Welcome to the Berry Street Garage Stadium for this Pitching In Northern Premier League Game vs Colne FC
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.
14 - Meet the COLFC squad
26 - Today’s Teams
Chairman: Paul Manning
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
David Dempsey – Manager. Former Clitheroe player now returning in his new role after several seasons as manager of Widnes FC
Chris Thompson: 31 year old stopper, with over 100 Clitheroe appearances to his name. Firm fans’ favourite and a member of the Team of the Decade.
George Bristol: young understudy for Chris Thompson. Worked his way through the under 23s and already has a number of first team appearances under his belt Jack Burrows – 22 year old who progressed through the Blues under 23 side and won Young Player of the Year in 21-22. He is versatile across the back line and has the engine and desire to secure a place for himself this season
Lee Pugh – 30 year old left back/midfielder, returns for his second spell at the club. Already with 60 Blues appearances under his belt, the pugnacious competitor will be keen to help with Clitheroe’s play off push.
Billy Priestley: Centre Back. Started his career at Ramsbottom where he won the league before he followed Messrs Johnson and Morley to Salford, where he stayed for three years. He has since played for Southport and Bradford PA
Darren Holden – 29 year old left back recently signed from Consett. Previously he had played for Hartlepool
and Guiseley and was part of the Consett FA Vase winning side. With his surging runs and sweet left foot, he is already a huge hit.
Cameron Lancaster – young centre back who moved up from the u23s last season and became a fixture in defence at the end of the season. Composed operator and settling in well at this level.
Waqas Azam - . Stylish right back. Previously, the 26 year old had been on Burnley’s books, before signing for Chorley and then Colne. He spent two years at Colne, featuring regularly in tussles with Clitheroe, before signing for Ashton United at the start of last season.
signed from Widnes. Prior to that, he played professionally on Sweden before playing for Nantwich Town
Lewis Brown – 19 year old centre back who has recently stepped up from the under 23s. He has the physique and composure to compete at this level and he has already shown in the league why he is so well regarded Jack Hatton – Right back
Jamie Edwards – 25 year old attacking wide man who started on Blackpool’s books. Signed from Darwen after a lengthy pursuit and will be keen to show his quality at the higher level.
Richie Baker – 34 year old midfielder signed from Ramsbottom United. Has more than 100 games on his CV with Bury in the league, as well as higher level non league experience with FC United, AFC Fylde and Stockport County.
Ross Dent – Midfielder. A Clitheroe lad. Still only 28, he already has over 200 Clitheroe appearances to his name and is another member of the Team of the Decade. Having spent two seasons with former manager Simon Haworth at Stalybridge, Ross cemented his reputation as one of the hardest working and most fearless midfielders around.
Danny Wilkins – signed at the end of 2019-20 season from Droylsden and returned to the club for a second spell. Can play anywhere across the front line and midfield and offers a rare mix of talent.
Charlie Russell – Tenacious 27 year old midfielder has recently returned to the club. With already over 100 appearances to his name, he is looking to complete what he started at his local club.
Ben McKenna – 29 year old Burnley based forward signed for an undisclosed fee from Farsley Celtic. Has spent most of his career in the Conference North and is looking forward to help Clitheroe move up the pyramid. Suffered a bad injury at the end of the 21-22 season and will be looking to get out on the pitch as soon as possible Terry Cummings – 25 year
old is already a big hit with the Shawbridge crowd, using his strength and pace to take on defences. After an injury hit season in 21-22, he will be looking to put a run if games together and to add to his goal tally to complete the package.
Sefton Gonzales – much travelled striker who has spent much of his career at the higher level. Was a member of the Team of League when last at Clitheroe and on his day is virtually unplayable.
Max Cane – 22 year old striker returned to the club in late 2021 after starting the season with Nelson FC. With pace to burn and an eye for goal, he had a virtual goal a game ratio as he netted 16 times in the second half of the season.
Reece Webb-Foster – 24 year old started out at Bradford City, before being released
in 2018. Played for a number of clubs including Colne and Lancaster City, before being signed for an undisclosed fee from Matlock Town in the close season.
Abimbola Obasoto – 21 year old, mercurial winger recently signed on loan from Macclesfield. Prior to that he was on Morecambe’s books before winning Bury’s player of the season award last season.
The club starts its 19th season in the Northern Premier League at Level 4 of the non league pyramid, having narrowly missed out last season on its goal of reaching the play offs for the first time. That drive is even stronger this season as the club looks to build on its extensive ground developments, league crowds of over 600 and its accolade as the best Level 4 club nationally for away fans.
The club was formed as Clitheroe Central in 1877 at the Swan Hotel in Castle Street by local businessmen. After playing in local leagues, the club joined the Lancashire Combination in 1903 and dropped Central from their name. Aside from breaks during the First and Second World Wars, the club continued to play in the Combination until the end of the 1981-82 season, when it combined with the Cheshire League to become the North West Counties League.
