Long Buckby

Formed in 1937 the original club was known as Long Buckby Nomads, the current club was re-formed after the war in 1945. At this time Long Buckby enjoyed a number of successful seasons in the Rugby and District League and the Northants Football Combination. With numerous ground improvements on the Sports Field and the beginnings of a fledgling Sports and Social Club the Bucks gathered a strong enough squad during seasons 1968-69 to apply and be accepted into the United Counties Football League for the 1969/70 season. Manager at the time was Alan Rose who was to lead the club to more honors in future years. Alan, soon after the club entered the UCL brought in Pete Smith to replace himself as manager.

Under Pete Smith the club went from strength to strength in the next few years. Entering the United Counties League in what was then division 3 the Bucks were champions in season 1969-70 and gained promotion to division 2 which they won but were refused promotion due to ground facilities. The next year they won it again (season1971-72) and were promoted into the premier division which the UCL formed that season, the club also won the UCL KO Cup, the Northants Junior Cup, and the Daventry Charity Cup During that time the club extended their Sports and Social Club by building a large concert room.

The club has remained in the UCL Premier Division ever since although relegation has been close over the last few seasons.

In 1983-84 season the club finished runners up to Kettering Town in the Northants Senior Cup after drawing at Kettering only to be beaten by the odd goal in the replay at the Buck’s ground Station Road, a win for Kettering inspired by Eddie McGoldrick who later went on to play for Arsenal. The following season the Bucks were pipped at the post for the league title loosing by 1 point to Arlesey Town but won the UCL KO Cup beating Baldock Town 7-3 on aggregate.

Mike Emms came next as manager serving for 9 years, the longest spell in the clubs history. During that spell in the nineties the club finished only once in the bottom half of the United Counties League Premier Division. During his time the club moved to a new pitch after the Sports Field obtained extra land mainly financed by the Bucks and The Rugby Club with help from the school and district council. Under Mike Emms’s leadership and management Long Buckby built a 200 seater ‘Emms Stand’, completely fenced the playing area, and moved and refurbished the floodlights.

After Mike Emms left the Bucks struggled at times to be a force in the UCL Premier and have narrowly avoided relegation on a couple of occasions. Managers since Emms, -Ashley Alexander, Steve Renshaw, Kev Simmonds, and Geof Green found it difficult to rebuild a strong enough side but all claimed some notable victories and admirably kept the club at its present status.

The past few of years saw the management pairing of Aidy Mann and Glen Boterrill take over the reins. Both are ex pros, Adie with Northampton Town. They both have stacks of experience at this level of football and above. In 2005/06 Long Buckby finished a creditable 8th in the league although in 2006/07 they just avoided relegation. Since January 2006, with a new Chairman on board, the Manager’s role was offered to Glen Botterill who brought in ex Rushden & Diamonds player Andy Peaks as his No.2. That part of the season was far more promising with the introduction of new players to strengthen the squad and the Bucks eventually finishing 12th.

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