See How The Other Half Live

Ilkeston FC were deprived of the opportunity to celebrate National Non-League Day on Saturday because they didn’t have a fixture but the Evo-Stik League Division One South club are determined not to let the occasion pass them by.

The Robins plan to raise their profile this Saturday (Sept 10) by inviting Nottingham Forest and Derby County fans to visit the New Manor Ground and back the campaign to “See How the Other Half Live”.

Season-ticket holders of the two Championship giants will qualify for half-price admission for the game against Quorn by proving their status - and that’s just £3.50 for adults, £2 for concessions and 50p for under-16s.

The New Manor Ground is situated only eight miles from Nottingham and 10 miles from Derby, and Ilkeston FC chairman Dave Mantle said: “We will always live in the shadows of these two clubs but that doesn’t have to be a problem.

“We know for a fact that many Forest or Derby fans living in Erewash come to our matches whenever their ‘first loves’ are playing away and the idea is that this campaign will encourage a few more to follow their example.

“It’s an ideal opportunity for them to come and ‘See How the Other Half Live’ and in a perfect world, we just want them to look upon Ilkeston FC as their second team.”

Added Mantle: “We have stuttered a bit, losing the last two games after a very promising start, but there’s a real buzz around the town because people are delighted to have their football club back in business.

“We need to get back on the rails and hopefully some Derby and Forest fans will swell the crowd and help us to show off non-league football at its best.”