For the first 100 years of Clitheroe FC’s existence, a Lancashire Junior Cup win in 1893, the Lancashire Combination Cup in 1934-5 and the League Championship in 1979-80 all that the club had to show for its efforts. That was soon to change. Although Clitheroe were put into the Third Division of the NWCFL at its inception due to the state of the ground, there followed the most successful period in the club’s long history under the stewardship of Eric Whalley, subsequently manager and Chairman of Accrington Stanley FC. He assembled one of the best non-league sides in the North of England and won back to back Championships in the Third, Second and First
divisions, as well as securing the Lancashire Cup for the first time in 50 years, thanks to a solitary strike from local lad Eric Geldard. This was all the more impressive when one considers that the Division 1 was effectively Level 3 in the non-league pyramid. Captained by Mick Ashcroft and containing extravagant talents such as John Taylor and Steve Mullen, possibly the best player ever to play for the Blues, Clitheroe regularly attracted bumper gates, with the championship winning season seeing three crowds over 1,000. Cracks started to appear when Whalley took over the manager’s seat at Accrington. To compound matters, the new Northern Premier Division 1 was formed, but a lack of floodlights meant the Blues could not take their rightful place and they found teams effectively leapfrogging them.
been pipped to the title in 1994-95 by Bradford PA in controversial circumstances, the following season saw possibly the highlight of the club’s history when the Blues reached the Vase Final under the joint managership of Dennis Underwood and Gary Butcher after an epic two legged semi Final win against Mangotsfield United of Bristol. 2,000 people were on Shawbridge for the second leg when a deflected goal saw the Blues home with seven minutes of extra time remaining. The Final pitted the Blues against a powerful Brigg side and a 3-0 reverse in front of 7,500 fans was a fair reflection of the play. In the close season, Clitheroe also received their record transfer fee, £45,000, from Crystal Palace for goalkeeper Carlo Nash.
It was not until the mid nineties that the Club recovered from this setback and started to fulfil its potential. It became a force in the NWCFL Division 1 again and also made itself known on the national FA Vase stage. Having
The Wembley experience turned the Blues into a Vase side and a Quarter Final defeat against Tiverton in 1998/99 and a two leg reverse against Taunton in the 2000/01 semi-final gave the Blues national prominence. The Taunton season saw Clitheroe beat pre-tournament favourites
Chippenham in the quarter final on their own patch
before a two-legged semi against Taunton Town, which would never be forgotten. With the first leg away and the game only just surviving an absolute deluge, the Blues went in at half time 5-0 down and reduced to 10 men. There was not much good humour amongst the 150 travelling Blues over that cup of Bovril. No further goals followed, but with manager Dave Burgess throwing caution to the wind in the home second leg, the fans dared to dream with 3 goals for the home side in the first 15 minutes (including hitting the post) and the Taunton keeper being stretchered off, but in the end Clitheroe went down 8-4 on aggregate.
legend Neil Reynolds sparked bedlam when he thumped a 25 yarder into the top corner with six minutes of the season remaining.
Dave Burgess stood down at the end of the season and central defender Lee Sculpher took over as player manager. In 2002/3, Clitheroe again finished as league runners up and lost to Mossley at Gigg Lane in the League Cup Final. Early cup exits the following season enabled the Blues to concentrate on the league and superb away form saw the Blues capture the 2003/04 league title on the final day of the season at Nantwich where Blues
High hopes accompanied Clitheroe’s first foray into the Unibond League in 2004/05, but the club never fully recovered from manager Lee Sculpher resigning after a handful of games into the new season. He was succeeded by Paul Byrom who then quit in the close season. Tommy Lawson was appointed manager for the 2005/06 season but he was relieved of his duties in early 2006, to be replaced on a temporary basis by Mark Smitheringale. He too left before the 2006/07 season started and his assistant Chris Stammers stepped up to the plate before resigning after a 10-1 thumping away to Conference North Kettering in the FA Trophy in November 2006. The then chairman Carl Garner offered the job to Neil Reynolds and Pete Smith at the turn of 2007, before the latter took on the role in his own right at the end of the 2008/09 season. 2009/10 and 2010/11 saw Clitheroe finishing in eight and sixth respectively, the highest league placings in
the club’s history. The end of the 10/11 season also had a unique twist with Carl Garner stepping down as chairman after four years to replace Pete Smith as manager, in the process going unbeaten throughout April and taking the manager of the month prize. Garner was replaced in the role of chair by his long-standing deputy Anne Barker.
season led to a woeful start in 2013/14 and to an early exit from the FA Cup and Trophy, and the committee replaced Moore mid season with ex Blue Simon Garner.
