Dudley Council is considering a parade to celebrate the cup-winning success of a borough football club. On May 26, Dudley Town FC won the JW Hunt Cup for the second year in succession after a dramatic penalty shootout against AFC Wolverhampton City at Molineux Stadium.
Politicians are now looking into marking the win with a civic event in Dudley after the idea was floated by the council's Labour group leader, Councillor Shaukat Ali.
Cllr Ali said: "The victory has brought great pride and positivity to the club, its supporters and the wider community. A civic celebration would be a fitting way to honour the players, coaching staff, volunteers and fans who contributed to the win."
"This is a proud moment for our town. A civic parade would not only honour the club's fantastic achievement but also strengthen community spirit and celebrate the best of Dudley."
Cllr Ali is proposing the parade would begin at either the top of Dudley High Street or Stone Street Square and proceed through Dudley Market to conclude at Dudley Council House, where the team would be welcomed in the mayor's parlour for a civic reception.
Dudley Council leader, Councillor Patrick Harley, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he was in favour of the idea in principle but said it needs looking into. Cllr Harley added: "Cost is not an issue but logistics is."
Cllr Ali has long campaigned to bring the club, nicknamed The Robins, back to a home ground in Dudley after a section of their ground at Castle Gate became unsafe following subsidence in the 1980s. For the last 40 years the club has been based at grounds around the region including locations in Tividale, Halesowen, Gornal, Amblecote, and Brierley Hill. The club currently plays home games at Guardian Warehouse Arena in Willenhall.
In 2023 Dudley Council backed a Notice of Motion from Cllr Ali calling for the authority to identify a suitable site for the club to play at in Dudley and to regularly celebrate significant achievements of sporting heroes and sports clubs across the borough.
