Club Overview
Stourbridge Football Club is based in the Black Country and is known as The Glassboys, a nickname that reflects the town’s historic connection with the cut-glass industry. Founded in 1876 as Stourbridge Standard, the club has built a long history across regional leagues and national cup competitions. In 2026/27, Stourbridge compete in the Southern League Premier Division Central at Step 3.
The club’s story includes title-winning periods in the Birmingham and Southern leagues, county-cup success and several memorable FA Cup runs. The Glassboys’ identity is closely linked to Amblecote and the War Memorial Athletic Ground, a venue they have shared with Stourbridge Cricket Club. Ground arrangements have been subject to significant change, so supporters should check the club’s latest announcements before attending a fixture.
Quick Facts
- Founded: 1876
- Original name: Stourbridge Standard
- Nickname: The Glassboys
- Based in: Stourbridge, West Midlands
- League: Southern League Premier Division Central, 2026/27
- Step: 3
- Historic home ground: War Memorial Athletic Ground, High Street, Amblecote, Stourbridge, DY8 4HN
Stadium Guide and Matchday Updates
Stourbridge’s historic home is the War Memorial Athletic Ground in Amblecote, a venue shared with Stourbridge Cricket Club. The ground has been central to the club’s identity for generations and has staged some of its most memorable FA Cup nights.
In March 2025, the club announced that the final home match of that season would be the last at the ground in its then-existing form. Structural concerns involving the banks around the ground meant that some stands and floodlights needed to be removed, and the football and cricket clubs were working with the council and football authorities on solutions. Because that announcement affects the physical layout and potentially matchday arrangements, visitors should not assume older ground guides or photographs describe the current setup.
Before travelling, consult Stourbridge FC’s official website for the latest ground status, confirmed venue, kick-off time, admission arrangements, access information and parking advice. If a fixture has been moved or facilities changed, the club’s current notice should take precedence over older directories.
Club History
The club was formed in 1876 under the name Stourbridge Standard and soon became Stourbridge Football Club. Early silverware included the Kidderminster Cup and Worcester Charity Cup in 1887/88. The team competed in regional competitions and later established itself in the Birmingham football scene, while the Worcestershire Senior Cup became a recurring target.
One of the club’s landmark early seasons was 1923/24, when Stourbridge won the Birmingham League championship and the Worcestershire Senior Cup. After the Second World War, the Glassboys enjoyed another successful period: the Birmingham Combination championship was secured in 1951/52, and county-cup victories followed. The club won both the Birmingham Senior Cup and Worcestershire Senior Cup in 1967/68.
Stourbridge entered the Southern League in 1971. In 1973/74 they won the Division One North title and the league’s Merit Cup. That season also brought a notable Welsh Cup run: Stourbridge defeated Swansea City and Wrexham away before meeting Cardiff City in the final. The Glassboys lost both legs, but reaching the final remains a distinctive chapter in the club’s history.
After later spells in the Southern League and Midland Football Alliance, Stourbridge returned to the Southern League in 2005 following promotion. The FA Cup then became a major source of national attention. The club reached the first round in 2009/10, made the second round in 2011/12, 2013/14 and 2015/16, and achieved its best-ever run in 2016/17 by reaching the third round proper for the first time.
The 2016/17 run included a 1–0 home win over Northampton Town in the second round before Stourbridge lost narrowly at Wycombe Wanderers in the third round. The club also finished third in the league that season and reached the play-off final. The cup runs built on a strong non-league tradition and brought wider attention to the Glassboys and their supporters.
Honours
Selected honours from the club’s official honours list include:
- Southern League Midland Division: champions, 1990/91.
- Southern League Division One North: champions, 1973/74.
- Southern League Midland Division play-offs: winners, 2007/08.
- Southern League Cup: winners, 1992/93.
- Midland Football Alliance: champions, 2001/02 and 2002/03.
- Birmingham League: champions, 1923/24.
- Birmingham Combination: champions, 1951/52.
- Birmingham Senior Cup: winners in 1949/50, 1958/59, 1967/68, 2017/18 and 2022/23.
- Worcestershire Senior Cup: multiple-time winners, including 2010/11, 2011/12 and 2012/13.
Club Records and Cup Milestones
Stourbridge’s best FA Cup performance came in 2016/17, when the Glassboys reached the third round proper for the first time. Their other modern runs to the second round proper came in 2011/12, 2013/14 and 2015/16. The club’s official honours list also records a run to the FA Trophy quarter-finals in 1970/71, the FA Vase quarter-finals in 2004/05 and a Welsh Cup final appearance in 1973/74.
The 2011/12 FA Cup run included a replay win over Plymouth Argyle at the War Memorial Athletic Ground, followed by a second-round tie against Stevenage. These cup nights form an important part of the club’s modern identity. We will add all-time attendance, appearance and goalscoring records only where the club’s published records confirm the figures.
Famous Players and Club Figures
Stourbridge’s history includes players who progressed into the Football League and managers who led the club through title-winning and cup-running seasons. The club’s official history highlights Ray Haywood and Chic Bates, who each scored 50 goals in the 1973/74 campaign before moving to Shrewsbury Town; Bates later served as both a player and manager there. The modern FA Cup era has also brought players into wider view, including defender Dan Scarr, who moved to Birmingham City after the 2016/17 campaign.
Club managers, committee members, volunteers and supporters have all contributed to the Glassboys’ long life. Additional player profiles should be tied to verified club appearances, achievements and reliable sources rather than an unconfirmed list of famous names.
Rivalries and Regional Context
Stourbridge’s football identity is rooted in the Black Country and the wider West Midlands, where league and county-cup fixtures have connected clubs for generations. The Birmingham Senior Cup and Worcestershire Senior Cup have been recurring competitions in the club’s history and have created many meaningful local contests. Particular rivalries can change with league allocation and recent results, so this guide avoids declaring one fixture the definitive rivalry without stronger club-specific evidence.
Matchday Guide
Check Stourbridge FC’s official channels before setting out, especially because of the announced structural work at the War Memorial Athletic Ground. Confirm the venue for the specific fixture, kick-off time, admission details, travel information, accessibility arrangements and any changes to stands or facilities. Historic address details for the ground are High Street, Amblecote, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY8 4HN, but current club instructions should be followed if arrangements have changed.
NonLeagueReview
NonLeagueReview covers non-league football through ground reviews, matchday vlogs, club histories, interviews, attendance features and news from across the pyramid. Stourbridge’s history—from its 1876 origins to its celebrated FA Cup runs—offers plenty of stories for supporters of the non-league game. Follow @NonLeagueReview for coverage and share memories or historical material that can help us keep this profile accurate and useful.