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When built from scratch in 1951, Clifton was
the largest purpose-built council housing estate in Western Europe.
Housing over 30,000 new residence, complete with numerous shopping
centre's, a Police station, schools, parks, churches and a post office, it
had just about everything. However, there was one vital community
commodity missing - a football club.
This was all to change within eight years
of the estate being completed. In 1963, Thistledown Rovers, named after a
road just a few hundred yards from the Club's present Green Lane home,
were formed with the intention of proving something for the local youngsters
to do other than cause trouble on their shiny new estate. A short time
after their formation, Thistledown changed their name to Clifton All
Whites due to the Club's now legendary all white kit.
By the end of the 1960's, All White's had moved to
their present home on Green Lane. From a modest beginning, they branched
out into the realms of senior football through the Midland League. Over
the year's, the success of the youth set up has prompted numerous
professional club's to request All White's become a feeder club for them,
but the requests were politely declined. The astonishing value of
Clifton's coaching methods was fully realised in 1972, when David
Staniforth became the first All White to carve out a professional football
career with Sheffield United. Over 100 more All White's have since
followed suit. Gary Birtles (Nottingham Forest, Manchester United &
England) David McVay (Notts County), Jermaine Jenas (Tottenham &
England) Michael Johnson (Birmingham City), Darren Huckerby (Norwich
City), Richard Liburd (Notts County) & Jermaine Pennant (Birmingham
City), to name but a few.
In the mid-1990's, Clifton All White's were to make
the national news for the mindless decision by the local council that the
Club must drop the 'All Whites' from their name due to it being
potentially racist. Whilst Politically correctness won the day, the
historic name of Clifton All Whites F.C. was still protected by the
junior teams. Additionally, the Club still play in an all white kit, and
almost everyone still refers to them as "The All Whites".
The senior side are presently plying their trade in
the Nottinghamshire Senior League. However,
the main focus of intention
continues to be to inspire local youth football. Indeed, it would be fair
to argue that All Whites have pioneered junior football throughout
Nottingham over the last forty-odd years, setting incredibly
high
standards both on and off the field. So much so that they were awarded
the coveted F.A. Charter Standard and Community Club Awards for their
efforts .The Club as a whole now has 16 teams on the go, no doubt many of
the younger players dreaming of being the next JJ.
The Green Lane site is located on the edge of
Clifton's concrete metropolis, close to the border with leafy Ruddington.
There certainly is a sense of greenery about the place, with the pitch
only taking up a portion of a large, green openspace. The complete Green Lane complex is
fenced off by an eight foot high fence to keep intruders at bay. As you
enter the gates you are greeted by a large car parking area and the Club's
fine Clubhouse to the left. This large brick built building also houses
the Club's changing rooms. Outside, pitchside, there is a patio area with
picnic benches, ideal for when the weather is less harsh. There is only one covered area on offer at Green
Lane running two-thirds of the length of the pitch. This is rather
rickety and basic corrugated
iron structure consisting of backboard, roof and small windbreaks on
either side. The uneven roof is held aloft by eight metal poles, and hard standing is offered underfoot. To the rear
of the stand the Club have erected a board proudly announcing the name of
the Club alongside advertising. In front of
the stand, on the half way line, are two dugouts. The Club have actually installed
one long dug out and split this into two. This is made of concrete, with
a low corrugated roof, and unsurprisingly both have been painted white. The
entire pitch is bordered by dozens of white wooden stakes. On matchdays, a
rope is attached to cordon off the field of play. The imposing building
behind the East End goal is the South Notts College's Art & design
centre.
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From North - M1 to junction 26 and pick
up the A610 Nuthall Road into Nottingham. Continue onto the A6514 Ring
Road at Western Boulevard and turn right signposted Ring Road South. Continue on the Ring Road following signs for A52 Grantham for 3.8 miles,
passing Queens Medical Centre, * over Clifton Bridge,
get into the right-hand lane to take the A453 (Birmingham). Get into the
left hand lane, and at the next set of traffic lights, turn left onto
Farnborough Road. Continue for 1.2 miles, turning left at the roundabout
onto Green Lane. The entrance to the ground is a short distance on your
LHS.
Trent Barton Ruddington Connection
(Nottingham Victoria Bus Station - Ruddington) & Nottingham City Transport
no. 2 (Clifton Hartness Road - Nottingham Beastmarket Hill)
both pass the Ground. 
Nottingham
Midland Station - 4 miles