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, Keith Peacock, Kit Manager - Keith Peacock Club Covid Officer - Mark Hayes
www.facebook.com/ashtontownafc Twitter - @ashtontownafc This Club is Unincorporated
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Welcome to our club Good afternoon and welcome to Profiles Park for this afternoons North West Counties North tie against Holker Old Boys. It's an absolute pleasure to write Chairmans notes more often than not, but certainly after a week like we have had. It's safe to say that we had a staggered start, more maybe due to the expectation from everyone, including the players. We know that we are good enough, we know that we can beat anyone on the day, and maybe that pressure got to us. On Saturday we met an Atherton LR side completely unrecognisable from LR of old. Huge praise needs to be given to LR from where they were as a club, and what it looks like now. Luckily for us we absolutely stormed out of the traps in the second half and some of that play was outstanding, and then it was no surprise how we played against Pilkington midweek.
and 100% he has a huge and key role in seeing us progress. Well done Jay !
Frustratingly the fixtures still are not fully out, however it's amazing to hear so many excited and planning to go to away games. I dare say if we did actually play the Isle of Man one day that there's certain people Pilkington were unbeaten, maybe had an ready to charter planes and sail boats ! extra kick due to being local to my boozer, Here's hoping they are here soon, and I am but absolutely got played of the park. 1 to thoroughly looking forward to a couple of 11 and subs were fantastic. Every ball was coach trips away, and maybe even a chased, every tackle was fought for. As weekend in Blackpool depending how it much as, and rightly so Jay White got the falls.. MOM, it could of gone to anyone. The performance oozed professionalism and Thank you so much again to all whom are class. watching today, your support means a hell of a lot to all of us at the club and Hat tricks are hard to come by, and pretty the players can certainly tell the rare in the game to be fair as generally difference with the growing fan base. these days goals are spread throughout a The twelfth man is key at any level, and team. However let's just take a moment to in any sport. You have your part to play acknowledge Jay against Pilks. His first in our season. goal was moments after missing a sitter. He took the ball at pace and his Stay safe, determination and great finish was outstanding. He was a key part in Rylands Mark move put of this division a few years back, Club Chairman - Ashton Town AFC
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HISTORY OF ASHTON TOWN as The founder was a Then in 1975 the present persistent man dressing room facilities were Ashton Town Association named Derek „Mick‟ built. Football Club originally Mycock. In 1962 the joined the Div 2 of the Club was forced to Lancashire Combination in move from its 1903 and were promoted to original ground at Div 1 in their 1st season. Windsor Road due However, quickly relegated to land back to Div 2 after finishing development and it was at 16th. Towards the end of this point the Club name was 1910/11 season the club changed to Ashton Town withdrew from the league AFC. and fixtures were taken over Home games were played on by Tyldesley Albion. 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.
The Club was reformed in 1953 as Makerfield Mill FC and after a short spell in the Wigan Sunday School
During this period the Club joined the Lancashire Combination in 1971, and This became the Club`s new then in 1978, they left to home, and development of join the Cheshire County the ground began. In 1969 League for four years. the Clubhouse was completed, and was opened by Liverpool and England star Roger Hunt.
League. They played in the St Helens Combination League for three years before joining the Warrington and District Amateur League in 1958.
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ssociation football club
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-
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one, powered by volunteers. I‟ll surely miss out a host of names here but….Notable is the involvement of Jack section. As did the arrival of Longstaffe, Pat Dooney, 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 Barry & Sandra Longstaffe, on quite often a day-to-day Gordon Ellis, Les Bailey, Len basis. It would go amiss if I Riley, Malcolm Magrath, Billy didn‟t mention at this point Pomfrett R.I.P 5/5/20 (pic) Brian Cunliffe (pic below),
and Jimmy Cahill (pic below far right). The latter two who have clocked up over a hundred years‟ service to who has on and off, over the Town and Jimmy is still here years worked behind the on a daily basis. scenes painting, digging or mending often without the right resources for the 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 In more recent times, Clare up their time and effort to and James Horner made a keep the club alive. Our massive boost to the club motto ...... „Onwards & with the long overdue Upwards‟, sums us up as we formation of a Junior now strive for promotion.
