Welcome to Ilsonfootball.co.uk, the independent Ilkeston football website! Click on the tabs above and take yourself on a journey from 1882 to the present day and become an expert on the history of Ilkeston football from Ilkeston Mechanics FC through to the mighty Robins, Ilkeston Town FC. Enjoy!
ROBINS TRIVIA QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Which 21st Century Ilkeston Town manager once presented a special edition of BBC's 'Cash In The Attic' TV programme?
Think you know the answer? Email me paydunc@aol.com with your suggestion and your name. A week by week league table will be available to view on this site showing who are our most knowledgeable supporters. The answer will be revealed on February 12th when another teaser will head your way.
The answer to last week's question 'Who was the last Ilkeston Town player to score over 30 league and cup goals in a season?' is in fact Christian Moore, and not Dave Taylor or Adam Muller as some have suggested. Congratulations to Mark Turner who answered correctly for the fourth week running and is now outright leader. Andy Golds is now in second place with three correct answers, followed by John Davis and Sean Trusswell with one each.
EREWASH MUSEUM CELEBRATION
Erewash Museum will be staging an exhibition in Summer 2010 to celebrate Ilkeston Town Football Club's 65th anniversary. Click on the Miscellaneous tab for details.
HISTORIC MATCH
The Robins' 3-1 Derbyshire Senior Cup victory against Buxton means that the club's 3000th competitive fixture will coincide with the AFC Telford United home game on 3rd April 2010. However, further progress in the Derbyshire Senior Cup could bring the game forward.
LATEST ILKESTON TOWN RESULTS
Saturday, February 6th 2010
GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 0 ILKESTON TOWN 0
Ilkeston failed to take advantage of a poor Gainsborough team and had to settle for a point. Match report to follow...
Saturday, January 30th 2010
ILKESTON TOWN 1 DROYLSDEN 0
An improved second half showing after a scrappy opening period ensured Ilkeston of a much needed victory against fellow play off hopefuls Droylsden. The Robins missed a hatful of chances late on. See MATCH REPORTS for details.
Monday, January 25th 2010
HYDE UNITED 1 ILKESTON TOWN 1
Luke Waterfall gave Ilkeston a first half lead but they were pegged back in the second half and had to settle for a point. See MATCH REPORTS for details.
CLICK HERE FOR LATEST LEAGUE TABLE
LATEST ILKESTON TOWN NEWS
Ilkeston Town have signed 24 year old midfielder Callum Lloyd on a non contract basis. His pen pic has been added elsewhere on this page. Meanwhile Chris Davies has been released by the club by mutual consent.
Non contract players Jermaine Palmer and Rory Prendergast have also left the club. The cold snap that brought around so many postponements meant that the club was no longer in a position to pay them. Meanwhile Junior Mendes, who played in the FA Cup tie at Cambridge, is now playing Scottish League football with Ayr United.
The Football Association have agreed to an extension of the deadline for the upgrading of the floodlights according to the Non League Paper. Town now have until May 31st to get them installed. Chesterfield FC have kindly agreed to supply the club with the lights at the end of the season.
Ilkeston have discovered that the cost of redeveloping the dressing rooms to meet the standards required by the Blue Square North will be £40,000. The club has applied for a grant from the Football Foundation in order for the work to be carried out. Should the work not be complete by May 31st Town will be demoted to the Unibond League Premier Division.
Ilkeston have signed two Scunthorpe United youngsters on three month loans. Striker Matt Godden (18) arrives following a loan spell at Brigg Town and highly rated 19 year old left back/left sided midfielder Rory Coleman has previously been on loan at Harrogate Town.
