St Albans City

Club Overview

St Albans City FC, known as the Saints, were founded in 1908 and have called Clarence Park home for more than a century. The club has a proud record in the Isthmian League and is part of the city’s sporting identity.

Quick Facts

Founded: 13 April 1908
Nickname: The Saints
Home ground: Clarence Park, York Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 4PL
League: Isthmian League Premier Division, Step 3 in 2026/27

Club History

Football had been played in Clarence Park since 1894, but the present St Albans City club was founded in April 1908. The Saints began in the Herts County and Spartan Leagues, joined the Athenian League in 1920, and won its championship in 1920/21 and 1921/22. They joined the Isthmian League in 1923 and won the title three times during the 1920s, establishing the club’s most successful early era.

One of the most remarkable stories in the club’s history is Wilfred “Billy” Minter, who scored 356 goals in 362 appearances. In November 1922, he scored all seven Saints goals in an extraordinary 8–7 FA Cup defeat to Dulwich Hamlet, a record individual tally for a player on the losing side of an FA Cup tie. The club also beat Football League side Brentford 5–3 in the 1924/25 FA Cup, one of its most famous cup results.

Honours and Milestones

  • Athenian League champions in 1920/21 and 1921/22.
  • Isthmian League champions in 1923/24, 1927/28 and 1928/29.
  • FA Cup second round or equivalent reached on five occasions, including the famous Brentford win in 1924/25.
  • Reached the Conference, now the National League, in 2006 after winning the Southern League Premier Division play-offs.

Clarence Park

Clarence Park was donated to the people of St Albans by Sir John Blundell Maple and officially opened in 1894. The first recorded football match there took place on 22 September that year. The present Saints have used the ground since their formation in 1908, apart from temporary interruptions during the First World War and ground works. The main stand was built in 1922 and concrete terracing replaced railway sleepers in 1959. The club’s recorded ground attendance is 9,757, for an Amateur Cup quarter-final against Ferryhill Athletic on 27 February 1926.

Visiting Supporters

Ground: Clarence Park, York Road, St Albans, AL1 4PL. The stadium sits within Clarence Park and is accessible from the town centre and St Albans City railway station area. Check the official club website before travelling for current ticket prices, fixture changes, accessible entry, parking and matchday facilities.

Club Figures and Local Identity

Alongside Billy Minter, former Saints include Arthur Grimsdell, captain of Tottenham Hotspur’s 1921 FA Cup-winning side, and John Mitchell, who later led Fulham to the 1975 FA Cup final as a player. Clarence Park has also hosted visiting teams preparing for major finals and international tournaments, adding to its long football history.

Clarence Park and FA Cup Heritage

St Albans City, known as the Saints, have a long history in Hertfordshire football. Clarence Park has been the club’s home for generations and is a familiar traditional venue for supporters following the non-league game in the south-east.

The club’s FA Cup story includes third-round appearances in 1922/23 and 2002/03, the latter bringing national attention to a modern Saints side. These cup runs sit alongside the club’s league history and local rivalries as key milestones. Visitors should check current admission, entry, parking and accessibility arrangements before travelling.

NonLeagueReview Groundhopper Notes

Clarence Park combines an established town park setting with a ground steeped in football history. The Saints’ 1920s titles, Minter’s extraordinary scoring record and the Brentford cup upset make this a venue with plenty of stories for groundhoppers. Confirm all travel and admission details with the club before visiting.

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Sources and Further Reading

Club History and Key Milestones

St Albans City are nicknamed the Saints and play at Clarence Park, a historic ground close to the city centre. The club has competed at Step 2 and has a long record in Hertfordshire and national non-league football. Clarence Park is one of the best-known football venues in the county.

Matchday Notes

Check the club’s official matchday update for the confirmed venue, kick-off time, admission prices and payment methods. Visitors should verify parking and public transport details and plan the return journey after evening fixtures. Ground names and ticket information can change, so use current club guidance.