News

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

Ilkeston Town got the new NPL Midlands season off to a winning start with a 3-1 win at Stamford on Saturday.

With both sides tipped to have strong seasons this was a chance for Martin Carruthers’ men to make an early statement of intent, and whilst there is still plenty of work to be done the result and the manner in which it was achieved will have thrilled their strong following that made the trip to Lincolnshire.

Carruthers named two academy products – Seke Spence and Mitchell Tait – in his line-up and both played their part in an away performance that largely nullified the threat of the home side whilst taking three of the few chances they were able to break away and create.

It took 13 minutes for the first real chance to come, Zak Goodson released through the middle by Alex Troke but under pressure and from a slight angle his shot was pushed wide by keeper Dan Wallis.

Stamford lost key midfielder Rob Morgan injured on the half-hour mark, then a short corner culminated in Ilkeston’s Charlie Wakefield seeing a low ball into the six yard box blocked by Wallis.

But the Robins would get the lead three minutes before half-time, as the ball broke to Troke near the byline and his chipped cross forced an error in the Stamford six-yard box and Billy Bennett was able to nick in and stab the ball home.

Opposing left-back Connor Bartle nearly levelled straight away, albeit there would have been a bit of luck about it as his volleyed cross had to be tipped wide by the back pedalling Ross Durrant as the wind got hold of the ball and nearly took it in at the far post.

Goodson curled a shot straight at Wallis in stoppage time as the Robins sought a second before the break, but the half would end with a lead the visitors deserved overall.

The second-half took a while to produce a chance too, 64 minutes having elapsed before Stamford’s Tom Siddons’ free header from a left wing corner bounced down and towards the corner of the net but Bennett was on hand to nod the ball wide for a corner.

Moments later, Bennett then was on hand to double the Robins’ lead. Once again it was Troke who was the provider, this time finding space on the right wing to swing in another fine cross and Bennett stole in to head into the corner of the net on 68 minutes.

Siddons headed just wide of the post at the other end as Stamford tried to get back in the game, then he saw another header go close but this time Kieran Fenton saved a certain goal with a clearance off the line.

Durrant then had to be on hand to get down low and palm James Blunden’s low shot past the post – the hosts giving it a good go as the game entered its final ten minutes.

But their hopes were ended on 82, as Charlie Wakefield chipped a fine ball over the top for Troke to run on to and the Robins man proceeded to lob Wallis and seal the three points.

Wakefield nearly added a fourth when running on to Troke’s knock down but saw his volley saved well by Wallis, before Stamford finally registered a consolation in stoppage time when Jon Challinor found space in the penalty area and fired low into the corner of the net.

But that would be all they’d have to offer, as Ilkeston saw out a fine opening day win.

Stamford: Wallis, Armstrong, Bartle, Vince, Freeman, Blunden, Johnson, Morgan (Butterworth 31, Challinor 61), Siddons, Hicks (Goncalves 61), Matwasa.

Subs not used: Snedden, Peverell.

Ilkeston: Durrant, Bennett (Rogers 86), Spence (Verma 72), Wakefield, Maguire, Fenton, Marzano, Goodson (Carvell 72), Campbell, Troke, Tait.

Subs not used: Stainsby, Irvine.

Att: 407

Ref: Joe Woolmer

Report by Mark Duffy

We are delighted to announce the signing of defender Stern Irvine.

Stern, 18, has spent the last two years coming through Notts County’s academy and following his release from the Magpies over the summer, has featured as a trialist for the Robins in some of their pre-season friendlies.

And boss Martin Carruthers says he’s delighted to have brought the youngster in.

He said: “It’s great to get Stern on board and he is a fantastic addition to our squad.

“He is a player with real potential who will have opportunities to progress to higher levels. Lots of professional clubs were interested in signing him and it’s a real coup for this club to get him and facilitate his development.”

The next chapter in Ilkeston’s footballing history begins on Saturday with the debut of the New Manor Ground’s brand new 4G pitch.

Great investment has been pumped into Ilkeston Town with numerous impressive ground improvements and plans for a widespread redevelopment of the NMG still in place.

The club’s grass pitch was ripped up over the summer, with chairman and owner Mark Clifford hailing the new surface as a huge asset to the club and community.

He said: “The laying of the pitch is in its final stages now and we expect the handover to be completed on Friday.

“The pitch puts us in a position where the club is in a sustainable model for the first time ever, and will be a great asset for both the community and the club and where we can bring both the seniors and juniors under one roof, as well as the New Manor Sports Foundation.”

Saturday will see a day of special events, labelled Town Fest, with a legends versus fans match preceding a pre-season friendly between the Robins and Long Eaton United.

That in turn will be followed by a night of entertainment including live bands, face painting, a bouncy castle, a penalty shoot-out and a raffle, the whole day aiming to raise funds for the New Manor Sports Foundation.

Admission is £8 for adults, £5 concessions and £1 for children.

Clifford said: “It’s been a tough time for everyone and above all we’re looking forward to finally being able to welcome fans back to the New Manor Ground and watching football.

“Since we last completed a season, we’ve carried out a lot of redevelopment at the NMG and hopefully the fans will continue enjoy the changes being made.”

With regard to the playing side of things, Clifford says he’s happy with the squad being put together by manager Martin Carruthers.

He said: “We’ve made some really good signings and have excellent squad depth now. We have competition in every area and that’s not excluding our talented U23 players who are all coming through really well and competing for a place in the first team setup.”

Ilkeston Town Football Club is proud to present its Foundation Degree Elite Football & Education Programme.

Have you finished your course at a football academy? Do you want to continue into football industry studies and take your knowledge to the next level?

If so, this just may be the course for you.

Take a look at our course brochure by clicking the link to the PDF below and if you are interested in registering for the course, e-mail education@ilkestontownfc.co.uk.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ILKESTON TOWN FOUNDATION DEGREE AND ELITE FOOTBALL PROGRAMME BROCHURE