Lancaster County F.C

**Lancaster County Football Club** is a professional football club based in Lancaster, in the Northwest of England. They play their home matches at the Lancaster Community Stadium (known for sponsorship reasons as the Avanti West Coast Stadium) and compete in the Premier League, the first level of the English football league system.

## History & Honours

Lancaster County Football Club (originally the Lancaster Colliery Workers Association) was founded in 1887 by a group of miners who worked in the colliery just 3 miles out of Lancaster city centre, once their shifts ended, they tended to go play football and eventually became an official professional club in 1890 with their first ever professional match being played against Nottingham County FC. The club adopted its modern name, Lancaster County F.C, in 1901

Lancaster's first trophy came in 1912 when Teddy Jackson led the club to their first ever Division one trophy. Just 2 years after division One triumph Lancaster were relegated to Division 2 and for the next 24 years, they remained with little to no success, even having one year in the third tier in 1930. However in 1936 the club regained its promotion but just 3 years later war broke out in Europe, resulting in 14 of the 18 players we had in the squad not coming home, due to this Lancaster had no choice but to use volunteers, and the club was relegated back to division 2.

After a 3 year stint in the 2nd division Lancaster were promoted back and won their first FA cup. Over the next 20 years Lancaster became one of the better teams in England by winning 3 more FA Cups and 3 Division one titles between 1948-1968. In 1971 the club were relegated to the 2nd division and became a Yo-Yo Club, only having 4 successive seasons in division one between 1971 and 1975.

in 1992 the club took part in the first season of the Premier League, however they were relegated with very little points. In 1993 Mr. James Altringham took over the club and drove it into the ground, selling the rights to chamberlain roads name and for 3 years it was known as the Waitrose Chamberlain Stadium But after a fan boycott it was renamed back to Chamberlain Road.

In 1994 the club were relegated to the 3rd division and in 1996 the 4th division. By 1998 The club were relegated to the Conference. In 2002 Lancaster were promoted back to the football league and the EFL and FA Agreed to force Altringham out of the club, selling the club to Sir Ray Muckles who used to play for the club back in 1982.

In 2002 Lancaster were promoted back to the football league and the EFL and FA Agreed to force Altringham out of the club, selling the club to Sir Ray Muckles who used to play for the club back in 1982. Sir Ray Muckles generated enough money to move back into chamberlain road and fix the main issues of the club. He eventually gave the club enough funding to take them out of administration and all the way to the Championship by 2006. In a miracle, Lancaster was promoted to the Premier League for the 09-10 Season.

Lancaster County were relegated in 19th place with just 14 points with just 3 wins one being against Sunderland, one against Blackburn and the other against Manchester United. between 2010 and 2015 the club sat in the Championship not doing much and in 2016 were relegated to League one, however were promoted back to the Championship in 2018, and from there have been stable in the Championship ever since.

## Crest & Colours

The club's crest features a simple shield with a horse and Lancaster rose along with "Semper Invicta", the club's motto.

The club's traditional colours are White & Black.

## Stadium

Lancaster County founded and developed their old home ground, Chamberlain Road in 1901 and used it until its replacement over 120 years later.

In 1998, Lancaster County were forced to leave Chamberlain Road temporarily due to the fact that James Altringham couldn't maintain and fund the stadium. For the next 3 years in the Conference Premier, Lancaster County went into administration and had to use a semi-professional stadium for its games.

In 2023, Lancaster County said farewell to Chamberlain Road and moved into the Lancaster Community Stadium.

## Rivals

Lancaster County's fiercest rivalry is with Morecambe F.C, with whom they contest the Lancastershire Derby. To a lesser extent, Blackburn Rovers, Barrow, and Carlisle United are also seen as rivals.

## Records

Lancaster County's record attendance was at Wembley. (64,532)