Ilkeston Town agree new multi-year kit partnership with uhlsport and Fanatics Supplies

Ilkeston Town agree new multi-year kit partnership with uhlsport and Fanatics Supplies

Apr 18, 2025

Ilkeston Town FC have officially agreed to a new multi-year kit partnership, with uhlsport and Fanatics Supplies, that will see the sports brand becoming the club’s Official Technical Kit Supplier.

This exciting collaboration marks a new chapter for both Ilkeston Town and uhlsport blending fine history and ambition as the club continues to look to a bright future under the ongoing leadership of Andrew Nally and Ian Deakin.

Ilkeston Town have enjoyed a strong and successful partnership with TAG since 2019, with this new agreement with uhlsport and Fanatics Supplies building on this. Delivering timely technical sportswear that meets the demands of both players and fans alike.

The new bespoke strips, designed by uhlsport, are inspired by our community and area, utilising some of the club’s most iconic landmarks.

Sponsored by Microlise, the new kits have been engineered to offer maximum performance during play and are totally bespoke to the Robins. Our new home shirt includes our iconic clock tower and our away features the Borough of Erewash.  

Fanatics Supplies, based in Leicester, will take over the retail operation at Microlise New Manor Ground as well as the Robins’ official online retail site.

Two new playing kits will be revealed this spring, with the players returning for pre-season in all new training kit.

The new home kit will be available to purchase in-store at the Microlise New Manor Ground club shop from 12pm on Monday 21st April 2025 and online.

The full list of prices is as follows:

Adult Home                        £44.99

Junior Home                       £34.99

Ilkeston Town FC chairman Andrew Nally said: “We are thrilled to announce the agreement with uhlsport and Fanatics Supplies, a leading sports manufacturer within the football industry.  Everyone at the club is incredibly excited to welcome our new kit partners into the Ilson family.  The quality and extensive clothing range is something which has been in demand from our fans for a number of seasons and we can’t wait for launch.

“uhlsport, Fanatics Supplies and Ilkeston Town FC share an ambition to succeed and we couldn’t be more excited with this partnership, as we look forward to creating incredible Iconic kits. We’d like to thank TAG for their support over the last five seasons and wish them well for the future.”

David Sanderson, country manager of uhlsport UK and Ireland said: “We are delighted to officially announce a long-term partnership with Ilkeston Town, a multi-season collaboration with the club and Fanatics Supplies. The club and its passionate fanbase for football and community, make them the perfect addition to our uhlsport portfolio. Ilkeston Town have ambitious plans for the future, and we feel excited to be a part of their journey.”

Steve Orme, director of Fanatic Supplies, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ilkeston Town to the Fanatics Family. Ilkeston Town is at the heart of the local community, with big ambitions for next season and beyond.

“We look forward to providing the supporters, staff and players with our high performance bespoke teamwear throughout this exciting new chapter.”






Sam Essien signs for Ilkeston Town

Sam Essien signs for Ilkeston Town

Mar 7, 2025

We are pleased to announce the signing of attacking midfielder Sam Essien.

The 21-year-old arrives at the Microlise New Manor Ground after starting the season at Matlock Town, where he made 26 appearances, scoring twice. 

Essien featured against the Robins earlier this season in the Derbyshire Senior Cup and was a fan favourite with our Northern Premier League rivals. 

In a career that began at Halifax Town’s academy, Essien made his first-team debut in 2021 at the age of 18, starting for the Shaymen in the West Riding County Cup where he scored in a 3-1 victory over Ilkley Town.

Following a successful six-month loan at Golcar United in 2022 Essien was named ‘young player of the season’ for Golcar and signed for Boston United’s U23s upon the expiration of his loan. 

After a short loan spell at Liversedge FC, the young midfielder made the move to Matlock Town in the summer, where he has spent the last eight months.  

Welcome to Ilkeston Town, Sam!



Jaden Charles joins Ilkeston Town

Jaden Charles joins Ilkeston Town

Mar 7, 2025

We are delighted to announce the addition of left back Jaden Charles.

23-year-old Charles joins us from National League North side Rushall Olympic, for whom he made 25 appearances across two seasons before he departed the club earlier this week in search of regular game time. 

The attack-minded defender started his footballing career at Derby County’s academy, where he featured for the Rams in the U18s Premier League, FA Youth Cup and UEFA Youth League – alongside current Ilkeston Town players Callum Minkley, Connor Dixon and Kornell McDonald.

During his time at Pride Park, Charles was called up to the Republic of Ireland’s U18 squad where he earned three youth international caps.

After 10 years as a youth player with Derby County, Charles signed for then EFL League Two side Mansfield Town in March 2021 and made his professional debut from the bench in a 4-1 win over Oldham Athletic. 

Loan spells with National League North sides York City and Hereford followed before Charles made his loan move to Southern League Premier side Nuneaton Borough permanent in June 2022. 

Following Nuneaton’s withdrawal from the Southern League in 2024, after three seasons with the Boro, Charles signed for National League North club Rushall Olympic. 

