A.F.C. Sudbury: Difference between revisions

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In their debut season, [[1999–2000 in English football|1999–2000]], Sudbury finished in third place in the [[Eastern Counties Football League|Eastern Counties League]] Premier Division.<ref name=fchd/> The following five seasons all resulted in Sudbury winning the Premier Division title&nbsp;– a league record.<ref name="clubhistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.afcsudbury.com/club/history.asp |title=History |publisher=A.F.C. Sudbury |access-date=22 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080111052153/http://www.afcsudbury.com/club/history.asp |archive-date=11 January 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Sudbury did not take [[promotion (sports)|promotion]] at any of these opportunities, despite being entitled to. In this period Sudbury had a series of good performances in national cup competitions. In [[2000–01 FA Cup|2000–01]] the club reached the first round of the [[FA Cup]], where they were beaten 6–1 by [[Darlington F.C.|Darlington]]. They reached the semi-final of the 2001–02 [[FA Vase]], before being knocked out by [[Tiptree United F.C.|Tiptree United]]. The following three seasons saw Sudbury reaching the final each year (a Vase record), but being defeated every time, by [[Brigg Town F.C.|Brigg Town]] in 2003 (after which Martin left the club and was replaced by [[Gary Harvey (footballer)|Gary Harvey]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/sport/2003/05/10/sudbury_lose_final.shtml|title= AFC Sudbury lose FA Vase final|publisher=BBC Suffolk|date=10 May 2003|access-date=22 January 2008}}</ref> [[Winchester City F.C.|Winchester City]] in 2004 and [[Didcot Town F.C.|Didcot Town]] in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/suffolk/sport/clubs/football/ridgeons_league/2004/05/fa_vase_report.shtml|title= AFC Sudbury 0–2 Winchester City&nbsp;– FA Vase Final|date=16 May 2004|access-date=22 January 2008}}</ref> However, the club did win the [[Suffolk Premier Cup]] three times, in 2001–02, 2002–03 and 2003–04.<ref name=honours/>
 
