Wem Town

Darlaston Town (1874) F.C. 

vs 

Wem Town F.C. 

West Midlands (Regional) League 

Premier Division 

Saturday 24th August 2019 Programme £1.00

Chairman: 


Club Directory 

Neil Chambers 

Tel: 07976 752698 

Vice Chairman: 

Secretary: 

Treasurer: 

Garry Hale 

Tel: 07791139288 

Gil Preece 

Tel: 07593281513 

Bob Jones 

Club Directors: Neil Chambers Keith Chambers 

Rose Burley Bob Jones 

General Commiee: Neil Chambers Garry Hale Bob Jones 

Gil Preece Anton Allen Keith Chambers 

Rose Burley George Hancocks Gavin Ingles 

Craig Wilkinson 

First Team Manager: 

First Team Coaches: 

Sports Therapist: 

Andy Parkes 

Ant Follows & Nick Lewis 

Mike Howe 

Trainee Sports Therapist: Aimee Clemson 

Club Photographer: 

Ground Address: 

Jayne Cartwright Coven Photography 

The Paycare Ground 

Bentley Leisure Pavilion 

Bentley Road North 

WALSALL 

WS2 0EA 

Telephone: 01922 616165 

Email: general@darlastontown1874fc.com 

Website: www.darlastontown1874fc.com 

Programme printed by Tom Giles & Co, OLDBURY. Prog. No 42 2

News & Views 

from the 

Boardroom 

Today we extend a warm Paycare Ground welcome to the players, 

supporters and officials of Wem Town. Win lose or draw the players and 

officials will be most welcome to join us for our award winning hospitality. 

You may have noticed a pretty significant change at the Ground since our 

game against Shifnal just two weeks ago today. Yes- I am delighted to 

confirm that the work on the floodlights is now complete. I must 

congratulate the contractors Sports Ground Development Ltd and 

Advanced Electrical Ltd who worked tremendously hard through heavy rain 

and winds to get the job done. Garry and I stood at the Darlaston Ladies 

game last Sunday in glorious sunshine admiring the fantastic facility The 

Paycare Ground has become. We were both tremendously proud of all of 

the committee, players, management, supporters and sponsors who have 

been part of our journey. Unbelievably it is less than 5 years since we took 

on the running of The Pavilion which was run down and was open grass 

land when we took it on. Our progress has been brilliant and we are all 

pinching ourselves at what we have achieved. 

Well if we didnʼt know it before we now know just how good and tough the 

Premier Division is and how big a step up it is from Division One. After a 

fabulous opening day outing to Pershore Town where we fully deserved an 

excellent point we were brought down to earth by Shifnal Town. Last 

Saturday at Smethwick Rangers we were not at our best but managed a 

decent draw. 

3

There are several big spending clubs in this Division and most clubs have a 

players budget so for those of us without a players budget we have to be at 

our best every game to grab one point let alone three. In the last two games 

we have not been at our best but Andy and his management team are 

working hard with the players to put things right. We should remember that 

we have lost just one league game since 3 November 2018. 

Back to the floodlights. We are looking at having an official opening of the 

floodlights with a prestigious friendly and VIP guests. 

We have two floodlit cup games to organise over the next month or so. 

Walsall Town Swifts in the JW Hunt Cup and Worcester Raiders in the 

League Cup. Our first League game under floodlights will be against 

Wolverhampton Casuals on Tuesday 12 November KO 7.45pm. 

So watch this space and please enjoy todayʼs game ……………….. 

4

5

6

View from the Dugout 

Good A8ernoon, and welcome back to 

the new look Paycare Ground for this 

a8ernoon’s return visit of Wem Town, 

who were last here two seasons ago 

when we were both in Division One. 

I have to say that even though the team 

has not been playing at its best recently 

the support we receive from Darlaston 

supporters home and away is very 

humbling. Since I have been at the club, 

all support has been uncondi=onal and 

fantas=c. We travel miles, or play at a 

not too friendly ground, its always so 

reassuring to see friendly faces around 

the pitch and in the clubhouse a8er the 

final whistle, once again I have to thank 

you for all the wonderful support you 

give not only to the players but to the 

club. 

Coming back to the team’s start to this 

season, whilst we were extremely 

pleased with the hardworking workman 

like performance at much fancied Pershore Town, we came down to earth with a huge 

bump a8er the Shifnal Town game and stu@ered last week against Smethwick. There was 

no doubt about it as Simon said in his match report a8er the Shifnal game, we received a 

lesson on what Premier Division football at the highest level is about. Shifnal were 

outstanding, they are a very experienced squad, who have all played at this level and 

higher for many years. 

The majority of the sixteen selected by Shifnal for the game where either at Wednesfield 

or Shifnal last season, experience comes with age, and if you look at the average age of 

both teams, ours is just over 23, and Shifnal’s I am sure is much closer to 30 a huge 

difference. Take nothing way from Shifnal’s performance, it was certainly outstanding, In 

the changing room a8er the game things were somewhat lively between the players, 

even though we had suffered a heavy defeat the lads had plenty of things to say a8er the 

game some posi=ve some nega=ve. 

7

We realise we are nowhere near our best at the moment, and there are several reasons 

why, the obvious one, is the massive step up in levels promo=on has brought. The opening 

fixtures were not too kind to us, being drawn to play against two of the teams many are 

predic=ng for promo=on was always going to be a massive ask to get anything from either 

game, but to take a point from Pershore and be disappointed with only that was the 

almost the perfect start. 

