Club Overview
Halesowen Town Football Club, nicknamed The Yeltz, are a historic club from Halesowen in the West Midlands. The club traditionally dates its formation to 1873, although its own history notes that the earliest Football Association records held for the club date from 1882. They play at The Grove, a ground with a long connection to local football and cricket, and compete in the Southern League Premier Division Central at Step 3 in 2026/27.
Quick Facts
- Founded: 1873 (the club’s traditional date; earliest FA records cited by the club date from 1882)
- Nickname: The Yeltz
- Location: Halesowen, West Midlands
- 2026/27 league: Southern League Premier Division Central (Step 3)
- Home ground: The Grove, also known as the James Grove Recreation & Sports Ground
- Address: Old Hawne Lane, Halesowen, West Midlands, B63 3TB
- Ground capacity: The club lists 3,150
Stadium Guide
The Grove has been Halesowen Town’s home since around 1881–82. The site was associated with the Grove family and their button factory, and was also used for cricket before becoming an established football venue. The ground retains a recognisable traditional non-league character, with the Shed and the Harry Rudge Stand among its notable features.
Ground improvements have taken place across generations. A pavilion and changing facilities were built in 1920, a stand followed in 1924, and the Shed was built in 1950. The Harry Rudge Stand was completed in 1987 and later extended. Floodlights installed in 2001 were replaced by LED lighting in 2023, while more recent work has included improvements to the lounge, Shed and changing facilities.
Address: The Grove, Old Hawne Lane, Halesowen, B63 3TB. Check the club’s official website before travelling for the latest ticket prices, entry arrangements, accessibility information, parking advice and any ground or safeguarding notices.
Club History
1870s–1920s: early years and a permanent home. Halesowen Town traditionally traces its origins to 1873. The club’s history describes early years connected to the James Grove Button Factory team and matches at several grounds before settling at the Stourbridge Road site around 1881. The ground developed gradually from a shared recreation and cricket venue. In 1920, a pavilion with changing rooms was built; before then, players reportedly changed at the nearby Waggon & Horses public house.
1930s–1960s: building a senior club. Halesowen continued through regional football and became established in the Birmingham League era. The club’s official history records a first major FA Cup milestone in 1955, when they reached the First Round Proper and lost 4–2 at home to Hendon. In March that year, Ronnie Dugmore scored seven times in a 10–0 league win at Dudley. The post-war decades also brought senior-cup success, including the Worcestershire Senior Cup in 1951–52.
1980s: the Yeltz reach Wembley. The 1980s were a defining period. Halesowen won the West Midlands League title in 1982–83 and reached the FA Vase final at Wembley, losing 1–0 to VS Rugby. They returned to the final in 1984–85 and beat Fleetwood 3–1 to lift the trophy, then won it again in 1985–86 with a 3–0 victory over Southall. These back-to-back Vase triumphs remain central to the club’s identity and reputation in non-league football.
1990s–2000s: league progress and further cup ties. Halesowen won the Beazer Homes League Midland Division in 1989–90 and the Southern League Western Division in 2001–02. They reached the FA Cup First Round Proper on several occasions, including ties against Brentford, Cardiff City, Tranmere Rovers and Yeading. In 2006–07, the club reached the Southern League play-off final.
2010s–2020s: renewed cup history and promotion. The Yeltz won the Northern Premier League Midlands Division play-offs in 2023. Their most recent standout national cup run came in 2019–20, when they reached the FA Trophy semi-final after a long sequence of ties and replays, eliminating three National League-level opponents along the way before losing 2–1 away to Concord Rangers. The club’s current chapter includes further investment in The Grove and competition in the Southern League Premier Division Central in 2026/27.
Honours
- FA Vase: winners, 1984–85 and 1985–86; runners-up, 1982–83
- West Midlands League: champions, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1986, as listed in the club’s honours archive
- Beazer Homes League Midland Division: champions, 1989–90
- Southern League Western Division: champions, 2001–02
- Northern Premier League Midlands Division play-offs: winners, 2023
- FA Trophy: semi-finalists, 2019–20
- Birmingham Senior Cup: winners, 1984 and 1998
- Worcestershire Senior Cup: winners in 1951–52, 1961–62, 2001–02 and 2003–04, according to the club’s history
- Brookes Clark Charity Shield: winners in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025
Club Records and Milestones
- FA Vase achievement: two consecutive wins in 1985 and 1986, after the 1983 final appearance.
- FA Trophy achievement: reached the semi-final in 2019–20, navigating nine rounds and 13 matches including replays.
- FA Cup: reached the First Round Proper on nine occasions, according to the club’s history.
- Historic home: The Grove has been associated with Halesowen Town since the early 1880s.
- Ground capacity: 3,150 as stated by the club; historical crowd figures from earlier configurations should not be assumed to reflect the current capacity.
Famous Players & Club Figures
Harry Rudge is one of the most important figures in the club’s modern history. He served Halesowen in numerous roles, including player, manager, groundsman and secretary, and the club’s main seated stand bears his name. Ron Moseley, who has served as commercial lead, chairman and vice-president, was named club president in 2026 in recognition of his long association with The Grove. The club’s history also highlights striker Ronnie Dugmore, who scored seven goals in the 10–0 win at Dudley in 1955.
Rivalries and Regional Context
Halesowen sit in the Black Country and West Midlands football region, where clubs have long competed across overlapping league and cup structures. Their history includes regular meetings with neighbouring sides such as Stourbridge, Bromsgrove and Kidderminster at different points in the pyramid. We treat individual rivalries in their specific league and historical context rather than claiming one permanent rivalry without a clear club source.
Matchday Guide
The Grove is on Old Hawne Lane, Halesowen, B63 3TB. Before travelling, check the official Halesowen Town website for the confirmed fixture, kick-off time, ticketing, ground regulations and current facility information. The club has published specific policies for under-18s attending without a responsible adult, so families should check the latest safeguarding and admission rules. Verify parking, public transport, accessibility and catering arrangements directly with the club.
NonLeagueReview
NonLeagueReview covers non-league football through ground reviews, matchday experiences, club histories, attendances, interviews and news from across the pyramid. Halesowen Town’s back-to-back FA Vase triumphs and their long-standing home at The Grove make them a significant part of the non-league game’s history.