Looking through the Archives: Remembering Stafford Rangers

We don't hear much about Stafford Rangers nowadays.  Although thought to be formed in 1876 (the official date of the clubs formation is unknown) Rangers have never been admitted to the football league.  

However, they have come close on occasions. During their Northern Premier League days Rangers (together with Wigan Athletic) were thought to be one of the top clubs in the non-league.  

Nevertheless, it was Wigan who were eventually nominated to enter the football league whereas Stafford were not.

Rangers are best remembered for their famous FA Cup run in 1970s where their moment of glory came with an FA Cup 4th Round tie against Peterborough United in 1975.  The tie, at Stoke City's Victoria Ground before a bumper crowd of 31,160 was a special moment in the clubs history. They eventually lost 1-2.

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When asked about his father Roger Jones (pictured) who played in the tie at Stoke in 1975, Mick, a Stafford Rangers/Stoke City fan pointed to his mate:

"Ask Mitch, he is the authority on Stafford Rangers, he knows more about my dad's football career than I do."

Mitch, a lifelong Stafford Rangers supporter quipped:

"I was at the Victoria Ground for Stafford's tie against Peterborough in 1975 and it was a cracking game.   Roy Chapman was our manager at the time and the supporters were made up of fans from all over Staffordshire."

When asked if Stafford would ever be promoted to the football league he said:

"Doubt it, because they are a PLC (Public Limited Company) so they cannot gain public funding. Even though Rangers own their own ground (Marston Road) they do not have the finances to potentially progress as a club."

The question was then posed that Burton Albion had been promoted to the football league to which he replied:

"Burton Albion did it on the back of Pirelli investing on the condition that the stadium would be named after him.  Those couple of cup ties against Manchester United helped."

Currently 12th in the EVO-STIK Premier League and with a shout of a possible play-off place; Here's to Stafford Rangers someday soon progressing to the third round of the FA Cup and most important of all, being admitted to the football league.