.: Rothwell Town F.C. History :.

Rothwell Town History

Formed as Rothwell Town Swifts in 1895, the club were founder members of the Northamptonshire Senior League, and finished runners-up on three occasions before winning the title in 1899/1900, as well as the league the club also captured the Northants Senior Cup for the first time. The early part of the 20th century saw the club endure financial hardship, switching between senior and junior football before commencing a twelve-year run in the Northants League until 1933, achieving a highest placing of fourth in 1930. In this period the only silverware lifted was the Senior Cup in 1924. The club reverted to the Kettering League, which they won in 1937. In 1948 they returned to senior football. Two seasons followed in the Leicestershire Senior League before becoming founder members of the United Counties League Second Division in 1950.

Rothwell soon emerged as a force, winning League Cup, and title honours in 1953 and 1954. Promotion to Division One was achieved in 1955. After one season in Division One, they moved to the Central Alliance. Following their return to UCL football in 1961, Rothwell finished runners-up in 1964/65. The early 70’s saw the side finish runners up on two consecutive occasions, 1970 and 1971, some consolation being gained by lifting the League Cup in 1971 and 1972.

After many seasons spent in mid-table, the Bones (the nickname derives from the bone crypt in the town’s Holy Trinity Church, one of only three in the country) became one of the most consistent teams in the UCL. Under the guidance of former player, Jack Murray, the club finished second three times between 1988 and 1991, and gained third place in 1992 as well as winning the League Cup for the first time in twenty years. In a memorable 1992/93 season the Bones became only the second team to win the UCL ‘treble’, by winning the league championship, League Cup and the League Benevolent Cup. The club applied for promotion to the Beazer Homes League, but this deferred to allow the club to make the necessary ground improvements. Despite a faltering start, just one defeat in the last 27 league games saw Rothwell retain the UCL title and the Benevolent Cup. During the 1993/94 season a ground-upgrading plan was carried out, culminating in Rothwell joining the Beazer Homes League Midland Division.

In their first two seasons of Southern League football, Rothwell finished in eighth place. In 1996 the club won the Northants Senior Cup for the fifth time, beating GM Vauxhall Conference neighbours, Kettering Town, 5-0 in the semi final, and BHL Premier Division winners, Rushden and Diamonds, in the final. The following season saw the club finish in second place behind Tamworth, and gain promotion to the Dr Martens Premier Division.

Following further ground improvements the club began playing at its highest level of football in its history. Rothwell’s stay in the top flight lasted three seasons, with relegation confirmed in 1999/2000. The relegation led to the resignation of Jack Murray, and ended a 24-year association with the club. Former league player Nick Platnauer, who led the team to tenth place in his first season, replaced Murray at Cecil Street. After another season finishing in mid-table, the club once again lifted the Northants Senior Cup after defeating Peterborough United in the final. The 2002/03 season saw the club finish in seventh place, and the club once again defeated Peterborough in the final to retain the Northants Senior Cup.

Late in 2004, Platnauer walked out of the club after a disappointing start to the season. By the time Dave Williams was appointed, seven first team players had also left the club. Full credit must go to the new manager and his assistant, Frank Benjamin, for changing the fortune of the club by securing their Southern League Status. This was achieved by using a squad made up of a few new signings and homegrown talent. Despite their low final league position Rothwell still had one of the tightest defences in the league.

2005/06 saw a great improvement. After being switched to the Western Division Rothwell got off to a bad start, losing the first two league games and getting knocked out of the FA Cup at the first stage. However, the team then went on an unbelievable run in the league, and also knocked Nuneaton Borough out of the FA Trophy. The run saw us at the top of the table at Christmas. The second half of the season was a little disappointing after the highs and we eventually finished just outside the play-offs, a feat that was achieved the following season.

After a stuttering start to last season the committee took the decision to remove Williams. Ex Portsmouth and Everton player Alan Biley was appointed as caretaker manager and two weeks later he was appointed to the position on a permanent basis along with his assistant Ian Jackson.

Biley led the Bones to tenth place but resigned from his position shortly after the season finished. To establish some continuity and stability Ian Jackson was quickly appointed manager and he in turn promoted Pete Foskett the physiotherapist he brought to the Club as his assistant. The pair of them have worked tirelessly through pre-season and signed no less than sixteen new players whilst retaining the core of the side from the last few seasons.