Welcome to the Berry Street Garage Stadium for this Pitching In Northern Premier League Game vs 1874 Northwich
Don’t miss any action if you can’t get to the match! Keep updated with live commentary on purps FM & Purps TV.
City of Liverpool Football Club is a registered society under the Cooperative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. Our Registration Number is 7231. We are a supporter owned football club, with all shareholders owning 1 share each and operating on a 1 member 1 vote basis.
Chairman: Paul Manning
6 - Our visitors 1874 Northwich 14 - Meet the COLFC squad
Deputy Chairman: Peter Furmedge Club Secretary: John Lavin Club Welfare Officer: Mike Caulfield COLFC Community: Sean Lindblad Club Directors: Paul Manning, Peter Furmedge, Earl Jenkins, John Lavin, Mike Caulfield, Sean Lindblad, Thomas Keiner, Amanda Manning Volunteer Co-Ordinator: Mike Caulfield Charity & Mascots Co-Ordinator: Amanda Manning Programme Editor: Sean Lindblad
Gatehouse: Peter Furmedge, Howard Klarfeld
Hospitality: Amanda Manning, Stewards: Peter Manning, Lee Thwaite, Howard Klarfeld, John Lavin. Website: Sean Lindblad
COLlotto: Paul Manning
Purps TV: Jason Morland
Purps Matchday: Michael Meadows, Sam Pearson
NLP Correspondent: Michael Meadows Club Graphics: Sean Lindblad
First Team Staff - Michael Ellison, Mathew Cross, Chris Lawton, Ryan Brookfield, Georgia Dutton (physio)
Junior Section - Earl Jenkins / Sean Lindblad
During the coming 12 months, the old adage that will be used most regularly by supporters of 1874 will be “doesn’t time fly”. The explanation for this is simple. You see, on 15 November this year, our smashing little club will celebrate its 10th anniversary!
Now, fans of clubs with longer and supposedly more illustrious past histories may scoff at our relatively brief existence and achievements. But despite being relative ‘new kids on the block’ it has been a decade packed with remarkable stories, amazing feats, successes, and some sadness – oh, and with the odd bit of football thrown in for good measure!
So, when it comes to summing up our history, it really is a case of where do we start and what do we include or leave out?
Some might say - and we would find it difficult to argue against this point - that the principal landmark occurred on that day in November 2012 when disillusioned members of the Northwich Victoria Supporters Trust voted overwhelmingly to create a new club. However, others might make the case for the evening of Wednesday 10 July 2013, for this was when ‘74 played their first ever game against local side Lostock Gralam.
On that warm, balmy evening, just short of 400 fans turned out to see the first game of a club that they had decided to create, was something different, new and, most importantly, something that they had a direct say in. In short, a true fans’ run club
Prior to that night a massive amount of hard work had been put in to ensure that the club could kick-off, as planned at the start of the 2013/14 season. This included
• Our successful application to join the North West Counties Football League
• The appointment of our first ‘Gaffer,’ Ian Street
•
The signing our first ground sharing agreement with Winsford United
The level of support shown for the new club wasn’t a flash in the pan either as during our first
season 1874’s average home league attendance was 320 – which put the club in the top 100 best supported clubs in non-league football.
As it happened, ’74 finished one place outside the two promotion spots, but due to the sudden and unfortunate demise of secondplaced Formby, the club were asked whether we would like to accept the vacant spot in the Premier Division – an offer that was readily accepted!
So, season two presented ’74 with the opportunity to create even more records – and did we take this chance with both hands! Along the way several new milestones were achieved, including our first ever appearance in the FA Cup and our highest league placing of third in the NWCFL Premier Division.
The 2015/16 season proved to be a steady campaign in the league with
an eventual finishing spot of fourth, but it ended in a truly memorable manner when Ian Street’s side outclassed local rivals and Step 3 outfit Witton Albion by a 3-0 scoreline on their own turf to lift the Mid Cheshire District Cup for the first time. This trophy was retained the following campaign with a 1-0 win over rivals Northwich Vics, but by this time the management of the club had passed into the hands of Paul Bowyer and Wayne Goodison – both of whom had been part of Ian Street’s back-room team.
The impact of the new management team was truly remarkable, as the 2017/18 season proved to be by far the most exciting and memorable in the short history of 1874, during which the ‘Go-Bo’ Green Army.
• Defeated National League North and former FA Trophy winners North Ferriby in the FA Cup
• Finally exited the competition on penalties in a Third Qualifying Round replay
• Reached the Semi-Finals of the FA Vase, only for eventual winners Thatcham Town to deny ‘74 a trip to Wembley by triumphing 4-2 on aggregate.
