Buxton Facts and Directions

Last updated : 27 July 2007 By Rob Miles (barnsley Boy)
Formed as an offshoot of the town's cricket club, Buxton F.C. began life in the autumn of 1877. Its first game took place on Saturday, October 27th, at The Park (still the home of the cricket club) when 14 members picked sides for a 7-a-side match. In the next few years, the club played it's home matches in fields at Cote Heath, off London Road and at Green Lane before moving to it's current ground at the Silverlands in 1884, then a field owned by Frank Drewry, the club's first captain. The first game there was a Derbyshire Cup tie on Saturday, November 1st, when "the Bucks" defeated Bakewell 2-0.
Situated 1000 feet above sea level, the Silverlands is the highest ground within the Pyramid of soccer - and substantially higher than the highest Football League ground (The Hawthorns). A grade "A" ground, the Main Stand has seats for 500 and the 2 covered terraces provide accommodation for a total of 2,000.
The club entered The Combination in 1891 and joined the Manchester League in 1899, winning the championship in 1931/32, which prompted a move to the Cheshire League for the following season (though the reserve side remained in the Manchester League and won the title in 1959/60). It took 40 years to bring the Cheshire League title to Buxton, though the club had been runners-up in 1962/63. Promotion to the NPL for the 1973/74 season was an opportunity eagerly seized and honours in this league comprise the winning of the President's Cup in 1980/81 and a League Cup final appearance at Maine Road in 1990/91.
The club's highest NPL final placing was 4th position achieved in 1980/81, though it was not until September 10th, 1991 "the Bucks" actually topped the NPL (eventually finishing 5th).
Buxton's best years in the F.A. Cup came in the two decades after World War Two. In 1951/52 the club, having defeated then Football League Club, Aldershot, 4-3, reached the third round proper only to lose 2-0 at Division 2 side Doncaster Rovers, while first round appearances followed in 1958 and 1962. However last season Buxton reached the fourth qualifying round only to meet their match at Nigel Clough's Burton Albion. The early days of the F.A. Trophy however saw the club develop a considerable reputation, reaching the quarter-finals in 1970/71 and 1971/72. A full member of the F.A. and the Derbyshire F.A., Buxton F.C. has won the Derbyshire Senior Cup 8 times, including 3 times in the 1980's.
A members' club run by an elected committee for most of its life, Buxton F.C. became a Limited Company in June 1993. The club was beset by financial problems after the establishment of the National Lottery and successive relegations in 1997 and 1998 took it to the NCEL. Manager Kenny Johnson and Ronnie Wright inspired a revival in 2002 and when Nicky Law took over from them in 2005 he was given the brief of leading the club back to UniBond status. His first success was in leading the club to NCEL Presidents Cup victory in April 2005 in a thrilling 2-legged final against Sutton Town and in 22005/06 'the Bucks' enjoyed their best season since the early 70's. The President's Cup was retained and the NCEL Premier title was won with eventual ease, beating second place Liversedge by a massive 15 points, losing just 3 league games all season and conceding just 27 goals in 38 matches. The league victory meant a return to the UniBond League that the club's followers had been crying out for since 1998 and the success was to continue with the capture of the UniBond First Division championship in 2006/07 as well as winning the UniBond President's Cup. The club's fortunes have been drastically changed in the last three seasons and the Silverlands ground has had extensive improvements through the summer of 2007 with a new boardroom, improved toilet facilities and clubhouse extension. Nicky Law departed the club at the end of 2006/07 and was replaced by the experienced John Reed who will be looking to carry on the momentum of the last few seasons.




All these directions are suitable for coaches and cars.

From Matlock/Bakewell (A6)
Start out at Bakewell, Derbys on the A6
Follow signs Buxton, Manchester A6 In 2.1 miles long ascent Descend 10% Forward and descend 10%
Junction for Poole's Cavern (edge of Buxton) B5059
At Safeway roundabout take 1st exit (left) B5059 (not shown) (signposted Poole's Cavern and Country Park)
Turn right onto High Street (London Road Lights) - A515
Turn right on Buxton Market at Joe Royle's shop.
Turn left onto Concert Place
then Hardwick Square South.
Continue forward onto Silverlands. Ground on right after 400 metres.

From Leek/Macclesfield
Enter Buxton on the A53
Junction with B5059 (edge of Buxton). At traffic signals forward (signposted Town Centre)
At roundabout take the 2nd exit onto The Quadrant - A515
Proceed through lights and head towards Buxton market.
Turn left on Buxton Market at Joe Royle's shop.
Turn left onto Concert Place then Hardwick Square South.
Continue forward onto Silverlands. Ground on right after 400 metres.

From Manchester (A6)
Drop down hill into Buxton on the A6
Junction with A53 (Buxton) At mini-roundabout turn left (signposted Matlock) A6
At Safeway roundabout take 2nd exit (right) B5059 (not shown) (signposted Poole's Cavern and Country Park)
Turn right onto High Street (London Road Lights) - A515
Turn right on Buxton Market at Joe Royle's shop.
Turn left onto Concert Place
then Hardwick Square South.
Continue forward onto Silverlands. Ground on right after 400 metres.


Courtesy of http://www.buxtonfc.co.uk/