The financial constraints of owning two grounds led the board not to apply for promotion until the beginning of the [[2005–06 in English football|2005–06]] season. After finishing third in 2005–06, a season in which they won the [[Eastern Counties Football League#League Cup|Eastern Counties League Cup]],<ref name="fchd">{{cite web|url=http://www.fchd.info/AFC-SUDB.HTM|title=A F C SUDBURY|publisher=Football Club History Database|access-date=11 October 2018}}</ref> and passing the necessary ground inspection Sudbury were invited to take promotion into a resurrected [[Isthmian League Division One North]], following the re-structuring of the [[National League System]]. Potential legal action from the [[Northern Premier League]] nearly scuppered this move,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sudburytoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=851&ArticleID=1397333 |title=Promotion plans look set to stall |access-date=21 January 2007 |date=23 March 2006 |publisher=Suffolk Free Press |archive-date=11 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311125024/http://www.sudburytoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=851&ArticleID=1397333 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but Sudbury started 2006–07 in the new division. The management team of Gary Harvey and [[Michael Cheetham]], who took the team up, both resigned before the season could begin, citing work and family commitments, respectively. New manager Mark Morsley was appointed in May 2006, signed from [[Needham Market F.C.|Needham Market]]. Sudbury's [[2006–07 Isthmian League|first season]] at this level saw the club finish in fifth place, qualifying them for the promotion play-offs. After beating [[Enfield Town F.C.|Enfield Town]] in the semi-final, Sudbury lost to [[Harlow Town F.C.|Harlow Town]] in a penalty shoot-outshootout.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afcsudbury.com/match/matchreports.asp?ID=3321 |title=Harlow Town 5&nbsp;– 3 AFC Sudbury |access-date=21 December 2007 |author=Richard Whiting |date=5 May 2007 |publisher=A.F.C. Sudbury |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927121458/http://www.afcsudbury.com/match/matchreports.asp?ID=3321 |archive-date=27 September 2007 }}]</ref> Sudbury again qualified for the play-offs in [[2007–08 Isthmian League|2007–08]], finishing second in the table, but were defeated in the semi-final by eventual winners [[Canvey Island F.C.|Canvey Island]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=49770 |title=Morsley still hurting |date=2 May 2008 |work=Non-League Daily |access-date=6 May 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926213922/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=49770 |archive-date=26 September 2012 }}</ref> In the [[close-season]] manager Morsley resigned,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.suffolkfreepress.co.uk/sport/AFC-Sudbury-Morsley-quits.4062127.jp|title=AFC Sudbury: Morsley quits|publisher=Suffolk Free Press|date=13 May 2008|access-date=24 June 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080512083117/http://www.suffolkfreepress.co.uk/sport/AFC-Sudbury-Morsley-quits.4062127.jp|archive-date=12 May 2008|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and was replaced by his assistant [[Nicky Smith (English footballer)|Nicky Smith]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afcsudbury.com/squad/players1detail.asp?playerid=133 |publisher=A.F.C. Sudbury |title=Squad > First&nbsp;– Player details&nbsp;– Nicky Smith |access-date=24 June 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528173000/http://www.afcsudbury.com/squad/players1detail.asp?playerid=133 |archive-date=28 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 
Sudbury were moved into the [[Southern Football League|Southern League]] Division One Midlands for [[2008–09 Southern Football League|2008–09]] following a restructuring of the English football pyramid.<ref name="newleague">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/7402814.stm|title=Leagues agreed for 2008/09 season|work=BBC Sport|access-date=8 August 2008 | date=14 June 2008}}</ref> After two seasons of mid-table finishes the club was moved back to the Isthmian League Division One North for [[2010–11 Isthmian League|2010–11]].<ref name="isthmian2010-11">{{cite web|url=http://www.isthmian.co.uk/leagues?league_news_item&id=2681874&lid=256&did=2102 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110711102805/http://www.isthmian.co.uk/leagues?league_news_item&id=2681874&lid=256&did=2102 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 July 2011 |title=League welcomes old friends and new |publisher=Ryman Football League |date=17 May 2010 |access-date=25 May 2010 }}</ref> Smith resigned in September 2011 and was replaced by his assistant Chris Tracey.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afcsudbury.co.uk/a/a-to-z-the-men-of-afc-sudbury-39173.html?page=19|title=A to Z The Men Of AFC Sudbury|website=AFC Sudbury|access-date=6 November 2021}}</ref> At the start of the [[2013–14 Isthmian League|2013–14]], Sudbury appointed [[Wroxham F.C.|Wroxham]] manager David Batch as their new manager, after Chris Tracey left the club. Sudbury reached the final of the Isthmian League Cup in April 2014, but lost 3–0 away to [[Maidstone United F.C.|Maidstone United]].<ref>[http://www.kentonline.co.uk/maidstone/sport/stones-win-league-cup-15537/ AFC Sudbury 0 Maidstone United 3 match report] Kent Online, 8 April 2014</ref> Batch left to join [[St Neots Town F.C.|St Neots Town]] at the end of 2014,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/laws-takes-caretaker-charge-at-sudbury-36199/ | title=Laws Takes Caretaker Charge at Sudbury | work=Pitchero Non League | date=31 December 2014 | access-date=13 January 2015}}</ref><ref>[http://www.suffolkfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/breaking-news-batch-leaves-role-as-afc-sudbury-manager-1-6495639 Breaking News: Batch leaves role as AFC Sudbury manager] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831000033/http://www.suffolkfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/breaking-news-batch-leaves-role-as-afc-sudbury-manager-1-6495639 |date=31 August 2017 }} Suffolk Free Press, 30 December 2014</ref> and was replaced by Jamie Godbold.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/godbold-handed-afc-sudbury-post-36523/ | title=Godbold Handed AFC Sudbury Post | work=Pitchero Non League | date=12 January 2015 | access-date=13 January 2015}}</ref> Godbold led the club to a third-place finish and qualification for the play-offs, where they were defeated by [[Brentwood Town F.C.|Brentwood Town]] in the semi-final.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.suffolkfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/afc-sudbury-lose-play-off-semi-final-on-penalties-1-6717560|title = AFC Sudbury lose play-off semi-final on penalties|date = 29 April 2015|access-date = 30 April 2015|website = Suffolk Free Press|archive-date = 31 August 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170831000423/http://www.suffolkfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/afc-sudbury-lose-play-off-semi-final-on-penalties-1-6717560|url-status = dead}}</ref> The [[2015–16 Isthmian League|following season]] Sudbury won the division with three games to spare, earning promotion to the Premier Division.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.suffolkfreepress.co.uk/news/match-report-afc-sudbury-clinch-title-at-tilbury-1-7320582|title=Match report: AFC Sudbury clinch title at Tilbury|website=suffolkfreepress.co.uk|access-date=10 April 2016|archive-date=12 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012094355/https://www.suffolkfreepress.co.uk/news/match-report-afc-sudbury-clinch-title-at-tilbury-1-7320582/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Their stay in the division only lasted [[2016–17 Isthmian League|one season]] as they were relegated back to Division One North at the end of the campaign, the club's first-ever relegation.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Claydon|first1=Russell|title=Easter Monday's Football round-up|url=http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/non-league/easter-monday-s-football-round-up-1-7919195|access-date=17 April 2017|work=Bury Free Press|date=17 April 2017|archive-date=17 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517222038/http://www.buryfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/non-league/easter-monday-s-football-round-up-1-7919195|url-status=dead}}</ref> Mark Morsley re-joined as first team manager in early 2017–18.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/sensation-at-afc-sudbury-as-mark-morsley-takes-over-as-first-team-boss-at-the-bostik-north-club-1-5218323|title=Sensation at AFC Sudbury as Mark Morsley takes over as first-team boss at the Bostik North club|last=Bacon|first=Mike|work=East Anglian Daily Times|access-date=2018-10-11|language=en|archive-date=28 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828104534/https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/sensation-at-afc-sudbury-as-mark-morsley-takes-over-as-first-team-boss-at-the-bostik-north-club-1-5218323|url-status=dead}}</ref>
 
