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TODAY'S OPPONENTS Nuneaton Borough FC Club History contd

Boro managed to get promoted back first time asking as the club were crowned champions of the Southern League Midland in the 1981-82. The club remained at this level until 1987 in a spell which seen the club have two high up finishes as Runners up in 1984 and 1985 The club also highlighted the clubs record goal scorer in Paul Culpin who scored 203 goals in two spells with the club

In 1987 the club were demoted from the Football Conference following Financial Irregularities. Boro dropped down to the Southern League Premier Boro’s first year back in the Southern Premier League was a disaster which resulted in the club being relegated For the next five seasons Boro remained in the Southern League Midland, constantly challenging for promotion 1991 saw the club reform once again following finance issues, the club were formed to be Nuneaton Borough AFC.

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Boro finally got promoted from the Southern League Midland in 1992-93 season as the club were crowned champions Making a return to the Southern League Premier, Boro’s first season back however resulted in relegation, but did see the club embark on a Fa Cup Run, in the First Round Proper Boro were drawn away to Division Two side Swansea City, the tie seen Boro earn a replay at Manor Park following a 1-1 draw. Boro managed to giant kill the Division Two side following a 2-1 victory following goals from Tony Simpson in front of crowd of 4,433

The next round would see Boro drawn away to Division Two side AFC Bournemouth a result which seen Boro hold the football league side to a replay, following a 1-1 draw The replay seen a crowd of 4,138 and including the camera ’ s of Sky Sports televising the game live to see Boro sadly fall to a 0-1 defeat Boro spent the next two seasons in the Southern League Midland, in the spell seen arrival of successful manager and former Boro player Brendan Phillips join the club. The 1995-1996 season Boro were crowned league champions as well Southern League Cup winners

For the next three season ’ s Boro remained in the Southern League Premier, before 1998-99 saw the club crowned as champions. Winning the league by 23 points ahead of second place Boston United. This would also be Brendan Phillips second promotion as manager of the club. During this spell the club signed striker Malcolm Christie who had his short time scored 14 goals for the Boro, it wasn’t too long before a number Premier League clubs became aware of this young talent Which would later see him being sold for £130,000 to Derby County including add on ’ s, which would be the club’s biggest sale.

In 1999 seen the Boro return to the Conference Premier following a 12 year absents Boro would remain at this level for the next four seasons 2000-01 season the club embarked on another Fa Cup run, the First Round seen Boro earn a 0-0 draw away at Division Two side Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium in front of a huge away Boro following of 4,000 fans. The replay would see Boro shock the Division Two side live on Sky Sports TV following a late goal by Marc McGregor to win the tie 1-0 Round Two would see Boro return to AFC Bournemouth, in which lead to a 0-3 defeat

2002-03 season seen Boro relegated on the final day of the season following a final day home defeat to Farnborough Town, with results else where going against Boro

2003-04 would see Boro return to the Southern League Premier for a season, however the summer of 2004 seen the merger of the Conference North and South. Which seen Boro placed in the Conference North, a league which Boro remained in for the next four seasons. Which included two play-off semi final appearances during that spell

2005-06 saw Boro on another FA Cup run reaching the Third Round, in which Boro were drawn at home to Middlesbrough. Boro earnt a replay at the Riverside Stadium following a 1-1 draw in front of 6,000 at Manor Park Boro lost the replay 2-5 in front of Boro’s record away attendance of over 25,000, with 5,000 travelling from Nuneaton

The following season saw the appointment of Kevin Wilkin who would go on to be the Boro’s longest serving manager, spending eight seasons with the club Also that season saw Boro depart Manor Park after 88 years, the club played their final home game against Vauxhall Motors in front of crowd of 2,077 Boro moved into their new home of the Liberty Way Stadium in July 2007, Boro’s first opening game was a preseason friendly in an 2-2 draw against Coventry City in front of crowd of 2,020.

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