History
Formed almost 120 years ago, New Mills quickly progressed through the local leagues in its early days and even had a spell in the Manchester League. However, the club disbanded and a new team was formed, New Mills St Georges, who in a period up to World War I, won a number of titles, including the Derbyshire Minor Cup.
In 1919 began playing again and dropped the St Georges from their name. They joined the Manchester League once again and finished top in 1924 and, after finishing a runners-up the following season, lifted the championship once again in 1926.
As well as winning the league, New Mills also won the Derbyshire Cup three seasons out of four. The club was extremely well supported and had regular gates of around 3000. This was a very successful few seasons for the club and at least half a dozen players moved on to clubs in the Football League.
The club was once again disbanded due to World War II but reformed again afterwards, this time entering the Manchester Amateur League before progressing once again to the Manchester League, taking the title in 1956.
In 1959, Joe Martin took charge as manager which started a great run of success for the club, winning the league seven times together with plenty of trophies before he retired in 1972.
The club eventually moved up to the Cheshire League and later the North West Counties League. Unfortunately, the club began to suffer financially and in the summer of 1983 ceased playing in that competition.
Birch Vale and Thornsett F.C. were looking for a new ground and became tenants at Church Lane. Eventually, they took over running of the club and became New Mills Football Club.
They rejoined the Manchester League and in 1977, thanks to a fund-rasing appeal along with a grant from the Lottery Association, redeveloped their Church Lane ground to what it is today.
New Mills won the North West Counties League Division Two title in the 2007–08 season.
New Mills then followed up their Division Two title with a record breaking 2008–09 season whereby they set a new league and club record by winning 21 consecutive games, only missing out on the Division One title by goal difference to A.F.C. Fylde who beat the Millers 5–0 on the last day of the league season. Two days after the disappointment on the Fylde coast, the Millers lifted the League Cup for the first time by beating Runcorn Linnets 2–0 at the Tameside Stadium, the home of Curzon Ashton. Goals from Garry Kharas and Scott McGowan ensured the Millers didn't end the season empty handed.
During the close season of 2009–10, in which they finished as runners up for the 2nd year running, manager Tony Hancock resigned but then had a change of heart and was back in control of leading the Millers but, for the 2010–11 season, Ally Pickering has been named caretaker manager.
Pickering remained in charge until October 2012, when he and the club parted company by mutual consent. Coach Roy Soule became caretaker manager on Pickering's departure.
Read more about this topic: New Mills A.F.C.
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