In 2021 Sudbury reached the first round of the [[2021–22 FA Cup|FA Cup]] for a second time, causing an upset by beating [[Dartford F.C.|Dartford]] 3-1 in the fourth qualifying round, who were two tiers above Sudbury, top of the league and unbeaten.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/sport/fa-cup-match-report-afc-sudbury-v-dartford-255742/|website=Kent Online|title=AFC Sudbury 3 Dartford 1 FA Cup match: Tom Bonner sent-off in fourth qualifying round upset|last=Panting|first=Matthew|date=16 October 2021|access-date=17 October 2021}}</ref> In the first round, they were drawn at home against nearby [[EFL League Two|League Two]] side [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]], losing 4–0 in front of a record but reduced capacity attendance of 2,000. The match was broadcast live on BBC2[[BBC Two]] and shown in 78 countries.<ref>{{cite web|website=Suffolk News|url=https://www.suffolknews.co.uk/ipswich/sport/fa-cup-draw-football-league-club-to-visit-sudbury-9221216/|title=FA Cup draw hands AFC Sudbury home clash with Colchester United|date=17 October 2021|last=Apicella|first=Liam|access-date=17 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=[[BBC]]|date=5 November 2021|access-date=6 November 2021|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59180014|title=AFC Sudbury 0-4 Colchester United}}</ref> The [[2022–23 Isthmian League#North Division|2022–23 season]] saw them finish second in the North Division, going on to defeat [[Grays Athletic F.C.|Grays Athletic]] in the play-off semi-finals, before beating [[Heybridge Swifts F.C.|Heybridge Swifts]] after extra time in the final to earn promotion to the Premier Division Central of the Southern League.<ref> {{cite web|url=https://www.isthmian.co.uk/a-yellow-triumph-75869|title=A Yellow Triumph!|website=Isthmian League|date=29 April 2023|accessdate=29 April 2023}}</ref>
 
===Season-by-season record===
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==Other teams==
===Reserve team===
The A.F.C. Sudbury reserve team initially played in the Reserves section of the [[Eastern Counties Football League|Eastern Counties League]] before joining Division One of the league at the start of the 2013–14 season, at which point it was renamed AFC Sudbury Reserves/Under-21s. In the team's second season in Division One they won the First Division Knock-Out Cup, after beating [[Great Yarmouth Town F.C.|Great Yarmouth Town]] 1–0. Currently AFC Sudbury Reserves find theirselvesthemselves in the Thurlow Nunn league, the 10th tier of English football.
 
===Women's team===
The A.F.C. Sudbury women's team took over [[Sudbury Wanderers F.C.|Sudbury Wanderers]]' place in Division Two of the [[Eastern Region Women's Football League]] in 1999. However, they dropped out the league at the end of the 2001–02 season. They returned to the league in 2010, and were placed in Division One North. After being promoted from Division One North to the Premier Division at the end of the 2014–15 season,<ref>[http://www.erwfl.co.uk/premier-division.html The Premiership] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613074942/http://www.erwfl.co.uk/premier-division.html |date=13 June 2019 }} Eastern Region Women's Football League</ref> the club achieved consecutive promotions in 2021–22 and 2022–23 to reach the [[FA Women's National League]] Division One South East, the fourth tier of women's football.
 
===Youth teams===
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A.F.C. Sudbury's club colours are yellow and blue, the same as those of Sudbury Town.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nonleaguefooty.co.uk/club.php?001021020000|title=Sudbury Town FC|publisher=Non-League Footy|access-date=20 January 2009|archive-date=20 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220070733/http://www.nonleaguefooty.co.uk/club.php?001021020000|url-status=dead}}</ref> The club's second choice kit, usually when away from home, is all blue, although in past seasons other colours have been used, such as all white in the [[2007–08 in English football|2007–08 season]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afcsudbury.com/match/match_photos.asp?season=2007%2F2008&ID=3362|title=Match > Photos &nbsp;– 2007/2008|publisher=A.F.C. Sudbury|access-date=26 January 2009}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
 
The club badge is the town crest of [[Sudbury, Suffolk|Sudbury]], which incorporates a [[Talbot (dog)|talbot]] dog with its [[tongue]] sticking out. This was augmented with a banner containing the club's name in early 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nonleaguedaily.com/afc-sudbury-introduce-new-badge/|title=AFC Sudbury introduce new badge|website=Non League Daily|access-date=13 February 2018}}</ref>
 
==Ground==