The vast number of postponements and subsequent cancellation of rearranged games has caused some head scratching, so for ease here is an up to date list of all our remaining games:
Tues Feb 9 v Vauxhall Motors (A)
Sat Feb 13 v Stalybridge Celtic (H)
Tues Feb 16 v Belper Town (H) Derbyshire Senior Cup Semi Final
Sat Feb 20 v Northwich Victoria (A)
Tues Feb 23 v Workington (H)
Sat Feb 27 v Hinckley United (H)
Tues Mar 2 v Corby Town (H)
Sat Mar 6 v Redditch United (A)
Tues Mar 9 v Eastwood Town (A)
Sat Mar 13 v Blyth Spartans (H)
Tues Mar 16 v Gainsborough Trinity (H)
Sat Mar 20 v Stafford Rangers (A)
Tues Mar 23 v Eastwood Town (H)
Sat Mar 27 v Harrogate Town (H)
Tues Mar 30 v Solihull Moors (H)
Sat Apr 3 v AFC Telford United (H)
Mon Apr 5 v Farsley Celtic (A)
Sat Apr 10 v Fleetwood Town (H)
Sat Apr 17 v Alfreton Town (H)
Sat Apr 24 v Gloucester City (A)
ILKESTON TOWN FC 2009/10 PEN PICS
These player profiles will be updated as and when players join or leave the club. Appearances and goals for this season are included, up until the end of January.
TOM BONNER
Born Lewisham, 6 February 1988. Former QPR academy player and Scotland under 16 international. Full back who started out with Northampton Town and can operate on either flank. Has since played for Rushden & Diamonds, Corby Town, Hinckley United and Solihull Moors. Joined Ilkeston in July 2009 and will be looking to force his way into the first team. 22+1sub, 1goal.
JOSH BURGE
Born Grimsby, July 1990. Former Grimsby Town youth team player of the year who had a trial at Aston Villa and attracted interest from Sheffield United and Sunderland while at Blundell Park. A highly promising midfielder who enjoys going forward, has a good shot, and is a dead ball expert. Offered the chance of a trial at Stockport County recently but opted to join The Robins instead. 9+12subs, 1goal.
DARREN CASKEY
Born Basildon, 21 August 1974. Joined Ilkeston as player coach shortly before the start of the 2009/10 season. Experienced midfielder who began at Spurs (32apps, 4goals) where he also had a loan spell at Watford (6apps, 1goal). During this time he captained the England Under 18 team to victory in the 1993 European Championships and scored in the Final. Went on to Reading (201apps, 35goals) and Notts County (114apps, 10goals) and then signed for Bristol City. A spell at Hornchurch followed before he made a brief return to League football with Peterborough United (4apps). Moved back into non-League with Bath City, Havant & Waterlooville and a period overseas with Virginia Beach Mariners prior to a final spell in League football with Rushden & Diamonds (18apps, 1goal). More recently has been with Kettering Town and Halesowen Town.
DAVID COOMBES
Fine shot stopping goalkeeper from Loughborough Universities, signed as cover for Dan Lowson in September 2009. 2apps.
PAUL DEMPSEY
Born Birkenhead, 3 December 1981. A former Sheffield United youth player who entered League football with Northampton Town and made 26 appearances. Although he frequently played at right back in his early days he is now better known as a tenacious central midfielder. After playing in New Zealand for Football Kingz he returned to the UK and can count Scarborough, Hucknall Town, Worksop Town where he was captain, and Wakefield among his former clubs. Another 2009 summer signing. 29+1sub, 2goals.
SAM DUNCUM
Born Sheffield, 18 February 1987. Thrilling outside left with blistering pace he can take on defenders on both sides, cross with accuracy, and is capable of scoring fine goals. Very much a crowd favourite there are high expectations of him and he has the ability to play at a higher level. Joined Ilkeston from Rotherham United in May 2008 after a loan spell with York City. Has scored 4 goals in 57 appearances for the club. 27+2subs, 5goals.
DAVID GRAHAM
Born Edinburgh, 6 October 1978. Classy forward who began with Rangers (3apps) and Dunfermline Athletic (31apps, 4goals) during which time he had a loan spell with Inverness Caledonian Thistle (2apps). Moved south of the border and enjoyed great success with Torquay United (110apps, 47goals) before progressing to Wigan Athletic (30apps, 1goal), Sheffield Wednesday (24apps, 2goals), Huddersfield Town on loan (16apps, 9goals), Bradford City on loan (22apps, 3goals) and a return to Torquay on loan (7apps). Left Hillsborough and signed for Gillingham (16apps, 3goals) and then Lincoln City (9apps). Moved into non-League with Sheffield FC in 2008/09 prior to joining The Robins just before the start of the 2009/10 season. A former Scotland Under 21 international with 8 caps, he had just started hitting form in front of goal when he suffered a badly broken leg away at Blyth Spartans in October 2009. 8+10subs, 4goals.
