Introducing the new member clubs: AFC Bridgnorth
Wed 5th August 2026 | AFC Bridgnorth | By Jay Cooper
With the 2026/27 NWCFL campaign nearly underway, now is the perfect time to introduce the new member clubs to their respective divisions.
Or perhaps better – to let the new member clubs introduce themselves.
Earlier this week, I spoke to Steve Groome – secretary at AFC Bridgnorth, who will take their place in the NWCFL First Division South this season following a lateral move from the Midland League after the end of the 2025/26 season.
For the uninitiated, AFC Bridgnorth are actually a phoenix club. The current iteration of the club was founded in 2013, as a direct successor to Bridgnorth Town Football Club, who folded due to financial difficulties earlier in the same year.
Bridgnorth Town, and by extension, AFC Bridgnorth, has roots that go back before the turn of the 20th century. A Bridgnorth Town FC existed in 1899, in the Shropshire & District League, but records of their existence into the early 1900’s are hard to come by.
Another Bridgnorth Town FC sprang up for a single season in 1938, in the Worcestershire Combination (now called the Midland Football Combination), before being forced to fold upon the start of World War II.
Town were reformed after the war, and they made their triumphant return to the newly named Midland Football Combination in the 1968/69 season. This league pyramid would be their home for the next 15 straight seasons, during which time they finished as runners-up twice; in 1977 and 1981, and as champions twice; in 1980 and 1983. The latter of these title wins would be their last season in the Midland Combination.
They earned promotion to the Midland Division of the Southern League pyramid ahead of the 1983/84 campaign, finishing 12th in their first season. They bettered this finish in 1985/86, when they sprang up to 8th in the table.
Across 13 seasons at this level, their highest finish came in the 1994/95 season, when they came 5th in the standings, only five points behind runners-up Ilkeston Town, but a full 19 points behind runaway champions Newport AFC.
The very next season was one to forget, as Bridgnorth Town finished bottom of the pile in the Midland Division, and were relegated from the Southern League as a result. With that, they took their place in the Midland Football Alliance, where they would spend most of the rest of lifespan before folding in the 2010’s.
Save for a season back to the Midland Combination Premier Division in 2005/06 after relegation, and two further years in the West Midlands (Regional) League following a lateral move before promotion, they were a part of the Midland Alliance League furniture until a seventh placed finish in what would be their swansong campaign in 2012/13.
It was at this time that AFC Bridgnorth, under their current name, were founded to replace their predecessors, and they had to start from the bottom as a result. Beginning life in the West Midlands (Regional) League Division One, they won the league at their first attempt in 2014.
They would spend the next five seasons in the Premier Division, finishing as runners-up in both of their first two seasons, including finishing just a point behind 2015/16 champions and current NWCFL members Shawbury United.
They fell into mid-table in the three years preceding the COVID-19 outbreak, finishing as low as 18th in 2017/18. Their last two seasons in the West Midlands (Regional) Division were curtailed by the pandemic, and they were laterally moved to Division One of the Midland League when their old home league lost its Step Six divisional status going into 2021/22.
In four seasons of Midland League football, AFC Bridgnorth’s best finish actually came in their most recent season, when they came in a respectable 10th place in Division One following a mid-season dip in form that saw them fall out of play-off contention.
Still, a divisional move would be on the cards, as they were laterally moved to the NWCFL First Division South ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
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1. How would you describe AFC Bridgnorth to someone who had never heard of the club?
a. AFC Bridgnorth is a friendly club, run by volunteers who just enjoy football at grassroots level. The club is all inclusive and has a growing junior section with many girls’ and boys’ sides included.
The club is situated in a housing estate close to the edge of Bridgnorth, and it is used as a focal point for many community activities.
2. What does the club mean to the area and community that you represent?
a. AFC Bridgnorth is an outlet for many in the local community. The club is used by several social groups during the week, and the junior section make use of the facilities on the weekend.
The club also runs a successful Sunday side which enables more local players to be able to enjoy football. On a Saturday afternoon, there is a small hardcore of locals that support the first team home and away!
3. Tell me about the manager you work with?
a. Jack Griffiths came to Bridgnorth as our U18’s manager in the 2023/24 season, and he was very successful.
He returned as our first team manager midway through the 2024/25 season, and he brought in a new crop of players, most of whom have been vital to helping us reach our goals.
4. Tell me a bit about last season - your last one in the Midland League?
a. Last season was a mixed bag. AFC Bridgnorth started very well and we were looking like play-off candidates. Then several players were swayed away for finances that we unfortunately couldn’t match.
This led to a mixed period where we drew too many matches and ended up in mid-table. The season did finish on a high though, as the club won the Shropshire County Cup, which was certainly something to celebrate!
5. How have you adjusted to the news of your lateral move to the NWCFL?
a. Initially, there was a worry that the travel would be a major problem, but since the league allocations were announced, it seems we might be travelling even less than we did last season.
It will be nice to see several Shropshire derbies back in the fixture schedule, too!
6. How well have you been getting along with your pre-season prep? New signings, friendlies, etc?
a. As a club, we have made several new signings in a push to increase the depth of squad coming out of last season. Our pre-season fixtures have gone very well – we’ve only had one defeat during the build-up to 2026/27.
7. What are your ambitions for the upcoming 2026/27 season in the NWCFL?
a. In our first season, AFC Bridgnorth will be looking to improve on the mid-table finish we managed last season in the Midland League.
If we can keep the squad fit and happy, I would hope that we can be pushing for one of the play-off places this season.
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We wish everyone at AFC Bridgnorth all the best for the 2026/27 season!
