Ground Directions: From junction 10 of the M42 join the A5 heading south towards Nuneaton/Atherstone. After 3.7 miles at roundabout sign posted B4116 Sheepy Magna/Twycross turn left into Holly Lane. At next roundabout turn right into Rowland Way, the club car park is on right after 300 yards.
The fact that there is still a senior non-league football club in the Warwickshire town of Atherstone really is a credit to the loyalty and commitment of Atherstone's fans and officials over the last three decades (at least).
The original Atherstone Town went into liquidation during the summer of 1979. At that stage they were playing in the Southern League and in fact had finished second in the 1973/74 season and third the following season, winning the Birmingham Senior Cup. Playing for the Adders in those days was Mick Preston who went on to join and captain VS Rugby, lifting the FA Vase at Wembley in 1983.
After the club went into liquidation a group of fans and officials kept the club alive by fulfilling the clubs reserve team's fixtures under the name of Atherstone United, playing in the West Midlands League. By the 1986/87 season Atherstone United were promoted to the Southern League and in 1988/89 as runners-up they gained promotion to the Premier Division of the Southern League.
After a number of years in the Southern League and a number of appearances in the FA Cup against league clubs, including against Crewe in the Second Round Proper in 1990/91, the bad times returned to Atherstone. In September 2003 Atherstone United went into liquidation.
Once again a group of committed fans wouldn't let their club die and formed Atherstone Town. In their first season back in 2004/05 they won the Midland Combination Division One and gained promotion to the Premier Division. By the end of 2005/06 they had won promotion again, this time into the Midland Alliance, where they play this season.. Once again just one promotion away from the Southern League.
A truely remarkable history which shows just how much non-league fans are prepared to put into their club to keep things going. It surely can't be long before we see the Adders back in the Southern League.
This picture shows the back of the main stand at Atherstone Town where everything seems to happen these days! This is where you will find the changing rooms, directors lounge and a supporters bar. You wont find any draught beer here but you can buy a can of lager for £1.50
Pictured right is the front cover of Atherstone Town's programme for the 2007/08 season. This particular programme is from their recent 1-0 win in the Birmingham Senior Cup against Rugby Town of the Southern League Premier Division.
If you want to find out more about Atherstone Town then click HERE to visit their website or check the Fans Forums page on this site to chat to some of their fans.
Best Performance in the FA Cup: Preliminary Round 2006/07
Best Performance in the FA Vase: 1st Round 2006/07
What to do when in Atherstone
The historic town of Atherstone in North Warwickshire offers plenty of interesting ways for football fans to entertain themselves before visiting Sheepy Road for the match. Famous for its new & second-hand bookshops, its historical buildings and a large number of public houses and eating establishments. Atherstone's only Camra pub is the Hat & Beaver which not only serves an excellent pint of real ale but they are also happy for customers to bring their own food and enjoy a pint and a picnic before the game.
Shrovetide Ball Game
An annual tradition in Atherstone is the Shrove Tuesday Ball Game which celebrated its 800th anniversary in 1999.
The game is a complete free-for-all played along Watling Street (the old Roman Road) at the point where it forms the main street of Atherstone. The ball is decorated with red, white and blue ribbons that are exchanged for money by who ever is able to obtain one and is made of thick leather to make it too heavy to kick far. The match starts at 3pm when the ball is thrown from the window of Barclays Bank and continues until about 5pm. However the ball may legitimately be deflated or hidden after 4.30pm. There are no teams and no goals, though in the last century the match was played between a team from Warwickshire and one from Leicestershire. Whoever is able to hang onto the ball at the end of the game not only wins the game but is allowed to keep the ball as well.
This Shrove Tuesday ball game has been held annually since the early 12th century and is one of Atherstone's claims to fame. The 'ball' used is specially made each year and is 'thrown out' by a prominent sporting or show business personality. Shop windows are boarded up and traffic is diverted on the afternoon whilst the game, in which hundreds of people take part, progresses along the town's main streets.
Find Atherstone Town and Atherstone United memorabilia & programmes by following this link
Find more on Atherstone Town or Atherstone United by searching the web here
