Welcome back to Through the Turnstile, the series that shines the light on some of non-leagues leading stars. In this installment we go through the turnstile at Stafford Rangers, a club that received quite a few nominations when the question was asked about who and where we should cover, so lets find out all about the club, the team and most importantly the food and drink!
A brief history of the Club
Stafford Rangers Football Club, a semi-professional English team, competes in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, donning black and white stripes with black shorts. Rivalries include Tamworth, Hednesford Town, Burton Albion, and Telford United.
Founded in 1876 (or possibly 1877), Rangers experienced early success, reaching the FA Cup First Round in 1884–85 and 1885–86. Post-war, the club faced financial struggles but rebounded in the 1960s under manager Colin Hutchinson. The ’70s marked their most successful era with a Northern Premier League Championship, FA Trophy, and Staffordshire Senior Cup treble in 1971–72.
The ’80s saw decline, followed by a resurgence in the ’90s under manager Ron Reid. The team’s fortunes fluctuated, with highs like the FA Trophy win in 1979 and lows such as relegation in 1995–96.
In the 21st century, Stafford Rangers achieved promotion to the fifth tier in 2006, won the Staffordshire Senior Cup in 2005, and competed in the Conference North. They faced managerial changes, financial uncertainties, and relegations. Notably, in the 2015/16 season, they secured promotion to the NPL Premier Division.
Recent years saw managerial changes, with Steve Burr, Alex Meechan, Andy Fearn, and Jody Banim taking charge. Matt Hill, appointed in 2020, left in November 2023, leading to the appointment of ex-Nantwich manager Dave Cooke in November 2023, known for achieving play-off finishes, FA Cup first round appearances, and Cheshire Senior Cup victories.
Club legend (as told by Fan Alan Gee)
Mick Cullerton – I caught the end of his career but saw all the footage and cuttings about him in our glory period and have come to know him to speak to in recent years and gave great respect for him.
My second will surprise some. Roly Tonge was a director and when he died there was a wish for his club loans to be written off, this alone wiping nearly £250k off our debt and helping ensure our survival.
I would also like to shout out one of the amazing staff members we have at the club. We have very few staff and lots of amazing volunteers. However one in particular I would like to shout out Chris Elsley. He’s done a bit of everything over the years and is also our club statto.
Kit
2023/2024 Stafford Rangers FC Home Kit
£35 Replica Kit – Available online or in the club shop.
https://www.harlequinteamwear.co.uk/product/pre-order-stafford-rangers-2023-home-shirt-adults/
Stadium info
Marston Road Stadium, ST16 3BX
Capacity – 3000 (530 💺)
Number of stands – 4
Grass Pitch
I keep coming back because its nice to know that when your paying for a ticket, or a pint. Every pound means something to the club and is put towards the running of or the investment into the club. And not just lining the pockets of multi million pound companies or individuals. Every person that comes through the turnstile is a valued member and not just a number.
Callum Pratt – Stafford Rangers Fan
Entry price
Adult £13
Concessions & Student – £8
Under 16 £4
Season tickets
Adult – £273
Concessions & Student – £168
Under 16s – £84
Matchday Programme
£2
Stadium Shop
Located inside the stadium, the club shop is a small but functional affair with all of the kits and trinkets on offer inside. Alternatively fans can shop for goods online, where the website links direct to the supplier! Simples.
https://www.harlequinteamwear.co.uk/shop-stafford-rangers-fc/
Come round come round, it is pin badge corner! Stafford Rangers sell one of their own pin badges on the clubs website, so you collectors out there have nothing to fear – you can grab yourself one for the collection, personally i think it looks pretty smart too!
Price – £3
Drinks
The main drinking area on a match-day is the in stadium social club bar, a fairly large area which has ample seats and tables to relax at. The area also has a pool table which could be the perfect pre-game and post-game choice of entertainment, depending on how good you are of course.
If however you fancy becoming the sponsor of a game at Stafford, you would have the opportunity to enjoy the comforts of the Jon Downing Suite, a private room with its own bar area just for you and your guests.
All details can be found here: https://www.staffordrangersfc.co.uk/match-day-hospitality/
Food
FOOD! Stafford Rangers outsource their matchday offerings and have a traditional but reliable burger van on the scene. All of their wonderful hearty offerings can be seen below and I have to say i am quite intrigued myself by the Roast pork bap…might be worth a trip just for one of those!
People should come and watch a Stafford Rangers game because non league clubs like Stafford Rangers need the support.
Scott Holmes – Stafford Rangers Fan
The Fab 4 – League Tables
Now lets now take a peek at the Fab 4 prices for Stafford, taking our league table from 3 to 4 teams we can start to see the table take shape, anyone else really fancy burger and chips now….
