Wellingborough Whitworth

Ground: The Victoria Mill Ground

Capacity: 2,140

Club Founded: 1973

League:  Spartan South Midlands League Division One - Step 5/9th Tier (current level)

Wellingborough Whitworth FC is a fine example of what can be achieved by being prudent and gradually building what began life as a works team.

Wellingborough Whitworth FC's Background

The football club from the Northamptonshire market town was formed when Wellingborough Ideal Clothiers FC folded. The team also played for a local Sunday League club, Victoria Millers, and after discussion, started Whitworth. The club started out in the Rushden & District League, winning a couple of league titles. 

The club advanced to the East Midlands Alliance, where consistent performances and improvements were made to the ‘Flourmen's' ground on London Road. They were admitted into the United Counties League in 1985 as members of Division One. Whitworth were denied promotion to the Premier Division due to ground-grading issues despite winning the title.

Former Premier League star Neil Ruddock played a few games for the club before James Mallows took the side to promotion as Division One runners-up in 2015-16. They went back down three seasons later, before being transferred to Division One of the Spartan South Midlands League (SSML) ahead of the 2021-22 season.

The club was transferred to Division One of the Spartan South Midlands League ahead of the 2021-22 season. After a promising debut, fifth place was replicated in 2022-23.

My visit

Friday 3rd August 2012

I was in Wellingborough after a pleasant day out at the cricket in Northampton, and going to look at other sports venues. After the action was done for the day, I caught a bus to visit The Dog & Duck to watch the pre-season friendly between AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Luton Town.

I had read that the ground of Whitworth was next door in advance, and sure enough, both ground entrances stood next to each other. The gate appeared to be locked when I arrived, so I went straight to the clubhouse next door, where my match was taking place.

However, I was determined to get a look inside the Flourmen's home, so just before half-time, I gave it another go, especially seeing some cars parked down the drive. I walked down and started speaking to some gentlemen who appeared to run the club and were meeting for a drink. 

They were most welcoming and not without a fair bit of rivalry in them for their next-door neighbours. One's first comment was, "so you've come to have a look at what a proper pitch looks like?" In fairness, the playing surface did look in fine nick. The ground was also neat without being anything special.  

The entrance end was behind a goal, with all the facilities in the corner. I was told there was formerly a larger clubhouse until it was burned down in an arson attack. Alongside the buildings was a modern seated stand, standing back from the pitch. 

There was a small cover along the near touchline and behind the far goal, but apart from that, the ground consisted of flat open grass and hard standing. Beyond the far touchline, there were dugouts on the halfway line and a practice pitch behind. The large Whitworth factory looked on in the distance.

I said my thanks and went back next door for a beer and to watch the second half of the friendly, contemplating that the two games between Diamonds and Whitworths later that season should attract large crowds and a financial boost to The Flourmen in particular.