News

On Thursday (12th May) it was announced that we will be placed in the Southern League Division Central.

The FA’s National League System has allocated the following clubs to the Pitching In Southern Football League for the 2022/23 season.

AFC Rushden & Diamonds

Alvechurch

Barwell

Basford United

Bedford Town

Bromsgrove Sporting

Coalville Town

Hednesford Town

Hitchin Town

Ilkeston Town

*Kings Langley

Leiston

Mickleover

Needham Market

Nuneaton Borough

Redditch United

Royston Town

Rushall Olympic

St Ives Town

Stoughbridge

Stratford Town

Tamworth

Bold letters are clubs switched from the Northern Premier League.

*Lateral Movements

22-year-old 6ft 4′ Montserrat international Marshall Willock comes in to bolster Martin Carruthers’ squad ahead of the new season.

Welcome to the New Manor Ground Marshall

Six days after the Robins lifted the Northern Premier League Midlands Division trophy, the New Manor Ground bar was packed with supporters in what was going to be an evening of celebration and recognition, reflecting on our title-winning season.

The evening started off with an opportunity for fans to get their professional photograph taken with the trophy by Robins club photographer Craig Lamont. (You can access the photos here)

Soon afterwards,  Mark Frost took to the stage to welcome those in attendance and make his speech.

“On the 19th of October 2019 I met two men for the first time, those two men were David and Andrew. I can remember that meeting like it was yesterday. From that day I vowed to give my all and everything for this football club.

“They (David and Andrew) inherited a club days, no, minutes away from existence. After sailing ship Ilkeston through these torrid waters, Covid hit whilst undertaking a seven-figure stadium upgrade… Talk about bad luck.

“David and Andrew’s passion remains high to this day, in fact, that’s a lie. Their enthusiasm and passion is far greater today than it has ever been. Long may it continue.

“We are very fortunate to have such owners who are so proactive. The installation of our new synthetic pitch, not just any pitch but a Polytan pitch, a global leader in synthetics, is a game-changer. The installation of this pitch makes this arena our biggest community asset.

“You the supporters have excelled this year and it is great to see so many new faces. Your support definitely helped Martin and the lads get the title over the line.

“Martin has assembled a magnificent team who were worthy winners in the end, apart from the last few weeks where there were some squeaky bums.

“I think we all forget how young some of these lads are, they’re mere young boys. I think they handled being top of the pile amicably. Look at the shocks this week in the play-offs alone, when clubs were favourites to win but faced pressures which have been on us since the turn of the year and lost. Well done lads, I’m proud of you.

“There is no business plan in football that guarantees success, but hard work certainly helps. From our bar staff managed by Kelly, to Phil and Sally in the kitchen, Mike our groundsman, the players out on the pitch, to Martin, Wayne, Kelvin, Laura and Danny managing the team, Graham and Kate, to your our supporters and not to mention our owners. Every one of the Ilkeston team has worked their socks off and played their part in winning promotion.

“But yet I’ve forgotten somebody. For years we the supporters have asked to be heard. Now we have our very own Liam Attwood as our club secretary. Well done Liam, it’s a dream come true.

“Before we look at the awards on offer tonight, I would like you all to stand one last time and raise your glasses in a toast, to Ilkeston Town FC, the champions.”

Supporters club chairman Alex Middleton then stepped up to award the supporters’ player of the season.

“Thank you all for coming today, I was expecting one man and his dog so I’m really pleased everyone has turned up. Like Mark has said we have two fantastic owners who have helped us no end and have let me go to work a little bit with the club shop. You guys, the supporters, have bought your woolly hats, your pin badges and scarves. We have made a profit so I would like to present Dave and Andy with a cheque from the supporters to the club for one thousand pounds.”

Billy Bennett was then presented with an award celebrating his 100 game milestone from the supporters, after playing in the first-ever game for the newly formed Robins in 2017 and continuing to put on the red and white ever since.

The supporters’ player of the season was won by Robins’ top goalscorer Zak Goodson.

Robins skipper Kieran Fenton was presented with the goal of the season award by Wayne Hallcro and Kelvin Wilson for his free-kick at Wisbech Town in the final game of the season.

Zak Goodson was up for another honour as he was given the top goalscorer award scoring 22 goals in 42 appearances.

Kieran Fenton picked up his second award of the evening as he took home the manager’s player of the season award.

Remaye Campbell then collected his players’ player of the season award.