Welcome to Ilkeston Town, Jaden!



Mansfield Town duo arrive on loan

Mansfield Town duo arrive on loan

Feb 5, 2025

We are delighted to announce the arrival of Darien Wauchope and McKeal Abdullah on loan from EFL League One side Mansfield Town, subject to League and FA approval. 

The duo arrive at the Microlise New Manor Ground on loan until the end of April.

Commenting on the new signings, first-team manager Ian Deakin said: “We are delighted, obviously McKeal’s had a taste of this level of football with Basford, I’ve known both of them since they were 16 years old and I’ve watched them develop over the past five years and turn into really good players.

“They will add depth and quality to our squad, with an attacking threat in McKeal and Darien’s pace and quality down the left-hand side as well. It’s good competition for places”

Deakin added: “We’ve got different types of strikers at the football club, McKeal is very hardworking up front, got good quality, he’s left-footed, so it gives us a different threat up front with Alex Hardwick and Harvey Kirby-Moore up there as well – and that’s what I want, competition for places and people striving to get into the team and keeping their shirt.”

Abdullah arrives after a loan spell with our Northern Premier League rivals Basford United, where he made 22 appearances and scored six goals in all competitions. 

The 19-year-old forward is a Pakistan international and made his debut as a substitute against Saudi Arabia in the Qualifiers of the FIFA World Cup 2026 last Summer. . 

On making the move to Ilkeston Town, Abdullah said: “Really excited to meet all the lads and the staff and hopefully push for promotion. 

“It’s a tough league from the top end to the bottom, anyone can beat anyone but it’s a great challenge to develop as a player and hopefully score some goals.”

Wauchope made his first-team debut at Mansfield Town alongside Abdullah earlier this season in the EFL Trophy against Bradford City. 

The 20-year-old defender spent the second-half of last season on loan at NPL Midlands side Anstey Nomads where he made 20 appearances as the Nomads finished runners-up in the division. 

Speaking ahead of his first training session with the team, Wauchope said: “I’ve known Deaks for quite a long time, he brought me to Mansfield and I trust him as a coach and as a person, so I know he will help develop me into a good player and I am looking forward to getting started.” 



It’s good to walk, it’s good to talk – Thurs Feb 6th

It’s good to walk, it’s good to talk – Thurs Feb 6th

Jan 28, 2025

Nine days to go until our next walk in conjunction with Sustrans – join us on Thursday 6th February.
For more information or to book your place, please follow the link below!
We will be walking route is the same as last time, but in reverse, starting at the Microlise New Manor Ground, Ilkeston Town Football Club, Awsworth Road, DE7 8JF
Meet at 10.15am, for a 10.30am start
Tea / coffee / chat afterwards
Maximum of 24 participants
Departure: Tom Cursons signs for Harrogate Town AFC

Departure: Tom Cursons signs for Harrogate Town AFC

Jan 21, 2025

Ilkeston Town FC can confirm that forward Tom Cursons has been sold to Harrogate Town AFC for an undisclosed fee.

We would like to wish Tom all the best for the future and will be watching his progress from afar.

Cursons signed for the Robins from Barwell FC in December 2023 has been a player bang in form since his arrival. The 23-year-old joins up with former Robins player and now Harrogate Town manager Simon Weaver on a two-and-a-half-year deal at the Exercise Stadium.

Manager Ian Deakin said: “I’m absolutely delighted for Tom on his move to Harrogate Town. He will be missed of course, but it’s a fantastic opportunity for him to continue his trajectory upwards in football.

“From the moment we signed TC you could see not only the potential he had but also what a great temperament and attitude he possessed. Massive credit goes to everyone involved, our chairman, staff, players and of course Tom himself. He has been a pleasure to manage and be a part of his journey so far.”

Deakin added: “Now he moves on to his next chapter at a very good football club in Harrogate Town where we all wish him well and nothing but success for the future. 

“For me this is a success for Ilkeston Town and continues the long line of young players going into full time football after being given the platform and environment to do so at Ilkeston. 

“We are all extremely proud of TC and look forward to seeing him take on the next chapter of his career.”

Chairman Andrew Nally said: “Obviously it’s a sad day to see a great player like Tom leave the club, but it also gives me great satisfaction to see us be that platform for Tom to realise his dreams and play within the league pyramid. 

“Over the past few months interest has been growing in the player from the footballing world, but the club didn’t simply want to sell to the first bidder, nor necessarily to the highest bidder and we have carefully chosen this deal, in what we think is right for all parties.   

“Tom not only has great footballing ability, he is extremely hardworking, has a desire to win, but more importantly has a lovely personality and I wish him all the best at Harrogate. Go smash it Tom”.

Finding the back of the net on 21 occasions in this season’s Northern Premier League campaign, Cursons departs the Microlise New Manor Ground as top goalscorer in the division – level on goals scored with Macclesfield forward Danny Elliott but achieved in fewer matches played.