Welcome to the Berry Street Garage Stadium for this Pitching In Northern Premier League Game vs Witton Albion FC.
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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
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
In the 1880s the district of Witton, centrally situated in the mid-Cheshire salt town of Northwich, had several different teams using the name ‘Witton’ as a prefix. The name Witton Albion itself can be traced back to a match played on October 26th 1887. No record of any matches has been found for 1889 and as such 1890 can be regarded as the year when the current club was actually formed.
Albion’s first ground was adjacent to the Parish Church Vicarage. In 1897 they moved to Magdala Place near the Station Bridge. 1910 saw them move, paying the princely sum of £15 per annum, to a new ground adjacent to the Victoria Saw Mills just off Witton Street. July 1920 saw the club buy the ground outright for £750. Renamed appropriately the Central Ground, this was to be their home until 1989, when a Sainsbury’s Supermarket was developed on the site. The club then bought a 14 acre site off Chapel Street, Wincham and so their current Wincham Park stadium was constructed. To secure the club’s future, much of the surrounding land was later sold off.
The ground and facilities have been most welcome to local clubs Nantwich Town, Runcorn Linnets and Northwich Victoria, whilst awaiting moves into their own new grounds, indeed the latter are now in their second spell with us. This season also sees Football League Division Two Barrow use Wincham Park as their training base
Witton Albion, after winning the Crewe FA Junior Cup, encountered their first
league opponents in 1894 when part of the Cheshire Junior League. They then had a season in the Crewe & District Junior League, whilst having their Reserve Team replace them and actually win the 1896/97 campaign. From 1897 to 1901 the team then competed in the Cheshire League before spreading their wings as they joined The Combination where the opposition consisted of the likes of Bangor, Burslem Port Vale, Chester, Tranmere Rovers, Wellington (now Telford) and Wrexham. A move to the Manchester League was made for 1904/05 where they played Altrincham, Macclesfield, Hyde, Buxton and Northwich Victoria on a regular basis. As leagues became stronger and stronger Witton decided to join the Lancashire Combination in 1912 and the decision was rewarded the following season when they carried off the Second Division championship. Unfortunately, with the outbreak of World War One, Albion only had one season in the top flight, finishing a respectable 10th.
Following the war Witton Albion became one of the founder members of the Cheshire County League. It was not though until after the Second World War that championship honours were
achieved. The following ten years saw them arguably become one of the best non-league sides in the country. They won the league three times with the league and cup ‘double’ attained in 1953/54. They were also League and Cup runners-up during this period as well as a long spell of consecutive appearances in the Proper Rounds of the FA Cup.
Witton were denied founder membership of the Northern Premier League due to the entry qualification relating to the season two prior to the formation and so had to battle on before eventually gaining promotion, when finishing Cheshire County League runners-up in 1978/79. They almost won the NPL at the first attempt but were pipped by Mossley by just one point. The second season after moving to Wincham Park saw them as runaway champions with a sixteen point margin over Stalybridge Celtic.
Division. 2007 saw the tightest ever finish in the NPL’s 39 year history with Albion missing automatic promotion by just one goal and then losing to AFC Telford in the Play-off Final in front of a Wincham Park crowd of 2,281. Albion suffered a similar fate the following season, with the title seemingly won, a tremendous run from Fleetwood dashed hopes of automatic promotion before Witton this time lost at the Playoff Semi-Final stage. After finishing runners-up for two consecutive seasons in the Premier Division, the failure to secure promotion saw a mass exodus of management and players.
Season 1991/92 therefore saw them compete with the cream of the non-league world in the Football Conference. Cheltenham Town, Colchester United, Dagenham & Redbridge, Macclesfield Town, Wycombe Wanderers and Yeovil Town, future Football League clubs, were amongst their opponents in the three year spell as members. The end of the 1993/94 season saw the club relegated, for the first time in their history. With the club’s much publicised financial problems the end of the 1996/97 season brought a further relegation to the NPL First Division. Finding eventual stability the club finished comfortably in the top half in the succeeding seasons. In 1999/2000 Witton were only denied promotion on goal difference when they finished level on points with both Accrington Stanley and Burscough, along the way only suffering four defeats!
A fifth place finish in 2003/04 ultimately, under the re-construction of the non-league pyramid, earned Albion a place back in the NPL Premier
Nigel Deeley, previously the popular assistant, was the unanimous choice as the new Manager with the task of rebuilding the playing squad. After seven points from an opening nine the Manager’s fortunes changed and after a run of nine consecutive defeats the Board decided to appoint former manager Gary Finley in his place. Finley and assistant Lee Coathup (a member of the Wembley FA Trophy squad in 1992) looked to have steered Albion away from relegation, however only three points from the final eight games saw Witton slump to third from bottom that relegated them to the NPL Division 1 South.
