Wealdstone F.C.

Whilst formally established in 1899, the club has roots dating back to 1887 and was created through a series of local team mergers.

existed, for workers at a local gunsmith in Wealdstone, a Middlesex village to the north of Harrow Hill - itself has its origins in a club called The Oaks.

[8] The club had their record win on 13 October 1923, beating the 12th London Regiment 22–0 in an FA Amateur Cup game.

[10] In 1979 the club were founder members of the Alliance Premier League, the new national top division of non-League football.

Under the management of Brian Hall, Wealdstone won the Alliance Premier League and also the FA Trophy, beating Boston United 2–1 in the final at Wembley Stadium.

By the end of the 1990–91 season, financial problems caused by boardroom impropriety[citation needed] were seriously exacerbated by the owner selling the club's Lower Mead ground for commercial development, for which the club, after protracted legal wrangling, received only a very small share of the proceeds.

[13] Later that year, Wealdstone re-joined the Isthmian League to further reduce their travelling expenses, having to agree to drop a level into Division Three in the process.

[6] The club attempted to redevelop the local disused Prince Edward Playing Fields at Canons Park, owned by the London Borough of Harrow, into a new home ground.

Construction of the new stadium started in 2003 but, when over 30% completed, building work was suddenly halted in April 2004 when the private company who were co-financing the project in partnership with the club went into insolvency.

The terms of the council's lease offer indicated that the new owner should complete the stadium for Wealdstone's use, but this was ultimately ignored and the club's financial investment in the project was lost.

In 2004 Wealdstone were promoted to the Isthmian League Premier Division as a result of the creation of the Conference North and South.

The club faced Dulwich Hamlet in the playoff final, with the game finishing 2–2 before Wealdstone won 5–4 on penalties.

[10] Off the pitch, the club began a further new groundshare arrangement in 2005, this time moving to Northwood's Chestnut Avenue ground.

A 2–1 win at home to Conference side Barrow and a 1–0 win in a replay against Dartford of the Conference South set up a quarter-final away at Cambridge United which Wealdstone won 2-1 thanks to a Richard Jolly brace,[16] before eventually losing 3–1 on aggregate to Newport County in the semi-final.

They also reached the promotion play-offs in the Isthmian Premier Division that year, but lost 2–1 to Lowestoft Town in the semi-finals.

However, their hopes were dashed when it was announced that they would be ineligible to compete in the playoffs due to missing the cut off point to meet ground grading requirements.

[22] Wilkinson's first season at Wealdstone ended an unremarkable 11th-placed finish in the league, although the club reached the semi-final of the FA Trophy, where they lost 3–0 on aggregate to eventual winners Brackley.

[23] On the final day of the 2018–19 season, Wealdstone rose from 10th to 7th on with a 2–1 win over Hemel Hempstead to ensure a place in the playoffs.

[34] The season also saw a new attendance record set at Grosvenor Vale, when Wealdstone defeated Barnet 1–0 in front of a crowd of 2,662.

[36] On 18 January 2024, Maynard and Saunders left their roles at Wealdstone to join League Two side Notts County.

[43][44] Wealdstone made the FA Cup second round for the first time since 1983–84, after beating League Two side Grimsby Town 1–0.

[45] They were drawn against League One side Wycombe Wanderers but lost 2–0 in front of a record crowd at Grosvenor Vale of 3,534 attendance.

[54] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply.

[citation needed] In every season he played for the club Duck was top scorer in league and cup competitions.

[citation needed] Amongst former players who have gone on to notable careers at the highest level of professional football are Stuart Pearce, Vinnie Jones and Jermaine Beckford.

Harold Smith was the first ever player to leave Wealdstone FC for a professional career, joining Notts County in 1930.

Approximate location of what was the original ground of The Oaks F.C. in 1887
Grosvenor Vale in March 2016
Wealdstone vs Sutton United in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round in 2018