• Took hundreds of fans to away ties at Leighton and Thatcham
• Recorded a record home attendance of 1.674 in the second leg of the semi-final against the Wiltshire outfit
• Ended the season by playing a mammoth 26 games in just 57 days and 69 games overall
Given the successes of the ‘17/18 campaign, it would have been astonishing if ’74 had been able to equal the achievements of the previous season. After all, even the top clubs in the country struggle to repeat their immediate past triumphs – so why should this not be true for ’74?
So, a final position of tenth – the lowest that the club had finished in since being promoted to the Premier Division– did seem to suggest a decline in the clubs’ fortunes. But that would be completely wrong, as 1874’s final standing was hugely influenced by a difficult start to the season in which the loss of key players from the 1’7/18 campaign - allied to a cruel run of injuries to many of the clubs’ key creative and attacking players - resulted in a somewhat disjointed first few months of the season and early exits in both the FA Cup and Vase.
Another factor that we probably didn’t fully appreciate at the time was the impact that the untimely death in December 2017 of our inspirational and dearly loved Chairman Paul Stockton had on the club. It was therefore perhaps a fitting tribute to this wonderful man when, on the afternoon of Saturday 4 May 2019, his name was chanted aloud by the 500 or so ’74 fans who had just witnessed their side lift its first major piece of silverware, an 88th minute goal by the Greens gave a deserved 1-0 victory over league champions City of Liverpool FC in the Final of the NWCFL League Cup.
This cup win proved to be a springboard for the club as from the very outset of the 2019/20 season it was clear that ’74 would be one of the main contenders for the NWCFL title. Another good FA Cup run – which was halted at the Second Qualifying Round by an admittedly fortunate Whitby Town side – was the precursor to an astonishing league campaign that included a 15-game unbeaten league run – another club record. But it wasn’t just the results that were impressive, it was the swashbuckling, stylish passing and pressing style of play in which ’74 played the game that brought them so many plaudits and admiration from other clubs and commentators from all quarters. But in addition to their verve and panache, the side also possessed a steely, never-say-die, attitude that that gained them several precious points from seemingly difficult positions. This left ’74 in the box seat at the head of the league with nine games left and 8 points ahead
of second placed Rylands with a game in hand.
So, if there was ever a bunch of players and back-room staff that deserved to end a season celebrating a league title win, then it ought to have been our fabulous, wonderful team who represent our brilliant little club. But alas, and for entirely understandable reasons, this was not to be. For as we all now know, the Covid 19 outbreak resulted in a sudden cessation to grassroots football and, heartbreakingly, the players, officials and fans alike were denied seeing the league trophy being paraded around Townfield.
been a little more consistent!
But it’s not all about what happens on the 6,000 square metres of turf that might set the club apart from many others. Being a democratically owned and operated community focussed club from the get-go, the partnerships we have forged with the local voluntary and business sectors are yet another example of how 1874 is demonstrating its commitment to be a ‘community’ club in terms of actions rather than words.
Although we didn’t know it at the time, ‘74’s elevation to Step 4 was to be eventually delayed by 12 months as due to the re-organisation of the National League Pyramid, ‘74 became eligible for promotion to the newly created Northern Premier League West! And to celebrate this elevation, on 24 July 2021 the Greens became the first club in the 40+ year history of the competition to retain the NWCFL League Cup by convincingly defeating Runcorn Town 6-3 in the much delayed 2019/20 Final.
Life during our first campaign as a Step 4 club was inevitably challenging at times. As a small fish in a much bigger pool, almost each week we faced by clubs with far greater resources than we have at our disposal. So, a final finishing spot of twelfth out of twenty was highly satisfying end result. It might have been even more impressive had our home form had
So, over the past decade not only have we forged beneficial partnerships with many wellrespected local companies including Britannia Carpets and Oxyl-Pro, but we’ve also forged excellent relationships with our chosen charity partners, which have included the Mid-Cheshire based Neuromuscular Centre, St Luke’s Hospice, and the children’s hospice ‘The Joshua Tree’. In addition, regular collections have also taken place for local food banks, homeless people shelters, The Samaritans, Armed Services veterans, and a myriad of other deserving causes as well as attendance at community events.
The 2014/15 season also saw the club run an U21 side and since then, several of their number have now progressed to the First-team squad. More recently, 1874 have fielded sides at junior level and our plan is build on the establishment of this team as a stepping stone towards the creation of other sides covering all age groups, gender, and abilities.
