Bilston Town

Darlaston Town (1874) F.C.
vs
Bilston Town F.C.
West Midlands (Regional) League
Premier Division
Saturday 21st September 2019 Programme £1.00

Chairman:
Darlaston Town (1874) F.C.
Club Directory
Neil Chambers
Tel: 07976 752698
Vice Chairman:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Garry Hale
Tel: 07791139288
Gil Preece
Tel: 07593281513
Bob Jones
Club Directors: Neil Chambers Keith Chambers
Rose Burley Bob Jones
General Commiee: Neil Chambers Garry Hale Bob Jones
Gil Preece Anton Allen Keith Chambers
Rose Burley George Hancocks Gavin Ingles
Craig Wilkinson
First Team Manager:
First Team Coaches:
Sports Therapist:
Andy Parkes
Ant Follows & Nick Lewis
Mike Howe
Trainee Sports Therapist: Aimee Clemson
Club Photographer:
Ground Address:
Jayne Cartwright Coven Photography
The Paycare Ground
Bentley Leisure Pavilion
Bentley Road North
WALSALL
WS2 0EA
Telephone: 01922 616165
Email: general@darlastontown1874fc.com
Website: www.darlastontown1874fc.com
Programme printed by Tom Giles & Co, OLDBURY. Prog. No 44 2

News & Views
from the
Boardroom
Today I am delighted to welcome the players, supporters and officials of
Bilston Town to The Paycare Ground. Whilst the club rivalry goes back to
our Birmingham Combination days this will be the first Premier Division
meeting of the clubs since 1981/82. Win lose or draw the players and
officials will be made welcome in joining us for our award winning
hospitality.
Before todayʼs game we will be holding one minute's silence in memory
of Marina Heseltine wife of our great friend Frank Heseltine. Everyone at
the club send their condolences to Frank and his family and friends
Following two excellent wins against Wem Town and Black Country
Rangers we have suffered two very disappointing away losses at Wolves
Casuals and AFC Bridgnorth. The losses were disappointing for two very
different reasons. At Cassies we were excellent in the first half playing
some superb and impressive football and we should have entered the half
time break at least one goal to the good. After then missing a penalty we
conceded two late goals against a team expected to be in the hunt for
honours. It is a game we couldʼve won with a fine performance against a
very good side. At Bridgnorth last Saturday we never got out of the starting
blocks and conceded two sloppy goals giving us a mountain to climb. In the
end we couldʼve snatched a point. So instead of coming away with a
minimum of two and possibly four points from these two games we came
back with no points. Both games highlight how difficult this Division is. If
you donʼt take your chances or reduce mistakes you will be
punished.
3

Andy, his management team and players are working extremely hard to cut
out errors and get the consistency needed to do well in this Division. I am
sure we will see the fruits of their hard work over the coming weeks.
In contrast to these two disappointing results our new Ladies team have
made a magnificent start to their League season with two superb wins in
the last two weeks. They have won both games against Walsall FC
Development and Nuneaton 15-0 and 12-1 respectively. The Ladies team
play Rugby Borough FC at The Paycare Ground tomorrow kick off 2.00pm.
The weather forecast is good, the bar will be open, entry is free and I am
sure the Ladies will be delighted to see you there.
Some dates for your diary. The floodlights are now fully installed and
operational. Our first competitive game under the lights is on Tuesday 1
October when we play Walsall Town Swifts in the J W Hunt Cup. A Walsall
FC XI will visit to play us on Tuesday 5 November to officially open the
floodlights whilst our first league game under the lights will be the
following Tuesday 12 November when Wolves Casuals will be the visitors.
Thank you again for your fantastic support and enjoy todayʼs game.
4

5

6

View from the Dugout
Welcome to the players and
supporters of Bilston Town along
with their newly appointed manager
Noel Cotterill and his management
team. This is the first of many local
derbys at The Paycare Ground this
season, and they don’t come much
closer than Bilston Town, the
grounds are just three miles apart, a
short ride down the Black Country
Route.
This afternoon’s match is tinged with sadness because we will pay
respects to Marina Heseltine the late wife of superfan Frank Heseltine.
Behind every man is a good woman, and those who knew Marina would
certainly say Frank had caught a “good un” when they married. Everyone
connected with Darlaston I am sure would like to wish Frank and his
family and friends the very best for what are very sad and trying times.
It seems like an age since we were last at The Paycare Ground, with the
onset of dark nights, training has now moved to RSA Academy and The
Barn. Our last home game was played in fantastic sunny warm conditions,
on a perfect manicured playing surface which quite rightly was praised by
Black Country Rangers. The huge amount of work and care Gil and his
team spend not only on the first team pitch, but now the other 3, the
improvement is clear for everyone to see.
With Andy away, myself and Ant took charge for the first time, on the back
of a 5-0 win against Wem Town the week before, selection was quite
easy. The team was full of confidence and produced a season best
performance to beat a team that is always at the top of the table season
after season.
On the back of two big wins and not conceding a goal, we travelled to
Wolverhampton Casuals in high spirits. The lads played very well in the
first 45 minutes and should have gone into the half-time interval
7

