Reformed Nuneaton Town promoted at first attempt

Nuneaton Town won the Midland League with three games to spare

Reformed Nuneaton Town have begun their intended journey back to the top of English football's non-league pyramid by winning promotion at the first attempt.

Loyiso Recci, James Harrison and Louis Baker scored the goals in a 3-1 win at Kirby as they won the Midland Football League Division One with three games to spare.

It matches the achievements of Leicestershire side Quorn FC, who won the Northern Premier League Midlands title, and Robbie Savage's Macclesfield, who took the Northern Premier League Premier Division title with six games to spare, as the earliest teams to clinch promotion this season.

Nuneaton, who have 99 points, the highest anywhere in the country, while their tally of 118 goals from 39 games makes them joint top scorers in English football, along with Bury FC.

The achievements of joint managers Russell Dodd and Darren Acton in breezing through the league with only two defeats, having taken over with no players signed up, is also a happy short-term outcome to the journey the club have been on since running into major financial problems last season.

"It is nice to see so many smiles again," club legend Acton told BBC Sport. "This is only the beginning. I hope we can go onto even better things.

"This was just testament to the lads and how hard they've worked. And the support from the fans has been unbelievable. Without them this club wouldn't be possible."

Nuneaton Borough were originally formed in 1899, but reformed in 1937 and again in 1991, before being recreated as a phoenix club in 2008 after Borough were liquidated.

The club, founding members of the first national non-league in 1979, were allowed to resume playing under the old Boro name again but, after withdrawing from the Southern League Premier Division Central in January 2024, were wound up by His Majesty's Revenue & Customs.

But, after being placed back in the 10th tier, they have now overcome two challenges this season, moving the club back up a level, whilst also generating further funds to cover the costs of finding a home back in Nuneaton.

Currently on a two-year rental deal at nearby Bedworth United, they have generated £40,000, mostly off the back of surplus gate receipts from their above-average following.

"Everyone's played a part, the board, the volunteers, the players, the management, the kitman and the physio, but especially the fans," agreed Dodd. "They've been with us home and away. We're one family. The league title is for us all.

"When we got offered the job, we did not have one player. Within the month we built a squad of about 25 for pre-season training, which we reduced to 20. It was selection game-by-game until we found our settled team and formation.

Nuneaton Town's joint bosses Russell Dodd (left) and Darren Acton have been friends since the age of eight

"As the season continued we kept the good run of winning games. Only losing twice is a massive credit to the lads. Since we last lost we're on a 17-game winning streak. We have that winning mentality."

The club have already started feasibility studies for a ground back in Nuneaton - one with the potential to host crowds close to 1,000 at every home game.

The club expect to be placed in the United Counties League Premier next season rather than the Midland Football League Premier, but they will not find out until the allocations are announced by the Football Association in June.