Club Histories

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AFC Bentley Club History

AFC Bentley is a relatively new club formed from the Players, Committee and Supporters of Brodsworth Welfare AFC. We were evicted from Brodsworth Welfare football ground at the turn of 2016. Despite protestations from local councillors, local people and an intervention from CMFL Chairman Eddie Pearce, the welfare trustees were adamant they wanted us off and no mediation was going to prevent that. Sadly, but fortunate for us, Bentley Colliery were having difficulties at The Avenue. We were welcomed straight away by the Bentley trustees, so much so that we finished 2015/16 season at The Avenue. AFC Bentley is a community club, that encompasses the old Broddy set up, some of the old Bentley Colliery committee and a whole new junior section. AFC Bentley has grown and this season we will be running 16 teams at all levels, from U7s to Over 35s. The 1st team management consists of Manager – Kenny Taylor , Assistant – Dave Vann and Coach Ian Dowe. They will be continuing our philosophy of past seasons, bringing through our own home grown players. Many of whom leave us for higher level football but the strategy tends to serve the club well. This year we have another new crop coming through. We managed our best finish last year of 3rd place in CMFL North which was a good season for the club. With the backing of sports brand X Blades and other local business, we are set fair to give Bentley an excellent community club. Over the last 12 months the committee have worked hard to secure funding for much needed new changing facilities at The Avenue. Building work starts just before the beginning of the 2017/18 season. With completion expected around October. The next addition will be floodlights.

Aslockton & Orston FC – Club History

Aslockton & Orston Football Club was formed in 2000 with the old name of Aslockton Cranmers FC. The initial team was created out of the primary school in the village for players at Under 8, who entered the Young Elizabethan League. This team went on to be very successful over the year and the club was built around it. New youth teams were set up and the club went from strength to strength. Since the beginning the club has had various adult teams, of both Saturday and Sunday football, but unfortunately none of them lasted. However, prior to the 2016/17 season, chairman of 10 years, Martin Hallam, formed the new senior side which plays in the Central Midlands League. Martin joined the club in 2001 as a team manager and secretary. His eldest, James, joined the club at the same time as an U10 player and now captain’s the First Team, as well as taking on the roles of club treasurer and managing fundraising and projects.

Several players returned to the club who had played in the past as a youth player, including his two sons. The side played in the Notts Senior League Division 2 for the 2016/17 season, finishing fourth. This was an excellent achievement for a very young side in their first season together, especially with many players in their first year of senior football. The team had an excellent season in the cup also, as they went on to win the Nottinghamshire FA Saturday Minor Cup. The squad that year contained 17 players who had previously played for the club at a youth level. That shows the attraction of the club, and the gaffer.

Before the 2017/18 season the club changed its name to Aslockton & Orston FC. This was due to the huge amount of support received from the village of Orston and because the home ground is in Orston also. The club has had an ongoing project for several years to build a new pavilion which could be a community facility for many uses. Thanks to funding and support received the club has finally been able to complete the project and the new pavilion can now be used. This will benefit the club greatly in both the senior and junior sections, as well as the local community who are able to use the facility.

The club was accepted in to the Central Midlands South Division for the 2017/18 season, which is a huge achievement and certainly deserved thanks to the work of those involved in the club over the years.

Folk House Old Boys Football Club was formed in 1926 giving local miners a football club to play organized and competitive matches against other local football teams. In 1982 they changed their name to Blidworth Welfare Football Club and in 1982 they became founder members of the newly formed Northern Counties East League. Blidworth joined Division One South of this league when it was reorganised for the 1984-85 season In 1986 Blidworth joined the Central Midlands League and started life in the Premier Division eventually winning promotion to the Supreme Division in 1990.

AFC Brodsworth Welfare

Although the club gives it’s official formation date as 1912, Brodsworth Main Colliery (as
they were first known) were actually founded two years earlier, entering the Sheffield
Association League for their inaugural campaign in 1910/11. They joined the Yorkshire
League in 1921 and won the title in 1924/25, but left the league in 1935.
After World War 2 the club returned to the league for a third spell. In 1950/51 they were
relegated to Division Two after finishing second from bottom of Division One. They
withdrew from the league at the end of the 1956/57 season. Two years later they were
renamed Brodsworth Miners Welfare.
In their first season under the new name the club finished fourth in Division Two and were promoted to Division One, but were relegated back again after just a single season. After finishing bottom of Division Two in 1972 the club was relegated to Division Three, where they remained until withdrawing in 1976.
Welfare played in the Doncaster Senior League throughout the 1980’s and won the league title in 1985. In 1988 they joined the Northern Counties East League (NCEL), entering Division Two. They were promoted to Division One when the league restructured in 1991 (despite finishing second bottom od Division Two) and floundered at the foot of the NCEL for several years, until winning promotion to the Premier League in 1999. In 2006 they were renamed Brodsworth Welfare, and despite finishing bottom again in 2007/07 they again avoided being demoted. They were finally relegated at the end of the 2009/10 season after again finishing bottom, and they resigned from the NCEL in the summer of 2011 after finishing bottom of Division One.
They played in the Doncaster & District Senior League for a year before joining the Central Midlands League North Division in 2012, but they re-joined the Doncaster competition in 2016 were they finished Runners-up in Division One and winning the Division One League Cup. And so this season 2017/18 sees them have teams in both the Central Midlands League and the Doncaster Rovers Senior League.
Best FA Cup performance came in the 1926/27 season seeing them reach the 4 th qualifying round and in the FA Vase twice reaching the 2 nd Round 1997/98 and 2008/09.

Most notable players who have turned out for Brodsworth are David Speedie formerly of
Chelsea, Liverpool and Scotland (10 Caps) and Danny Schofield, Huddersfield Town, Yeovil, Millwall and Rotherham.

Honours
Yorkshire League Champions 1924-25
Yorkshire League Division Two promoted 1963-64
Northern Counties East League Division One promoted 1998-99
Doncaster and District Senior League Division One Champions 1983-84
Doncaster and District Senior League Division One league Cup Winners 2016-17
Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup Runners-up 2008-09.

AFC KILBURN

TBC

APPLEBY FRODINGHAM

After the second-world war App Frod were one of the founder members of the Lincolnshire League. Then in the mid seventies they played in the Midland League before moving into the N.C.E.L. In 1986, the year of the steel strike, the management and team moved mid season to Winterton Rangers. Frod reformed, and after three years in local football they returned to play in the Lincolnshire League in 1990. The early and mid nineties was Frod’s most successful period winning the League, County and Challenge Cups. In 1998 with chairman Ron Bailey at the helm, a five-year plan to install floodlights and enter a team in the Northern Under 19 Alliance League was set up.

After 13 years in the Lincolnshire League we joined the Central Midlands Premier Division in season 2003/04. The management team of Mark Jenkinson and John Simpson guided the team to 4th place in the league after an excellent unbeaten mid season run of 14 games. At the end of the season Frod were promoted into the C.M.F.L. Supreme League. In the first two seasons we finished in the top half of the Supreme League and also reached the semi-finals of the Floodlit and Challenge Cup only to be beaten by Barton Town.

In 2005/06 we were nominated for the FA Charter Standard Community Club National Award. Regretfully, we were not among the regional winners, however App Frod were the Lincolnshire F.A. winners at County level and then again in 2007/08.

Season 2008/09 marked a new chapter in Frod’s history when in March 08 a letter from the secretary of the N.C.E.L. was received asking if we would be interested in joining their league which we gratefully accepted and played in that league for the next few years.

2013-14 we finished bottom of the NCEL Division1 and were relegated. Our committee agreed that the Central Midlands League was the one for us so we applied and were accepted.

2014-15 was a decent year for the 1st team who were managed by Mark Crowston and Martin Blades. The team finished in 7th position in the CMFL North Division which had 18 teams in the league.

2016-2017 saw us losing manager Carl Boyer, so one of our players, Joe Moloney took over with some good results. We ended the season in 8th position.

Past Honours

Midland League Cup Winners

Lincolnshire League Champions 62/62 76/77 77/78 93/94

Lincs. Challenge Cup Winners 62/63 75/76 76/77 77/78 92/93

Lincolnshire Supplementary Cup Winners 75/76

County Senior “B” Cup Winners 62/3 75/76 76/77 77/78 92/93

Ashby Benevolent Cup Winners 2004

CMFL Most sporting team 2004/05

ASKERN FC

The first Team were formed in 1924 under the name ‘ Askern Welfare ‘, and the Reserve Team in 1954.

The first Team played in the ‘ Doncaster Red Triangle League ‘ before the Second World War and then in the Doncaster Senior League in which they finished runners up in the Premier Division in season 1991/92. And joined the Central Midlands League in 1992.

Askern also won the Doncaster & District Challenge Cup on more than 10 times, winning it Three Years on the trot in 2005/06, 2006/07, 2007/08 seasons. Also won the ‘Goole & Thorne Cup on several occasions.

The club spent 16 years in the Central Midlands League in the Premier Division, in 2004/5 season relegated from the then Supreme League. Under new Manager in 2005/6 and changed the fortunes of the club, gaining promotion back to the Supreme Division in his first season. The following season finished 4^th in Supreme Division.

In 2007/08 saw Askern become champions of Central Midlands Supreme Division and gained promotion to ‘ Northern Counties East League. In first season 2008/09 in N.C.E.L. Askern Welfare changed its name to Askern Villa and came close to gaining promotion to N.C.E.L. Premier Division pushing Scarborough Athletic all the way, only to fall away in our last 6 games to finish Third being pipped by Rainworth M.W.

In 2010 had a high profile pre-season friendly losing 2-0 to Doncaster Rovers 1^st Team resulting in a record attendance of 865 paying on the gate, even though it clashed with ‘World Cup’ semi-final between (Germany v Spain ). Also, made club History by entering FA. Cup. For first time, and reached the FA. Vase 3^rd round proper, but had struggled in the League.

Paul Curtis came back as Manager to pick up the pieces after the old manager & team walked out. Changed Club name to Askern F.C.

Looking to push for promotion back into Northern Counties East League.

ASLOCKTON & ORSTON FC CLUB HISTORY

Blidworth Welfare Club History

Folk House Old Boys Football Club was formed in 1926 giving local miners & residents a football club to play organized and competitive matches against other local football teams. In 1982 they changed their name to Blidworth Welfare Football Club and for the season 1982-83 they became one of the founder members of the newly formed Northern Counties East League, a competition founded from the merging of the old Midland Counties League and the Yorkshire League. Blidworth joined Division One South of this league when it was reorganised for the 1984-85 season and twelve months later when there was a further reorganisation they became members of the new Division Three. In season 1986-87 Blidworth left to join the Central Midlands League and started life in the Premier Division eventually winning promotion to the Supreme Division in 1990.

In 1994 Blidworth were promoted back to the Northern Counties East League for season 1994-95 competing in Division One but were relegated back to the Central Midlands Supreme Division after finishing bottom of the table at the end of season 1997-98. In 1998-1999 under the guidance of John Slater Blidworth were relegated back to the lowest point of the football pyramid the Central Midlands Premier Division, Slater resigned and Blidworth were close to folding but happily the club was rescued at the last minute by Steve Spencer who after spending time maintaining the ground decided to become the new first team manager.