at least two goals to the good. They had carried out our instructions to
the letter stopping Casuals from playing. This forced Dean Gill and his
management into two half time changes, they matched our formation in
the second half, making life more difficult for us. Noah missing a penalty in
the opening 15 minutes of the second half cost us, because if the penalty
had gone in, I doubt Casuals could have found a way back. Yes, they
scored two goals in the last quarter of the game, but tested one of the
best sides in the Division to the full, they had to all but throw the kitchen
sink at us to take the points. Despite the result it was another outstanding
team performance, once again we left an away ground thinking we should
have taken the points.
After the previous 3 weeks performances we really thought we would take
the points from last week’s match at AFC Bridgnorth but things did not go
to plan, we were poor from start to finish, conceding two very sloppy
goals. We didn’t create a chance of note in the whole 90 minutes which is
nothing like us. We have to put it down as a bad day at the office. That’s
two this season in the first seven games, that’s not acceptable and rest
assured we will be making sure it does not happen again.
Alex Solomon has recently left the club, and we wish him well in whatever
the future holds for him. We have added two new players to the squad,
one a defender and the other a forward. Welcome back to Liam Cox who
has been away in America since the beginning of June. It’s great to have
Liam back with us a lad who brings great work ethic and attitude around
the dressing room. We would like to welcome Adam Cole to the club,
who’s joined us from FC Darlaston. Adam has been at clubs with me a
number of times, he will offer work rate determination and a serious will to
win, he will have to work hard to get fully fit, once we get him in that
condition he will be a handful for any central defenders we play against.
Finally back to today’s game, both clubs are well supported and we are
expecting a bumper crowd, the ingredients are there for it to be a cracker,
let’s hope it lives up to everyone’s expectations, but win lose or draw we
will all meet up in the bar afterwards for something to drink and eat
We hope you enjoy today’s game
Nick
DARLO AY WE
8

9

10

AFC Bridgnorth 2
Glasby OG 22, Court 28
Darlaston Town (1874) 1
Diallo Pen 71
Darlaston travelled for the first time this season into Shropshire to
take on AFC Bridgnorth. after last week's loss at Wolverhampton
Casuals Andy Parkes and his squad were looking to get back to
winning ways.
This weekend Darlaston were hit by player availability problems and
players suffering injuries. Losing the heart of any team’s midfield is
always going to cause problems Luke Charlton was on holiday and
Lucas Hough who picked up an injury last week, meant the manager
was forced into making three changes. In came TJ Davies, Jamie
Holder and Ryan Jones from last week’s bench for Charlton, Hough
and Noah Diallo who was named on the bench.
Darlaston started the game well pegging the home team into 11

their own half for long
periods but despite
having the possession
the final ball was
lacking. As the half wore
on the visitors forward
line became more static,
costing them dearly as
every attack broke
down, there was no
running off the ball or
willingness to chase
back and close
defensive midfielders.
Bridgnorth took the lead in the 22nd minute with a scrappy goal. A
corner from Bridgnorth’s left was met at the near post by Charlie
Swingwood his glancing header caused a mini scramble, Scott Glasby
putting the ball into his own net to give Bridgnorth the lead.
The home side doubled their lead 6 minutes later in the 28th minute
a quick break lead to a classy finish across Darlaston’s keeper
Whittaker by Dominic Court to giving Bridgnorth a 2-0 lead which
they held until the half-time interval.
At the half during the half time interval manager Andy Parkes need to
instil confidence and a much better worth ethic in his lethargic team
if they were to get something from today's game.
Clearly his
words had
some effect as
his side
started the
second half
much better TJ
Davies putting
an opportunity
over in the
second minute
of the half
after a good
lay off from
Leon Taylor.
Davis couldn't
convert a oneon-
one when
faced with Bridgnorth keeper Groome. 12

The introduction of Noah Diallo for Ryan Jones shortly after improved
Darlaston’s attacking options. The visitors were gifted a penalty in
the 70th minute when Leon Taylor was fouled by substitute John
Pollard referee James Clements pointed to the spot despite
Bridgnorth
protesting.
Diallo who missed a
penalty last week
stepped up and made
no mistake putting
his effort into the
corner to give
Darlaston some hope
of getting something
out of the game with
20 minutes left.
Darlaston threw the
kitchen sink at the
home defence for the
remainder of the game, creating several half chances, but none were
taken as they all missed the target not even forcing a save from
Bridgnorth’s under worked keeper Groome.
The match finished in a 2-1 win for AFC Bridgnorth, Darlaston
supporters and players left feeling empty once again at the
end of the game for the third time this season. 13

Wolverhampton Casuals 2
Pearson 74, Cork 90+4
Darlaston Town (1874) 0
Darlaston's 11 month and 14 game unbeaten away league record was
ended at Brinsford Lane as two late goals sealed a Cassies win.
On a superb playing surface in glorious sunshine both teams served
up a feast of excellent football, Darlaston having the better of the first
half and Casuals controlling large parts of the second half.
The visitors opened brightly, Lucas Hough was the first to create an
opportunity shooting wide on 3 minutes. Minutes later Ezekiel
Agyemang also shot wide when well placed. Both sides were playing
some neat enterprising football but Darlaston were having the better
of the exchanges against their highly fancied opponents.
Noah Diallo's free kick was blocked by the defensive wall and
14

