Welbeck Welfare

You must have come in a taxi

From Nottingham: Take the A60 (Mansfield) for 4.8 miles. At roundabout, take the A614 for 14 miles. Take 2nd exit at roundabout for A616 (Sheffield). After 3 miles, turn left onto Netherfield Lane for Meden Vale. After 2.1 miles, turn right onto Elkesley Road. The Ground is over the brow of the hill, next to the colliery, where there is ample parking.

From North: Leave the A! at the junction with the A57 & A614. Take the A614 southbound for 6.6 miles. At roundabout, take 4th exit for A616 (Sheffield). After 3 miles, turn left onto Netherfield Lane for Meden Vale. After 2.1 miles, turn right onto Elkesley Road. The Ground is over the brow of the hill, next to the colliery, where there is ample parking.

From West: Exit the M1 at Jnc.29. Follow the A617 (Mansfield) for 4.1 miles. Turn left onto the A6075 (Mansfield Woodhouse). continue for 1.6 miles, before merging onto the A60 (Warsop) for 3.7 miles. Turn right onto Netherfield Lane for Meden Vale, and continue for 1.1 miles, before turning left up Elkesley Road. The Ground is over the brow of the hill, next to the colliery, where there is ample parking.

From East: Exit A1 at Tuxford, following the A6075 (Ollerton). Continue on the A6075 thourgh New Ollerton for 6.6 miles. At 2nd roundabout, take 3rd exit for A616 (Sheffield). After 3 miles, turn left onto Netherfield Lane for Meden Vale. After 2.1 miles, turn right onto Elkesley Road. The Ground is over the brow of the hill, next to the colliery, where there is ample parking.

Stagecoach East Midlands No.11 (Mansfield Bus Station - Meden Vale) passes the bottom of Elkesley Road.

Mansfield Woodhouse - 5.8 miles

For a map of the location, Click here.

My garden shed is bigger than this

There can be no other sporting venue in Nottinghamshire which so dramatically reminds one of the counties historical links with the mining industry than the home of Welbeck Welfare Football Club. Set beneath the stunning backdrop of Welbeck Colliery, one of the few remaining pits left into the county, the Elkesley Road Sports Ground is an industrial joy to behold.

The Club was formed in the mid-1980's as Spion Kop Football Club, playing in the splendidly named village of the same name. Success was instant with the Second, and then First Division of the Mansfield Bitter League, captured in quick succession. In 1991 the Club moved to their present home of Elkesley Road in Meden Vale. With the move, came a change of name to Welbeck Miners Welfare Football Club, as they cemented their links with the adjoining colliery. As there were no changing facilities at the ground, the Colliery granted permission to use the colliery baths. The first season at their new home saw the Club compete in the Chesterfield League. In the 1993/94 season they joined the Notts Alliance League, where their first task was to establish changing facilities closer to the ground. With the help of the colliery they were able to transform the old colliery weighbridge building into suitable changing rooms. In their first season they won the Second Division Championship.

In 1998, they moved up to the Central Midlands League. In 1999, in order to protect their future, the Club joined forces with the highly successful Welbeck Colliery Welfare Colts. Many former �Colts� have gone on to professional careers including Robert Kozluk (Sheffield Utd), Les Robbins (Mansfield Town) and Neil Pointon (Nottingham, Forest, Scunthorpe Utd , Everton , Manchester City & Oldham Athletic).

It has to be said that the dramatic backdrop at Elkesley Road somewhat compensates for the rather neglected state of the pitchside facilities. However, with the ground situated in a valley, a good view can be had by all. There is only one area of cover on the Colliery side of the pitch. This is a small, rusty, corrugated backboard and cantilevered roofed structure on the Colliery Side of the pitch, next to the entrance to the Ground. This can adequately shelter up to 50 spectators from the elements on a level, hard standing base, which extends partially along the touchline.

The pitch is completely surrounded on the south, east and partially on the west side by dozens of tightly packed white steel posts carrying a black tubular barrier. The Club have constructed a decorative risen wall on the Colliery Side of the pitch, and for the a portion of the west side. Unfortunately, the wall has fallen into a state of disrepair, especially near the covered area.

The Club does have one dugout, though you'll find this at right angles in the car park, not pitchside, where it belongs. It appears that the smart, perplex dugout, adorned in the Club's name, has been hijacked to block off vehicles driving up a track adjacent to the pit. The Club seems to be making a habit of using it's equipment for shoring up purposes. By the main gate, an old roller is placed to keep out vehicular tresspasses.

The Clubhouse is situated in the car park. This modern brick built building has sadly succumbed to the vandals, with on of it's two windows boarded up. It is still notable for the large green & white sign hanging from its fascia, proudly spelling out the Club's name. Either side of this are two Colliery motto's, reminding all the nearby colliery workers to stay safe, both on the football pitch and down the pit perhaps?

Whilst it is without doubt the view to the north which captures the imagination, mention must be given the banked area behind the south touchline, which provides excellent views, and the attractive woodlands to west, no doubt frequented by Robin Hood in his day.

Future Plans

The merger with Welbeck Colts has set the wheels in motion to develop the ground at Elkesley Road .The award of FA charter standard club status, and county and regional awards for the best charter standard club in 2001, was the result of extreme effort and commitment from the team managers and committee members. This, and the proposed re-development of facilities at Meden Vale, including a new Clubhouse, new changing facilities, floodlighting, an all weather floodlit training area and a mini soccer area shows the club is really looking to the future. The Club has a good financial base from which to launch this project and is able to draw upon the `broad base` of support from caring and reliable parents who help in the running of the club.