LIAM GREEN
Born Grimsby, 17 March 1988. Joined Ilkeston from Boston United in July 2009. Capable of playing at left back or midfield this talented player and dead ball specialist made 2 League appearances for Doncaster Rovers prior to his move to York Street. Also had a spell at Burton Albion and will be pushing for a first team place this season. 11+5subs.
JOE HARRIS
Another 18 year old forward and one to watch for the future. Signed from Swansea City in July 2009 he was a regular in their youth team and had progressed to their reserves. Highly rated, Scottish giants Celtic had been watching his progress prior to his arrival at Ilkeston. Went on loan to Shepshed Dynamo in November 2009 where he has sustained a foot injury. 0+3subs.
DANNY HOLMES
Born Burton, 17 November 1986. A former Port Vale trainee, he had been with his home town club Burton Albion for several years but was released upon their promotion to the Football League in May 2009. Several big non-League clubs, including Forest Green Rovers, Altrincham and Tamworth, were interested in signing him so it was quite a coup for The Robins when they signed him. Impressive in midfield and capable of crossing with great accuracy big things are expected of him. 21+2subs, 3goals.
RICHIE HOLMES
18 year old defender who was a prominent member of Chesterfield's youth team. Strong in the air and competitive this central defender is one for the future. 4+3subs.
NEAL HOOKS
Born Hexham 3 July 1987. Holding midfield player with good distribution who first joined Ilkeston in September 2008. Made 9 appearances before emigrating to Australia early in 2009 where he played in Melbourne for Sunshine George Cross. Returned to Ilkeston in September 2009 and is expected to be pushing for a first team place. Originally joined Ilkeston from Newcastle Blue Star having played Scottish League football with Ross County (8+1sub, 1goal). 10+6subs.
CALLUM LLOYD
Born Nottingham 1 January 1986. Former Kimberley Comprehensive School pupil who turned professional and made his League debut at Mansfield Town (41apps, 4goals). Joined Alfreton Town on loan prior to signing for Kettering Town and Hinckley United. Was with Kings Lynn at the time they went to the wall during the 2009/10 season. Can play anywhere in midfield but is most effective out wide or just behind the strikers and can shoot from long distance. Signed for Ilkeston in January 2010.
DAN LOWSON
Born 4 February 1988. Goalkeeper formerly with Gretna who was with Newcastle Blue Star in 2008/09. A former England schoolboy trialist he is confident with crosses, a good organiser and an excellent shot stopper. After conceding a goal just two minutes into his debut he wasn't beaten again for 608 minutes, thus breaking a club record that stood since 1954. This feat earned him the Blue Square North player of the month award for September 2009. Looks more than capable of being Chris Adamson's successor. 27apps.
AMARI MORGAN-SMITH
Born Wolverhampton, 3 April 1989. Burst into the team with a glut of goals following his summer 2008 arrival before injury led to a loss of form. A fast and skilful forward who can play down the middle or out wide the summer break will hopefully have done him the power of good and a return to his best form is expected. Scored 11 goals in 53 appearances for Ilkeston last season and was previously on the books of Wolves and Crewe Alexandra before joining Stockport County where he made 1 League appearance. 25+5subs, 14goals (7pens).
KIERAN MURPHY
Born Kingston, 31 December 1987. Former Republic of Ireland under 21 international who won 3 caps and scored 1 goal. Dominant central defender who can also play at right back, is excellent in the air and effective in both penalty areas. Made 3 League appearances at former club MK Dons where he had loan spells at Aylesbury United, Maidenhead United, Hendon, Walton & Hersham and Crawley Town. Joined Ilkeston before the start of the 2008/09 season and had a magnificent first year at the club, picking up two separate player of the year awards. Made 55 appearances and scored 2 goals before the start of the 2009/10 season. Sadly suffered a fractured skull in October 2009. Team captain. 16apps.