Although Blidworth had their worst ever season finishing bottom of the league without a single win the club was invited by the Football Association to attend the Lilleshall Centre of Excellence for a tour of the facilities and an afternoon of training with England coaches. The fact that the club is still alive today is solely down to Steve. The club had the facilities to play at a much higher level but were struggling to build a team capable of achieving the success it craved so in 2001 Rudy Funk a vibrant and influential local manager was appointed as the new first team manager by incoming new Chairman Alan Whitworth and the pair started the huge task of trying to turn the club around on and off the pitch.

Two Seasons of relative success and rebuilding followed but after Funks departure in 2003 Blidworth struggled in the league & cup competitions for a number of years under different management teams until in 2007 when under the management of Dave Hughes the club won the Nottinghamshire Intermediate Cup beating Bulwell FC 2-0 at Hucknall Town’s Watnall Road Ground on a warm & sticky night in April. In 2007 the Central Midlands league was reshuffled which saw Blidworth move to the Supreme Division and again under the management of Dave Hughes the club reached the final of the Quartet Catering League Cup where they were unfortunate to lose 1-0 in extra time to Dunkirk. This defeat had followed an extraordinary cup run where Blidworth beat holders of the cup Heanor Town, league leaders and champions elect Askern Welfare, plus Holbrook Miners Welfare in the semi final.

After 2 fantastic seasons at the helm Dave Hughes reluctantly resigned as manager of the first team before the start of the 2008-09 season after his brother Rob was attacked whilst on holiday in Crete, the Manager felt he could not continue whilst his brother was in a serious medical condition in hospital. This resulted in Chairman Alan Whitworth appointing the management duo of Kevin Chappell & Keith Easom assisted by ex Blidworth player Simon Ward. The pair had previously worked together at Shirebrook Town looking after the Reserve & A sides. Easom had been a player at Shirebrook Town whilst Chappell had experienced football management at Worksop Town, Matlock Town, Matlock United and had been assistant to Rudy Funk during his days in charge at Blidworth. The club appointed Graeme Rodger & Chris Bullock to manage the reserve side that played in the Supreme Reserves Division of the Central Midlands League.

The first team had to manage without Kev Chappell during the second part of the season as ill health forced him to leave his role at the club so Easom ran the first team virtually on his own till the end of the season and managed to keep Blidworth in the Supreme Division finishing in a very respectable 14th position with the reserves finishing in 10th. The start of season 2009-10 saw Keith Easom promote Chris Bullock to join him as assistant manager with Graeme Rodger left to run the reserves alone. Stan Matthews a qualified Level 2 coach was appointed as the under 19’s manager assisted by Chris Bullock.The season also saw the removal of the old wooden tea bar at the ground that had been in place since the club began, the management team purchased a redundant portable cabin which they developed into a more useable hospitality area.

In January 2010 the clubs old wooden changing rooms which had not been used for a number of months for health & safety reasons were demolished and the football club moved into the cricket pavilion until their own facilities were rebuilt. Plans & funding applications were well underway for a brand new football changing facility overseen by vice chairlady Helen Wilford which were hoped to be in place for the season after. Blidworth finished in 17th place at the end of season which was a respectable position considering the lack playing staff the manager had at his disposal but after this Keith Easom, Chris Bullock and Stan Matthews resigned from their positions at the club and it was then decided not to run an under 19 side for season 2010-11. Graeme Rodger had resigned from running the reserves in Feb 2010 so players Dave Voller & Jez Wright supported by former referee Darren Wragg stepped up to run the reserve side for the remainder of the season but despite a great effort they finished bottom of the Supreme Reserve Division.

Former Southwell City and Kirkby Town Manager Brett Marshall was appointed Blidworth First Team Manager for season 2010-11 assisted by Steve Roebuck. Marshall has had a successful playing career at clubs such as Retford United and can count Blidworth as one of his old teams. Ambitious to progress with a good knowledge of the game with the ability & reputation to attract the right players Blidworth were hoping Marshall’s appointment would see them challenging for promotion at the end of the season. Former player Liam Best assisted by Darren Wragg were appointed by Marshall to run the reserve team. Best left the club after a few months due to work commitments so reserves captain Dave Voller stepped up to help Wragg till the end of the season which was a great success with the reserves finishing a credible 4th in the league whilst Marshall led the first team into runners up spot but only after a final day defeat to eventual champions Sheffield Parramore denied Blidworth the title.

In July 2011 after Marshall’s departure to Retford United and also the sudden departure of Chairman Alan Whitworth after 12 years at the club saw Scott Ward and Dave Voller, local & loyal servants to the club taking over the running the club and first team, working alongside Mick Gould as assistant manager the trio worked hard to rebuild the club from scratch bringing in a whole new squad & backroom staff. Despite great efforts the team finished the season in 12th place in the CML South division after the league split to North & South. The reserve team was scrapped for the season due to lack of funds but on a brighter note the club saw the return of an under 19 squad led by Martin Bower. Bower assisted by Kevin Heathcote brought a fine squad of players to the club and finished the season in 6th place along with a late quarter final defeat in the under 19’s shield.

On October 7th 2012 the changing facilities at the new look Welfare Ground opened for use after local resident Don French took over the stalling project from Helen Wilford in September 2011 and within 10 months dug the first spade on site, a fantastic achievement for the club after nearly 3 seasons sharing the cricket pavilion. Gary Shelton joined the club as the new chairman with Dave Voller, Mick Gould and Mike Wain left to run the first team. Voller and Gould stepped down from their roles as the season began so Mike Wain brought in Richard Preston and Lee Cook to steady the ship. Wain & Preston left the club in November after a terrible start to the season leaving Cook along with goalkeeper Gareth Briggs and player Scott McMillan the tough task of reviving the clubs fortunes on the pitch but unfortunately could not gain enough points to lift the club off the bottom of the table. Martin Bower & Kevin Heathcote ran the reinstated reserve team after impressing at under 19 level and finished the season in 3rd position.

Season 2013/14 saw Martin Bower & Kevin Heathcote promoted to run the first team after Cook, Briggs & McMillan left the club at the end of the season for Pinxton FC. The pair introduced local youth to the team but struggled to compete in a competitive league finishing 3rd from bottom. Scott Ward left the club in November 2013 for a role at Heanor Town but Paul Holmes, Andy North & Andy Ellis joined the club to run an under 19 squad and the reserve team, both sides produced some great results with a youth team squad fresh from winning the Mansfield Chad Under 16 league the year before. The under 19 squad finished 2nd behind Mansfield Town in a strong league and 5th place in the reserve premier division was a fantastic achievement using under the age of 18 players.

The season after saw big changes at the club, Bower & Heathcote moved to Pinxton FC and Holmes left football altogether so Rainworth MW reserve team manager Ady Smith bought his championship winning reserve squad to the Welfare Ground for the new season. Smith bought with him Ian Cotton from Sherwood Colliery to run the reserve team and the pair set about reviving the clubs fortunes on the pitch. The season went well with first team finishing in an improved 7th place in the league after Smith left for Shirebrook Town midway through the season with Rob Camm & Danny Bacon taking over. The real stars though were Cotton’s reserve team which won the Reserve Premier Division title and the Reserve League Cup but lost in extra time to Thoresby CW reserves in the President’s Cup final after extra time to deny them the treble, however Thoresby were found to have played ineligible players in the game so the title was handed to Blidworth by the league committee. Chairman Gary Shelton left the club on the last day of the season to pursue other interests.

The season 2015/16 saw Ian Cotton’s treble winning reserve squad make the step up to challenge for honours in the CML South Division, Cotton bought in Ian Birtley to assist him and Jason Lilliman to run the reserve side, Rachael Swinney also joined the club as secretary replacing Pete Dean. Cotton’s squad adapted well finishing 6th in the league and narrowly missed out on victory in the league cup with a late 2-1 defeat to Hucknall Rolls Leisure in the final. However the highlight of the season was the fantastic run in the FA vase where Cotton’s squad beat higher league opposition twice before being made to replay St Andrews on a technicality and losing in extra time. The reserve team though struggled in the league finishing in 11th place with a very young squad before disbanding at the end of the season.

Season 2016/17 started where Blidworth left off the season before with Ian Cotton and Ian Birtley in charge of the first team, Scott Ward returned to the club to help out in the backroom and Dave Voller rejoined as chairman to guide the club forward. The campaign started slowly but began to gain momentum with key players returning from injury and suspension along with the return of ex manager Michael Wain as coach. Again Blidworth fared well in the FA Vase beating higher league opponents Teversal, Shirebrook Town and Heanor Town before losing to a late goal from AFC Mansfield in the second round of the competition in front of an impressive 146 spectators at the Welfare Ground. Cotton, Wain and Birtley all left the club in February 2017 to save Cotton’s home town club Clipstone from folding so Goalkeeper Steve Smith stepped up and took over the manager’s role guiding the club to a 12 place finish.

In the summer of 2017 Scott Ward and Chris Wain again started to rebuild the club from the bottom, with stability a big factor in their decision the pair appointed Lewis Saxby as first team manager after Steve Smith had stepped down from temporary charge after the last game of the season at Southwell City, Saxby brought in Dan Machin and Dan Hatfield as his assistants along with Keiran Booker as Media Manager to help promote the club. Saxby brought in a whole new squad of players to start the 2017/18 season in the CML South but promised to use the clubs youth system to blood local talent in men’s football so asked Blidworth Welfare Junior chairman Martin Weedop to join his coaching staff. Again the club will compete in the FA vase, the Floodlit Cup and the Nottinghamshire Senior Cup.

CLAY CROSS TOWN

The club made the decision to change its name from Parkhouse FC in April 2012 in an attempt to secure a better geographic identity than it had failed to achieve over the previous twenty-three years under the former name.

The name was taken from the Clay Cross Town team that had originally formed in 1909 after the amalgamation of the Clay Cross Works FC and Clay Cross Zingari FC. In their first season they won the Derbyshire Senior Challenge Cup being the first team from the town to do so.

The club folded though in 1911 with debts owing to the princely sum of £12. The club re-emerged again in 1919 and played their football in the Derbyshire Senior League. They enjoyed a period of success for the next five-years before once again closing the doors as the premier team of the town in 1924.

Eighty-Eight years later we chose to take the club, for the first time into the twenty-first century and so once again Clay Cross could officially boast a ‘Town’ club.

There has been no change to the members of the club or any of the management team so we will offer the same level of hospitality that previous visitors have enjoyed at Mill Lane and welcome everyone to our friendly club. The four links of the chain on our new club badge are there to depict the four trustees that were so important to the purchase of the Mill Lane ground in 1993 and the development of the Parkhouse club in its formative years.

The management team of Ant Lynam and Andy Thornton will once again be at the helm and hoping to emulate the runners-up position in the North Division last season.

After many years in the waiting we can now boast our fourth season with floodlights on our ground and the acquisition of the same was by funding only from ourselves and no grants from the FA or county association. We will therefore again be able to compete in the Floodlight Trophy this term after losing out in the final for two of the last three seasons.

Collingham FC Club History

Collingham Football Club was established in 1887 and currently has 26 teams and approximately 400 playing and social members from age 4 upwards. Throughout its history Collingham FC has predominantly been involved with youth and Sunday football.

In 1994, a Senior Saturday team was created which joined the Central Midlands League Premier Division. Having finished 14th in their 1st season promotion to the Supreme Division was clinched the following season by finishing 4th. The following 5 seasons were played out in the Supreme division with a best placed finish of 5th in the 2000/01 season which also included an appearance in the league cup final in which a goal in stoppage time gave Shirebrook Town the trophy in a 1-0 win.

