Stafford Rangers F.C. - 21st Century

21st Century

After two seasons in the Premier Division, finishing seventh and ninth respectively, Painter left the club in April 2002. During Painter's final season, Rangers recorded a club-record 15–0 victory over Kidsgrove Athletic in a Staffordshire Senior Cup tie on 20 November 2001.

Phil Robinson, whose playing career took him to several top Football League clubs around the East and West Midlands, joined his hometown club as player-manager in the 2002 close season and immediately set about creating a structure to develop young local talent with the introduction of reserve and youth teams. He retained only a few of Painter's squad which led to increased support on the terraces due to improved results. They finished second in the Southern League Premier Division, reached the FA Cup First Round for the first time in a decade and brought the Staffordshire Senior Cup back to Marston Road with a 5–1 victory over Stoke City at Port Vale's Vale Park. Robinson's second season in charge, 2003–04, brought more success with Rangers this time finishing third in the league behind Crawley Town and Weymouth to earn a place amongst the Nationwide Conference North founder members. Rangers reached the Staffordshire Senior Cup Final but lost 1–0 to Kidsgrove Athletic. At the end of the 2004–05 season, silverware returned to Marston Road as the team regained the Senior Cup, defeating Leek Town in the Final at Vale Park. As well as reaching the FA Cup First Round, where they lost to Chester City, Rangers finished the inaugural Conference North season in 8th position with the tightest defence in the division, conceding just 44 goals.

Stafford Rangers achieved promotion back to the fifth tier of English football after a play-off win on penalties over Droylsden in May 2006 at rivals Burton Albion's new Pirelli Stadium. This came at the end of a successful 2005–06 league campaign which resulted in a second place finish. Rangers celebrated their promotion with a tour of Stafford on an open-top bus, with thousands gathering in the Market Square and players signing autographs for the fans. This attracted the attention of local newspapers and the BBC who featured the honorary lap later that night on Midlands Today.

In the 2006–07 season the club reached the second round of the FA Cup where they lost to Brighton & Hove Albion. A match against Dagenham & Redbridge was featured live on Sky Sports. Goalkeeper Danny Alcock was selected for the England Non-League squad in January 2007 and a month later Cameroonian Guy Madjo was selected by his nation for international duty. The club managed to avoid relegation on the final day of the season, and finished 20th in the Conference.

2007 saw Stafford struggle to compete in an increasingly difficult league with many ex-league and professional sides. Phil Robinson left the club after five-and-a-half years in charge and many Stafford fans were unhappy to see him leave. Robinson managed to sign some of Staffords' best performing players for the 2007–08 season including Djimi Sangare, Marco Adaggio and Ross Draper. Neil Grayson (striker) and Kevin Street (midfielder) were placed in temporary charge of the county town club as joint care taker managers.

On 21 February 2008, Steve Bull was appointed as Head Coach. Bull was unable to save the club and on 7 April 2008, Rangers were relegated to the Conference North following a 4–0 defeat at home to York City. He left the club on 12 December, being replaced by Chris Brindley, who was Assistant Manager under Bull. At the end of the 2009 season, Stafford Rangers' future was uncertain as they needed to pay Slick Seating £50,000 by 7 July. The club came up with the idea of selling 250 tickets at £200, that would be repaid in weekly draws, this worked and the club was saved from going into administration. Jon Downing (the club chairman) stated that he was proud of the fans and that a new era lay ahead for Stafford Rangers.

On 14 April 2010, news was leaked that Chairman Jon Downing had resigned from his position as Chairman, after 17 years on the clubs Board, with two spells as Chairman. A day later, an article was published in the Staffordshire Newsletter entitled "Shock as Boro boss quits". The article stated that director Ian Seddon, was interested in taking over the role.

On 27 May 2010, Darren Read held talks with new AFC Telford United manager, Andy Sinton, at New Bucks Head. That evening he signed a two-year deal as assistant manager and left Stafford Rangers. Chris Brindley appointed Steve Wynn as coach in later summer 2010.

In September 2010, Brindley resigned as manager of Stafford Rangers. On 14 October 2010, the club appointed Tim Flowers as Manager. Flowers resigned as manager on 11 January 2011 after just nine games in charge. His assistant Matt Elliott took over the job. Despite some improved performances Elliott could not prevent relegation to the Northern Premier League for the 2011–12 season. Their fate was not confirmed until the final game of the season, a 3–2 defeat at Stalybridge Celtic. Elliott initially accepted the offer to become manager for the next season but then had a change of heart and resigned. On 31 May 2011 Greg Clowes was appointed the new manager of Stafford Rangers from Newcastle Town where he would be assisted by his colleague from Newcastle, Dorian Garner.