Peterborough United F.C.
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| Full name | Peterborough United Football Club | |||
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| Nickname(s) | The Posh | |||
| Founded | 1934 | |||
| Ground | London Road Stadium Peterborough (Capacity: 15,460) |
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| Chairman | Darragh MacAnthony | |||
| Manager | Mark Cooper | |||
| League | The Championship | |||
| 2008–09 | League One, 2nd (promoted) |
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Peterborough United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Peterborough. They formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead F.C.
The ground is London Road, Peterborough. The club nickname is The Posh. Peterborough's most notable player is Terry Bly. Bly scored 52 goals in season 1960-61, their first as a Football League club, helping them secure the Fourth Division championship. Another famous ex-player is former Arsenal and England goalkeeper David Seaman, who began his career at Peterborough.
On 25 April 2009 the club was promoted to the Coca-Cola Championship, the second tier of English football, for the 2009-10 season, after back to back promotions from the fourth tier of English football.
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[edit] History
Peterborough United was formed in 1934 at Peterborough's Angel Hotel to provide a replacement for Peterborough and Fletton United, folded two years previously.[1] The Posh played in the old Midland League. They won this league on six occasions, including five seasons in a row from 1956 to 1960.
Following the 1960-61 Fourth Division Championship success, 'The Posh' spent seven seasons in the 3rd Division before being relegated for financial irregularities in the summer of 1968. The club took six seasons to return to division 3, winning the 4th Division championship for the second time under the management of Noel Cantwell.
In 1977-78 the club threatened to go one better until they narrowly missed out on promotion to Division 2 when they drew the last game of the season at champions Wrexham (0-0) when a win was needed to go up. The game was notable for the fact that over 2000 Preston North End fans came to Wrexham to watch the game and cheer on the home side- Preston were the club who went up because Peterborough did not win.
The Wrexham defeat cast a long shadow over the club and it fell into a long decline. Relegation followed in 1979 and Posh subsequently spent 12 years back in the 4th division. The 1980s was a long story of mismanagement and false dawns, punctuated by the odd cup run.
In January 1991, Chris Turner, who had played in the 1974 Fourth division championship team took over as manager and the team embarked on a run of 13 unbeaten games that propelled them into the top four. Six players were signed on transfer deadline day, which at the time was a record for the number of players signed by one club on a single day. On the final day of the season, Posh travelled to Chesterfield needing a win to seal promotion. Despite going two goals down in the first ten minutes, the team rallied and drew level with goals from David Robinson and George Berry. Fortunately Posh's closest rivals, Blackpool lost at Walsall and promotion was achieved.
The following season arguably remains the most successful in the clubs history. After an inconsistent start the team hit form during the Autumn when they knocked Wimbledon and Newcastle out of the League Cup. The reward was a home tie with a Liverpool team containing Bruce Grobbelaar, Jan Molby, Steve Mcmanaman, Dean Saunders and Mark Wright. Gary Kimble scored the only goal after 19 minutes prompting wild celebrations and a place in the quarter finals. In the league, the team went from strength to strength and surged up the table. Middlesbrough ended the League Cup run after a replay and there was further disappointment when the team missed out on a trip to Wembley in the Auto Windscreens Shield when they lost to Stoke over two legs in the area final.
The hard working team continued to progress in the league and a play-off place was clinched on the last day of the season despite a 1-0 defeat to champions Brentford. The following week, Huddersfield Town came to London Road for the first leg of the Semi Final. Captain Mick Halsall's last minute equaliser levelled the score at 2-2. Three days later, the supporters travelled north more in hope than expectation but they were rewarded when the team came from a goal down to win 2-1 with Worrell Sterling and Steve Cooper scoring the goals.
On 24 May 1992, Peterborough United played at Wembley for the first time, against Stockport County. Leading scorer Ken Charlery scored both goals in another 2-1 win, taking his tally to 26 for the season. Posh's second goal came in injury time, barely a minute after conceding an equaliser.