The 2001/02 season saw entry into the FA Vase for the 1st time in the clubs history. The 2nd Qualifying round match vs Meir KA was played at Station Road on 22nd September 2001, resulting in a 2-1 win for Collingham. Boston Town were the opposition in the 1st round proper on Saturday 20th October, but the cup run come to an end after a 3-2 defeat.

At the end of the 2001/02 season, the team from Collingham was disbanded and it was not until the 2015/16 season that the team returned to the Abacus Lighting Central Midlands Football League South Division and with a talented young squad many of whom had not played adult football previously.

After winning only 1 of their first 9 games in the league they improved throughout the season and eventually managed a very respectable 13th place winning 13 of their 34 games in the league.

In the 2016/17 season Collingham was moved into the North Division of the Central Midlands League and after a slow start to the season a run of just 1 defeat in the final 15 games of the season meant that we finished a highly respectable 4th place.

CROMFORD FC

TBC

DINNINGTON TOWN FC

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Dronfield Town FC Club History

Although football has been played in Dronfield since the 1860s, the history of the current Dronfield Town FC can be traced back to 1973, when Brian Gould was asked to put a side together to take to Sindelfingen (Dronfield’s twin town in Germany). The following season Brian entered a team called Dronfield Town in Sheffield Sunday League made up mainly of the lads that went to Sindelfingen, some of whom went on to play for Dronfield Town for many years. Sadly through lack of interest the team folded at the end of that season.

In 1998 Dronfield Sports JFC moved from the Masons Arms to the Pioneer Club and changed its name to Dronfield Town. At that time there were seven under 16’s football teams. The club now boasts eighteen junior boys sides ranging from Under 7’s to Under 18’s, playing in three different leagues, Sheffield & District Junior Sunday League, Rowsley Youth League and the Sheffield & District DB Sports Under 18 League.

The adult football section reappeared when dads who used to play football together started to bring their kids to play for the junior football teams, decided to reform and have an Indian summer plying their skills in the Hope Valley League. Initially they were called Dronfield Cavaliers but when their bodies shouted enough is enough they added some young blood and changed their name to Dronfield Town in season 2000/1.

In 2001/2 Les Millington took his successful under 18s team into the Hope Valley League. Success came immediately and between 2001-05 the First Team had a very successful time, in four seasons they won all 3 Hope Valley Divisions, as well as the Chatsworth Cup, Cliff Ellis Trophy, Roden Cup, Lawrence Cup, Dore Shield and also the prestigious Derbyshire Divisional Cup.

The First Team has since moved on through the Midlands Regional Alliance to the Central Midlands League and in the 2013/14 season were successfully promoted to the Northern Counties East League, the highest any Dronfield team has ever reached.

Dronfield Town FC however has kept to its roots, in terms of adult football, and has always tried to keep two teams in the Hope Valley League. A second team, now known as the Reserves, followed in the footsteps of the 1st Team and successfully competed in the Hope Valley League before moving on up the leagues to now play in the Central Midlands League. Whilst today, in addition to the 1st Team and Reserves, the club has an A team that compete in the Hope Valley League.

In the summer of 2004 the club broadened its community appeal by forming four junior girls teams. One Under 10’s, two Under 12’s and an Under 14’s team which competed in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Girls County League. This section of the club has grown steadily over the years and now has eleven junior girls teams, containing over 150 girls, playing the game in teams from U9’s to U18’s.

In 2009/10, from the then Under 18’s Girls team, Dronfield Town FC Women was formed and is now competing in the Sheffield & Hallamshire League. This team has the distinction of being the first Dronfield Town team to compete in a national competition when in the 2011/12 season they played in the Women’s FA Cup.

The club also has a Sunday league team which plays in the Chesterfield & District Sunday League. And the old timers were not to be out done by the young upstarts, and in 2003 Dronfield Town over 35s team took to the field for the first time in The Wragg League and still continues, in addition to an over 45s team.

The 2017/18 season sees the introduction of U19s team to bridge the gap from junior to senior football the team will play at the H.E. Barnes Stadium on a Wednesday evening.

EASTWOOD COMMUNITY FC

As Eastwood Community Football Club enters it’s fourth year as a club, it’s quite incredible to see the progress that has been made in that time.

The club has recently been transformed into a new “state of the art” 3G Stadia, at the newly named PlaySoccer USA 3G Arena. This will allow us to develop our players and teams at grassroots through to the first team and beyond. It will allow all our training sessions and games to be played, as we will not be relying on a grass surface to be maintained as we progress through the season.

The 2014/15 and 2015/16 saw us finish in the middle of the table, however moving forward to this season we have a strong management structure in place, along with several younger age groups that are eager to progress into the first and reserves teams.

We have started the season well with a full, ambitious pre-season programme, and we have seen some impressive results and more importantly, some superb signings. We remain excited about the club’s prospects this season and hope to go a step further than the frustrating second place spot that we achieved last year

In addition to the main first team, we have the reserves, and several younger teams whose players aspire to be in the first team. We have a U21, U19 and two U18’s teams that are ready to support Dave/Toddy and Boz/Charlie as required.

Off the pitch, the club has a thriving club house with two superb function rooms that are at the heart of the community.

“We’re a club like any other that want to progress through the leagues, but we also pride ourselves on our rapidly growing and expanding football development plan where we aim to bring the community together at all ages and abilities. We hope that you will join us in our exciting football adventure” Jamie Bennett – Chairman

Harworth Colliery FC

Harworth Colliery FC are based just to the south of the Nottinghamshire/Yorkshire border in the village of Bircotes & Harworth. It was decided that we shorten our name from Harworth Colliery Institute in 2011, but it’s not uncommon for the club to still get called that given as this was the clubs original name when it was formed in 1931. Harworth Colliery have a first team who play in the CMFL North, a reserve side who play in the CMFL Reserves Premier Division and an Under 19’s that will play in the North Midlands Development League returning after two years when the club made the tough decision to resign out of the league but we have seen a decline in good young players coming through during this period so the club made it its priority to ensure that the under 19’s returned and are delighted that it will be run by two of its own players in Mark Latham and Steven Wibberley, the club also has three Junior sides and a Sunday Side MUSC. The football club was formed in 1931, playing initially in the local leagues. We then joined the Yorkshire League in the 1946/47 season, but stayed there for only four seasons, before moving to the Doncaster Senior League where we played for many years. We then joined the Sheffield County Senior League and these were the most productive years in terms of trophies won. We became the first club to win both the Wharncliffe Charity Cup and County Senior League Championship in 1975/76, this season is the clubs 40^th Anniversary of this achievement and is still thought to be the Colliery’s most successful season to date. In 1977, the Yorkshire League accepted the club back in to it’s membership. During the 1980’s the football club played in the North Counties East League and again was a very succesful period for the club and getting back to step six status is where the club are hoping to play again within the next few years, as we work hard on and off the pitch to make progress towards that end, in a sensible and affordable manner, there are still a few things we must get done at the ground to meet the correct standards but all are working hard to correct this and ensure that if we are fortunate enough to be in a position to progress that the Ground isnt holding us back. Most recently Harworth Colliery are members of the Central Midlands Football League and have had periods in the Supreme and Premier divisions but most recently in the North, when the League took the decision to split the two divisions Geographically.

The club has seen general improvement in all areas over the past three seasons and the Management of Brendan Wilson, Lee Danysz and Mark Latham have put together a very competitive squad that we all believe will be competing at the top end of the League and after getting through to two Floodlit Cup Regional finals in the past three seasons we hope that some kind of success will be just around the corner, it will be a very competitive season but with Westella being Promoted and strong sides moving to the South Division we along with a whole host of other clubs feel that this will be as good a chance as we have had since those heydays of the 80’s and early 90’s to get back to step six football. Club Honours: Sheffield & Hallamshire County FA – Senior Cup Winners 1947/48. Finalists 1948/9, 1996/97 Central Midlands Football League – Supreme Division Champions 1987/88. Runners Up 1986/87. Team of the Month October 2008, CMFL North Floodlit Cup Northern section runners up B.E. Webbe (Removals) Challenge cup Winners 1986/87 1987/88 Wakefield Floodlit Cup Winners 1991/92 1995/96. Runners Up 1989/90 Sheffield County Senior League Champions 1964/65 1976/77 Wharncliffe Charity Cup Winners 1960/61 1962/63 1975/76

HEANOR TOWN FC

HEANOR TOWN FC owes its humble beginnings to long before their 1883 formation at the Rays Arms Hotel. Teams representing the town and playing under the name of ‘Heanor’ or ‘Heanor Town’ were recorded in 1878, but it was not until a public meeting was called in September 1883 that these fragmented issues were drawn together under one roof and the Club affiliated to the Derbyshire County FA.
They joined the Derbyshire League, but within a decade the Club had established itself as a top Midland League side, on one occasion finishing seventh when the top four were promoted to the Football League. And four times during this period reached the First Round Proper of the FA Cup (today’s equivalent would be the Third Round because the competition then had six Qualifying Rounds) losing to Aston Villa (away) 1-4, Nottingham Forest (away) 0-1, Bury (home) 0-3 and Southampton St. Mary’s (home) 0-1. In the latter game only a broken leg suffered by centre forward Sam Widdowson ensured that Heanor played with ten men for almost 80 minutes this after a 1-1 draw at Southampton. During this period such teams as Mansfield Town, Chesterfield, Lincoln City and Northampton Town were beaten in the Qualifying Competition.
Since then, the Lions have played in the Derbyshire League, Mid-Derbyshire League, Midland League (four times), Central Combination, Central Alliance, Notts Alliance, West Midlands (Regional) and Northern Counties East. In 1986 they joined the Central Midlands and are the only Club to have held continuous membership of the Supreme Division since its formation. Last season they added the new East Midlands Counties League to the list in which they have competed.
In 1958 Heanor entertained Fourth Division Carlisle United at The Town Ground in the FA Cup First Round losing 1-5 before 6,511 spectators. At the time they were members of the Central Alliance League Division One (North). But the strength of that league at the time can be judged by the fact that Ilkeston Town and Creswell Colliery was other clubs who also graced the FA Cup competition proper. In 1963 The Lions were a Midland League side and once again when they lost at the same stage away to Fourth Division Bradford Park Avenue containing one Kevin Hector and managed by Jimmy Scoular at Bradford in front of a crowd 5,799.
The club’s best Midland League finish was in 1966 when they were runners-up, and twelve months later they were one of only six Midland League clubs with the best record selected to become founder members of the Northern Premier League. However, the Heanor Committee at the time declined the opportunity because of the costs involved and their place was taken by Goole Town.
The Club has three times reached the Fourth Round Proper of the FA Vase; in 1989 they drew at this stage at home to Eastwood (Hanley) 1-1 but lost the replay by the odd goal of three. And the other two occasions also saw they lose by the same score to Rushden Town
(Home) in 1990 and Arnold Town (away) in 2002. They have reached the Third Round Proper on two other occasions losing to Warrington Town and Eccleshill United both away.
Honours decorated the Town Ground trophy cabinet at regular intervals during the 90’s with two Central Midlands League Supreme Division titles in 1995 & 1997 and the last being the Central Midlands League Cup won in a thrilling 5-3 finale against Ollerton Town in 2007.
In 2009 the Club appointed Joint Managers Craig Hopkins and Glenn Kirkwood who set themselves a target to win the East Midlands Counties League championship within three years. In their first season they finished seventh, the season after they improved to third then in their third season they achieved their goal when they were crowned champions in front of a home crowd of 154, beating local rivals Blackwell Miners Welfare 1-0 courtesy of a Josh Royce goal in the penultimate game of the season.
Managers Kirkwood and Hopkins left Heanor Town giving short notice on the 12 January 2013 to join local strugglers Mickleover Sports. Jordan Hall, one of the playing squad was appointed as interim manager later that day and guided the club to an 11th place finish in the NCEL Premier league.
In June 2013 local business man Geoff Clarence purchased the club and immediately spent thousands of pounds updating the facilities at the Town Ground including a complete renovation of the ageing clubhouse. Glen Clarence was appointed first team manager assisted by James Baker & Steve Huntington, the trio built a young local squad which improved the club to an 8th placed finish in the league along with two semi-final appearances in the Derbyshire and League cups.
With the re-shape of the football leagues from step three downwards Heanor took the sideways move to the Midland Football League, finishing 6th in the 2015/16 season and 6th in the 2016/17 season.

