The History of Aylesbury United FC
On June 5th 1897 three local football teams, Aylesbury Town, Printing Works and the Night School, held a meeting in the Bell Hotel. They voted to merge into one strong team and chose to call themselves "Aylesbury United". The club played in red and white quarters under the Captaincy of the Rev A.J. Jones and, after spells in the South Eastern and Bucks Contiguous Leagues, joined the Spartan League in 1908.

The "Ducks" as they are known after the famous 'Aylesbury' breed of duck, became founder members of the Delphian League in 1951 and earned national fame by reaching the FA Cup First Round Proper, and went into the history books as being the only Delphian side ever to reach the First Round Proper.

They turned Semi - Professional in 1976 and were accepted into the Southern League (Division One South). The "Ducks" were Runners-Up in 1979/80 and a year later an exciting run in the FA Trophy took them to the Quarter Final. In 1983 Trevor Gould was appointed manager and in his second year the club gained promotion to the Southern Premier Division. Their Turnfurlong Ground was sold for re-development and a season was spent playing "home" games at Tring Town and RAF Halton. A worthy eighth placing was capped by winning the Berks & Bucks FA Senior Cup for only a second time.

In an exciting finish they were promoted to the GM Vauxhall Conference in 1987/88 by winning the Southern Premier Division Championship on goal difference from Dartford. In the June of 1988 they celebrated by entertaining the full England team in a unique friendly. The new ground's record crowd of 6,031 saw the National side play a Non-League team for the first and only time to - date.

The step up to the Conference proved too great and relegation followed after only one season and United joined the Isthmian Premier Division in 1989/90. In that season they gained their first win over a League opponent by beating Fourth Division leaders Southend United 1 - 0 in the FA Cup at Buckingham Road thanks to a second half headed goal from striker Glenville Donegal. A year later their FA Cup-tie at home to Walsall was shown live throughout Europe on BSkyB.

Mr. Gould moved to Coventry City in 1992 and a barren spell followed. In the summer of 1994 Steve Ketteridge took over and United enjoyed a successful 1994/95. They lifted the Diadora League Cup and in the FA Cup, which saw their famous "Duck Walk", they fought through to the Third Round Proper before going down 0 - 4 to Premiership QPR at Loftus Road.

In March 1996 Mr. Ketteridge resigned and under Gary Phillips United enjoyed a successful Centenary Year. A Berks & Bucks Senior Cup run included a 1 - 0 win at Wycombe Wanderers before playing First Division Reading in the Final. Kieran Gallagher struck twice in a 2 - 1 win and two nights later United were beaten finalists in the Isthmian Full Members Cup.

Uncertainty, caused by mounting debts, surrounded the Club over fifteen months, but on Monday 22nd September 1997 a new company controlled by Mr. Bill Carrol was formed, and the Club's future resolved.

The 1997/98 Season saw Aylesbury avoid relegation by goal difference. But in the 1998/99 season it was a totally different story with second place in the League being achieved. Mr. Alan Taylor has now taken over as Manager with Mr. Gary Phillips as his Assistant.

Adapted from information kindly supplied by Aylesbury United FC's Football secretary, Mr Tony Graham. He can be contacted at the Club for further information: Aylesbury United FC, The Stadium, Buckingham Road, HP20 2AQ, or email - tony@boro65.freeserve.co.uk. History adapted from 'The History of Aylesbury United' by Dave Gamage.