What do you do when your town has two teams who play at the same ground and between them, have just 23 points in the middle of February?
Well, that’s the current state of affairs in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. Their two sides are in disarray on the pitch, but off it, things are beginning to look more promising.
Founded in 1883, Dunstable Town have enjoyed a long, turbulent history in the non-league pyramid. Their most notable spell came in the early 1970s when manager Barry Fry, backed by controversial chairman Keith Cheeseman, brought big names to the club.
Most famously, Northern Ireland legend George Best pulled on the Town shirt in two friendlies, while West Bromwich Albion great Jeff Astle stayed for the season, scoring 34 goals as the Blues won promotion.
Financial overreach led to collapse and rebirth in the late 1970s, and since then Town have bounced between Steps 3 and 5. Recent years have been particularly tough, with consecutive relegations in 2017/18 and 2018/19.
Now back at Step 5 in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division, Town once again find themselves bottom, with just two wins all season and relegation looming.
Founded in 1981 as Old Dunstablians, AFC Dunstable spent much of their early existence in relative obscurity. That changed in the early 2010s as the club climbed the pyramid and made a statement alongside their more historic neighbours.
Promotion to the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division came in 2010/11, followed by a title win five years later and a place at Step 4. Cup success followed too, including Beds Senior Cup wins—one against Dunstable Town themselves at Kenilworth Road.
Despite regular play-off appearances, AFC never quite made the final leap, and this season has seen a dramatic collapse. Rock bottom of their division, with just two league wins, AFC last picked up points in October and have since lost 15 straight games. Fielding a largely Under-18 side, results have been hard to come by despite the commitment of those involved.
In January, both clubs confirmed they are in positive discussions regarding a potential merger at the end of the season. The aim is clear: pool resources, unify support, and give football in the town a single direction.
Both sides already share Creasey Park, a council-owned facility that offers solid infrastructure but limited matchday revenue. Attendances remain respectable—around 120 for AFC and 150 for Town—showing strong loyalty despite on-field struggles.
A merger would not solve every problem overnight, but it could offer the best chance to galvanise the community, strengthen pathways from youth to first team, and rebuild pride in Dunstable football.
For a town divided between two struggling sides, unity may finally be the way forward.
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