The Posh was elected to The Football League for the beginning of the 1960–61 season, winning Division Four.[2] It played in Football League Division One between 1992 and 1994 and finished 10th, their highest ever league finish, in 1992-93 season.
The nickname Posh came about in 1921 after the then manager of Fletton United, was reported to say he was "Looking for Posh player for a Posh team". Fletton United Mereged with Peterborough City to form Peterborough & Fletton United in 1923. P & F Utd went bankrupt in Oct 1932 so the current club are the 3rd to be known as The Posh.
During the 2005-06 season the club had three managers: Team owner Barry Fry returned to management following former England international Mark Wright's sacking in January. Wright's assistant Steve Bleasdale was then appointed acting manager, but resigned in April. Keith Alexander joined as manager from Lincoln City for 2006-07 . At the start of the 2007/2008 season Alexander was sacked after a run of poor form and was replaced by Darren Ferguson. He started well, earning the club back to back promotions from League 2 to the Championship. After an average start to the 2009/2010 season Ferguson left the club much to the disgust of many fans and was replaced by Mark Cooper.
[edit] Stadium
London Road is a multi-use stadium in Peterborough, England. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the home ground of Peterborough United F.C.. The stadium holds 15,460 and was built in 1913, although the original ground bears little resemblance to the one seen today. Although the official capacity is 15,460, they can only just get over 14,000 for heath and safety reasons set by the local council.
The record attendance at the stadium currently stands at just over 30,000, with this unlikely to be beaten in the near future as it was set when most of the ground consisted of terracing. The record attendance since the capacity has dropped to 15460 is 14110, this record was set when Peterborough beat Leicester City 2-0 on 28/03/09
Currently the stands behind either goal, London Road end and Moyes end (away fans), are both still terraced. However, in 1996 the new South stand was opened on Glebe road. Originally, the back gardens of the houses off Glebe Road looked out directly onto the Pitch.
The South stand: 5000 London Road Terrace: 3000 Moys End Terrace: 3600 Main (north) Stand: 4000
There are plans to build a new 25000 all seater stadium on the city's embankment, these plans are still in the feasibility stage.
[edit] "The MacAnthony Era"
On 18 September 2006 Peterborough United announced the "biggest signing in the club's history", new chairman Darragh MacAnthony chairman of MRI Overseas Property. MacAnthony has bought 200 shares in PUFC and said his goal is to become the sole owner. In its AGM of 05/09/2006 Posh Supporters' Trust said it owned 1390 shares. The deal was delayed in November 2006 when the owner of the ground, Peterborough United Holdings (PUHL), refused the sale until it had planning permission for development of the Moyes End terrace and building of 135 flats.
A £1,000,000 bid for striker Izale McLeod was rejected by his club, MK Dons. They have since signed George Boyd from Stevenage for a reported £260,000 [1] , Aaron McLean from Grays Athletic for around £150,000 [2], Josh Low from Leicester for a fee rising to £100,000 [3], Gabriel Zakuani from Fulham for a reported fee nearing the £400,000 mark [4], and England Under-21 International Joe Lewis for a Peterborough United Record £400,000, which has know risen to £500,000 due to promotion.
Peterborough had also signed 32-year-old central midfielder Micah Hyde for £80,000 from Burnley whose contract has now been terminated; and strikers Scott Rendell and Liam Hatch from Cambridge United and Barnet for a fee around the £150,000 mark.
Darragh MacAnthony outlined his intent to take Peterborough United into the Championship when he rejected a £2,000,000 and a £2,500,000 bid for strikers Aaron McLean and Craig Mackail-Smith. It was also reported that Celtic and Rangers were after McLean, Mackail-Smith and also George Boyd but were priced out due to the combined £15,000,000 wanted by the club for all three.
