The Opposition - Key Facts
Full name: Coventry United Football Club
Nickname: The Red and Greens
Founded: 1st July 2013
Ground: Nick Newbold Stadium
Capacity: 4,000 (3,000 seats)
Chairman: Raymond Nowack
Manager: Terry Anderson (since late 2025, had originally held position in 2016)
Last season: 2nd/20 (UCL Premier South) (Promoted)
Journey distance: 57 miles

The Opposition - History
2013 – Coventry United were formed following the takeover of Coventry Spartans, with Edwin Greaves as manager. United won promotion from Midland Football League Division Three in their first season, followed by the Division Two title the following year.

2016 – Terry Anderson took charge following Greaves’ departure and guided United to the Division One title after 11 consecutive victories.

2017 – United moved to their new home at Butts Park Arena, following spells at The Cage and Sphinx Drive.

2020–22 – Joe Haggarty took over the club before further ownership and management changes. Carl Nolan became manager in summer 2022.

2023 – Ellis Alleyne succeeded Nolan and guided United to a 14th-place finish. John Goodman became chairman.

2024 – Raymond Nowack and Hamad Al Salem joined as co-owners. Following a difficult start to the season and another managerial change, Alleyne returned as manager. Nowack became chairman in August, with Nowack and Al Salem remaining majority shareholders.

The Opposition - This Season
Coventry's opening friendly saw a 2-2 draw with Lutterworth and they followed this up with a 3-2 win at local rivals Coventry Spinx. Banbury United won at Coventry 3-2 on the 11th of July.
The 18th of July saw a thriller at Lichfield City which they won 4-3, this off the back of a 7-0 defeat by Harborough Town four days earlier.
On the 21st of July they won 3-1 at Highgate United but six days later suffered defeat by the same margin at Redditch United.

Their opening competitive fixture of the season came in an FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie which they won 3-1 at Sutton Coldfield Town.
They started their first ever NPL campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Grantham Town, Reece Blackmore on the scoresheet for Coventry.

League (13th/22): P 1 W 0 D 1 L 0 F 1 A 1 Pts. 1
Cups: P 1 W 1 D 0 L 0 F 3 A 1
FA Cup: Still in (play Whitchurch Alport in the Preliminary Round)
FA Trophy: Still in (play Kidsgrove Athletic in the First Qualifying Round)
County Cup: N/A

Top goalscorers (NPL only): Reece Blackmore (1)
Most minutes played (NPL only): Various (90)
Biggest victory: 3-1 vs. Sutton Coldfield Town (A) (8th August) (FA Cup)
Heaviest defeat: N/A
Highest home attendance: 303
Average home attendance (NPL): 303
Most consecutive wins: 1
Most games without a win: 1
Most consecutive defeats: 0
Most games without a defeat: 2

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 last weekend and continued with another at Loughborough on Tuesday!
This represents Belper's first back to back goalless draws for nearly 25 years!
Appearances / goal scorers: N/A

Head to Head
This is a first meeting between the sides.

The return fixture is scheduled for Saturday, 28th November.

Overall record for Belper:
N/A

Form Guide (all competitive matches)
Belper Town: DD
Coventry United: WD

Team News
Full team news will be announced at 2:15pm.

Permutations
It is obviously still very early in the season so the table has to be taken with a pinch of salt.
Belper can in theory go top with a win but there is lots of traffic above them and this is the first nearly-full fixture program in the division so lots of teams will move. A better indication will come after Tuesday evening when all 22 teams are in action.
Coventry are only three points from top spot despite sitting in 13th position, only two below the Nailers.

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

Saturday, 15th August 2026 - 3:00pm kick-off

Raygar Stadium
Bridge Street
Belper
Derbyshire
DE56 1BA

Admission prices: Adults £11, Concessions £7, U11s £0
Please note our Under 16s entry policy

Directions and Parking
Information for first time visitors to the Raygar Stadium can be found here

Follow the match
Full coverage of the match:

Audio commentary with Joey, James and Archie 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
(12th) AFC Rushden & Diamonds vs. Coleshill Town (20th)
(9th) Basford United vs. Wellingborough Town (6th)
(7th) Bedworth United vs. Shepshed Dynamo (1st)
(11th) Belper Town vs. Coventry United (13th)
(5th) Boston Town vs. Loughborough Students (15th)
(10th) Carlton Town vs. Nuneaton Town (22nd)
(14th) Grantham Town vs. Rugby Borough (3rd)
(4th) Mickleover FC vs. St. Ives Town (8th)
(21st) Sutton Coldfield Town vs. Corby Town (18th)