Match Preview

DO THEY MEAN US? KIDSGROVE ATHLETIC
Happy New Year! Let’s hope so, as Josh and the lads make the short trip from ST13 to ST7 to take on Kidsgrove Athletic, the second of our festive period derby games (3pm kick off) - and affectionately known as #ElStaffico

It’s sure to be a highly competitive game at The Autonet Stadium, as the home side were excellent when they won at the F Ball Stadium earlier in the season and made a blistering start to their campaign.

We’d love to see you there to cheer the lads on - make sure your New Years resolution is not to miss a Blues game !

The True Blue Army will assemble at?
The Autonet Stadium.
Very doubtful you’ll need directions, but the full address is: Hollinwood Rd, Kidsgrove, Stoke-on-Trent ST7 1DQ

Nickname?
The Grove

How much to get in?

• Adult £10
• Concession £5
• 12-16yrs £2
• Under 12’s Free

Their website?
https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/kidsgroveathleticfc/

How are they doing?
The Grove started off the season beating all and sundry, and were sat proud at the top of the table. Whilst they struggled – as any team would – to keep that form up, as we go into the game they sit very handily in 6th place with 32 points from 20 games, with slightly better home form wining 4, drawing 2, and losing 3.

Their main man?
Aaron Bott is their leading scorer with 8 goals, but Blues fans will know all about Anthony Malbon’s goalscoring exploits, and he recently rejoined the club.

Their gaffer?
Scott Dundas was appointed as their manager in March 2020. Dundas once scored 53 goals for Kidsgrove in the 1997/98 campaign, and also helped them to a League title, a League Cup and a famous run to the FA Vase semi-final in his tenure with the club. He also had spells at Leek & Norton as a player. He has previously managed Norton United, Newcastle Town & Chasetown FC.

6 Of The Best – six things you probably didn’t know about Kidsgrove Athletic FC and Kidsgrove…..

1. Kidsgrove Athletic were formed in 1952 and joined the Burslem and Tunstall League
2. rove’s record Attendance was 1,903 v Tiverton Town, in the 1998 FA Vase Semi-final
3. They played on the Vickers and Goodwin pitch which is next to the A50, before developing a ground on Hollinwood Road, Clough Hall in 1961
4. Kidsgrove has a population of around 26,000
5. In 1777 the Trent and Mersey canal was opened and with it that most famous wonder of the Industrial Revolution – Harecastle Tunnel, which is situated in Kidsgrove
6. The England international cricketer Ken Higgs (1937–2016) is from Kidsgrove