Welcome to Through the Turnstile, this series of features are intended to shine the light on some of non-leagues leading stars. Now on this feature we are delving straight into a club who find themselves in a relegation battle season, currently plying their trade in the Everards Brewery Premier Division, we are heading to Ellistown FC!

Lets get ready for a battle as we head Through the Turnstile!

A brief history of the club.

The club was established as United Collieries Football Club in 1993 by a merger of Bagworth Colliery and Ellistown Colliery. The new club joined Division One of the Leicestershire Senior League. In 1996–97 they finished seventh in Division One and were promoted to the Premier Division. The club finished bottom of the Premier Division in their first season, but avoided relegation. After being renamed Ellistown in 1998, they finished in the bottom two of the Premier Division for the next two seasons. Although they were relegated to Division One at the end of the 1999–2000 season, they were Division One runners-up the following season and promoted back to the Premier Division.

In 2007 Ellistown were founder members of the East Midlands Counties League. They finished bottom of the league in 2011–12, and at the end of the following season the club merged with fellow East Midlands Counties League club Ibstock United to form Ellistown & Ibstock United, which played at Ellistown’s ground. However, in 2015 a new Ibstock United was formed.The merged club finished bottom of the East Midlands Counties League in 2016–17, failing to win a league game all season, and were relegated to the Premier Division of the Leicestershire Senior League, where they would play alongside Ibstock United. In July 2017 the club was renamed Ellistown.

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellistown_F.C)

Club legends (as told by joint managers Petch & Boots)

Andrew Grout – Quite simply the heartbeat of the club: Club Secretary, Kit man, Fan – you name it !!

Andy Roach – The Chairman/Owner of the club puts absolutely everything into the club. Incredible commitment.

Kit

2024/2025 Replica Kit – £20.99

https://fanaticssupplies.co.uk/products/ellistown-park-derby-iii-away-jersey-yellow

Stadium info

Terrace Road Ground (LE67 1GD)
Capacity – 1200 ( 50💺)
Number of stands – 2
Grass Pitch

Entry Price

Matchday Tickets
ADULT – £4 
CONCESSION – £2 
UNDER 16’S – FREE

Matchday Programme
£2 Printed or Free online

Stadium Shop

Ellistown FC goods are available via Fanatics Supplies: https://fanaticssupplies.co.uk/collections/ellistown-f-c

The range of goods available is very impressive and the fact this is a tie up with fanatics the overall quality is really good. I’m a particular fan of the Academy drill top and could definitely see myself picking one of them up if I was a fan of the club.

Itssssss pin badge corner…and I am sorry to announce the club do not currently have any on sale. I have put in my choice words on this and hopefully some badges will soon be on the agenda!

Special Mention – Match Reports

Now I am actually quite old school with some of the things that I enjoy, one of them is maybe not that surprising from someone in the 30’s who is in a very small club of people who regularly enjoy reading a paper. If not a paper then a magazine or book, basically what I am saying is I like to read !

Anyway…the match reports from Ellistown make for some great reading and if I was a fan of the club would be exceptionally happy with and proud of. Detailed, interesting, honest whilst providing a very clear overall picture of the game. It is this kind of content which also can draw more fans to try a matchday out for themselves which can only benefit the club.

Well done to the club, keep it up!

Drinks

Anybody heading to a game will always want to know there is somewhere you can grab a drink and escape the coldest of weathers for a brief amount of time, or maybe that’s just me!

Anyway, Ellistown have this small but exceptionally functional room complete with a little bar area to grab yourself a drink or two from before and after the game and maybe even one or two more at half time!

It actually reminds me of a clubhouse for a club I used to play for myself and its definitely an inviting space which I think fits in with Non-League Football and the character in which Ellistown have.

Food

The tea bar!

Now this little window is where you want to head if you are in search for some grub!

Serving an array of food including all of the items you would expect to see…including the famous combo of Burger and chips. The food on offer is very very well priced and alongside a drink can make an already good matchday experience even better!

Now let’s all gather round and check out if Ellistown can make it into the league table for all of the Fab 4..!

Wow…what can you say about that then!

Top on all 4 of tables an amazing achievement and one that actually means you can grab yourself a matchday ticket (£4), a programme (£2), a pint of drink (£3) and some burger and chips (£4) all for just £13 in total! £13!

Incredible value for money and a very inexpensive way to get your football fix!

It is going to take something special to knock Ellistown off the top!

Top 3 current players (as told by fan Andrew Grout)

Noah Fitzgerald – My Pat Nevin

Matty Hart – Family invested into the club and always gives 100%

Chris Sykes – The experienced war horse.

Press Play!

The club do not currently have a youtube channel but as I have previously outlined and suggested to other clubs – this could be a big opportunity to market the club further and also help engage current fans more.

Do you have media experience and could help the club tap into this market – get in touch with fan/club secretary Andrew today! andrewgrout@btinternet.com

Views from the Staff

Q) Last time we spoke you were handling the reins at Southam United, why the change and why Ellistown?

The change really come about as we requested a lateral movement from the Hellenic league to the Midlands due to the extreme travel that we had to do, we had a CV post code the same as a lot of teams in the midlands league but for some reason the FA turned the move down, decisions like this just kill clubs and unfortunately the time and travel involved meant we had to make a decision and unfortunately that meant us leaving Southam, we are still on very good terms with all involved at Southam and we wish them the best. The move to Ellistown is a good fit, they are a club looking to progress in all areas and we liked the sound of the project. As a legacy We are really looking forward to being a part of the clubs journey and to see where we can take it

Q) Coming into a new club is always difficult, what was the biggest hurdle to overcome initially?