Despite the great end to the previous campaign, the 2011/12 season under Garner’s leadership was ultimately disappointing, although it had started so brightly with another manager of the month award. Form quickly tailed off and huge player turnover ensued, before Garner resigned and the managerial Vase duo of Burgess and Sculpher ensured survival on a temporary basis, having taken over with less than 10 games to go. Paul Moore, the ex Leek Town and Warrington Town manager, took over the reins in 2012/13 and led Clitheroe to their record points total in Division 1 in finishing eighth, with the play-off push only ending over the final games of the season. However, the loss of key players in the close
Garner steadied the ship and Clitheroe finished the season in 17th position, with Garner setting his stall out in 2014-15 to create a more east Lancashire focussed team. A 13th place finish and an appearance at the Reebok in the Lancashire Trophy against Chorley represented good progress, whilst the 7th place in 201516 continued the good work, and the push for the playoffs only faltered in the final weeks. Following Garner’s resignation, the club moved quickly to appoint ex Wales international Simon Haworth to the manager’s role. He moulded a team from scratch into genuine play off contenders, only faltering in the penultimate game of the season to a 90th minute goal at rivals Colne. 2017-18 could not quite recapture these heights although both Kurt Willoughby and Alex Newby featured prominently in the league goal-scoring charts. When Howarth announced he was leaving, the club appointed
former Warrington Town manager, Stuart Mellish. After an unhappy, short tenure, his assistant, former Ossett Town manager Lee Ashforth was handed the role six games into the season. Unfortunately, Clitheroe endured their worst season at this level and Ashforth’s tenure was brought to an end. Former Lancaster manager Phil Brown steadied the ship in the truncated 2019-20 season, with crowds averaging back over 350 and the Blues hovering around the play off places. He left for personal reasons at the end of the season and the club appointed former Blue David Lynch as player manager for the 2020-21 season, who in turn left after a promising truncated season.
Billy Priestley led the club in the 2021-22 season as player manager to its joint highest placing and points total in the NPL, and along with new assistant manager David Dempsey, hopes are high for another stirring campaign.
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.
The 35-year-old custodian is no stranger to manager Paul McNally, having captained his Skelmersdale United side to promotion to the NPL after a play off against Cinderford at the end of last season.
Rejoining Skem in 2019, Barnes was a key figure as Macca slowly transformed their fortunes.
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.
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.
The 25 year old left back joins from Skelmersdale United where he was originally signed by Purps manager Paul McNally.
Hont has impressed this season in a Skem shirt, not least when his former side won 2-1 against his new team in August.
Jack has also previously represented Prestatyn Town, Burscough and AFC Liverpool.
The 28-year-old centre-back came through the youth ranks at
The 31 year old defender has previously represented a host of local clubs across the non league pyramid, including Marine, Burscough, Cammell Laird and Skelmersdale United.
Hollett rejoined Cables in October 2021 and was a pivotal figure for Kevin Lynch’s side with his leadership skills and no nonsense defending.
The experienced centreback became a real fan‘s favourite across two spells at the IP Truckparts Stadium, where he
was well known for committed displays and being immersed in the club both on and off the pitch.
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 .
winners against Litherland Remyca and Burscough in the title run in, as well as scoring “The Goal That Went Viral” by lobbing Hanley Town’s keeper with a first time effort from his own half in March 2019.
Michael Simpson –MidfielderSimmo was a key part of Michael Ellison’s Runcorn Linnets side which won the NWCFL Premier Division title.
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.
Karl Clair – MidfielderClair came through the youth ranks at Liverpool FC and was part of the young reds side which got to the final of the 2009 FA Youth Cup, where he played alongside another former Purp in Michael Roberts.
Karlo originally joined the Purps from Marine in the summer of 2018 and made an immediate impression by slotting on his debut as his new club started the season by routing 1874 Northwich in their own back yard.
Clair went on to score crucial
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.
Michael GroganAn experienced defender who
is also capable of operating in midfield, Grogan was a trainee at Manchester United before going on to represent a number of clubs across the Non League pyramid.
Mike has previously played for Warrington Town, Burscough, Cammell Laird and Telford United, where he was an important part of Liam Watson’s side as the Bucks won the 2013-14 Conference North title.
He notched an impressive 13 goals in 34 league appearances from a defensive midfield role, after joining from Cammell Laird in 2013.
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.
Max Allen – MidfielderThe 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
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.
JackJack, 22, signed from Liverpool
Hazlehurst –MidfielderFootball 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 midfielder was a key part of manager Paul McNally’s side at Skem, making well over 300 appearances for the club across a couple of spells, and is now reunited with Macca and former team mate Danny Mitchley at Purple Hub.
Strickland represented both Manchester United and Chelsea at youth level, turning out for the London club up to the Under 18 age group.
Our new signing also spent a number of years at Marine where he made over 130 appearances for the Crosby club.
A versatile operator, Kenny is highly adept in a number of positions and will add to the strength in depth and leadership attributes Paul McNally is steadily building at the club.
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.
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.
The 32-year-old forward brings with him a wealth of experience which has seen him represent Blackpool, Southport, Mansfield, Wrexham and Altrincham amongst others.
Danny also had a fruitful spell with Marine during which time he scored 81 goals in 178 appearances and captained the side before leaving for Radcliffe in June 2019.
Mitchley is no stranger to Purps manager Paul McNally, for whom he has starred in recent years and leaves Skem after three spells at the club.
Our new forward has been a key player for Macca and was a pivotal figure in Skem’s promotion from the NWCFL Premier Division last season.
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