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 Chairman - Gordon Johnson Vice President - Stephen Barrett Secretary - Stefan Ochwat Clubhouse Manager - Clare Peters Treasurer - Peter Williams Committee Members - Kieran Johnson, Joanne Round, Joanne Bourne, Alison Sinnott Catering Manager - Denise Brady Commercial Manager - Jonathan Southward
All Commercial Enquiries- marketing.atfc@outlook.com
Programme Editor - Ian Pomfrett Welfare Officer - Gordon Johnson Grounds Team - Jimmy Cahill, David Bourne Club Covid Officer - Mark Hayes
www.facebook.com/ashtontownafc Twitter - @ashtontownafc This Club is Unincorporated
www.ashtontownafc.com
Welcome
to our club Good afternoon and welcome to Profiles Park for this North West Counties North tie against Garstang. First of all please let us thank did celebrate a club full of victories last weekend., not only did the first team get that wonderful result against Bacup Borough, but both our U18s and Ladies teams also progressed in their relevant cup competitions. That really is outstanding and a huge thanks and an appreciation of the managers and players efforts is needed. Its not been an easy season for either teams and I was absolutely delighted when I heard the results. On to the Bacup game. That's truely was one of the most complete performances that I have seen here for some time. Simply outstanding, and let's also remember that Bacup came into the game flying, in the play offs and five unbeaten. We were better than then in literally every aspect and huge thanks to the management team for producing that. Some of the players playing were the same from games were we were getting beaten, yet they have improved their mentality and given them the confidence back in their game.
Today's game is just as important as last week's. We are still a way off the play offs but most seasons produce a dark horse and we could just be that, waiting to pounce if anyone slips. Garstang were on an even better run until midweek, nine unbeaten, until they played Bacup however they did have a man sent off early doors. Let's get behind the lads. Let's be their 12th man. Thank you again to all whom have attended today as I am sure it will be another cold one. Enjoy the game, Mark Club Chairman
@northernpromise
Notes from the MANAGER Once again thank you for your support last week. Hopefully you were as happy with the performance as we were. That was definitely our best performance since my return to the club.
good test, finishing the game strongest on the night. The lads have been working repetitively in training and that is now beginning to pay dividend, the lads now have structure, shape, a style of play and we have given them a confidence and belief. Credit also has to go to my back room team, Mouse, Adam and Ben who work hard behind the scenes planning and putting together the sessions for the team, focusing on particular areas we feel that they need to work at. Todays game will be another tough test, Garstang are having a good season and still chasing a play off spot. Following a midweek loss they will be looking to bounce back so we have to be mindful of that. But if we keep working and playing how we have been then I am confident we can get a positive result.
From the first to the last minute we were all over Bacup closing them down when they had possession and pressing high up the pitch. They came into the game with the wrong attitude thinking it would be easy and they could bully us but they quickly found out that our team was far from the same side that they rolled over in the reverse fixture. We never let them get started, our lads outplayed and out thought them, working hard and competing for every ball, tackle and header but most importantly winning those battles too. The quality of our side quickly shone through and in the end it turned out to be a comfortable win for us. We have been improving week by week and with each game you can see that. We have played 3 I hope you all enjoy todays fixture and of the top 5 sides and a local Derby in the last month. We comfortably beat 3 of them once again we thank you for your ... Biggs. and we gave top of the league Bury a very continued support....
By Lee Bignell
We provide a fully tailored recruitment experience, from the initial consultation to the heart of what we do, with the recruitment of the highest calibre candidates in which we have built understanding relationships, to finally delivering a second to none outcome to our client partners, with quality and urgency ensuring a seamless integration into your business.
We put you in control of your recruitment journey…
www.lrljobs.com 01942 820 322
Wigan Investment Centre, Waterside Drive, Wigan, WN3 5BA
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.
www.ashtonto
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.
ownafc.com
Our motto ...... „Onwards & Upwards‟, sums us up as we now strive for promotion.
