NEWS
Manny Williams is the new Woods first team manager
All at Northwood Football Club are delighted to welcome Manny Williams as our new first team manager.
Announcing the news, Chairman Ian Barry said “We are delighted to appoint Manny Williams as our new first team manager with immediate effect. Manny impressed at interview and is a well-rounded individual. He brings experience at our level and above in both playing and management and we can now look forward to the season.
“We will make further announcements once we know Manny’s new management team and player signings once registrations are allowed.
The experienced non-League forward player hung up his boots in April this year after an excellent playing career over more than twenty years that has seen him have notable spells with the likes of Maidenhead United, Havant & Waterlooville, Basingstoke Town and Slough Town where he is fondly remembered for scoring the goal which led to the Rebels being promoted to the National League South.
Manny was born in Sierra Leone but brought up in London and played for England Schoolboys as a youngster. He later played internationally for the country of his birth.
Now 44, he has been appointed to his first solo role as manager here at the Woods, having had previous stints as joint manager at Egham Town and at Burnham FC, where he did take over as manager for a short period in 2022 before becoming player-assistant-manager at Slough Town.
Manny, who is well-respected throughout the game, finished last season in a player-coach role under former Woods boss Gary Meakin at Risborough Rangers, being an integral part of the side who reached the play-offs in the Spartan South Midlands League.
The Woods start life at Step 5 in the Combined Counties League for the first time, with the League campaign scheduled to start on Saturday 25th July 2026 and we will announce the pre-season schedule, as well as the rest of Manny’s management team, shortly.
Photo: courtesy of Risborough Rangers FC.
27 May 2026
Northwood United's first AGM - May 1928
Following the demise of the previous Northwood FC in 1924, two years later plans were put together to form a new club, and a group of youngsters started playing under the name Northwood United in 1926. They were guided by Rev. L. Gordon M. Sheldon of Emmanuel Church and Mr Leslie Faint, and for the first two seasons played only friendly matches, and they initially shared the pitch in Northwood Recreation Ground with St John's Old Boys FC on alternate Saturdays at a cost of 2s 6d (12.5p) per match.
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The first annual meeting of the Northwood United club was held in May 1928, when the honorary Secretary reported on a successful season, from a playing and financial point of view. The club had played 23 friendly matches, winning 16, losing three and drawing four. They were affiliated to the Middlesex FA, and entered the Northwood Hospital Cup competition, but were knocked out in the first round at home by Sarratt.
The A.G.M. decided to make application to join the Harrow & District League, and that permission be asked from the Council for use of a pitch on the new playing fields at Dane End, Northwood - this was agreed and the rent for 1928-29 was £4 for the season. The club was duly elected to the Harrow League, and would play in Division Two. Players had to supply their own kit, costing about £2.
The club's Officers were appointed at the A.G.M, the honorary secretary being F.C. Smith of 96 Hallowell Road and the assistant secretary L. Faint of Addison Road. R. Waring was elected Captain for the season.
Make sure you keep up with all our Northwood Centenary content over the next year by following our dedicated Centenary History X/Twitter account @Woods100Years.
25 May 2026
Gough Build UK Ltd and PFE Express Ltd confirmed as 2026-27 shirt sponsors
We are delighted to announce GoughBuild UK Ltd as our home shirt sponsors again for the 2026-27 centenary season. A massive thank you goes to Andy Gough for his commitment to the Woods.
We are also proud to announce PFE Express Ltd will be our away shirt sponsors again for the 2026-27 Centenary season. A huge thank you to Jacob Collins and everyone at PFE for their support.
If you would like to pre-order either the new home shirt or the away shirt – or both - please email nfc.commercial1926@gmail.com
15 May 2026
FA release league constitutions for season 2026-27
Subsequent to our relegation and the resulting drop to Step 5 for the first time since 1992, Northwood will be playing in the Combined Counties League Premier Division North next season following the meeting of the FA's Leagues committee.
Our opponents next term in a 20-club division will be: Abingdon United, Amersham Town, Ardley United. Bedfont, Broadfields United, Burnham, Easington Sports, Harefield United, Hilltop, Holyport, Kidlington, North Greenford, North Leigh, Penn & Tylers Green, Rayners Lane, Reading City, Thatcham Town, Wallingford & Crowmarsh, and Wokingham Town.
