2008/09 Members of the East Midlands Counties League
2007/08 Final League Position: 5th Central Midlands League - Supreme Division
Ground Address: The Welfare Ground, Shaw Lane, Holbrook
Telephone: 01332 880259
Directions: Approaching Holbrook on the A38 North or South leave the A38 at junction signposted for Kilburn/ Denby Pottery (B6179). If travelling SOUTH on A38 turn LEFT at end of slip road, if travelling NORTH on A38 turn RIGHT at end of slip road. Follow road through lower Kilburn to crossroads with traffic lights (known as Kilburn Toll Bar). Turn LEFT at the lights and follow road under A38 and continue to top of hill. At top of hill turn LEFT at crossroads (Hop Inn and Bulls Head on the corner). Follow road through Bargate go over painted island. As you arrive in Holbrook Village you will pass a rural style petrol station/garage (currently called Venture garage) approx 2 miles. Turn RIGHT shortly after garage into Shaw Lane, ground is 50 yards on your left.
Formed in 1996 the club uses the facilities of the Holbrook Miners Welfare as its headquarters, with the Welfare being the club's main sponsor. The previous tenants, Holbrook Miners Welfare F.C. disbanded at the end of the 1995/96 season after many years of playing in the various local leagues, including the Central Midlands League.
On forming the club a decision was made by the committee to join a league that could offer the players the highest standard of football in the area, having been accepted into the Central Midlands League, manager Grant Woodside formed his team around a former under 18 side that he had previously run. This step up to senior football proved very trying for all involved in the club, players, management and committee with the results Grant stepped down after only 8 games to make way for his assistant, John Barker to run the team.
The 1997/98 season saw the club introduce a reserve team with Martin Clements running the side, and with Grant Woodside having a stronger squad the club looked forward to the new season with renewed enthusiasm. But results were not going as expected. The Reserves also found the going tough, winning only 1 game themselves before Christmas. With Martin Clements already taking a back seat due to work commitments, Mick Cooper took full control of the Reserves and the committee also found themselves having to replace Grant Woodside as first team manager.
The committee took the decision to appoint a manager who knew this level of football and were able to appoint Mark Webster. Mark's first job as manager was to appoint Mick Bentley as the club coach to try and install some good habits into the training and onto the playing field. This was achieved with the first team winning 10 out of their last 12 games. The reserves saw out the season, only managing 2 victories all season, but great credit to them for seeing it out.
During the close season a fence, with separate player and spectator entrances was erected at the bottom end of the ground to try and give the ground a look of a football ground instead of an open field. For the 1998/99 season Mark Webster strengthened his back room staff by appointing Dave Allsop as his assistant and Mick Ward as 1st team Physio and also with several new players the club were hopeful of mounting a promotion challenge
For the start of the 1999/00 season Mark Webster again strengthened his squad, bringing in two top class strikers. James Newton from Stavely MW and Mike Taplin the ex Belper Town and Mickleover Sports forward. Both players went on to be the leagues leading scorers that season. With only 2 weeks of the season gone tragedy struck the club with the sudden death of defender Bob Parker. Bob, who was only 27, was sadly missed by all at the club. The team showed great determination by going onto win the Premiership Championship in only their 4th season in existence. The club once again reached the semi-finals of the Belper Nursing Charity Cup, but put in a disappointing performance to lose 3-0 to South Wingfield Ath.
During the season the members of the club erected a stand to ensure that a promotion spot to the CMFL Supreme Division would be secure. Their fellow league members also voted the club Premier Sportsman's Award, which capped off a great season.
The reserve team management was also bolstered with Kev Bunting joining Mick Cooper as assistant manager. Kev a local sports tutor brought in some good young players and the team again showed an improvement on the previous year by finishing 5th.
The teams first season in the CMFL Supreme Division saw the team finish a respectable 11th and twice during the season the crowds at Shaw Lane topped the three figure barrier, for the visits of Heanor Town and Matlock Town in the Derbyshire Senior Cup. Again the club reached the semi-finals of the Belper Nursing Charity Cup and again failed to reach the final, losing to Swanick Pentrich Road on penalties. The glory that season belonged to the reserves. They walked away with the Reserve Division One title by 17 points, dropping only 3 points all season. They also became the first Division One team to lift the Reserve League Cup, which crowned a great season for Kev and Mick. During the season the club were successful in obtaining a grant from the National Lottery for £4600 which enabled the club to give soccer coaching courses to local schools within the area. Money was also used to create a better disabled access to the ground and stand.
The 2001/02 season saw the first team languishing near the bottom of the table right up till Christmas, then an upturn in results saw the team steadily climb to a respectful mid-table position. A final league position of 12th was achieved, and the team managed to reach the final of the Belper Nursing Charity Cup, but a poor performance on the night saw them lose 3-0 to local rivals Holbrook Saint Michael's. With Kev Bunting unavailable for the first 2 weeks of the season Mick Cooper was left to run the reserves opening games in the Reserves Premier Division. Two bad defeats saw Mick step down, leaving Kev to run the reserves single handed. Great credit to Kev who despite being on his own managed to pull the teams fortune around and the team did extremely well to finish 6th at the end of the season. Kev also managed to bring in Kev Milwain as his assistant. They also managed to reach the quarter finals of the League Cup, losing on penalties to the eventual winners Shirebrook Town.
