Ilkeston assure Northern Premier League they will fulfil fixtures after failing to raise a team

Pic: Mike Capps

THE Northern Premier League have accepted Ilkeston’s assurances that they will fulfil their remaining fixtures after they were unable to raise a team on Saturday.

Officials from the Derbyshire club contacted the League on Saturday morning informing them that they would not be able to field a side for the long trip to Workington and the game was subsequently postponed.

It raised fears over the future of the club, born just seven years ago from the ashes of the liquidated Ilkeston Town, with players reportedly refusing to play on Saturday following claims of unpaid wages.

They returned to action on Tuesday night, losing 2-0 at Buxton with relegation to Step 4 all but confirmed, and the club expects to finish the current campaign.

A League statement read: “After failing to play at Workington on Saturday 1 April and subsequently being charged under Rule 8.6 for failing to fulfill the fixture, the club’s assurances in writing were accepted by the EVO-STIK NPL’s board of directors on Monday.

“In the interests of the EVO-STIK NPL’s member clubs and the competition’s integrity, the club understands that a second failure will result in further charges being levied which could have serious consequences.

“Ilkeston FC, who have eight games to play, asked for their EVO-STIK NPL Premier Division match at Borough Park to be postponed on Saturday morning after confirming they were unable to field a side in Cumbria and apologising for the disruption caused.”

A takeover of the club is close to being completed but it’s not the first time Ilkeston have been in hot water with the NPL this season.

The Robins’ license to play in the League was suspended at the start of the season after the club failed to play creditors and their first four games were postponed before they were eventually given the green light to kick off their campaign in late August.