THE MACRON CHALLENGE CUP 1ST ROUND
ASHTON TOWN AFC
V
DAISY HILL FC
SATURDAY 26TH MARCH 2022 - 3PM
ASHTON TOWN AFC PROFILES PARK,
# Onward Onwards s & Upwards
Edge Green Street, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan, WN4 8SL
COMMITTEE President - Jimmy Cahill Chairman - Mark Hayes Vice President - Stephen Barrett Secretary - Stefan Ochwat Treasurer - Peter Williams Committee Members - Joanne Round, Joanne Bourne, Chris Wright, Mark Wright, Mark Lomax Catering Manager - Denise Brady Commercial Manager - Mark Cowley Programme Editor - Ian Pomfrett Welfare Officer - Peter Lanes Grounds Team - Jimmy Cahill, David Bourne
www.facebook.com/ashtontownafc Twitter - @ashtontownafc This Club is Unincorporated
Remaining Fixtures 29/03/22 NWCFL- AFC Blackpool (A)
19:45
02/04/22 NWCFL- Atherton LR (H)
15:00
05/04/22 DIV 1 CUP- Sth Liverpool (H) 19:45
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Welcome
to our club Good afternoon and welcome to Profiles
recently I do feel
Park for this Macron Cup tie against Daisy
for the
Hill.
management and players.
A very strange time to start a cup run but with the season being a little disjointed
Against Campion
with the world still not 100% back to
and Golcar away we
normal it's how it has fell with the league
have shown that we
priority.
have it in our locker to win games, and
In saying that it's exactly how I see this
here's hoping we do ourselves justice today.
fixture. As much as I see it as a must win, a home cup game, and one against a local
As we saw last week it won't be easy. Daisy
rival, the league is our priority. Never in my are unbeaten in 4 and have won 3 of them. wildest nightmares did I see us being in a
They have hit form at the right time,
relegation battle this term but it’s exactly
however as we all know the form book goes
what we are in with just two games left.
out of the window in Cup games and it's anyone's on the day.
Daisy Hill just two weeks ago out fought us, out thought us, and had the desire to win
Safe travels to all from Daisy Hill today,
the game more than us. The striker
and too to all those whom have joined us
obviously got all the goals but it was much
for non league day.
more than that. It was that drive at every re-start that beat us, given though, there
Enjoy the game as always,
are many other factors that effect winning football games, and with lots going on
Mark - Club Chairman
@northernpromise
Notes from the first team MANAGEment Good afternoon It seems like ages since we had a home game so it’s good to be back today. Our last 5 have all been on our travels. It’s been a tough few weeks with some really tough games crammed into a short period. 3 losses and 2 wins out of them 5 games obviously we would have liked to have won them all but there is no easy games in this league especially at this point in the season when teams are fighting on different fronts. We set a target of 9 points from the 15, so we just fell short of that but you wont hear me complain about it. The lads have been fantastic in terms of commitment, the squad is small but they have showed real character and
the club. Today’s game will be tough, Daisy Hill impressed me last week they seem to have settled down and hit some good form and were effective in how they go about theIr business. That being said I am confident the lads will give their all today to get the right result.
determination over this busy period. Golcar I hope you all enjoy the and Campion are tough places to go and get game and I hope you can anything so to take maximum points from
return next week and
both was really pleasing. We have 2
get behind the lads in
massive league games left; Blackpool away
our last home league
Tuesday night and Atherton home next
game of the season.
Saturday and we will give it our all to get 2
Thanks for your continued support,
positive results and secure NWCFL footy for Biggs
By Lee Bignell - Manager
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HISTORY OF ASHTON TOWN a Ashton Town Association Football Club originally joined the Div 2 of the Lancashire Combination in 1903 and were promoted to Div 1 in their 1st season. However, quickly relegated back to Div 2 after finishing 16th. Towards the end of 1910/11 season the club withdrew from the league and fixtures were taken over by Tyldesley Albion. The Club was reformed in 1953 as Makerfield Mill FC and after a short spell in the Wigan Sunday School League. They played in the St Helens Combination League for three years before joining the Warrington and District Amateur League in 1958.
