Football in Ilkeston dates back to 1882 when the town’s first football club, Ilkeston Mechanics, was formed. Shortly afterwards the Manor Ground was opened in 1893 with several other teams representing the town until Ilkeston Town Football Club was formed in 1945.

Town’s first couple of seasons where spent in the Notts and Derbys Senior League, winning the Derbyshire Divisional Cup in only their second season. Town also had success in the same competition winning the cup in 1950/51 and 1951/52.

The club changed leagues in 1947/48 joining the newly reformed Central Alliance where they remained until 1961, in which time the club won the championship on four occasions 1952/53, 1953/54, 1954/55 and 1955/56. During this time they also won the Derbyshire Senior Cup on three occasions.

Ilkeston also reached the first round of the FA Cup in 1951 before a crowd of 9,000 spectators, Town went down 2-0 to Third Division Rochdale and in 1956/57 went out 5-1 to Blyth Spartans in front of  6,102 spectators.

Ilkeston’s largest crowd came in 1955/56 when Peterborough United (then of the Midland League) attracted a crowd of 9,592 in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup, Town going down 3-1.

Town entered the Midland League in 1961/62, winning the Derbyshire Senior Cup the following season. In 1967/68 Ilkeston’s greatest achievement came when they became champions of the Midland League. Prior to this season Ilkeston changed their shirts from white to red and became known as the Robins.

The club then moved into the Southern League in 1971/72 joining the Division One North. They enjoyed a relatively successful first campaign finishing ninth, but finances and a poor second season saw them resign, rejoining the Midland League until it merged with North East Counties League in 1982/83.

For the 1986/87 season Ilkeston Town joined the Central Midlands League and the following season won the League Cup at the Baseball Ground, home of Derby County. However, Ilkeston’s financial problems continued to hold the club back and after several meetings local businessman Paul Millership took control; forming a new board of directors. Since the take-over in 1989 the club’s success and rise up the non-league ladder can be attributed to the chairman and his directors.  

    In 1990/91 the Robins moved across the pyramid joining the West Midlands Regional League finishing in seventh position. At this time the Robins had confirmation that the Manor Ground would be sold to a supermarket chain and negotiations were under way for the chairman to find a new home for the Robins. Unfortunately the club were demoted to Division One due to a lack of floodlights at the old ground. The following season saw the Robins win promotion back to the West Midlands League Premier Division, moving to the New Manor Ground for the start of the 1992/93 season. In 1993/94 Ilkeston won promotion to the Beazer Homes Midland Division and under managers Bill Brindley and Graham Collier, won promotion to the Beazer Homes Premier Division in 1994/95.

A disastrous start to the season 1995/96 season saw llkeston struggling at the foot of the table with the management duo resigning in October. Former Derby County favourite Leighton James was eventually appointed but Town continued to struggle and with three quarters of the season gone James was sacked, making way for former Lincoln City manager and Mansfield Town assistant manager Keith Alexander. Keith bought in virtually a new team in the remaining weeks but after a tremendous finale could not avoid relegation back to the Midland Division.

In 1996/97 after a slow start, Ilkeston put together a great end of season run that saw them miss out on promotion to the Premier Division by a single point.

In 1997/98 strengthened by the arrival of strikers Christian Moore and Matt Carmichael the Robins made no mistake and nearly caught runaway leaders Grantham Town. Promotion crowned Ilkeston’s most successful season ever. They reached the second round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history and lost a close game to Scunthorpe United. Francis Green became the first Ilkeston trainee to progress into League football when he signed for Peterborough United.

Ilkeston surpassed all expectations and finished third in the Premier Division of the Dr Marten’s League the highest standing in the clubs forty-four year history. Chairman Paul Millership demonstrated  his commitment to the Robin’s progress by investing in brand new terracing and cover behind one goal and a new changing rooms and office complex topped by a seated stand and clock tower.  

 The View from the new Clocktower Stand looking towards the Social Club

 The players responded last season by beating Carlisle United 2-1 in the FA Cup First Round and for the second time in three years reaching the second round proper of the oldest competition in the world. This historic victory was the Robin’s first ever defeat of a League team. They also achieved the unique distinction of winning the Derbyshire Senior Cup twice in one season with last the previous seasons final being carried over into last season.

Season 2000-2001 saw Keith Alexander continue to rebuild the Ilkeston team before deciding to step aside and after a brief partnership with Ian Helliwell Keith joined Northwich Victoria. Ex Derby County, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest star John McGovern was appointed as manager at the start of November but results dipped after a promising start and has crowds dwindled John left Ilkeston by mutual consent. Ian Helliwell and Chris Marples took over initially as temporary joint managers until the end of this season. In the midst of the managerial changes the Robins reached the first round of the FA Cup for the fifth time losing 1-4 to Swindon Town.

For the 2001-2002 season Chris Marples took full charge of the first team assisted by Charlie Bishop and Ian Helliwell but with the Robins struggling towards the end of the season Marples was replaced by ambitious Ex Scotalnd and Bolton Wanderers player and Gresley Rovers manager John McGinlay.

Ilkeston Town Football Club continue to grow and expand on and off the park and are aiming for the top.

Compiled By Duncan Payne with additional updates by John Shiels