Spotlight On Tamworth

Meet our FA Cup opponents, Tamworth FC

Ball number 10 was drawn out away to Tamworth in the FA Cup first round draw and confirmed Cheltenham Town's destination this weekend.

This will be the first meeting between the two clubs since the 22nd January 1977 in Southern League Division One North competition. The pair have never met in the FA Cup making this a real experience for supporters wanting to visit a new ground and watch what should be an enthralling cup tie. The Lambs defeated Solihull Moors 4-1 in the FA Cup 4th qualifying round to reach the first round.

So who are Tamworth?

Name: Tamworth FC
Founded: 1933

Stadium: The Lamb Ground
Division: Conference Premier (currently 20th)
Manager: Dale Belford

Founded in 1933, Tamworth are nicknamed 'The Lambs' and play their football in the Skrill Premier Division (Conference Premier). When Tamworth Castle FC disappeared in 1933 it left the town with no senior football club, but a campaign involving the local newspaper and a local businessman helped create Tamworth FC as it stands today.

In their history they have enjoyed successes in the lower league but perhaps their most recent success was the Conference North championship in 2009. They've been in the Conference Premier division ever since but currently sit 20th above the relegation zone.

Tamworth and Cheltenham used to be opponents in the Birmingham Combination, Midland Counties Floodlit League and the Southern League Division One North. Our last visit to the Lamb Ground was back in 1977 in a match that the Robins won 3-0.

At present they are managed by Dale Belford who is a former Tamworth, Hinckley United and Gresley Rovers goalkeeper. A familiar face will attack Cheltenham Town on the day of the FA Cup meeting in the form of Justin Richards who played for the Robins in the 2009-10 season. He also played under Mark Yates at Kidderminster Harriers.

Previous Meetings

4.11.33 Birmingham Combination (Jolly Sailor Ground)
Tamworth 2 Cheltenham 4 (Yarwood, Mason, Payne (2))

30.3.34 Birmingham Combination (Whaddon Road)
Cheltenham 0, Tamworth 0

19.4.35 Birmingham Combination (Whaddon Road)
Cheltenham 3 (Knight, Barrett, Pethard) Tamworth 2

20.4.35 Birmingham Combination (Lamb Ground)
Tamworth 6, Cheltenham 1 (Barrett)

16.12.68 Midland Counties Floodlit League (Lamb Ground)
Tamworth 7, Cheltenham 2 (Collins 55, Hudd 80)

26.3.69 Midland Counties Floodlit League (Whaddon Road)
Cheltenham 5 (Hudd 12, 40, 65, Collins 24, Houghton 80) Tamworth 2

23.12.72 Southern League Division One North (Lamb Ground)
Tamworth 1, Cheltenham 0

28.3.73 Southern League Division One North (Whaddon Road)
Cheltenham 2 (Evans 1, Wilkes 9) Tamworth 0

1.9.73 Southern League Division One North (Lamb Ground)
Tamworth 0, Cheltenham 1 (Lewis 87)

20.1.74 Southern League Division One North (Whaddon Road)
Cheltenham 3 (Griffiths 69, Lewis 80, Brown og 86) Tamworth 0

15.3.75 Southern League Division One North (Whaddon Road)
Cheltenham 0, Tamworth 4

22.3.75 Southern League Division One North (Lamb Ground)
Tamworth 3, Cheltenham 0

24.11.75 Southern League Division One North (Lamb Ground)

Tamworth 3, Cheltenham 0

31.1.76 Southern League Division One North (Whaddon Road)

Cheltenham 1 (Hehir 3) Tamworth 1

23.10.76 Southern League Division One North (Whaddon Road)
Cheltenham 1 (Harris og 17) Tamworth 1

22.1.77 Southern League Division One North (Lamb Ground)

Tamworth 0, Cheltenham 3 (Lewis 35, Hehir 76, Hall 81)

Our most Recent Meeting (22.1.77, Southern League Division One North)

Cheltenham Town were pushing hard for promotion from Southern League Division One North and achieved their fifth straight win with a 3-0 success at Tamworth. The result also made it 13 games unbeaten as Cheltenham drove on towards finishing in the runners-up spot behind Worcester City and promotion to the Premier Division. Current Cheltenham Town director and former manager John Murphy played in the game.

Tamworth missed several chances in the game but Cheltenham took theirs. Tamworth dominated the early stages with Harris and Eades shooting wide and Flannagan having a shot saved. Flannagan then missed from six yards from an Eades lofted pass. Hehir hit the bar with a chip shot and Cheltenham grew in stature from the half hour mark. Lewis had a goal disallowed before collecting a pass from the left and shrugging off West to score. Flannagan and Lisseman missed chances either side of half time but Lewis burst through as West and Brown hesitated and he pulled the ball back for Hehir to score. Hall then got on the end of a Dangerfield cross to clip in a shot from a tight angle. Lewis also missed a penalty.

Tamworth: Terry Satchwell, Barry Barnes, Martin Dixon, Ian Trevor, Glen West, Dennis Oakes, Ken Lisseman, Len Harris, Dave Eades, John Flannagan, Neil Perry. Sub not used: Dave Reardon

Cheltenham Town: Jeff Miles, John Murphy, Dave Dangerfield, Steve Foster, Ray Dean, Terry Paterson, Chris Gardner, John Davies, Dave Lewis, Kieron Hehir, Wayne Thomas (Colin Hall)

Referee: F.G.Marsh (Telford)

Played For Both Sides

The FA Cup clash between ourselves and Tamworth will be played this Saturday and tickets are on sale now. Tickets MUST be bought in advance. Follow the link below for full ticket details and prices.

Tamworth Ticket Details