[edit] Peterborough's "Big Money Signings"
- Joe Lewis Signed for £500,000 due to promotion
- Ryan Bennett Signed for £500,000
- Gabriel Zakuani Signed for £375,000
- George Boyd Signed for £260,000
- Tommy Rowe Signed for £225,000
- Toumani Diagouraga Signed for £200,000
- Lee Frecklington Signed for £175,000
- Dominic Green Signed for £175,000
- Aaron McLean Signed for £150,000
- Sergio Torres Signed for £150,000
- Craig Mackail-Smith Signed for £125,000
[edit] 2006/2007
While Alexander had some success, leading the club to its best start to a season and keeping in the play-off positions for most of the 2006-07 season, he was sacked in January due to six defeats in a row, and his long-ball tactics met with disapproval among fans even when the club was near the top of the table. After a caretaker spell by Tommy Taylor, Darren Ferguson was installed as player-manager.
Ferguson had a good start to his career, and was unlucky to only gain 1 point from his first 3 games after some good performances. The first win was against his former club, Wrexham.
Ferguson appointed Kevin Russell as assistant and Ben MacKenzie as fitness coach. Andy Dibble is goal-keeping coach.
Darragh MacAnthony has proposed a 20,000 all-seater stadium to replace the London Road, which has a capacity of 15,314,[3]
[edit] 2007/2008
On 19 April 2008, Peterborough were promoted to the Coca-Cola Football League One after a Dean Keates header secured a 1-0 victory against Hereford United.Peterbrough finished 2nd in League Two. During the season Peterborough only went top of the league once and that was only for 24 hours. After a great season The Posh declined approaches for their players. The main transfer merry go round was with striker Aaron Mclean, he handed a transfer request but later withdrew it and signed a new contract after Wolverhampton Wanderers didn't meet the demands of the ambitious Darragh MacAnthony.
[edit] 2008/2009
On Saturday 25 April 2009 Peterborough secured two back to back promotions, to the Coca Cola Championship, after beating Colchester United 1-0. This, coupled with MK Dons losing 1-0 at home to Walsall, meant Peterborough were guaranteed the automatic promotion and runners up in League One. This was the second time in their history that they have been promoted to the second tier of English Football. During an amazing season for the Posh they overcame Leicester City, Leeds United, Millwall FC, Milton Keynes Dons, Scunthorpe and Colchester to finish as runners up, second to Leicester.
They even managed to attract an attendance of over 14,000 (of which over 4,000 were Leicester fans) for the league game vs Leicester City which they won 2-0. This was their biggest in the league for some time, and they hope for more similar crowds as they will play host to Championship football and the likes of Leicester City, Derby County, Nottingham Forest who can now all be considered local rivals.
[edit] 2009/2010
Manager Darren Ferguson started the season by putting 12 players on the transfer list notably including Sergio Torres, Chris Westwood and Mark Tyler, Tyler later had his contract cancelled by mutual consent. Ferguson later stated that he was looking to sign 6 or 7 players to "complement the squad". Peterborough also arranged home friendlies with Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Fulham and Sunderland.
During the close season Ferguson has signed winger Tommy Rowe from Stockport County, and a few days later Lee Frecklington made his loan at Peterborough permanent by signing a three-year deal. Toumani Diagouraga was the third new face at London Road, signing a 4-year deal from Hereford United, before Darren himself extended his contract at the club by another 2 years till 2013, ending months of speculation that he may leave the club during the pre season. Krystian Pearce and Danny Rose later joined the club on a season-long loan and a 3 month loan respectively. Posh have also parted company with goalkeeping coach Andy Dibble by mutual consent, due to family reasons.
On 24 September 2009 Posh legend Terry Bly died after suffering a fatal heart attack. Bly played and scored in the Posh's first ever League game against Wrexham and went on to score 52 goals in 46 League appearances, a feat that remains the post war record amount of goals scored in one single English league season.
