said:

As I said lots of clubs like that in the pyramid but what makes Loughborough unique is that they have always had their own ground (in recent years). A lot of bigger town non league clubs struggle when they sell or lose their ground and then seemingly spend ages trying to get back to the town (Newark, Worcester, Aylesbury, Hinckley). 
 

There’s scope for a non league club in Leicestershire to at least try and be something different that you find up and down the country rather than plodding. 

Bit late on seeing this, but Loughborough Dynamo don’t own their ground. It’s owned by Charnwood Borough Council.

Unless you’re referring to Loughborough University FC but they’ve only been going for about 10-years, got allowed in quite high in the non league pyramid (step five, one below Dynamo) but then have never been promoted or done anything really since.

 

Loughborough had a football league club for a number of seasons but over 100 year ago now. Can’t see it happening again even when you consider it’s sporting heritage and the fact nearby Burton is slightly smaller and look what their football team has achieved.

Edited 19 February 2021 by when_you're_smiling

[CosbehFox]

4 minutes ago, when_you're_smiling said:

Bit late on seeing this, but Loughborough Dynamo don’t own their ground. It’s owned by Charnwood Borough Council.

Unless you’re referring to Loughborough University FC but they’ve only been going for about 10-years, got allowed in quite high in the non league pyramid (step five, one below Dynamo) but then have never been promoted or done anything really since.

 

Loughborough had a football league club for a number of seasons but over 100 year ago now. Can’t see it happening again even when you consider it’s sporting heritage and the fact nearby Burton is slightly smaller and look what their football team has achieved.

I didn’t realise that. 
 

Still my point stands that they are based in the town, not perfectly placed but it’s not say like Hinckley where they have played in Heather, Ibstock and finally now nearer in Barwell

[Finnegan]

On 12/02/2021 at 15:40, Izzy said:

Hull.

 

Similar size city to Leicester and they've never achieved anything of note in the game.

 

 

 

 

 

Wrong shaped ball. 

[when_you're_smiling]

9 minutes ago, Cardiff_Fox said:

I didn’t realise that. 
 

Still my point stands that they are based in the town, not perfectly placed but it’s not say like Hinckley where they have played in Heather, Ibstock and finally now nearer in Barwell

True, though I think those behind the club would argue it’s too far. It’s a good 30mins walk from the centre and couldn’t be much further out of town. Their old ground was right in the centre next to the Carillon where the council owned leisure centre now is. 
 

Who plays at the old Hinckley United’s ground now? That is/was as far out of town as it could have been too but they still got to within a game of the Conference. 

[Voll Blau]

10 hours ago, dsr-burnley said:

Don't forget Accrington Stanley and Morecambe.  You could even add Barrow if you want to restore one or two of the old boundaries ...

Chuck in the Manchester and Liverpool clubs too in that case.

[Koke]

The standout is Plymouth. That whole region in the southwest are underachieving hugely. 

[Koke]

13 hours ago, moore_94 said:

Portsmouth, in the Prem from 2003, seemed to be finally getting somewhere under Redknapp with the FA Cup win until he left for Spurs, administration in 2010, been in League One since 2017 and always look like they make an absolute mess of getting promoted

 

Portsmouth have 5 top flight seasons since 1959. They overachieved to begin with under Harry. Portsmouth have mostly been a lower league club for the past 7 decades. Portsmouth are Charlton with a few trophies in the 1940s. Small club who overachieved and are now back to where they've always been.

[Tuna]

6 hours ago, when_you're_smiling said:

Who plays at the old Hinckley United’s ground now? That is/was as far out of town as it could have been too but they still got to within a game of the Conference. 

Leicester Road FC as far as I know still play there.