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 and Mr Leslie Faint, and for the first two seasons played only friendly matches, and initially they 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.

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 and 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.

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.

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 due to being unable to raise a team, 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