On 11 November 2009 Darren Ferguson left the club my mutual consent[4] with the side at the foot of the table following a 1-3 defeat to league leaders Newcastle.[5]
AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe was linked with the job, but after discussions with his chairman Eddie Mitchell it was decided that Peterborough wouldn't be given permission to talk to Howe. [6]
On the 14th of November Kettering Town manager Mark Cooper was appointed the clubs new manager, agreeing a 3 and a half year deal. His first actions were to appoint George Boyd as the clubs new captain, send Russell Martin on loan to Norwich City, and sign defender Exodus Geohaghon whom Cooper worked with at Kettering on loan with a view to a permanent move in January. Coopers reign started with a 1-0 loss away to Sheffield United, despite Posh dominating most of the game. They finally got their first win five games later on 19th December 2009, with a 2-1 win at home against Watford.
[edit] Honours
- League One (including Second Division and (Old) Third Division)[7]
- Play-Off Winners: 1991-92
- Runners-Up: 2008-09
- League Two (including Third Division and (Old) Fourth Division)[8]
- Winners: 1960-61, 1973-74
- Runners Up: 2007-08.
- Play-Off Winners: 1999-00
- Promoted: 1990-91
[edit] Records
[edit] League records
- Most goals ever scored by an English club in a single season: 134 goals, 1960-61.
- Biggest away victory: Third Division Barnet 1 Peterborough 9.
- Most league goals scored in Division 4 in one season by one player: 52 (Terry Bly), 1960-61.
[edit] Club records
Most League Appearances - Tommy Robson - 482 (440 starts and 42 as a substitute): 1968-1981
Most League Goals - Jim Hall - 122 : 1967-1975
Most League goals in one season - Terry Bly - 52 : 1960-1961
Highest Transfer Fee Received - £700,000 from Tottenham Hotspur for Simon Davies, December 1999
Highest Transfer Fee Paid - £400,000 to Norwich City for Joe Lewis, January 2008 which has now risen to £500,000 due to Promotion
[edit] Player records
[edit] Most appearances
Players in bold still playing for The Posh (since joining league)
- Tommy Robson 559
- Mark Tyler 483
- Jack Carmichael 420
- Noel Luke 346
- Mick Halsall 316
[edit] Players
- As of 30 November 2009.[9]
[edit] Current squad
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[edit] Out on loan
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[edit] Notable former players
Players should only be included if they've been part of a successful Peterborough United side. In addition, players may be added if they achieved success with another club before joining, or after leaving, Peterborough United. Examples might be players who've played in the top flight of English football, or who've been recognised by their national side.
[edit] Kit Sponsors and Manufacturers
| Year | Kit Manufacturer | Shirt Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 2007- Present | MRI Overseas Property | |
| 2008- Present | Adidas |
[edit] Rivals
Peterborough United's main rivals are considered to be Cambridge United (by younger fans) and Northampton Town (by older fans). They will not meet in league games for the 2009-10 season as the three clubs are all in different levels of the pyramid. Over the last few years Peterborough have enjoyed success over both teams. More recently following the clubs rise to fame new rivals have formed with Leicester City and MK Dons, with the former being Peterborough's nearest rival in the Championship division.