HILTON HARRIERS FC

The junior club was established in 1992, by Alan Blanksby, our President, a few other parents and a second hand kit. One of the parents had a business contact at TNT in the Netherlands and they supplied our first new kit, which is why we play in Orange.

Over the next couple of years, as the children grew older, more teams were formed, playing on the pitches behind the Village Hall. As the development of Hilton began, no one at the club would have thought that the club would grow so much in such a short space of time.

In 2002 Hilton Harriers became the 1st Club in Derbyshire to attain the FA Charter Standard mark.

We achieved Community Club status in 2011.

The village of Hilton was identified as a site for major housing development and over the next 15 years the local population tripled in size with the influx of new families. The impact on Hilton Harriers mirrored this growth and in 2008, after 6 years of fundraising we moved into our new home. The Mease Pavilion, with 11 teams. In 2008/9 we started our adventure in Senior football and in 2009 we were very proud to add Disability football to our growing portfolio.

By 2011 we had 28 teams and the The Mease Pavilion was extended to accommodate the growing club and more community activities.

Season 2017/18 we have 400 registered players, ranging from 5 years old in our Saturday Club to 50+ in the Vets. we will be fielding 35 teams on a weekly basis in a variety of local Derbyshire and Staffordshire leagues. To manage this we have 52 qualified coaches including 3 UEFA B badge holders and a very active Committee.

Senior football is still a new phenomenon at Hilton which only started in 2008/9 season. Our junior players were outgrowing the club and looking for local adult teams to play for. Many of the players had been involved with the club for over 10 years and wanted to stay involved; as a result of their enthusiasm we registered a team in the Midlands Regional Alliance Division 2 and began a very steep learning experience. In 2011/12 we entered the Staffordshire County Senior League Div 2 and finished 4th and then over subsequent years progressed to the Premier Division.

2017/18 The first team moved to the Central Midlands Football League (south Division) and the Reserves continue in the Staffordshire County Senior League Division 2.

We are very proud of what we have achieved in a short period of time and with more housing developments planned history tells us there will be demand for more teams.

It’s important to recognise that everyone associated with Hilton Harriers FC is a volunteer. If they paint the white lines, cross the white lines at 3pm, make the tea or collect the match fee’s everyone does it for the love of the game. When you buy a program or a cup of tea or a raffle ticket, you know that every penny we make contributes directly to keeping grassroots football alive in Hilton and we thank you.

We look forward to seeing you at The Mease Pavilion Hilton this season.

HOLBROOK SAINT MICHAELS FC

There has been a football team in Holbrook village at least since the early part of the last century. Local newspaper records show that a team called Holbrook Swifts was successful in cup and league competitions around 1910 – 1912. It is believed that in 1912 this team changed its name to Holbrook Saint Michaels. What is known for sure (we still have the minutes book) it that in early 1932 the local vicar, The Reverend Sides formed a team named after the village church of Saint Michael, to play in the Belper Sunday School League.

We moved to our present ground, Holbrook Park in 1936 and, apart from a short period during the Second World War, we have played continually since winning cup and league competitions. We have had many successes over the years most notably being the only club to win the Derbyshire Divisional Cup Northern section (1975 & 1983) and the Southern section (2006).The Club has progressed through the local leagues: The Belper Amateur League, The Derbyshire Welfare League, The Derby Senior league, The Central Alliance and latterly the Midland Regional Alliance where the Club was the longest serving member. The Club has always endeavoured to be a village team that follows its motto ‘victory with honour’. Our junior section continues to grow with 2 new teams joining us in 2016/17.

For season 2017/18 Steve Palombo has returned to the club as first team manager but with a 5 year vision for the future for the club. Noel Hayes is continuing as Club manager to help Steve co-ordinate all football matters from seniors to Juniors. We have had lots of team changes and our new development squad is primarily a young squad that we as the name suggests are planning on developing into first team players, new development squad managers have been appointed; Simon Hill and Duncan Ro

We have also behind the football been developing our club facilities and look forward to showing them off to the visiting clubs.

HOLBROOK SPORTS FC

Formed in 1931 the club uses the former facilities of the Holbrook Miners Welfare as it headquarters, with the Welfare being the clubs main sponsor. The previous tenants, Holbrook Miners Welfare F.C. disbanded at the end of the 95/96 season after many years of playing in the various local leagues, including the CMFL.

On forming the club a decision was made by the committee to join a league that could offer the players the highest standard of football in the area, having been accepted into the CMFL, manager Grant Woodside formed his team around a former U18 side that he had previously run. This step up to senior football proved very trying for all involved in the club, players, management and committee with the results Grant stepped down after only 8 games to make way for his assistant, John Barker to run the team.

The 97/98 season saw the club introduce a Reserve team with Martin Clements running the side, and with Grant Woodside having a stronger squad the club looked forward to the new season with renewed enthusiasm. But results were not going as expected. The Reserves also found the going tough, winning only 1 game themselves before Christmas. With Martin Clements already taking a back seat due to work commitments, Mick Cooper took full control of the Reserves and the committee also found themselves having to replace Grant Woodside as first team manager.

The committee took the decision to appoint a manager who knew this level of football and were able to appoint Mark Webster. Marks first job, as manager was to appoint Mick Bentley as the club coach to try and install some good habits into the training and onto the playing field. This was achieved with 1st team winning 10 out of their last 12 games. The reserves saw out the season, only managing 2 victories all season, but great credit to them for seeing it out.

During the close season a fence, with separate player and spectator entrances was erected at the bottom end of the ground to try and give the ground a look of a football ground instead of an open field. For the 98/99 coming season Mark Webster strengthened his back room staff by appointing Dave Allsop as his assistant and Mick Ward as 1st team Physio. and also with several new players the club were hopeful of mounting a promotion challenge

For the start of the 99/00 season Mark Webster again strengthened his squad, bringing in two top class strikers. James Newton from Staveley MW and Mike Taplin the ex Belper Town and Mickleover Sports Forward. Both players went on to be the leagues leading scorers that season.

With only 2 weeks of the season gone tragedy struck the club with the sudden death of defender Bob Parker. Bob, who was only 27, was sadly missed by all at the club. The team showed great determination by going onto win the Premiership Championship. In only their 4th season in existence. The club once again reached the semi-finals of the Belper Nursing Charity Cup, but put in a disappointing performance to lose 3-0 to South Wingfield Ath. During the season the members of the club erected a stand to ensure that a promotion spot to the CMFL Supreme division would be secure. Their fellow league members also voted the club Premier Sportsman’s award, which capped off a great season.

The reserve team management was also bolstered with Kev Bunting joining Mick Cooper as assistant manager. Kev a local sports tutor brought in some good young players and the team again showed an improvement in the previous year by finishing 5th.

The teams first season in the CMFL Supreme division saw the team finish a respectable 11th and twice during the during the season the crowds at Shaw Lane topped the three figure barrier, for the visits of Heanor Town and Matlock Town in the Derbyshire Senior Cup. Again the club reached the semi-finals of the Belper Nursing Charity Cup and again failed to reach the final, losing to Swanwick Pentrich Road on penalties. The glory that season belonged to the Reserves. They walked away with the Reserve Division one title by 17 points, dropping only 3 points all season. They also became the first division one team to lift the Reserve League Cup, which crowned a great season for Kev and Mick. During the season the club were successful in obtaining a grant from the National Lottery for £4600 which enabled the club to give soccer coaching courses to local schools within the area. Money was also used to create a better disabled access to the ground and stand.

The 01/02 season saw the 1st team languishing near the bottom of the table right up till Christmas, then an upturn in results saw the team steadily climb to a respectful mid-table position. A final league position of 12th was achieved, and the team managed to reach the final of the Belper Nursing Charity Cup, but a poor performance on the night saw them lose 3-0 to local rivals Holbrook Saint Michael’s.

With Kev Bunting unavailable for the first 2 weeks of the season Mick Cooper was left to run the Reserves opening games in the Reserves Premier division. 2 bad defeats saw Mick step down, leaving Kev to run the reserves single handed. Great credit to Kev who despite being on his own managed to pull the teams fortune around and the team did extremely well to finish6th at the end of the season. Kev also managed to bring in Kev Milwain as his assistant. They also managed to reach the quarter finals of the League Cup, losing on penalties to the eventual winners Shirebrook Town.

Over the next 3 seasons the first team and reserves establish themselves in their respective divisions the reserves winning the league cup beating a strong Shirebrook side with a late penalty. They also reached the final of the Derbyshire divisional cup final being beaten after extra time by local rivals St Michaels. The season 2005/06 brought the best finish in the Supreme Division with an excellent 3rd place. Enough for promotion had the ground met the requirements. During this time Ian McAndrew joined the club as assistant manager to Kevin in the reserves and made a positive contribution to developing the younger players both on and off the pitch.

In 2006/07 the first team had a disappointing season with much the same squad that done so well the season before and the reserves finishing 3rd. During the close season Mark Webster and his backroom staff resigned after a long sustained effort of running the club. The committee appointed from within by naming Kevin Bunting as manger. With a shorter period of time than his rivals to arrange his squad he retained all off the first team squad and brought in some new players who were with clubs from a higher standard. With this appointment Kevin appointed his reserve assistant as the reserve manger and Malcolm Burton as club coach.

So the season 2007/08 will bring a fresh outlook to the club with many changes both on and off the field as the club strive to meet the requirements to reach level 6.

During Kevin Bunting’s first season in charge the club came a creditable 5th in the league. The season saw the club also have good cup runs with the side losing the league cup semi final with a deflected shot in the last minute. The floodlit cup saw the club beat Southwell on penalties to be crowned champions. The good news continued when the club were granted promotion to the new East Midlands Counties League.

The Reserves had a great season in spite of the managerial problems they encountered with Ian McAndrew resigning after the first game of the season. Adam fisher took temporary charge with Mat Hutchings taking over the reigns. A poor finish to the season saw the runners up spot just slip away after being well placed for much of the season .

The clubs first season at Step 6 in the EMCL saw the team have a fantastic season finishing 3rd but were in contention for silverware right down to the last game of the season. The club also made the league cup final and were beaten 1.0 by local rivals Borrowash Vics with a deflected goal late in the game.

Kevin Bunting was very busy over the Xmas period bringing in an experienced local football name in Leigh Grant as his assistant, and this was to prove successful move. Bunting also moved to bring some stability to the reserves with the appointment of Paul Romney and Phil Alcock as a management team who know the local football community.

