Meet the Club: Sporting Khalsa

Club Fact File

Founded: 1991

The Ground: Sporting Khalsa play their home games at the Aspray Arena in Willenhall in the West Midlands area.

History: Sporting Khalsa FC was founded in 1991 by members of the local Sikh community in the Walsall & District Sunday Leagues and transitioned to Saturday semi-professional football by the mid-1990s, re-entering the semi-pro ranks in 2004 via the West Midlands Regional League.

In 2005, they became the first British Asian semi-professional club to own their ground by purchasing Abbey Park, later moving to the redeveloped Aspray Arena in 2010.

Under manager Ian Rowe, they won the West Midlands Regional League in 2014–15 with a record 117 points, earning promotion to the Midland Football League Premier Division. The club has enjoyed notable cup runs, including reaching the FA Cup fourth qualifying round in 2015–16 and the FA Vase quarter-finals in 2016–17.

A £1 million investment in 2018 brought major facility upgrades, including a 3G pitch and new stand, helping Khalsa rise to the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands by 2021.

In 2024–25, they reached the FA Trophy second round proper for the first time. With a strong community ethos, Sporting Khalsa also runs a women’s team, youth setup, and inclusive programs, promoting diversity and unity in football.

The Manager: Ian Rowe has been the Sporting Khalsa boss since 2014.

Recent Honours:

• Midlands Football League Premier Division Champions 2014/15