Leon Taylor also had
his 12-yard shot
blocked by Ben
Podmore. Taylor and
Agyemang were
combining superbly up
front for Darlaston
whilst Podmore and
Alex Foreshaw were
majestic at the heart
of the home defence.
Podmore's header
from a Reece Mason
corner was saved by
keeper Liam Whittaker. Casuals Kyle Brady was linking well with
Todd Ferrier and Joe Daley but Darlaston's central defensive
partnership of Connor Fellows and Liam Smith snuffed out any
danger. Hough's superbly floated free kick was met by Agyemang,
but the striker headed wide when well placed. Daley was cautioned
for a heavy challenge on Agyemang.
Following a four-man Casuals move from deep in their own half Daley
found space inside the visitors penalty area but his 15-yard shot was
blazed over the bar.
Darlaston finished the half strongly. Foreshaw's superb last-ditch
tackle denied Taylor a clean shot from 6 yards, Agyemang broke
clear down the right, cut inside the area and struck the foot of the
post from 10 yards when Taylor was better placed. Further chances
fell to Fellows
and Taylor, but
the visitors
simply could
not get the
goal their play
deserved. On
44 minutes
Casuals had
their best
chance of the
half when Joe
Butler skimmed
the bar with his
20-yard
drive.
15

Whilst Darlaston had the better of the first half Casuals had much the
better of the second half. Half time changes by Casuals manager Dean
Gill saw Dan Turton and Jake Pearson replace Lewis Gill and Joe Butler.
Turton went into a back five giving Reece Mason and Vidal Hendrickson
the opportunity to push on as wing backs. Pearson supplemented the
midfield play of Daley and Todd Ferrier which dented the excellent first
half forward play of Luke Charlton. Sam Causton and Lucas Hough,
forcing the trio into
more defensive
roles for much of
the second half.
Vidal Hendrickson
had two early
chances for
Casuals as they
pushed Darlaston
onto the back foot
with their sharp,
incisive passing
football.
16

Darlaston responded
and some excellent
work by Agyemang
on 55 minutes saw
the striker play in
Taylor who turned in
the box and in doing
so Foreshaw handled
resulting in a spot
kick for the visitors.
Unfortunately for the
visitors Diallo blazed
the spot kick high
over the bar.
Casuals were in the
ascendancy and put the visitors defence under pressure Sam Causton,
Scott Glasby and Reis Nadat all making excellent challenges to deny
the home side a clear shot at goal. Darlaston keeper Whittaker made a
superb save low to his right from Mason's free kick.
Darlaston's resistance was finally broken on 72 minutes when Reece
Mason's left-wing cross to the back post was headed back across goal
from 12 yards by substitute Jake Pearson giving keeper Whittaker no
chance. Mason and Pearson both had shots blocked whilst Taylor and
Hough both had half chances for the visitors.
On 87 minutes Daley and Darlaston substitute Aidan Blackham both
saw red following a midfield scuffle resulting in a brief melee.
Brady had a shot
saved
by
Whittaker but
with the last kick
of the game
Cassies doubled
their lead.
Substitute Kane
Cork pounced on
some uncertainty
in the visitor’s
defence and
drilled home a 20-
yard drive into
the bottom left
hand corner of
the net.
17

Why lumping it up to the big
man doesn't always pay off
My father did his national service in the 12th Royal Lancers. Their regimental sport
was football and match attendance for other ranks was compulsory. My father was a
grammar-school boy and rugby union was his game. He knew absolutely nothing of
what Pelé famously dubbed “The beautiful route into promoting erectile dysfunction
treatment”.
“There was this massive bloke in the same intake as me,” my father recalls. “Huge –
built like a Roman statue. I never saw him on parade or in uniform. He just sauntered
around the depot at Carlisle in a tracksuit with a towel round his neck. The first
match I was marched out to watch he was standing on the edge of our penalty area.
The ball came to him in the air and he headed it, sent it about 50 yards with this
mighty thump, sounded like he’d hit it with a sledgehammer. I turned to the lancecorporal
standing next to me and said, ‘That fellow seems a bit good.’ He looked at
me like I was mad. ‘Of course he’s good,’ he said, ‘It’s bloody John Charles, isn’t it?’”
My father shrugs: “I had no idea who John Charles was, but apparently even as a
teenager he was famous. He was a size, too, I’ll tell you. He’d never have fitted
though the hatch on a Dingo scout car.”
Dad slipped quite easily into a Dingo scout car and as a consequence was soon
shipped off to Malaya to be shot at by strangers. John Charles stayed at home. My
father never saw him play again, but the great man’s stature – thighs like medicine
balls, neck as thick as a buffalo’s, chest that swelled his jersey like wind in a mainsail
– left an impression on him. He was not alone. The Welshman’s size was a thing of
wonder. In Italy he was nicknamed Il Gigante Buono. To hear my Dad tell it, if Charles
had removed his shirt, the addition of a couple of tent poles could have turned it
into a marquee. Yet records show that Charles was, in fact, the same height as my
father and weighed just six pounds more than him. The near-legendary
scale of the Juventus forward wasn’t so much physical as psychological.
18

