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We currently have a Kit Manager vacancy for our first team. All travel expenses are covered.

Key responsibilities will be:

Washing the first team kit (at the NMG)

Putting out the kit on home and away matchdays

Transporting kit and other equipment to away games

For more information or to apply, email: Enquiries@Ilkestontownfc.co.uk.

Tamworth 1 (Deacon 89)

Ilkeston Town 1 (K Thomas 86)

We got our SPL Central campaign up and running with a 1-1 draw at Tamworth on Saturday.

Kalern Thomas looked to have netted us all three points with his headed goal four minutes from time to put us in front, but Ty Deacon equalised soon afterwards to ensure a share of the spoils.

We’d started the game well with Montel Gibson shooting wide in only the second minute and the same player seeing another effort deflected wide moments later.

Alex Troke then saw a shot blocked as we continued to put pressure on, although Saul Deeney then had to be alert at the other end to deny Eoin McKeown’s header.

Gibson was again close with a shot which flew over the top while at the other end, Tamworth’s Alex Bradley had a crack from distance but he too was off target.

His namesake Dan then had to be withdrawn for the Robins after taking a knock, Zak Goodson replacing him and forcing something of a reshuffle in an Ilkeston line-up already hit by numerous injuries.

Before the break, the Lambs had a flurry of other openings but Dan Creaney, Kyle Finn and Alex Collard all failed to hit the target.

Creaney then fired into the side netting early in the second period as the hosts began strongly, Bradley then having an effort blocked by our skipper Kieran Fenton.

We responded strikes from Gibson and Ollie Brown-Hill which found the top of the net and the hands of keeper Jas Singh respectively.

Collard headed wide from a free-kick before McKeown forced Deeney into a save, while Jamie Ward had been introduced from the bench by the Robins and his curling effort had to be palmed away by Singh before Kalern Thomas’s header was also blocked.

But Thomas wouldn’t be denied on 86 minutes as from a corner, he rose highest at the far post and his header found the net via the underside of the crossbar to send our travelling fans into delirium.

However, the joy didn’t last long, as a long clearance found Deacon who got to the ball before Deeney and was able to slide home the equaliser – late pressure from us not able to force another goal as the sides made do with a point each.

Tamworth: Singh, Curley, Fairlamb, Mussa, Collard, Finn, Milnes (Hurst 84), Creaney (Deacon 84), Bradley (Jones 75), McKeown.

Not used: Cockerill-Mollett, Cater

Ilkeston: Deeney, Bird (Campbell 81), Wakefield, K Thomas, Brown-Hill, Fenton, Troke, Bradley (Goodson 43), O’Grady (Ward 66), Gibson, J Thomas.

Not used: Hilton, Bukowski

Att: 667

The wait is over! We finally get our Southern Premier League Central campaign up and running on Saturday as we travel to face Tamworth, kick-off 3pm.

While the Robins go into what will be our first ever season at step three, Tamworth haven’t been below this level in the last 25 years and in recent seasons progressed as high as the top level of non-league football, now known as the National League, before then dropping into what is now the National League North and then into the SPL Central in 2018.

Last season, they finished in tenth place, 11 points outside the play-off places.

Ilkeston boss Martin Carruthers says he can’t wait to get the season under way.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to the game. It seems like pre-season has taken forever so we’re really excited.

“We’ve got lots of new additions and are looking to gel the side together but competition for places is really fierce and we’re looking forward to hitting the ground running.

“We had a great start at Stamford last year and we’re hoping to replicate that but Tamworth are one of the favourites for the league and a really good club so we couldn’t really have had a tougher start, but you’ve got to play all of these teams so we’ll go there wanting to be solid and giving a good account of ourselves.

“It’s a new league with a lot of new teams for us so it’s a bit of an unknown, but I’ve had a couple of reports on Tamworth already and we know they’re a decent outfit and who their key players are but we’ve got plenty of key players ourselves.

“Some of the players have had a really good pre-season so we’re quietly confident we can go there and start the season with a bang.

“It’s a long season. We’ve still got one or two out with little niggles – nothing serious but we’ll manage that.

“But it’s great to be in a new league and hopefully it’ll be another successful season.”

Match Details:

Saturday, August 6
Kettlebrook Road, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B77 1AA
15:00 Kick-off
£12 adults, £8 Concessions, £4 16/17 yo ***All tickets must be bought via the Tamworth FC website in advance of the match – CLICK HERE***

Ilkeston Town 0

Belper Town 1 (Litchfield 49)

By Mark Duffy

Our final pre-season friendly ended in defeat on Saturday as an injury-hit Robins were beaten by Derbyshire neighbours Belper Town.