Introducing the new member clubs: AFC Bridgnorth
Wed 5th August 2026 | AFC Bridgnorth
By Jay Cooper
With the 2026/27 NWCFL campaign nearly underway, now is the perfect time to introduce the new member clubs to their respective divisions.
Or perhaps better – to let the new member clubs introduce themselves.
Earlier this week, I spoke to Steve Groome – secretary at AFC Bridgnorth, who will take their place in the NWCFL First Division South this season following a lateral move from the Midland League after the end of the 2025/26 season.
For the uninitiated, AFC Bridgnorth are actually a phoenix club. The current iteration of the club was founded in 2013, as a direct successor to Bridgnorth Town Football Club, who folded due to financial difficulties earlier in the same year.
Bridgnorth Town, and by extension, AFC Bridgnorth, has roots that go back before the turn of the 20th century. A Bridgnorth Town FC existed in 1899, in the Shropshire & District League, but records of their existence into the early 1900’s are hard to come by.
Another Bridgnorth Town FC sprang up for a single season in 1938, in the Worcestershire Combination (now called the Midland Football Combination), before being forced to fold upon the start of World War II.
Town were reformed after the war, and they made their triumphant return to the newly named Midland Football Combination in the 1968/69 season. This league pyramid would be their home for the next 15 straight seasons, during which time they finished as runners-up twice; in 1977 and 1981, and as champions twice; in 1980 and 1983. The latter of these title wins would be their last season in the Midland Combination.
They earned promotion to the Midland Division of the Southern League pyramid ahead of the 1983/84 campaign, finishing 12th in their first season. They bettered this finish in 1985/86, when they sprang up to 8th in the table.
Across 13 seasons at this level, their highest finish came in the 1994/95 season, when they came 5th in the standings, only five points behind runners-up Ilkeston Town, but a full 19 points behind runaway champions Newport AFC.
The very next season was one to forget, as Bridgnorth Town finished bottom of the pile in the Midland Division, and were relegated from the Southern League as a result. With that, they took their place in the Midland Football Alliance, where they would spend most of the rest of lifespan before folding in the 2010’s.
Save for a season back to the Midland Combination Premier Division in 2005/06 after relegation, and two further years in the West Midlands (Regional) League following a lateral move before promotion, they were a part of the Midland Alliance League furniture until a seventh placed finish in what would be their swansong campaign in 2012/13.
It was at this time that AFC Bridgnorth, under their current name, were founded to replace their predecessors, and they had to start from the bottom as a result. Beginning life in the West Midlands (Regional) League Division One, they won the league at their first attempt in 2014.
They would spend the next five seasons in the Premier Division, finishing as runners-up in both of their first two seasons, including finishing just a point behind 2015/16 champions and current NWCFL members Shawbury United.
They fell into mid-table in the three years preceding the COVID-19 outbreak, finishing as low as 18th in 2017/18. Their last two seasons in the West Midlands (Regional) Division were curtailed by the pandemic, and they were laterally moved to Division One of the Midland League when their old home league lost its Step Six divisional status going into 2021/22.
In four seasons of Midland League football, AFC Bridgnorth’s best finish actually came in their most recent season, when they came in a respectable 10th place in Division One following a mid-season dip in form that saw them fall out of play-off contention.
Still, a divisional move would be on the cards, as they were laterally moved to the NWCFL First Division South ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
----------
1. How would you describe AFC Bridgnorth to someone who had never heard of the club?
a. AFC Bridgnorth is a friendly club, run by volunteers who just enjoy football at grassroots level. The club is all inclusive and has a growing junior section with many girls’ and boys’ sides included.
The club is situated in a housing estate close to the edge of Bridgnorth, and it is used as a focal point for many community activities.
2. What does the club mean to the area and community that you represent?
a. AFC Bridgnorth is an outlet for many in the local community. The club is used by several social groups during the week, and the junior section make use of the facilities on the weekend.
The club also runs a successful Sunday side which enables more local players to be able to enjoy football. On a Saturday afternoon, there is a small hardcore of locals that support the first team home and away!
3. Tell me about the manager you work with?
a. Jack Griffiths came to Bridgnorth as our U18’s manager in the 2023/24 season, and he was very successful.
He returned as our first team manager midway through the 2024/25 season, and he brought in a new crop of players, most of whom have been vital to helping us reach our goals.
4. Tell me a bit about last season - your last one in the Midland League?
a. Last season was a mixed bag. AFC Bridgnorth started very well and we were looking like play-off candidates. Then several players were swayed away for finances that we unfortunately couldn’t match.
This led to a mixed period where we drew too many matches and ended up in mid-table. The season did finish on a high though, as the club won the Shropshire County Cup, which was certainly something to celebrate!
5. How have you adjusted to the news of your lateral move to the NWCFL?
a. Initially, there was a worry that the travel would be a major problem, but since the league allocations were announced, it seems we might be travelling even less than we did last season.
It will be nice to see several Shropshire derbies back in the fixture schedule, too!
6. How well have you been getting along with your pre-season prep? New signings, friendlies, etc?
a. As a club, we have made several new signings in a push to increase the depth of squad coming out of last season. Our pre-season fixtures have gone very well – we’ve only had one defeat during the build-up to 2026/27.
7. What are your ambitions for the upcoming 2026/27 season in the NWCFL?
a. In our first season, AFC Bridgnorth will be looking to improve on the mid-table finish we managed last season in the Midland League.
If we can keep the squad fit and happy, I would hope that we can be pushing for one of the play-off places this season.
----------
We wish everyone at AFC Bridgnorth all the best for the 2026/27 season!