There will be plenty of new league football opponents for the Woods: Ardley, Bedfont, Broadfields, Hilltop, Holyport, Penn & Tylers, Reading, Wallingford, and Wokingham we are all meeting for the first time. We also last played Amersham in 1991 and Harefield in 1996!
Our Combined Counties clubs directory for 2026-27 is here.
15 May 2026
Northwood Managers - who's been in charge?
As we continue to look back over one hundred years of local football history at Northwood Football Club, today we are reviewing the men who took the helm as first team manager over the years. Prior to 1971, Northwood's teams had been organised by the committee, although in practical terms the club secretary looked after things, and Pat Byrne became the first designated manager.
The next man appointed to the Woods hot seat will be the 32nd "permanent" team boss; our graphic shows six past managers who have had a significant impact - Colin Payne, Alan Merison, Pat Byrne, Ben Bukowski, Tony Choules and Pat Byrne.
Our run-down on the Northwood managers over the years can be read here.
Make sure you keep up with all our Northwood Centenary content over the next year by following our dedicated Centenary History X/Twitter account @Woods100Years.
11 May 2026
Coming up, Northwood stories over 100 years….
Northwood Football Club is now celebrating its Centenary Year, with events marking the launch having taken place last weekend. The current club was formed in 1926, following several other outfits that had carried the town’s name in earlier years, the first known, Northwood FC, being formed in September 1899, but it is not clear how long they existed. A team called Northwood Rovers played in the Harrow, Wembley & District League up to the First World War, the highlight being reaching the semi-final of the Middlesex Junior Cup in 1913.
A new Northwood FC was launched after the conflict, in September 1919, and soon Emmanuel Northwood were also competing in the Harrow & District League. The next club to commence was Holy Trinity Northwood, again in the Harrow League, whilst in 1922 Northwood moved to the Uxbridge & District League. However, they folded during the 1923-24 season and around the same time, Emmanuel Northwood also withdrew from the Harrow League.
After two seasons in which just Holy Trinity represented the town on the football field, a few people who had been involved with the two failed set-ups decided to form a new club, and Northwood United was launched for the 1926-27 campaign. And now, in 2026, we have the thriving club which is Northwood FC (the suffix was dropped after World War II).
Over the coming weeks and months we will bring you a whole host of stories covering the past century, telling of games, players, club officials, league titles, cup wins, and yes, the odd relegation. Though actually this season’s demotion was the first relegation for Northwood since 2007, and only the fourth time it has happened in 100 years!
Our graphic above shows a number of people who have played a significant part in the club’s history:
- JOE SAUNDERS – played many games from 1949 to 1969 and was secretary/treasurer/manager in the 1960s
- PAT COBURN – the club’s longest-serving manager, taking charge of 302 games from 1976-1986
- DAVE NOLAN – made 450 appearances for the Woods
- BOB BELL – scored over 60 goals for three seasons in a row in the 1930s, over 250 in total
- MARTIN ELLIS – top modern-day Northwood scorer with 156 goals
- CHRIS GELL – club record appearances holder – 489 games (and scored 85 goals)
- PAUL BYRNE – holds the post-war record for scoring the most goals in a first team game for Northwood (seven!) and made around 375 appearances; was club secretary, player-manager and is now a Life Member
9 May 2026
A Centenary Weekend to Remember at Northwood FC
Northwood Football Club proudly kicked off its centenary year of events with an unforgettable weekend of football, bringing together past, present and future generations of the club in true Woods spirit.
The celebrations began on Sunday with a special Legends match, whilst Bank Holiday Monday delivered a full day of football, entertainment and community spirit, with over 700 people in attendance!
For a full run down on all the wonderful events, and photos, take a look here.
8 May 2026
U18s' season ends at Isthmian Youth Champions semi-final
Northwood Under 18s' successful season ended this evening, when they were defeated 1-3 away to Kingstonian in the Isthmian Youth League Champion of Champions Semi-Final.
Kingstonian, who were unbeaten in winning the Central Division, progress to the final against Burgess Hill Town to decide the overall Isthmian Youth League champions.
Jamie Barry's squad have done the club proud this season, winning the Isthmian Youth League West Division along with the Middlesex Senior Youth Cup - a marvellous achievement!
5 May 2026
Under 18s trials for next season
1 May 2026
