Football in Market Drayton has roots which go well back to 1893. Records show that the main game that season was against Blackburn Rovers. As other games were also played against Shrewsbury, Wellington and Oswestry, Drayton must have had a team of some repute. Three teams were operating in the town up to the end of 1930, Little Drayton Rangers playing on the Kings Avenue, the Pheonix on the Talbot and the Town team called the Nomads on the Maer's ground, which is the site now of the Palethorpes factory, was very well maintained. It included a spectator stand for 500 and reasonable dressing room accommodation.
The Town club was reformed in 1946, running 2 teams - one in the Shrewsbury and District League, another in the Market Drayton and District League. The President was Eustace Bowles with 26 notable and respected citizens as Vice-Presidents under the Chairmanship of Mr J Pugh. Mr A Cartwright was both the Manager and Secretary. The Shrewsbury League players consisted mainly of men from the RAF stations at Tern Hill and Stoke Heath, symbols of the good relations existing between the town and the services. The club officials were encouraged in their efforts by those enthusiasts who match after match supported the team both home and away. The gates during this period were the envy of every other club in the county. In the season 1952-3 the Town club successfully applied for membership of the Shropshire County league, the County's senior league. The club finished reasonably well and played in the Challenge Cup Final against Newport Town on the Gay Meadow. The Draytonians lost in a hard fought match.
From 1958 to 1962 the club obtained the services of Jack Brown as Manager. He was an ex-amateur international and reasonable success was gained under his guidance, winning the County League Challenge Cup and the Powell Charity Cup in 1960. Seasons 1962-64, football in the town was in the doldrums through lack of finance and support. With negotiations for the selling of the Maer's ground taking place the Football club unfortunately was disbanded. It was in season 1973-74 that 2 local teams, Beacon Youth and Four Alls, decided to amalgamate, calling themselves the Market Drayton Town Football Club and playing home matches at Woodseaves.
After a number of fairly successful years winning local competitions and gradually climbing the leagues the side moved into the Saturday County league 1st Division winning promotion at the first attempt. The club has played at various sites in and around the town and after winning the County competitions finally moved to our present home of 'Greenfields'. We have now been here for 17 years and the ground has gradually been brought up to standard in that time but mainly in the last 5 years. The team then moved up to the West Midlands League gaining promotion swiftly to the Premier Division.
Six seasons ago (2003/4) after the folding of Little Drayton Rangers the Committee re-formed (although 2 or 3 members are still with us) and the name was again changed, taking up the name of the old Town club which was folded a number of years ago. In this 6-year period the club has improved year on year both on and off the field.
In our first season as Market Drayton Town FC (we finished 7th in the West Midlands Premier Division and won the Shropshire Challenge Cup at the Gay Meadow. Our second season (2004/5) saw us achieve runners-up spot to Tipton Town in the League but again we won the Shropshire Challenge Cup. The following season (2005/6) we finally gained promotion to the Midland Football Alliance by winning the League (by 18 points) and again we won the Shropshire Challenge Cup for a record third year in a row. Three seasons ago (2006/7) we embarked on a new era where we were playing in the MFA, Shropshire Senior Cup with AFC Telford and Shrewsbury Town, Staffs Senior Cup, FA Cup, FA Vase and League Cup. After securing our status in the MFA by finishing in 13th place in our first year and then finishing a very close third two years ago (2007/8) we were very much hoping to go one step further last year and gain promotion from the MFA. After a long hard season (2008/9) where we played 56 games we achieved our main aim and were crowned Midland Football Alliance League Champions finishing 8 points ahead of second place Barwell FC. With astonishing statistics: 31 league wins, 24 league clean sheets, 111 league goals scored, 31 league goals conceded and only 5 league defeats we broke a few Alliance records and went on to win the League and Cup double by defeating Boldmere St. Michaels at Walsall's Bank's Stadium in the League Cup Final 2-0. One of only 2 clubs to ever have that accolade. A great end to a fantastic year for the football club. During that season we also managed to reach the last 16 of the FA Vase but unfortunately lost at Biggleswade Town 4-2. Off the pitch much hard work was done in order to get Greenfields up to the Unibond Ground Grading standard, which was achieved. This season (2009/2010) we are again embarking on another new era by playing in the Unibond Football League and also the FA Trophy for the very first time. Very dizzy heights for such a new club, but we are certainly here to compete and enjoy ourselves. The club continues to develop and with the hard work of many people from within the town and surrounding areas we are again looking to go forwards.