For the start of the 2009/2010 season bunting again strengthened the off field team with the appointment of Stacey Plant as the clubs Physio.

At the start of the 2010 -2011 season, Kev Bunting resigned and his assistant Leigh Grant was appointed as his replacement, Leigh made a quick impression and his notable achievements was finishing 6^th in his first season, but also reaching the last 16 of the FA Vase and eventually losing out to the runners up Coalville Town after extra time, the team also reached the league Cup final but once again ended as runners up to Thurnby Nirvana.

In his second season ( 2011 – 2012) Leigh once again finished 6^th , but at the end of a difficult season, decided to resign from his position as manager, Paul Romney was promoted from Reserve team manager and went about rebuilding the squad after virtually all the first team left the club after Leigh Grants departure.

The 2012 -2013 season saw a new squad assembled and they finished ninth in the EMCL , they reached the last 64 of the FA Vase and also won an FA Cup tie. They also won the Belper Nursing Charity Cup for the first time in 14 years.

At the end of the 2012-2013 season the club yet again seen players move to higher level, with 8 of the first team moving up through the football pyramid, seven other players moved on to other clubs within the EMCL and Paul Romney had the task of rebuilding the squad yet again for the 2013 -14 season.

HUCKNALL TOWN FC Club History

Hucknall Town FC is a family friendly community football club established as a colliery side in 1943. Hucknall Town was renamed in 1987 and rose up through the football pyramid. From 1999 to 2004 Hucknall Town FC played in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, winning the championship in the 2003-4 season. However as our Watnall Road stadium did not meet the then standards of the Football Conference we were refused promotion to the Conference National division. The club were due to be relegated from the Conference North to the Northern Premier League Premier Division following the 2007–08 season. This would have been the first relegation from any league in the club’s history. However, Halifax Town’s financial woes meant that they were reprieved. The club were eventually relegated at the end of the 2008–09 season. Relegation in 2010-2011 Season saw them drop into the NPL Division One South and further financial woes saw them relegated again, two levels in 2012-2013 to Central Midlands League Division One South. The club is finally rebuilding and winning the CML League Cup and finishing 4^th in the 2014-15 season is the beginnings of that process.

Northern Premier League Premiership Champions 2003-04 Chairman’s Cup Winners 2002-03

Northern Counties East League Premier Division Champions 1997 -98 League Cup Winners 1993-94, 1996-97, 1997-98 President Cup Winners 1996-97 Central Midlands League Supreme Division Champions 1989-90, 1990-91 League Cup Winners 1989-90, 1990-91, 1991-92, 2014-15

Nottinghamshire Alliance Senior Division Champions 1976-77, 1977-78, 1987-88, 1988-89, Division One Champions 1972-73, 1980-81, 1986-87 Division Two Champions 1970-71 Intermediate Cup Winners 1972-73, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1980-81, 1983-84 League Winners 1978-79

KEYWORTH UNITED FC

Football has been played in Keyworth since the 1875/76 season when a Keyworth FC team played in friendly matches. Over the following years they joined the Notts Amateur and Notts Alliance Leagues. Several players progressing to represent Notts County and Nottm Forest. From1913 to 1918 the team became Keyworth and Plumtree United FC. Five of this team lost their lives during the 1st World War, three from the same family.

For the 1919/20 season Keyworth United FC joined the Spartan League and competed for the first time in the Notts Junior Cup. In 1936/37 the team became known as Normanton and Keyworth FC and after the 2nd World War they shared the Rectory Field with the Cricket Club and played in the Realm League.

In the 1970’s and 80’s the Club returned to the Spartan League and then to the Alliance again. They were Intermediate Cup winners in the 75/76 and 77/78 seasons. In 1976/77 the Club changed to it’s now familiar green, white and black strip having sported several other colours over the years. In 1978 they moved to their current Platt Lane home.

The 80’s were a very successful decade. Many players representing the Notts FA. An estimated 2000 people watched Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest side play Keyworth in a testimonial game for then manager Arthur Oldham.

Former Notts County defender Brian Stubbs took over as manager for the 89/90 season The former England, Everton and Forest player Frank Wignall became manager of the Club in 1994.

At this time the Club had only four junior sides in the Young Elizabethan League.

The late 90’s and into the 21st century saw more managerial changes and former player Robert Clegg appointed Chairman. This heralded the increase in youth teams. 03/04 saw the Club field 18 teams which included two girls sides.

04/05 saw Keyworth United join the newly formed Notts Senior League. In 05/06 the Reserves lifted the Notts Junior Cup and in 07/08 the 1st team were runners up in the NSL.

In 2010 former Forest stalwart Frank Clarke opened the new Clubroom and changing rooms after the Club secured a hefty windfall from the Football Foundation.

This era saw junior football thrive but both senior sides fought relegation. By the end of the 12/13 season the Reserve team was withdrawn from the League.

New management was introduced in 2013 and the elevation to the Central Midlands League for season 2015/16 was seen as a positive move.

The management team was refreshed at the start of 2016/17 seeing Steve Pembleton (ex Forest) join the club, this was short lived and now Paddy Sneath has been promoted from Reserve team manager. Paddy held that position for three seasons and the Club saw promise in Paddy’s coaching and team philosophy and rewarded him with his new title.

LINBY COLLIERY FC HISTORY

A team know as Linby Church Institute plied their trade in the Notts Alliance as early as 1903, reaching the Semi Final of the Notts Senior Cup in 1905 , losing to Nottm. Forest Reserves , who went onto win the Cup. They disbanded in the early 1930s.

Re-Formed in 1946, under the shrewd guidance of ex Arsenal player Ernest “Tim” Coleman , Linby became the biggest non-League Club in Notts, in the space of ten heady years. Honours included Notts Alliance Titles, Central Alliance Titles, six consecutive Notts Senior Cup Final appearances , 3 wins 1950, 52 and 54. Linby were the last “Hucknall” based club to reach the First Round (Proper) of the FA Cup, in November 1950 , they hosted Gillingham in front of a record 6,585 crowd , at the old Gatehouse Ground . An astonishing 20,500 packed into Forests City ground to witness Linbys first Notts Senior Cup win , against Retford. A record for the competition. Crowds of over 2,500 flocked to the Gatehouse for Linbys League games .

When Coleman was tempted away , to save Notts County from Re-Election , in 1956, Linbys fortunes dipped. With relegation from the Central Alliance , in 1964, Linby were no longer the top Hucknall district club. The 1970s saw Rick Bentley and Phil Cresswell manage Linby in the old East Midlands League . But in order to stay in the League, Linby had to move from the now crumbling Gatehouse Ground and play their home games at Annesley Welfare.

Sadly , the iconic old ground has now gone, we moved to our present base in 1985. Church Lane was originally the Collieries Cricket ground, built in 1925.

Dave Ingram lead the Club back though the Divisions of the Notts Alliance , then in 2005 the Club attained FA Charter Standard status , and finished Runners up , the newly formed Notts Senior League, under Manager Dave Bradshaw.

After suffering a series of Cup Final defeats , in the late 2000s, the Club reached rock bottom in 2011, finishing with only 3 wins all season. Dave Bradshaw came back as Joint Manager along with Dave Marlow, and Linbys fortunes turned around again. Under Marlows guidance the Club has now established itself in the Central Midlands League , and have a flourishing Youth set up .

Linby have now definite 5 year Business and Football plans, and are looking to make major developments to its Church Lane Ground. The first of which , this year , is to move and widen the main pitch , to facilitate the installation of Floodlights. But the big priority is to build a new Dressing Rooms/Clubhouse . Planning permission has been granted by Gedling Council, and the Clubs Development Group are working hard to raise the £270,000 required for the whole project .

Dave Marlow left the Club after five years , to join EMCL outfit Arnold Town, at the end of 2015-16. The club moved swiftly to set on another young ambitious Manager , Lewis Saxby , who has now moved on to Blidworth , being replaced in the “Hot seat” by Richard Hannigan.

Looking forward to 2017-18 , Linby will be running two mens teams in the CMFL, and eight Junior teams , and will also be linked to our “Sister “ Club Hucknall & Linby Harriers , meaning we will cover the age groups of Five year olds up to Under 18s , and have two Girls teams . To guide the Clubs Development and growth Ade Ward, is the new Chairman.

LINCOLN MOORLANDS RAILWAY AFC

TBC

MATLOCK TOWN FC

The club was established in the late 1870s and competed in the Central Alliance and the Midland Counties League before reaching the Northern Premier League.

In the 1974–75 season, the club won the FA Trophy which caused a major celebration in the town. Their manager was Peter Swan, and the brothers Mick, Nick and Tom Fenoughty all played in the final. The coach and physiotherapist on that day was Harry Peck, who had played for Chesterfield as a professional.

In the 1976–77 season, managed by Tom Fenoughty, Matlock reached the 3rd round of the FA Cup, their best performance in the competition. They beat Division Three leaders Mansfield Town and were featured in a book “Tividale to Wembley” during this cup run.

In 1978 they won the Northern Premier League Cup for the first time and subsequently played in the Anglo-Italian Cup in the 1978–79 season.

For the 2009–10 season, they were a member of the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

During the 2010–11 season, on 16 October, in an FA Trophy match with Bedworth, Matlock scored 10 goals to progress through to the 2nd Qualifying Round. Ross Hannah scored 7 of the 10 goals in Matlock’s biggest ever competitive home win. The result equalled the club’s biggest ever competitive win, 10–0 away to Lancaster City in 1975.

Matlock Town F.C. was featured in the memoir The Long Road Out of Town by Greg Watts, who supported the club in the 1970s.

After new manager Mark Hume took over in early 2015, Matlock went onto to win the Derbyshire Senior Cup for the ninth time, but he was sacked after a bad run at the end of the 2015–16 season.

In the summer of 2016, Craig Hopkins and Glenn Kirkwood, formerly of local Derbyshire rivals Mickleover Sports F.C. took charge. They took Matlock to the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time in 27 years, where they were defeated 3-1 away by Altrincham F.C. This was not Matlock’s only good cup run, as they went onto the FA Trophy 2nd round proper, where after leading 2-0 with goals from Marcus Dinanga, were defeated 3-2 by a high flying in the National League Barrow A.F.C. team. Matlock’s cup successes didn’t end there, as they went onto the Derbyshire Senior Cup Final. After beating Alfreton Town 5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw in 90 minutes, where again Dinanga was star player hitting a hat trick, Matlock were to face Gresley FC in the DSC final. They had played them two seasons previous, and beat them 7-0. This season was no different as Matlock picked up a 5-0 victory and their tenth Derbyshire Senior Cup. They also finished ninth in the EVO-STIK NPL, their highest position in several seasons.

The Reserves side spent 3 years in the Central Midlands Football League – Reserves division – winning the league and successfully gaining promotion to the – step 7 – CMFL – South Division. The last 2 seasons has seen a steady progression within the South Division developing the young Gladiators talent in Open age Football.

MICKLEOVER RBL FC

Mickleover RBl FC were founded in 1945, the ground was given to the people of Mickleover

by veterans upon returning from the war. The club had a successful spell in the Central Midlands league, however when the club was unable to get flood lights we were forced to withdraw from the league.

Mickleover Royal British Legion has recently gone through a multi-million pound refurbishment, which includes a two storey club house and new changing facilities, the club where now establishing themselves in the Midlands Regional Alliance after getting promoted from division 2 and winning the Derby junior cup, RBL then went on to win the 1st division by 13 points, After 2 years in the Premier division and an appearance in the senior cup final it was decided to make the step up to the Central Midlands League.

