The Opposition - Key Facts
Full name: Wellingborough Town Football Club
Nickname: The Doughboys
Founded: 1867 (re-founded 2004)
Ground: London Road
Capacity: 5,000 (350 seated)
Chairman: Mark Darnell
Manager: Jake Stone
Last season: 8th/21 (NPL Midlands)
Journey distance: 82 miles

The Opposition - History
The origins of the club began in 1867 when they formed. It is claimed that this made it not only the oldest club in Northamptonshire, but also the sixth-oldest in the country. However, since folding, this is no longer the case. The club played originally under the part-handling code, until becoming a genuine football club in 1869, playing at Broad Green, wearing an old gold and black strip. In 1879 Wellingborough Town became the first club to play under floodlights, when they entertained Bedford at the Bassett's Close ground, using lights powered by generators at either end of the pitch.

The club joined Division One of the Southern League in 1901–02, moving to their current ground at the Dog & Duck in London Road. In 1905 the club changed name to Wellingborough Redwell but resigned at the end of the season after finishing bottom of Division One, continuing to be called Wellingborough Redwell until reverting to Wellingborough Town in 1919.

Wellingborough joined the Metropolitan League in 1968–69, finishing seventh. They won the title the following season and joined the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division, finishing third. In 1971–72, they joined the Southern League Division One North. A reorganisation of the league saw it split into Southern and Midland Divisions, with Wellingborough playing in the Midland Division. However, they struggled until in 1988–89, they were relegated to the United Counties League.

The club struggled for thirteen seasons in the UCL, narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premier Division in a number of seasons. However, they could hold out no longer than 2001–02 when the club folded and they resigned from the League.

Wellingborough re-formed after two years without a senior team, with help from locals including snooker champion Peter Ebdon. They returned to the UCL in 2005–06, earning promotion to the Premier Division. Financial struggles and frequent managerial changes followed, though notable signings like Trevor Benjamin boosted morale. Survival was secured in 2013 after a poor start, and Jason Turner’s return saw renewed success. Despite setbacks—including a fire destroying the clubhouse and a near-eviction from the Dog & Duck ground—the club endured. In 2023–24, Wellingborough won the UCL Premier Division South and were promoted to the Northern Premier League Midland Division.

The Opposition - This Season
The Doughboys have had a somewhat inconsistent start to the campaign.
They began with a good win in the FA Cup but didn't taste victory in the NPL until matchday three.
After exiting the FA Trophy on penalties to Sporting Khalsa, they lost a further two league matches but bounced back with wins over Rugby Borough and Boldmere St. Michaels.
Coventry Sphinx ended that good mini run but they come in to the match today off the back of a 4-2 win over Mickleover.
League (6th/22): P 9 W 4 D 1 L 4 F 10 A 9 Pts. 13
Cups: P 3 W 1 D 1 L 1 F 5 A 3

Top goalscorers: Neo Richard-Noel (4), Brett Solkhon (2)
Most appearances: Various (9)
Biggest victory: 3-0 vs. Deeping Rangers (2nd August)
Heaviest defeat: 0-2 vs. Rugby Town (12th August)
Highest home attendance: 368 vs. Rugby Town (12th August)
Average home attendance: 222 (14th/22)
Most consecutive wins: 2
Most games without a win: 3
Most consecutive defeats: 2
Most games without a defeat: 2

The Nailers
After an indifferent pre-season Belper got off to a winning start in the NPL at St. Neots Town.
The first home match saw a narrow win over Loughborough Students but this was followed by a disappointing FA Cup exit at the hands of Kidsgrove Athletic.
The following midweek saw a trip to league newcomers Lichfield City and the Nailers come away with a 1-1 draw but a few days later it was back to winning ways as Boldmere St. Michaels were defeated at the Raygar Stadium.
A trip to Basford on Bank Holiday Monday resulted in a first goalless draw since March and a second successive clean sheet for Kieran Preston and his defence.
Three weeks ago Belper took the lead at home to Rugby Town before being forced to settle for a point but the following weekend they secured progress in the FA Trophy with a win over Newcastle Town.
Another 2-1 home win against Bedworth United followed, this time back in the NPL but last Saturday the Nailers exited the FA Trophy at the hands of Rugby Town.
Kevin Bastos leads the goalscoring charts with six, while Ben Rhodes has three. Jacob Fenton and Jonathan Wafula have two each while a further four players have a single goal.
Eight players have appeared in every match so far, with Kieran Preston and Ioan Evans having played every minute of the season.

Head to Head
There are just two meetings in the history books and they both took place all the way back in 1956.
It was a League Cup semi-final, with the Doughboys taking the first leg 4-0 and despite first half goals in the return match from Lakin and Fox, the Nailers couldn't find any further goals and Wellingborough progressed.
Overall record for Belper: P 2 W 1 D 0 L 1 F 2 A 4
(2 x League Cup)

Form Guide (all competitive matches)
Belper Town: DDWWL
Wellingborough Town: LWWLW

Team News
Full team news will be announced at 2:15pm. There are no major injury concerns or suspensions.

Permutations
The Nailers can go top but would need a win combined with defeat for Corby Town and dropped points by Coventry Sphinx and Rugby Borough.
Two teams can leapfrog the Nailers if they fail to win, one of which is the visitors.
For Wellingborough they can climb as high as third with a win but if defeated could fall in to the bottom half of the table.

Match details
Belper Town vs. Wellingborough Town
Pitching In Northern Premier League Midlands Division

Saturday, 27th September 2025 - 3:00pm kick off

Raygar Stadium
Bridge Street
Belper
Derbyshire
DE56 1BA

Admission prices: Adults £11, Concessions (under 16 and 60+) £7, Under 11 (with paying adult) £0
Cash and card accepted on the turnstiles.

Follow the match
Full coverage of the match:

• Audio commentary with Joey on Radio Belper Town
• Full text coverage on X and Facebook
• Match reports on the website (all matches) and in the Non-League Paper (Saturday matches only)

NPL Midlands fixtures
(17th) AFC Rushden & Diamonds vs. Long Eaton United (7th)
(10th) Anstey Nomads vs. Corby Town (1st)
(4th) Belper Town vs. Wellingborough Town (6th)
(14th) Boldmere St. Michaels vs. Carlton Town (11th)
(8th) Lichfield City vs. Rugby Town (16th)
(20th) Loughborough Students vs. Coventry Sphinx (2nd)
(21st) Racing Club Warwick vs. Basford United (5th)
(3rd) Rugby Borough vs. Coleshill Town (19th)
(9th) Shepshed Dynamo vs. Bedworth United (22nd)
(13th) St. Neots Town vs. Bourne Town (18th)