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Sat 8th Aug 26 : Ilkeston town v Stockton Town : NMG, ko 3pm
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We start the 2026-27 season with a home fixture against Stockton Town, one of the strongest teams in the league.
Stockton won promotion from the Northern Premier League East Division after finishing 2nd, one point behind champions Hebburn Town in the 2023-24 season, then winning the playoffs.
They quickly established themselves at Step 3 by making the playoffs in both 2045-25 and 2025-26.
Last season we recorded an incredible result at Stockton winning 4-0 but Stockton got revenge with a 1-0 win at the NMG.
The season before Stockton beat us twice; 2-1 at the NMG and 1-0 at Stockton.
This is a really tough start to the season for our new team.
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Last edited by Matchman (28/7/2026 1:11 PM)
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Re: Sat 8th Aug 26 : Ilkeston town v Stockton Town : NMG, ko 3pm
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Last season Stockton had one of the best away records in the league.
They lost only 4 of their 20 away matches.
Stockton away record 2025-26: P20, W8, D8, L4, F22, A21, Pts32
Last season Ilkeston won their opening game 2-1 at Morpeth
Last season Stockton drew their opening game 0-0 at Prescot Cables
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Thread Starter- Matchman
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Re: Sat 8th Aug 26 : Ilkeston town v Stockton Town : NMG, ko 3pm
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The start of the season draws nearer and with a completely new team, ARE WE READY?
Our squad is still incomplete so the next couple of signings could change the outlook.
We know the standard of the league but we don’t know how we'll fare. It’s a tough start against Stockton. It’s going to be much tougher than the last four pre-season games, but we’re at home and we just might spring a surprise. The future will be clearer after this match.
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Re: Sat 8th Aug 26 : Ilkeston town v Stockton Town : NMG, ko 3pm
The start of the 2026-27 season for Ilkeston is a mixture of hope and doubt so roll on next Saturday when we get an early indication of what lies ahead. I keep saying what a tough start we have against Stockton. But the next two matches are against teams not expected to do well, Emley and Whitby. So if we can take 4 points from the first 3 games then I’ll be happy. Anything from the Stockton match will be a bonus.
Last edited by Matchman (Yesterday 6:34 PM)
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Thread Starter- Matchman
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Re: Sat 8th Aug 26 : Ilkeston town v Stockton Town : NMG, ko 3pm
Tris Whitman on the importance of the Robins supporters ahead of Saturday.
All supporters recognise the enormity of the job which Whitman and Large inherited. To produce a team to play at Step 3 from scratch in 3 months was a massive task. They’ve done their best and they’ve put together a squad within the constraints given to them.
It’s now up to the fans to get behind the team throughout this season of consolidation.
Last edited by Matchman (Today 6:07 AM)
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Re: Sat 8th Aug 26 : Ilkeston town v Stockton Town : NMG, ko 3pm
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Andy Nally has gone above and beyond to bring in Pharrell Johnson and Ashley Hunter so I really hope we get a good attendance for the Stockton game and afterwards. We’ve got a great ground, and a great clubhouse and event venue. The pitch is in constant use. The padel courts are now being built and this will provide 40 more parking spaces. Everything is on the up except for match day attendances. What can we do to bring more people in on match days?
This Saturday there is no competition from the Premier League, Championship and Football League so why not come down and see some live non-league football.
Same prices as last season
- £13 Adults
- £9 Concessions
- £2 U16s
- FREE U11s
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