RBL have had mixed fortunes in the central midlands so far and this season we have appointed a new management team with Dave Holmes, Gavin Warren and Luke Wilkinson taking on the first team. Paul Davis and Chris Hudson taking on the reserves, behind the scenes the club have worked hard with the local community and won the peoples millions lottery grant to fund a 3G training pitch, the club has also expanded hugely from 2 adults teams to currently having 11 teams across various age groups.

MICKLEOVER SPORTS FC

The club was formed in 1948 and spent the first 44 years of their existence competing locally in the Derby and District Senior League. In 1993, they joined the Central Midlands Football League Premier Division, gaining promotion to the Supreme Division two years later. They moved up to Northern Counties East League Division One in 1999, and in the 2000–01 season reached the 4th round of the FA Vase. Their most recent promotion, to the Northern Premier League, occurred at the end of the 2014–15 season.[1]

John McGrath took over player manager duties for the 2016-17 season which was a record breaking season for the club, gaining their highest ever league finish and points total. Sports finished 16th in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division with a total of 60 points. The club showed it’s ability to attract high quality players and staff with former Republic of Ireland forward Clinton Morrison joining the club. Additionally, assistant managers Steve Taylor and Paul Groves also joined the club but both later left to take up roles at Coventry City and Birmingham City respectively.

Player manager John McGrath got his preparations for the 2017-18 season quickly underway with the club announcing that 2016-17 player of the year Pablo Mills had signed a 1 year contract extension. On the 24th May 2017 Sports announced the signings of two forwards with Evan Garnett joining the club from Belper Town F.C. and Buxton F.C. top scorer Bradley Grayson also joining. It was then announced on 13th June 2017 that player manager McGrath had signed a new 2 year contract with Mickleover and added former Sports captain Liam Walshe as assistant manager and player coach Clinton Morrison to his backroom set up for the upcoming season. Sports captured Ilkeston midfielder Danny Gordon for the new season along with announcing new contracts for club captain Tom Burgin and midfielder Jake Scott.

NEWARK TOWN CLUB HISTORY

Newark FC was originally formed in 1868 playing in the Midland League. Changing its name to Newark Town in 1924, the club folded on the outbreak of World War II in 1939 after which Ransome & Marles became the town’s premier team. An attempt was made to resurrect the club in the 1970’s but after initial success the club once again went into limbo.

Under the leadership of Paul Baggaley the club reformed in the 80’s entering a side in the Notts Imperial Youth League. A senior side was formed in 1994 with teams entering the MRA and the Grantham League. 1997 saw the club enter the Notts Football Alliance. After securing the Division One Championship in 2003/4 the club joined the CMFL entering the FA’s League Pyramid system. Joint managers Tony Joynes and Brett McNamara consolidated the club’s position in the Premier Division for a four year spell before the stewardship was handed over to Rupert Thomas. The introduction of the East Midlands Counties League and the consequent restructuring of the CMFL saw “the Blues” elevated to the Supreme Division in 2008. The club finished fifth in the first two campaigns and beat Louth Town to win the League Challenge Cup in 2009/10, a match described by Frank Harwood as the best cup final he had ever seen. The following season proved difficult but the club still managed a creditable eighth place finish.

After four years Rupert stood down and Tony Joynes returned, assisted by ex-Grantham Town stalwart Adrian Speed and one of the area’s top coaches Bob Shaw who also made a welcome return to his home town club. Their first season proved eventful with County and Floodlit Cup Semi-Finals before a chronic injury list took its toll.

In 2012 the club went one better by reaching a cup final, losing to AFC Mansfield in the Floodlit Cup.

Despite losing several long serving players at the start of 2013/14, and a switch to the Northern section Newark once more finished in fifth position, receiving the Sportsman’s trophy in the process. The following season saw an improvement of one place to fourth. At the end of the season Tony Joynes and Adrian Speed stood down and the job was taken by former Newark Flowserve manager Steven Venables. Venables walked out on the club after just six weeks, leaving Town in mid-July without a manager and just three of last season’s regular first team. The previous year’s reserve team managers Kevin O’Neill and Steve Crawford stepped into the breach and kept things going in difficult circumstances. Last season saw Tony Joynes return for his third spell alongside the experienced Simon Daws who joined the Blues after eight seasons at Holwell Sports, as Town looked to bounce back. After a promising first half to the season results fell away and in the close season Simon departed to take up the manager’s job at Radcliffe Olympic with Tony also recently standing down.

Newark Town are proud to be an FA Community Club.

PHOENIX FC

Little is known of Phoenix FC origins, it is believed that what is now the complex of the Phoenix Sports & Recreation started with a football pitch and a wooden hut in the early years of the last century and that humble set up was the origins of the sports section of the local steel works.

What is known is that football was played at the Phoenix in the early 1920’s as reports of games can be read in original copies of the steel works newspapers held by a local resident.

More recent history shows that the Phoenix began as the football section of the local steel works Steel, Peech & Tozer, later to become part of British Steel and now known as Liberty Steel.

Honours for the Phoenix include numerous promotions (and relegations!) for the first team while playing in the Sheffield County Senior League. These included being Premier Division champions in 1997/8.

Honours for the other Phoenix teams being gained in the South Yorkshire League and the Wragg Over 35’s League.

Phoenix have also been winners of the Rotherham Charity Cup played at Millmoor on three occasions, the last, being the season 2009/10 when the Phoenix were the first team in over 20 years to do the Rotherham cup “double” also winning the Rotherham Association Cup that season.

When forming the Central Midlands League, administration problems resulted in the side having to adopt the title Phoenix Sports & Social Club FC in 2010 those problems were overcome allowing the side to revert to its roots as Phoenix FC.

The current set up shows the club supporting 3 adult teams, the first team playing in the Central Midlands League, a Sunday side, playing in the Sheffield Super Blades league, the veterans playing in the Wragg Over 45’s and this season we will be fielding three junior sides as a new team has been set up to play under 14’s alongside the existing teams which, this season will play at under 15’s and under 16’s.

The season 2015-2016 saw the club gain its biggest haul of silverware in recent years. Leading the pack were the Juniors who did the league and cup double, running close behind were the Sunday side who were their division champions and rounding off the haul, the Over 45’s finished runners up in their first year at that level gaining promotion to the top division.

While the club did not quite equal the previous seasons success 2016/17 season saw both the Juniors and the Sunday side match the previous seasons achievements, the Sunday side being promoted to the top division of the Blade Super Draw League, and although neither the first team nor the Vet’s had silverware to display for their effort both sides would consider that season to have been a success, the first team gained its highest ever position in the league finishing third while being in the top three for most of the season while the Vets comfortably retained their place in the top division of the Over 45’s league.

2016/17 proved to a bit of a bridge too far, following a poor pre season the first team failed to improve on the previous season and a string of poor results in early season saw the squad going through a major overhaul and it was Christmas before the poor run was reversed. The top flight of the Blades Super Draw league also proved to be too much for the Sunday side who were relegated at the end of the campaign. The Vets proved their stability and a retained a mid league finish while on the Junior front, the under 16’s again achieved promotion, finishing as runners up, while the new under 14’s struggled in their inaugural season.

PINXTON FC

Pinxton Football Club was formed in 1994 and played in the Mansfield Bitter League between 1994 and 1998. We gained our first success in the 1995-1996 season by becoming the Division 2 Champions and League Cup Winners. The following season saw us crowned Division 1 Champions and a brought a new challenge with the club joining the Midland Regional Alliance League for the 1997-98 season. The success of the club continued as we won the Derbyshire Junior Cup with a 1-0 victory against Furness Vale in May 1999. In the 2001-2002 season we were crowned Division 1 Champions and were promoted to the Premier Division. In our first season we had a respectable 12^th place finish and then improved upon this in the 2003-2004 season with a 6^th place finish. With the club wanting to further its ambition we took the decision to join the Central Midlands Football League at the start of the 2004-2005 season. In our debut season we finished a creditable 4^th and were promoted to the Supreme Division. After a shocking start to the new season we managed to finish 15^th but were relegated back to the Premier Division due to league rules concerning the erection of floodlights. We finished the next season in 5^th and were promoted back into the Supreme Division where we ended the season in 14^th place. We had a disappointing start to the 2008-2009 season but we hit a purple patch after Christmas which saw us finish in 8^th and under the guidance of Tim Graney win our first piece of silverware in the CMFL when we demolished Sutton Town 4-0 in the final of the Floodlit Cup.

At the start of the 2010-2011 season Tim took over the secretary role and handed the management reins over to Kenny Shinfield, after 2 seasons as Manager Kenny transferred to Assistant Manager for the 2012-13 season and Glen Clarence took the role of Manager, Martin Sutton has also joined the club for the season in the position of Coach. The 2013-14 season brings a new look management team of Ben Newman, Lee Cook and Kenny Shinfield. In the 2010-11 season we took the decision to introduce an Under 19’s team at the club to replace the previous Reserves, they have had a very successful couple of seasons in the North Midlands Under 19’s League, being crowned Division 3 Champions in their first season and finishing runners up in Division 2 in the 2011-12 season, which sees them promoted to Division 1 for the coming season, where we are hopeful they will continue their success. For the 2013-14 season the Under 19s have been replaced with a Reserves side with manager John Mason and his assistant Loz Foster joining the club. The 2014-15 season sees a first team management team of Ben Newman, Lee Cook and Phil Greaves with Martin Bower and Kevin Heathcote taking over the reins of the Reserves 2016-17 season sees Kenny Shinfield return to the club as part of amanagement team with Paul Macfarland and Kev Grundy. Scott Rogers takes over the reins for the 2017-18 season.

A lot of time, effort and money has been spent on the facilities at the Welfare Ground to enable us to compete at this level and with a forward looking committee we are confident that our facilities will be appropriate for the club to progress to a higher level should this opportunity present itself.

Radford FC Club History

The club was Founded in 1964 as Manlove & Alliots FC. The club played in the Nottinghamshire Sunday league. Manlove & Alliots were an Engineering firm situated in Radford. After the firm transferred to Scotland in 1970/71, the club carried on under the name of Radford Olympic FC. In 1977 Radford Olympic became the first amateur side in Britain to be allowed to wear advertising on their shirts and the BBC Television cameras came along to Melbourne Park and filmed one of our matches and interviewed officials for the evening programme “Nationwide”.

In 1978 the club formed a ground development committee and decided to seek out a piece of land preferably in the Radford area for development of our own ground. Radford Olympic transferred to Saturday Football and made progress up the leagues and in 1982/83 finished Champions of the East Midlands Regional League. In 1983/84, they won the Central Midlands League Senior Cup. In 1987 Radford Olympic were renamed Radford F.C. At the end of 2002/03 Radford were promoted to the Supreme Division of the Central Midlands League and in their first season in the top flight finished 11th.