Whereas if we had been drawn against two teams predicted to be towards the bo@om of 

the table, perhaps we might have six, seven or nine points on the board like some teams 

that’s the luck of the draw. We have always said the table lies in the opening weeks of the 

season. A8er eight to ten games you should be able to get a much be@er picture as to 

where we are likely to be at the end of the season. 

I men=oned our poor form, earlier this is only measured against our results and the level 

we have performed at last season along with the standards we have set. All we ask of 

players is that they give 100% on the pitch, no one can legislate for mistakes, because 

these will always happen, usually at the end of games when players are =red. Also we 

have ques=oned work rate, given the hard pre-season that the players have been through, 

where they have been monitored by Mike and Amy they should definitely be fit. So the 

only logical reasons are either lack of concentra=on or lack of responsibility by individual 

players. Either way we will work hard to put it right and work on our weaknesses. 

All of the above are the reasons for last weeks performance against Smethwick Rangers. 

With respect to our opponents this was one of the fixtures we had highlighted for a 

possible three points. To lead twice and surrender the lead as we did is simply not 

acceptable, I can assure you that point and plenty of others were discussed a8er the 

game. 

In saying that I thought some of the passages of play from back to front in the first half, 

showed how well the players had listened and taken things in, especially when we talk 

about and demonstrate passages of play. The squad are at such a level they should never 

panic when on the ball, many don’t but on Saturday I am sorry to say some did. 

The two goals we gave away were poor, over commiFng players going forward for the 

first one, leaving the central defenders and keeper exposed. The second, lack of closing 

down and pressure in key midfield areas, both could have been avoided, however you 

cannot take away the good finish by either Smethwick player. 

We welcome Wem today, the last =me we met at the Paycare Ground they were chasing 

promo=on and won Division One enabling them to go into the Premier Division. Last 

season was their first ever at that level, so they have been through the adjustments we 

are having to go through at the moment. Let’s hope that a8er the management team’s 

chats with the players and training, we start to see a Darlaston performance that you have 

come to expect. 

Hope you enjoy the game 

8

9

10

Darlaston Town (1874) 0 

Shifnal Town 6 

Montague 14, 50, 77 Hill 3, 44 Uppal 90 

Buoyed by the excellent opening day draw at Pershore Town, 

Darlaston returned to home Premier Division action for the first time 

in six years hopeful of turning in a good performance in front of a 

large expectant large home crowd. 

Unfortunately, Shifnal Town had not read the script and the 

Shropshire based side controlled the game from start to finish with an 

impressive front running display. On this performance the "Shiffers" 

will be challenging for honours at the end of the season. 

Darlaston's woes started as early as the 3rd minute when Ryan Jones 

was adjudged to have brought down Kyle Montague on the 

11

edge of the 

penalty area. The 

Assistant referee 

indicated that the 

challenge was 

inside the box and 

Tom Hill stepped 

up to send Liam 

Whittaker the 

wrong way from 

the spot kick. 

The goal unsettled 

the home team 

who were nervous 

and edgy as 

Shifnal asserted themselves and started to dominate play. The 

uncertainty at the heart of the home defence was again evident on 

14 minutes when hesitancy between Liam Smith and Whittaker 

allowed Montague to nip in and slot home from 12 yards. 

Darlaston's plight 

got worse on 20 

minutes when 

striker TJ Davies 

finally succumbed to 

an earlier hamstring 

injury to be 

replaced by Tyrone 

Clarke O'Connell. 

Whilst the quality of 

Shifnal's play was 

impressive so was 

their work rate as 

Hill and Montague 

closed down the Darlaston defenders, forcing them to rush their 

passes many going astray. Harry Cunningham and Brad Sharman 

controlled midfield and Darlaston found it increasingly difficult to get 

any foot hold in the game. 

Chances were few and far between until the stroke of half time when 

Shifnal put the game out of reach. A deep cross from Jordan Uppal 

was met at the far post by Tom Hill who powerfully headed 

home from 4 yards. 

12

After a bright opening to the second half another mistake led to 

Shifnal's fourth on 50 minutes, unmarked Kyle Montague heading 

home from 8 yards. Montague also had a 56th minute effort 

disallowed 

Darlaston were 

unable 

to 

penetrate the 

Shifnal backline 

superbly 

marshalled by 

Ashley Bellingham 

with keeper Jake 

James rarely 

troubled a Clarke 

O'Connell free 

kick and an Isaac 

Cooper 20-yard 

shot being 

Darlaston's only efforts of note. 

As the final whistle blew, everyone connected with Darlaston 

applauded Shifnal as they left the field, for an outstanding 

performance. 13

S.M.T 

Painters & Decorators 

(home maintenance) 

Domestic & Commercial 

Work 

Free Estimates 

Call Garry on 

07791139288 

14

Smethwick Rangers 2 

Sutherland 32 Islow 70 

Darlaston Town (1874) 2 

Causton 8 Cooper 61 

Darlaston extended their unbeaten away League record to 14 games, 

going back to October 2018 with a hard earned 2-2 draw at Smethwick 

Rangers. 

The visitors opened the game brightly and were denied a dubious offside 

goal, as Causton was adjudged offside despite going past his marker and 

pulling the ball back for Aiden Blackham to slam home from 12 yards. 

