Radford

Radford FC is a non-league football club based in the inner-city suburb of Radford in Nottingham. The club's origins go back to when they were formed as Manlove & Alliots in 1964, competing in the Nottinghamshire Sunday league.

Manlove & Alliots was an engineering firm in Radford, with the club providing a works team. In 1970, the club was renamed Radford Olympic FC, playing home games at Melbourne Park, after the company moved north to Scotland. 

In 1977, Radford became the first amateur club in Britain to be allowed to wear advertising on their shirts, which attracted the BBC Nationwide crew to cover the story and film a game while interviewing club officials.

A switch to Saturday football ensued, finishing as Division One champions of the East Midlands Regional League in 1982-83 before becoming founder members of the Central Midlands League in 1983-84, finishing as runners-up in 1984-85. 

Around this time, the club managed to secure land to construct its Selhurst Street ground. Radford’s base was The Pheasant Inn pub, which is where their nickname of the ‘Pheasants’ originates from, at a time when a young Devon White played for the side. Former Notts County star Ian McCulloch had a spell as manager.

In 1987, Olympic was dropped from the club’s name, to become Radford FC, where they continued in the second-tier Premier Division of the CML, finishing third in 2002-03 to win promotion to the Supreme Division of the competition. 

FA fifth spot finish was achieved in 2005-06 under manager Julian Garmston, while ground improvements were carried out, including the installation of floodlights, which were turned on for the first time against Notts County.

The East Midlands Counties Football League was joined in 2008-09, with the side led by Glenn Russell finishing third in 2014-15 after a series of lower table finishes. A runners-up place followed in 2015-16. David Boafo became team manager a year or so later.

Another fifth place in 2018-19 was followed by two abandoned seasons. When things returned to normal, Radford were placed in Division One of the United Counties League, where they lost in the semifinals of the playoffs in 2021-22 to Belper United under joint bosses Glenn Russell and Marko Markelic.

In June 2023 Markelic was appointed as sole manager, but had to step down owing to work commitments, with former boss Boafa returning a couple of months later as the Pheasants continued to push towards the playoff places.

Radford FC will play in the United Counties League Division One in the 2025-26 season.

My visit

Wednesday 16th September 2009

I arrived at Selhurst Street, home of Radford by tram on a dull afternoon after I had previously been in Hucknall and the excellent service dropped me off at Radford Road station as the trams run down the street. The scene which greeted me was straight from an inner London suburb. It was vibrant to say the least with a wide range of ethnic foods available yet no pubs! 

Selhurst Street is a little side street off the main road which leads to the end of a housing estate. Sadly, but surprisingly given the surroundings, the gates were firmly locked. However, I managed to see through the railings at several points to get a view of the ground.

The Radford Road End is where spectators gain admission, and it houses the changing rooms and clubhouse. It has two narrow stands, one with seats and the other with standing, while the players emerge between them. The Selhurst Street side has another covered standing shelter for fans, while the rest of the ground was open, flat standing. 

The far end has some room if money were available for development, if ever required. I really liked something about the ground. It is hemmed in but it had atmosphere. It is of great credit to the fans and officials of Radford FC that the club continued in an area where you'd think are are very few traditional football fans. 

I would definitely go to watch games there, but if it was on a night, I think I'd make sure I went with a mate! Once I had wandered about, my local mate Pete Moss collected me and took me to another couple of venues by the Trent.