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This feature highlights those clubs who no longer or have never had a home ground of their own.
Index of clubs on this page: Just click on the club you wish to view.
To start things off we'll be featuring Dosthill Colts, Oldbury United, Romulus, Stanton Ilkeston, Warstones Wanderers and Wednesbury Town.
Dosthill Colts share grounds with Bolehall Swifts at Rene Road and compete in the Midland Combination Division One. Just three seasons old Dosthill Colts' senior team was established so players from their extensive junior set up have somewhere to progress into.
Oldbury United were kicked off their home ground recently and now ground share at Tividale FC while the dispute with the social club owners at Oldbury goes through the courts.
Romulus have never had their own ground and currently compete in the Southern League Midland Division sharing Sutton Coldfield Town's Coles Lane ground.
Stanton Ilkeston lost their ground which they shared with the local Rugby Club and played their home games in the Cental Midlands League at South Normanton Athletic for the 2007/08 season. They are now defunct.
Warstones Wanderers have recently started ground sharing with Sporting Khalsa at the Abbey Stadium in Bloxwich.
Wednesbury Town have folded and reformed a number of times in their history, this time round, having been reformed in 2002, they play their home games at Long Lane Park.
2008/09 Members of Midland Combination Division One
2007/08 Final League Postion 2nd Midland Combination Division Two (Promoted to Division One)
Ground Address: Rene Road, Bolehall, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B77 3NN
Telephone Number: 01827 62637
Ground Directions: M42 Junction 10, take the A5 heading towards Tamworth. Leave the A5 at the second exit sign posted Glascote & Amington Industrial Estate. Turn right onto Marlborough Way, at next island turn left onto the B5000, then turn right into Argyle Street. At T junction turn left into Amington Road. Drive over canal bridge and take second right into Leedham Avenue, take the right fork into Rene Road. The ground is 150 yards down this road on the right immediately after the school.
Midland Combination Website: Click Here
Dosthill Colts were formed in 2006 out of a successful junior set up. They originally joined the Midland Combination Division Three and in their first two seasons won promotion. Their first ever competitive match was played on Saturday 26th August 2006. They entertained Ettington Reserves at Rene Road in the Jack Mould Trophy and ran out 3-2 winners.
In 2008/09, just their third season in existence, the club entered the FA Vase for the first time reaching the 2nd round proper before losing to Midland Alliance side Coalville Town 5-2 at Rene Road in front of a crowd of 149. As members of the Midland Combination Division One they were the lowest placed side left in the FA Vase at the 2nd round proper stage.
 The special edition programme for the FA Vase 2nd Round Proper tie against Midland Alliance side Coalville Town pictured left. Full colour, glossy 32 page programme costing £2.00. 1 page editorial, FA Vase History feature, including list of finals and this years results from start of competition, todays opponents feature, reports from vase games for both teams, home and away team stats, Midland Combination match reports, fixtures and tables, player profiles. This programme is available by mail order, email for price and details with the header "FA VASE" to kenjones001@yahoo.co.uk
To see pictures of Rene Road click here
2008/09 Members of the Midland Alliance
2008/09 Average Home Attendance: 44 Highest Home Attendance: 57
2007/08 Final League Position: 21st Midland Alliance
2007/08 Average Home Attendance: 39 Highest Home Attendance: 75
2006/07 Average Home Attendance: 75
Pictured above Oldbury United's old York Road ground
Year of Formation: 1958
Nickname: Cricketts
Ground Address: Tividale F.C. The Beeches, Packwood Road, Tividale, West Midlands, B69 1UL
Ground Telephone: 01384 211743
Ground Directions: Leave the M5 at junction 2 and follow signs for Dudley A4123. Approximately one mile after school and playing fields on the right go under pedestrian walkway to traffic lights. Turn left into Regent Road, then left again into Elm Terrace. Then take first left into Birch Crescent and second left into Packwood Road. Ground is at the end of the Cul-de-sac.
Oldbury United's website is updated on a regular basis this season and is well worth a visit.
