ABOUT HOLBROOK SAINT MICHAELS

Holbrook is a small village of approximately 1700 inhabitants situated 15 kilometres north of Derby and 5 kilometres south east of Belper. It is one of the last hill villages of the Pennines with Derbyshire grit stone cottages at its heart and commuter-style developments on its fringes. The village’s claims to fame include an early Roman pottery kiln, an ancient British hill road, The PORTWAY and a close association with Sir Richard Arkwright.

There has been a football team in Holbrook village at least since the early part of the last century. Local newspaper records show that a team called Holbrook Swifts was successful in cup and league competitions around 1910- 1912. It is believed that in 1912 this team changed its name to Holbrook Saint Michaels.

What is known for sure it that in early 1932 the local vicar, The Reverend Sides, helped the attendees of his Sunday school form a team named after the village church of Saint Michael, to play in the Belper Sunday School League. Flourishing with success a second team was formed. Wishing to carry on after leaving Sunday School the senior side joined The Belper Amateur League before moving to The Derbyshire Welfare League and again winning cup and league competitions.

In the early 1930’s the two teams became one Club but keeping the association with the church by playing in the vicarage grounds. Housing development however saw us move to our present ground, Holbrook Park in 1936 and, apart from a short period during the Second World War, we have played continually since. Minutes of meetings held from those early days make interesting reading for example travelling to away matches was either done by bicycle or by public transport i.e. buses.

In those early days no changing facilities existed until a wooden shed was donated. The pitch was part of a field that had to be cleared of its normal bovine inhabitants before games could be played. Gradually improvements were made – mains water was connected in the early 1950’s and a gas powered water heater filled the communal bath. Gas also gave us lighting and heating. Throughout the 1960’s and ‘70’s success came each year continually providing challenging platforms to progress to higher leagues. 1973-74 saw successful fundraising enabling the removal of our wooden shed and the erection of a pre-cast concrete building. The costs for this being just over £3,000. Lighting was by a portable generator until mains electricity was installed in 1978. The summer of 2004 saw the demolition of the concrete building and the erection of steel framed metal clad building. The first game in our new abode was on September 11th 2004 against Eastwood Town Town; unfortunately we lost 1-2. 

We remain indebted to those individuals and local businesses especially K Smithurst Builders, JC Balls, Browns Builders Merchants, Parkfield Construction and Structural Fabrications for their support in making it happen. 

The Club continues to grow and evolve both on and off the field.

Our roll of honour shows we have had regular success most notably winning the Derbyshire Divisional Cup twice. These successes are based on a family club were second and even third generations of families produce our footballers.