Nuneaton Griff have a number of historical connections to Ilkeston. Griff is a hamlet to the south of Nuneaton and gained importance due to coal mining. It is next to Arbury Park which was the seat of the Newdigates. The Newdigates also owned the manor of West Hallam hence Newdigate Street and the Newdigate Arms public house. George Elliott the famous  author was bought up at Griff as her father worked for the  Newdigates. She also spent some times living at Kirk Hallam which was also part of the Newdigate empire. One of the Miller Mundy family from Shipley married a Newdigate and was depicted in Elliot's book Middlemarch as the Decheveral family.
And finally one of the forerunners of Ilkeston Town were called Newdidate Arms FC and it is believed they played behind the present day Pub before the car park was extended. The land was formerly owned by the Newdigates.
All information courtesy of Wikipedia so it couls be all tosh!

Griff have used 50 players so far. This gives the impression that they do not have a settled side. In their 26 league games, only defenders Ryan Aston (25 appearances)  and Frazer Mullis (17appearances) and forward Jack Colley (21appearances) have played over 15 games.

Last edited by Matchman (25/1/2018 6:50 PM)

Ilkeston have a chance to make up for last Saturday's dropped points when they meet Griff again this Saturday. The sticky pitch proved to be a leveller at the Pringles Stadium but Ilkeston still had more than enough chances to win. Griff defended for their lives in the last five minutes and were elated to have survived when the final whistle sounded. Griff are now unbeaten in their last four including two wins and two draws. They are looking forward to the return game and are hoping to prove that last Saturday's 1-1 draw was no fluke. Ilkeston on the other hand have now gone two games without a win and will be determined to get back on track with a convincing win.