MYSTERY surrounds what happens next at Ilkeston after the club’s name appeared in the Midland League‘s new constitution.
The Robins died for a second time last month after liquidation was confirmed when the club were wound up in the High Court.
Ilkeston FC was born after Town folded back in 2010 in similar circumstances. It now appears the club will get a third go after being accepted into Step 6.
Seemingly placed in Midland Division One, a go-again club could start next season, but as yet there is no official word on who is piloting the reformed side.
Notts County owner Alan Hardy is believed to be behind the idea and he was listed at Company House as a director a fortnight ago.
Ilkeston’s website has been taken offline and neither party have released a statement as fans are left in the dark. It is unsure if the proposed new club will be allowed to use the New Manor Ground, and if its long suffering fans will get a say in how it is run.
At the end of last month, their Supporters Group vowed to resurrect the club and chairman Duncan Payne said: “We have been working tirelessly over the past couple of month in the hope of creating a new community football club in the event of Ilkeston FC going into liquidation.
“We are working closely with the local business sector to ensure that we have a sustainable football club that reaches out to the local community.
“It will live within its means, but with the prospect of climbing the football ladder steadily over the course of the next few seasons.
“We would ensure that promotions to higher levels are financially viable.”
Fans blame the club’s former owner Nigel Harrop for Ilkeston’s second closure inside seven years. He told The NLP that the ‘missing’ money from the Che Adams sell-on they were owed was a big part of the Robins’ troubles.
His interview was met with annoyance from fans who says he’s hiding behind the club’s former player. The striker was sold to Birmingham City in 2016 for £1.3m, but although refusing to elaborate due to the risk of legal action, he says their share was “given to somebody else”.
Harrop said: “If the club were in possession of that money like it should have been for a player we produced, then it would not have been wound up in the High Court.”
