Cogenhoe United Football Club:-

a brief history


The club shield was derived from the Coat of Arms of the de Cogenhoe family who were the village squires from 100 AD. The original colours were red and silver cross pieces and diamonds, however we have adopted blue and gold as our colours.

The early days of Cogenhoe were not documented and are now obscured by the mist of time. Inter village friendlies gradually led to membership of the now extinct Central Village League. As typical with village football, a variety of pitches were 'home' until in 1950 the first game, against Northampton Yeomanry, was played on the then new playing field. After some modest success, United ceased to exist sometime after 1958, to be reformed as the current club for the 1967/68 football season, competing in the Central Northants Football Combination. By 1978 the club had progressed from the Second Division into the Premier Division. In a six year period thirteen winners' and six runners-up trophies were won. Development of facilities became paramount to enable promotion into the United Counties Football League. We secured the lease on 3.6 acres of agricultural land from the Marquis of Northampton, Compton Park was now on the map, new purpose built facilities were developed together with a spectator stand which gained us promotion into the UCFL for the season 1985/86. The first competitive match was the final match in the Central Combination, when we defeated Bugbrooke St.Michaels 1-0 with Jason Moore scoring the first goal on this ground.

On 17th August 1985 Cogenhoe United played their first UCFL game losing at home to Mirlees Blackstone. Cogenhoe were forced to apply for re-election and Dave Conlon took over the helm in the summer of 1986. Compton Park was officially opened when Ron Atkinson, then manager of Manchester United brought a team to play in the inaugural game. Cogenhoe gained promotion to the Premier Division at the end of Dave Conlon's first season finishing runners-up to Baker Perkins. Stephen Brockwell who succeeded ex Liverpool and England full,back, Phil Neal as President, ensured facilities were met and promotion was gained.

A youth policy was adopted beginning a trend of supplying quality players to the senior teams, with Darren Harmon and Darren Bazeley progressing into the professional game. Matthew Murphy also made this progression via Corby Town. The club entered the F.A. Vase for the first time in Season 1988/89, at the end of this season Brian Foley stepped down as Chairman after 21 years loyal service, this achievement was recognised by being elected a Vice President of the United Counties Football League. Derek Wright took over as Chairman and immediately set up a major fund raising campaign to ensure floodlighting was erected in 1992 and ensured senior status was maintained. This was achieved to mark the club's Silver Jubilee in that year. An under 18's youth side was elected to the Northamptonshire Senior Youth League in Season 1992/93 and won the Championship at the first attempt. Further land was obtained and further youth pitches were developed. We entered the F.A. Cup for the first time in 1994/95.

After an extremely successful 13 years at the helm Dave Conlon retired as manager prior to the commencement of the 1997/98 season and Steve Forbes took over the reigns with Dino Cirrelli assisting.

In the subsequent three seasons Steve and Dino guided the team to further success culminating the most successful campaign in the history of the club. Runners- up in the UCFL Premier Division, winners of the UCFL Knock Out Cup and Buckingham Charity Cup and runners-up in the Daventry Charity Cup. In the Northants Senior Youth League our under 18's were not to be outdone by winning the League Knockout Cup and finishing Runners-up in the League.

After a 3 year spell in charge Steve Forbes stepped down and former cobblers & Rushden and Diamonds midfielder Aidy Mann took over team affairs. Aidys first season incharge saw the team finish a credible third. Following the loss of many of the squad to local rivals Newport Pagnell, the Cooks ended the 2002/03 season mid table.

As a result Former Northampton Town midfielder Adam Sandy was appointed as first team coach with former Cooks stalwort Dino Cirelli as his assistant. They finished the 2003/04 season in sixth place and runners up in the Daventry Charity Cup, Dino Cirelli retired due to other work commitments.

In the the following season 2004/05 Dave Jones stepped up from reserve team coach to assist Adam Sandy at the reins The end of the season finished with Cogenhoe playing Potton (1st vs 2nd) A winner takes all game, with cogenhoe only requiring a draw to clinch there first ucl title. The game ended 2-2 giving the ucl championship to Cogenhoe. During the 2005/06 season Cogenhoe acheived their best ever run in the FA Cup eventually loosing in extra time in a replay to Chasetown 4-3. Chase Town went on to play Oldham in the first round proper.