These pictures how how close Oldbury's old ground was to the M5, above left, and the near side of the ground, above right. Pictured below the stand behind the near goal.
Oldbury United were originally known as Queens Colts when they were formed in 1958, competing in the Oldbury League. Queens Colts won the Oldbury League Division Two title in 1961-62 and soon afterwards changed their name to Whiteheath United. By this time they had joined their local rivals Oldbury Town playing in the Warwickshire and West Midlands Alliance.
A bid to join the Worcestershire Combination in 1965 proved unsuccessful as it did for Oldbury Town so the two clubs amalgamated and Oldbury United were born. Oldbury Stadium became the new club’s headquarters. Their first application to join the Worcestershire Combination, now called the Midland Combination, as a joint outfit was successful and the club made its debut in 1966-67 season, finishing in a respectable 10th place with 34 points from 34 games.
Although United failed to win any major silverware during their stay in the Midland Combination they did find some glory in 1971 when they reached the last 16 of the F.A. Amateur Cup before losing out 4-0 to Wycombe Wanderers. In 1977 they again reached the last 16 of a national cup competition. This time it was the FA Vase - Irthlingborough Diamonds halting their progress this time.
In 1973 Oldbury United purchased an old quarry from the council and spent over £50,000 developing the site and installing facilities. In 1982 floodlights were erected and officially opened by league side Aston Villa. The same season United were to join the Southern League and win the Walsall Senior Cup. Their most successful campaign to date.
After only three seasons in the Southern League Oldbury United were relegated to the West Midlands (Regional) League where they competed between 1985 until 1994. During that period they were twice runners up in the Premier Division and recorded their record home attendance, 1,896, for a F.A. Cup match. They also won the Staffordshire Senior Cup.
1994 saw them become founder members of the Midland Alliance where they still play today. Although United have never really set the league on fire during their stay they were runners-up in the Polymac Services League Cup in 1996 losing the final to Blakenall. Three years later they went one better and won the trophy beating West Midlands Police 3-1 in the final.
Oldbury United’s recent history has been dominated by events off the pitch which have left the Cricketts homeless and on the verge of going out of business. Their York Road ground ended up in the hands of the social club, who decided to evict United from the ground which had cost blood, sweat and tears, not to mention thousands of pounds, to develop in the early 1970s. While the dispute over the York Street ground is sorted out in the courts Oldbury United have shared grounds with Pelsall Villa for the 2007/08 season and for the 2008/09 campaign they moved in with Tividale.
Special thanks to Paul Edwards for the scan of the Oldbury United programme.
Blackheath Town and Warley Development currently play their home games in the West Midlands (Regional) League - Division One at Oldbury United's old ground.
Best Performance in the FA Cup: 4th Qualifying Round 1986/87
Best Performance in the FA Vase: 5th Round 1977/78
2008/09 Members of Southern League Midland Division
2008/09 Average Home Attendance: 170 Highest Home Attendance: 336
2007/08 Final League Position: 10th Southern League Midland Division
2007/08 Average Home Attendance: 154 Highest Home Attendance: 352
2006/07 Average Home Attendance: 88
Ground Address: Central Ground, Coles Lane, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B72 1NL
Telephone: 0121 354 2997
Ground Directions:
From M6: At Junction 6 A5127 to Sutton Coldfield, turn right at Odeon Cinema (Holland Road), first right into Coles Lane. Ground is 150 yards on left.
From M42: Junction 9 A4097 to Minworth. At island follow signs to Walmley Village, right at lights B4148, and after shops left at lights into Wylde Green Road, over railway bridge and right into East View Road which becomes Coles Lane.