Over the next 3 seasons the first team and reserves establish themselves in their respective divisions the reserves winning the league cup beating a strong Shirebrook side with a late penalty. They also reached the final of the Derbyshire divisional cup final being beaten after extra time by local rivals St Michaels.
The season 2005/06 brought the best finish in the Supreme Division with an excellent 3rd place. Enough for promotion had the ground met the requirements. During this time Ian McAndrew joined the club as assistant manager to Kevin in the reserves and made a positive contribution to developing the younger players both on and off the pitch.
In 2006/07 the first team had a disappointing season with much the same squad that done so well the season before and the reserves finishing 3rd. During the close season Mark Webster and his backroom staff resigned after a long sustained effort of running the club. The committee appointed from within by naming Kevin Bunting as manger. With a shorter period of time than his rivals to arrange his squad he retained all off the first team squad and brought in some new players who were with clubs from a higher standard. With this appointment Kevin appointed his reserve assistant as the reserve manger and Malcolm Burton as club coach.
Some of the faces behind the success at Holbrook Miners Welfare. Pictured left is chairman Howard Williams and right is groundsman Steve Butler.
On the left is first team manager Kevin Bunting and right is club treasurer Glyn Dawson.
2007/08 brought a fresh outlook to the club with many changes both on and off the field as the club strive to meet the requirements to reach level 6. During Kevin Bunting's first season in charge the club came a creditable 5th in the league. The season saw the club also have good cup runs with the side losing the league cup semi final with a deflected shot in the last minute. The floodlit cup saw the club beat Southwell on penalities to be crowned champions. The good news continued when the club were granted prommotion to the new East Midlands Counties League.
The Reserves had a great season in spite of the mangerial problems they encountered with Ian McAndrew resigning after the first game of the season. Adam Fisher took temporary charge with Mat Hutchings taking over the reigns. A poor finish to the season saw the runners up spot just slip away after being well placed for much of the season .
Special thanks to Holbrook Miners Welfare and in particular Kevin Bunting for the information and photographs for this feature.
Find Holbrook Miners Welfare memorabilia and programmes by following this link
To find more on Holbrook Miners Welfare and/or the East Midlands Counties League search direct from here
Formed in 1996 the club uses the facilities of the Holbrook Miners Welfare as its headquarters, with the Welfare being the club's main sponsor. The previous tenants, Holbrook Miners Welfare F.C. disbanded at the end of the 1995/96 season after many years of playing in the various local leagues, including the Central Midlands League.
The 1997/98 season saw the club introduce a reserve team with Martin Clements running the side, and with Grant Woodside having a stronger squad the club looked forward to the new season with renewed enthusiasm. But results were not going as expected. The Reserves also found the going tough, winning only 1 game themselves before Christmas. With Martin Clements already taking a back seat due to work commitments, Mick Cooper took full control of the Reserves and the committee also found themselves having to replace Grant Woodside as first team manager.
During the close season a fence, with separate player and spectator entrances was erected at the bottom end of the ground to try and give the ground a look of a football ground instead of an open field. For the 1998/99 season Mark Webster strengthened his back room staff by appointing Dave Allsop as his assistant and Mick Ward as 1st team Physio and also with several new players the club were hopeful of mounting a promotion challenge
For the start of the 1999/00 season Mark Webster again strengthened his squad, bringing in two top class strikers. James Newton from Stavely MW and Mike Taplin the ex Belper Town and Mickleover Sports forward. Both players went on to be the leagues leading scorers that season. With only 2 weeks of the season gone tragedy struck the club with the sudden death of defender Bob Parker. Bob, who was only 27, was sadly missed by all at the club. The team showed great determination by going onto win the Premiership Championship in only their 4th season in existence. The club once again reached the semi-finals of the Belper Nursing Charity Cup, but put in a disappointing performance to lose 3-0 to South Wingfield Ath. 
The teams first season in the CMFL Supreme Division saw the team finish a respectable 11th and twice during the season the crowds at Shaw Lane topped the three figure barrier, for the visits of Heanor Town and Matlock Town in the Derbyshire Senior Cup. Again the club reached the semi-finals of the Belper Nursing Charity Cup and again failed to reach the final, losing to Swanick Pentrich Road on penalties. The glory that season belonged to the reserves. They walked away with the Reserve Division One title by 17 points, dropping only 3 points all season. They also became the first Division One team to lift the Reserve League Cup, which crowned a great season for Kev and Mick. During the season the club were successful in obtaining a grant from the National Lottery for £4600 which enabled the club to give soccer coaching courses to local schools within the area. Money was also used to create a better disabled access to the ground and stand.
Over the next 3 seasons the first team and reserves establish themselves in their respective divisions the reserves winning the league cup beating a strong Shirebrook side with a late penalty. They also reached the final of the Derbyshire divisional cup final being beaten after extra time by local rivals St Michaels. 
