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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 (03/8/2026 6:34 PM)
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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 (04/8/2026 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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Thread Starter- Matchman
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Re: Sat 8th Aug 26 : Ilkeston town v Stockton Town : NMG, ko 3pm
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Only 3 more days before Tris, Aaron. and the players take their examination against Stockton
a win would be a................................unbelievable 'A star' pass with distinction
a draw would be a..............................commendable pass with credit
one goal defeat would be a ...............narrow defeat and probably a narrow pass.
a 2 or more goal defeat would be a....fail and retake the exam on Tuesday at Emley
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Last edited by Matchman (05/8/2026 8:02 PM)
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Re: Sat 8th Aug 26 : Ilkeston town v Stockton Town : NMG, ko 3pm
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The first result of the season sets the mood.
Can we start the Whitman, Large, Allen and Minney era with a good result against one of the better teams?
A good result lays the groundwork for the season ahead
Our coaches will have done their homework on the opposition.
They will have a plan
A win or draw in the first match against Stockton would be a massive boost to confidence.
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Re: Sat 8th Aug 26 : Ilkeston town v Stockton Town : NMG, ko 3pm
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Tonight was the final training session before the first league match. It started with a sit down session in the classrooms until 8 o'clock. There then followed a very loud training session on the pitch with warmups, sprinting and match practice.
Have to say this set of players seem to have a great togetherness about them.
They looked very sharp and skilful in match practice.
I have no idea which players will be in the team and on the bench against Stockton but they all know each other now and there will be keen competition for places. It's like they've been told they're the relegation favourites and there's a mentality to prove them wrong.
Last edited by Matchman (Today 8:46 AM)
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Re: Sat 8th Aug 26 : Ilkeston town v Stockton Town : NMG, ko 3pm
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I’ve heard there’s an expectation of a decent crowd for this match. People with their ears to the ground reckon there could be 800 coming to get behind the new team. That’s well up on last season and a sign that supporters are coming back. The weather’s on our side and we’re expecting around 50 from Stockton on Tees.
Last edited by Matchman (Today 9:06 AM)
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Thread Starter- WhiteBallProject
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Re: Sat 8th Aug 26 : Ilkeston town v Stockton Town : NMG, ko 3pm
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Re: Sat 8th Aug 26 : Ilkeston town v Stockton Town : NMG, ko 3pm
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Re: Sat 8th Aug 26 : Ilkeston town v Stockton Town : NMG, ko 3pm
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Re: Sat 8th Aug 26 : Ilkeston town v Stockton Town : NMG, ko 3pm
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Re: Sat 8th Aug 26 : Ilkeston town v Stockton Town : NMG, ko 3pm
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Re: Sat 8th Aug 26 : Ilkeston town v Stockton Town : NMG, ko 3pm
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We’re nearly there. It feels like an upcoming cup tie with us as the underdogs. So much hope and expectation.
Forget about last season. It's a new beginning and you need to be there at the start.
For those unable to attend there will be the usual matchman updates here between 2-30 and full time followed by after match comments and opinions.
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Re: Sat 8th Aug 26 : Ilkeston town v Stockton Town : NMG, ko 3pm
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