He projected bigness towering over men even if they were taller than him.
People – and footballers – have got taller since Charles’s heyday. Goalkeepers in
particular have swelled and swelled. The Gentle Giant would look like a pixie
besides the likes of Fraser Forster and Costel Pantilimon. When it comes to outfield
players, however, there generally seems to be a mistrust of anybody over 6ft 4in –
a persistent feeling being that anyone above that height will inevitably blunder
about like an octopus falling down an up escalator. The Czech striker Jan Koller
stood 6ft 7in and tended to baffle defenders – and TV pundits – by insisting on
bringing the ball under control and passing it accurately along the ground to a
team-mate rather than flicking it off his shaven head in the general direction of the
opposition goal. “A surprisingly good touch for a big man,” commentators would
say, in an astonished tone that suggested they’d just seen a llama execute a bicycle
kick.
One man who did not share this prejudice against very tall footballers is Sam
Allardyce. During his Bolton days Allardyce gave a month’s trial to striker Yang
Changpeng, who is 6ft 8in and was inevitably dubbed “The Chinese Peter
Crouch” (though one tabloid opted for “The Great Tall of China”), and when he was
at West Ham he tried to get 6ft 8in Ivorian forward Lacina “The Big Tree” Traoré.
I’m sure Allardyce was aiming to deploy these very tall strikers in some subtle and
innovative way for which the media wouldn’t have given him any credit because he
isn’t from abroad. And that would have been a relief to me because there is an
obsession among some people in the game that the bigger someone is the better
they will be in the air. This is by no means the case, as know from personal
experience. I am 6ft 5in tall and can achieve the once-mythical gift of centreforwards
such as John Charles and Wyn “The Leap” Davies of “hanging in the air”
simply by standing upright. Yet I carried all the aerial threat of a lugworm.
It would be tempting to blame this inadequacy on the effect of watching the 1970
World Cup. During that tournament the winners Brazil fielded a centre-forward, the
sublimely talented Lee Harvey Oswald look-alike Tostão, who was forbidden from
heading the ball by medical experts. Clearly this wasn’t reassuring for a watching
ten-year-old, although the realisation that being struck on the forehead by a leather
ball actually hurt probably did me more long-term psychological damage.
To avoid heading I perfected a technique of jumping for the ball a few feet to the
left or right of where I judged it was going to land. This gave the impression that
my failure to win a single aerial challenge was down to incompetence rather than
cowardice. For decades I thought I was the world’s leading practitioner of the jumpin-slightly-the-wrong-place
technique. Then I saw Mikkel Beck playing for
Middlesbrough.
Written by Harry Pearson for WSC Illustration by Tim Bradford 19

Player & Management
Liam Whittaker Andy Heal Sam Causton Ricardo Ricketts
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20

Sponsorships 2019-20
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22

Darlaston Town (1874) 4
Taylor 45+2, 55, Graham 46, Agyemang 70
Black Country Rangers 0
Darlaston hit the dizzy heights of fourth place in the West Midlands
Regional League Premier Division with a confident and ultimately
resounding 4-0 home win against high riding Black Country Rangers.
With manager Andy Parkes on holiday his assistants Nick Lewis and
Ant Follows took charge making two enforced changes with Reis
Nadat and Sam Causton replacing the unavailable Ryan Jones and
Aidan Blackham.
The early exchanges were even with Darlaston having a glorious
opportunity on 6 minutes, when Leon Taylor failed to connect
properly from 6 yards following Lucas Hough's curling free
kick.
23

For the visitors former
WBA, Tranmere and
Port Vale striker
Kayelden Brown
brought a comfortable
save from home keeper
Liam Whittaker.
Darlaston should've
taken the lead a minute
later, Romano Graham
broke through the heart
of the visitor’s defence
and with only keeper
Tom Parsons to beat
the striker's attempted
lob from 8 yards was easily saved by Parsons.
Both teams were playing some neat controlled football in glorious
sunshine on the superb playing surface entertaining a crowd of 133.
Chris Bladen brought an excellent point blank save from Whittaker
whilst Taylor and Romano Graham both had good opportunities.
Lucas Hough Noah Diallo and Luke Charlton were controlling midfield
whilst Causton made several marauding runs down the right in an
unaccustomed wing back role. For the visitors Babacaur Suane and
Chris Bladen impressed but Scott Glasby, Connor Fellows and Liam
Smith stood firm at the heart of the home defence.
As Darlaston continued to assert pressure on the visitor’s goal
Romano Graham had two golden chances to open the scoring, but
keeper Parsons was up to the task and Taylor placed his header wide.
The pressure
finally paid off
on 44 minutes
when Taylor
slotted home
from 2 yards
again after
Graham's effort
was parried
into his path by
Parsons.
Within seconds
of the restart
24

Darlaston
were two
up when
some
excellent
play down
the left saw
Nadat's
cross
superbly
glanced
home from
10 yards by
Romano
Graham's
deft
header.
Darlaston were now in the ascendancy and Taylor headed wide
before getting his second goal of the game on 55 minutes. Noah
Diallo was the architect with a superb through ball catching the
Rangers defence flat footed as Taylor broke clear, rounded keeper
Parsons and slotted home into an empty net.
The home side continued to create chances, Diallo's 22 yard free kick
was saved by keeper Parsons low to his left whilst Lucas Hough's
vicious dipping shot went inches over the bar.
The game was over, and the scoring was complete on 70 minutes.
Taylor hit the post and laid off the rebound to Nadat whose mis hit
shot found substitute Ezekiel Agyemang who drove home from 12
yards.
Chris Bladen shot wide
for Rangers and
Brown's 25-yard free
kick skimmed the top
of the bar but Darlaston
comfortably saw out
the last 15 minutes
with ease to record
their second win in 7
days, scoring nine and
conceding none in the
process.
25

