News

I’d like to announce that I have today stepped down as the club Chairman and Shareholder.

When I came in as manager in August 2019 it was a great moment for me, a real privilege to manage a club that I had become extremely fond of over the years, starting with my loan spell from Mansfield Town as a young pro nearly 30 years ago.

Initially upon taking the role, the club were in a precarious position, I had no benefit of a pre-season and I was without a playing squad, with only five days to go before our first fixture. I succeeded in fielding a team that was competitive under very difficult circumstances.

Soon afterwards whilst attending in support of me, Dave and Andrew became interested in investing at the club and we very quickly together started to plan, rebuild, modernise and rebrand.

This meant certain personal sacrifices had to be made by me as my passion once my playing career ended had always been coaching and management. The club takeover and off field matters meant that I had to stop doing something that I loved to ensure that all hands were on deck in order to move the club forward through not only the transition of ownership, but also through a pandemic and major development works.

The timing of the takeover couldn’t have been any worse if I’m completely honest and I have to thank Dave and Andrew for the way they have backed the club financially and myself through what was a very difficult time with no fixtures, no income, and no business activity.

The improvements have also been phenomenal and are there for all to see.

I hope that moving forward people can understand my decision and respect the fact that life is too short to carry any regret. I worked extremely hard over the years to achieve my UEFA A licence coaching qualification and this enables me to have the greatest impact on the training field.  Whilst being part of the ownership of a football club may seem glamorous to some, most of the time it certainly is not. Over the past few months my desire to return to the dugout has grown considerably. The business side of the club has replaced working with players on the grass and this in turn has become a constant noise in my head, one that I finally have to listen to.

Martin is doing a fantastic job with his management team and it’s important that they are able to continue without any interruption from another person that could disrupt the team’s development, cohesion and ultimate aim, promotion!

With all of this in mind I have taken the decision to step away, in order to give me more time to assess my options, to discover what is out there for me either now or in the very near future. This is something I simply could not find the time to do whilst juggling my work commitments, family time and running of the club.

The club however is in a good place, it’s in great hands and has a real positive future to look forward to.

I would like to thank Martin, Danny Draper, Liam Attwood, Mike and Kelly Pike and Mark Frost for all of their assistance, along with everyone else at the club that have supported me, but most of all, I would like to wish my friends Dave and Andrew all the very best with the club moving forward.

We have together contributed towards unifying a community, created wonderful facilities and helped hundreds of children feel part of something bigger and better.

I am extremely proud to say but with a heavy heart that I leave behind a real football family.

 Mark Clifford

Ilkeston Town put in a display of ruthless finishing to see off bottom-of-the-table Histon on Saturday.

Last week the team from Leon’s Legacy donated a defibrillator to Ilkeston Town FC/Juniors.

Leon’s Legacy is a family-run charity based in Nottingham, raising money to put defibrillators in schools across the United Kingdom.

It was created in memory of Leon Smith, who suffered a fatal cardiac arrest in January 2019 at the school where he worked. Since then, the charity has placed over 40 defibrillators in schools across England and taught over 400 people CPR.

However, since Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest during the European Championships, Leon’s Legacy have been providing defibrillators to local sports teams and clubs.

In May this year, Leon’s dad Neil Smith sadly passed away. Neil was a trustee of the charity and was involved in all aspects of fundraising.

In his memory, a defibrillator has been donated to Ilkeston Town Football Club as well as several schools.

Head of Football Mark Clifford said: “In a week which saw young West Bridgford player Dylan Rich lose his life playing the sport he loves, it makes you realise that whilst football seems like life or death when that whistle goes, it’s actually just a game that we all love so much, and certainly not life or death!

“We have ensured that the safety of all of our teams is paramount, the first team has a defibrillator as part of its matchday equipment, it travels with us home and away to ensure we can react quickly if called upon.

“The club has one secured on site so that again, if needed, anyone using our facility has the best chance of survival should the worst happen.”

You can follow Leon’s Legacy on Twitter – https://twitter.com/legacy_leon

You can follow Leon’s Legacy on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LeonsLegacyDefibs/

We are delighted to announce that Mitchell Tait has today signed a new contract which will see him remain at the New Manor Ground until 2023.

Having impressed with last year’s Academy U19 National League Squad and FCB side, Tait was promoted to the first team following multiple injuries within the squad, and immediately showed the coaching staff and Robins supporters what he was about.

Manager Martin Carruthers said: “I’m pleased the club have tied down another good prospect.

“Mitch has managed to break in to the first team this season and keep his place which a fantastic achievement for someone of his age.

“He will need to continue to work hard, learn and develop and I’m sure he will be a good asset for the club over the next two years.”

Ilkeston Town 5-0 Spalding United

Ilkeston Town took delivery of a bundle of early Christmas presents from visitors Spalding United on Tuesday as they romped to a 5-0 win at the New Manor Ground.

Four of the five goals were heavily contributed to by Spalding mistakes, but the Robins took their chances well, dominated the game anyway and fully deserved the three points in response to a disappointing loss at home to Chasetown three days earlier.