The game lacked any real quality throughout and few clear chances were created, the visitors taking theirs just after the break to secure the win.

Harry Middleton put a 25-yard free-kick over the bar on 12 minutes with the first real opening of note, it being the 26th minute before another chance came and it was for the hosts as Montel Gibson drove low at former Robin Ross Durrant in the Belper goal who parried the ball away.

Ollie Brown-Hill’s strike from distance was then too high two minutes later, then Chris O’Grady headed straight at Durrant from a Jack Thomas cross.

Half-time soon arrived with us having dominated possession but unable to break down the hosts’ defence.

It was then Belper who would take the lead when a loose ball in midfield was pounced upon and Brodie Litchfield was sent in on goal, rounding Saul Deeney before rolling the ball into the empty net.

Very few chances followed as the game became more of a midfield battle, punctured by regular substitutions, and despite our late pressure on the Nailers’ goal they held out to claim the win.

Ilkeston: Deeney, K Thomas (Hilton 77), Brown-Hill, Troke, Bradley, Fenton (Bird 37), Goodson, Bird (J Thomas 30), O’Grady, Gibson (Campbell 30), Wakefield

Belper: Durrant (Culverwell 74), Rhodes (Trialist A 78), Lobley, B Middleton (Morris 76), South, Jordan, H Middleton (Dixon 69), Wilson, Gibson, Litchfield (Trialist B 74), Hinsley (Robson 56)

As our pre-season comes to an end, Martin Carruthers’ side has one last test against Belper Town before we travel to face Tamworth on August 6th for our opening league game.

Coming off the back of a 3-2 home win over National League North outfit Boston United, Carruthers will be keen to keep his players in fine form going into our penultimate pre-season friendly against Belper Town.

Match Details:

Saturday 30th July
Microlise New Manor Ground, DE7 8JF
15:00 Kick-off
£6 adults, U16s FREE

We are on the road next Saturday as we travel to face Tamworth in the Southern League Premier Division Central.

Ilkeston Town 3 (Gibson 56, 64, 78)

Boston United 2 (Obiero 59, Gordon 61)

By Mark Duffy

Montel Gibson struck another hat-trick as we recorded an impressive win over National League North side Boston United on Tuesday night.

In a game of two contrasting halves, all the goals came in the second and four of them in the space of eight minutes as both sides enjoyed an energetic run-out in the closing stages of their pre-season campaigns.

And it was the Robins who prevailed thanks to Gibson’s superb finishing on the night.

We began well and Gibson saw a shot saved by Boston’s goalkeeper, known only as ‘Trialist A’, in the opening few seconds, the next chance coming on ten minutes when Chris O’Grady also shot straight at the United stopper who then got down low to deny the same player seconds later.

We lost Jamie Ward injured midway through the first-half, Zak Goodson replacing him, Boston’s ‘Trialist B’ with the next opening as he cut inside and fired a shot straight at Tomasz Bukowski in the Ilkeston goal.

Shaun Pollock then shot wide from distance for the Pilgrims but the half drew to a close with the game goalless.

The second-half began fairly slowly but was brought to life by a stunning goal on 56 minutes.

Gibson found some space 30 yards out and without much hesitation let fly with a superbly hit effort that found the top corner of the net.

But Boston were level four minutes later when Micah Obiero received the ball in the penalty area and was able to fire low into the corner past Bukowski.

Within a further two minutes the visitors then led, as a ball over the top found Jaanai Gordon and he lobbed Bukowski in style to complete a quick turnaround.

But we then levelled with the fourth goal in eight minutes, as O’Grady’s deep cross found Gibson at the back post and he beat the goalkeeper with a header.

The game was far more watchable now and Ward, fit enough to return to the fray after his early injury, forced a save low down on 73 minutes just after his reappearance.

United nearly regained the lead when Jordon Crawford cut inside and thundered an effort off the underside of the crossbar before heading the rebound straight at Bukowski.

And it was us who would then score next, with the in-form Gibson running on to a knock down and finishing well to complete his second hat-trick of pre-season.

We kept coming and Ward drilled an effort just past the post from distance on 81, Charlie Wakefield even closer moments later with a 25-yarder which struck the crossbar.

Remaye Campbell also went close late on but saw his shot saved, the game ending moments later to give us a morale-boosting win.

