Links to Ilkeston Town FC fully severed as B-team renames and relocates

The final links between the senior Ilkeston Town team and its B team have been severed this week following the introduction of a new name.

Notts Senior League registrar Rob Hornby told Erewash Sound SPORT that the side formerly known as 'Ilkeston Town FC B' which has been topping the Premier Division, is now known as 'Clifton All Whites FC B'.

He added: "It is all in the FA's hands at present, it is a name change, but [with the] same players.  Ilkeston felt that FCB made a loss and no players were filtering through to their first team. FCB are all education students, all based in Nottingham and with most of the students living in the Clifton area, rather than the team fold, Derbyshire and Notts FA have been working together so a team isn't lost".

He continued: "FCB will only be a name change as all players have moved across, so the playing record will remain and continue as Clifton All Whites FCB.  I think the FA are to announce it tomorrow (8th) but definitely by the weekend."

In a statement on the the Ilkeston Town FC website originating from November 24th, club investor and director David Hilton confirmed what would be the forthcoming relocation of the football academy and Under-23s side, and thanked Anthony Spencer and David Lilley whilst wishing the boys well for the future.

The statement continued: "Unfortunately, the academy was losing money and therefore the club had to prop it up financially. Out of the 42 students, only 5 signed up locally with the rest coming from Notts FC’s youth set up.

Anthony had an immediate opportunity to take the academy to Nottingham which will have a far greater chance of success in recruitment with 90% of the students benefiting from an easier commute to the new venue.

Unfortunately, for the sustainability of the club, any failing department needs to be addressed, however, all students will continue their education programme and football as planned at the new venue."

His late November statement said that the priority with the first team and its progression first and foremost, that, sometimes, there was a need to make hard decisions for the good of the club, and that where any area of football club made a sustainable model more difficult to achieve, it would have to close, adding that this was "no different to any other business."