10th and 11th tier clubs Buckingham United and Buckingham Athletic from the same town have taken to agree a decision to merge as one.
They will become Buckingham FC and are expected to be members of the Spartan South Midlands League Division One and play home matches played at Stratford Fields and Lace Hill.
Buckingham Athletic were founded in 1933 as Buckingham Juniors, and after it took three years to find a suitable ground, they were eventually allowed entry into the Brackley and District League.
When they got their ground it was originally called Timm’s Meadow, before later being what it is today, Stratford Fields.
In 1939 the club adopted the name Buckingham Athletic, and it was in 1960-61 that they lifted their first trophy, the North Bucks League Shield.
In 1965, they moved up to Division One of the Hellenic League and in their first season in the league, they won the Bucks Junior Cup.
They finished as runners-up in 1968-69, and were promoted to the Premier Division. They also won the Buckingham Senior Charity Cup in 1969-70, but were relegated back to Division One after finishing bottom of the Premier Division in 1971-72.
They remained in Division One until dropped back into the North Bucks League in 1979.
The club returned to success years later, winning the Premier Division Shield in 1983-84, and went on to win the league title the following season, unbeaten.
They subsequently moved up to Division One of the South Midlands League, which they won at the first attempt. However, they were denied promotion as Stratford Fields was not up to the required grading.
They finished as runners-up in 1988-89, and although they were denied promotion again, they were able to move up to the Premier Division in 1991 after winning Division One for a second successive time.
Buckingham remained in the Premier Division until the league merged with the Spartan League in 1997, winning the Floodlit Trophy in 1996-97.
Following the merger they were placed in the Premier Division North, and a 10th place finish in the league’s first campaign saw them become members of the Premier Division for the 1998-99 season.
However, they took voluntary relegation to Division One at the end of the season; this became Division Two in 2001.
The 2002-03 season saw the club win Division Two, earning promotion to Division One and then finished as runners-up in 2004-05, but were not promoted.
In 1995, Buckingham United joined Division One of the South Midlands League. After the merger with the Spartan League, they were placed in Division One North of the Spartan South Midlands League for the 1997-98 season, but resigned midway through the season.
They were re-established in 2011, playing at the Lace Hill Sports Centre, with the club signing up for the North Bucks League, and won the Division One Cup in 2017-18.
In 2019 the club rejoined the Spartan South Midlands League, entering Division Two.
⚽ CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT ⚽
As a result of many meetings between the clubs, both Buckingham United FC & Buckingham Athletic FC formally agreed to pass the motion to combine both clubs, creating Buckingham Football Club with immediate effect.
(Thread, click to continue) pic.twitter.com/LLzkJQzJcb
— Buckingham Football Club (@thebuckinghamfc) June 3, 2023
CLUB STATEMENT
As a result of many meetings between the clubs, both Buckingham United FC & Buckingham Athletic FC formally agreed to pass the motion to combine both clubs, creating Buckingham Football Club with immediate effect.
Initial exploratory meetings between both clubs showed a real synergy, shared aspirations, and a great working relationship. There has been no historic rivalry between the two clubs, and instead one of unique connections, which has allowed this door of opportunity to be opened.
This is not an end to Buckingham Athletic or Buckingham United, this is very much a continuation in the story of these clubs and football within the town. The history of which won’t be forgotten.
The ultimate aim of combining the clubs is to provide the town with a sustainable non-league football club by sharing resources, passionate volunteers, and great sporting facilities.
A club with the aim of pushing up the pyramid while also providing structured football for the community, maintaining the fun and enjoyment of the game that everyone loves.
This is a really exciting time for football in the town, and the club as a whole, providing a great opportunity to carry this positive momentum forward and build something. Further details and opportunities will be announced over the next few days.
The Buckingham FC Committee.
Honours
Buckingham Athletic
- Spartan South Midlands League
- Division Two champions 2002–03
- South Midlands League
- Division One champions 1985–86, 1990–91
- Floodlit Trophy winners 1996–97
- North Bucks League
- Premier Division champions 1984–85
- Premier Division Shield winners 1960–61, 1983–84
- Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup
- Winners 2002–03, 2003–04
- Berks & Bucks Junior Cup
- Winners 1965–66, 2010–11
- Buckingham Senior Charity Cup
- Winners 1969–70, 1971–72, 2014–15
- Stantonbury Charity Cup
- Winners 1995–96, 1996–97
- Challenge Trophy
- Winners 1996–97
Buckingham United
- North Bucks League
- Division One Cup winners 2017–18
Records
Buckingham Athletic
- Best FA Vase performance: Second round, 1998–99
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This is how fans reacted as the 10th and 11th tier clubs from the same town agree a decision to merge…
@JeffreyHarrowe1: Local Derbys with Brackley in No time. Well done for Working Together. Good Luck.
@Sammy__Leonard: As someone who is from Buckingham, this is great to see. Need to appoint a proper manager/football person now. For years I’ve popped down to watch below par coaching as well as bottom end step 6 football. Choose wisely 👍⚽️
Jo Ackerman: Ron would be very happy with this 😍
Phil Simons: Great news. One club, one community.
David Hunter: Great news, exciting times ! Really looking forward to the coming season.
Paul Barton: Brilliant news! Makes great sense. Well done to all those involved 👍🏻
Fatima Patel: That’s great news
Ben Hill: Great news that the town still has a football club. Best of luck to everyone involved.
Samuel Balls: Best of luck guys
@jon_adaway: It’s good news because I remember when Buckingham Town went bust around the turn of the century
@Mrfish0010: Great news. Wish it happened in more towns. Common sense the victor here 👍
@AdamMKDFC: Let’s have Buckingham FC’s first game be hosting the MK Dons. #mkdons
@TerraStatman: Another merged club keeping the founding dates of the clubs that go into the merger. Est. 2023…end of!
Simon Spooner: Best wishes to you all moving forward in the right direction 👍⚽️⚽️
Alan Clarke: Great news I am sure it will be positive
John Levey: Unity its the way forward
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