HISTORY OF G Garstang Football Club was formed in 1885 and documented records show that, in 1927, the club won the Guildhall Cup as a member of the Preston and District League. In the mid-sixties both the First and Reserve Teams moved from “The Beeches” to the club‟s current home of “The Riverside”. At the time of this move the club continued to be a proud member of the Preston and District League. After much soul searching and debate during the summer of 1994 the club made the decision to advance and two steps into the West Lancashire League. Garstang made steady progress in the early years and then, under the guidance of manager Keith Brindle, the first team reached the Lancashire Amateur Shield final for two years in succession. The first final during the 1998/99 season, saw the
team suffer defeat at the hands of Fulwood. However, the following year the club bounced back and secured the trophy with a victory over favourites Stand Athletic. In the 1999/00 season, Garstang secured the President‟s Cup with a thrilling sudden death penalty shootout victory and they also achieved promotion to the West Lancashire Premier Division as runners up. There followed a few ups and downs until the 2007/08 season saw the Reserve Team secure the Reserve Division Two title under the guidance of Paul Bailey. The First Team were also involved in a thrilling title battle that went down to the last game of the season and in front of over 250 of their own fans, the team secured the three points needed to win the Premier Division title.
www.garsta
GARSTANG FC
Adrian Wilding returned as Chairman and off the field plans were put in place to improve the facilities as the club, a major part being the “Score” lottery instigated by Les Taylor. An Under 18 team was formed with the ambition to nurture our own talent and this is now starting to pay dividends. The club recorded their first ever Reserve Divison1 title again under the leadership of Paul bail and further silverware was won in the 2017/18 season which proved to be a historic one for the club. Former players from the 2008 Championship winning side Lee Baker and Neil Beesley were now in charge and the First team won the West Lancs Premier League and Cup double. In the same season the club was also runners up in The Lancashire Shield whilst the reserves under the stewardship of Hugh Sneddon and Joe Miller also did the double. After much hard work it was confirmed we had been accepted into The Hallmark Security
angfc.co.uk
League and the beginning of a new chapter for Garstang Football. The club started its first season in the Hallmark Security league Division 1 North in Season 2018/19 and a long campaign saw the club secure a highly creditable 7th place finish and the team had excellent cup run‟s in 3 competitions including the Buildbase FA vase. During the season the club had its highest home attendance against local rivals Longridge Town with 352 spectators watching. Lee Baker left the club at the end of that season and the club is now undertaking a rebuilding phase on the pitch under the new management of Richard Cookney. Off the pitch Garstang has just secured planning permission for an exciting ground redevelopment to significantly enhance the spectator experience at The Riverside with the improvements planned for completion in March 2020.
Who’s played at edge green st Deiniol William Thomas Graham was born in Cannock, Staffordshire on 4th October 1969. He previously played as a forward for various clubs in the Football League after playing in the Manchester United youth and reserve teams. Graham signed for Manchester United as an apprentice in October 1985, leaving school in the summer of 1986 and turning professional a year later. He made his debut for the Manchester United first team in the 1987–88 season, coming on as a 53rd-minute substitute for Mike Duxbury in the club's League Cup Second Round second leg match against Hull City on 7 October 1987 and made one further appearance that season. Graham scored his first and only goal for the Manchester United first team on 11 January 1989 in a 2–2 draw with Queens Park Rangers in an FA Cup Third Round replay. However, just over a month later, he suffered a broken arm in a youth team match against Bury Reserves and was ruled out for eight months, severely denting his first team opportunities. He only made one more appearance for the first team before Mel Machin signed him for Barnsley for £50,000 on 5 August 1991. At Barnsley, Graham's first-team opportunities were more frequent but
he was still unable to hold down a regular place, making around 40 appearances and scoring just two goals in his three years there. In 1992, he was loaned out to Preston North End, where he made 11 appearances and scored one goal, in the FA Cup. A loan spell at Carlisle United followed in 1993, and Graham was given a free transfer by Barnsley at the end of the 1993–94 season. He was then picked up by Stockport County, scoring two goals in 11 matches before joining Scunthorpe United a year later, but after two months there, including three appearances and one goal, he moved into non-league football, playing for Colwyn Bay and Caersws, amongst others. At the end of his playing career, Graham moved into management. He was made manager of Llandudno, but left the club for a time before re-joining them in October 2011. Graham‟s appearance here at the Edge Green Street came on the 25th May 2019 when he lined up alongside the likes of Bryan Robson, Quintin Fortune and Lee Martin in the Manchester United Legends team that drew one all with the Joseph‟s Goal Latics Legends team who eventually ran out winners on the day following a penalty shootout to decide the tie.