Mention of all age groups and abilities reminds us that, along with the Cheshire FA, ’74 have also played a major role in establishing local ‘walking football’ sessions each week which have proved to be hugely popular with the ‘more mature’ folks of Mid-Cheshire, most of whom might had thought that their playing days were well behind them!
2019 was also a landmark year off the field as, for the first time, 1874 finally played within the boundary of the town of Northwich having signed a 2-year agreement to share Barnton’s Townfield Lane stadium. A huge amount of work has been undertaken since this deal was signed to further improve the facilities for players, officials, and supporters alike and by doing so to enhance the match-day experience for all - as well as meeting the ground-grading requirements that were necessary for promotion to Step 4. The original agreement was extended last year and both clubs are now working to develop a longer-term vision for the ground.
So, overall, 1874 is a club that is most definitely on the up!
But any progress that we may make will be achieved in a responsible and sustainable manner. Indeed, one of our main principles is that we will not jeopardise the longterm interests of the club by spending money just in order to ensure success on the pitch.
Sustainability is our USP.
But allied to this we also want to have success on and off the pitch and – as importantly - lots of fun!
And in our first decade, we think that we’ve achieved all of these aims beyond our wildest dreams!
So, you could say that Inclusivity, Openness, Community and
Highly rated Ryan was spotted playing for Winsford United in the North West Counties Premier Division when FC United took an interest in him.
Hamer joined the Broadhurst Park squad in 2021-22 and made a debut as substitute in the Fenix Trophy fixture against Brera in Italy in April 2022.
Ryan made the switch in pre season 22/23 to City of Liverpool FC as the purps manager Michael Ellison looks to build his squad ahead of an exciting season.
The 24-year-old defender came through the youth ranks at Tranmere Rovers, spending 10 years with the Prenton Park outfit up to the age of 16.
He then had spells at Cammell Laird, Marine, Warrington Town and also represented Vauxhall Motors who were at the time in the National League North.
In the summer of 2019 Hughes spent a period on trial with TNS, suitably impressing enough in a
number of pre-season fixtures to earn a contract with the full-time club.
Adam picked up the August 2019 goal of the month award for TNS, for a fine right footed strike against Aberystwyth Town who he later went on to join on loan.
Jack Walls is a 20-year-old right back who joined the purps in November. Jack is a product of the Liverpool FC Academy.
Progressing up to Liverpool FC U23 football before leaving the Reds at the end of the 2020-21 season and being snapped up by the purps.
An impressive first season with the club came to fruition with Jack receiving the coveted young player of the season award for 21/22.
The 26 year old defender came through the youth ranks at Tranmere Rovers before leaving at the age of 18.
Shaw played 92 times for Marine across two spells before leaving at the end of last season, and has also represented Llandudno, Airbus UK and Widnes.
Corrigan came through the ranks at Tranmere Rovers before spells at Colwyn Bay, Warrington Town, Skelmersdale United, Marine, Trafford and Linnets.
Louis also had a period playing out in Australia for Shepparton United before returning to the UK and signing for Marine.
The left back is renowned for his dangerous delivery from set pieces.
The 28-year-old centre-back came through the youth ranks at Blackburn Rovers and got to the FA Youth Cup final in 2012 with the Ewood Park side, eventually beaten by a Chelsea side featuring future Premier League stars Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Nathaniel Chalobah and Nathan Ake.
The experienced Wylie has played National League football for Stalybridge Celtic, featured in the NPL Premier Division with Marine and Warrington Town and also
represented Skelmersdale United. Our new signing is no stranger to manager Michael Ellison, who signed him for his Linnets side in 2018 from Marine, with the defender later going on to be appointed captain.
Danny Mckenna –DefenderThe 24 year old came through the youth ranks at Bolton Wanderers before joining Witton in 2016 and spent time with Michael Ellison’s Runcorn Linnets before returning to Wincham Park in 2017.
A versatile operator, Danny is capable of operating in both defence and midfield and is known for having a sweet left foot – particularly from set pieces.
McKenna made 41 appearances for Witton Albion last season and is Michael Ellison’s second new signing, following John McGrath’s return to the club, as the Purps manager builds his squad ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.
The experienced defender joined the purps from Longridge Town in the NWCFL Premier Division and has previously played against his new club when representing
Charnock Richard.
Schofield has experience of playing in the Northern Premier League for Burscough and had impressed as a trialist in a number of friendly fixtures for Michael Ellison’s side during the 21/22 preseason before committing to the purps .
Captain and an energetic and accomplished midfielder, Nathan has a great reputation in the game having started his career at the Liverpool FC Academy.