The 2009/10 season saw Witton travel more than 3,000 miles in a mixed league campaign. Ever present in the top half of the table Witton touched the summit and appeared to be putting together a side capable of returning, at the first time of asking, to the Premier Division. Lack of consistency, injuries and a high turnover of players ultimately lead to the club missing out on the play-offs by six points and finishing 7th in the league. Manager Gary Finley departed on the final day of the season.
In May 2010 Witton appointed the experienced Paul Ogden as Manager. With more than 40 years management experience his appointment was part of an overall restructure of the club’s football activities by Chairman Mark Harris and the Board. Former fan’s favourite Dave MacPherson returned to
the club as Assistant Player/Manager, moving up later in the season when Paul Ogden relinquished his role, whilst Brian Pritchard stepped up to the position of Assistant Player/Manager following a record breaking previous season when he increased his number of games for the club to well over the 700 mark!
At the end of the 2010/11 season and with Dave MacPherson’s departed, Brian Pritchard was appointed Manager with Mike Moseley his Assistant and Nigel Deeley added onto the coaching team. These full members saw their just rewards along with the rest of the “Witton Family” when their charges won both their Play-off Semi and Final 3-0 to earn their place back in the NPL Premier Division for season 2012/13.
With virtually the same squad the following season saw the team achieve a marvellous fourth position only to be beaten at FC United of Manchester in the Play-off Semi-Final. 2013/14 however saw a very different scenario as the team skirted around the relegation positions for a good while until early March when a good set of results saw them eventually finish in 16th spot.
On the 2014 August Bank Holiday, Manager Brian Pritchard made the shock announcement that he was leaving the club after a total of 19 years with Witton. A massive decision for him but with his work commitments, together with his personal life to consider, then the club very reluctantly accepted his resignation. Anthony Sheehan stepped up from his role of Player/Coach to manage the club and initially results went his way, but a disastrous run of defeats saw him leave. Tony Sullivan was brought in from Cammell Laird at the beginning of October charged with ensuring Premier Division status was maintained. It took over four months to finally establish a run of good results and by the end of March the team were finally out of the drop zone. April though brought just a single point from six matches the final one being at Stamford when 2-0 up at half-time against fellow relegation candidate an awful second
period consigned the team to the First Division.
Tony Sullivan duly stepped away, but the club was able to take advantage of NPL First Division South Norton United’s sad demise to recruit their manager Scott Dundas along with almost his total backroom staff and a sizable contingent of players. However just two months into the campaign and following a poor set of results Dundas and his staff were relieved of their duties leaving Paul Ogden to step in once more along with stalwart Terry Murphy, who sadly has now passed away, to take temporary charge of team affairs prior to the appointment of former player Carl Macauley who along with his assistant Gary Martindale were the management team at Conference North Vauxhall Motors until the club’s resignation. They thankfully succeeded in steadying the ship and despite the club, once again being forced to change regional divisions set about recruiting their own team, both on and off the field.
Their dedication certainly paid off in ‘16/17 when, in practically any other scenario picking up nigh on 100 points and scoring 100 goals along the way would secure automatic promotion, the team won their Play-off games against AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Spalding United to regain their place back in the NPL’s top flight. The first season back exceeded expectations as it was only in the final month that Albion missed out on a Play-off position whilst in 2018/19, playing catch-up, the team finished in the top ten. 2020/21 saw them well placed, with games in hand, before the season was curtailed but last season with so many players being unavailable through injuries and Covid issues the team struggled to get any sort of run together and ultimately finishing second bottom were relegated. The management were subsequently relieved of their duties, the whole playing squad, many of whom had been with the club four years or so, sought pastures new and Jon Macken was duly appointed to firstly busy himself constructing a whole new team as the
club look to attempt to bounce back.
Witton Albion first made it into the Proper Rounds of the FA Cup in 1948. Since then they have figured in the First Round draw a further twelve times. On three occasions further progress to Round Two has been made, 1951, 1953 and 1991. The latter being as a result of Witton defeating Football League opposition for the one and only time – Halifax Town in a replay at the Shay. When Albion met Bolton Wanderers in 1990 it was to be the main BBC TV’s Match of the Day. Barry Davies was in attendance and despite atrocious weather and pitch conditions the crowd of 3,784 plus the millions who tuned in saw Witton is not overawed. The soon to be promoted Wanderers, their then manager Phil Neal together with the 800 visiting fans departed much relieved with their 2-1 victory.
where they encountered a powerful Colchester United who had already secured promotion back into the Football League. The crowd that day, in excess of 32,000, were joined by a massive TV audience when Sky TV relayed the whole of the Final, for the very first time. Witton had defeated Colchester the previous season at Layer Road and so revenge was very much the order of the day. Mike Lutkevitch gave the 5,000 strong following hope with his looping header, after Albion had trailed 0-2, but a late goal won the game for the Essex side.