^ Pint of Madri & Pint of Cold Water Cider (due to Moretti and Strongbow not being available)
* Price of Carling (Birra Moretti not available)
” Price of Orchard View (Strongbow not available)
One thing I didnt think about or realise would be so much of an issue is the availability of all the drinks in the Fab 4, we have quite the collection of exceptions building up now but I still find it fascinating to see the price discrepancies between different clubs.
Stafford is clearly the place to be for both Lager and Cider drinkers so far!
Top players
Kaiman Anderson, Tyreece Onyeka and Andy Burns
As we know every team needs a good balance of both stopping and creating chances on the pitch in order to give themselves a chance of being successful. In these three players Stafford have a little bit of everything.
Kaiman Anderson – The most likely name to see on the scoresheet for Stafford, 13 goals to his name already this season. A useful man to have on the pitch.
Tyreece Onyeka – Can be a real game changer of a player, possessed with great speed which can often cause opposition problems.
Andy Burns – Staffords mr reliable at the back, a strong defender who regularly gives more than 100% to the team.
(Credit to Stafford Rangers fan – Scott Holmes for the insight)
Views from the Staff
Q) What is your involvement with the club and why Stafford?
I am the Match reporter / historian / statistician, why Stafford – Stafford is my home town and I have been going for almost 50 years now.
Q) What is the biggest misconception about non-league football?
That the standard should be higher than it actually is, I think the armchair fan is so over exposed to the Professional game that when they venture out to the grassroots, they expect to see higher standards than what level 7 of the pyramid offers. Many fans, including non league regulars, don’t appreciate the costs of running the clubs and the lack of finance in the majority of clubs.
Q) Why should more people come along to watch a Stafford Rangers game?
Non league football (eg Stafford Rangers ) is closer to the game that is played by kids than the professional game. The atmosphere is generally far more sociable with less security / crowd restrictions
Q) Favourite game you have watched of Stafford in the time you have been reporting on the club?
2006 Conference North Play Off Final – The Play Off win took us back to the top flight of non league football after 10 years and a hope that we may return to being a top non league club. Sadly, we were soon to discover that it was a different product to the one we had left. The gap between the haves and have nots had grown.
Q) What does your role at the club entail?
I am the Matchday co-ordinator. I am responsible for making sure that everything runs smooth on matchday . This means liaising with and making sure we have enough turnstile operators, 50/50 ticket sales, programme sellers and someone to mind the stand. As all of these roles including mine are voluntary I have to communicate with the management and directors if we are unable to fulfil these roles. I also help out in the office on matchday. Our season tickets and pre paid customers are scanned into the ground so I have to make sure that all of the scanned records are downloaded and recorded to finally go towards the full total of people through the gates. With this I also help with the counting of the cash and the people through the turnstiles and assist with paying the referees. A full on and busy day which starts from midday. I also help at the Under 21’s and Under 18’s games
Q) Why do you choose to volunteer your time?
I choose to be a volunteer as I love football myself and get to meet some wonderful people. I have expanded my friendship network and have learned many new skills. I now have a better understanding of the functionality of how a football club works and all the things that happen behind the scenes.
Q) How special is the community feel and spirit between the team, management and fans?
There is always a good atmosphere on matchday. As a community club we all pull together and support each other from volunteers up to the directors. Not every game goes our way but we re-group and carry on for the next.
Q) What is the proudest moment since you have been with the club?
It has to be when we got promoted at the end of the 2015/2016 to the Northern Premier League from the NPL Division South. I am proud to volunteer at the club and support them through thick and thin.
Q) What is one thing you wish more people knew about non-league football?
I wish that more people would come and support non league football. We sadly don’t have the big pounds that premier league clubs have and we’ve seen many clubs fold due to their finances. We try the best we can and have some fantastic social club rooms we hire out to contribute towards the football. We have to remember all these professional footballers started somewhere, they weren’t handed Premier League status straight away. You never know your next David Beckham or Harry Kane might be right on your doorstep !
Q) Favourite player to date?
Favourite is Wayne Daniel. Modern day player who I still call a mate and I was fortunate enough to organise a collection and present him on his 400th appearance.
Q) Favourite Chant?
Simply “Shoota! Shoota!” Wayne’s nickname!
Q) Best away day food?
Kidderminster. They used to do an amazing home made soul that had everything, and now do fantastic cottage pies.
Q) Is a Stafford matchday value for money?
Rangers is probably on par with most clubs and we actually held our admission price rise back a couple of years.
Q) Why do you keep coming back?
The club is in my blood. Dad first went in 1947-48, Grandad went before him. Brother first went in 60s! I was fans rep for 7 years and also did various media work for the club.
Q) What is a match day like at Stafford Rangers?