The 25 year old scouser spent nine years at the Premier League club, where he held the role of captain at various youth levels.
After leaving Liverpool, Nathan impressed at Warrington Town before spending four successful years at Bala Town where he played in UEFA Europa League fixtures. A spell at FC Utd preceded him joining his hometown club where he remains ever since.
A midfielder who is also capable of operating in defence, Simpson started his career at Bury before playing over 200 times for Linnets across a couple of spells.
Our new signing may be remembered by fans for scoring a spectacular brace as Linnets secured a resounding 5-1 win against Simon Burton’s Purps on their way to the 2018 NWCFL Premier Division title.
Since leaving the APEC Taxis Stadium, Simpson has recently represented NPL West champions Warrington Rylands and Step 5 play off winners Skelmersdale United.
Birkenhead-born Rule started his career at Chester before representing then-NPL side Colwyn Bay, Stalybridge Celtic and Airbus.
Simmo was a key part of Michael Ellison’s Runcorn Linnets side which won the NWCFL Premier Division title.
After making over 100 appearances for Airbus, Glenn made the move to Stockport County where he appeared in 23 games and scored two goals, including a stunning strike against Nuneaton in 2015.
Our new signing later returned to Airbus before spells at Bala Town and Vauxhall Motors.
Rule brings with him a wealth
of experience from higher up the football pyramid, as well as versatility given that he is adept at operating in either central midfield or full back positions.
The 24-year-old spent the summer of 2020 on trial with the Purps, impressing as “Trialist #1” in a number of pre-season fixtures before moving to America to play for College side San Jose State University Spartans.
A classy left-footed midfielder, Max started out at Liverpool Academy before moving to Bolton Wanderers at the age of 10, where he stayed until he was 18.
As a youngster he had a spell on loan in the NPL Premier Division with Skelmersdale United in 2017, featuring 16 times for Alan Rogers’ side.
After returning home from San Jose recently, Max signed for Rylands earlier last year and now joins Michael Ellison’s Purps.
The winger returns for a fourth stint at the club, having initially signed from Liverpool Football College in 2017 and has made 101 appearances for the Purps to date, scoring 33 goals.
John was a key part of the side
which won the 2018-19 NWCFL Premier Division title and scored the winner in a man of the match display as the Purps won the Reusch Champions Cup in July 2019.
Since leaving the club in 2020 John had a spell at NWCFL Premier side Lower Breck before moving to Widnes in September 2021.
McGrath hit fine form with Widnes, notching 12 goals in 23 appearances last season and became a real favourite at the DCBL stadium.
John now makes the return to his hometown club where he has always been held in high esteem for his energetic displays, creativity, and penchant for important goals.
Jack, 22, signed from Liverpool Football College in 2017 and has gone on to play 112 games, scoring 38 goals for the club.
The tricky attacking midfielder has become a firm fans favourite and has scored some memorable goals along the way.
The former Warrington Town, Bootle and Rylands forward
Jack Hazlehurst –Midfielderbecomes Paul McNally’s fourth signing following the arrivals of Graeme McCall, Danny Mitchley and Kev Ellison.
The versatile marksman can operate anywhere across the frontline and will perhaps be remembered by Purps fans for a stunning equaliser against his new side when playing for Rylands last season.
Kev has represented a number of clubs during his professional career, including Stockport County, Chester City, Hull City, Tranmere, Rotherham United and Bradford City.
Ellison is perhaps best known for a long spell at Morecambe, where he is a bona fide legend, scoring 81 goals in 352 appearances for the Shrimps.
Milne fired home a long range effort to level matters at Gorsey Lane, with the Purps going on to win 3-2 against the eventual NPL West division champions.
The experienced forward had a stellar career in the professional game, amassing over 800 appearances in his career to date and left League Two side Newport County at the end of last season.
Ellison started his career in Non League with Southport and also turned out for Chorley and Conwy United before joining Altrincham.
After 23 goals in 51 appearances for Alty, Ellison attracted the interest of Peter Taylor at Leicester City, signing for the Foxes in 2001 and making his debut off the bench against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Mwasile started his career at Morecambe and made 30 professional appearances for the Globe Arena side.
Our new signing also spent time on loan at Workington, Altrincham and Barrow before leaving Morecambe in 2014.
After leaving The Shrimps, the 29 year old went on to represent Salford City, Marine, Warrington Town and had a short spell at Witton Albion last season.
Mwasile spent three separate spells at Nantwich Town where he was firmly a fans favourite, making over 150 appearances for the Dabbers since first joining in October 2016.