HERE IT IS !! THE LAUNCH OF THE OFFICIAL JOSEPH‟S GOAL LATICS LEGENDS SHIRT All sizes available. Postage within the UK £3.50 extra. First order will be going in tomorrow, Sunday 8th August 2021, and it‟s a 14 day turnaround. #wafc #latics #nkh #ProudToBeTown
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HISTORY OF holker old boys aFC Holker Old Boys AFC was founded in 1936 as an under 16 side from Old Boys of the then Holker Central Secondary School in Holker Street Barrow-in-Furness. The school itself has long since been replaced with a Kwik Save supermarket which has also closed its doors in recent years.
bring it up to the standard required. Committee members, players, friends and their families all worked hard to extend the clubhouse, build new changing rooms and enclose the pitch. The reward for all this hard work was to be accepted into the NWCFL Second Division for the start of the In season 1939-40 the club joined the local 1991/92 season. North Western Open Age League, playing all their games on local playing fields. Holker Old Boys took a couple of seasons Junior teams were soon formed thus to acclimatise to the new higher standard keeping the links with their roots. during which time floodlights were installed but in 1993/94 they finished third 1967 saw the club enter a team in the in the Second Division behind Haslingden West Lancashire League whilst retaining a (now defunct) and North Trafford (now side in the N.W.L. Trafford). Haslingden were unable to be promoted because their facilities did not In 1971 a site for a new ground was meet the requirements for the First obtained at Rakesmoor Lane on land which Division so Holker Old Boys filled the had originally been an isolation hospital second promotion place. Holker gave a then allotments. The club moved from good account of themselves for their first their previous home on Thorncliffe Road to three seasons in the First Division and in their present one at Rakesmoor. On the 1995/96 they finished in their highest ever formation of the Furness Premier League position of 11th. However the 1997/98 in 1980 the club entered two teams into season saw them struggle finishing just this league and still retains two sides, the two points ahead of relegated Darwen and Reserves and A Team, in the League to the 1998/99 season was a disaster seeing date. them lose all twenty away games and scoring just five goals on their travels. Not Having spent years in the shadow of local surprisingly Holker finished bottom of the rivals Vickers Sports Club (now Hawcoat Division and were relegated for the first Park FC.) and Dalton United in season time in their history. After relegation the 1985/86 they had their best ever season to club restructured its finances and date finishing Runners-up to BAC. Preston undertook a period of rebuilding which is in the West Lancs League Div 1 However in started to bring returns. The club now has the following season, which was also the three open age sides and a Junior Section Club's Golden Jubilee season, they went ranging from Under 6's to Under 16's plus 1 one better and finished Champions ahead Girl's Team. of Vickers SC. More success followed as the club won the Adidas Lancashire Junior In season 2002/03 the Club had its best Shield in 1988/89 beating Walkden Town 2 season since 1995/96 finishing fifth in -0 and again in1990/91 when they Division 2. In season 2003/04 off the field defeated Park United 1-0. The club were the club secured over £80,000 in grants for now thinking of progressing to a higher stadium improvements, pitch drainage and standard of football but much work was car parking. Playing wise seasons 2003/04 needed on their Rakesmoor Lane ground to to 2007/08 were a disappointment with
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Who’s played at edge green st Matthew Brooke Jansen was born on 20th October 1977 in Carlisle, Cumbria. He supported Newcastle United as a boy and attended the independent Austin Friars school in Carlisle, where he played scrumhalf for the school's Rugby union team, before completing his GCSEs and taking an A-level at Newman Catholic School before becoming a professional footballer.
He started his career with hometown club Carlisle United, and played for Crystal Palace, Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers as well as a loan spell with Coventry City. A goal scorer in Blackburn's League Cup victory in 2002, his career declined after a near-fatal motorcycle accident later that year. He won six England under-21 caps and was called up once to the senior national team. After three years out of contract, Jansen went into nonleague football with
Wrexham, Leigh Genesis, and Chorley. He later went on to manage Chorley from 2015–18. Jansen was assistant manager to Garry Flitcroft when Chorley won the Northern Premier League Premier Division title in 2013–14. In July 2015, Jansen became Chorley's first team manager after Flitcroft's resignation due to other commitments. He guided them to 8th place in the National League North in his first season in charge, before reaching the play-off final in 2016–17, narrowly losing after extra-time to F.C. Halifax Town. On 22 June 2018, he resigned from his role as manager of the club. Jansen played six times for the England under-21 team without scoring. In 2002, he was called up by SvenGöran Eriksson to play for the senior squad for a friendly against Paraguay, but was unable to play due to a stomach infection. He was also expected to go to the 2002 World Cup; he was invited to David Beckham's send-off party and had his competition suit measured, but Eriksson ultimately decided to take defender Martin Keown instead of Jansen. Jansen‟s one appearance here at Edge Green Street came in March 2017 when he was a member of the Kevin Davies Select XI who took on the GB Deaf International team in a fund raising game for the GB team.