So a matchday at Stafford takes you back to a proper none league ground, sadly a ground that is in dire need of a bit of TLC and some investment. Atmosphere can vary from rather subdued to a really good atmosphere, but you can always rely on the hardcore to do their upmost to be the 12th man. Sadly at the moment with Stafford being in a dogfight at the bottom, it’s more on the side of subdued with a very frustrated loyal fanbase. Best Moment was probably watching The Boro beat Hednesford in the ‘El Staffico’ derby in the 2018 Staffs Senior Cup Final 3-2, the first of 3 in a row. Always nice to beat Hednesford, even better in a Final.
Q) Best moment you have witnessed at a game?
Best Moment was probably watching The Boro beat Hednesford in the ‘El Staffico’ derby in the 2018 Staffs Senior Cup Final 3-2, the first of 3 in a row. Always nice to beat Hednesford, even better in a Final.
Q) Why should people come to watch Stafford?
People should come to Stafford and to Marston Road because its a club and a fanbase that deserve a club at a decent level. A very, very welcoming support, who all they want is to see a team that gives their all and fight for the badge. The ground like I said in a previous question is in need of some work and some upgraded facilities. Sadly without the money coming in and the resources not being at hand. In such a big town its a pity that there isn’t more people coming through the gate everyweek. As a successful club in the Town can not only benefit Stafford but also the surrounding areas.
Q) Favourite player to date?
I’ll go for Ethan Morgan
Q) Favourite Chant?
The Rangers
Q) Is a Stafford matchday value for money?
It can definitely be worth it, they are my favourite non league team, their games get me out at the weekend to follow them
Q) Why do you keep coming back?
I keep coming back because Stafford is one of the biggest clubs in non league and they deserve to be better than where they are, they shouldn’t really be below the national league. If I was a millionaire I’d help Stafford Rangers into the football league.
Future plans (as told by Director of Football, Andy Fearn)
Q) How difficult is running a non-league club?
The starting point realty is getting the right structure for the club, which we thankfully have now at Stafford. The vast majority at non-league level, below the national league, the financial pressure is huge. The overall level of finance flowing into the club is less and less every year.
This stems from the very top all the way down, twinned with this the majority of youngsters tend to favor the big teams rather than the smaller local teams. The vast majority of non-league supporters tend to be of an older age, the challenge we have is to interact and encourage the youth into the non-league football. We want to secure our future fan base, as fans are the life blood of non-league and football in general.
Q) How much does it mean to see fans coming through the turnstile to watch a Stafford Rangers?
As I said above, they are the lifeblood of the team/club, we want to see as many as possible come through the turnstile on a matchday. The big clubs don’t have a problem, such as United as they have huge fanbases with numerous tourists always willing to fill the stadium seats.
We do actually have our very own tourist fan in Australia but getting the 600-700 every week is hard work, but doing that means the world to me, the staff and to the players.
Q) What are the future plans for:
⁃ Stadium
Like any other it needs a lot of love and attention. We are currently evaluating the potential of installing a 3g pitch in the next 12-24 months, we love grass but unfortunately the focus needs to be on providing a pitch for the team that they can consistently play on, this change of course would also allow us to bring in additional revenue for the club, which is vital.
⁃ Academy
The academy has been running for 5 years now and has grown each year in terms of the number of students applying for the course. The population of Stafford is 70,000 and we have 3 different academies competing for that small pool of students. Even so, we have managed to still grow the academy each year, with both girls and boys in attendance. We are also very very proud – that we have had a 100% pass rate for all who attend our academy.
The academy is a true focal point for the club, and in parallel with the academy we are running teams at U16, U18 & U21 levels to attract locally based talent. In addition our junior section provides coaching and teams for boys and girls from U6 to U16 providing footballing opportunities to the wider community
⁃ Community projects
I am one of the trustees of Stafford rangers in the community (a grant based community charity). Last season we was able to provide summer football camps free of charge to local kids in the area. We are also signed up as one of the ‘Warm spaces’ a government initiative to provide 3 hours on a Monday and Wednesday where food, tea and coffee is provided to those in attendance free of charge, this time also allows them to socialise with their local community and for some speak to someone for the first time that week.
We are also applying for mental health grants to support local people, not just our football fans but the whole community of Stafford. Our main focus and aim is to make the club the heartbeat of the community.
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And that brings down the curtain on yet another Through the Turnstile feature, I found Stafford to be a very well-run club who know what they want to do and how they want to get there. The staff were exceptional and a special mention must go out to Alison who was beyond patient with me and my endless questions and I now know I will keep in touch moving forward!
The one thing that did strike me though is that the club should be attracting more people on a weekly basis and that I feel that as a club they deserve it too. If you are in the local area and are curious about what a Stafford Rangers matchday looks like in person or if you are a groundhopper and want to add a tally to your chart, I would highigly reccomend Stafford to you all.
Until next time!
Through The Turnstile of Non-League Football 
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