The biggest hurdle was coming in and having 3 players from the previous season, we have had to recruit in all areas which is now meant a rebuilding process which takes time, we are developing week by week though and things starting to take shape

Q) What are you most excited about with this season?

To play and meet new clubs, we have been around football a long time but Leicestershire is a new area for us and we look forward to playing against sides we haven’t done before

Q) What do you think you two as a duo offer that others dont as a management team?

I think the knowledge we have gained working across all age groups of the game, from juniors to U18’s to academy football to men’s, I think we see the bigger picture of what players need to be successful and see the importance of the right player education through the transitions. We are not shy in giving players regardless of age a chance and that’s shown in our current squad. Alongside the playing side we both are not scared of hard work and a challenge in progressing a club both on and off the pitch

Q) What are matchdays like at Ellistown like?

This season has seen the support grow and has led to a really nice friendly family atmosphere around the place, we like to play entertaining football that supporters enjoy watching and ultimately create a place where supporters can come and enjoy a social experience on a Saturday afternoon

Q) What are your objectives and the plans for the future?

Ultimately to grow the club both on and off the pitch, we want to increase community engagement and give the town a club to be proud of. If we get all these foundations in place our primary objective is then to get into step 6 football

Q) Why should someone come down and experience a matchday at Ellistown?

As a club it has a really nice feel , the facilities are improving week on week with the help of a great team of volunteers as well as a dedicated hardworking committee and you can see this especially on match days, there is a nice buzz around the place

Q) How does being a coach for a non-league club feel?

Tiring, challenging, frustrating, inspiring, humbling, exciting, rewarding. All the reasons why I love coaching football!

Q) What is the main difficulties you face?

As a coach you always want more time on the grass working with the players and getting your ideas across. Competing against the weather and busy home and work lives for all of the players and the staff means there’s never as much time as you would like to work with the players and prepare the squad for matchday.

Q) What is the biggest reward?

On the good days, when the team plays well and the result goes our way, it’s knowing that you’ve played a very small part in making people happy and that the players, fans, sponsors, club officials, and volunteers are going to enjoy their Saturday evening just a little bit more.

Q) What is special about Ellistown FC?

The dedication and effort from the people that run the club for the local community. They have a wonderful set-up, good facilities for players and supporters, and have such amazing passion and commitment to keep pushing this club forward

Q) What do you hope for this season?

We need to prove to our supporters and to ourselves that we are better than our current league position. With a settled squad and a good run of results we can end the season on a high and create the foundations for some successful years ahead.

Q) What is it like playing in non league football?

Playing in non league football is very good, as due to the football pyramid there’s a clear progression from a player and team view by trying to play the highest level of football possible. But aside from that it also has a very good social aspect in it where you can meet lots of new people.

Q) Is the balance between work and football quite difficult, what steps do you take to ensure you also have time for other things.

It can be quite challenging at times especially when you have training late and then you are up very early in the mornings and when you have a midweek game it can be very much of a rush but you do it for the love of the game.

Q) What’s the best thing about playing in a team?

The best thing about playing in my team is the good facilities we have and brilliant coaching staff who can teach me and improve my game. The players are also great lads who all have high energy levels and the team spirit and overall banter is great.

Q) Non league football is very much on the rise, in your own opinion why is that?

I think non league football is on the rise due to the sport growing every year but also because of the funding going into it. I think people have also started to realise they can be just as much entertained at non league football as they can professionally.

Q) Why should more people come along and support the team?

I think more people should come and support the team to see how we are progressing and improving as a team week in and week out and slowly climbing the football ladder.

View from the fans

Q) How is it being a fan of Ellistown?

It’s fun being a fan of Ellistown as its a great family club on and off the pitch. Non-League is special because it proper old fashioned football where for less then a £10 you can have a drink and mix with players and officials after the game.

Q) Why is non league football so special do you think?

Sometimes you can also mix on the pitch.

Q) What are some of the challenges of supporting non league football?

Challengues always tend to focus on lack of finance at our level and player retention.

Q) Why should new people come along and give Ellistown a go?

People should come along and support a local community football club. You never know, you may see us win.

Q) What are your hopes for the club for the next 5 years?

In 5 years, it’s my dream to see Ellistown move up the non-league pryamid and get to the FA Vase final at Wembley.

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Future plans as told by Chairman Andy Roach

What does the 5-year plan for the club look like – The plan is for the club to be established at National League Step 6 and pushing for Step 5 without financially putting the club at risk

What are the future plans for:-

Stadium – To pass National League Step 6 Ground Grading requirements within next 12 months

Academy – To implement the FA player pathway to upgrade the football club to 2-star accreditation

Recruitment – We are desperate for new volunteers

Community Projects – We are working with local County FA and Council Councils to make Ellistown a Mental Health Friendly Football club from 2025


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So that brings us to the end yet another ‘Through the Turnstile’. I am forever impressed by the amazing work that clubs like Ellistown carry out, week in week out with perhaps only a small pool of people actually aware of it going on.

These kind of features make me realise how incredible our football system is and also makes me remember just how important it is for these smaller clubs to have their moment in the spotlight and highlight to people why they should come along and support them even if it’s just for a game or two, it all makes an incredible difference and helps them not only survive but thrive.

Until next time….!

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Non-League magazine ‘Parks to Pitches’

Beanies

Pin badges

Scarves

All available here: https://tttonlf.square.site

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