Green are title winners, 8 years after they were made homeless

BEING crowned 2024/25 Staffs County Senior League Premier Division champions has completed a remarkable journey for Ball Haye Green.

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Formed in 1880, the Leek-based side are one of the oldest amateur clubs in Staffordshire.

But in 2017, the club was evicted from their ground - a place they had called home for more than 80 years and graced by many talented players including Duncan Edwards who played for Manchester United A during Green's Manchester League days.

The landowners’ decision to evict wasn't a complete shock according to chairman Anthony Knight.

He said: “In the preceding years it became apparent it was going to happen so it was a simple case of when not if.

“Nevertheless it was a huge blow to everyone.”

With loss of its home ground, the bad news was compounded by the loss of its entire playing squad and its management.

“In essence all we had left was the club name and a dedicated committee of volunteers”, recalls the chairman. "The easiest decision would have been to call it a day but that would have been disrespectful to the memory of those that had gone before us and we don't do easy.”

The club demoted itself to Division One in the SCSL and found refuge at Westwood College in Leek for its home games.

Ant added: “We knew it was going to be a tough season but I don't think any of us envisaged just how hard it would be.