One downer on the evening was injuries to four Robins players that forced their withdrawal from the encounter, Joe Maguire, Aman Verma, Remaye Campbell and Alex Troke all retiring hurt and looking unlikely to feature at Carlton Town on Saturday.

But the win was a welcome one for Ilkeston who remain committed to challenging for the top places in this season’s NPL Midlands.

After a fairly even start, the Robins began to get hold of the game and were gifted the lead on 14 minutes. Sam Cartwright was under very little pressure as he attempted a back pass to his goalkeeper Michael Duggan but proceeded to knock the ball straight past him and towards goal, Billy Bennett able to run in and claim the goal for himself by helping it over the line.

Spalding were a mess at the back, soon playing themselves into trouble again as Dan Bucciero’s clearance hit Troke and forced Duggan to push the ball wide.

But from Bennett’s corner, the ball found its way to the back post where United defender Shane Clarke sliced the ball into his own net when trying to clear.

The Robins lost captain Maguire injured on the half-hour which led to a re-shuffle and Verma moving to centre-half, Paddy Webb coming on up front.

Troke saw a 25-yard free-kick pushed wide by Duggan, before the third goal arrived and again Spalding’s defensive work was questionable as they failed to clear a cross, Troke seeing a shot saved but Bennett following up to score from a couple of yards out.

Half-time arrived with the Robins three up but with another injury, Campbell also retiring hurt to be replaced by Ollie Brown-Hill.

Spalding’s best moment so far came on 55 minutes when Jordan Macleod’s long range strike was inches wide of Ross Durrant’s post.

Ilkeston seemed happy not to move much out of third gear in the second-half initially, Charlie Wakefield’s shot deflected wide on 67 their first real moment of quality going forward since the break.

Zak Goodson then saw a lob tipped wide by Duggan after Troke’s long ball over the top, but the fourth goal would soon come and again a United error caused it.

Webb charged into the penalty area after a long ball found him and was barged to the ground by defender Oliver Price as he prepared to shoot, Price sent off for the offence and a penalty awarded.

Troke stepped up to side foot the ball home and make it 4-0.

The fifth followed not long afterwards, sub James Carvell beating his man superbly down the right, getting to the byline and finding Brown-Hill at the back post who slammed the ball home.

Stern Irvine had to clear a goalbound header off the line at the other end as Spalding looked for a consolation, but they would have nothing to show for their presence at the end of the game.

Ilkeston: Durrant, Tomlin, Tait, Wakefield, Maguire (Webb 31), Irvine, Goodson, Verma (Carvell 70), Campbell (Brown-Hill 41), Troke, Bennett.

Subs not used: Rogers, Stainsby.

Spalding: Duggan, Price, Flitton, Clarke, Cartwright, Ward (Stainfield 46), Floyd (Baker 46), Bucciero, Assombalonga, MacLeod (Robinson 59), Yala.

Ref: Gareth Davis

Att: 344

Report by Mark Duffy

Stapleford Town 0-2 Ilkeston Town FCB

Our FCB side had their first away game of the season against an in-form Stapleford on Saturday.

Ilkeston began the game very well and looked up for it from the get go. The pace in behind again was troubling the opposition, Ayleal Dill and CJ Dunkley testing the goalkeeper early on.

Stapleford couldn’t really trouble the Robins defenders who dealt well with long balls pumped forward.

After around 15 minutes, Dunkley was sent through by a well timed pass from Lamin Manneh, just got there before the onrushing keeper and slotted it into the empty net to put Ilkeston in front.

Stapleford reacted well for the next ten minutes, winning a couple of corners and dangerous free-kicks but again these were dealt with well by the Robins.

With only ten minutes left of the first-half, Ilkeston won themselves a corner. Kieran Cummings’ delivery was met by Jamie Williamson who finished from close range to get his second of the season.

The second-half was played very professionally by Ilkeston as they controlled the pace of the game and frustrated Stapleford in stages.

With around eight minutes to play, Mazhi Simmonds was sent off for a second yellow card, which meant Ilkeston had to be resolute for the remaining minutes.

They were, and defended superbly as a team to ensure they got the job done and made it three wins out of three.

As a thank you to our supporters and town for their excellent and continued support, the owners of the club have decided to offer FREE ENTRY to everyone at two forthcoming home fixtures.

Saturday 11th September v Chasetown FC

Saturday 18th December v Stamford AFC

Advance tickets are not required nor available, with free entry being offered to all in attendance at both fixtures, including travelling supporters.

To all potential new visitors to the NMG, you are also welcome. The great joys of non-league football mean you can experience having a pint at pitchside before, during and after a game.

If you have younger family members, why not let them meet the players and play on the stadium playing surface following the game (subject to correct footwear, CLICK HERE to see the information on this) We are certain you will feel part of a wonderful family atmosphere at one of non-league football’s finest venues.

Hot and cold food is also available throughout the game, along with live Premier League football on a 150” screen both before and after our game.

We would love to see you all there.

#OneTownOneClub