Ilkeston: Bukowski (Trialist B), J Thomas (Hilton 71), Brown-Hill, Bradley, K Thomas (Troke 71), Fenton, Ward (Goodson 26), Bird (Ward 71), O’Grady (Campbell 71), Gibson, Wakefield

Boston: Trialist A, Brown (Trialist D 46), Platt, Mbeka, S Pollock (Gordon 46), Ferguson, B Pollock, Solanke, Obiero, Trialist B (Crawford 46), Trialist C (Shiels 46).

The waiting is nearly over. Now it’s getting serious as we welcome National League North side and last season’s play-off finalists Boston United to the Microlise New Manor Ground on Tuesday night (July 26)

Our pre-season continues as Martin Carruthers’ side hosts Paul Cox’s Pilgrims with a 7.45pm kick-off.

Despite United’s previous Football League status and numerous Emirates FA Cup records, the Robins have played the Lincolnshire side on multiple occasions, our most notable win was a 2-1 victory in front of a packed-out NMG to progress into the second round of the FA Cup in 1997.

Manager Martin Carruthers will be no stranger to the visiting side’s supporters having made a handful of appearances during their time in the EFL League Two.

We have had a fine pre-season so far with Carruthers keen to hit the ground running in the new season’s opening game away at Tamworth.

He said: “Tomorrow will be a great test for us, the sort of test we’re wanting ahead of the new season so thank you to Paul Cox and John Ramshaw for agreeing to come over and play us.

“They (Boston) are a great side, only just missing out in the National League North play-off final and I’m sure they’ll be up there again next season.

“We only have two games left between now and the start of the season. There are places still up for grabs and the players know that the next two games and the remaining training sessions are pivotal in our own preparation and plans for what we hope to be another successful season.

“I’m really looking forward to the game and to see how far away we are from a top side in the league above.”

Boston will be sure to bring a great following with them from Lincolnshire, so we hope to see plenty of Robins fans at the game as well to help ensure it’s a great atmosphere.

Hinckley LRFC 0 Ilkeston Town 1

Montel Gibson scored his seventh pre-season goal to give Ilkeston a fourth friendly victory in an entertaining game at Leicester Road on Saturday.

Gibson was the main cause of problems for the Hinckley defence so it was no surprise when he put Ilkeston ahead, scoring from close range on 12 minutes after controlling a fine ball over the top from Jack Thomas and beating his defender before finishing well.

The hosts had a chance to pull level five minutes later when Robins keeper Tomasz Bukowski conceded a penalty when he brought down Hinckley forward Joe Lyne. Bukowski was to redeem himself though with a spectacular save from Liam Reid’s spot-kick, diving full length to his left.

Ilkeston threatened to increase their lead on several occasions with some good teamwork but Hinckley nearly equalised when Marshall Willock’s back pass was intercepted by Dom Brennan. His parried shot was heading for goal but Ollie Brown-Hill got back to clear off the line.

Just before half time, excellent interplay between Jamie Ward and Gibson ended with Ward’s shot flying past the post and Ilkeston had to settle for a single-goal lead.

Both sides made changes after the interval and it was Hinckley who started the stronger and they enjoyed an initial period of ascendancy.

Ilkeston regained the upper hand though and came close to doubling their lead when a Kieran Fenton header was just too high.

A Remaye Campbell effort hit the side netting when he cut in from the right as Ilkeston pressed in the closing stages.

Five minutes from time, Brown-Hill and Ward combined to create a real opportunity but Hinckley survived and Gibson’s opener proved to be the winner.

Ilkeston are back in action at home to Boston United on Tuesday night before then hosting Belper Town on Saturday in their final pre-season game.

Report by John Attewell

Ilkeston Town 0-0 Shepshed Dynamo

Ilkeston Town played out a goalless draw in their latest pre-season friendly with Shepshed Dynamo on Wednesday.

It was a game that saw plenty of chances for both sides, particularly the Robins in the second-half, but neither team could ultimately make the break through in what was certainly an energetic pre-season run-out.

Saul Deeney was called into action early on to dive at the feet of Dempsey Arlott-John when he broke into the penalty area, then Keiran Fenton headed over the top at the other end from a Jamie Ward corner.

Arlott-John tested Deeney from distance but his shot was straight at the Robins stopper on seven minutes, the Robins keeper again having to block when a parrying a powerful effort six minutes later.

Dynamo were creating the better openings and Arlott-John was again denied by Deeney low down on 22 minutes, while Ilkeston’s Chris O’Grady shot weakly at the keeper from just outside the area on 27.