The ‘16/17 season saw the team’s best performance in a decade that included notching up very impressive wins over higher ranked Kettering Town and Boston United before losing out in very controversial circumstances to National League Chester FC after a replayed First Round tie. 2020/21 peculiar circumstances saw Albion get to make Round Two, even though they only won one tie!
In the 2011/12 season’s FA Cup Albion won through four rounds, accounting for higher ranked Marine and Altrincham along the way before giving Conference outfit Barrow the fright of their lives in a pulsating encounter in front of a 860 home crowd. The next six seasons though saw the team only register five wins in total although in 2016/17 they defeated higher level team Buxton 3-0 and ran Conference North Stalybridge Celtic to a replay. ‘18/19 season’s FA Cup run saw Witton defeat both National League North clubs Spennymoor and FC United of Manchester before succumbing to the then National League highfliers Solihull Borough.
In the FA Trophy the three seasons of 1990/91, ‘91/92, and ‘92/93 truly stand out as Witton became the first team to make three successive Semi-Final appearances. 1992 culminated in them making it to Wembley Stadium,
The Cheshire County FA Senior Cup has been won by Witton eleven times since 1902 and they have been beaten finalists on ten occasions. The ‘90s decade saw them carry off the trophy in 1995 and 1996 together with three further appearances in the Final. 2004 saw us again contest the Final with World media coverage and exposure following a certain “sending-off” incident. The 2006 Final saw Albion, with several Reserve team players drafted in defeat odds on favourites Stalybridge Celtic 2-0. Since then though we have only been able to make it as far as the Semi-Final stage three times.
A number of former Witton Albion players have also appeared in the
Football League; Geoff Horsfield (Scunthorpe, Leeds, Leicester, Sheffield Utd, West Bromwich Albion, Wigan, Fulham & Birmingham City), Andy Oakes (Darlington, Swansea, Walsall, Bolton, Derby, Port Vale and Hull), John Doolan (Rochdale, Blackpool, Doncaster, Barnet and Mansfield) and Shaun Whalley (Accrington Stanley, Wrexham, Luton, Shrewsbury). One of non-league’s top goalscorers and one time the holder of the most expensive non-league transfer fee, Carl Alford (Macclesfield Town, Kettering Town, Rushden & Diamonds, Stevenage Borough, Doncaster Rovers, Yeovil Town, Nuneaton Borough) also gave his career a massive boost when he moved on from Wincham Park, having played for us in that Wembley FA Trophy Final. In 2005/06 Crewe’s Nicky Maynard had a seven week spell on loan to us, upon his return he quickly earned a first team place and began scoring freely for the Alex before a £2m plus fee took him to Bristol City before signing for Premiership bound West Ham United whilst six seasons back he overcame a long term injury before helping to take Cardiff City into the Premiership before joining Milton Keynes in 2015. Shaun Miller, two seasons ago at Bolton via Wigan Athletic, Sheffield United, Coventry City, Morecambe and Carlisle United, also returned to Crewe following a loan spell early in 2007 and completed the end of that season as a 1st team player and goalscorer. Other Crewe players loaned to Witton have gone on to make first team appearances, namely Luke Offord, Travis Johnson & Regan Griffiths. Our 2011/12 season’s “Player of the Season” Alex Titchiner was snapped up by then the new Football League outfit Fleetwood Town during the 2012 summer and spent quite some time on loan at FC Halifax Town helping them secure promotion.
Brom), Peter Henderson (Chester and Gillingham), Mark McCarrick (Birmingham and Tranmere), Phil Power (Crewe and Macclesfield), Dave Carrick (Preston, Port Vale, Wrexham), Mark Leonard (Everton, Stockport, Wigan, Rochdale, Crewe), Grenville Millington (Chester and Wales) and local talented player Mike Whitlow (Leeds, Leicester, Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United).
Another locally born and bred midfield player, Colin Rose won caps in 1996 when called into the England semi-pro International squad whilst Andy Lee, John Davison and David Constantine retained their places in the England team, after moving to Witton from their previous clubs. In 2007/08 Liam Brownhill was chosen as the only nonleague player below the Conference to feature in the England “C” team in their two European Championship matches.