By Gordon Johnson
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MATCH REPORT V ATHERTON LR FC - 14/8/21 Following the first league win of the season against Ilkley Town, Town made the short trip to near neighbours Atherton Laburnum Rovers looking to build on the previous weekend's success. Atherton also came into the game on a high following a resounding away win at Chadderton the previous week so the scene was set for an exciting local derby encounter. The game didn't disappoint on a wet Crilly Park surface with the hosts playing up their infamous slope for the first period. Chances came and went for both sides during the first half an hour until a mistimed challenge in the penalty area led to the award of a penalty kick to Atherton in the 32nd minute of the game. With the crowd expecting the home side to take the lead, up stepped Town goal keeper James McClenaghan who made a fine double save to keep the game level at 0-0. Town's obvious delight at surviving that scare was short lived though and only five minutes later Atherton did in fact take the lead which they managed to hold onto until the interval. So, one nil down at the break with the prospect of 45 minutes playing uphill things did not bode well for Town. Manager Dave Dempsey, however, had other ideas, making a half time substitution introducing James Ludgate for his first appearance of the league campaign replacing Rustam Stepans who, to be fair, had a tough first forty-five minutes. Whatever the half time team talk was, it certainly seemed to inspire Town who started the second half stronger. Jay White, who has been a constant thorn in the side of all our opponents this season, finally got himself off the mark in the 54th minute of the game to draw Town level. From the re-start Atherton immediately lost possession and the ball was knocked out wide on the right to Leon Wright. Leon went passed Atherton's full back, Kaydn Craven, with ease, cut inside and smashed the ball home to give Town a 2-1 lead with the two goals coming within a
minute of each other. Atherton were proving to be no push over though and pushed for an equalising goal of their own, only to be denied on 62 minutes with another fine double save from Town's keeper McClenaghan. Four minutes later, however, the hosts did manage to scramble the ball home past the inform Town keeper to restore parity at 2-2. Town immediately fought back applying constant pressure to the Atherton defence who were only able to hold out for a further four minutes, Jay White fired in a blistering shot which the Home keeper was unable to hold onto and Tom McNamara was on hand to slide the ball home for his first goal of the season and restore Town's one goal advantage. The game continued to flow from end to end with chances falling to both sides providing an exciting finish for the 118 hardy spectators who continued to brave the relentless August rain towards the end of the game. In the 84th minute Town substitute Carl Lownsbrough was cautioned for needlessly kicking the ball away following the award of a free kick to the Home side. This action was further compounded in the 90th minute when Lownsbrough caught an opponent with a late challenge and was shown a second yellow card by the referee and sent off. If that wasn't bad enough, the referee then found seven minutes of added time which Town thankfully weathered and managed to secure three points for the second week running whilst finishing the game with ten players.
By Gordon Johnson
HALF TIME QUIZ 1.
Which popular English band was named after a football team?
2.
Which football team did Usain Bolt join in 2018?
3.
In what year did Ronaldinho first win FIFA World Player of the Year?
4.
Who became manager of Paris St Germain in January 2020? Billion goal” for
5.
Who scored the “£1 billion goal” for Chelsea?
6.
Which club play their home games at Westfalenstadion (Signal Iduna Park)?
7.
In which year did Real Madrid win “La Decima”, their tenth UEFA Champions League title?
8.
From which club did Athletico Madrid sign Radamel Falcao in 2011?
9.
Which country is ex-Chelsea winger Bertrant Traore from?
10.
Ludograts Razgrad are a club based in which country?
ANSWERS
FC Porto Burkina Faso Bulgaria
8. 9. 10.
Borussia Dortmund 2014
6. 7.
2004 Thomas Tuchel Jesper Gronkjaer
3. 4. 5.
Kaiser Chiefs Central Coast Mariners
1. 2.
By Gordon Johnson
STATISTICS - FIX
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XTURES & RESULTS
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On this day 21st august On This Day – 21st August 1965 In the Bolton Wanderers v Charlton Athletic Second Division match, the Charlton goalkeeper Mike Rose was injured after 11 minutes and left the pitch. Full back John Hewie took his place in goal and Keith Peacock came on as substitute becoming the first ever substitute used in the Football League Rules at that time only allowed each club one substitute a match and then only to replace an injured player. For the record, the said Keith Peacock is not Ashton Town's current Physio, although they are of a similar age I suppose !!!!
the Scotland national team.
On This Day – 21st August 1996 Alan Shearer made his home Premier League debut for Newcastle United against Wimbledon on this day in 1996 and of course scored for his home town club. His late goal sealed a 2-0 Newcastle victory and Shearer took his first step to achieving legend status at St James' Park.
