Crofton is a village about 4 miles from Wakefield in West Yorkshire. (population nearly 6,000) Crofton is listed in the Domesday Book as ‘Scroftune’ and was chiefly a farming community, before the importance of coal mining in the 19th century. There were three coal mines within a two-mile radius of the village; Nostell, Walton and Sharlsto.
Coal mining at Nostell dates back to the 9th century and was known locally as 'the family pit' due to the welfare schemes introduced by the Winn family. In 1880, terraced houses were built close by to the colliery and the estate was nicknamed 'Cribbins Lump' after the homebuilder. The settlement was later renamed 'New Crofton' by Lord St Oswald but the nickname remained until the houses were demolished in the 1980s and the colliery finally closed in 1987.
Nostell Miners Welfare FC was founded in 1928 and began playing competitively in the Wakefield & District League, which they won in 1937-38.Wakefield League 1950-1966 and 1969-1982West Yorkshire League 1966-1968 and 1982-2006 - Premier Division winners 2004-05NCEL 2006-present - Presidents Cup winners 2009At the beginning of the noughties they won the Wakefield & District FA Challenge Cup and the Wakefield & District FA Open Invitation Cup each on three occasions.
The Welfare GroundCrofton Community CentreMiddle LaneNew CroftonWakefieldWF4 1LBCapacity: 1500: cover 200, seats 100Current NECL grounds visited 28/40The old Nostell Miners Welfare is now the Crofton Community Centre. Entrance to the ground is via the center with the turnstile at the top of the stand which has two rows of white seats. The dugouts are over the far side with open hard standing all around. The community center has a spacious bar, refreshment hatch, changing rooms and some interesting mining memorabilia at the reception.
Nostell Miners Welfare 2(Hayton 50 83)Stockton Town 2(Owens 45+1 Hayes 58)Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round3pmkoAtt.155Admission £5Pin badge £3Coffee £1The Teessiders bossed the first half and finally took the lead in first half stoppage time when Jamie Owens fired in from the edge of the box. Nostell responded well from the restart and quickly drew level with a neat curled shot from Adam Hayton. The Anchors got back in front when right-winger Kev Hayes started and finished off a quick move on the break, only for Danny Edwards to equalise with a diving header. The 2-2 draw will see the teams have another crack at it on Wednesday night, with Northallerton awaiting in the next round.
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105 mile drive door-to-door via A1/M62/A655 and through the winding roads down to New Crofton. After finishing work I picked up Lee & Katie on the way, which for them was a revisit but they were both happy to accompany me and lend their support to Stockton Town. Afterwards a great home run through the rain showers so back at 100FgC HQ by 7pm.
