Peterborough United are one of the Football League sides we first dealt with off the pitch, before going into battle on it. That almost makes it sound like a bad thing – but it’s not. The thing is that Posh were the team who gave us megabucks for wing wizard George Boyd back in early 2007. It wouldn’t be until more than four years later when we first played in a competitive match; a 4-3 thriller in August 2011 that saw them dump us out of the League Cup. We then went onto trade blows during the 2013-4 League One campaign too.
The thing with Posh is that they’ve always been top end of League One or bottom end of the Championship while we’ve been around. So, it’s really hard to grab five minutes with them. It’s been a while since they graced the fourth tier – and it’s certainly been a while since we’ve been in the third. There was always the FA Cup Round One draw in late 2019 that brought us back together for a long-awaited reunion. But it’s not the same, y’know. And nor is the 2022-3 Papa John’s Trophy. The 2023-4 League One season? Oh, yes…
Unlike a lot of their Football League contemporaries, Peterborough United aren’t the oldest kids on the block. In fact, their tale starts as recently as 1934; stepping into the void after Peterborough & Fletton United folded in 1932. From the outset, the Midland League were happy to have them. But, so the story goes, they didn’t initially have the money to pay their way. So, Grantham Town stepped in to loan them what was needed to get up and running.
It was after World War Two that Posh started to flex their muscles as members of the Midland League. Between 1956 and 1960, the club won five straight league titles. That’s enough to get anyone taking notice. And it duly did; election to the Football League welcomed them in. That wasn’t even the end of the success either. At their first attempt, they won the Division Four title and stormed straight up into Division Three. The 1960s remained a purple patch for them; reaching the League Cup semis in 1966. But disaster struck two years later.
Illegal payments were being made, allegedly, and the Football League didn’t like this. So, despite finishing ninth in the third tier, they were shunted to the bottom and sent packing to Division Four. It wouldn’t be long until redemption was had. The 1972-3 season saw them claim another Division Four title and the promotion that came with it. Five seasons later, they came so close to a first appearance in the second tier too. Goal average wasn’t on their side, however, and Preston North End went up instead.
In 1991, Posh did make it into the second tier courtesy of a playoff victory over Stockport County. Sometimes, a peek at the Football League landscape back then would make your eyes water with the sheer displacement – compared to where some teams are now. They lasted two campaigns before returning to the third tier in 1994. Three years later, a poor campaign saw them back in Division Four. Say what you want about Posh, but this is a club with a huge range in Football League terms. That much continues even now.
Why do we know Posh?
Initially, we knew Posh purely from their decision to part with a lot of cash for Boydie. Even after we were promoted to the Football League ourselves, they had a knack of keeping themselves apart from us too. So, it was that League Cup draw in 2011-2 that brought us together on the same pitch for the first time in a meaningful way. At this point in time, Posh were back in the second tier. But relegation in 2013 sucked them back down into League One at a time when we were about the place. It’d be the one (and only) time (so far) that we’ve been on a pitch as equals.
How to get to Peterborough United – Travel Information – Distance: 54 miles
By Road
Stevenage to Peterborough by car is dead simple. Heading north on the A1(M), leave at Junction 17 for Fletton Parkway (A1139) towards Wisbech. After 2.7 miles, get onto the A1260 ramp (signposted for A15/City Centre/Yaxley/Sleaford). Then, take the first exit at the roundabout for Nene Parkway (A1260).
Take the exit for Orton Malborne and then take the third exit at the roundabout for Morley Way. Continue over the next roundabout you get to; taking the first exit at the roundabout after about a mile for Celta Road. Shortly after, bear left for London Road (A15) and keep on your way. London Road stadium is in front of you, just after the railway bridge.
No parking is available on the day. But you can park in the Pleasure Fair Meadow and Railworld car parks that are opposite the ground. For more details about the car parks available in Peterborough, take a look at the local council website.
By Rail
Station: PETERBOROUGH
Services to: STEVENAGE, LONDON KINGS CROSS
It takes around 20-30 minutes to walk from Peterborough station. Leave from the main entrance and head towards the A15. Turn right and go across the large roundabout in front of you so that you remain on the A15. Before you get to the next roundabout, turn right towards Bridge Street and the River Nene. Cut through and rejoin the A15 to cross the river; this becomes London Road and the ground will be ahead of you.
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