By Gordon Johnson
By Gordon Johnson 1. Eric Gerets (1988 PSV Eindhoven), Daniel Van Buyten (2013 Bayern Munich) and Thomas Vermaelen (2015 Barcelona). 2. Twice: 1991 Manchester United 1-0 Red Star Belgrade, Old Trafford, Manchester and 2014 Real Madrid 2-0 Sevilla Cardiff City Stadium, Wales. 3. Abédi Pelé (1993 Marseille), Samuel Kuffour (2001 Bayern Munich), Sulley Muntari (2010 Inter Milan) and Michael Essien (2012 Chelsea). 4. Peter Shilton (125), David Seaman (75), Joe Hart (75), Gordon Banks (73), Ray Clemence (61) and David James (53). 5. 8 Times: 1893-94, 1946-47, 1953-54, 1961-62, 1971-72, 1990-91, 2006-07 and 2019-20. 6. Italy (5 times), Spain (4 times), England (twice), Germany (twice), Netherlands (twice) and Soviet Union (twice). 7. Everton, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle United and West Ham United. 8. Michael Dawson, Aaron Lennon, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe and Ledley King. 9. Howard Wilkinson, George Graham, David O‟Leary, Terry Venables, Peter Reid & Eddie Gray. 10. Asa Hartford (1979), Neil McNab (1987 & 1989) & Colin Henry (1990).
ANSWERS 1. Which 3 Belgians have won UEFA European Cup or Champions League Medals? 2. How many times has a one-off UEFA Super Cup game been held in Britain? 3. Which 4 Ghanaians have won UEFA European Cup or Champions League Medals? 4. Which 6 goalkeepers have made over 50 appearances for England? 5. How many times have Sheffield United been promoted to the top flight of English Football? 6. Which 6 nations have won the UEFA U21 Championships twice or more? 7. Which eight current clubs have only played in the top two flights of English Football? 8. Which 5 Tottenham Hotspur players were members of England‟s 2010 FIFA World Cup Squad in South Africa? 9. Which six managers were in charge of Leeds United in the Premier League before Marcelo Bielsa? 10. Which three Scotsmen have won Manchester City‟s Player of the year award?
HALF TIME QUIZ
League table
www.nwcfl.com
FIXTURES &
MAN OF THE MATCH SPONSOR LRLJOBS.COM
www.profilesbrickwork.co.uk
www.lr
& RESULTS
FIRST TEAM SHIRT SPONSOR
SLOBBERYCHOPS A SHOP FOR DOGS
ADVERTISE HERE FROM ONLY £50 CONTACT:
marketing.atfc@outlook.com
rljobs.com
www.slobberychops.com
PLAYER STATISTICS
By Gordon Johnson
International signing Ashton Town have recently signed a third International player in as many seasons. Following on from the signings of French International Pascal Chimbonda and Wigan Atheltic‟s FA Cup winning captain and Jamaican International Emerson Boyce Town have recently signed Zambian International player Mwiya Malumo a signing that has coincided with a definite upturn in fortunes for the team and which „Mo‟ has certainly played his part in too. Mo has previously been on the books of near neighbours Wigan Athletic for whom he made two first team appearances during the 2017-18 playing season. Both of these games were in the EFL Trophy and his debut came in October 2017 against Middlesbrough U23‟s, when he lined up alongside Reece James, Lee Evans and captain on the night David Perkins in a 4-1 victory for the Latics. His only other appearance came a months later versus Accrington Stanley with the Latics losing the game 4-0 on this occasion.
Mo made his International debut for Zambia in a 2019 Niger U20 AFCON cup qualifier versus Rwanda and went on to score his first International goal for Zambia eight days later in a 1-1 draw Alison against Rwanda in a game played at the Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka. To date Mo has appeared five times for Town and is certainly turning himself into a firm favourite with the fans, scoring an absolute screamer away at Ilkley Town on his debut, Mo followed this up with a second goal in the away victory at St Helens Towns the following weekend. He continues to make a positive contribution to the team and last Saturday provided a vital assist with a fantastic low cross setting up John Edgerton to slide home Town‟s second goal of the game versus Bacup Borough at the far post. Welcome to Ashton Town „Mo‟ we hope you continue to enjoy your time at the club.
By Gordon Johnson
Club Hats & scarves
Massive thank you to Pure Class Vinyls-Print & Embroidery for their fast and great embroidery on our hats and scarves all ready for Today. These will be on sale behind the bar.