CHARLIE O'LOUGHLIN
Born Birmingham, 17 March 1989. Tall, commanding central defender, a fine header of a ball and comfortable with the ball at his feet. Started out at Port Vale where he made 3 League appearances and had loan periods at Nantwich Town and Hinckley United before signing for Nantwich permanently. Impressed against Ilkeston in the 2008/09 Unibond League play off final and signed for The Robins a couple of months later. 28apps, 2goals.
GARY RICKETTS
Born Nottingham, 13 July 1975. Looked to have a fine career ahead of him at Nottingham Forest but a motoring accident appeared to end it before it had truly begun. Showed great character to fight back and become an excellent target man with a good touch and speed of thought with a proven track record at this level. Has played for a variety of non League clubs including Heanor Town, Arnold, Hucknall Town for whom he played in the 2004/05 FA Trophy final, Hinckley United, Nuneaton Borough and Tamworth. Signed for Ilkeston in June 2009. A couple of suspensions has limited his number of appearances in 2009/10 so far. Club captain. 25+1sub, 8goals.
OSCAR SHORT
Teenage outside left formerly at Derby County, with good ball control, pace and a great touch. A fringe player who will be aiming to break into the first team. 2apps, 1goal.
LUKE WATERFALL
Born Sheffield, 3 July 1990. Impressive and dominant central defender signed from Tranmere Rovers in July 2009. Former Barnsley youth player who had a loan period at Altrincham while at Tranmere and has also had trials at Oxford United and York City in recent months. Will be looking to challenge Kieran Murphy and Charlie O'Loughlin for a place in the starting line up. 26apps, 2goals.
JACK WATTS
Born Australia 1/6/1991. Intelligent striker formerly with Barnsley who makes good runs down the channels and is calm in front of goal. Will be aiming to force his way into the first team. 5+1sub, 2goals.
ALEX WHITE
Born Bishop Auckland, 28 August 1988. Formerly on the books of Middlesbrough and Hartlepool United he tried his luck north of the border. A spell with Gretna led to a move to Stranraer where he made 35 Scottish League appearances and scored 3 goals. He then returned to England and played for Blyth Spartans and Tow Law Town prior to joining Ilkeston in the summer of 2009. Solid left back who enjoys going forward and can deliver a fine cross. A broken foot sustained in the Stafford Rangers home game in October 2009 led to an enforced absence. 19+1sub, 1goal.
Also appeared: JAKE BEECROFT (Rushden & Diamonds loanee) 17+1sub, DAVID BEVAN (Aston Villa loanee) 4apps, RORY COLEMAN (Scunthorpe United loanee) 3apps; CHRIS DAVIES (released) 1app; JON DOUGLAS (now at Solihull Moors) 0+7subs; BEN FAIRCLOUGH (Notts County loanee) 2+3subs, MATT GODDEN (Scunthorpe United loanee) 3apps; JUNIOR MENDES (now at Ayr United) 1app; AARON MITCHELL (Nottingham Forest loanee) 9apps, JERMAINE PALMER (released) 1+4subs, 1goal; RORY PRENDERGAST (released) 5apps; SPENCER WEIR-DALEY (now at Boston United) 0+1sub.
COMING SOON TO A GROUND NEAR YOU...
Tuesday, 9th February 2010
VAUXHALL MOTORS v ILKESTON TOWN, 7.45pm
Ilkeston travel to bottom of the table Vauxhall Motors looking for their first double of the season. The Robins won convincingly by 4-0 on the New Manor Ground in September.
Saturday, 13th February 2010
ILKESTON TOWN v STALYBRIDGE CELTIC, 3pm
Ilkeston will be looking for revenge following their defeat at Celtic in December. Stalybridge, who have an excellent away record and are in the thick of the promotion race, will be after maximum points having lost their way in recent weeks.
Tuesday, 16th February 2010
ILKESTON TOWN v BELPER TOWN, 7.45pm (DERBYSHIRE SENIOR CUP SEMI FINAL)
Ilkeston face local rivals from the Unibond League First Division South who are aiming for promotion this season. Victory for Ilkeston would see them reach the Derbyshire Senior Cup Final for the first time in three years.