Southern League Website: Click Here
 Romulus Football Club was formed in 1979, when a small band of parents decided to form a club for their children in the North Birmingham area. A ground was found in the Penns Lane, Sutton Coldfield and from it two youth sides started. Wearing their now famous red and white stripes the Roms won their respective leagues, a sure omen for the years to come. During their earlier years Romulus won the Saffordshire Youth Cup and the Birmingham Boys League on regular occasions and developed a reputation for producing high-class youth team players, Simon Sturridge (Derby, Leicester). Stuart Bowen (WBA), Luke Rogers (Shrewsbury) Darius Vassell (Aston Villa & England), Zat Knight of Fulham are all Romulus old boys not to mention the number of non-league players who have pulled on the Romulus jersey over time. Romulus entered adult football in the Sutton and District League, after being placed in Division Two; they won successive championships and crowned this with a victory in the Premier Divsion.  Moving onto the stronger Birmingham Sunday Festival League, joining Division Four, they won four consecutive promotions eventually finishing in the Premiership. This was to remain the same until 1999 when the Club decided it was time for Sunday League.
Romulus share Sutton Coldfield Town's Coles Lane ground.
Promotion from Division One of the Midland Combination in their first season was followed by a superb campaign that saw Romulus just fall short of their target of promotion to the Midland Alliance with a top three position in the 2000-2001 season, a top four position in the 2001-2002 season and again in the 2002-2003 season we fell short of the target.
The 2003-2004 saw possibly the strongest League in the Midland Combination Premiership for quite some time. The only chance of promotion lay with an outright win of the League. Leamington FC, and Rugby Town, Feckenham and Romulus spent the majority of the season fighting for the title but in the last few weeks all of the other sides dropped away leaving Romulus and Leamington the only two possible victors. The title came down to the last game of the season. After almost 60 hours of competitive football the season came down to the last 15 minutes of the final game, running out 3-1 victors against Dudley Sports, Romulus took the title by a single point scoring a record 128 goals in the process.  This wasn't the only silverware Romulus collected, they also beat Nuneaton Griff 3-1 to win the Birmingham County Midweek Floodlit Challenge Cup, and Romulus completed the hat trick by winning the Midland Combination Endsleigh Challenge Cup beating Coventry Marconi 2-0 in the final.
Action from the Romulus v Warrington Town tie in the 2008/09
FA Trophy competition. This Warrington Town shot dropped
the other side of Matt Harris's crossbar.
In their first season in the Alliance Romulus finished a creditable 12th and developed as a club both on and off the field. They also added the Tony Allden Memorial Cup to their trophy collection beating Leamington 1-0 in the final.
The 'Roms' had a highly successful 2005-2006 finishing fourth missing out on promotion by just one place after being their or thereabouts all season. The 2006/07 season was even better when they finished runners-up to Leamington and secured their place in the Southern League.
 Romulus's first season in the Southern League Midland Division saw the club acieve a respectable mid-table finish and pull off a number of memorable victories along the way. 2007/08 was also Romulus's debut season in the FA Trophy competition and an outstanding 4-0 victory away at Spalding United in their first game in the competition was just the start they wanted.
The 2008/09 campaign sees Romulus contine to play in the Midland Division of the Southernm League playing their home games at Coles Lane, the home of Sutton Coldfield Town.
The 2008/09 programme at Romulus is well worth the £1.00 it costs for this 36 page edition, (pictured left). It contains all the information you need about both the away and home side and had articles from the manager and a round up of what's been going on in the Southern League.
To see more photographs of Romulus's home at Coles Lane click here
2008/09 Defunct (The name Stanton Ilkeston continues as a Sunday League team)
2007/08 Final League Position: 18th Central Midlands League - Premier Division
Ground Address: South Normanton Athletic Football Club, Exchem Sports Ground, Lees Lane, South Normanton, Derbyshire
Ground Directions: From M1 junction 28, take the B6019 towards South Normanton. Once in South Normanton turn turn right after one mile (at BP garage) into Market Street. After 1/4 mile turn left, immediatley after The Clock pub into Lees Lane. The ground is at the bottom of this road on the right.
