Exploring the WMRL with Club Details and Useful information

Founded in 1945 as Lower Gornal Athletic, the present club played in the Midland Combination from 1951 until 1963 when they joined the Birmingham & District League. This later became known as the West Midlands (Regional) League.

In the mid 1960’s the club enjoyed considerable success and in 1964/65 they achieved their highest ever position in the Premier Division of the League - fourth behind winners Kidderminster Harriers - and appeared in the League Cup Final where they lost 2 - 7 on aggregate to a very strong Tamworth side.

It was also in 1965 that the club received its highest ever transfer fee when George Andrews and Gary Bell signed for Cardiff City in a deal worth £2100 - a considerable sum in those days!

In 1974/75 the club had its best ever run in the FA Cup, battling through to the third round qualifying where they were bundled out 1 - 3 in an exciting game at Nuneaton Borough. Later that year, the club changed their name to Gornal Athletic and the name of the ground from Timmins Stadium to the current Garden Walk Stadium.

The late 1970’s were less successful for the club and after several seasons of struggling the 1979/80 season saw them relegated to Division One - a drop that was to take until 1994 to reverse.

With promotion back to the Premier Division a substantial amount of work had to be undertaken to bring the Stadium up to the required standard. This included the installation of floodlights. Indeed the Garden Walk Stadium - which has a capacity of 3000 - has the potential to be one of the best grounds in the area.

2002/2003 saw Gornal relegated along with Walsall Wood back to Division One, but last year they bounced back at the first attempt ending the season as Division One Champions.

2004/2005 season started with our very successful Yoth Team manager Simon Williams being promoted to First Team Manager, he brought in the whole of his youth team squad along with a couple of experienced players and finished the season in a very creditable 10th position, the clubs best for over 20 years, they also reached the league Cup Semi-finals losing2 - 1 over two legs to League Champions Tipton Town.

Last Season 2005 / 2006, the club went from strength to strength and finished League runners - up to Champions Market Drayton Town, a team they had beaten away on the opening day of the season.

With a desire to gain Midland Alliance Football, Gornal  believe in their youth policy and have this season introduced a reserve side who will be playing in Division Two.