This was the message last time out ahead of our trip to Canvey Island…

“We’ve got our man… That was the message that had fans talking across the club yesterday at 5:45pm. Had Sammy the Saint finally been found? No, it was a new manager!

At 6pm it was announced that Gary McCann would be the new manager of St Albans City FC. With over 18 years of managerial experience, including 13 years at Hendon, 4 years at Hampton & Richmond, and two years at Billericay Town; Gary arrives armed with the know-how to lead the team to success.”

Since then, we’ve picked up 43 points from 27 league games under Gary McCann, an average of 1.59 points per game; a return that has taken an unfortunate knock after four successive league defeats. Included in Gary's tenure so far is an impressive eight-game unbeaten league run spanning from February 7^th to March 28^th, an achievement that earned the new team Management of the Month honours in February.

Whilst performances in recent weeks have slipped, the priority now is clear: restore that winning feeling back to Clarence Park for our final home game of the season, before we wrap things up away to Carshalton Athletic.

Enjoy all the goals from last time out vs Canvey Island:

https://twitter.com/stalbanscityfc/status/2044777833365733828?s=20

Join us as we take the Clarence Park turf one final time this season:

https://stalbanscityfc.ktckts.com/event/alb2526h21/st-albans-city-v-canvey-island

FORM GUIDE

St Albans City

League Form (Oldest to most recent results): WLLLL

Results – Last three league results:

ILP – Saturday 11^th April 2026: St Albans City 0-1 Aveley

ILP – Monday 6^th April 2026: Wingate & Finchley 2-0 St Albans City

ILP – Saturday 4^th April 2026: St Albans City 1-2 Folkestone Invicta

League Position: 11^th I 40 GP I 53pts

Canvey Island

League Form (Oldest to most recent results): LDDLL

Results – Last three league results:

ILP – Saturday 11^th April 2026: Canvey Island 0-4 Dartford

ILP – Monday 6^th April 2026: Billericay Town 3-2 Canvey Island

ILP – Saturday 4^th April 2026: Canvey Island 1-1 Dulwich Hamlet

League Position: 22^nd I 40 GP I 27pts

🟡 THE VISITORS

Formed in 1926, the club sadly lost most of their early records due to the devastating East Coast floods of 1953. During their early years, The Gulls appointed former Dutch national team manager Denis Neville to take charge.

By the end of the 1980s, the club had begun to drift, and the existence of Canvey Island FC was in serious doubt. Fortunately, as Canvey Island teetered on the brink of turmoil, former player and local businessman Jeff King took over as manager while raising the funds needed to push the club forward.

The 1990s became a golden era for the hosts, marked by a meteoric rise up the football pyramid. They gained promotion to the Isthmian League in 1994 before achieving back-to-back promotions from Division Three and Division Two.

Having finally reached promotion to the Conference by winning the Ryman Premier League by a margin of nineteen points, Canvey consolidated their Conference league status with an 18^th place finish. Despite improving to 14^th the following season, attendances dropped and Jeff King made the decision to withdraw his financial and footballing interests from the club. As the side dropped into the Ryman League Division 1 North, the supporters of the club rallied together to keep the club alive.

In the 2016/17 season, Canvey were relegated due to league position for the first time in 19 years. Almost returning immediately, the club’s first season in the Bostik North ended in a 3-1 playoff final loss against Haringey Borough. The Gulls currently sit 20^th in the Isthmian Premier Division.

📊 THREE FACTS

‘The Gulls’ – Canvey Island still use the nickname ‘The Gulls’, inspired by their seaside island setting and the swarms of seagulls that famously circle over their stadium on matchdays!
Island Identity- Canvey Island are one of few English clubs based on an actual island, giving them a unique identity in English football. The side are also known for being sitting below sea level!
FA Trophy Success – Canvey Island lifted the FA Trophy in the 2000/2001 season, beating Forest Green Rovers 1-0 in front of over 10,000 people at Villa Park, with thousands more watching on TV!

🔎 ONE TO WATCH

Mike Finneran – Centre-back Mike Finneran started his career at Romford FC, making his debut for Boro in a 2-1 away victory against Maldon & Tiptree on January 13^th, 2018. He enjoyed spells at Grays Athletic, Canvey Island and Maldon & Tiptree, before returning to Grays Athletic in 2023. The 31-year-old then rejoined Canvey Island in May 2025 in a player coach role. He has played 1587 minutes since the start of the season and proudly wears the captain’s armband for the Gulls. Finneran brings experience and know-how to the heart of the visitors defence and will be eager to keep out a City attack looking to rediscover their cutting edge tomorrow.

ℹ️ MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Fixture: St Albans City vs Canvey Island

🏆 Competition: Isthmian Premier League

🏟️ Venue: Clarence Park

📆 Date: Saturday 18^th April 2026

⏰ Kick-off: 3:00pm

🍗🍺...

St Albans City FC

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