Bilston Town becomes first WM Supporter Owned Club

19th August 2023

History in the making: Bilston Town supporters vote to become the first West Midlands Supporter Owned Club

Supporters of Bilston Town Community Football Club have voted in principle to become the first ‘fan owned’ football club in the West Midlands. A well-attended supporters club meeting held on Friday 4th August unanimously voted to form a Community Benefit Society (CBS).

Under the CBS model, the club will be run as a ‘one member – one vote’ offering every supporter the chance to own their club, is able to participate and able to contribute to its successful future.

Bilston are being assisted to be become a supporter owned co-operative by the Football Supporters Association (FSA) who attended the meeting held at Queen Street to support the project. 

Bilston aim to join a growing number of football clubs who are deciding to become owned and run by their supporters including AFC Wimbledon, Exeter City and Newport County, Chester FC, Scarborough Athletic, AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Bury FC and FC United of Manchester.  

The vote to form a CBS is part of a wider project underway at Bilston to improve facilities and to open the club to all sections of the community. In addition to the men’s first team, Bilston also has a women’s team and an extensive youth development structure. Under the plan being developed Bilston aims to provide opportunity for everyone to be able to play sport and will play an integral role in supporting the wider public health strategy for Bilston and Wolverhampton. 

Denise Frankham, Bilston Town Community FC Chair said,
“I am delighted that our supporters are so supportive of our plans for the club. Whilst Bilston wants to be as successful as we can on the pitch, we also recognise our wider responsibilities off it. Our club has been part of the community since 1894 and creating a Community Benefit Society aims to secure our future for the next generation and beyond. Under our plans the club will be owned by our supporters and together we can all ensure that the club goes from strength to strength and plays an integral role in the future of Bilston”. 

Under the plans endorsed by supporters the fan owned club will: 

Obtain an asset lock to legally prevent Bilston’s ground and the stadium at Queens Street from being used for private gain. The space will be used for football and to promote public health in Bilston. 

Seek funding for a new pitch and improvements to the stadium.  

Fans will work together to protect the history, legacy and future of the club. Every supporter can own part of the club by becoming a member.  

Adopt a democratic model of ownership. 

​

We look forward to sharing more information as the process moves forward in what we believe are exciting times, not only for the football club but also the people of Bilston.

More information on Bilston Town Community Football Club can be found here: 
https://www.bilstontown.co.uk/ 

More information on the Football Supporters Association can be found here: 
 https://thefsa.org.uk/

Bilston Town FC – By Royal Appointment!

“It is with the greatest of pleasures, and immense pride, that today we can reveal that the club – Bilston Town FC – are official recipients of The Queen’s Award for Volunteering Excellence, which, in a nutshell, is the equivalent of Bilston Town FC receiving an MBE!

How fantastic is that?!

Around 30,000 nominations are received by the selection panel annually but only a very few even get through to the scrutiny panel.

In October last year the Queen’s Deputy Lieutenant visited us at Queen Street and, following checks with the police, council and other organisations, was impressed with all he saw and heard and informed us that he would be strongly endorsing our application as we were exactly what this award was about.

It’s not awarded for our work with the Community or our work with the youngsters, nor for our progress on and off the pitch, it’s awarded for excellence in all we do and everyone, players, staff, volunteers, supporters, sponsors and ‘friends’ as well as everyone that comes through our gates has contributed to making the Club what it is – a template for how a football club should be run and operate – and contributed to our successful application so all of us should share in the pride we feel today.

It means the Club can include the Queen’s logo on all our stationary and media channels and that, more than any words, indicates the quality of the football club – it literally is a ‘by Royal Appointment’ Club!

In the near future the Queen’s Deputy Lieutenant will revisit Queen Street bringing with him the certificate and commemorative crystal bowl to mark the award and we shall then arrange a small celebratory evening at the Club, where staff, volunteers, supporters, sponsors and ‘friends’ of Bilston Town’ can join together in celebrating this unique, very special honour.

Supporting Bilston Town has always been something to be proud of and, hopefully, after the news today that pride has swelled still further, because I can’t think of a bigger honour or endorsement that a football club could receive.

Bilston Town is the football club with a Royal seal of approval and everyone should share in that pride because every one of us contributes to make this club what it is – so well done, all of you.

Bilston Town – By Royal Appointment (Sounds good doesn’t it?!)

Last Tuesday Graham and Denise attended the Buckingham Palace Garden Party to acknowledge this award and a few photographs of the occasion will follow.

We’m Bilston Aye We – By Royal Appointment!!”

