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

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 secretary/treasurer/manager in the 1960s
• PAT COBURN – the club’s longest-serving manager, taking 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 – 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 now a Life Member
  
  

7 May 2026

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

The first events celebrating the club’s Centenary Year take place this Bank Holiday weekend! Tomorrow, Sunday, 3rd May, we have two ex-Northwood sides playing against each other to raise monies for the Lynda Jackson Centre at Mount Vernon Hospital, before a social get-together afterwards.

Former Woods legends that are coming down to play include James Shipperley, Paul Rogan, Glyn Jones, Garry Senior, Gary Williams, Joakim Ehui, Ismael Ehui, Chris Gell, Kevin Dobson, Alan Clarke, Craig White, Mitch Swain, John Christian, Colin Robinson, Wayne Carter, Andy Cook, Dave Nolan, Alex Nolan, Fergus Moore, Peter Dean, Dave Sargent, Chris Moore, Mark Dennison, Steve Tobin, Nigel Franklin, Paul Franklin, Kevin Franklin, Ryan Phillips, Reece Yorke, Liam O’Keefe, John Walsh, Gary Edwards, Kevin Beckles, Lee Grant, Dan Power and others!

It will be an afternoon for a great catch-up; kick-off is at 2.00 p.m.

And on Bank Holiday Monday we are visited by Sellebrity Soccer, run by one-time Woods midfielder Kevin Cooper, for some entertainment for all the family. Tickets are on sale now and are limited so get yours soon: just click here.

The Celebrities taking part – two sides against each other – are well-known to those people who watch the popular TV programmes, soap operas and entertainment such as Married at First Sight and Love Island plus some stars of other social media; sport, freestyle footballers and YouTubers.

As a warm-up, prior to this match, there are also a couple of showcase matches one of which features some Northwood Youth teams strutting their stuff and also an All-Star Woods match between two sides packed with Northwood players from recent years. It’s a Ben Bukowski XI v Den Quigley XI face-off, and players taking part include Andrew McCorkell, Harry Gallagher, Andy Lomas, Keagan Cole, Alex Witham, Micah Jackson, Dan Williams, Sydney Ibie, Godlove Oppong, Jack Smith and Niko Muir amongst many others.

Events start at 12.15 p.m., with the celebrity game at 3.00 p.m.

2 May 2026

27 April 2026

The Woods' disappointing Pitching In Southern League Division One Central season, which has seen them relegated to step five, came to a close this afternoon when they lost 2-0 away to Leverstock Green.

Two more of Northwood's successful Under 18s side had their first starts for the senior team, but a goal in each half saw Leverstock Green take the points. Woods boss Tommy Cooney – appointed only two months ago – is already making plans for next season and preparing for the new campaign, which starts with a friendly at Bedfont Sports on 2nd July.

The match report and photos are here.

25 April 2026

Congratulations to Northwood Under 18s, who last night clinched the Isthmian Youth League West Division title when Aidan Swaby scored the winning goal against closest rivals Hampton & Richmond Borough one minute into stoppage time!

It was Aidan's second goal of the game, having equalised the visitors’ opening strike, claiming the young Woods’ third successive league championship win.

Well done to manager Jamie Barry – who has announced that he is standing down at the end of the season – and to all his staff, and of course to the playing squad. You have all done the club proud!!!

23 April 2026

Woods manager Tommy Cooney, appointed to the role in the closing stages of the campaign, is busily planning ahead for next season, when Northwood look to bounce back quickly from the shock of suffering relegation.

Tommy said: “Looking ahead to the 2026/27 campaign, plans have already begun, with five pre-season friendlies already arranged, including Stevenage visiting us for before the season starts.

“Playing at Step 5, the season will begin earlier and I imagine that will be the last week of July. It will be an overhaul and there will be some big changes both culturally and on the pitch.

“I couldn’t bring in the environment I wanted this season due to timing, but in the summer it’s a clean slate and I will run things the way I want it run! You will see a fast, fit and aggressive team next season and they will all compete and run hard for you all.

“I’d like to wish all the Woods fans a good summer and again thank you for the genuine support this season it’s been humbling.”

22 April 2026

Northwood gave a strong performance, particularly in the second half, in their final home Pitching In Southern League Division One Central fixture of the season this afternoon, but promotion-chasing Hitchin Town were 2-0 winners at The Skyline Roofing Stadium.

Hitchin took the lead on the half hour with a well-worked goal, but their second was a very dubious penalty that the referee was persuaded to give. Woods' best chance came on 70 minutes when brilliant play by Alie Bangura set up Arel Amu, who somehow failed to net! Final game is at Leverstock Green next season.

The match report and photos are here.

18 April 2026

Northwood chairman Ian Barry has spoken about the club’s situation after relegation from step four has been confirmed, saying that he believes that the Woods will come back stronger and better than before.

Ian said: “I can only start with the ‘R’ word that I’ve purposely avoided using for a while now, as I never wanted to believe it would happen to us. I thought we were better than that; I genuinely did. But, alas, it has been confirmed and barring some other scenario that we can’t foresee, as from next season we play at Step 5.

“What does all that mean in real terms? Well, as I have had time to reflect on what’s gone wrong, I can now believe this step back can be used as a positive for us; I can’t see our support changing, I can’t see our sponsors changing too much (most are here for the great work we do in the community) and we have part of the team that will probably stay with us. So, we can all work together to turn this into a positive that’s for sure and we have come back from worse over the years.

“Tommy Cooney has worked very hard to turn things around in a short space of time, but this was always the gamble, my gamble, and it hasn’t worked. For that I take full responsibility and take this opportunity to convey my sincere apologies to all of our supporters for this.

“In my time at the club, we have enjoyed success and by that, I mean that we are still here, our support has been consistent in both numbers and being a part of us and, of course, we have facilities which are well received and the envy of many. This, I believe, is enough to build on and bring back winning football, which we have undoubtedly missed this season.

“So, my message is loud and clear! Stick with us, we have taken a step back but will come back stronger and better for it. It happens and it was our turn this time. Thanks as always for your help and support!”

14 April 2026

Biggleswade confirmed their spot in the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central play-offs this afternoon when they netted two late goals to defeat Northwood 3-1 at The Skyline Roofing Stadium.

Youngster Freddie Ford raised the Woods' hopes when he was played through and chipped the visiting keeper to open the scoring with 38 minutes on the clock. Freddie was one of several of the successful Under 18s in the squad today - including Bilal Sajid Ouardi making his debut - and Tommy Cooney's side gave a battling performance even after Biggleswade levelled on 66 minutes. But a defensive slip allowed Biggleswade to take the lead in the 88th minute, then they converted a spot-kick five minutes into added time.

The match report and photos are here.

11 April 2026

Northwood's placing in the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central's relegation zone was confirmed this afternoon, but Tommy Cooney's side were nevertheless involved in a thrilling 4-4 draw away to Beaconsfield Town.

The Woods led by two goals through Alie Bangura and Arel Amu, although Town hit back to level by half-time, then grabbed a 4-2 lead on 65 minutes. But the visitors weren't done for - and late goals from Freddie Ford (penalty) and Hamza Miezou earned Northwood the point.

The match report and photos are here.

6 April 2026

With the situation at the foot of the table looking increasingly precarious, Northwood slipped to a 3-0 Pitching In Southern League Division One Central defeat at The Skyline Roofing Stadium at the hands of Thame United this Good Friday afternoon.

Play-offs chasing Thame virtually sealed their spot in the top five with a well-merited victory, although after taking a narrow lead into the break, it was only in the closing 20 minutes that they improved the margin of victory.

The match report and photos are here.

3 April 2026