Darlaston went ahead on 8 minutes from a rare Sam Causton goal. Leon 

Taylor was hauled to the ground by Stefan Cameron and from the 

resultant free kick debutant Ezekiel Agyemang's mishit shot fell to 

Causton who squeezed his 6-yard shot between the post and keeper Josh 

Bennett. 

Lucas Hough hit a 25-yard free kick high over the bar, whilst Smethwick 

15

esponded with Liam 

Smith missing the 

target and Ryan 

Williams shooting 

well wide when one 

on one with keeper 

Liam Whittaker. 

Darlaston were 

playing neat 

controlled football 

with Agyemang and 

Causton combining 

well down the left. 

Luke Charlton 

though he had 

doubled the visitors 

lead on 25 minutes when his acrobatic effort from 10 yards struck the 

post and rolled across the goal line before being cleared by a Smethwick 

defender. 

On 32 minutes Darlaston paid the price for committing too many players 

forward and as the play broke down, the home side broke quickly, the 

ball eventually falling to the impressive Zidan Sutherland who slipped the 

ball beyond keeper Whittaker for the equaliser. 

16

The goal was a 

major setback for 

the visitors, as 

confidence drained 

whilst the now 

buoyant home side 

pushed on in 

attempt to build on 

their newly gained 

confidence. Lucas 

Hough blocked a 

Ryan Williams effort 

whilst Agyemang 

and Isaac Cooper 

both shot wide from 

good positions. 

Smethwick opened the second half on top creating several half chances 

and snap shots Sutherland causing difficulties at the heart of the 

visitor’s defence and the impressive Shaikul Islam making several 

marauding runs from full back. 

The visitors responded with Taylor having a shot blocked and Hough 

shooting high over the bar from a 22-yard free kick. Slightly against the 

run of play Darlaston went ahead for the second time Isaac Cooper 

converting a 61st minute penalty after Taylor was brought down by 

keeper Bennett. On 66 minutes a superb break down the right saw 

some excellent interplay between Agyemang and Causton, Causton's 

cross evading Taylor by inches with the goal at his mercy. 

The equaliser came on 70 minutes, Darlaston again caught short handed 

as Nasir Islow pounced on a piece of good fortune for the home side, 

the ball rebounding off Ricardo Ricketts into the path of Islow to curl the 

ball home from 20 

yards beyond a 

stranded 

Whittaker. 

Smethwick had the 

better of the final 

20 minutes 

Sutherland, Noel 

and Singh all 

having long range 

efforts but neither 

side could grab the 

winner and a share 

of the spoils was a 

fair result. 

17

Player & Management 

Liam Whittaker Andy Heal Sam Causton Ricardo Ricketts 

Sponsored by 

Dominic Harvey 

& family 

Sponsored by 

Stan Jackson 

Sponsored by 

Simon Hingley 

Sponsored by 

John Acton and 

Roger Roberts 

Aiden Blackham Reis Nadat Luke Charlton Joe Baker 

Sponsored by 

TG Property 

Renovations 

Sponsored by 

George Hancocks 

Sponsored by 

Anton Allen 

Sponsored by 

Scott Baker 

Daniel Sam Lynex Bolzon 

Noah Diallo 

Tyrone Clarke 

Leon Taylor 

Sponsored by 

Dave Haskett & 

Kelly Emery 

Sponsored by 

Dave Meakin 

Sponsored by 

Leah Tranter 

Sponsored by 

Coven 

Photography 

Andy Parkes 

Sponsored by 

Allan Dulleston 

18

Sponsorships 2019-20 

Scott Glasby Liam Smith Connor Follows Ryan Jones 

Sponsored by 

Pete Burke 

Sponsored by 

Andy Butler 

Sponsored by 

Rose Burley 

Sponsored by 

Pete and Alma 

Davies 

Jamie Holder Alex Solomon Lucas Hough 

Morgan Campbell 

Sponsored by 

Christine Ceney 

Sponsored by 

Stuart Hayes & 

Kate Price 

Sponsored by 

Neil Chambers 

Isaac Cooper 

Sponsored by 

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T. J. Davies 

Sponsored by 

Sue and Bob 

Jones 

Zico Agyemang 

Sponsored by 

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Romano Graham 

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Lloyd 

Ant Follows Nick Lewis Mike Howe 

Sponsored by 

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& Jamie Green 

Sponsored by 

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Decorators 

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Redsell 

Aimee Clemson 

Sponsored by 

Mark James 

19

From Tolworth to Budapest: 

Corinthian-Casuals make 

history at new amateur 

tournament 

In the game's early days, the famous sides Corinthians and Casuals toured in Hungary – 

more than a century on, their composite club returned for a taste of European glory 

17 July In the sweltering haze of a June heatwave in Budapest, a group of south-west 

Londoners, dressed mainly in pink, stood on the crumbling terrace of the Szonyi uti Stadion 

in the leafy Zuglo district and serenaded the 300-strong crowd with a rousing medley of 

songs about their team. 

Corinthian-Casuals – two amateur teams merged to form the composite club in 1939 – had 

not set foot in Budapest for 115 years, but the return of England’s highest-ranked amateurs 

had earned them several pages of press coverage in Hungary. The Isthmian Premier 

League club were in town for the inaugural Egri Erbstein Tournament for the Corinthian 

Cup, and almost 100 of their most vocal supporters had followed them here, thrilled by the 

prospect of seeing their team playing in Europe. 