In the 2006/07 Season the "Cooks" equaled their best ever run in the FA vase going out to Causeway United after extra time in the fourth round. At the end of the season Cogenhoe United announce the appointment of Darren Collins as 1st Team Manager, following the resignation of Adam Sandy. There were strong bids made by four other applicants, but Darren's pedigree stood out, with 2 decades of experience as a player in the football league and higher reaches of non league football, including 2 seasons at Cogenhoe in our championship winning side during which time he scored 50 goals.
Supporters League Positions and FA History
Supporters 1985-86 Joined United Counties League Division One
1986-87 United Counties League Division One runner-up
Promoted to Premier Division
1999-00 United Counties League runner-up(on goal difference)
2000-01 United Counties League runner-up
2001-02 Missed runner-up spot on goal difference
2004-05 United Counties League Premier Division Champions

SEASON       LEAGUE      POS
1985-86     UCL-1     18/19
1986-87     UCL-1     2/19
1987-88     UCL-P     11/21
1988-89     UCL-P     16/20
1989-90     UCL-P     5/22
1990-91     UCL-P     8/22
1991-92     UCL-P     12/24
1992-93     UCL-P     6/22
1993-94     UCL-P     4/22
1994-95     UCL-P     3/19
1995-96     UCL-P     4/20
1996-97     UCL-P     7/20
1997-98     UCL-P     12/21
1998-99     UCL-P     3/20
1999-00     UCL-P     2/20
2000-01     UCL-P     2/21
2001-02     UCL-P     3/21
2002-03     UCL-P     9/21
2003-04     UCL-P     6/22
2004-05     UCL-P     1/22 (Champions)
2005-06     UCL-P     5/22
2006-07     UCL-P     5/21
F.A. CUP
1994-95   PRE   EASTWOOD HANLEY      H    1-1
          PREr  EASTWOOD HANLEY      A    0-0
          PREr2 EASTWOOD HANLEY      H    2-4
1995-96   PRE   NORTHAMPTON SPENCER  A    2-2
          PREr  NORTHAMPTON SPENCER  H    1-0
          1Q    SANDWELL BOROUGH     A    1-2
1996-97   PRE   WELLINGBOROUGH TOWN  A    3-0
          1Q    ATHERSTONE UNITED    A    1-3
1997-98   PRE   BRACKLEY TOWN        A    0-1
2000-01   PRE   DESBOROUGH TOWN      H    4-1
          1Q    MALDON TOWN          H    2-3
2001-02   PRE   TRING TOWN           A    2-0
          1Q    DUNSTABLE TOWN       A    1-1
          1Qr   DUNSTABLE TOWN       H    2-2 
          Dunstable Town won 4-2 on penalties  
2002-03   PRE   DISS TOWN            H    0-2
2003-04   EP    TIPTREE UNITED       A    1-0
          PRE   MALDON TOWN          H    1-2
2004-05   PRE   WOODFORD UNITED      H    7-0
          1Q    WALTHAM FORREST      A    2-1
2005-06   PRE   HANWELL TOWN         H    4-1
          1Q    CLAPHAM              H    4-2
          2Q    STAVERLY MW          H    3-2
          3Q    CHASETOWN            H    1-1
          3QR   CHASETOWN            A    4-3(AET)
2006-07   EP    SAFFRON WALDEN       H    2-2
          EPr   SAFFRON WALDEN       A    6-2
2007-08   EPr   HERTFORD TOWN        A    1-0
F.A. VASE
1988-89   EP    KINGS HEATH          H    1-2
1989-90   EP    KINGS HEATH          H    0-3
1993-94   PRE   NORTHFIELD TOWN      H    6-1
          1     FRIAR LANE OLD BOYS  A    1-1
          1r    FRIAR LANE OLD BOYS  H    2-0
          2     EVESHAM UNITED       H    0-0
          2r    EVESHAM UNITED       A    2-1
          3     NORTHAMPTON SPENCER  A    2-1
          4     OADBY TOWN           A    1-5
1994-95   1     BOURNE TOWN          H    4-1
          2     DISS TOWN            A    2-3
1995-96   2Q    BARROW TOWN          H    2-0
          1     RUSHALL OLYMPIC      A    1-2
1996-97   2Q    BANBURY UNITED       A    1-0
          1     CHASETOWN            H    1-0
          2     DUNKIRK              A    5-0
          3     OADBY TOWN           A    3-1
          4     MOSSLEY              A    2-3
1997-98   1     MIRRLEES BLACKSTONE  A    2-4
1999-00   2Q    LUDLOW TOWN          A    5-0
          1     WEST MIDLANDS POLICE A    2-3
2000-01   1     BOWERS UNITED        A    2-4    
2001-02   1     IPSWICH WANDERERS    H    3-1
          2     BLACKSTONE           A    1-3
          3     CLITHEROE            H    1-5
2002-03   1     GEDLING TOWN         A    0-2
2003-04   1Q    STOWMARKET TOWN      A    1-3
2004-05   1Q    WELWYN GARDEN CITY   A    1-5(AET)
          2Q    DISS TOWN            A    4-2
2005-06   1     AFC HORNCHURCH       H    0-1
2006-07   1Q    BASILDON UNITED      H    4-2
          2Q    BIGGLESWADE TOWN     H    3-1(AET)
          1     BOWERS & PITSEA      H    3-1
          2     KIRKLEY              A    1-2
          3     FAKENHAM TOWN        A    1-5
          4     CAUSEWAY UNITED      A    2-1(AET)
2007-08   2     HANWELL TOWN         A    0-1
          3     SHAWBURY UNITED      A    2-1

Information from FCHD