OpponentSpotlight HalesowenTownFC

Halesowen Town Fc History

From 1985 to 1991, Halesowen reached the 1st round of the FA Cup for 7 consecutive years. On 4 occasions we played professional teams, and each time we were unlucky to lose. SOUTHEND beat us 4-1, but were extremely flattered by that scoreline, breaking away in the last five minutes to clinch the game after we had been all over them in the second half. We lost 2-0 to BRENTFORD, again in a very even game. Against CARDIFF CITY, we lost 1-0 to a hotly disputed penalty and were by far the better team, and lost 2-1 to an excellent TRANMERE ROVERS side after taking the lead.

Season 2010/11 saw one of the poorest playing records in the Club's history finishing the season in bottom place, scoring only 24 goals and conceding 107. Shortly after the season ended, the Club was taken over by businessman Steve Lynch. Under the new ownership, season 2011/12 brought an encouraging start with The Yeltz undefeated in the first 5 league games, including a 3-1 home win over eventual champions Bideford. However, September brought early FA Cup exit at Rocester which was soon followed by a morale shattering 4-5 reverse at Wimborne, where a 41 lead was squandered in the last half-hour. An October FA Trophy loss at home to Romulus lead on to a bleak winter for Yeltz fans. In the autumn Steve Lynch had formed a management team to run the club on his behalf and under the Chairmanship of club stalwart Colin Brookes and Vice-Chairman John Russell, a lifelong Yeltz fan of 60 years. This brought fruition as the last 3 months of the season progressed, the club's improved off-field organisation led to Manager Shaun Cunnington being able to strengthen his squad. Neil Barnfield served an impressive spell on loan from Leamington while striker Ben Haseley arrived from Heath Hayes and soon won fans over with 10 goals in 17 games.

2013/14 season kicked off with an away win at Lincoln, quickly followed by two successive home defeats within 7 days. All at Halesowen then couldn’t envisage what the rest of the season would bring. Our leading goal scorer from last season Ben Haseley missed 11 games due an eye injury, but on his return against Brigg scored twice. As the season progressed we climbed the league table and went top. This position we help until the final week, with Coalville close behind and a game in hand lost against Gesley, this meant our last game away at Belper was a must win game for us to be crowned league champions. Two goals from Ben Haseley ensured the 3 points that crowned us league champions and promoted to the premier league. The Peter Swales Challenge Trophy was added the following week, with a 3-1 win against Curzon Ashton.John Hill added to his squad two players with league experience, Neil Mackenzie and Iyseden Christie.