The village of Langford isn’t even 20 minutes up the A1. But, in footballing terms, the gap between us is much bigger. And it’s been like that since we joined the Isthmian League in 1984. Over the years, Boro’ turned that gap into a chasm – and then again into a canyon. If James Bond taught us one thing, however, it’s that you should never say never (again). And that applies here; the unlikely coming together of us and them on a football pitch. Our one and – to date – only encounter with Langford saw us pick up some silverware in the form of the Southern Combinations Cup.
Langford: The Facts
Forde Park
Langford Road, Henlow, Bedfordshire, SG16 6AF
At the start of the 20th century, the village itself was home to around 1,200 residents. It’s more than double that now – but that growth only really happened in the last 50 years or so. Even so, there were clearly enough people about the place in 1908 to decide that an actual football club was required. So, there we are. Langford Football Club came into the world; competing in local, district, and county competitions to start with.
In 1951, however, the Reds joined the South Midlands League. Little did they know back then, but this was the start of a relationship that endures to this day. OK, so they decided to quit in 1957. Big deal. They came running back in 1958. The lure was real. And they’ve continued on that path ever since. And all they really have to show for it is one single title; the 1988-9 championship brought home to Forde Park for the first time.
Why do we know the Reds?
Today, the South Midlands League feeds into the Southern and Isthmian Leagues. But it’s not a path the Reds have taken. They stayed put. And it’s fair to say their title defence was a shambles; finishing 16th out of 19 teams the following year. So, any possible meeting in the league between us and them was now out of the question.
On top of that, the Reds’ records in cup competitions wasn’t great. And, by this, we mean the FA Cup and FA Vase. They didn’t take part in the FA Cup until 1989, and their rubbish form means it’d have taken a pure fluke to be drawn against them. Being from Beds, they aren’t County Cup candidates for us either.
But there’s one competition now long since forgotten that we haven’t mentioned. The all-signing, all-dancing Southern Combinations Cup. And that’s what brought us together.
This is one of the shortest trips you’ll be asked to take. Travel north on the A1(M) and A1 up towards Biggleswade. Before you get to the ‘Wade, however, leave the A1 at the exit for Langford and Hinxworth. Continue onto Edworth and then Cambridge Road over the railway, before taking the first exit at the roundabout for the B659.
Follow the road around and the ground is on the right.
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