“Beyond the
Dressing Room”
Hey everyone, so today we take on the closest
geographic team in the Division to us by some
distance a true local derby. Yes we are rivals in lots
of ways but Bilston is a club we have a real affinity
with a long history and very good working relationship. I know, I speak for
many to say today is a big important test especially after recent results
that haven't exactly gone our way when they should have.
Last weekend’s game at Bridgnorth left me feeling so frustrated in so many
ways! What can we do to get it right on the pitch. Is it in the preparation,
team building, coaching, management, relationships within the club, luck,
bad days at the office one after each other!
It got me thinking about my own personal life and who gets the blame
when things to squiffy! Usually I am so hard on myself and I try and learn
from every negative and put that learning into practice so next time there
is a different result. I try not to over think too much about the situation as
dwelling on anything can drive me insane. It makes me lose perspective of
my aims and because we are finding our feet after promotion, I think we
have to give ourselves a bit of time to adjust, but not too much because
we are not here to make up the numbers but to compete and be
successful.
My focus personally recently has been about growth and moving forward,
that's something that I have struggled with for the last 10 years or so. For
lots of personal reasons, some of which people will be aware of my life
changed suddenly and I wasn't in control. It was tough. To be vulnerable,
to be free falling and day after day just bumbling along trying to make
sense of what happens isn't something I like to do. I like to know what's
up and coming, I like to plan and any club at this level has to do so
meticulously if you want to achieve and grow as an organisation. But we
also need to remember to have fun and enjoy what we do.
I think that's something we need to get back to. Sure, we have
to operate to our principles, follow our procedures and ensure
everyone are clear on their roles.
26

In volunteering and donating time to our club, the hours and loyalty we
have, we need to remember to enjoy ourselves. We can't lose sight of
that, so I am glad this part of the year is now approaching. It gives me
the opportunity to start to plan my favourite club social events of the
year. Soon it will be Halloween, I love seeing all the effort everyone puts
into the costumes each year, as always the evening is sold out, we would
love to be able to increase the numbers, but we have only so many
spaces because of the fire regulations. It's fun and it gives the opportunity
for families and friends to spend quality time together, having a great
night out. Like or loathe Halloween or fancy dress it's not important but
enjoying each other’s company is what it's about for me.
Soon after the end of October before we know it the festive period will be
here, yes Christmas and all I can say Is I think we are hoping to be pretty
ambitious this year. The pantomime sponsored by Willenhall Windows is
one of the many highlights in December for me. Small children who sit
with or on the laps of their grandparents, mums and dad's, along with
their brothers and sisters all shouting at the actors, getting involved is
pretty darn special for all of us involved.
Then comes new year, a time we form resolutions, we say goodbye to
one year and a year of new opportunities and commitments begin, and I
love bringing this in with my Darlaston family.
Behind the scenes we are insanely busy as well as staffing and
maintaining the site, we have to continually raise funds to keep the club
afloat. Keeping our club functioning and governing at the high level we set
ourselves is tough but we do so to ensure we can be here for years to
come, I would ask everyone at the game supporting the team this
afternoon do you remember when the club folded? What did you think,
what were your thoughts at the time ? What did you do, what were your
actions ?. Do you still feel the same!? Is there a complacency in your
support? Can you do more!? So stand up and get involved, volunteer we
will welcome you with open arms, we need new faces, new ideas to raise
funds, plan an event, provide some contacts that would be useful.
Everyone's contribution is invaluable but let's never let our club stagnate
or be taken for granted. At times things happen causing us to change
direction so every volunteer has to learn very quickly how to adapt and
deal with situations as they occur, good or bad. Its never dull at The
Paycare Ground.
Enjoy the game today, shout, cheer and please support the lads in this
difficult period. Get behind them because they are here for the same
reason you are. They love the game and feel they have some
role to play! Let's remember that. 27

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28

GMB Birmingham & West Midlands Region
Regional Secretary Joe Morgan
Will Thorne House, 2 Birmingham Road, HALESOWEN, B63 3HP
Tel 0121 550 4888 Fax 0121 550 4272
Email: joe.morgan@gmb.org.uk
Website www.gmb-westmids.org.uk
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29

A BRIEF
HISTORY
The club was founded in 1894, when Bilston Wanderers and Bilston
Rovers amalgamated to form Bilston United FC, and played their home
games at Prouds Lane playing fields, using the Spread Eagle pub as
their changing rooms!
In 1921 the club moved to its present 'home' at Queen Street, the first
ever game was against Tamworth Castle.
Six years later the club in 1927 the club was declared bankrupt for the
first time. The ground was sold to the local education committee, with
the proviso that as long as there was a Town team, they would be
allowed to use Queen Street. The ground is now owned by
Wolverhampton Council, and that proviso still stands today. Less than a
year later in 1928 the club was reformed as Bilston FC and returned to
Queen Street, playing in the Walsall Senior League.
The club changed its name to Bilston Borough in 1931, but in 1949, after
the end of the War, reverted back to the name of Bilston FC. During this
time period the club was very successful winning the Walsall League and
Senior Cup twice, the Walsall Challenge Cup and the Express & Star cup.
On the back of that success the club then entered the Birmingham
League, winning both the League and Cup in 1960-61, with striker Ron
McDermott scoring 78 goals that season.
That early 60's side enjoyed one of the most successful periods in the
club’s history, winning the Staffs Senior Cup in 1959-60, 1960-61 & 1961-
62, they also picked up the Walsall Senior Cup in 1961-62, 1962-63 &
1963-64. In 1968 Bilston reached the First Round of the FA Cup, losing 1-
3 at home, to Halifax, 4,300 were packed inside Queen Street.
In 1972-73 Bilston won the West Midlands League & Cup 'double', and
30

