Halesowen Town Football Club, nicknamed “The Yeltz,” is a non-league football club based in Halesowen, Worcestershire.
Established in 1970, they currently compete in the Pitching In Southern Football League Premier Central, which is part of the seventh tier of English football. The team calls The Grove their home ground.
History
Founded in 1873, Halesowen Town Football Club, known as The Yeltz, competes in the Southern League Central Premier Division as of the 2023/24 season. Their home, the Grove Recreation Ground, acquired around 1881 and originally shared with cricket clubs, has witnessed significant developments since its early days. Initial facilities were modest, with a key improvement in 1920 when a pavilion was built, enhancing the player’s amenities considerably beyond the previous arrangement of changing at a local pub.
Substantial renovations and expansions in the following decades were aimed at meeting higher league standards and improving spectator experience. The 1950s introduced The Shed and new dressing rooms, while the 1980s saw comprehensive upgrades including a perimeter fence, updated changing facilities, and the transformation of the ground into a four-sided stadium. The notable Harry Rudge Stand, constructed in 1987, marked a pivotal development, later augmented with additional facilities.
Recent updates include the installation of LED floodlights in 2023, the creation of the James Grove Lounge, and ongoing modernizations to both The Shed and dressing rooms, underlining the club’s commitment to progress and community engagement. These enhancements reflect the club’s evolution and ambition, accommodating a current capacity of 3,150 spectators and supporting a vibrant matchday atmosphere.
Alumni
Former players and managers elsewhere in the non-league pyramid