The competition is a new international tournament for amateur teams and takes its name 

from Erno Egri Erbstein, the manager of the famous Torino side that dominated Italian 

football in the immediate post-war era, winning five consecutive titles before perishing in 

the Superga air disaster of May 1949. Egri Erbstein was not just a pioneering coach but 

also a Holocaust survivor, who had achieved his unprecedented success after returning to 

Italy to take up the job he had initially been forced to flee due to the passing of Benito 

Mussolini’s race laws in 1938. 

Now his achievements are being celebrated in the country of his birth thanks to a group of 

football enthusiasts in Budapest who, inspired by Egri Erbstein’s story, decided to reestablish 

the first football club he represented as a player. 

Budapesti Atletikai Klub, or BAK, initially folded in the 1940s, but had once been cup 

finalists and a top-three team. They joined the sixth tier of Hungarian football last summer 

and their nostalgic president, Bertalan Molnar, made it the club’s primary objective to mark 

the 70th anniversary of the Superga air disaster with a post-season tournament in Egri 

Erbstein’s name. 

Molnar was keen to find a like-minded English club with which to form some kind of 

friendship and Corinthian-Casuals fitted that bill. After all, both Corinthians and Casuals 

had visited Budapest in the early stages of the game’s development in Hungary and their 

performances made a big impression. In fact, upon returning to London after 

their tour in 1904, the Corinthians minted a solid silver trophy, the Corinthian 

20

Cup, for the 

amateur 

teams of 

Hungary, 

which was 

presented by 

the Casuals 

during their 

own trip to 

Budapest the 

following year. 

Money was 

raised to travel 

to Budapest 

through a 

GoFundMe 

campaign that 

drew from 

contributions supporters, members and local well-wishers. One former player, John 

Balson, donated £6,000 shortly before he passed away, stating that he wished for the 

current team to experience the kind of overseas tours he had enjoyed so much in his 

playing days. 

In mid-June the Casuals took to the field to a great ovation for the first game against BAK. 

Despite a cagey opening in the energy-sapping midday sun, the visitors ran out 3-0 

winners to set up a final against fourth-tier club Testveriseg (Brotherhood) the following 

afternoon. 

The final, which was officiated by 2011 Champions League final referee Viktor Kassai, 

was of an altogether much higher standard than the semis. Both teams looked physically 

fit and played a neat passing game, making for a tense affair that remained goalless until 

the 91st minute, when Harry Ottaway rounded off a fine Corinthian-Casuals counterattack 

to win the game and the tournament. The opposition players collapsed in despair as the 

Casuals players leapt onto the goal scorer in front of the jubilant travelling support. 

Egri Erbstein’s daughters, Susanna and Marta, and his grandson Stefano were at the 

centre of the trophy presentation ceremony, along with the British ambassador to 

Hungary, Iain Lindsay. And so, the Corinthian-Casuals, whose predecessors had brought 

a trophy to Budapest more than a century previously, this time left the Hungarian capital 

with a piece of silverware tucked under their arms. 

It was a new and unique event – “surreal”, as one local journalist put it – but as one of the 

organisers of the tournament, my hope is that it will prove to be the first edition of a new 

international competition for amateur football clubs. If the emotions of those fans who had 

travelled 1,000 miles from south-west London are anything to go by, we might just have 

something special on our hands. 

Article written by Dominic Bliss for WSC. Photo by Stuart Tree 21

“Beyond the 

Dressing Room” 

On 22nd August 2013 a post was shared online about the 

imminent public mee=ng to be held to discuss the future of 

Darlaston Town. The message contained an appeal for 

supporters, volunteers, sponsors of the club to a@end the 

mee=ng to discuss the feasibility of the club con=nuing under new stewardship along with 

what the future may hold, the costs associated with it. 

At the mee=ng Neil Chambers hinted at needing £5,000 before a ball could be kicked. At 

this stage we didn’t have a penny and we started with literally nothing but a heap of 

goodwill and a whole lot of determina=on to not let the tradi=on and history of our great 

club disappear as many have when they faced the adversity we did. 

To raise £5,000 seemed a huge task, especially when you are relying on the goodwill and 

generosity of others. We were an extremely strong and driven group, we held raffles, 

events such as fish and chip suppers, auc=ons, holding every event possible, just to swell 

the bank balance to reach our goal. 

Looking back from the posi=on we are in today; it has been so so very much worthwhile. 

The lifelong friendships made on the long journey, people from all walks of life coming 

together for one common goal must be unique in modern =mes. If you think the people 

who were the main driving force in the club reforming are all virtually s=ll involved today, 

all in the posi=ons they were when they were elected back in 2013. 

One of the first and probably biggest milestones I think in the building of the new club was 

reaching a bank balance of £500, it may sound very small, but to most of us it was huge. It 

provided such a feeling of ela=on, and it certainly spurred us on to be more successful. 

Small sub commi@ees were formed that u=lised the skill sets of people we had offering 

their =me. Slowly but surely the total was reached. Knowing we could field a team because 

we had the money to do so was such a proud moment. In fact, those moments of sheer 

pride have con=nued to come thick and fast. The recruitment of a manager, the assembling 

of a squad, seeing the first Darlaston Town (1874) FC football shirt, the first game, the first 

win, and gaining promo=on in the first season to Division One wasn’t expected, acquiring a 

ground, taking on the Pavilion. These moments have been huge. Talking of huge 

22

moments, this week has seen another two milestones reached in the club’s history. 