The founder was a persistent man named Derek ‘Mick’ Mycock. In 1962 the Club was forced to move from its original ground at Windsor Road due to land development and it was at this point the Club name was changed to Ashton Town AFC. Home games were played on a public park pitch at Whithill Street Recreation Ground in
Bryn until 1964 when the Club purchased a piece of land at Edge Green Street which was previously the home of Stubshaw Cross Rovers.
This became the Club`s new home, and development of the ground began. In 1969 the Clubhouse was completed, and was opened by Liverpool and England star Roger Hunt. Then in 1975 the present dressing room facilities were built.
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association football club section. As did the arrival of our current Chairman, Mark Hayes, who has helped build the profile of the club both locally and nationally. Other volunteers to mention are Steve, Stefan, Denise, Ian, Dawn, Peter, Clare, Joanne and more recently, Keith whose dedication and work rate is second to none on quite often a day-to-day basis. It would go amiss if I didn’t mention at this point Brian Cunliffe (pic below), who has on and off, over the years worked behind the
The formation of the North West Counties Football League 1982 saw Ashton Town join as founder members, and the Club has remained in the league ever since with the exception of season 1985-86, when they played in the Manchester League while essential ground maintenance work was carried out to bring the ground up to stringent ground grading requirements for the NWCF League. Throughout the years there have been many custodians of the club, owned by no-one, powered by volunteers. I’ll surely miss out a host of names here but….Notable is the involvement of Jack Longstaffe, Pat Dooney, Barry & Sandra Longstaffe, Gordon Ellis, Les Bailey, Len Riley, Malcolm Magrath, Billy Pomfrett R.I.P 5/5/20 (right pic far right) and Jimmy Cahill (pic below far right). The latter two who have clocked up over a hundred years’ service to Town and Jimmy is still here on a daily basis. In more recent times, Clare and James scenes painting, digging or mending often Horner made a massive boost to the club without the right resources for the with the long overdue formation of a Junior job…..it’s people like this who really make a place what it is. So Many to mention, others to forget, but we are here and that wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for those who give up their time and effort to keep the club alive.
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Our motto ...... ‘Onwards & Upwards’, sums us up as we now strive for promotion.
HISTORY OF D Situated one and a half miles south of Westhoughton town centre, four miles from Bolton and five miles from the University of Bolton Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers, the village of Daisy Hill first saw football in season 1894-95 although it is possible that football was being played in the area for some years prior to that date. The first known honours for the club came in 1896-97 when the Wigan and District League Championship and the Westhoughton Cup were won without losing a match. The location of the club’s ground in those days is unknown but the present ground was used during the first world war period when the club played in the Leigh and District Senior Sunday School League. The club then joined the Westhoughton League and during the 1920’s and 1930’s won many honours in what was one of the strongest local leagues at the time. Little is known of the period leading up to the second world war but the club reformed in 1951 playing in the
Westhoughton League on the St. James Street Recreation Ground/Cricket Ground until the landowner made an offer to the club to return to New Sirs in 1957. The acquisition of the lease was a major step forward and gave aspiration to move into the Bolton Combination and develop into one of the most formidable clubs in the area. Dressing rooms were erected at the ground for the start of the 1968/69 season whilst on the field the club won the Bolton Combination Premier Division on four occasions, the Bolton Combination Cup on four occasions and the Lancashire Amateur Shield twice during the 60’s and 70’s. In 1978 the Club was accepted into the Lancashire Football Combination and with the advent of the Non-League football pyramid and the subsequent amalgamation of the Lancashire Football Combination
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DAISY HILL FC Cricket Club Captain Mike Watkinson went on to sign for Blackpool. (Mike himself had the odd game for the club). Sam Marsh (Bolton Wanderers and Bury), Alf Gray (Torquay United and Lincoln City), Greg Strong (Motherwell) and Danny Williams (Inverness Caledonian Thistle) began their careers in senior or junior football at Daisy Hill Football Club. and the Cheshire County League the Club became a founder member of the North West Counties League giving them the opportunity to play in and bring national competition to the village. With the National League System requiring clubs to meet new standards for facilities, new dressing rooms and a clubhouse for social activities were erected at New Sirs in 1982. Since then improvement of the club’s facilities has been ongoing and for the 2005-2006 season a floodlighting system was installed which allowed the club to remain in the National League System and return to National and County competitions. Notable players include Dick Pollard and Billy Farrimond, both of whom went on to play cricket for Lancashire and England, Alf Watkinson, grandfather of the former Lancashire
ubs/daisyhillfootballclub
Other notable people / sportspersons born in Westhoughton who may or may not have been associated with the club: Ethel Johnson (Great Britain Olympic Athlete), Joe Bromilow (American Olympic Athlete), Jack Bruton (Blackburn Rover, Burnley, Bournemouth and England). Joe Clare (Accrington Stanley, Norwich City and Lincoln City). Tommy Woodward (Bolton Wanderers and Middlesborough), Francis Lee (Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City, Derby County and England).
