Match Preview: Stafford Town (A), FA Vase, Sat 18th Oct, 3pm

Date: Saturday 18th October 2025
Time: 3pm
Competition: FA Vase 1st Round (Proper)
Opponent: Stafford Town
Venue: Evans Park, Riverway, Stafford, ST16 3UL
Admission Prices: ALL TICKET
Ticket link - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stafford-town-vs-nuneaton-town-tickets-1762149439409

Weather: 13 degrees and cloudy

Nuneaton Town hope to tick off another step to Wembley on Saturday as they yet again travel away to a Step 6 side in a cup game, this time the FA Vase 1st Round Proper, at Stafford Town.

It's a second trip to Stafford in just 3 months as Nuneaton faced the Staffordshire county town's senior side Stafford Rangers in pre-season, losing 1-0 to the Step 4 side despite a good performance.

Stafford Town sit in 5th place in the North West Counties League Division 1 South, with 6 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats. 5 of those wins were in their opening 5 games as they made a flying start to the season, but have been inconsistent of late. They sit 9 points behind leaders Runcorn Town with a game in hand. They last played last Saturday 11th in a 3-2 home defeat to Ashville. They reached this stage of the FA Vase with a 1-0 win at home to Tividale, and a 4-3 home win over AFC Bridgnorth. Matthew Hearsey is by far their main goal threat, with 15 goals in 14 matches.

Nuneaton Town last time out secured a 3-1 win over local rivals Hinckley, to increase their lead at the top of the United Counties Premier Division South to 4 points with a game in hand. They reached this stage of the FA Vase by thrashing Highgate United 8-0, and scrapping to a 2-1 win over Midland League Division 1 high flyers Knowle.

History:

Stafford FC were formed in 1976, before changing to Stafford Town in 1981. They initially played in the Midland Combination before joining the Staffordshire Senior League in 1984, staying there until 1993. They were briefly known as Stafford MSHD for 2 seasons following a merger with a Sunday league team of the same name.

They were part of the West Midlands Regional League from 1993-94 onwards, winning promotion to the Midland Alliance in 2000, reaching the FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round losing to Harrow Borough in a replay the following season.

To date that is their highest level achieved, getting relegated 4 years later back to Step 6. They have transferred between the West Midlands Regional League and Midland Combination since, before the North West Counties southern trajectory included Stafford Town for the 2022-23 season, where they have remained since.

Their best performance in the FA Vase to date is reaching the 2nd round in 2011-12.

The club moved into their own purpose built ground, becoming a 3G surface in 2016, and their seated stand on one side of the ground houses 550 spectators.

Directions from Nuneaton town centre:

Take the A444 south and join the M6 north at J3 leaving at J13, and take the A449 towards Stafford. After 3 miles you will reach the Queensway Island. Take the 3rd exit onto Lichfield Road A34, then the first left onto Riverway, the entrance will be on the right down a driveway around the cricket ground.

Public transport:

Stafford is easily accessible and relatively cheap by train from Nuneaton, and is a half hour walk from the ground.

Recommended train is the 12:54 to Crewe arriving in Stafford at 13:30. Upon leaving the station entrance, turn right onto Station Road, and then left onto the A518 up to the Queensway Island, then follow as above.

Recommended return train is the 17:32 or 18:32 to London Euston, arriving at Nuneaton at 18:10 or 19:11 respectively.

Please note trains may be impacted by planned weekend strikes.