Firstly, on Sunday our newly formed Ladies team played their second, but first game at The 

Paycare Ground, watched by a crowd of 55, a number unheard of in Ladies football at the 

level they play, to be fair its usually just the girls and the management. Darlaston were 

playing Shifnal Town Ladies, a team that plays three Divisions higher than our ladies team. 

The game finished in a 3-3 draw was an encouraging result especially given that they were 

playing against such an established team who are successful at the level they play. Knowing 

our club is Inclusive, full of diversity and open to all, which is something that I was so 

passionate about when we reformed. It’s something I see as vital and how clubs should be, 

and it is definitely on the list of moments that make my list of proud achievements. 

Secondly the other milestone is huge, of course the floodlights that we now have. I started 

this ar=cle by saying we had to raise £5,000 to get the club up and running, but to finally 

have the floodlights erected and commissioned, a condi=on of our promo=on into the 

Premier Division of the West Midlands (Regional) Premier Division. The task has been 

completed nearly six weeks ahead of =me, once again thanks to chairman Neil Chambers and 

the club commi@ee, who have always been very studious with the club finances to ensure 

the £20,000 we needed to get the remainder from the Football Improvement Grant from 

the FA. 

You see the club has saved all their profits in a development fund. Every penny raised by the 

club’s volunteers has been reinvested back into the club, facili=es and the ground. To say 

nearly £200,000 has been invested in our site, is nothing short of remarkable. And we 

thought the £5,000 needed to reform the club was a huge amount. All the club’s 

achievements and success off the field is testament to the governance, structure and hard 

work of everyone involved in the club. 

I am sure Andy made promises to Neil when he became manager of the first team and Neil 

too would have made assurances to Andy that when the =me came, the club would support 

him by ensuring everything would be in place to ensure we complied with the ground 

grading requirements necessary to obtain promo=on. 

Our plan for the future is not le8 to fate at Darlaston we have a 5-year plan that's reviewed 

and renewed as we achieve our aims. We drive forward and we plan for eventuali=es and 

nothing is le8 to chance. Risks are calculated and factored, and we are moving at such a pace 

now that I almost have to stop and pinch myself at =mes. 

I always say our club is infec=ous, it's an extended family. It's founded on one common goal 

and the community spirit we create is remarkable. I am so proud of my involvement and link 

to OUR club and am delighted I have been able to contribute to the journey that we are all 

on. 

#darloaywe 23

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24

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Regional Secretary Joe Morgan 

Will Thorne House, 2 Birmingham Road, HALESOWEN, B63 3HP 

Tel 0121 550 4888 Fax 0121 550 4272 

Email: joe.morgan@gmb.org.uk 

Website www.gmb-westmids.org.uk 

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25

A BRIEF 

HISTORY 

Although the early origins of the football club are unknown, it is a fact 

that football was being played in the town long before the outbreak of 

the First World War. 

In 1950, Wem Town were one of twelve clubs to be invited to 

participate in the newly reformed Shropshire County Football League, 

alongside Cravens Arms Town, Dawley Athletic, Donnington Wood, 

Hadley CW, Lilleshall Miners, Madeley Miners, Montgomery Town, 

Salopian Engineers, along with the reserve sides of Shrewsbury Town, 

Oswestry Town, and Whitchurch Alport. 

Wem ended their first season in seventh position, winning eight, 

drawing five and losing nine games, conceding 46, two goals more 

than they had scored. Their second season in the league, resulted in a 

third placed finish out of ten clubs, two points behind the previous 

seasons champions Lilleshall Miners. Donnington Wood won the 

league with a seven-point advantage. 

Their third and final season in 1952/53 was a disaster, winning just 

four games and drawing once from 20 outings seeing the North 

Shropshire side finish bottom and with that came relegation and a 

return to local village football. 

Wem made a brief return to the County league in 1961 and finished 

third behind Llanymynech and champions Oswestry Villa. But 

following a mid-table finish in 1962, they found themselves returning 

to local football once again in1964. 

The 1970’s saw the rise and success of Wem Town Colts with the 

Town club considered to be a poor relative. But all that changed in 

1973/74 season when the league formed two new Division’s, one 

North & One South. Wem Town were invited to join along with several 

other local sides including Weston Rhyn, Belvidere Colts. 

The loss of clubs such as Donnington Wood, Shifnal Town, Newport 

Town, Ludlow Town, Bridgnorth Sports and Broseley Athletic in the 

late 70’s and early 1980’s saw the league’s standard diminish, so it 

26

was no surprise that Wem were to eventually follow suit and move 

league. 

Finishing seventh in the Shropshire County League at the end of 

the 1988/89 season, the Wem Town Committee applied to join the 

West Midlands (Regional) League. The application was successful 

and Wem were placed in the WMRL Division Two. In the first 

season a top five finish was achieved playing against the likes of 

Broseley Athletic, Hill Top Rangers, Lichfield, and Moxley Rangers, 

Wem Town were promoted into the Division One of the West 

Midlands (Regional) League. 

Wem Town stayed in Division One for four seasons before the Club 

Committee resigned from the League. The resignation was 

necessary because of the running costs and it was fast becoming a 

real concern for club officials. The resignation caused some 

heartache for the club’s supporters because the team had achieved 

their highest ever position in league football, finishing fourth. 

