WELCOME TO ILSONFOOTBALL.CO.UK, THE INDEPENDENT WEBSITE DEVOTED TO ILKESTON FOOTBALL PAST AND PRESENT. MUCH OF THE SITE IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION BUT THERE IS STILL PLENTY TO SEE...ENJOY!

SAVE OUR ROBINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday September 4th sees Ilkeston Town take on Eastwood Town on the New Manor Ground. This game is more than a local derby with bragging rights and three points at stake. For Ilkeston Town it could be their last ever game. On September 8th they are due to visit the High Court and face the possibility of being wound up. Anyone with an interest in non League and local football who can attend the Eastwood game should try to make the effort to pay a visit to the NMG. Supporters of Derby County FC, Nottingham Forest FC and Notts County FC will be allowed £2 off the entrance fee upon production of a 2010/11 season ticket or a match ticket from last month, thus gaining entry for just £8, a small amount to pay that could go a long way to ensuring the club's survival. Ilkeston could go to the wall over an unpaid tax bill of £47,000, a sum of money that top professional football players earn in a week. It is a sign of the times when a proud small town club can disappear whilst football is awash with money at the top.


ilkeston town fc 2010/11
back row: jason lee, gary ricketts, dan lowson, jake picton, amari morgan-smith, laurie wilson
middle row: paul winter, darren caskey, joe maguire, rikki bains, ashley robinson, chukki eribenne, jack watts, seamus kelleher, stephen huntingdon
front row: matt richards, josh burge, liam green, kevin wilson, paul dempsey, david graham, callum lloyd


BREAKING NEWS...BREAKING NEWS...BREAKING NEWS...

TRINITY TRIUMPH
Monday August 30th 2010
ILKESTON TOWN 2 GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 5
Ilkeston's threadbare squad was ruthless exposed by Gainsborough who helped themselves to five goals, two of which were squad by former Town star Luke Waterfall. The Robins battled bravely and scored two goals of their own with both Jack Watts and Josh Burge scoring their first goals of the season. See MATCH REPORTS for details.

BATTLING ROBINS EARN POINT
Saturday August 28th 2010
HYDE UNITED 1 ILKESTON TOWN 1
With the handicap of having only one substitute and the loss off Laurie Wilson, who received a red card early on, Ilkeston dug deep to come away with a superb away point. Amari Morgan-Smith brought The Robins back into the game with a 51st minute penalty. See MATCH REPORTS for details.

NEW SIGNING
The Football Association have sanctioned the signing of a new player for Ilkeston Town despite the embargo placed upon the club. An injury to goalkeeper Dan Lowson has meant that Kevin Wilson has been able to sign Kyle Clancy as a replacement. Clancy is expected to line up at Hyde on Saturday. Kyle's pen pic can be seen further down the page.
  
TOWN GO DOWN
Tuesday August 24th 2010
ILKESTON TOWN 0 STAFFORD RANGERS 2
Kevin Wilson's depleted team, which included just two substitutes, played with great spirit but didn't get the reward their play deserved. A first half goal by Mellor and a sucker punch from Davidson saw the visitors emege victorious. See MATCH REPORTS for details.

For latest league table click here

COURT CASE ADJOURNED
The winding up order, served on Ilkeston Town by HM Customs over £47,000 PAYE and VAT debts, has been adjourned by the High Court. The next hearing will be on September 8th by which time the club has to have settled its debt or risk going out of business. Meanwhile, Town have been forced to cut their squad to 16 players, as per rules stipulated by the Football Association, until an agreement is reached. As a result, there have been a number of departures. A listing of the remaining squad members can be found further down the Home Page. 

MORE NEWS FROM THE NEW MANOR
Amari Morgan-Smith has returned to the club following his recent trial at Derby County. No offer has been made by The Rams although manager Nigel Clough has refused to rule out a possible deal in the future.

Ilkeston Town's remaining Blue Square North Fixtures for the 2010/11 season are as follows:
September
4 EASTWOOD TOWN
11 Redditch United
18 Droylsden
October
2 SOLIHULL MOORS
16 Workington
23 ALFRETON TOWN
30 Boston United
November
6 GLOUCESTER CITY
9 Stalybridge Celtic
13 AFC TELFORD UNITED
23 Guiseley
27 WORCESTER CITY
December
4 Eastwood Town
18 BLYTH SPARTANS
26 Hinckley United
28 HYDE UNITED
January
1 HINCKLEY UNITED
3 Gainsborough Trinity
8 Solihull Moors
15 WORKINGTON
22 Harrogate Town
29 Alfreton Town
February
5 CORBY TOWN
12 GUISELEY
19 Vauxhall Motors
26 Worcester City
March
5 HARROGATE TOWN
12 AFC Telford United
19 BOSTON UNITED
26 DROYLSDEN
April
2 Corby Town
9 STALYBRIDGE CELTIC
16 Blyth Spartans
23 NUNEATON TOWN
25 Stafford Rangers
30 REDDITCH UNITED

COMING SOON TO A GROUND NEAR YOU...
Saturday September 4th 2010
Ilkeston Town v Eastwood Town, 3pm
The eagerly anticipated clash between the two local rivals sees a chance for both clubs to lift some of the gloom affecting them. Ilkeston, with the winding up order and a visit to the High Court very much on the horizon, will be looking to lift the supporters' spirits whilst Eastwood will be desperate to build on their win over Corby following their dreadful start, having lost their five of their opening six games. Last season: Mar 23 Ilkeston Town 1 (Waterfall) Eastwood Town 0.

