Magdala  Amateurs

Est. 1904  

You must have come in a taxi

From Nottingham - At the BBC roundabout, head south out of the City on the A60 along London Road, over Trent Bridge, via right at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, continuing on the A60 for another 0.3 miles. At next junction, turn right onto B679 Wilford Lane. Roko Sports Club is 0.8 miles on your LHS and has a large car park.

From A52 East & West - Leave the A52 at its junction with the A453 (signed M1, A453). At roundabout take the 3rd exit and  follow signs for B679 (Wilford) onto Wilford Lane. Roko Sport Club is 0.6 miles on your RHS and has a large car park.

  Nottingham City Transport No.s 1, 2, 3 & 4 all run past the Roko Sport Ground, as does TrentBarton Ruddington Connection (Nottm Broadmarsh Bus Station - Clifton)

Nottingham Midland - 2.1 miles

For a map of the location, Click here.

My garden shed is bigger than this

There are two pitches at the Roko Sports Ground which, up until the 2005/06 season, were shared between Magdala & Notts Police. Until the Force vacated for pastures new, historic, yet little known about Magdala, would usually play on the left hand pitch, with Notts Police playing on the other slightly superior right hand pitch. 

Playing second fiddle is something which isn't particularly new to Magdala. To anyone affiliated with Midland Amateur Alliance outfit Nottinghamshire Football Club, it would be easy to deride Magdala as having always played 'second fiddle' to them. Why? Well, go back a hundred odd years and this was indeed the case.

In 1895, Bishop Gwynne founded Notts Magdala Football Club. However, up until 1902 the Club did not play any competitive fixtures, only local friendlies. By which time, interest in the Club had grew to such an extent that a second XI was formed. Not content with life in the reserves, this group of players decided to break away to form a new club called Notts Magdala Amateurs, a title  kept until 1906, when they became the Magdala Amateurs that still exist today. 

Had they not broken away, The Amateurs could have soon found themselves being part of a Club which would play  friendlies against such distinguished opposition as Corinthian Casuals (who at that time made up the majority of the England team) and Old Carthusians (who were beaten F.A. Cup finalists in 1881). 

Still, the fact that Magdala Amateurs are on a higher rung of the football pyramid then Notts Magdala, now Nottinghamshire Football Club, perhaps provides some small comfort for this historic second XI.

The Roko Sport Ground, named after the leisure company which now owns the land, is a large enclosed playing area, overlooked by Wilford Church on the summit of Wilford Hill. The pitches are bordered on three sides by sizable hedgerows. Interestingly, parked in the upper right corner is a huge grass roller which appears to have witnessed better days.  Only temporary rope attached to wooden stake surrounds the pitches, thus leaving the whole area looking rather like a rather empty & large open space when the goalposts are taken down.  

Fortunately, the Groundsman has marked out technical areas, which at least provide a clue during summer months as to the purpose of the venue. There are disappointingly no dugouts, nor shelter at pitchside. On the east side are a number of outbuildings, one painted in a foul deep purple, and behind these buildings is a quaint bowling club. 

There are very few other features at the Ground of note, apart from that is the huge Roko Leisure Centre. This members only facility used to be a Civil Service Club, and offers excellent catering and bar facilities. The changing rooms for Magdala are tucked round the side of the building. Visiting footballers should be aware that no muddy boots will be accepted through the main entrance of this exclusive complex. You have been warned.

Future Plans

Magdala are focusing on the future with some big plans in the pipeline. Currently the club have various schemes including holding fund raising events, seeking grants and new sponsors. One of the projects is in regards to the provision of dug outs and Magdala have kindly been awarded a �1000 grant by the East Midland Airport Community fund towards the total cost. The Club are also hoping to install a perimeter barrier and new changing facilities separated from ROKO.

Additional Photography

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