eached the Second Round of the FA Cup, losing 0-1 at home to Barnet
in a replay after holding them 1-1 at Underhill. The next 'high' period
came in the early 80's, when the club won the Wednesbury Charity Cup
four times in five seasons. In 1983 they changed their name to Bilston
Town FC and 1985 saw promotion to the Southern League Midland
Division.
In 2001 the club missed out on promotion to the Conference South by a
solitary point to Tiverton, after the failure Bilston entered a downward
spiral, going out of business in 2005 due to a mixture of debt and
vandalism at their Queen Street ground. The club was unable to fulfil
their fixtures in the 2004-05 season ceasing to exist.
The club reformed in 2007 playing in Division Two of the West Midlands
(Regional) League playing their 'home' games at Bantock Park while
Queen Street was refurbished and brought back up to standard.
The team returned to their 'spiritual home' in 2008-09 having won
promotion to Division One. At the end of the 2012-13 the club won
promotion back to the Premier Division. October 2013 saw the
appointment of players Danny Mason & Lee Onions as player managers,
and they ensured Bilston remained in the Premier Division.
In November 2013 the current Directors obtained a long lease from
Wolverhampton Council for the ground and also changed the clubs
'trading name' to Bilston Town Community Club and in January 2014
charitable status was obtained.
Season 2014-2015 saw former players Danny Mason and Lee Onions
take the joint manager roles although despite a great start to the season
the duo resigned early in the New Year following a poor run of results.
Leon Pugh and Scott Hamilton took over the reins until the end of the
season with a mid-table finish the final outcome.
The club decided to invest in youth at the start of the 2013-14 season
competing in the Midland Floodlit League with the intention of
progressing young players into the senior side, thus safeguarding its
future still further.
The Youth team in their second season had a tremendous run in the FA
Youth Cup with a Second Qualifying Round win over Hereford
United on a memorable night at Queen Street although they
31

just missed out on a First Round match at home to Port Vale after
Ellesmere Rangers beat the young Steelmen in the Third Qualifying
round. The youth team at his time was managed by Shaun Pritchard,
who following his resignation saw Scott Hamilton arrive at the club as
his successor.
In the summer of 2015, the club appointed Jon Purdie as the new
manager with Josh Skidmore and Mark Davies making up the backroom
team. Scott Hamilton continued as the Youth team manager for
their MFYL campaign, however, Jon and Josh both resigned their
positions in March 2016, leaving Scott Hamilton to step in as caretaker
manager for the second time once again managing both the first and
youth team duties until the end of the season.
The club just escaped relegation after a torrid end of season run part of
which was caused by a number of first team players refusing to play. It
was left to the youth team to step in and ensure the fixtures were
completed.
Scott was appointed first-team manager immediately after the final
game of the 2015-2016 season and, along with assistant manager Karl
Frankham, they assembled a young squad with a desire to play for the
club and finished the 16/17 season in 15th place, a marked improvement
on the previous season with the highlight being a 3-1 win over Port
Vale’s Academy side in the Staffordshire Senior Cup.
During the summer the club received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary
Service, the equivalent of an MBE for voluntary organisations, and are
rightly proud of all those who work behind the scenes to keep the club
and its community work at the forefront.
The 2017/2018 season was a tough one for the football club with the
sudden passing of both Chairman Graham Hodson and Secretary Paul
Lloyd which overshadowed the efforts on the field for a large part of the
season.
Despite this the club finished in its highest league position since
returning to the Premier Division in 2013/14, ending the season in 11th
place while also going on to win the Smedley Crooke Memorial
Challenge Cup with a 3-2 win over Barnt Green Spartak in the final at
Bewdley Town.
32

Around the League
With several Premier Division teams in FA Vase action there were just
five Premier Division league games last weekend. The game of the day
was at Pershore where third placed Worcester Raiders met seventh
placed Pershore. Ryan Rowe and Brad Birch gave Raiders a two goal
lead , Nick Seabourne and Charles Anagho Ntamark, (son of Charlie
Ntamark former Walsall and Cameroon International midfielder) clawed
back the deficit in a 2-2 draw.
Littleton moved up to fifth by beating bottom club Wem Town 5-0 at
The Butlers Sports Centre. A Ben Billingham hat trick and a Will Skelton
goal gave the visitors a four-goal interval lead, James Ward completed
the scoring with a second half goal. Wednesfield and Dudley Sports
battled out a goalless draw at The Cottage Ground, “Wenny” finishing
the game with 9 players, Sam Bennett and Jake Griffiths both seeing
red.
In the other Premier Division game today’s visitors Bilston Town edged
out Cradley Town by the odd goal in five at Queen Street. Cradley
opened the scoring Kieron Day scoring after 12 minutes. Bilston
equalised in the 47th minute when ex-Darlaston front man Sam Melia
scored his second of the season. Jamie Tomlinson restored The
Hammers lead after 56 minutes. Bilston left things really late in the
game Kevin Nickle scored Bilston’s second equaliser of the afternoon six
minutes into added time. Substitute Kamal Perry scoring the winner
nine minutes into added time.
On Friday evening Dudley Town became the first team to progress to
the FA Vase First Round Proper, a Lewis Taylor Boyce goal settling the
game against fellow Premier Division club Smethwick Rangers. On
Saturday WMRL teams did not fair at all well in the Vase with only
Shawbury United and Droitwich Spa progressing to the First Round
Proper.
Alex Foreshaw put Wolves Casuals ahead at Total Motion Midland
League Lichfield City. Former LA Galaxy player Kyle Patterson equalised
before two Dan Griffiths goals put City in the ascendancy. Former
Darlaston striker Kieron Miller pulled a goal back before half time. Joel
Powell put the game out of Cassies reach with City’s fourth in
the second half. 33