The History of Stanton Ilkeston Football Club
The club began life in 1921 as Stanton Football Club, the team of Stanton Ironworks, hence their nickname "The Ironmen". From those early days as a works team the club has, in recent years, evolved into a community based organisation with no link to the Stanton works. At senior level, the club fielded teams in a variety of leagues progressing through the Midland Amateur Alliance and Derby Senior League to the Central Alliance. There followed a spell in the Notts Alliance prior to entering the East Midlands Regional League Division One in 1977.
Promotion brought a move into the Central Midlands League and the football pyramid system. Their direct admission into the Premier Division was justified by a fourth place finish in their first season, this progress was confirmed the very next year by a league and cup winning double. The club was denied promotion on the grounds of lack of facilities but did eventually win promotion to the top division before dropping back into the Premier.
In 1991 the club changed its name to Stanton Ilkeston FC to strengthen links to the town and local community. They continued to play in the Central Midland League with two teams and in 1998 the committee saw the need to expand the club. At senior level the incorporation of Ilkeston Pioneer FC meant that the club would now run two teams in the Long Eaton Sunday League while three junior teams were formed at Under 10, 11 and 13 age groups.
Unfortunately at the end of season 2001/2002 the decision was taken to withdraw the senior teams from the Central Midland League. The loss of the club's base at the 'Stute' and the costs involved in maintaining a commitment in the football pyramid were the key factors in the decision.
The future of the club now lies in developing the younger players and this can be seen by the fact that several of the lads from the Under 13 team of 1998 were introduced to the senior game in the Long Eaton Sunday League and acquitted themselves most capably. The expansion continues year on year and the club now boasts squads ranging from the youngsters of the nursery squad up to under 18. Ultimately the club is aiming to give the players the opportunity to join us at nursery level and stay with us until they retire from playing.
From its origins as a works team, with a single side, Stanton Ilkeston has grown to a membership of over a hundred players of all ages and is proud of its position in the local footballing community and in the town.
The 2007/08 season was the club's first back in the Central Midlands League, playing in the Premier Division. They had, until times, played their home games on their own ground which they shared with the local Rugby club.
Stanton Ilkeston Football Club played their games on the 'top' pitch where the ground had been developed to include floodlights. The Rugby team played on the 'bottom' pitch where there were no lights and little in the way of facilities. The social club became involved in the politics of the two clubs resulting in Stanton Ilkeston losing use of the 'top' pitch to the Rugby team.
As the facilities on the 'bottom' pitch were not to the standard required for their level of football back in the Central Midlands League Stanton Ilkeston were forced to ground share with South Normanton Athletic in order to play back in the Central Midlands League for the 2007/08 season.
There were further problems for the club at the end of the 2007/08 season. Their 'new' landlords, South Normanton Athletic, announced their intention to fold as they were unable to form a committee to run the club and once again Stanton Ilkeston found themselves homeless!
They were accepted into the Notts Alliance for the 2008/09 campaign but when placed in the bottom division they declined the invitation. The name of Stanton Ilkeston lives on however with a Sunday team competing in Division One of the Long Eaton Sunday League.
2008/09 Members of West Midlands (Regional) League Division One
2007/08 Final League Position: 7th West Midlands (Regional) League - Division One
For the 2007/08 season Warstones Wanders played their home games at the now defunct Wyrley Rangers ground at Long Lane Park. For the 2008/09 Warstones Wanderers have moved to Sporting Khalsa's Abbey Park Stadium in Bloxwich.
Ground Address: Abbey Park Stadium, Glastonbury Crescent, Mossley Estate, Bloxwich, WS3 2RQ
Telephone: 01922 477640
Ground Directions: Leave the M6 at junction 11 and turn off the A462 into Broad Lane. Turn right into Creswell Crescent after County and Borough signs. Ground is immediately after Abbey Primary School.
Pictures on this page are of Long Lane Park, if you wish to see photos of Warstones Wanderers home for the 2008/09 season click here
2008/09 Latest West Midlands (Regional) League Division One Table
Admission: £3.00 (includes programme)
 Programme: Warstones Wanderers issued a programme for the first time in their history for their home game against Wednesbury Town on Saturday 8th Decemnber 2007.
There's No Place Home!