Kalern Thomas then saw an effort deflected just wide after finding space in the penalty area, then Dan Bradley somehow turned a Ward cross wide when unmarked a few yards out and half-time arrived with the game goalless.

Ilkeston started the second-half well and one of many subs, Remaye Campbell, flicked the ball just wide with a diving header on 54 minutes, then headed just over from an Alex Troke cross moments later.

Shepshed were still a threat and saw a couple of long range efforts go close amid a plethora of changes to their side, before Montel Gibson was sent clear for the Robins on 72 but saw his effort parried away by keeper Brandon Ganley.

Ilkeston kept pushing and Ganley pushed away a Campbell shot on 77 minutes, Jack Thomas next to see a chance come his way but only able to head Ben O’Hanlon’s cross over the top.

Ganley was having a fine game and denied Campbell once more with six minutes left when he was found by Ollie Brown-Hill’s knock down but the Dynamo keeper blocked at point blank range.

Thomas was then denied by another save, this time low down from a first-time shot, Troke next to see a shot blocked by a defender three yards out after being found by Charlie Wakefield.

Thomas volleyed just wide as the game entered its final minute, that the last chance the Robins would have to win a game from which they will feel they might have deserved a positive result.

Ilkeston: Deeney (Bukowski 46), Thomas (Trialist 46), 3 O’Hanlon (Bennett 46), Bradley (Bird 65), Turner (O’Hanlon 65), Fenton (Willock 46), Ward (Thomas 46), Bird (Brown-Hill 46), O’Grady (Campbell 46), Gibson (Wakefield 76), Wakefield (Troke 46)

Report by Mark Duffy

Kimberley MW 2-3 Ilkeston Town

Montel Gibson struck a hat-trick as the Robins ran out 3-2 winners in the heat at Kimberley MW on Saturday.

Ilkeston were made to work hard for their victory by a stubborn Kimberley who twice came from behind. The Robins hero was Gibson who scored his treble after coming as a  30th-minute substitute – his last goal the winner with the last kick of the game from the penalty spot.

The Robins started the game brightly in the sweltering conditions at a packed Stag Ground. The crowd of 312 was the second highest ever for the Miners at their present home.

Ilkeston controlled possession from the kick off and with their fluent passing movement they looked to be over-powering the hosts. Despite this domination Ilkeston were finding it difficult to create clear-cut chances against a resolute Kimberley defence.

The home side did, however, have the occasional break away in the opening half hour but Saul Deeney in the Robins goal saved each effort comfortably.

The game changed after Ilkeston made their first batch of substitutions after 32 minutes. Gibson was played through and scored with a vicious shot in to the left hand corner of the net to give Ilkeston the lead.

Gibson had yet another effort minutes later that was well saved by the Kimberley keeper Danny Rigley and he then set up Ollie Brown-Hill whose strike was well saved by the by the hosts’ custodian.

As the game approached half-time, Kimberley finally broke out of defence and scored after some fine inter passing to make the game level at the break, Nathan Banton with the finish.

After half-time Ilkeston continued to press forward and it was no surprise when Gibson swooped at the far post to score with a well-placed header.

However, again Ilkeston let their lead slip from their grasp on 57 minutes when a Kimberley player volleyed home from close range after the Robins failed to clear their lines. The hosts then had a chance to go in to the lead but the header went just over.

Ilkeston got stronger as the game progressed however and Kimberley appeared to be wilting somewhat in the heat. Remaye Campbell, Brown-Hill and Gibson all had shots that went close.

Despite this, on 84 minutes Kimberley almost took the lead when their substitute was put clear but he fluffed his lines and dragged his weak effort well wide.

The hosts were made to rue this missed chance when well into added time Brown-Hill again surged into the box and was bought down giving Ilkeston a penalty and a the chance to win the game. Gibson stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way from the spot and claim his hat trick.

The 3-2 scoreline did not reflect Ilkeston’s domination of possession and without the brilliance the Kimberley keeper the Robins could have won by a much greater margin.

Ilkeston entertain Shepshed Dynamo on Wednesday night at the Microlise New Manor Ground.

Ilkeston Town line-up:- Deeney, Bennett, O’Hanlon, Bradley, Turner, Fenton, Thomas J, Wakefield, Gibson. Troke and Willock. Subs: Bird, Brown-Hill, Triallist, Gibson, Campbell and Triallist. 

Report by John Shiels