Introducing the new member Clubs: Wolverhampton Casuals
Fri 18th July 2025 | Wolverhampton Casuals | By Ben Wilkinson
The fifth and final 'new' club to the NWCFL this season is Wolverhampton Casuals.
Unlike the four clubs that we have previously introduced, the 'Cassies' have joined the League from the other direction, having been relegated from the Midland League Premier Division last term. They were long-term members of the West Midlands (Regional) League, joining the League in 1982 and plying their trade in the Premier Division of that setup between 1995 and 2021, when they were elevated to the MFL Prem based on their performance across the two pandemic-affected seasons.
The 'Cassies' struggled at Step 5, finishing in the bottom three in all four seasons at the higher level, culminating in a bottom-placed finish in 2024/25 and relegation back to Step 6.
Having been established as Wolverhampton Old Church FC way back in 1899, the club then changed name to Wolverhampton Amateurs before WW1 and then became Staffordshire Casuals after WW2, initially as part of a merger with Old Wulfrunians. The 'Cassies' enjoyed a period of relative success in local amateur leagues before re-locating to their current Brinsford Lane home in the 1970s.
The 80s rolled round and marked a step-change in the club's history as they made the leap into the WMRL. A series of second-place finishes in Division Two followed before promotion was finally secured in 1988 following some ground improvements.
A requirement to have floodlights installed soon saw the club be forced to drop back down and then spend a couple of years playing elsewhere while their permanent base was again upgraded to keep up with requirements. A couple of county cup titles were secured around the turn of the century before a decade or so of bottom-half finishes as the club consolidated.
There was an upturn in fortune in the 2010s, featuring a three-peat of third place finishes in the WMRL Prem and a League Cup win in 2019 before the pandemic threatened to completely derail their promotion hopes. Progress was not to be stalled for long however and promotion was secured as part of the FA's pyramid restructure in 2021.
The club recently celebrated their 125th anniversary, although there wasn't much reason to celebrate on the pitch as just 16 points were picked up all season, resulting in relegation back to Step 6 and a new challenge in the NWCFL First Division South.
Club Vice-Chairman & Secretary Paul Tudor was kind enough to give us some thoughts on the season ahead: "Relegation from the Midland Football League Premier Division in our 125th anniversary season was obviously disappointing and is never easy for any club, but it presents us with an opportunity to regroup, refocus, and rebuild. We’re approaching the coming season with a strong spirit and a competitive mindset.
It’s no secret that we did appeal against our allocation into NWCFL First Division South with obvious concerns centred around sustainability and the logistical challenges present—not just for ourselves, but for all involved in the league.
However, a new chapter in the history of the Cassies, starts with new optimism and we look forward to meeting new people who are the backbone of all our clubs and renewing friendships with a few familiar faces."
Wolverhampton Casuals begin life in the NWCFL with a long journey up to Ashville on the opening day of the season (26th July); their first home game coming against Allscott Heath three days later.
Introducing the new member Clubs: Wolverhampton Casuals
Fri 18th July 2025 | Wolverhampton Casuals
By Ben Wilkinson
The fifth and final 'new' club to the NWCFL this season is Wolverhampton Casuals.
Unlike the four clubs that we have previously introduced, the 'Cassies' have joined the League from the other direction, having been relegated from the Midland League Premier Division last term. They were long-term members of the West Midlands (Regional) League, joining the League in 1982 and plying their trade in the Premier Division of that setup between 1995 and 2021, when they were elevated to the MFL Prem based on their performance across the two pandemic-affected seasons.
The 'Cassies' struggled at Step 5, finishing in the bottom three in all four seasons at the higher level, culminating in a bottom-placed finish in 2024/25 and relegation back to Step 6.
Having been established as Wolverhampton Old Church FC way back in 1899, the club then changed name to Wolverhampton Amateurs before WW1 and then became Staffordshire Casuals after WW2, initially as part of a merger with Old Wulfrunians. The 'Cassies' enjoyed a period of relative success in local amateur leagues before re-locating to their current Brinsford Lane home in the 1970s.
The 80s rolled round and marked a step-change in the club's history as they made the leap into the WMRL. A series of second-place finishes in Division Two followed before promotion was finally secured in 1988 following some ground improvements.
A requirement to have floodlights installed soon saw the club be forced to drop back down and then spend a couple of years playing elsewhere while their permanent base was again upgraded to keep up with requirements. A couple of county cup titles were secured around the turn of the century before a decade or so of bottom-half finishes as the club consolidated.
There was an upturn in fortune in the 2010s, featuring a three-peat of third place finishes in the WMRL Prem and a League Cup win in 2019 before the pandemic threatened to completely derail their promotion hopes. Progress was not to be stalled for long however and promotion was secured as part of the FA's pyramid restructure in 2021.
The club recently celebrated their 125th anniversary, although there wasn't much reason to celebrate on the pitch as just 16 points were picked up all season, resulting in relegation back to Step 6 and a new challenge in the NWCFL First Division South.
Club Vice-Chairman & Secretary Paul Tudor was kind enough to give us some thoughts on the season ahead: "Relegation from the Midland Football League Premier Division in our 125th anniversary season was obviously disappointing and is never easy for any club, but it presents us with an opportunity to regroup, refocus, and rebuild. We’re approaching the coming season with a strong spirit and a competitive mindset.
It’s no secret that we did appeal against our allocation into NWCFL First Division South with obvious concerns centred around sustainability and the logistical challenges present—not just for ourselves, but for all involved in the league.
However, a new chapter in the history of the Cassies, starts with new optimism and we look forward to meeting new people who are the backbone of all our clubs and renewing friendships with a few familiar faces."
Wolverhampton Casuals begin life in the NWCFL with a long journey up to Ashville on the opening day of the season (26th July); their first home game coming against Allscott Heath three days later.