Hats £12 Scarf £12 Hat & Scarf £20. Cash & Card payments accepted.
www.pureclassvinyls.co.uk
On this day 22ND JAN 22nd January 1927 History was made at Highbury when the First Division fixture between Arsenal and Sheffield United became the first football match to be broadcast live on the radio. In order to help the listener follow the play the Radio Times printed a numbered grid of the pitch with commentator Henry Wakelam giving grid numbers in his commentary. 22nd January 1994 After suffering 7 League defeats on the trot Blackpool tried something new to drum up some support for the Second Division visit of Swansea City, free admission. The crowd of 7080 was to be their third highest League crowd at Bloomfield Road that season and they picked up a point in the 1-1 draw. 22nd January 2016 You would think that top footballers might enjoy the perfect lifestyle but in reality they are as human as the rest of us. In a Jeremy Kyle 'celebrity intervention' the former Arsenal and Crystal Palace player Kenny Sansom, who won 86 England caps, shared his 30 year problem with alcoholism with the watching public. As usual the
Jeremy Kyle Show was more about Jeremy Kyle than his guest but I'm sure that everyone wished Kenny, and any every other person inflicted with the same problem, all the best in their battle against the evils of alcoholism.
22nd January 2018 Former World Player of the Year George Weah was back in the limelight in a football stadium. No the 51-year-old hadn't made a playing comeback but the National Stadium in Liberia, the SKD Stadium in the capital Monrovia, hosted his inauguration ceremony as the President of Liberia. A crowded stadium witnessed his oath of office following his election as President in December when he promised to unify the country and fight corruption. The striker had spent a short time in the Premier League with Chelsea and Manchester City playing a total of 24 League and Cup matches in 2000 for the two clubs, most notably playing for Chelsea in their FA Cup final victory over Aston Villa.
By Gordon Johnson
THE OFFICIAL JOSEPH‟S GOAL LATICS LEGENDS SHIRT All sizes available. Postage within the UK £3.50 extra. 14 day turnaround. #wafc #latics #nkh #ProudToBeTown
HOT & COLd FOOD & DRINKS O N S A L E Inside ou
C L U B H O U S e
r
MATCH REPORT V bac Following on from the unfortunate home defeat to League leaders Bury AFC, Town returned to winning ways again last Saturday when they well and truly put a strong Bacup Borough side to the sword here at Profiles Park.
The score remained at that until the half time interval with the frustration of the Bacup players coming to the fore as they left the field of play, niggling and spitting at the Town players and leading to a confrontation that saw Town manager Lee Bignell being shown a red card by the referee for defending his players and no action at all being taken by the match officials against the instigators from amongst the Bacup team!!!
Right from the off the visitors goal was under constant pressure with the Town front three of John Edgerton, Tyler Magee and „Mo‟ Malumo giving them no respite whatsoever. The deadlock was broken on 14 minutes when the visitors failed to clear a corner kick culminating in the Bacup No4 Town started the second half as they had turning the ball into his own goal to put finished the first though and doubled the Town one nil up. lead on 50 minutes with the ball being
By Gordon Johnson, Ph
cup borough 15/1/22
played out wide on the left to Mo Malumo. Mo went past the full back onto the goal line and his hard low cross that wizzed across the face of the goal saw John Edgerton sliding in at the far post to make the score 2-0.
due to COVID. It was also good to see James Ludgate returning to the side after an injury lay off, coming on as a second half substitute but Man of the match of the day had to go to Chris Hill for an outstanding shift in the centre of the park.