[edit] Managers
As of 9 November 2009. Only competitive matches are counted. Periods as caretaker manager are shown in italics
| Name | From | To | Record | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | F | A | Win % | |||
 Jock Porter |
9 June 1934 | Easter 1936 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Fred Taylor |
Easter 1936 | Summer 1937 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Vic Poulter |
Summer 1937 | Summer 1938 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Sam Haden |
Summer 1938 | 14 June 1948 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Jack Blood |
Summer 1948 | May 1950 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Bob Gurney |
Summer 1950 | Summer 1952 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Jack Fairbrother |
4 June 1952 | January 1954 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| George Swindin |
1954 | Summer 1958 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Jimmy Hagan |
August 1958 | 18 October 1962 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Johnny Anderson |
18 October 1962 | 19 December 1962 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Jack Fairbrother |
19 December 1962 | 15 February 1964 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Johnny Anderson |
15 February 1964 | 2 April 1964 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Gordon Clark |
2 April 1964 | 28 September 1967 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Norman Rigby |
28 September 1967 | November 1967 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Norman Rigby |
November 1967 | January 1969 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Jim Iley |
8 January 1969 | September 1972 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Jim Walker |
September 1972 | 9 October 1972 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
 Noel Cantwell |
9 October 1972 | 10 May 1977 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| John Barnwell |
10 May 1977 | 9 November 1978 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Billy Hails |
9 November 1978 | January 1979 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| (Managerless) | February 1979 | 24 February 1979 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 100% |
| Peter Morris |
24 February 1979 | June 1982 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Martin Wilkinson |
30 June 1982 | February 1983 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Bill Harvey |
6 November 1982[10] | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0.00% | |
| Bill Harvey |
February 1983 | May 1983 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| John Wile |
1 May 1983 | 1 November 1986 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Lil Fuccillo |
1 November 1986 | 20 November 1986 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Noel Cantwell |
20 November 1986 | 12 July 1988 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Mick Jones |
12 July 1988 | 31 August 1989 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Dave Booth |
31 August 1989penis | 6 September 1989 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Mark Lawrenson |
6 September 1989 | 9 November 1990 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Dave Booth |
9 November 1990 | 22 January 1991 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Chris Turner |
22 January 1991 | December 1992 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Lil Fuccillo |
December 1992 | December 1993 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Chris Turner |
December 1993 | Summer 1994 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| John Still |
Summer 1994 | 24 October 1995 | 67 | 19 | 24 | 24 | - | - | 28.36% |
| Mick Halsall |
24 October 1995 | November 1995 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 7 | 50.00% |
| Mick Halsall |
November 1995 | 31 May 1996 | 31 | 10 | 6 | 15 | - | - | 32.26% |
| Barry Fry |
31 May 1996 | 31 May 2005 | 483 | 163 | 133 | 187 | - | - | 33.75% |
| Mark Wright |
31 May 2005 | 24 January 2006 | 35 | 12 | 11 | 12 | - | - | 34.29% |
| Steve Bleasdale |
24 January 2006 | 22 April 2006 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 16 | 15 | 42.86% |
| Ron Atkinson and Barry Fry |
22 April 2006 | 30 May 2006 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 33.34% |
 Keith Alexander |
30 May 2006 | 15 January 2007 | 34 | 14 | 7 | 13 | - | - | 41.18% |
| Tommy Taylor |
15 January 2007 | 20 January 2007 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | - | - | 00.00% |
 Darren Ferguson |
21 January 2007 | 09 November 2009 | 145 | 73 | 40 | 32 | - | - | 50.34% |
See Also: Category:Peterborough United F.C. managers
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "Club History". Peterborough United F.C.. 2007-05-09. http://www.theposh.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10427~938455,00.html. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
- ^ Peterborough United at the Football Club History Database
- ^ Posh Stadium-five sites says Darragh [publisher Peterborough Evening Telegraph Retrieved 3 November 2008
- ^ http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/sport/Farewell-Fergie-He-really-has.5813176.jp Farewell Fergie: He really has gone
- ^ Posh confirm Ferguson departure
- ^ "Posh look for Swift appointment". BBC. 2009-11-11. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/peterborough_united/8354912.stm. Retrieved 2009-11-14.
- ^ Up until 1992, the third division of English football was the Third Division. From 1992 to 2004 it was known as Second Division, and League One ever since.
- ^ Up until 1992, the fourth division of English football was the Fourth Division. From 1992 to 2004 it was known as Third Division, and League Two ever since.
- ^ "First Team". Peterborough United F.C.. http://www.theposh.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10427,00.html. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
- ^ In charge for a match as Martin Wilkinson was in hospital with appendicitis.
[edit] External links
- Peterborough United F.C. on BBC Sport: Club News – Recent results – Upcoming fixtures – Club stats
- Official Site
- Official Forum
- Largest Supporter Forum
- Peterborough United at the Football Club History Database
- UpThePosh! The Peterborough United Database
- PISA 2000 - the Posh Independent Supporters Association
- Every match result and League table since they joined the Football League
- Peterborough United Supporters FC (PUSFC)
- London Road Stadium review from thisisfootball.co.uk
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