Belper Athletic FC

09/07/2026

Interested in joining a football team this summer?

We’re holding an open training session next Sunday for all those who are keen to get involved. Drop us a DM for more details.

03/06/2026

Drop us a DM if you’re interested in joining us for 26/27🧤⚽️

17/05/2026

+3 points to close out the season and solidify our top 4 finish!

Athletic started in the best way possible as Bacon dispatched an early spot kick after JH7 was pushed down in the box. Spondon equalised midway through an end to end first half but once again JH7 pounced on a loose ball to ensure we went into the break ahead.

In the second half we continued to create the lions share of the chances, but it wasn’t until the final 10 where we doubled our lead as Nick capitalised from another of Raths enticing balls to head into the bottom corner.

It was a stellar performance from Bobs in between the sticks as he kept Spondon out on numerous occasions to ensure we took all 3 points.

The performance this morning really demonstrated what Joey has worked hard on over the past 3 years, constant pressure and a level of togetherness to keep fighting until the end. We couldn’t be more grateful for the work he’s put in with the lads both on and off the pitch.

Time for some well needed rest before we go again next season!💙

🦅

11/05/2026

Penultimate game of the season for the lads as Darley playing field was home for the week.
A few sore heads meant that Athletic had just the bare XI and had to put Greenwood in net to face off against Raynesway Spartans as the team looked build on their fantastic performance against Derby Singh.

It took a good 10 minutes for the boys to get used to the pitch and find their passes, which Raynesway capitalised on to take an early lead. Belper then got their rhythm and came back into the game as Rathers hit a trademark free kick into the top corner to bring us level.
Rath was then brought down in the box shortly after and converted the resulting penalty to take it to 2-1 going in to half time.

Athletic controlled the game going into the second half and continued this into the 2nd as Jack Riley played a ball through to Jared who rounded the keeper to make it 3-1. The boys really got into their rhythm as Nick Meakin lobbed the keeper shortly after before Rath completed his hat trick with a free kick from distance to make it 5-1.

We continued to control the game with some nice play before Raynesway made it 5-2 from a corner to finish the game.

A great performance given the circumstances and a great showing from every player.

Shoutout to Greenwood for taking the hit and going in net - captain material.

04/05/2026

Some action shots from yesterday’s victory over Derby Singh📸

Thanks to Johns Sports Photography for coming down!

04/05/2026

Back to Alton Manor and back to winning ways for the Athletic! (We lost our last 2, forgot to post)

Bacon gave us an early lead after some great link up play with CJ to set the bar for the morning. JH7 hammered home a volley to double our lead not too long after. Belper were 3-0 up at the 20 minute mark after CJ rounded off a fantastic move. Despite Alton Manors bobble and conceding, we continued to play free flowing football and JH7 smashed home another team move to put us 4-1 up into HT.

We showed no signs of taking our foot off the gas as JH7 completed his hat trick with a tap in from a Bacon ball across goal. Bacons 4th assist of the morning was his pick of the bunch as his rabona cross found Nick who turned it in. It was Bacon who got our 7th with low shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. Finally, Bacon smashed home a penalty for his 3rd and Athletics 8th of the day. They scored after.

It was a top tier performance from all who featured and the exact response we needed after last weeks loss. Now to close out the season with the same performances for our last 2!

📸: Johns Sports Photography

🦅

04/05/2026

12/04/2026

This week was all about bouncing back after a terrible performance last week which didn’t even make the socials (was 8-3 to Sparta Derby).

Due to Alton Manor being otherwise occupied, today’s home game was in Ashbourne meaning it was Darley who had the home advantage and that showed as we started in terrible fashion with Darley scoring first. Belper equalised through a Macca diving header. Belper then spent the next 25 mins doing their best to throw the result down the drain and went into half time 3-1 down.

We got ourselves back in the game early into the second half with a terrible spot kick won and converted by Bacon. We finally drew level through Bacon converting from a JH7 cross. Provider turned scorer as JH7 sent the travelling home support into disarray after pouncing on a rebound from a Macca shot to give Athletic all 3 points.

Not one of our finer performances but a great show of character and togetherness to turn the game around

Also shoutout to Bobby once again keeping out 19 efforts on goal, making it a total of 36 saves across both fixtures!

Onto Derby Athletic next week as we look to stay in the hunt for promotion.

🦅

15/03/2026

Some morning for the lads today. Belper switched up the formation to try and get the best out of the group following a disappointing result in the cup, and the desire to get back to winning ways resulted in a dominant performance for the entire 90.

Athletic started the game with intensity and desire and were rewarded for their efforts, as Mark Rathbone curled a lovely free kick into the bottom corner to put us 1 ahead. The pressure continued and Raith headed home from a corner to make it 2.

Nick Meakin was forced off after taking an elbow to the face, soft free kick. Luke Greenwood then made an impact as he replaced the skipper by sliding through Jack Riley to bag his first of the game from a tight angle. Minutes later, another set piece proved fruitful for the boys as Bayleigh Roe snuck in at the back post to put the Blues 4-0 up.

To end the first half, Mark played a through ball to Jack who half-volleyed from the edge of the box into the bottom corner - a lovely finish make it 2 for J-R9 and 5 for Athletic at the break.

A steady start to the second half as Belper fought to continue their excellent performance. A quiet spell was ended as Luke Greenwood scored 2 goals in quick succession to make it 7 going into the last 25 minutes.

JH7 then played a ball through to Jack Riley who tucked it away to make it a hat trick for him on the day. Oli Joyce then tapped in a rebound following Lez’ spilled effort to make it 9, before Cal Burton scored his first goal for the club with a headed effort in the last few minutes of the game to make it 10-0.

A dominant performance all around for the blues with everyone on their game but it’s Jack Riley who takes MOTM after his stellar hat trick. Shoutout to Harry Watson for filling in for Bobby in net 🧤

On to the League Cup next week!

🦅