It’s hard to believe now that in just those four seasons, Wem had 

entertained teams like Ilkeston Town, Knypersley Victoria, Malvern 

Town, and Tividale at their Butler Sports Stadium ground. 

The start of the 1995/96 season saw a return to the Shropshire 

County league and with that trips to the likes of Little Drayton 

Rangers. But as before, the phoenix rose once again and in the 

2008/09 season, Wem were crowned Shropshire County League 

Premier Division Championship. Winning the League also secured 

promotion back into Division Two the West Midlands (Regional) 

League. 

History repeated itself once again, with promotion to Division One 

being achieved in the first season back in the WMRL. 

After staying in Division One for eight consecutive seasons they 

were crowned champions at the end of the 2017/18, in doing so 

again achieved promotion under the management of Josh Gough, 

into the West Midlands (Regional) Premier Division . 

Last season saw Wem flirt with relegation in their first ever season 

at this level, finishing in eighteenth place, a point above fellow 

Shropshire neighbours Shifnal Town, who also stayed in the 

Division. 

This season the officials and club management will be working on 

and off the field to bring their Butler Sports Stadium up to Premier 

Division requirements and ensure Premier Division status for years 

to come. 

27

Rubery Owen Holdings Ltd is a family business established over 131 

years ago in Darlaston, West Midlands. It now operates eight group 

companies in a diverse range of markets. 

Techtron is a contract manufacturer, formulator, blender and 

packer of chemical liquids, specialising in putting liquids in 

bottles for a variety of market sectors. 

Rotech Laboratories Ltd., has two materials testing 

laboratories, providing an extensive schedule of accredited 

tests and offers a large range of testing services to many 

sectors of industry. 

Rotronics is the UK partner for both Midtronics and CTEK 

battery management technology and specialises in battery 

management solutions. 

Shukers motor retailing offers customers a huge range of new 

and used vehicles from Land Rover, Subaru, Isuzu and 

SsangYong. 

Phoenix Calibration is the UK’s most diverse materials testing 

technology specialist, offering in-house testing, bespoke 

design, manufacture and support of machines and control 

systems. 

Merlin’s services are used for testing and characterising earlystage 

development formulations, trouble-shooting existing 

formulations for production processes and bespoke testing to 

generate data to track quality measures/outputs by design/ 

computer modelling projects. 

28

Around the League 

The Premier Division is starting to take shape with Shifnal Town and 

Bewdley Town leading the charge both boasting 100% records after 3 

games. 

Shifnal followed up their 6-0 win at The Paycare Ground with another 

thumping win, this time a 7-1 win at The Acoustafoam Stadium against 

Dudley Sports. Hot shot Kyle Montague netted 4 times to take his goal 

tally to 8 in 3 games whilst partner in crime Tom Hill netted a brace to 

take his goal tally to 5, Craig Radford was also on the scoresheet. 

Richard Hanson netted Sports consolation. 

Bewdley and Wolves Sporting were both unbeaten before the two met 

at Pride Park, Bewdley returning to Worcestershire with the points after 

a 3-2 win. Chad Birch gave Sporting a first half lead before they were 

reduced to 10 men when keeper Richard Kennedy saw red. Former 

Darlaston striker James Quarry donned the gloves but was left helpless 

just before the break, a deflection off defender Matt Vaughan left him 

stranded as Bewdley equalised. A penalty put the visitors ahead, before 

stand in keeper Quarry spilled the ball at the feet of a Bewdley striker 

to open up a 2 goal advantage. A Nick Turton penalty reduced the 

arrears but Bewdley held on to take the spoils. 

Black Country Rangers moved in to 3rd spot making it 7 points from 9 

with a 2-0 win at Wednesfield. Adam Garmson netting twice 

Dudley Town were one of three teams to pick up their first win and 

points of the season with a 3-2 win at Pershore Town. Mitch Lawley 

gave the visitors an 18th minute lead and Dan Jones doubled their lead 

on 58 minutes. Just to prove the sin bin can prove costly Pershore 

were made to pay for Matthew Gwynne’s 10 minute spell on the 

sidelines in the 60th minute when they conceded their 3rd a minute 

later Joe Bevan taking full advantage. Pershore rallied with goals in the 

final 20 minutes from Matt Pinder and Dan Noakes. 

Wem Town were another to pick up their first points of the season at 

home against Cradley Town. Former Darlaston striker Adam Skeldon 

gave the visitors a two goal advantage before Wem replied with 

unanswered goals from James Griffiths, Ed Brittleton and Josh Gamble. 

29

AFC Bridgnorth were the third club to break their duck with a 2-0 

home win against Bilston Town. 

Shawbury United came from a goal behind to inflict Worcester 

Raiders first league defeat since 25 August 2018 when the Division 

One Champions fell 3-2 at home to Gornal Athletic. Raiders won 

their opening 2 Premier Division games and went ahead through 

Tim Beattie. A Steve Nicholson penalty levelled matters before 

Charlie Warren netted the winner with his first goal for the club. 

In the only other Premier Division game Littleton and Wolves 

Casuals battled out a goalless draw. 

In Division One Willenhall Town hit the top of the Division for the 

first time in 15 years as they made it 6 points from 2 games with a 

6-1 away win at FC Darlaston. Two early goals put the visitors in 

control before Stuart Hillman pulled a goal back. Two further goals 

from Steven Holmes and a brace from Jack Dale put the game 

beyond doubt. 

