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Just thought I would mention that this month marks 10 years since the return of WhiteBallProject in its present form.  My first post was on 26 Feb 2016 previewing the match against Salford and since then I have had the priviledge of covering over 400 matches.

How time flies. When I started on here I had recently retired with time on my hands. Ten years later, I’m still here.

Following the fortunes of Ilkeston football has been a fantastic journey of highs and lows going from Step 3 in the non league pyramid to Step 6 and then back up again to Step 3. I have also seen several managers in charge over the last ten years:

Ian Deakin               Sep 2023 – Present          Currently in charge;
Gary Hayward         Aug 2023 – Sep 2023       Left after just over a month following an FA Cup defeat.
Jamie Ward             Sep 2022 – Jul 2023         Initially appointed as player-manager/caretaker.
Martin Carruthers   Nov 2019 – Sep 2022       Led the club to the NPL Division One Midlands title in 2021–22.
Mark Clifford.          Oct 2019 – Nov 2019         Served as manager briefly after buying the club before restructuring and appointing Carruthers.
Lee Fowler               Dec 2018 – Jul 2019         Appointed under the ownership of Alan Hardy.
Martin McIntosh.     Sep 2018 – Dec 2018       Appointed during the club's rise back through the divisions.
Steve Chettle.          2017 – 2018                      Led the club to promotion from the Total Motion Midland League.
Shaun Goater.          Feb 2017 – Jun 2017       The Manchester City legend managed the club during its final months as "Ilkeston FC" before liquidation.
Paul Holland.            2016 – Feb 2017              Managed the team in the NPL Premier Division before being replaced by Goater.
Andy Watson.           2015 – 2016                     Appointed in late 2015 following Gavin Strachan's departure. 


Owners following liqidation of Ilkeston FC in 2017

2017–2019:        Alan Hardy : Purchased the club after liquidation and rebranded it as Ilkeston Town.
2019-2023 :        David Hilton & Andrew Nally
2023- Present:   Andrew Nally




 

Last edited by Matchman (04/2/2026 1:20 PM)