CITY OF LIVERPOOL FC

Ryan Hamer - Goalkeeper

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.

Ben Barnes - Goalkeeper

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 – Defender

Jack Walls is a 20-year-old right back who joined the purps in November. Jack is a product of the Liverpool FC Academy.

Adam

Hughes – Defender

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.

Danny Shaw – Defender

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.

Jack Hont– Defender

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.

Pete Wylie– Defender

The 28-year-old centre-back came through the youth ranks at

Liam Hollett – Defender

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.

Ryan Schofield – Defender

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 –Midfielder

Simmo 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 – Midfielder

Clair 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 Grogan – Defender

An 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.

John Mcgrath – Midfielder

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 – Midfielder

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

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.

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.

Kenny Strickland –Midfielder

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.

Kevin Ellison – Striker

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.

Danny Mitchley– Striker

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.