Saturday September 11th 2010
Redditch United v Ilkeston Town, 3pm
Ilkeston travel to bottom club Redditch who have had some tough early season fixtures. Redditch crashed 9-0 at home to Boston United but a useful draw against high flying AFC Telford United suggests that they will be tough opponents. Last season: Mar 6 Redditch United 2 (Benjamin 2 [1pen]) Ilkeston Town 2 (O'Loughlin, Ricketts).

Saturday September 18th 2010
Droylsden v Ilkeston Town, 3pm
The Robins face a very difficult task when they visit Droylsden, who are expected to be pushing for promotion. Town can gain some heart from Droylsden's shock 3-0 home defeat against Blyth Spartans, however. Last season: Aug 8 Droylsden 2 Ilkeston Town 0 (Brown, Lloyd).

Ilkeston Town have entered this season's FA Youth Cup following their introduction of an Academy, masterminded by Kevin Wilson. Town's youngsters have been drawn at home to New Mills in the Preliminary Round. Meanwhile, their entry into the Football Conference Youth Alliance North Division has been confirmed. For a full list of fixtures for the 2010/11 season click on the Reserves & Youth tab.

ILKESTON TOWN FC 2010/11 PEN PICS
These player profiles will be updated as and when players join or leave the club.

RIKKI BAINS

Born Coventry 3 February 1988. Solid central defender who joined Ilkeston in July 2010. The third player of Asian origin to have represented Ilkeston, following in the footsteps of Suheal Asghar and Chris Dolby, he started out with Coventry City before making his League debut at Accrington Stanley (3apps) from where he had a loan spell with Leek Town. Then signed for Tamworth and went on loan to Kings Lynn before moving to Corby Town. A return to League football followed when he signed for Keith Alexander's Macclesfield Town (2apps) and Darlington (4apps), spending part of last season on loan at Blyth Spartans and Gateshead. 

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 constructive midfielder who enjoys going forward, has a good shot, and is a dead ball expert.  Offered the chance of a trial at Stockport County but opted to join The Robins instead. A good squad player in his first season, he will be looking for an extended run in the first team in 2010/11. 2009/10 19+16subs, 2goals; 2010/11 3+1sub, 1goal (1pen). Total: 22+17subs, 3goals (1pen).

DARREN CASKEY

Born Basildon, 21 August 1974. Joined Ilkeston as player coach shortly before the start of the 2009/10 season. Experienced midfielder with great vision and good use of the ball 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. Appeared late in the 2009/10 season when a series of cameo substitute appearances helped the team. Will be striving for fitness to play a bigger part in 2010/11. 2009/10 1+6subs; 2010/11 0+2subs. Total: 1+8subs.

KYLE CLANCY
Born Barking 16 November 1989. Goalkeeper signed in an emergency in August 2010 due to an injury to Dan Lowson. On Bury's and Everton's books as a youngster before joining Blackpool. Has since appeared for Droylsden, Burscough and Marine. 2010/11 2apps.

RYAN CLARKE

Born Sutton Coldfield, 22nd January 1984. Right back who likes to push forward and can deliver crosses with accuracy as well as defending intelligently. Formerly with Notts County as a scholar he joined then League club Boston United (4apps) before moving into non League with Leigh RMI, Alfreton Town and Worcester City. Then rejoined Boston United who were back in non League football and has since had brief spells at Eastwood Town and Northwich Victoria. Signed for Ilkeston in May 2010 and should prove to be a good acquisition for the club. 2010/11 6apps.

PAUL DEMPSEY

Born Birkenhead, 3 December 1981. Team captain. 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, he became captain when Kieran Murphy was out with a long term injury, and his wholehearted displays in 2009/10 won admiration from supporters. 2009/10 40+2subs, 5goals; 2010/11 6apps. Total: 46+2subs, 5goals.

CHUKWUNYEAKA "CHUKKI" ERIBENNE

Born Westminster, 2 November 1980. Experienced and powerfully built forward signed by Ilkeston in June 2010. Began with Coventry City and had a loan spell with Swedish club Helsingborgs IF before breaking into League football with AFC Bournemouth (47apps, 1goal). Went on loan to Hereford United (3apps) prior to entering non League football with Havant & Waterlooville, Weymouth, Aldershot Town (loan), Farnborough Town (loan) and Grays Athletic. Then had a spell with Ebbsfleet United and was substitute when they appeared at Wembley in the 2007/08 FA Trophy Final. More recently played for Sutton United and Hinckley United. Able to turn and shoot with power. 2010/11 3+2subs.