Town continued to be the more dominant Final mention to keeper Jack Cookson who side and further extended the lead to 3-0 kept a well deserved clean sheet for Town. on 69 minutes when captain Alex Noonan rose to head home the third from a corner lick. That then remained the score until the end of the game, with Tyler Magee, Leon Wright, Noah Robson and Mo Malumo being unlucky not to extend Town‟s lead any further. Some fantastic performances were put in right through the side with Jack Richards and Liam Keenan outstanding alongside Alex Noonan at the back, Tom Parry making a fantastic return following a short lay off
hotos By Ian Pomfrett
Photos v bacup 15/1/22
By Ian Pomfrett
Man of the match award
LRL - Specialist Recruitment Consultancy Partnering the UK Man Of The Match v Bacup FC 15/1/22 -
www.lrljobs.com
CHRIS HILL
OUR CHOSEN CHARITY Joseph‟s Goal is a Wigan-based charity, ran by a small group of family and friends who all volunteer their services. The charity has received support from Wigan Council, Wigan Warriors and Wigan Athletic, as well as schools, local organisations and the business community. Joseph‟s Goal have raised most of their funds through charity balls, football matches, bike rides, marathons and 10-Ks, swimathons, spinathons, Xmas jumper days, numerous other fundraising events, and hundreds of donations from generous people. Ashton Town AFC now host an annual charity legends football match, after the huge success of the inaugural match in May 2015, with the Latics Legends thumping a Hollyoaks XI 10-0 with a sensational performance. Town chairman, Mark Hayes was touched by Joe‟s story and has been actively involved in the charity‟s fundraising efforts for several years. This years event is the fifth annual Joseph‟s Goal legends game and is set to be another classic with the likes of Bryan Robson, Emmerson Boyce and Arjan De Zeeuw gracing the Ashton Town turf. Since Josephs story was shared publicly, the 10-year-old has become a little star in the local area and recognised throughout the United Kingdom for his fantastic story in defying
all the odds. Joseph‟s Goal has also received support from multiple football, rugby and
of the Year” and Joseph switched on the Christmas lights in Wigan Town Centre. Joseph‟s Goal was recognised further in 2014 by the Wigan Council for contributing to the “Believe in Wigan” campaign. In April 2019, Joe returned to his role as Wigan Athletics‟ lucky charm as he featured pitchside at half-time during Wigan‟s shock victory against Leeds United. This was after more than 70 Latics fans heroically walked 58-miles over three days for the charity from Wigan‟s Euxton training ground to Elland Road, organised by Martin Tarbuck from the Mudhutter fanzine. Joseph‟s story has inspired thousands of people to help fundraise for NKH and contribute to their bid in finding a cure for the very rare condition. Help us to raise money for further research and hopefully edge closer to the end goal of helping Joe and other children with the same condition.
television stars over the years including Pep Guardiola, Harry Redknapp and Joe Calzaghe. In 2013, Joe was the mascot for Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup Final and was carried out onto the pitch at Wembley by skipper, and charity ambassador Emmerson Boyce, which led to television appearances on BBC North West, ITV, Granada and Sky News. Many Latics fans believe that Joe was a lucky charm as Wigan defied the odds to beat Manchester City 1-0 and claim their first major trophy in the club‟s history, similar to how Joe managed to defy all the odds given by the doctors to reach his 10th birthday on Thursday May 9th 2019. Joe‟s father Paul Kendrick, a life-long Wigan Athletic sup-porter and the Latics correspondent for Wigan Today, was gobsmacked that Joe was given the Joseph's Goal is a registered charity in opportunity to be a mascot. In England and Wales 2014, Joseph‟s family were the WISH FM “Local Heroes Family Charity number: 1151548
www.josephsgoal.org
BRICKWORK - BLOCKWORK -STONEWORK
NEW BUILD - REFURBISHMENT
01695 682 181 Hewitt House, Winstanley Rd, Wigan, WN5 7XA
email: profilesbrickworkltd@outlook.com
www.profilesbrickwork.co.uk
JACK COOKSON (GK) JOHN EDGERTON OLIVER FAREBROTHER THOMAS GRINDROD CHRIS HILL AHMED IBRAHIM LIAM KEENAN CARL LOWNSBROUGH JAMES LUDGATE TYLER MAGEE MWYLA MALUMO ALEX NOONAN TOM PARRY CALLUM RICHARDS JACK RICHARDS NOAH ROBSON HENRY SMITH LIAM SMITH JAMES STANLEY RUSTAM STEPANS DALEY WOODS LEON WRIGHT KIT SPONSOR
SLOBBERYCHOPS A SHOP FOR DOGS
MANAGER: LEE BIGNELL ASST: MICHAEL SMITH HEAD COACH: ADAM JAMES GK COACH: BEN PURDHAM COLOURS: RED SHIRTS, RED SHORTS, RED SOCKS GK: GREY
JAMES CATLOW DAN BIRCH PHIL NAGY CAM ROSS BEN READER MARTIN GRUNDY DANNY SQUIRES JOE NOBLETT ZACH CLARKE ANDREW MURPHY SHAUN SAILOR HARLI DEWHURST OWEN PYE JACOB SALISBURY THOMAS MCCANN JACK SWINDLEHURST ELLIOT DICKSON ROBERT WALKER RIC SEEARS SAM BRAITHWAITE WILL KITCHEN ZAK DEAVES THOMAS MIDGLEY TOM GRAHAM MANAGER: ZACH CLARKE COLOURS: BLUE SHIRTS, BLUE SHORTS, BLUE SOCKS GK: GREEM
Referee: Dan Hooton, Assistant 1: Robert Adamson, Assistant 2: Tom Rooney
NEXT HOME GAME V SOUTH LIVERPOOL FC - SAT 29/1/22 - 3PM