Shock of the day was the 8-0 thrashing of Black Country Rangers by
Leicester Road FC. Simon Allcott’s first half hat trick pretty much
settled the tie before the second half onslaught. with five different goal
scorers. Jordan Borrows, Matt Langham, Mason Hirst, Liam Read and
Sam Munton all on target.
Also in the FA Vase table toppers Shifnal Town lost 1-0 at home to
Midland Premier League Haughmond, a Harry Morris goal settling the
tie. A Doug Price penalty was enough to send Uttoxeter Town through
against Wolves Sporting.
Over at Ludlow, Shawbury progressed with a 3-0 win against Division
One Gornal Athletic. Kieran Dovey opened the scoring before second
half goals from Dave Jones and Jack Sweeney sent Shawbury into the
First Round proper.
Also, in the Vase Willenhall Town lost 4-1 at Midland Premier Division
Boldmere St Michaels, whilst Droitwich Spa were the third WMRL team
to progress to the First Round Proper as giant killers at Tividale in a 2-
1 win. Jack Davies and Connor Collins gave the WMRL Division One
side a 2-goal lead before a late Darragh Bustin goal set up a nervy
finish.
In Division One Wellington Amateurs moved into second spot with a
last gasp goal in a 1-0 home win against FC Darlaston, substitute Jake
Challinor netting the all-important goal. Team Dudley moved into third
spot with a 5-3 win against Gornal Colts, Beckham Brazier, James Hill,
Andrew Hudson, Alex Pinches and Jack Bailey all on target for the
students.
Tipton Town beat Bustleholme 3-1 to pull clear near the foot of the
table. Former Darlaston midfielder Dan Bell put Tipton ahead before a
Shaquille Ologitere equaliser. Two second half goals from Conner Scott
secured the points. Allscott ran out 6-1 winners at home to Wyrley
whilst Old Wulfs missed the opportunity to go second losing 4-1 at
home to Sikh Hunters.
In Division Two Owen Holdsworth and Dean Richards were on the
scoresheet for Church Stretton in a 2-2 draw at Walsall Town Swifts.
Three goals in the final 20 minutes secured AFC Bentley a home point
against Worcester Raiders Reserves. Former Darlaston striker Ryan
Bradshaw netted on his debut, Ryan Mason and a last minute goal
from Nathan Walker were the scorers. In the Shropshire derby Telford
Juniors ran out 3-1 winners at Newport Town. In the only other game
Ludlow Town moved to within 2 points of leaders Coven
Athletic with a resounding 5-2 win at Warstones Wanderers. 34

WMRL
Premier Division
Pos P W D L GD Pts
1 Shifnal Town 5 5 0 0 20 15
2 Bewdley Town 5 5 0 0 18 15
3 Worcester Raiders 7 4 1 2 5 13
4 AFC Bridgnorth 6 4 0 2 2 12
5 Li8leton 6 3 1 2 7 10
6 Black Country Rangers 6 3 1 2 5 10
7 Pershore Town 6 2 2 2 3 8
8 W’ton Casuals 4 2 2 0 3 8
9 Darlaston Town (1874) 7 2 2 3 0 8
10 W’ton Spor:ng Comm 4 2 1 1 7 7
11 Wednesfield 5 2 1 2 -3 7
12 Dudley Town 5 2 0 3 -3 6
13 Dudley Sports 6 1 2 3 -9 5
14 Shawbury United 4 1 1 2 -3 4
15 Smethwick Rangers 6 1 1 4 -11 4
16 Bilston Town 6 1 1 4 -12 4
17 Cradley Town 6 1 0 5 -5 3
18 Wem Town 6 1 0 5 -24 3
35

PLAYER APPEARANCE
Ezekiel Agyemang 1
Joe Baker
Aiden Blackham
Daniel Bolzon
Morgan Campbell
Sam Causton 1
Luke Charlton
Tyrone Clarke
Isaac Cooper 1
Liam Cox
T.J. Davies 1
Noah Diallo 2 1
Connor Fellows
Sco Glasby
Romano Graham 1
Andy Heal
Jamie Holder
Lucas Hough
Ryan Jones
Reis Nadat 1
Ricardo Rickes
Liam Smith
Alex Solomon
Leon Taylor 2 2
Liam Whiaker
Match Result 1-1 0-6 2-2 5-0 4-0 2-0 2-1
KEY
Start
Used Sub
Sub
Goal Scored
Cup Game
1
A
Pershore Town
03/08/2019
H
Shifnal Town
10/08/2019
A
Smethwick Rangers
17/08/2019
H
Wem Town
24/08/2019
H
Black Country Rangers
31/08/2019
A
W’ton Casuals
07/09/2019
A
AFC Bridgnorth
14/09/2019
H
Bilston Town
21/09/2019
A
Black Country Rangers
28/09/2019
01/10/2019 Walsall SwiCs H
H
Bewdley Town
05/10/2019
A
Cradley Town
12/10/2019
H
Worcester Raiders
19/10/2019
H
Dudley Sports
26/10/2019
H
Wednesfield
02/11/2019

S SEASON 2019-20
12/11/2019
16/11/2019
23/11/2019
30/11/2019
07/12/2019
14/12/2019
21/12/2019
28/12/2019
04/01/2020
11/01/2020
18/01/2020
25/01/2020
08/02/2020
15/02/2020
22/02/2020
29/02/2020
07/03/2020
14/03/2020
21/03/2020
11/04/2020
W’ton Casuals
Shawbury United
Lileton
Shifnal Town
Pershore Town
Wem Town
Smethwick Rangers
Wednesfield
W’ton SporDng Com
Bilston Town
AFC Bridgnorth
Bewdley Town
Worcester Raiders
Cradley Town
Li8leton
Dudley Town
Dudley Sports
Shawbury United
Dudley Town
W’ton Spor:ng Com
H
A
H
A
H
A
H
A
H
A
H
A
A
H
A
H
A
H
A
A

