The Opposition - Key Facts
Full name: Loughborough University Students Football Club
Nickname: The Scholars
Founded: 1920 as Loughborough College
Ground: Loughborough University Stadium
Capacity: 3,300
Chairman: Richard Allen
Manager: Jamie Clapham (since summer 2021)
Last season: 17th/22 (NPL Midlands)
Journey distance: 27 miles

The Opposition - History
The club, founded in 1920 as Loughborough College, joined the Leicestershire Senior League in 1966 before leaving senior football in 1972 and returning in 2007. They quickly rose through the leagues, winning the Midland Combination Premier Division in 2008–09 and later the League Cup in 2011 and 2012.

After managerial changes in 2014, including Stuart McLaren’s departure, the club struggled but avoided relegation. Improvement followed under Karl Brennan, and new leadership roles were introduced in 2017. They narrowly avoided relegation again that season.

Moved to the United Counties League in 2019, the team reached a county cup final but lost. In 2021, Jamie Clapham became head coach, and the club enjoyed success, winning the 2021–22 BUCS title and reaching the FA Vase semi-finals. After just missing playoffs in 2022–23, they earned promotion to Step 4 in 2023–24 with a dominant playoff final win.

The Opposition - This Season
Loughborough began pre-season with a 3-0 win against Holwell.
After losing to Moulton FC, they defeated Hanley Town 2-1 and finished off their preparations with a comprehensive 4-1 win over Heather St. Johns.
On Saturday the Scholars exited the FA Cup at the hands of Eastwood Town.
Because of this fixture, tonight marks their seasonal bow in the NPL.

League (16th/22): P 0 W 0 D 0 L 0 F 0 A 0 Pts. 0
Cups: P 1 W 0 D 0 L 1 F 1 A 2
FA Cup: Exited at Extra Preliminary Round (Eastwood Town)
FA Trophy: Still in (play at home to Sporting Club Inkberrow or Barwell in the First Qualifying Round
County Cup: TBC

Top goalscorers (NPL only): N/A
Most minutes played (NPL only): N/A
Biggest victory: N/A
Heaviest defeat: 1-2 vs. Eastwood Town (8th August (FA Cup))
Highest home attendance: 137 vs. Eastwood Town (8th August (FA Cup))
Average home attendance (NPL): N/A
Most consecutive wins: 0
Most games without a win: 1
Most consecutive defeats: 1
Most games without a defeat: 0

The Nailers
Belper's results improved as pre-season went on.
Beginning with a defeat at Sheffield, back to back 2-2 draws followed at Matlock and Heanor before Belper United secured the inaugural Belper Memorial Cup.
After four matches without a win, the Nailers won the last three against Gresley Rovers, Congleton Town and last weekend's comprehensive victory against Kidsgrove Athletic.
The NPL campaign began with a goalless draw at Shepshed on Saturday.
Appearances / goal scorers: N/A

Head to Head
The sides met for the first time on matchday two of last season.
Jack Broadhead gave Belper the lead before Jonathan Wafula doubled it on the half hour. Shortland pulled a goal back for the visitors but the Nailers held out.
In the return fixture at Loughborough, the Students picked up a 2-1 victory.

Overall record for Belper:
P 2 W 1 D 0 L 1 F 3 A 3
(Both NPL Step 4)

Form Guide (all competitive matches)
Loughborough Students: L
Belper Town: D

Team News
Full team news will be announced at 7:00pm.

Permutations
The Nailers could go top of the fledgling table if they win and Carlton Town fail to.

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

Tuesday, 11th August 2026 - 7:45pm kick-off

Loughborough University Stadium
Holywell Sports Complex
Holywell Park
Loughborough
LE11 3QF

Admission prices: Adults £8, Concessions £5, Students £2
Available Online

Directions and Parking
From Belper, head to Derby on the A38 before joining the A52 at The Pentagon.
Leave the A52 and loop around to join Raynesway.
Follow the Alvaston Bypass and join the M1 (southbound) at junction 24A.
Leave the M1 at junction 23 and take the first exit, A512 (Ashby Road).
Take the second right on to Holywell Way and cross the roundabout to head towards the parking area.

Parking can be pre-booked here (search for LE11 3QF): Pre-booked parking
It can also be booked on the day here: On the day parking

Follow the match
Full coverage of the match:

Audio commentary with Chris on Belper Town Live
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
Monday
(8th) Barwell 1-1 AFC Rushden & Diamonds (5th)
(21st) Coleshill Town 0-1 Bedworth United (3rd)
(4th) St. Ives Town 1-0 Sutton Coldfield Town (22nd)
Tuesday
(9th) Boldmere St. Michaels vs. Carlton Town (1st)
(16th) Loughborough Students vs. Belper Town (6th)
(18th) Nuneaton Town vs. Mickleover FC (17th)
(7th) Shepshed Dynamo vs. Long Eaton United (15th)
(20th) Wellingborough Town vs. Bourne Town (11th)
Wednesday
(12th) Corby Town vs. Boston Town (10th)
(13th) Coventry United vs. Grantham Town (14th)
(19th) Rugby Borough vs. Basford United (2nd)