'Bring them home': Campaign launched to bring Dudley Town FC back to the borough
A campaign has been launched to bring Dudley Town FC back to the borough after decades without a home in the town.
The Robins, who have just been promoted after winning their league, currently play home games in Willenhall having been without a permanent base in the town since the Sports Centre ground closed down in the mid-1980s.
Now Marco Longhi MP is spearheading a campaign backed by the club and West Midlands Mayor Andy Street to get the team a ground in Dudley, with potential funding sources already being explored.
Over the past 38 years Dudley Town have played home games at numerous grounds in and out of the borough, including Round Oak Stadium in Brierley Hill, The Beeches in Tividale and Stourbridge's War Memorial Athletic Ground. They have been based at Sporting Khalsa's GW Arena on Noose Lane, Willenhall, since 2018/19.
Mr Longhi, MP for Dudley North, announced the campaign in parliament where he called on Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer for government support.
He told the Express & Star: "Ever since Dudley Town FC had to move out of their ground near Dudley Castle in 1985 they have been playing elsewhere – currently in Willenhall. I want the club to come back home to Dudley.
"I have been working with West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, and we are launching a campaign to bring the club home.
"I meet several constituents who ask me if there is anything I can do to bring Dudley Town FC home. I am going to give everything I have within my remit and with the support of Andy Street to help find a suitable location in Dudley for the club."
Founded in 1888, Dudley Town played at the Sports Centre ground for more than 50 years but were forced to move out after the 1984/85 season for safety reasons when mine works collapsed underneath the cricket pitch next to it.