Taken from the Bilston Town Community Facebook page, (C) Bilston Town Community FC

 

Bilston Town 3-1 Port Vale

19/10/16 19:45 – Bilston Town Community 3 Port Vale 1

Martin Foyle, Tony Naylor, Robbie Earle, Ian Taylor, Robin van der Laan, Robbie Williams…….your boys took one hell of a beating!

Okay, some may say it was only the Staffordshire Senior Cup and that it was only Vale’s youth lads but they are full-time footballers who train every day so the boys in orange had to dig deep to match them on the park.

There is nothing that can be said that can take away the achievement tonight as every single lad in a Bilston shirt can be more than proud of being part of a historic victory here at Queen Street, we don’t often get the chance to face football league opponents and tonight we grabbed it with both hands.

Everyone played their part, a full shift for 90 minutes was required for the Steelmen to have any opportunity to stay in the game and each and every one delivered on a memorable night for the near 200 strong crowd.

Despite going a goal behind from a penalty with just over 20 minutes to go, the Orange Army swarmed into the 2nd round with Lewis Archer grabbing the equaliser after Ross Clarke’s free-kick caused chaos in the Vale box and then Jayden McCalla slotted under the advancing keeper to put the home side on the verge of victory.

As the visitors pushed for an equaliser it was left for Kizza Clarke to lob the keeper as the striker advanced towards goal and the night was complete, another famous night in the club history.

The 2nd round gives us a trip to Newcastle Town which is scheduled for Tuesday 6th December although they have a league fixture that night so we are awaiting confirmation of the date.

Thanks to all who came to support the lads tonight, lets hope some of the new faces who came along will be keen to return after witnessing a truly disciplined performance on a big night for the club.

See you Saturday when Black Country Rangers head into town – 3pm the kick-off.

Article taken from Bilston Town’s official Facebook account. (C) Bilston Town Community

Images taken from Adji The Groundhopper (C) https://adjithegroundhopper.wordpress.com/

 

Queen Street Grandstand 1991-92

An image of Bilston Towns grandstand as it looked in 1991.

Bilston Town Vs Port Vale

Wellington Amateurs 0 Bilston Town 2

15/10/16 15:00 Wellington Amateurs 0 Bilston Town 2

A much needed – and fully deserved – three points collected today with a solid team effort right across the board securing a 2-0 victory and a clean sheet for debut ‘keeper, Simon Hands, who made one outstanding second half save and organised the defence as well as dominating his box throughout the game.

After the initial start to the game Bilston pretty much dominated the first half and the only thing lacking was a goal to prove it until Charlie Hemmings picked up a loose clearance on the edge of the Wellington area and drilled a shot through a packed defence to give the Steelmen the lead they deserved.

Todd Perry doubled that lead when he rose high at the far post to head home from a corner ten minutes before the break and, just before the half ended, Dan Elwell thought he netted a third, breaking clear to draw the ‘keeper before dinking it over him but, as he was about to wheel away in celebration, a Wellington defender racing back somehow managed to hook it off the line.

The second half, as expected, saw Wellington start off in determined style and the opening ten or fifteen minutes saw them on the front foot but the Bilston defence, marshalled by Todd, was resolute and never looked like being breached.

After that initial rally, Bilston again took control of the half and the last ten minutes or so was particularly pleasing as they managed the game well, showing a little more nous than we’ve previously seen and were fully deserving of the points and the clean sheet.

Onto Wednesday now and no doubt after they hear of our result, Port Vale will be quaking in their boots at the thought of visiting Queen Street, home of The Steelmen!!

Get yourself down to this David v Goliath game just so you can tell your kids that you were there when Bilston beat Port Vale(?!).

7.45pm kick-off, spread the word, lets get the place packed out and rockin’ – Bilston Aye We!

Article taken from Bilston Towns Official Facebook. (c) Bilston Town Community.

Bilston Town 5-0 Gornal Athletic

14/09/16 19:45 Bilston Town Community 5-0 Gornal Athletic

STEELMEN IN CLEAN SHEET SHOCKER!

After a month that has seen more goals than a Match of the Day compilation DVD, the Steelmen finally put the stop signs up in front of their own goal on route to a 5-0 win over bottom side Gornal Athletic.

First half goals from Lewis Archer, Alex Brogan, Daniel Elwell and Kizza Clarke from the spot saw the home side 4 goals ahead at the break – but we have been here before haven’t we so no chickens were being counted with 45 minutes still to play.

The second half saw great work rate all round as the lads battled to protect the lead – and when Kizza put away his second penalty of the night, the points were sealed while at the other end the lads defended the goals against column, showing Steelmen grit and determination.