Bustleholme have made a good start to the season following up 

last week’s 3-0 win at Sikh Hunters with another 3-0 win at home 

to Tipton Town. A brace from Nathan Derrick and a James 

Hawthorne goal securing the points. Droitwich Spa responded well 

to last week’s 2-0 loss at Old Wulfrunians with an excellent 5-2 

away win at promotion hopefuls Gornal Athletic. Connor Collins 

helped himself to a hat trick and former Worcester City striker 

James Lemmon was on target with a brace. 

Allscott opened their campaign coming from 2 goals behind in the 

opening 30 minutes to inflict a 5-2 defeat at Team Dudley. Goals 

from Leon Blake and Stu Ellis levelled matters before the break. 

Jack Davies put the visitors ahead early in the 2nd half with Louis 

Jones netting on 57 minutes, a last minute goal by Danny Blackwell 

completed the scoring. Elsewhere former Darlaston striker Connor 

Asbury was on the scoresheet for Wyrley in their 2-2 home draw 

against Gornal Colts. 

Game of the day in Division One was an eleven-goal thriller at Long 

Lane as Wellington Amateurs overcame Sikh Hunters by the odd 

goal. After going into the break four goals to the good Ams were 

put under the cosh in the second half as Hunters looked to secure 

their first point of the season. A Shane Thomas hat trick , a brace 

from Matt Elsmore along with a goal by former Telford Juniors 

striker Ross Jones was just enough for Ams to pick up their 

first points of the season. 30

WMRL 

Premier Division 

Pos P W D L GD Pts 

1 Shifnal Town 3 3 0 0 15 9 

2 Bewdley Town 3 3 0 0 11 9 

3 Black Country Rangers 3 2 1 0 6 7 

4 Worcester Raiders 3 2 0 1 1 6 

5 Li@leton 3 1 1 1 4 4 

6 Pershore Town 3 1 1 1 1 4 

7 Shawbury Un=ed 2 1 1 0 1 4 

8 Wolves Spor=ng Com 2 1 0 1 6 3 

9 Wednesfield 2 1 0 1 0 3 

10 AFC Bridgnorth 3 1 0 2 -1 3 

11 Cradley Town 3 1 0 2 -2 3 

12 Dudley Town 3 1 0 2 -5 3 

13 Dudley Sports 3 1 0 2 -7 3 

14 Wem Town 3 1 0 2 -10 3 

15 W’ton Casuals 2 0 2 0 0 2 

16 Darlaston Town (1874) 3 0 2 1 -6 2 

17 Smethwick Rangers 3 0 1 2 -5 1 

18 Bilston Town 3 0 1 2 -9 1 

31

PLAYER APPEARANC 

Ezekiel Agyemang 

Joe Baker 

Aiden Blackham 

Daniel Bolzon 


Sam Causton 1 

Luke Charlton 

Tyrone Clarke 

Isaac Cooper 1 

T.J. Davies 

Noah Diallo 

Connor Fellows 

Sco Glasby 

Romano Graham 

Andy Heal 

Jamie Holder 

Lucas Hough 

Ryan Jones 

Reis Nadat 1 

Ricardo Rickes 

Liam Smith 

Alex Solomon 

Leon Taylor 

Liam Whiaker 

Match Result 1-1 0-6 2-2 

Black Country Rangers 

Dudley Sports 

03/08/2019 

10/08/2019 

17/08/2019 

A 

H 

A 

24/08/2019 

H 

H 

A 

A 

H 

A 

Pershore Town 

Smethwick Rangers 

AFC Bridgnorth 

Black Country Rangers 

Cradley Town 

W’ton Casuals 

H 

A 

H 

H 

H 

H 

KEY 

Start 

Used Sub 

Sub 

Shifnal Town 

Wem Town 

W’ton Casuals 

Bilston Town 

Bewdley Town 

Worcester Raiders 

Wednesfield 

Goal Scored 1 

31/08/2019 

07/09/2019 

14/09/2019 

21/09/2019 

28/09/2019 

05/10/2019 

12/10/2019 

19/10/2019 

26/10/2019 

02/11/2019 

12/11/2019

ES SEASON 2019-20 

16/11/2019 

23/11/2019 

30/11/2019 

07/12/2019 

14/12/2019 

21/12/2019 

28/12/2019 

04/01/2020 

11/01/2020 

18/01/2020 

25/01/2020 

08/02/2020 

15/02/2020 

22/02/2020 

29/02/2020 

07/03/2020 

14/03/2020 

21/03/2020 

11/04/2020 

Shawbury United 

Lileton 

Shifnal Town 

Pershore Town 

Wem Town 

Smethwick Rangers 

Wednesfield 

W’ton SporCng Com 

Bilston Town 

AFC Bridgnorth 

Bewdley Town 

Worcester Raiders 

Cradley Town 

Li@leton 

Dudley Town 

Dudley Sports 

Shawbury United 

Dudley Town 

W’ton Spor=ng Com 

A 

H 

A 

H 

A 

H 

A 

H 

A 

H 

A 

A 

H 

A 

H 

A 

H 

A 

A


Ground Regulations 

1. Permission to enter or to remain within the Ground is at the absolute 

discretion of the Club or any authorised officer. 

