Dudley Town FC moves closer to home as council hints at 2027 return

Dudley Town FC seem set to be returning home to the borough for the start of the 2027 season.

During a meeting of the full council on November 2 news of a possible deal for the club to play at The Dell Stadium in Brierley HIll was revealed.

The location of the club’s potential new home was given despite the council’s leader, Cllr Patrick Harley, saying it was information that should remain under wraps.

In a debate on a plan to bring a sports stadium to Dudley town centre, Cllr Harley said: “We all want to see Dudley Town Football Club playing back in Dudley and work is under way to make that happen.

“I’ll make a bold prediction, I believe the club will be playing its home games back in the borough in time for the 27/28 season.

“We have already commissioned an options appraisal, a feasibility study and delivery strategy to identify a viable and deliverable home for the club within the borough.

“We have identified a site but I can’t reveal that in the chamber for commercial reasons.”

Dudley Town FC has not played home games in the borough since the mid 1980s when its pitch suffered a collapse due to mining subsidence.

The club has a long history dating back to the late 1800s and was the first club for Duncan Edwards who went on to become a Manchester United star before his death in the Munich air disaster.

Dudley’s Labour group leader, Cllr Shaukat Ali, has been among borough leaders campaigning to bring the club home but may have scored an own goal during his contribution to the debate.

Cllr Ali said: “We share the aspiration of seeing Dudley Town football return home and have a purpose-built stadium and I am pleased to hear work is ongoing to bring them back and they will be playing at The Dell Stadium in 27/28.”

Cllr Harley’s reaction suggested his Labour counterpart’s comment had hit the back of the net before Cllr Ali added: “….maybe, I don’t know.”