Warstones finally found a home for the remaing six months of the season after spending the first couple of months of the 2007/08 campaign homeless! The first three games of the season were played at Bilston United’s Parkfields Stadium, followed by a 2-0 victory in the Staffordshire Cup game against Holt JCB at ‘The Dip’ Windsor Avenue. They also played home games at Wolverhampton United and Goodrich, making Long Lane Park their 5th home ground of the season.
The dugouts at Long Lane Park, Warstones Wanderers home for the 2007/08 season.
Warstones Wanderers - A Brief History
Warstones Wanderers were formed in 2001 with just one under 10s side playing in tournaments and the Bilston Junior League. The following season there were 6 junior sides and by the third season this had grown to 13. The following year saw a big growth in the number of junior sides Warstones had, rising to 23. The 2006/07 season saw the first girls side established, fielding an under 16s side. This season sees Warstones Wanderers putting out 25 different teams, this includes 22 in the youth section, under 7s to under 15s and one under 17s girls side. Warstones also have two Sunday league sides playing senior football as well as the senior side in the West Midlands (Regional) League - DIvision One.
The first Saturday senior side was established at the start of the 2005/06 season joining the Wolverhampton & District Combination. The following season the jump was made to the West Midlands (Regional) League, playing in Division Two. Home games were played at the former home of Bilston United, Parkfields Stadium, and a decent 7th position in the league was achieved. The West Midlands League increased the number of sides in Division One for 2007/08 season and Warstones Wanderers were moved up to Division One as a result.
Another view of the stand at Long Lane Park.
Long Lane Park is privately owned and is currently up for sale for just over £1 million pounds. Warstones Wanderers are ambitious to have a home of their own and continue to investiagte possible sites where they can make a start on becoming a major force in non-league football in the Midlands.
Long Lane Park - There's no place like home - Warstones Wanderers
At the beginning of the 2007/08 season Shane Samuels took over the role of manager and soon put together a decent squad of young players. The quality of the squad was seen when Warstones Wanderers won the West Midlands (Regional) League - Division One team of the month award for February 2008. Home games were played at Long Lane Park, the former home of Wyrley Rangers, after spending the first couple of months of the season homeless.
 On 25th March 2008 Jimmy Corcoran made his debut for the Warstones Wanderers first team and became the first player to come through the ranks of the junior set up.
Once again Wanderers finished in 7th place but this time a division higher!
The 2008/09 season saw Warstones Wanderers move home again, this time moving in with Sporting Khalsa at the Abbey Stadium in Bloxwich. The club took further steps forward by entering a reserve side in Division Two of the West Midlands (Regional) League, playing at Four Ashes, the former home of Wolverhampton Development and entering the FA Vase for the first time.
Warstones recorded a fantastic victory in their first ever FA Vase game, winning on penalties away at Midland Alliance side Cradley Town in the 2nd Qualifying Round. Shortly before the Vase tie manager Shane Samuels resigned his position and his former assistant Delroy Williams was promoted into the first team manager’s role, with Richard James coming in as first team coach.
Best Performance in the FA Cup: Never Entered
Best Performance in the FA Vase: 1st Round Proper 2008/09 (First year of entry into competition)
2008/09 Members of West Midlands (Regional) League Division One
2007/08 Final League Position: 16th West Midlands (Regional) League - Division One
For the 2008/09 season Wednesbury Town will be playing their home games at Long Lane Park. At the end of the 2007/08 season their ground sharing agreement with Darlaston Town came to an end. Darlaston decided to start once again fielding a reserve side so Wednesbury Town were forced to look for a new home.
Ground Address: Long Lane Park, Long Lane Essington, Wolverhampton, WV11 2AA
Ground Telephone: 01922 406604
Football Club Contact Telephone: 0121 5303718
Ground Directions: From M6 junction 11 take the A462, take the third turning on the left, the A4210 (Broad Lane). Take the first left into Long Lane, follow the road for half a mile, ground is on the left.
Nickname: The Cockerels
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