Credit to all tonight, in very warm temperatures there was a full shift from everyone involved, the work rate cannot be faulted and the team spirit appears to be building nicely – lets hope for more of the same when Smethwick visit on Saturday.

Well done lads.

Article taken from Bilston Towns Official Facebook. (c) Bilston Town Community.

JW Hunt Cup 2nd Round: Bilston Town V Alvechurch

The History of Bilston Town Football Club.

After 2 ½ years of researching, compiling & writing I am proud to announce that the History of Bilston Town Football Club is launching at a special event at Queen Street Stadium, Bilston on the 12^th of December 2015.

You can now pre-order your copies via the clubs official website: http://bilstontownfc.weebly.com/book-launch-121215.html

The book covers the history of the club from its founding in 1894 up until the end of 2014-15 and is a season by season account of the clubs league and cup records and achievements. It also includes:

• Information on FA Cup Proper Fixtures
• Complete FA Cup, FA Trophy and FA Vase results record
• The History of Prouds Lane and Queen Street
• Club Records and Honours
• A Complete League History Table
• All league results and tables from 1985 to 2015
• Former Player Biographies
• Notable Fixtures and Events
• Tributes to notable figures
• And many photos and news clippings thought lost to time.

Don’t delay, pre-order your copy today!

And it would be great to see you at Queen Street for the official launch of this long overdue football history. An ideal gift for non-league football fans and ground hoppers.

Bilston Town Fixtures 2015-16

West Midlands (Regional) League Fixtures: 

08/08/15 15:00 Cradley Town v Bilston Town Community

15/08/15 15:00 Bilston Town v Community v Haughmond

18/08/15 19:45 W’Ton Casuals v Bilston Town Community

22/08/15 15:00 Bilston Town Community v Smethwick Rangers

29/08/15 15:00 Tipton Town v Bilston Town Community

02/09/15 19:45 Bilston Town Community v Willenhall Town

12/09/15 15:00 Bilston Town Community v W’Ton Sporting Community

15/09/15 19:45 Gornal Athletic v Bilston Town Community

19/09/15 15:00 Bilston Town Community v Wellington Amateurs

22/09/15 19:45 Stone Old Alleynians v Bilston Town Community

26/09/15 15:00 Black Country Rangers v Bilston Town Community

30/09/15 19:45 Bilston Town Community v Shawbury United

03/10/15 15:00 Dudley Town v Bilston Town Community

10/10/15 15:00 Bilston Town Community v Dudley Sports

17/10/15 15:00 Malvern Town v Bilston Town Community

24/10/15 15:00 Bilston Town Community v Stone Old Alleynians

31/10/15 15:00 Bilston Town Community v AFC Bridgnorth

07/11/15 15:00 Bewdley Town v Bilston Town Community

14/11/15 15:00 Bilston Town Community v Bromyard Town

21/11/15 15:00 Ellesmere Rangers v Bilston Town Community

28/11/15 15:00 Bilston Town Community v Gornal Athletic

05/12/15 15:00 Haughmond v Bilston Town Community

12/12/15 15:00 Bilston Town Community v Cradley Town

19/12/15 15:00 Smethwick Rangers v Bilston Town Community

02/01/16 15:00 Bilston Town Community v W’Ton Casuals

09/01/16 15:00 Willenhall Town v Bilston Town Community

16/01/16 15:00 Bilston Town Community v Tipton Town

23/01/16 15:00 W’Ton Sporting Community v Bilston Town Community

30/01/16 15:00 Bilston Town Community v Pegasus Juniors

06/02/1615:00 Wellington Amateurs v BilstonTown

13/02/16 15:00 Bilston Town Community v Wellington

20/02/16 15:00 Shawbury United v Bilston Town Community

27/02/16 15:00 Bilston Town Community v Black Country Rangers

05/03/16 15:00 Dudley Sports v Bilston Town Community

12/03/16 15:00 Bilston Town Community v Dudley Town

19/03/16 15:00 Wellington v Bilston Town Community

26/03/16 15:00 Pegasus Juniors v Bilston Town Community

02/04/16 15:00 Bilston Town Community v Malvern Town

09/04/16 15:00 Bilston Town Community v Bewdley Town

16/04/16 15:00 AFC Bridgnorth v Bilston Town Community

23/04/16 15:00 Bilston Town Community v Ellesmere Rangers

30/04/16 15:00 Bromyard Town v Bilston Town Community

FA Vase Fixture:

1st qualifying round: Saturday 5th September: Bewdley Town v Bilston town (KO 15:00)