2. In the event of the postponement or abandonment of the Match, 

refunds (if any) will be made at the discretion of the Club. The 

Club will have no further liability whatsoever. 

3. All persons seeking entrance to the Ground acknowledge the Club’s 

right to search any person and to refuse entry to or eject from 

the Ground any person refusing to submit to such a search. 

4. The following articles must not be brought into the Ground knives, 

fireworks, smoke canisters, air-horns, flares, musical instruments, 

weapons, dangerous or hazardous items, laser devices, bottles, glass 

vessels, cans, poles and any article that might be used as a weapon, 

compromise public safety or annoy neighbours. Any person in breach 

of these requirements will be refused entry or will be ejected from 

the Ground. 

5. The use of threatening behaviour, foul, aggressive, racist or abusive 

language is forbidden and will result in immediate ejection from the 

Ground at the discretion of the Club. The police will be called if 

appropriate. 

6. Racial abuse, chanting or harassment is strictly forbidden and will 

result in arrest and/or ejection from the Ground at the discretion of 

the Club. A ban for one or more matches will be imposed. 

7. The following acts are arrestable offences under the Football 

(Offences) Act 1991, as amended and conviction of such acts 

may result in a banning order being imposed on the guilty party. 

7.1 The throwing of any object within the Ground without lawful 

authority or excuse. 

7.2 The chanting of anything of an indecent or racial nature. 

7.3 The entry onto the playing area or any adjacent area to 

which spectators are not generally admitted without lawful 

authority or excuse. 

8. Nobody may stand in any seating or marked area whilst play is in 

progress. Persistent standing in seated areas whilst play is in 

progress is forbidden and will result in ejection from the Ground. 

9. The obstruction of gangways, access ways, exits and entrances, 

stairways and like places is strictly forbidden. Nobody 

34

entering the Ground shall be permitted to climb any structures within 

the Ground. 

10. Smoking in No-Smoking areas is strictly forbidden. 

11. Under the Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act 1985 as 

amended, the following are offences for which a person can be 

arrested by a Police Officer and conviction will result in a 

Banning Order being made: 

11.1 Attempting to enter the Ground or being inside the Ground 

whilst drunk or in possession of alcohol. 

11.2 The consumption of alcohol is entirely at the discretion of 

the club, glass will not be allowed pitch side. 

12. Any individual who has entered any part of the Ground designated 

for the use of any group of supporters to which they do not belong 

may be ejected from the Ground either for the purposes of their own 

safety or for any other reason. 

13. No goods of any nature may be offered for sale without the prior 

written permission of the Club. 

14. Photographs and videos 

14.1 Photographs and videos cannot be taken or recorded at any 

Youth Team games without specific consent being obtained 

prior to the fixture or permission is granted from the relevant 

Darlaston Town (1874) Youth Team manager prior to kick off 

14.2 Photographs and videos are allowed to be taken or recorded at 

all First Team matches. To enhance its standing with the 

football and local community, to promote the interests of the 

club and sponsors, and to keep supporters and followers fully 

informed the club has a legitimate interest in publishing First 

Team photos and videos including in their match day 

programmes on their website and on their social media sites. 

The photographs and videos will be destroyed in line with 

GDPR Regulations 

15. At all times whilst in the Ground, persons must comply with any 

and all instructions of any committee member or authorised person. 

Failure to comply with any instruction will lead to ejection from the 

Ground. 

16. The Club reserves the right to eject from the Ground any person 

failing to comply with any of the Ground Regulations or whose 

presence within the Ground is, or could reasonably be, construed as 

constituting a source of danger, nuisance or annoyance to any 

other person or neighbour. This will lead to further action by the 

club including, but not limited to the issue of a banning order. 

17. Entry to the Ground shall constitute acceptance of the 

above Ground Regulations. 35

DARLASTON TOWN (1874) 

SQUAD LIST 

Joe Baker 

Aiden Blackham 

Daniel Bolzon 

Sammy Causton 

Luke Charlton 

Ezekiel Agyemang 


Tyrone Clarke-O'Connell 

Isaac Cooper 

T.J. Davies 

Noah Diallo 

Connor Fellows 

Sco Glasby 

Romano Graham 

Andy Heal 

Jamie Holder 

Lucas Hough 

Ryan Jones 

Reis Nadat 

Riccardo Rickes 

Liam Smith 

Alex Solomon 

Leon Taylor 

Liam Whiaker 

Manager: 

Coaches: 

Sports Therapist: 

Management Team 

Andy Parkes 

Ant Follows 

Nick Lewis 

Mike Howe 

Trainee Sports Therapist 

Aimee Clemson 

James Behan 

Harry Chandler 

Brandon Rushton 

Grant Butler 

Jordan Batchelor 

Will Dewfield 

May Pricey 

May Hodgson 

George Parton 

Lewis Mackenzie 

Dan Cohen 

Callum Briscoe 

Eddie Brileton 

Jake Brown 

Emile Burris 

Dan Hill 

Danny Hogan 

Chris Peel 

Josh Gamble 

Jack Sharpe 

Marcus Dillon 

Tommy Rayment 

Harry Thelwell 

Jim Astley 

James Griffiths 

Dylan Hillier 

Ryan Bright 

Referee: 

Mr. Paul Sparrow 

Assistants: 

Mr. Simon King 

Mr. John Weston 

WEM TOWN 

SQUAD LIST 

Match Officials

Wem Town

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