Focus on... Ilkeston FC

Last updated : 01 July 2011 By Jacob Daniel

Focus on... Ilkeston FC

A Brief History...

Notts are unlikely to play a newer team than Ilkeston FC in a while, with the Robins set to line up for, technically, their first ever season as a club in the Evo-Stik Division One South this season. Indeed, Saturday's friendly will be their first ever match. They are a reformation of Ilkeston Town FC who were wound up in Febuary following financial difficulties when in the Blue Square North.

Football began in Ilkeston in 1882 but a succession of football clubs in the town failed due to financial problems before Ilkeston Town were formed in 1945. They initially played in the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire senior leagues. They then joined the Central Alliance league, which they won four times in the 1950's.

The club continued in the lower reaches of non-league before their extremely successful recent history. The New Manor Ground opened in 1992 and this became the platform for success at the club under future Lincoln City manager Keith Alexander. They claimed their first ever Football League scalp in the FA Cup in 1999, beating Carlisle United 2-1.

Promotion from the Unibond League was achieved under Phil Stant before Nigel Jemson became manager of the club. The real catalyst for success, however, was David Holdsworth who had the side on the brink of promotion to the Conference North before leaving to join Mansfield Town. Rob Hurst and Paul Scott saw the job through with a Unibond play-off final victory over Nantwich Town, before Kevin Wilson took charge. They lost a number of their most talented players, including midfielder Ben Pringle to Derby County, but Wilson rebuilt well and The Robins finished eighth in their first ever season at Conference North level and were continuing to impress in their second campaign before being wound up over an unpaid £50,000 tax bill left by former chairman Chek Whyte.

Connections

There are a number of connections between the Magpies and the Robins, with many former Notts players having also turned out for or managed Ilkeston. Former Notts midfielder Darren Caskey is currently a player/coach at the club, underneath their manager and former Notts man Kevin Wilson. Jason Lee was also a part of the Robins' squad when they were wound up. Midfielder David McVay started his career with Ilkeston, whilst Bill Brindley and Phil Stand have both had spells as manager of the club.

The Boss

Ilkeston are managed by Kevin Wilson, who has signed a new four year contract at the New Manor Ground despite the club dropping two levels as a result of being wound up by the high court. Wilson had a distinguished career as a player, particularly at Chelsea. He also had spells at Notts, Derby County, Ipswich Town and Bradford City. His managerial career has centred around the non-league circuit after an early spell with Northampton Town, taking in Kettering Town, Hucknall Town and Corby Town before settling at Ilkeston. He is assisted by player/coach and former Notts midfielder Darren Caskey.

One to Watch

Eighteen year-old midfielder Adam Colton surprised a few people when he opted to join Ilkeston last month following his release from Huddersfield Town. The talented young midfielder had come through the youth ranks at Derby County before switching to the Terriers, where he had loan spells with York City and Lincoln City. A combative central player with a good eye for a pass, Colton will be looking to impress for the Robins this year.

Ticket News

The match at Ilkeston will kick off at 1pm this coming Saturday. Prices are £5 for adults, £2 for concessions and £1 for under 16's.