Romulus

The Match; Welcome back to thenonleaguediaries.com for this, Our second installment of non-league action. This week we headed to North Birmingham to take in the action between Romulus and Coalville Town. This was our second game involving the Ravens who arrived at the central ground on the back off a 1-0 victory over Newcastle Town and unbeaten in four. You can read our profile on Coalville here The teams observe a minutes silence for Rememberance day. The Leicestershire sides hopes of stretching that run to five faded quickly, The Rom's going 2-0 in the first 15 minutes thanks to goals from striker Marvin Johnson and left winger Ashley Jackson, Both of which were the results of poor defending on Coalville's part.  First half action as Coalville looked for a way back into the game. The visitors were lucky not to be several more adrift by half time as Marcus Brown hit the woodwork and new signing Mitchell McPike forced Ravens keeper Sean Bowles into a save at full stretch. The break brought no relief for Adam Stevens's side, Romulus going three up seven minutes after the re-start, McPike firing in from the edge of the penalty area after more poor defending by the visitors, Their frustration was evident as keeper Sean Bowles engaged in a furious and highly audible argument with team mate Lee Miveld. The third goal did seem to give Coalville a kick up the backside as they began to dominate for a period, Thhe thought they had their reward when Danny Quinn turned in Louis Dodd's cross, The goal was however canceled out by the linesman's flag for offside. Two minutes later Coalville did indeed have a goal when Dodd turned the ball past Rom's keeper Lewis Exall. Karl Demidh mesures his free-kick Karl Demidh came close to making it 3-2 when his free kick was parried onto the post by Exall, The Rom's did however manage to weather the storm and reasserted themselves in the game as Coalville ran out of steam, They made it 4-1 during stoppage time with a fantastic second goal by Marvin Elliot, The striker picking up the ball in a wide position before cutting inside and curling the ball beyond Bowles to complete a dominant performance by the home side and one to forget for Coalville.

 

Romulus

Nickname: The Rom's
Founded: 1979
Ground: The Central Ground, Cole's Lane, Sutton Coldfield,  Map
Capacity: 2,000
Contact: (0121) 354 2997
Website: http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/romulus/

Romulus were formed in 1979, Initially they were a youth club run by a group of parents from Walmley area of Birmingham, running teams at under-12 and under-13 levels.
Success didn't take long, The youngsters won the Lichfield and Birmingham district league on several occasions as well as the Staffordshire youth cup in which they competed against higher age categories throughout, This isn't surprising when you take a look at some of the alumni who started off at the club;
Zat Knight (England, Fulham, Aston Villa, Bolton Wanderers)
Luke Rodgers (Shrewsbury Town, Port Vale, Notts County, New York)
Darius Vassell (England, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Ankaragücü, Leicester City)
Luke Moore (Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion, Swansea City)
Stefan Moore (Aston Villa, Queens Park Rangers, Halesowen Town, St.Neots Town)
Lloyd Dyer (West Bromwich Albion, MK Dons, Leicester City)

After twenty years of successful youth football the club commenced it's first adult side in 1999, Richard Evans who had played in every season since the club formed was appointed manager at just 28 years old. They started off in the Sutton district league, winning three successive promotions to enter the Birmingham festival league, Still using predominantly youth players. After more league success the club took the decision to join the Saturday league ranks.

Evans was joined by former team mate Keith Brown as co-manager for the club's first season in the Midlands Combination, The duo proved an instant success, winning promotion to the Premier division at the first attempt in 2000.

2003/04 saw the club march on, acquiring the Midlands Alliance title on the final day to pip rivals Leamington for promotion, they also won the Birmingham Midweek Floodlit Challenge Cup with a 2-1 victory over Nuneaton Griff and the Midland Combination Challenge Cup by beating Coventry Marconi 2-0.

The Rom's first season in the Midland's Alliance saw them achieve a creditable 12th place, They also added another trophy to the growing collection, beating arch rivals Leamington for the Terry Alldon Memorial cup.