On This Day – 21st August 1978 Jock Stein became the new manager of Leeds United, but moved on just six weeks later when he was appointed manager of
By Gordon Johnson
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MaNAGERS NOTES Good afternoon everyone. As always let me start by welcoming our opponents for today Holker. This will be one of the toughest game we‟ve had so far this season. From my experience any Holker side are always very organised and hard to beat. I‟ve got a feeling you are in for a treat today. This last week has been a great week for me and my players picking up 3 wins from 3. As a manager I couldn‟t ask for any more. It is vital we continue this run and today we will do everything in our power to ensure this happens. I just want to put on record my delight and and say a huge well done to Jay White on getting his first hat-trick for the club on Tuesday night in our 3-0 victory over Pilkington FC. With Pilks being one of many
local rivals and having started the season so well this was a massive result for everyone involved. Jay has worked really hard to get on the score sheet and we‟ve all know there will be many more to come. Also, a massive well done to all of my players and management staff for their application over the last few weeks. Their commitment and togetherness is special and it gives us a massive platform to build on. Today the message will be to build on our current run of form and make sure we are in the top 5 come the end of the day. As always than you all for your continued support. Demps
MATCH REPORT RESERVES V SANDBACH TOWN 14/8/21 On Saturday 14th August the reserve team welcomed Sandbach Town Reserves to Profiles Park for their first home league game of the Cheshire Football League Division Two season having, like their first team colleagues, lost the opening two games of the season. Town had to prepare for the tie without inspirational team captain, David Taylor, but were also bolstered with the addition of three first team squad members, Chris Hill, John Edgerton and Liam Smith, all of whom were in need of match minutes on their recovery from injuries. Town started strongly though and took an early lead from the penalty spot after Chris Hill and been brought down, with striker Liam Stanley dispatching the spot kick and opening the scoring. Stanley added his second goal of the game a short time later before fellow striker Harry Muckley added a third to give Town a convincing three nil lead. Stanley was given the opportunity to extend Town's lead further and complete his hat trick prior to the interval when a second penalty kick was awarded to Ashton, but on this occasion the visiting keeper guessed correctly and made a fine save keeping the score at Ashton Town 3 Sandbach Town 0 as the teams headed into the half time break. Following the break Sandbach came out stronger for the second period and duly pulled back two goals of their own in a spirited comeback attempt. Ashton again rallied though and striker Laim Stanley eventually scored his third goal of the game to secure a 4-2 victory for the reserves registering their first points on the board for the season.
By Gordon Johnson
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 television stars over the years including Pep Guardiola, Harry Redknapp and Joe Calzaghe.
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, In 2013, Joe was the mascot organised by Martin Tarbuck for Wigan Athletic in the FA from the Mudhutter fanzine. Cup Final and was carried out Joseph‟s story has inspired onto the pitch at Wembley by thousands of people to help skipper, and charity fundraise for NKH and ambassador Emmerson Boyce, contribute to their bid in which led to television finding a cure for the very rare appearances on BBC North condition. West, ITV, Granada and Sky News. Many Latics fans believe Help us to raise money for that Joe was a lucky charm as further research and hopefully Wigan defied the odds to edge closer to the end goal of beat Manchester City 1-0 and helping Joe and other children claim their first major trophy in with the same condition. 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 opportunity to be a mascot. In 2014, Joseph‟s family were the Joseph's Goal is a registered charity in WISH FM “Local Heroes Family England and Wales of the Year” and Joseph Charity number: 1151548 switched on the Christmas
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KIERAN ALLEY KIAN BELL JOHN EDGERTON THOMAS GOODWIN (GK) THOMAS GRINDROD CHRISTOPHER HILL CARL LOWNSBROUGH JAMES LUDGATE JAMES MCCLENAGHAN (GK) THOMAS MCNAMARA DAVID MOORE ALEX NOONAN THOMAS PARRY JACK RICHARDS NOAH ROBSON LIAM SMITH JAMES STANLEY RUSTAM STEPANS JAMIE WHITE DALEY WOODS LEON WRIGHT KIT SPONSOR
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David Dempsey - Manager Karl Bell - Asst. Manager Adam James - Coach Daley Woods - Asst. Coach Richard Eaves - Physio Colours: Red Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks GK: Grey
SAM STEPHENS FINLEY MARTIN JAMES BONNER CALLUM BAYNES GRAHAM CAPSTICK JAMIE MELLEN (C) JOSH WOODEND PATRICK ADLINGTON WILL MCGLADDERY GARETH SMITH KEVIN WATKIN DAVID ROUND NATHAN REID ROBBIE WALLACE HAKAN MCCRACKEN SEAN PATERSON CHRIS WRAIGHTE BRANDON COLLINS WLLIOT MOORE TOMMY DAWSON Manager: Kevin Watkin Colours: Green Shirts, White Shorts, Green Socks GK: Pink
Referee: Tim Eagles, Assistant 1: Martin Flannery Flannery--Pratt, Assistant 2: Jackson Cooper
NEXT HOME GAME V GOLCAR UNITED AFC - SAT 4/9/21 - 3PM