League table
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Interview with More than a few Eyebrows were raised in the week when Mark Hayes, Ashton Town Chairman for 14 Years announced that at the end of this season he would be stepping down as Chairman of the Club. Mark has never been one to do things on the quiet and has always tried to guide his club to the best it can be every season, he has had a successful stint at the club bringing two trophies, a promotion, high profile signings and of course bucket loads of community focused and charitable events that have put the Ashton in Makerfield club on the map. We spoke with Mark this week to ask about the circumstances around the decision, about what he wants to do next and of course about what he would like to see Town achieve before he hangs up his Chairman’s Jacket in May. So Mark, after 14 seasons, 9 Managers, 2 Cups, a couple of ex-Premier League signings and incredibly large amount of community work, you've announced that you're calling it a day at Ashton Town come the end of the season. What has prompted this then? "Not a bad list that is it? However I have reached an age now where I really wanted to make a move just for me, to follow my gut and make a decision that affects myself specifically. I have always looked after others and done my bit for the community and that will never change, however I wanted to add in something for myself. During Covid I, like many had a lot of time to take stock and look at where I am, what I have done and where I'm going and I have reached a point where reflection has prompted a decision. Don't get me wrong, I've loved the journey I have been on so far, it all stated 14 years or so ago when I used to walk past the ground a bit and my lad, who was 8 years old at the time was looking for a football team. I started nipping in to the ground to see how my own town team were doing and to look at getting my lad into one of the sides. Many people who read this know what non-league football does to you, you get hooked, you start off doing one thing and then sooner or later you are doing many and I loved it. I was eventually appointed Chairman and brought in some outside of the box thinking and some different ideas, over the years as a club we have managed to really managed to capture the imagination around the town."
What does Mark see in the future then, what's next? "First and foremost I've a job to do at Ashton Town until May. This season has not gone to plan as such but i'll touch on that shortly. We have had a couple of Managerial changes and we have had to chop and change the squad a bit as we have steadied the ship. My main aim is to get us to May safe and to hand the club over to the next Chairman as an appealing prospect with the books in good order and potential on and off the park. After that, I'm going to put my feet up for a short while and try not to think of football... then, we'll see what happens." It has been an interesting 15 years and there has always been something going on at the club, but what would you say are your biggest achievements in that time? "Without a doubt it would be bringing silverware to the club. The First Team had been 32 years without winning any silverware and then we went out and won the Atherton Charity Cup which for me was a massive achievement for Ashton Town Football Club. We didn't rest there either as we went out and won the Wigan Senior Cup a few years later. At the end of the day we are all in the game to get something out of it and dream of winning silverware and we went out and did just that. We have also made the headlines, yes I've done the stunts but it's all been to raise the name of the club, the Town and the causes close to us here in Ashton. I created the opportunity to sign Pascal Chimbonda to play some games for us, through my links with Wigan Athletic and I smile as I recall picking him up in my knackered old Mondeo to take him to Atherton LR away but just talking as friends about World Cup games, Premier League and top level football and I was thinking to myself how amazing that was, albeit in my battered motor but what a footballing guy he is. He just wanted to play football and on that day he was focussed on playing for Ashton Town and going for the win, however first things first, we got to Atherton, first people there and in the social club, Pascal found a portable radiator they had there and parked it in front of him! That week I had also spoken to the likes of L'Equipe and several media outlets about Pascal and Ashton Town.
