For the first time in 26 years, the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground will play host to Northern Premier league Premier Division football when Ilkeston Town visit in the opening home game of the 2026/27 season on Tuesday 11th August (7.45pm),

Bishop Auckland were the visitors on the 26th April 2000 for the last NPL Premier game at the ground before the ill fated move to Wakefield, and there have been plenty of ups and downs in that time, but now, we look ahead and a first meeting with an Ilkeston team in 41 years.

An Ilkeston side last visited Emley in November 1985 in a 3-2 win for the Pewits over the Robins in the NPL Premier, with a double from Emley legend, John Francis, Francis also scored twice in the last game between Emley and Ilkeston, a 3-1 FA Cup Preliminary tie win in August 1986, he's also a regular visitor and hopefully he will see someone equal or better his two goal haul on Tuesday 11th.

Following Emley's 3rd promotion in 7 years under Richard Tracey, this season will see some unfamiliar and some familiar opponents to long standing Emley fans, this is Ilkeston's 4th season at this level after making their way back up the pyramid following two reformations between 2010 and 2017. Emley have never previously met the current Ilkeston Town or its predecessor, Ilkeston FC.

Ilkeston picked up an opening day 1-0 win over Stockton Town with a very late winner whilst a 0-0 draw at Hyde on Saturday meant Emley return home with a point and will be looking to pick up more with 2 home games this week.

WHO ARE THEY?
Ilkeston Town have a chequered recent history, the current club were formed in 2017 following the demise of the original Ilkeston Town club (1945-2010), and then a phoenix club, Ilkeston FC (2010-2017), the original club folded in 2010 when they were as high as the Conference North (step 2), The first phoenix club resumed in the NPL D1 South and won promotion to the NPL Premier before they too were forced to fold with the club next to bottom of the table.

And so the 3rd version of the club this century started out back in 2017 in Division 1 of the Midland League, 3 promotions then followed that saw them up to step 3 and The Robins were then moved laterally from the Southern Premier Central to the Northern Premier Premier where they have finished 11th, 6th and 11th.

All versions of the club have and still do play at New Manor Park and the original (1945) club twice made it to the 2nd round of the FA Cup, losing out to Scunthorpe United in a replay (1997-98) and two years later to Rushden & Diamonds, also after a replay.

Emley's rise to the NPL Premier Division, which stands at step 3 of the non league system and level 8 in the entire English system has been remarkable, winning the Northern Counties East League and then missing out on a second successive promotion after losing the the NPL D1 East play off semi finals, but last season we went one better, defeating local rivals Bradford (Park Avenue) on penalties in the play off final, we had previously risen from NCEL D1 following 2 year interrupted seasons due to covid and were promoted on a points per game (PPG) basis.

Could this be the start of yet another memorable season for the Pewits?

LAST TIME WE MET:
N/A:
Last game v Ilkeston Town (1945)
30th August 1986, FACP
ILK 1-3 EML (Francis 2, Hirst)

LAST TIME OUT:
Hyde Utd 0-0 Emley, NPL Prem, Att-586
Ilkeston Town 1-0 Stockton Town (Joyce), NPL Prem, Att-811

HEAD TO HEAD:

Previous 5 meetings:
NONE.

(ALL COMPETITIONS)
CURRENT FORM: Last 5
EML: D, W, W, D, D
ILK: L, W, D, W, W
FINAL LEAGUE POSITION 2025/26:
EML: 3/22 NPL D1 East
ILK: 11/21 NPL Prem.
GOALS SCORED:
EML: 0
ILK: 1
GOALS CONCEDED:
EML: 0
ILK: 0
TOP SCORER:
EML: 0
ILK: Lynden Joyce (1)
AVERAGE HOME CROWD 2025/26:
EML: 502 (444 league)
ILK: 412 ( 413 league)

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

WHEN? Tuesday 11th August 2026, 7.45pm
Gates open 6pm

WHERE?
The Fantastic Media Welfare Ground
Off Upper Lane, Emley, Huddersfield, HD8 9RE

View the Emley AFC Visitors' guide

OWW MUCH?

£12 Adults
£10 Concessions
£5 ages 11-16
£1 ages 5-10
U5's FREE (must be accompanied by a paying adult)
Cash or card on the gates

Programmes £2

ARE NON LEAGUE DOGS ALLOWED: Yes, on a lead - see visitor's guide for restrictions.

IMPORTANT PARKING INFORMATION:

Please respect local residents, businesses and streets by parking safely and responsibly around the village!
DO NOT block drives and paths and with Emley being on a bus route, please ensure you leave plenty of room for buses to get through and also to manoeuvre!!
If you have to, arrive earlier and/or park further away and walk to the ground rather than blocking the village in!