HILLMEN REACHING THE SUMMIT

I don't want to keep banging on about Glossop North End FC, but when a team has to play 9 matches in 18 days, they do deserve a bit of attention.

Playing in the North West Counties premier they are champions by a clear 10 points at the moment with a playing record of :

37, W 32, D 3 Goals For 98 Against 18 (yes 18!!) and more to come.

Then if you throw in the League Cup, Derby County Cup and the FA Vase, they have a few more important commitments to meet before they head off for a summer break.

The Hillmen, possibly called this because of their location in the Peak District, were founded in 1886 and Glossop was the smallest town to have a Football League side until Rushden and Diamonds appeared (and disappeared).

Glossop were in the FL from 1898 as a Second Division side and were runners up to Manchester City and then promoted. They hung on for one season in the First Division (having to change their name to just Glossop, so as not to annoy Preston North End, who were very big in those days). 

Glossop were quickly relegated with only 4 wins, then WW1 came along and the club drifted into local leagues.

Bank rolled by Sir Samuel Hill-Wood (another possible reason for being called the Hillmen?) of the Arsenal dynasty, the club survived and with various ups and downs they are now a couple of promotions away from returning to the FL. It is unlikely that this will happen but, under manager Chris Willcock, the club is preparing to play in the FA Vase Final against North Shields on the 9^th May at Wembley! So they must be quite good!!!