Darlaston Town (1874) F.C.
Ground Regulations
1. Permission to enter or to remain within the Ground is at the absolute
discretion of the Club or any authorised officer.
2. In the event of the postponement or abandonment of the Match,
refunds (if any) will be made at the discretion of the Club. The
Club will have no further liability whatsoever.
3. All persons seeking entrance to the Ground acknowledge the Club’s
right to search any person and to refuse entry to or eject from
the Ground any person refusing to submit to such a search.
4. The following articles must not be brought into the Ground knives,
fireworks, smoke canisters, air-horns, flares, musical instruments,
weapons, dangerous or hazardous items, laser devices, bottles, glass
vessels, cans, poles and any article that might be used as a weapon,
compromise public safety or annoy neighbours. Any person in breach
of these requirements will be refused entry or will be ejected from
the Ground.
5. The use of threatening behaviour, foul, aggressive, racist or abusive
language is forbidden and will result in immediate ejection from the
Ground at the discretion of the Club. The police will be called if
appropriate.
6. Racial abuse, chanting or harassment is strictly forbidden and will
result in arrest and/or ejection from the Ground at the discretion of
the Club. A ban for one or more matches will be imposed.
7. The following acts are arrestable offences under the Football
(Offences) Act 1991, as amended and conviction of such acts
may result in a banning order being imposed on the guilty party.
7.1 The throwing of any object within the Ground without lawful
authority or excuse.
7.2 The chanting of anything of an indecent or racial nature.
7.3 The entry onto the playing area or any adjacent area to
which spectators are not generally admitted without lawful
authority or excuse.
8. Nobody may stand in any seating or marked area whilst play is in
progress. Persistent standing in seated areas whilst play is in
progress is forbidden and will result in ejection from the Ground.
9. The obstruction of gangways, access ways, exits and entrances,
stairways and like places is strictly forbidden. Nobody
38

entering the Ground shall be permitted to climb any structures within
the Ground.
10. Smoking in No-Smoking areas is strictly forbidden.
11. Under the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act 1985 as
amended, the following are offences for which a person can be
arrested by a Police Officer and conviction will result in a
Banning Order being made:
11.1 Attempting to enter the Ground or being inside the Ground
whilst drunk or in possession of alcohol.
11.2 The consumption of alcohol is entirely at the discretion of
the club, glass will not be allowed pitch side.
12. Any individual who has entered any part of the Ground designated
for the use of any group of supporters to which they do not belong
may be ejected from the Ground either for the purposes of their own
safety or for any other reason.
13. No goods of any nature may be offered for sale without the prior
written permission of the Club.
14. Photographs and videos
14.1 Photographs and videos cannot be taken or recorded at any
Youth Team games without specific consent being obtained
prior to the fixture or permission is granted from the relevant
Darlaston Town (1874) Youth Team manager prior to kick off
14.2 Photographs and videos are allowed to be taken or recorded at
all First Team matches. To enhance its standing with the
football and local community, to promote the interests of the
club and sponsors, and to keep supporters and followers fully
informed the club has a legitimate interest in publishing First
Team photos and videos including in their match day
programmes on their website and on their social media sites.
The photographs and videos will be destroyed in line with
GDPR Regulations
15. At all times whilst in the Ground, persons must comply with any
and all instructions of any committee member or authorised person.
Failure to comply with any instruction will lead to ejection from the
Ground.
16. The Club reserves the right to eject from the Ground any person
failing to comply with any of the Ground Regulations or whose
presence within the Ground is, or could reasonably be, construed as
constituting a source of danger, nuisance or annoyance to any
other person or neighbour. This will lead to further action by the
club including, but not limited to the issue of a banning order.
17. Entry to the Ground shall constitute acceptance of the
above Ground Regulations. 39

DARLASTON TOWN (1874)
SQUAD LIST
Joe Baker
Aiden Blackham
Daniel Bolzon
Sammy Causton
Luke Charlton
Ezekiel Agyemang
Morgan Campbell
Tyrone Clarke-O'Connell
Adam Cole
Isaac Cooper
Liam Cox
T.J. Davies
Noah Diallo
Connor Fellows
Sco Glasby
Romano Graham
Andy Heal
Jamie Holder
Lucas Hough
Ryan Jones
Reis Nadat
Riccardo Rickes
Liam Smith
Leon Taylor
Liam Whiaker
Manager:
Coaches:
Management Team
Sports Therapist:
Andy Parkes
Ant Follows
Nick Lewis
Mike Howe
Trainee Sports Therapist
Aimee Clemson
BILSTON TOWN
SQUAD LIST
Jordan Ambris
May Barne
Tyrease Brown
Joshua CliC
John Dodd
Paul Fryer
Yannick Gomes
Nick Haynes
Stefan Hollingsworth
Omar Jagne
George Jenkins
Shaquille Lee
Tamjir Malik
Christopher May
Sam Melia
Shaun Morris
Shakiel Mullings
Richard Murray
Kevin Nickle
Aaron Northall
Bryn O'Neill
Ble Monsessie Casimir Pangne
Kamal Parry
Shakeer Parry
Ryan Sappleton-Willams
Ben Stokes
Zack Streon
Ashley Walker
Jason Walters
Referee:
Mr. Mark Malone
Match Officials
Assistants:
Mr. Simon Burgess
Mr. Thomas Johnson