HISTORY

Founded in 1981 as Duke William FC. (the Dukes)

They competed in the Matlock and District football league for two seasons, winning the league championship on both occasions, playing home games at Cavendish Park, Matlock.

The club entered the Hope Valley Football League in 1983/84 winning the "B" division at the first attempt.

The Dukes then became known as Horseshoe Matlock (the Shoes) for one season before finally becoming Rowsley 86 in 1986. (the Millers). This was due to ground relocation, making their home at the Recreation Ground, Rowsley.

Success was continued in the hope valley football league winning the Premier Division four seasons back to back. 1987/88,1988/89,1989/90 and 1990/91.

After also securing the Derbyshire Divisional Cup North in 1990/91 “86” entered the Midland Regional Alliance to further their horizons and duly won the first division at a canter, also finishing runners up in the MRA challenge cup in the process.

In 1994/95 “86” again won the Derbyshire Divisional Cup (North) and finished a creditable fourth in the MRA premier division.

Season 1995/96 saw “86” finish runners up in the MRA premier division and in the 1996/97 season achieved their ambition of winning the premier division.

The MRA premiership was secured again in 2006/07, 2008/09, 2014/15, 2016/17 and 2017/18.

The Derbyshire Divisional Cup North was also won in 2016/17 and the MRA supplementary cup in 2017/18

Rowsley “86” applied and was accepted into the Central Midlands league this season 2018/19, finishing runners up in division 1 south and also runners up in the county cup. Promotion was achieved and a solid 5th placed position and a cup semi-final place was scuppered by the Covid-19 pandemic

Rowsley 86

Staff