After holding their own during seasons 2003/04 & 2004/05 in the top division of the Central Midlands League, the club delivered silverware in season 2005/06 under the guidance of Julian Garmston and assistant Pete Kelley, winning the C.M.L Phoenix Trophies floodlight Cup and equally impressive was the equal fifth place finish in the C.M.L Supreme Division. New floodlighting and 1st phase ground improvements were actioned with Notts County providing a team to officially turn on the lights in early 2006. During season 2005/6 a seated stand was completed. Radford FC joined the East Midlands Counties League in 2008 and finished 14th in their first season. The club qualified to play in the FA Cup for the first time in 2009-10 but went out 0-1 in the Extra Preliminary Round to Rainworth MW. The club achieved a finishing position of third in 2014-15 under manager Glenn Russell, after putting together an unbeaten run of 19 league games. Radford improved on their third spot by becoming EMCL runners up in 2015-16.

Radford reserves have been members of the Central Midlands League since 1986. Their highest league finishing position has been third. They have competed in the Reserve Cup Final on three occasions and have been losing finalists all three times. In the Notts Intermediate Cup they reached the Quarter Final stage in 2010-2011.

RENISHAW RANGERS

Renishaw Rangers FC was established in 2011 to give children in the village and surrounding areas the opportunity to play football. Most if not all of the first children’s team that were twelve years old were made up of children who had either never played the game or had been rejected from other clubs.

Our promise was to build the club so that these children and the ones to follow could carry on playing the great game no matter what level they were capable of.

In 2014 we introduced our first adult team to the Chesterfield and District Sunday league managed by Wayne Dodsworth and David Brocklehurst. This team will be entering Division one of the Sunday league this coming season. We are delighted that some of the class of ’99 players are in this seasons Central Midlands Squad.

This season under our umbrella we will be introducing over twenty two football teams from the age of Six year old to adults.

This is our first season in the Central Midlands league.

RETFORD FC

Retford FC was formed in 2015 by Chris Woodhead & Kev Swannack, former managers of Retford Utd u19/21.

The club was set up to give local players from the area chance to progress from youth football into the senior game at a decent level and hopefully progress further up the pyramid .

The club ground shared with Retford United for the first two seasons before moving to their own ground THE RAIL at the end of the 2016/17 season which they will develop over the coming seasons .

HONOURS

2015/16 7th place CMFL North

2016/17 6th place CMFL North

2016/17 Floodlit cup Runners up

RETFORD UNITED FC

Formed in 1987 by local man Brian Jackson, Retford United began life in the Gainsborough & District Football League Division Two before moving to the Nottinghamshire Football Alliance Division Two the following season. Seven years later, promotion was gained to the Nottinghamshire Football Alliance Division One where they continued to play for two years until another promotion to the Nottinghamshire Football Alliance Senior Division.

Jackson’s hard work and determination secured a site on Leverton Road, Cannon Park, and he built up the clubhouse, and pitch from nothing, a legacy that will live long for years to come. A struggle to stay in this division, Retford United were eventually relegated in 2000, but a new regime and a more focused outlook gave Retford United the springboard that they needed with the acquisition of their current ground at Cannon Park, a short walk from the town and financial input from local businessman.

2000/01 Season saw the Badgers storm the division, winning the championship and the Nottinghamshire Intermediate Cup against Matrixgrade at Eastwood Towns ground. They left the Nottinghamshire League that season and moved into the Footballing Pyramid with the Central Midlands Football League. Their inaugural season was successful against a higher standard of opposition, the Championship was brought back to Cannon Park, and a Central Midlands League Cup Semi Final was also achieved under the guidance of former Everton and Manchester City player Neil Pointon.

A consolidation period in 2002/03 as United played in the Central Midlands Supreme League, losing out after a fixture backlog at the end of the season, they finished a respectable 3rd, but the following season was one of the biggest years in the clubs history, breaking records at both club and league level. Under the guidance of Paul Hyde, in 2003/04 Retford United were crowned Central Midlands Football League Supreme Division Champions, promotion to the Northern Counties Football League was granted, but to go with this, for the first time in history the treble was achieved as United were winners of the League Cup and Floodlit Cup. This still remains an unprecedented feat. The team were a force to be reckoned with, and an appearance in the Notts Senior Cup Semi Final was the furthest the club had reached in this competition, losing out after extra time to Hucknall Town, who would go on to win the Unibond League Premier Division that season.

A much higher standard of football was then expected in the Northern Counties East League Division One, and United took the challenge finishing 8th in their first season, ex player Mark Shaw took charge for the 2005/06 season, and with a blend of experience and youth, completed the double – NCEL Division One Runners Up, (and promotion to the Premier division) and winners of the Wilkinson Sword Trophy. Another history making season in 2006/07 as yet again, the club were rewarded with the Double, this time winning the NCEL Premier Division title, Promotion to the Unibond League and lifting the Presidents Cup. During the season, United had their first International cap – Neil Harvey playing, and scoring in a three game tournament for Barbados in the Caribbean Cup, and the best ever run in the FA Vase with the fifth round being reached, losing out to Leamington FC.

In 2007/08 under the guidance of Peter Duffield, the club won the UniBond League Division One South Championship by a massive thirteen points, gaining 99 points in total. Added to that was the Chairmans Cup, in a North v South challenge against Bradford Park Avenue where United ran out 2-0 winners. United had a strong run in the FA Trophy, before going out at the First Round stage at Histon FC, but they did win “Team of the Round” for their performance in an earlier round.Disappointment however in a tough season off the field as, among other things, promotion to the Premier Division was not allowed due to the ground not being up to standard.

Since 2010 the club has had mixed fortunes, and in 2011-12 Season they marked a fantastic season by becoming Champions of the NCEL Premier Division. Because of financial constraints, the club decided to continue in the NCEL rather than accept promotion, and have had mixed fortune since. 4th in 2013, 9th in 2014, and 20th in 2015. Last season the club finished in 15th place after Chris Sellars came in towards the back end of the season and saved them from what seemed certain relegation. Chris was replaced at the start of this season by Chairman Wayne Radford and replaced by Darren Giovannetti and Brian Entwistle. The club has had a mixed bag this season, after losing out in the FA Cup to newcomers Leicester Road FC

SHERWOOD COLLIERY FC

Sherwood Colliery FC was reformed in 2008 with a view to giving Mansfield Woodhouse a Saturday Adult team which the town has lacked for many years. With predominantly young players the club entered the MAA in 2008-09. The following season saw the introduction of a reserve team, both teams playing in the MAA.

In 2010-11 success was achieved with the First Team winning the MAA 1st Division Championship while the reserves gained promotion from Division 2.

In 2012-13 an application to join the CML was successful. Ground improvements were undertaken including a covered standing area which was completed by Christmas 2012.

The club entered a First team in the North Division and a Reserve team in the Reserve Premier League and with a very young squad of players managed the adjustment to the higher level of football reasonably well with hopes higher for better things as the players gained more experience. A third (A) team was added in 2013-14 with an even younger squad of players who played in the Midland Amateur Alliance to gain experience of adult football.

2013-14 saw the first team achieve a creditable 10th place in the North division while the Reserves completed a Reserve Premier and Reserve League Cup double. The ‘A’ team finished in 4th place in the MAA Division 2. Despite this success the club suffered a hammer blow in the close season prior to the 2014-15 season. Internal differences saw Reserve team manager Ian Cotton leave for Blidworth and take with him all but a few of the entire playing squad. The First Team Manager Craig Wathall was a casualty of the fall out leaving the club manager less and virtually player less. The club managed to somehow put managers and players in place and fulfil the fixtures throughout the season. Both teams finished their seasons second bottom of the CML North and Reserve Premier respectively but in the circumstances this was considered a success!

The club were determined that the 2015-16 season would be very different and with an influx of new committee members new First and Reserve team managers were quickly appointed in early June. Wayne Savage joined from Bilsthorpe FC and Adi Smith joined from Thoresby. The first team were in and around the top three for most of the season but an end of season slump saw a 5th place finish, still the best finish Sherwood Colliery have achieved. An area final of the Floodlit Cup was reached and a Quarter Final of the Notts Senior Cup with local rivals AFC Mansfield being one of the sides beaten in that run.

The 2016-17 season saw a third place finish in the CML South Division which while being the best finish the club have achieved still felt like a chance missed to have gained promotion. The cups gave us high excitement with The Floodlit Cup giving us a trophy in April 2017 after beating Retford 5-2 in the final. We fell at the semi-final stage of the League Cup and at the Quarter Final of the Notts FA Senior Cup, both times falling to the eventual winners. The FA Vase saw us reach the second round after an exciting run in the competition. The management team remains in place supplemented by Lee Tryner coming on board as assistant manager to Wayne Savage while the squad has been supplemented by the arrival of Dale Sheppard and Danny Naylor and some promising youngsters.

The reserve team will be managed by Danny Barke who assisted Scott Rogers in last season’s Reserve Division Championship campaign. Danny is busy re-building the squad and has some exciting talent at his disposal.

SOUTH NORMANTON FC

Football was first played at lees lane in the 1926/27 season playing under the name of South Normanton Miners Welfare, and progressed to the Central Alliance Football League and after into the Sutton and Skegby League.
The nickname ‘Shiners’ derives from the mid 1750’s when South Normanton was at the heart of the ribbed stocking industry. The people involved in this craft worked long hours sitting at their windows on wooden stools, so much so, that the backsides of their trousers became very shiny making them instantly recognizable as coming from the South Normanton area since then local people have been referred to and called ‘Shiners’.

Under the new name South Normanton Athletic joined the Central Midlands Football League in the 1990/91 season. The clubs first major success came in the 1993/94 season when the finished runners up in the premier division. This gained them promotion to the supreme division. The club made their first entry into the F.A Vase in the 1994/95 season.
In the 1996/97 season disaster struck when the old changing rooms where destroyed by fire. The clubs future lay in the balance and with limited time available members of the committee virtually worked round the clock to convert a derelict building into suitable changing rooms, which at the time were intended to be for a temporary period only the leagues deadline for completion was accomplished with little time to spare.
At the end of the 1996/97 season, the club was relegated due to the 3 year flood light installation rule not being met; funds set aside to complete this project had been spent in establishing new changing rooms. The floodlights were completed in 1998 and the club was reinstated back into the supreme division.
The team’s best position being 3rd which a promotion place was awarded. The club was promoted to the NCEL for the start of the 2003/2004 season where they played till the club decided to fold at the end of the 2007/08 season due to an ageing committee and no new blood coming to the club.
We now enter the seventh season under the name of the newly formed SNAFC and progress over these years has been steady. Under the chairmanship of Phil Bailey who has completely single handed at times, transformed the stadium into what we see today. Entry back into the pyramid system with the Central Midlands League saw the club finish 11^th / 3^rd / 3^rd and 9^th and then runners up in the Southern division. Due to Clifton failing FA ground grading regs, we were promoted to the East Midlands Counties league under the management of Mark Wilson.
Mark left early in the first season for a position with Rocester but Tom Leighton took over as player manager and guided the club to a 7^th position and the club won the Jenkins and Jenkins League cup. This position brought us re-entry back into the FA Cup and we were not disgraced to go out in the second preliminary round replay to EVOSTIK Lincoln United. This year we hope to go further. Tom’s first full season in charge saw the club finish 4^th after for much of the season looking favourites to win the title. A second league cup final was achieved but we lost our un neaten record in this competition to Aylestone 2 – 1.
With the club getting the infrastructure in place we hope to make the next step to level 5 and with the help of our enthusiastic president Mike Robinson with whom we named the stadium after MJ Robinson Structures Arena.
The club first competed in the Vase in 1994 when in an extra preliminary round game at Home to Long Eaton United saw them win 3–0 to set up a game at Bradford Park Avenue (Where are they now?) eventually losing 6–4.
The best season in the competition saw them reach round 2 Proper in 2006-7. The rewards for the club are vast, In recent seasons fellow EMCL club St. Andrews progressed to the Semi-Final narrowly losing to West Auckland over two legs. As well as the prize monies they picked up along the way they attracted huge crowds which should have guaranteed financial stability for a few years.
Once clubs have played in the Vase they are eligible for the FA Cup provided they have a G grade and we are almost assured of achieving this.

