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The aim of this site is to record for posterity anything to do with
Ilkeston Town Football Club. Club historian Duncan Payne produced a
definitive history of Ilkeston Town in 1995 "From Hembury to
Harbottle" and it was this venture that provides the inspiration
for this site. Eventually I hope to include research into other local
non-league clubs.
The name White Ball comes from the famous incident when Ilkeston played
Rochdale in the FA Cup. This game was played before floodlights and has
the light faded the referee requested a white ball. Unfortunately the
ball got stuck up a tree and despite numerous attempts and with the
referee threatening to abandon the game it could not be retrieved and
the game was completed with a regulation brown ball. The Robins lost 2-1
but gained national recognition because of the white ball. Years later
club secretary Alf Jackson was approached by two gentleman claiming to
be museum curators and they asked to borrow the white ball to exhibit.
Unfortunately they were con artists and the famous ball was never seen
again. The white ball is a piece of Ilkeston's history and despite it's
physical disappearance will continue to live on in the memories of older
"Ilson fans".
If you wish to let me know what you think of this site email john@shiels67.freeserve.co.uk
Thanks for your visit.
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