Robins co-owner Andrew Nally then awarded Vince Fletcher and Brian Gee a collection of signed match programmes from this season as a thank you for all their hard work.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to potentially see the Robins crowned as champions and promoted this Monday as we play our final home game of the season tomorrow (Monday 18^th April) at the New Manor Ground against Shepshed Dynamo.

The Robins made it 5 wins in a row at the weekend, as Martin Carruthers’ men came from behind to win 2-1 at The Oval. Second-half goals from Remaye Campbell and Jack Thomas sealed the win which preserved our 3 point gap at the top of the league.

Shepshed come into this game having beaten Soham Town on Saturday 1-0, with an 88-minute winner by Arlott-John giving them all 3 points at the Dovecote Stadium.

With gates open from midday, there’s plenty to do for all including our Fancy Dress Competition where the best adult wearing fancy dress will receive a £100 cash prize & Nottingham Forest v West Bromwich Albion on our giant 150-inch screen from 8pm.

Children can watch for free along with:

Free Face Painting,

Free Bouncy Castle,

Receive an Easter Egg,

And watch our fireworks.

Ilkeston Town Form Guide: WDWDLWWWWW
Shepshed Dynamo Form Guide: WLDWWDWLDW

Match Details:
The New Manor Ground, DE7 8JF
15:00 Kick-off
£10 adults, £7 Concessions, U16s FREE

The Robins are on the road this weekend (Saturday 16th April) as we travel to face Bedworth United at the Oval.

Ilkeston currently sit at the top of the Northern Premier League Midlands Division, three points ahead of both Halesowen and Chasetown who sit in second and third respectively. Martin Carruthers’ side beat Daventry Town at the New Manor Ground last time out, after goals from Jack Thomas and Montel Gibson secured 3 points.

Bedworth come into the game off the back of a 3-0 defeat at Halesowen which made it back-to-back losses for United.

Ilkeston Town Form Guide: WWDWDLWWWW
Bedworth United Form Guide: LLDLLLDWLL

Match Details:
The Oval, CV12 8NN
15:00 Kick-off
£10 adults, £7 Concessions (12-18 & Over 65, U12s FREE

The Robins play their final home league game on Easter Monday (Monday 18th April) as they welcome Shepshed Dynamo to the New Manor Ground.

The Robins are on the road once again this weekend (Saturday April 2nd) as we travel to face ninth-placed Cambridge City in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division.

Coming off the back of a nervy 1-0 home win over Yaxley, Ilkeston will be looking to keep their spot at the top of the NPL Midlands. It took the Robins until stoppage time of the second half to find the breakthrough, as substitute Remaye Campbell’s header beat the Yaxley goalkeeper to give us 3 points at the New Manor Ground.

Cambridge come off the back of a 3-0 defeat to Chasetown in front of 905 spectators at the Scholars Ground.

The Robins are back at the New Manor Ground next week (Saturday 9^th April) as we host Daventry Town in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division.

Ilkeston Town Form Guide: WDWWDWDLWW
Cambridge City Form Guide: WWWWLDDWDL

Match Details:
Bridge Road Stadium, CB24 9PH (Histon FC)
15:00 Kick-off
Adults £10, Concessions £5, Under 16s FREE

The Robins are back at the New Manor Ground this weekend (Saturday 26th) as we host Yaxley FC in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division.

New signings Dan Bradley and Jack Thomas were both impressive in their debuts last week in a 3-2 home win over Coleshill and Ilkeston boss Martin Carruthers will be wanting more of the same on Saturday.

Table-toppers Ilkeston come into this game off the back of a win that saw Montel Gibson score his first goal since returning to the NMG and a Kieran Fenton brace, those enough to see the Robins take all the points despite a spirited effort from the visitors in the second half to get a point.

Yaxley come into the weekend following an enthralling 4-4 draw at Shepshed Dynamo on Tuesday, where they overturned a two-goal deficit to make it 4-2 before a late push by Shepshed meant a point each.

Ilkeston Town Form Guide: WWDWWDWDLW
Yaxley Form Guide: LDLWLDLWLD

Match Details:
The New Manor Ground, DE7 8JF
15:00 Kick-off
Adults £10, Concessions £7, Under 16s FREE

Following this game the Robins are on the road to face Cambridge City, and are back at home on the 9th April as we welcome Daventry Town to the NMG.

Ilkeston Town Veterans are at home on Sunday afternoon (14:00) as they host Basford United in the East Midlands Veterans League.