Club History
14 May 2007

Following the sad demise of Sandwell Rangers FC, formerly of the Bilston Youth Partnership League, at the end of the 2004 - 2005 season, there was a need for a new team to cater for those boys who had lost their only avenue for competitive football at weekends. Initial approaches were made to the parents of these boys and after much consultation, the decision was made to form Warley Albion in May 2005.

Training began on the first Sunday of May, in Warley Woods, with a second session planned for the following Wednesday. The turnout saw the majority of the former Sandwell Rangers team turn up and Warley Albion was born. The first few weeks were critical for the survival of the newly established team, but the boys turned up each week with new players in tow.

It soon became apparent that the enthusiasm of the boys was going to ensure the survival of the club, even though numbers began to drop off due to the onset of the summer holidays. The next step was to show the boys that the club was serious in its intentions and the Birmingham County F.A. were approached for advice. The County F.A. provided an informative pack detailing the rules and regulations surrounding a youth football team and a list of local leagues that would cater for our requirements.

It was obvious that our geographical location would determine which league we would join, with the Bilston Youth Partnership and the Stourbridge & District Youth Football Leagues being the most likely for us to approach. Our first choice was the Stourbridge & District Youth Football League, due to their reputation within the Youth Football community, and Warley Albion applied to join in June 2005.

Our transition from a kick-about outfit on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings to a fully fledged member of an organised league was made easier thanks to the tremendous patience of several committee members of the S.D.Y.F.L., who answered all of our questions and offered us guidance and advice at every step of our development, none more so than Mr. John Morris, League Secretary.

Membership to the Birmingham County F.A. and the S.D.Y.F.L. was confirmed in late July, and the team was entered into the Third Division of the Under 14's League.

Our first season saw the team finish a creditable 5th in the league and we advanced to the 2nd Round of the League Cup where we were beaten in extra time by high flying Wombourne Olympic 4-2.

During the close season we were given a grant from the Birmingham Foundation for new equipment, kits and training aids, but this good news was marred when we lost a number of players, but gained new members and we now have a very solid squad of players who have gelled into the team we have today. We finished 6th in the Under 15's Division 2, but fell at the first hurdle in the Cup to Longbridge Colts, losing 7-2.

Despite losing their first 4 games, the boys went on an unbeaten run from mid October,beating Oldswinford Youth 5-1 until a 4-3 defeat against form to Brierley Hill Bullets in late February.

A new chapter of the Club history was written on 23rd June 2007 when our Under 12's held their first trials session. The turn out was good and the whole session was seen by Club officials as a great success.

Unfortunately there were irreconcilable differences between the Manager of the Under 12's and the management committee of the the Club. Parents were upset at the style of management being displayed and it was decided by committee that they should be removed from their position. Rumours had been going around that they had already started a new, independent club, so it was felt that in the best interests of the Club, any association should be terminated.

The former Manager took a large percentage of the Under 12's with them to the newly formed Club and the parents who remained volunteered to continue with the remaining boys. However, a lack of discipline bought about by certain players influencing other players meant the new Manager's felt their position was untenable and they stepped down. The Committee took the view that the younger team had been nothing but a headache since day one so decided to fold them completely.

Meanwhile, the U17's team had seen a dramatic drop in attendances at training, most of the boys having discovered girls and other distractions. Following a serious thumping in the County Cup, the Manager decided enough was enough and folded the team.

The Secretary and Vice Chairman then took a 3 month break before returning to football with the Football development Scheme and then the Under 10's team.