Written by Gary Langley
h MARK HAYES Emmerson Boyce, another great ambassador, Wigan Athletic Icon and another big name who played for us, and I will never forget the image in my head of announcing his signing with a video of Emmerson playing the Piano in the Gerard Arms. Getting a bit more philosophical I have to point also to getting Town back into the National League System after we dropped out after a terrible season. We didn’t finish in the top two places in the Cheshire League, however we put a massive effort into making the recovery work and I had to make some quite tough decisions as Chairman at the time to put us in the right stance to get back up. It nearly didn’t happen either as after the initial shock of relegation I was at a low in my Football life, I took the relegation personally and I was in one of my mobile football office locations at the time. I recall bumping into another ex-Wigan Athletic player in the form of Neil Rimmer and just talking football with him, who pointed out that you do have to sometimes take a step backwards to re-group, dust off and take two steps forward, you have to trust in your own beliefs and do what you have to do." So what is the future for Ashton Town then, is there an heir apparent, will you be taking a back seat and becoming el-presidente or is there a master plan? "No plan at all at the moment, there is no heir apparent as yet as it came to a bit of a shock to the club as well. The club has a good group of people there and they may promote from within or bring someone in but there are a few months between now and the end of the season to sort that out. My main aim is to hand over the club in good condition with a good background and accounts as an appealing prospect to whoever takes on the mantle. It is a great club for a forward thinker and someone who can think outside of the box." What about the remainder of the season then? What are your thoughts on the season so far, are you satisfied with it or are you like every other Chairman and wanting more? "I'm thoroughly disappointed so far. Every year we aspire to achieve and we had what we thought was a good plan and a good start, however that brought attention on to our then manager at the time, Dave Dempsey who was offered the opportunity to manage Widnes in
the Northern Premier League and as a Chairman I have never stood in the way of anyone who has wanted to progress. We struggled to settle after that to be fair, the play-offs would have been a great prospect to be part of but even if we do well between now and May, we'll likely come up short in them. It has been a season of missed potential really, Bury AFC have been in the Division and they have sprinkled a bit of glitter on the clubs they have visited but have also been in the Division with fans of football who know their stuff, so that has added an extra dimension to the season. We had to press the reset button and to be honest I never expected us to have to look over our shoulder in this campaign, however we have had to keep an eye out for trouble in the table. Let us not forget though that our players, like at other clubs are playing for their love of the game and the chance for a bit of glory on a match day, they have come through a pandemic with multiple lockdowns and some have had trouble keeping hold of jobs and just getting through the week. Football is their release and we are giving these lads a chance to play football at NLS level and we still have plenty of points to play for and of course two cup competitions, so it's not over yet. It would be nice though to avoid a relegation battle and build some foundations for the changes that the club face in the coming months." Last but not least, what do you see as your legacy at the club? "I will be happy if people recognise me as someone who came into the club, gave it a good crack and someone who brought smiles and a bit of profile to the club and his home town. Having Roberto Martinez turn up to a game at Edge Green Street, set up in the dressing room to manage a side is the stuff of dreams, as was getting to know him and several other of my favorite players. Thanking him personally at my own football club for winning The FA Cup will live with me forever. I'll say this to anyone, if you dream hard enough, put in the graft and think about how to get around obstacles, then that dream will come true, none more than when I recall thinking this when I was with Sir Alex Ferguson in his office." Written by Gary Langley
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SCOTT BLADEN DEXTER BRIERLEY THOMAS BROWN JORDAN COVER KAYDN CRAVEN MATTHEW DAVISON BRUNO DE ALMEIDA SEVERINO ADAM FARRELL JORDYN FITTON BEBETO GOMES LEE HILL CONNOR HUGHES JORDAN HUSSEY MATTHEW KNOTT CAMERON LEWARNE JORDAN LOMAX RICHE MAKELELE HARRISON MASUAMBA GLENN MATTHEWS HENSLEY MILLS MORGAN NEWNS PRECIEUX NGONGO JAKE O’BRIEN DEAN SINGLETON JOSHUA STANSFIELD CONNOR STONE DANNY WARBURTON MANAGER: LEIGHTON MILLS ASSISTANT: LEE HILL ASSISTANT: WARREN JONES COLOURS: ROYAL BLUE / WHITE SHIRTS, ROYAL BLUE SHORTS, ROYAL BLUE SOCKS GK: LIME
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NEXT HOME GAME V ATHERTON LR FC - 2/4/22 - KICK OFF 3PM