STUART GIDDINGS
Born Coventry 27 March 1986. Former England youth international defender whose promising career has been halted by injuries. Started out with Coventry City (16apps) and had a spell on loan with Oldham Athletic (2apps). Moved into non League football with Hinckley United before returning to League action last season with Darlington (22apps). Joined Ilkeston before the start of the new season. 2010/11 3apps.

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. 2009/10 8+9subs, 4goals; 2010/11 2+1sub, 1goal. Total: 10+10subs, 5goals.

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. Sometimes struggled to hold down a regular first team spot in 2009/10 until late in the season when he was handed more opportunities. Always gives 100 per cent. 2009/10 26+5subs; 2010/11 6apps. Total: 32+5subs.

JASON LEE

Born Forest Gate 9 May 1971. Tall veteran striker, signed on a short term contract in March 2010 having played for Corby Town earlier in the season, who can also play in central defence. Started with Charlton Athletic (1app) from whom he went on loan to Stockport County (2apps). Then signed permanently for Lincoln City (93apps, 21goals) before moving onto Southend United (24apps, 3goals) and Nottingham Forest (76apps, 14goals). Had loan spells at Charlton Athletic (8apps, 3goals) and Grimsby Town (7apps, 2goals) prior to joining Watford (37apps, 11goals), Chesterfield (28apps, 1goal) and then Peterborough United (78apps, 16goals) following a brief period on loan. Moved into the Scottish League with Falkirk (29apps, 8goals) and then returned to England to sign for Boston United (56apps, 12goals) followed by Northampton Town (11apps, 1goal) and Notts County (69apps, 16goals) where he ended his League career. Mansfield Town and Kettering Town have benefitted from his services in the past 18 months and he is currently a coach at Notts County. A real handful for opponents with his strength, height and knowhow. 2009/10 5+2subs, 1goal; 2010/11 5+1sub. Total: 10+3subs, 1goal.

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 but injury has prevented him from making an appearance to date.

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. Had a magnificent season in 2009/10, seemingly making breathtaking saves by the match, deservedly winning both the supporters and players player of the year awards. 2009/10 44apps; 2010/11 4apps. Total: 48apps.

JOE MAGUIRE

Born Sheffield 23 September 1991. Teenage midfield prospect signed from Scunthorpe United in June 2010. Previously played in their youth team and also has experience of playing for their reserves side.

AMARI MORGAN-SMITH

Born Wolverhampton, 3 April 1989. Burst into the team with a glut of goals following his summer 2008 arrival before injury and personal difficulties led to a loss of form. A fast and skilful forward who can play down the middle or out wide he returned to his best form in 2009/10 and was club top scorer. Such form led to him winning an England C cap against the Republic of Ireland in May 2010, the first Ilkeston player ever to receive such an honour. A highly adept penalty taker, he was previously on the books of Wolves and Crewe Alexandra before joining Stockport County where he made 1 League appearance. 2008/09 29+24 subs, 11goals; 2009/10 44+5subs, 23 goals (8pens); 2010/11 6apps, 3goals (1pen). Total: 79+29subs, 37goals (9pens).

JAKE PICTON

Born 6 January 1991. Very composed central defender who makes excellent use of the ball. Previously a member of the Scunthorpe United youth set up who had a loan spell with Gainsborough Trinity. A fine talent who could yet have a big future in the game, he joined Ilkeston in July 2010. 2010/11 6apps.

CRAIG READ
Left back who joined Ilkeston before the start of the 2010/11 season. Will be hoping to nail down a first team place in the number three position. 2010/11 2+1sub.
 
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. Three suspensions limited his number of appearances in 2009/10, but his experience was invaluable up front when available. Club captain. 2009/10 38+1sub, 11goals; 2010/11 4+1sub, 1goal. Total: 42+2subs, 13goals.

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 as well as being able to shoot well from distance. A young player who showed considerable promise after his 2009 arrival and weighed in with some useful goals. 2009/10 8+15subs, 5goals; 2010/11 2+2subs, 1goal. Total: 10+17subs, 6goals.

LAURIE WILSON

Born Brighton, 5 December 1984. Former Northern Ireland youth international who started at Sheffield Wednesday where he appeared in their first team without making a League appearance. Moved on to Burton Albion, Grantham Town, Belper Town, Kidderminster Harriers, Alfreton Town and Hucknall Town before signing for Ilkeston in May 2010. An influential midfield player with a good array of passes and who can make purposeful runs from deep. Big things are predicted to come from him this season. 2010/11 6apps.