Willenhall Town FC

Willenhall Town FC formed in 1953 when two local teams Aston Road Villa and Willenhall R.A.F. Association merged. The club gained its first trophy in 1970/71 season, winning the JW Hunt Cup by beating Whitmore Old Boys. Joining the newly formed Premier Division of the Staffs County (South) League for season 74/75, the club’s longest unbeaten run of 29 games began, which included just one draw, scoring 115 goals and conceding just 12, beginning February 1975 through to October 1975. It was at this time that the club moved from Willenhall Memorial Park onto land in Noose Lane, which was purchased by Jack Williams, who also purchased the first stand from Hall Green Greyhound Stadium. The ground was opened in August 1975 by Wolves’ legend Stan Cullis. Season 1980/81 must, however, go down as the most memorable in the club’s history. Floodlights were purchased from Wolverhampton Wanderers, and were erected at a cost of £20,000. Their unveiling was marked with a game against Aston Villa. On April 27 1981 Willenhall Town Football Club became the first WML team to play at Wembley Stadium, when they encountered Whickham in the F.A. Vase Final. On the 21st November 1981, a ground record of 3,454 saw Willenhall Town entertain Crewe Alexandra in the First Round Proper of the F.A. Cup the following season, suffering an undeserved 1-0 defeat. The club’s highest ever position in the pyramid, 4th was achieved the following season. In October 2000 a fire came close to destroying the Noose Lane club-house. The Golden Jubilee season of 2003/4 saw Willenhall win promotion to the Unibond League Division 1 South. In May 2009 the Club’s Noose Lane ground was put up for sale and sold in time for the Season 2010/11. In December 2011, a Limited Company, ‘The Lockmen Limited’, was setup to manage the club. In August 2014, the club achieved the coveted Chartered Standard award. In April 2015, the club won the BFA Midweek Floodlit Cup.