Joe joins the Purps after a brief spell at Prescot Cables and manager Paul McNally is pleased
to welcome his new addition.
13-Aug-22
LGE A Glossop North End Hamer Wylie McKenna Schofield Hughes 17-Aug-22
LGE H Skemersdale United Hamer Wallls Corrigan Shaw Wylie 20-Aug-22
FAC A Ramsbottom United Hamer Wallls Corrigan Shaw Wylie 24-Aug-22
FAC H Ramsbottom United Hamer Wallls Edgar Shaw Wylie 27-Aug-22
LGE H Macclesfield Hamer Wallls Edgar Wylie Hughes 29-Aug-22
LGE A Bootle Hamer Simpson Edgar Wylie Hughes 03-Sep-22
FAC A Dunston UTS Hamer Simpson Wylie Hughes Corrigan 06-Sep-22
LGE A Colne Hamer Wallls Hughes Shaw Wylie 14-Sep-22 FAT H Sheffield Hamer Wylie McKenna Hughes Shaw 20-Sep-22
LGE A 1874 Northwich McCall Wylie McKenna Hughes Shaw 24-Sep-22
LGE A Hanley Town Hamer Wylie Corrigan Hughes Schofield 01-Oct-22
LGE H Trafford Hamer Wylie Corrigan Hughes Schofield 08-Oct-22
LGE A Trafford Hamer Wylie Corrigan Hughes Schofield 15-Oct-22
LGE H Kidsgrove Athletic Hamer Wylie McKenna Hughes Shaw Strickland 18-Oct-22
LGE H Widnes Hamer Wallls Wylie Hughes Shaw Strickland 22-Oct-22
LGE H Leek Town Hamer Simpson Wylie Hughes Shaw Strickland 25-Oct-22
SNR A Burscough Hamer Wylie Corrigan Hughes Shaw 29-Oct-22
LGE A Workington AFC Hamer Simpson Corrigan Hughes Wylie
6 7 8 9 10 11 SUBS
6 7 8 9 10 11
Hughes Simpson Burke Allen Jones McGrath Steele Edgar Corrigan McCarthy
Rule Burke Steele Jones McGrath McCarthy Edgar Simpson Hughes Rule Edgar Burke Harwood McGrath Steele Hassall Simpson McCarthy
Rule Allen Simpson Harwood Burke Steele Hassall Jones
Hughes Rule Burke Simpson Jones Steele Hassall McGrath Harwood Shaw
Hughes Rule Burke Hassall Jones McGrath Steele McKenna Shaw
Corrigan Edgar McKenna Burke Harwood Hazlehurst Steele Hassall McGrath McCarthy Burke Steele Allen Jones Hazlehurst Edgar McCarthy McKenna Harwood Burke Allen Simpson McCarthy Hazlehurst McGrath Edgar Jones Steele
Rule Edgar Simpson Jones Allen McGrath McCarthy Walls Steele
Schofield Edgar Simpson Allen Ellison Steele McGrath Rule McCarthy Shaw
Schofield Edgar Burke Allen Ellison Steele McGrath Mitchley McKenna Walls
Schofield Edgar Burke Allen Mitchley Steele McGrath Ellison Milne Walls
Strickland Allen Burke Ellison Steele Milne McGrath Walls Simpson Strickland Allen Burke Milne Steele McGrath Rule Simpson Corrigan Strickland Allen Burke Milne Steele McGrath Walls Mitchley McKenna
Rule McKenna Simpson Mitchley Milne Edgar Strickland Steele Burke Burke Milne Allen Mitchley Steele McKenna Edgar McGrath Mwasile
BEN BARNES 1 NOSAKHARE AGHAY-
DANNY SHAW 2 OLIVER BROE
JACK WALLS 3 LIAM BUCKLEY
JACK HONT 4 MATTHEW FENTON
ADAM HUGHES 5 MARK JONES
JACK HAZLEHURST 6 JACOB HAMMAN
MAX ALLEN 7 JAMAL CRAWFORD
NATHAN BURKE 8 MATTHEW WOOLLEY
JOHN MCGRATH 9 JOSHUA QUARLESS
STE MILNE 10 JOE WOOLLEY
JAMES STEELE 11 MACKENZIE O'NEILL
KEVIN ELLISON 12 JACK IRLAM
CONNOR MCCARTHY 14 SAM ADETILOYE
MICHAEL SIMPSON 15 HARRY BOWER
PETE WYLIE 16 MATTHEW CUCOS
DANNY MITCHLEY 17 CALLUM GARDNER
KENNY STRICKLAND 18 19 20 21
GRAHAM
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