First English team to beat Real Madrid in Spain propose anniversary rematch after £500k stadium upgrade

A non-league club that became the first English team to beat Real Madrid in Spain wanted to stage a rematch for the 100th anniversary.

Nelson FC, in east Lancashire, has invested £500,000 to improve facilities at its Victoria Park ground, known as ‘Little Wembley’.

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The Admirals’ co-owner, Chris Price, said he had funded a new stand, changing rooms, floodlights, a club shop, among other amenities.

The chairman bought the historic club alongside business partner Stewart Fort in December 2023.

First English team to beat Real Madrid in Spain

Nelson FC currently play in the North West Counties Division One North – the sixth tier of the English football pyramid.

Arron Ripley’s men finished second in the table last year, but heartbreakingly lost on penalties in their playoff semi-final.

Their current standing is worlds away from the club’s early years, having been founded 143 years ago, back in 1882.

Nelson, who hail from the outskirts of Burnley with a population of over 33,000 people, are still renowned in English football folklore.

The Blues became the first English club to beat Real Madrid at their home ground with a 4-2 win at the Campo de Ciudad Lineal in 1923.

Nelson’s matchday secretary, David Wells, admitted his team failed in their bid to stage a rematch for the 100th anniversary years ago.

He told the BBC: “But they weren’t up for it, I think they were too scared of getting beaten again!”

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Non-league club’s £500k stadium upgrade

Over a century on from that famous triumph, Nelson’s current crop have fresh hope of restoring their status as town favourites.

Speaking on their £500,000 stadium renovation, Wells added: “What the owners have done down here has been absolutely amazing.

“A few years ago the pitch and ground was so bad we were close to getting the ground closed down to be honest.”

Nelson’s owners will now hope their efforts are rewarded on the pitch, with the club in eighth, eight points adrift of the summit.

However, Nelson have played eight matches fewer than First Division North leaders MSB Woolton and have won just one game less.

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“We are just hoping to reignite Nelson really, as a town it needs a little bit of something, a bit of panache putting back into the place,” Price said of the stadium revamp.

“When I see fans walking out of here with a smile on their face, and the young lads cheering, that’s what I do it for.”