Romulus won promotion to the fourth tier of the non-league game in 2006/07 to what is now know as the Evo-Stik division one (South) where they remain today alongside Sutton Coldfield Town with whom they share the Central ground. They have made good progress at this level, Narrowly missing a play of spot twice in recent years, Still utilising the youth system which helped the club reach it's current level.

The Ground

Entering the ground from the main Coles Lane entrance we meet the ticket man just inside the security gate who admits for £7 adults and £1 for children he also sells a reasonable program for just £1 as well as various club nik-naks and souvenirs.

Behind him is the entrance to the clubs seated section, The lower floor of the building contains the players dressing room and the upper houses season ticket holders.

Aside from a small sign above the car park there appears very little evidence that Romulus actually play here, Everything is themed blue and white in the tradition of groundshare rivals Sutton Coldfield Town.

There is a car park behind the North goal, Although a large net does stretch above the hoarding the ball does seem to regularly hit the cars behind it. The club house is next to the car park, A neat little bar with a pool table and fruit machine which is accommodating to both home and away support.

Adjoining the bar is a small hatch serving hot and cold food, Nothing special just your football standards such as the Pukka pies and burgers done to a reasonable standard.

The east and South stands both have long covered areas, The home fans seem to congregate in these areas whilst visitors take the club house end, Romulus boast a refreshingly young fan base who are lively and vocal, The young following may owe to the club's policy on utilizing youngsters from within.
Getting To The Central Ground:
Car: From M6: Take Junction 6 and follow the A5127 to Sutton Coldfield, turn right at Odeon Cinema onto HOLLAND RD then take the first right into COLES LANE. Ground is 150 yards on left (it is somewhat set back from the road, look out for the blue sign next to the shop.)

From M42: Take Junction 9 and follow the A4097 to Minworth. At the island follow signs to WALMLEY VILLAGE. Turn right at the traffic lights onto the B4148, after passing the shops take a left at lights into WYLDE GREEN ROAD. Go over the railway bridge and turn right into EAST VIEW ROAD which merges into COLES LANE the ground is on the right, the entrance is next to the shop.

By Rail: Sutton Coldfield station is a 10 minute walk from the ground and has services from Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley every 10-15 minutes.

By Bus: There are almost constant services going between Sutton and Birmingham, These all stop in the bus park in the upper-parade, However if you are going stright to the ground you can save yourself some time buy getting off the bus outside The Cup pub, Crossing the road and heading down Duke street, turning right onto Upper-Holland Street, The next left is Coles lane where the ground is approximatly 150 yards down on the left hand side.

Supporter's View
Big thanks to Michael Yates for taking the time to talk to us;

Club Hero

Richard Evans: Has been involved in the club since the very beginning and has done practically every job imaginable for us both on field and off, Including managing us since 1999.

Greatest Moment

Joining Saturday League Ranks: All the hard work the club had put in at youth level and in Sunday league finally paid off with us now competing for serious prizes and money and with the chance to progress up the ladder, which we have, and continue to do.



Advice on Visiting Sutton Coldfield

Pubs

Bottle of Sack: As you would expect from any Weatherspoon's this pub offers a range of both local and international ales, lagers and spirits. It also serves up a varied menu served throughout the day.

The Station: As the name would suggest this pub is next door to Sutton's train station, It serves many real ales and regularly hosts live bands and comedy acts. Complete with beer garden.

Food

Jimmy's Spice's: Situated on the Sutton Parade this restaurant offers buffet style cuisine from Thailand, China, India and Italy. All for just £9.99 if you go before 7pm. http://www.jimmyspices.co.uk/


Miller & Carter: Situated on the shore of a large boating lake within the scenic Sutton Park, This grill house serves up some of the most delicious meals to be had for miles around and comes with our personal recommendation. http://www.millerandcarter.co.uk/millerandcartersuttonpark/


Fast Food: If your in a hurry (or on a budget) McDonald's and Subway are situated at the top of the parade in the bus bay area.


Things To Do

If you don't feel like heading into Birmingham City centre take a stroll around the beautiful Sutton Park, Europe's largest non-national park, Town gate is just a short walk from the town center.