Reborn Yeltz on the brink of league glory

Debts, administration and fallouts have dominated Halesowen Town in recent years, but this weekend could mark a turnaround in their fortunes as they travel to Derbyshire to play Belper Town.

A victory would see the side top Evo Stik Northern League First Division South and win promotion to the Northern Premier – the seventh tier in football.

Chairman Colin Brookes today said he expected more than 200 fans to make the 120-mile round trip. He said the importance of the game showed the club's progress since it was almost put out of business six years ago.

He said: "There was a time when there was such despair and fear the club had lost its credibility, we were very, very close to folding completely – but we came out of administration and the fans got firmly behind us again.

"We have managed to get the local fans back at the games and the committee has seven to eight people from Halesowen on the board.

"We are not perfect, we will make mistakes, but we are trying to run the club the right way."

Mr Brookes, who was appointed chairman three years ago, added: "The game is huge for the club – if we managed to up it will be a huge achievement for everyone involved.

"We're hoping to see as many people as possible on Saturday.

"It will mean so much to everyone in the town if we can take promotion, I know the town is backing us."

It was seven years ago when problems began at the club and support unrest shifted the focus from the pitch to the boardroom.

Former owner and manager Morell Maison took over the club in 2007, but the club's finances spiralled out of control and it was placed into administration the following the year.

Many supporters boycotted home games to air their grievances at the running of the club.

Godfrey and Graham Ingram pulled the club out of administration, but could not save the club from relegation. In 2011, businessman Steve Lynch took over the club before handing it over to a board of directors currently in charge.

Mr Brookes said: "Without the fans we would not be here today.

"They have been through a torrid time and I really hope we are now seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

"It would be quite an achievement to win the league considering everything in recent years and be a testament to the hard grafting that has gone on, on the and off the field."

The club supporters' group, The Yeltz Trust, was set up by fans concerned about the plight of their side five years ago.

Director Gary Willetts said he can remember turning up to games when the club struggled to get a side on the pitch. Some fans boycotted.

But now fans are returning to the club's ground The Grove, with attendances shooting up this season.

The past three seasons saw an average of 242 fans come through the home turnstiles. The past three games saw an average of 525 fans attend.

Mr Willetts said: "Everybody is buzzing at the moment, with what the club has been through, to turn it around and be where we are is beyond our dreams.

"Even a few weeks back we didn't expect to head into the last game in this position, it would still be a massive step forward for the club even if we don't make it as champions.

"The position we are in is amazing, I think people are pinching themselves."

Halesowen South councillor David Vickers said: "I would love the town to get behind the club. They have had a tricky time of late, but thing seem to be looking up again now.

"I hope and wish the club every success. I think they can do it on Saturday."

The club is top of the table by two points – but know anything other than a win could give second place Coalville Town a chance at the title.

Coalville Town are two points behind Halesowen Town.

If Halesowen Town fail to win the league, they will go into the league play-offs for promotion, with the first game to be held on Tuesday.