STAVELEY MINERS WELFARE FC

The beautiful game has been played in Staveley for well over a hundred years and in 1883 a Staveley side beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 in the F.A Cup. In 1962 at nearby Barrow Hill under the name, Nag’s Head FC, a Sunday side was formed, playing friendlies for three years before being accepted into the Mansfield League. In 1968 they transferred to the Chesterfield League, before a Saturday side was formed in 1989 at their current home of Inkersall Road, finishing runners-up in the Chesterfield Amateur League, and winning the Byron Cup. In 1991 the club moved up to the Sheffield County Senior League and winning Division Three, then Division Two in consecutive seasons. Staveley by passed Division One and were welcomed into the Central Midlands League in 1993, finishing 4th, 12th, 5th and 3rd and, after passing the necessary ground grading requirements, continued their rise up the pyramid by being accepted into the Northern Counties East Division One in 1997, and finished runners-up, and claimed their place in the Premier Division, joining the likes of Buxton and Sheffield. They also picked up their first piece of Northern Counties silverware, when winning the Wilkinson Sword Trophy, beating Harrogate Railway 8-3 on aggregate. In 2000/01 season Staveley MW suffered the first relegation in their short history after finishing bottom, 67 points behind Champions BriggTown, and then followed another disastrous season, finishing 2nd bottom of Division One, but surviving their status by re-election. Following a terrible run until Christmas with just one league victory and despite winning their last three away games the club still finished bottom of Division One, but were again duly re-elected. In 2003/04 the club finished 3rd bottom that year avoiding relegation somewhat fortuitously by re-election in the final minute of the season. Things improved in 2004/05 with a creditable 9th place finish and in 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 finishes of 10th and 6th respectively were achieved. In May 2007 it was reported that the clubs football committee had resigned on mass and the club was ready to fold before Terry Damms who was appointed as Chairman and his team of helpers ,rushed through a rescue package to save the club from extinction in early June. In the last 9-years the club has undergone a remarkable change. The Chairman spearheaded the joining of Handley Wood Juniors Football Club in to the structure of Staveley MWFC. This was the huge piece to the Staveley ethos jigsaw and a great deal of hard work has gone in to securing a 25-year lease for the kids just down the road on Chantry Park where they can enjoy their football within a secure and pleasant surroundings. The club had strengthened its strategy of being a Community based club here for the benefit of the Community. In 2010/2011 the club produced its best ever season with the first team having an array of youngsters in it winning the NCEL Division 1 Title, the reserves winning the Central Midlands Reserve league and the U19’s finishing runners up and winning the Minishield. All sorts of records were broken during that season with us having the NCEL Top Scorer Ryan Damms who netted 38 times and surpassed 100 goals for the club, a record number of consecutive and total clean sheets was achieved and a last 32 FA vase place was also achieved. In 2011/2012 perhaps one of the clubs greatest achievements came when we came within a whisker of appearing in an FA Vase Final at Wembley eventually going out to the winners UTS Dunston by 3-2, a heart breaking experience if ever there was one. In early 2013 the clubs main sponsorship was lost and with the same all but a handful of players and the manager also left the club. The club finished mid-table. This was an exceptionally testing time for the club, but it’s strategy remained and from where it started, its youth ethos, the club dusted itself down and set about re-building its model. The 2013/2014 season started with a fair expectation, but ill-discipline and a string of poor results and performances followed and a mid-table finish was achieved. For the 2014/2015 season the club went on an 11 game winning streak, but that was followed by the club taking just 18 points from the last 20 league games and a 9^th finish was achieved. The U21 team however was starting to flourish and a top 3 finish and wining the HKLDFL Cup was a superb achievement.

The Chairman decided that new management and direction was needed in the Spring of 2015 and Brett Marshall was appointed. In the 2015/16 season we saw the first team finish 8^th, its second best ever NCEL finish, the U21’s won the League and were runners up in the League Cup. The club is we believe in its best ever shape on and off the field which bring us to the off field facilities. The Non-League Fan is a breed of its own, it is not all about watching success on the field. Its about value for monies, it’s about getting good food and drinks in a comfortable environment and feeling “welcome.” When managers and players are long gone, the ground and its fans won’t be. Here, we have set about producing a stadium and facilities that are not just football biased. Kids are allowed in for free but rarely do they want to watch all 90-minutes, they want to adventure, watch goals but also “mix and enjoy” and here we are providing a myriad of differing facilities for our community. We have also set aside our Marquee as The Trojans Elderly & Disabled Seating Area” – that is to provide a little more comfort and we hope this will ensure that they can get to most games despite the cold and rain of the winter months.

In the Summer of 2015 a democratic vote on the clubs nickname produced “The Trojans” perhaps fitting towards the ethos of the club and its Chairman and helpers, all very much hard working for the benefit of others perhaps not as well as others.

It is about the Community, the families and kids of our Juniors Section. It is about creating sporting opportunities for the community of Staveley and wider afield.

Up The Trojans

SWANWICK PENTRICH ROAD FC

In 1964, Swanwick Football Club was formed by a collection of local residents, with the view to create a community based football club. They began competing in the Matlock League and then moved to the Derby Combination. In 1978/79 the club claimed their first title, winning the Derbyshire Premier Division One.

The Swans went on to play in the Central Midlands League but soon moved to the Central Midland Alliance Division One. After 8 years, they won the title in 1989 and were promoted to the Premier League. Unfortunately, this proved to be a very tough test and after five years the club were relegated.

After some tough times and hardship, the club was rejuvenated back in 2002. With some extensive work carried out down at Highfield Road, many local players are reaping the benefits. The First Team gained promotion from the Midlands Regional Alliance Division One as league champions in 2009/10 and also reached the Derbyshire Cup Final in 2013.

The 2010/20011 season saw the reserve team gain promotion from Division Two. With the club moving in the right direction the decision was made to take the next step forward and move into the Central Midlands League South for the 2013/2014 season.

With three solid seasons behind the club at step 7, the Swan’s will be looking to break into the top three this season. With the club adopting a new footballing philosophy under the leadership of Andy Worrall, the board are optimistic about the future of SPRFC.

Swanwick Pentrich Road has been a great breeding ground for local talent, some of which have gone on to play at the highest of levels. Professional’s such as John Simms who won a league title with Derby County and went to play in the European Cup Semi Final. Kev Pilkington who represented Manchester United and Celtic in the Champions League. More recently Andy White has vowed to finish his career where it started, with a ten year professional career that reached Championship level with Crewe Alexander.

TEVERSAL FC

After a long history of football at Carnarvon Street supporting the local mining community dating back to 1918, under various names including Teversal Miners Welfare or Teversal & Silverhill a long playing history of football to a high level included playing in the FA Cup. The football side of the complex became run down and it was only down to the hard work of Sam Slack in the 1970’s and early 1980’s that football continued, under the banner of youth football.

Senior football returned again in 1986 under the name of M.W. Teversal. The closure of Teversal Colliery followed by the Miners Welfare in 1989 saw what some claimed was the final nail in the coffin by the closure of Silverhill Colliery that lead to a steady decline of the site. The period of uncertainty saw action taken with Ashfield District Council taking over the Trusteeship of the complex in 1989, with the name changing to the Teversal Grange Sports and Social Centre, hence the name change to Teversal Grange F.C. The name was changed again at the start of the 2000-2001 season to the current name. There is currently uncertain times as the Trustees look to finding a working situation as they have allowed the sites income stream to diminish. But we continue to develop and look to leave a legacy not another derelict site.

From the uncertain times, which saw the club running just one Senior team, the club’s strength has grown to have two Senior teams, Youth teams right through the ranges from Under 7’s to 16’s, along with training sessions for 5 year olds. A return to national competitions is a mark of how the club as developed, F.A. Vase 2003-04 season, F.A. Youth Cup 2004-05 season and the big one the F.A. Cup 2005-06 which was gained after winning promotion to the Northern Counties East League from the Central Midlands League. However the Football Association changed the entry criteria for the 2009-10 season for the FA Cup and unfortunately this meant exclusion from the competition for a number of step 6 clubs including ourselves since the 2011-12, with the exception of the 2012-13, but the club hope to achieve the standard that allows them to return in the World Famous competition for next season.

2012-13 season saw the club make history again when the introduction of our first ever Ladies side, which bettered all expectations, runners in the Nottinghamshire Girls & Ladies League, League Cup Final runners and County Cup Semi-finalist, saw promotion to the East Midlands Ladies League where they have managed to maintain their status for the current season. Having had a blip in the last couple of season’s we hope to see a change in fortunes of the Tevettes.

Honours wise in the short term history, the club has gained promotion through the National System without winning a league, and the most recent success was a being finalist in the 2007-2008 Northern Counties East League Wilkinson Sword Trophy, which goes with our runners up berth to Hucknall Town of the Unibond Premier League in the Notts Senior Cup Final at Meadow Lane, losing 2-0 in April 2003, marking the 2002-03 season as one of the best seasons in the clubs history.

But the story continues and the aims of the club remain the same, and it’s hoped to reward these efforts with some senior silverware for both the men and ladies, along with the continued success within the club’s Youth Section. Recent successes of the progress of players into the professional game are Ryan Williams (Mansfield Town, Tranmere Rovers Chesterfield, Hull City, Bristol Rovers, and Aldershot Town), Jake Buxton (Mansfield Town, Burton Albion, and Derby County), Dave Kettle (Notts County) and the most recent being Danny Fletcher (Mansfield Town) and Jason Law (Mansfield Town). With numerous players that have progressed to Academies but unfortunately not made the grade.

THORNE COLLIERY FC

TBC

TIDESWELL UNITED FC

TBC

WELBECK LIONS FC

TBC

WIRKSWORTH TOWN FC

Wirksworth Town Football Club was formed in 1986 and enjoyed a very successful period playing in the Matlock and District Football League, winning both the Cavendish Cup and The Tarmac Shield.

In 1996 the club joined the Midlands Regional Alliance in a move to prove itself at a much higher standard of football. The first season was one of immediate success, finishing runners up in Division One and gaining promotion to the Premier Division. After two seasons in the premier division the club was relegated, however, at a time of many of the clubs’ veteran players coming to the end of their careers.

Having had many players leave the club through retirement manager Colin Julian was left with no choice but to start again with a young group of players. The club spent four seasons consolidating in Division One steadily improving until the 2003/2004 season, winning the Division by 13 points.

Wirksworth Town have now been back in the Premier Division for over 10 seasons. There has been a top 6 finish in 7 of those seasons whilst reaching the final of the Derbyshire Divisional Cup (North) twice and also reaching 1 challenge cup final.

In 2006 the club entered a reserve team in the Midlands Regional Alliance bottom tier for the first time after welcoming Wirksworth Athletic FC into the fold.

2017 saw WTFC move on from the MRA into a higher standard of football and new challenge in Division 1 of the Central Midlands Football League

Mark Waterfall has been the club chairman since 1991 and continues as Club Chairman for the coming season, having always encouraged and inspired the club to try to be the best it can be.