Some previous players since the mid 1960s include Chris Nicholl (Aston Villa, Southampton, Northern Ireland), Peter Mellor (Burnley and Fulhamtheir goalkeeper in the FA Cup Final), Neil Parsley (Huddersfield and West
In no particular order other familiar names to appear in Albion’s colours over the past thirty years or so, include Nigel Gleghorn (Ipswich, Man City, Stoke, Birmingham), Kevin Langley (Everton, Wigan), Ray Wallace (Southampton, Leeds Utd.), Ray Ranson (Man. City, Everton, Newcastle), Goalkeeper John Burridge, Arthur Albiston (Man. Utd.), Nicky Reid (Man. City, West Brom.), Tony Henry (Man. City), Neil McNab (Tottenham, Bolton, Man. City), Billy Garton (Man. Utd.), Scott McGarvey (Man. Utd.), Mark Lillis (Aston Villa, Man.City), Brendan Batson (Arsenal, Cambridge, West Brom.), Frank Carrodus (Man. City, Aston Villa), Drew Brand (Everton) and Micky Mellon (Tranmere, Blackpool, Burnley, Bristol City). Ken Barnes (Man. City), ex Busby Babe Denis Violett and England and Lancashire fast bowler Ken Higgs plus the star local comedian John Bishop are amongst others that appeared over the years.
JOE DUCKWORTH – Forward born 8/6/2001 in Crewe who joined us for this season from Winsford United for whom he made 37 appearances netting 17 times in ‘21/22. He also played on, joint registration, in thirteen of FC United of Manchester’s matches last term scoring four times as well as a substitute appearance for 1874 Northwich. Playing initially for the Barnton U21s team Joe first linked up with Winsford in the 2018/19 season before signing for 1874 Northwich in October 2019 making a total of six substitute appearances before returning to Winsford for the ‘20/21 campaign.
CAMERON FOGERTY –Midfielder, Manchester born on 27/8/03 who progressed through the Academy at Hyde United and got to play in 34 matches for the Tigers last season with only three of his appearances coming on as a substitute.
PRINCE HAYWOOD – Central Midfielder who was born 2/4/92 in Ghana but is of Italian Nationality and joined us initially in the summer of 2016 after playing with Ramsbottom United (34 appearances) the
previous season. Before then he had a couple of seasons with Stalybridge Celtic making 45 appearances and has also played at Colwyn Bay in the 2014/15 campaign. Before coming to Britain, Prince played in Italy for A.S.D. Virtus Pavullese and his first English team was Tyldesley based Hindsford AFC. He made 91 appearances, scoring seven times in his two seasons at Wincham Park. Prince joined Radcliffe for the 2018/19 season and clocked up 59 appearances before moving to Nantwich Town in February 2021 where he made 41 appearances, three goals for the Dabbers before re-joining Radcliffe at the end of 2021, making a further 4 appearances. He completed last season playing 16 matches under Jon Macken at Colne.
LEE JACKSON – Defender Bolton born on 31/10/90 who has joined us for this season from Macclesfield FC for whom he made 11 appearances in last season’s championship team between October and April. Prior to then he made 96 appearances for 1874 Northwich whom he joined in August 2017 after spending three seasons at Congleton Town, making 92 appearances for the Bears. Lee had previously been on the books of Manchester United and Stockport County from whom he was loaned to Mossley making 5 appearances
in March 2009. Woodley Sports, Ashton United (10 appearances in early 2011), Prescot Cables, Trafford FC in October 2012 and Knutsford have also been his ports of call.
MIKE KORAL – Defensive wingback born in Manchester on 6/10/92 Mike initially joined us as a striker for the 2014/15 season, when he made a twostep jump up from playing North West Counties football. Mike was part of the Crewe Alexandra Academy set-up and in February 2012 went on loan to Congleton Town where he scored 7 goals in his 8 appearances. He signed permanently for them the following season and in his two seasons made a further 83 appearances scoring 29 times. Unfortunately a broken toe curtailed his start to his Albion career and after making just 6 starts in his 15 appearances (2 goals) he left to join Runcorn Town in January 2015. The ‘16/17 campaign saw him back at Congleton Town (42 appearances, 6 goals). The next season Winsford United gained his services and by the time he left in mid-September 2018 he’d made 44 appearances, 11 goals. 1874 Northwich was his next club for whom he made 64 appearances, 9 goals before joining Nantwich Town (11 appearances) in midSeptember 2020. Mike then returned to 1874 Northwich
for last season and made 40 appearances, 4 goals.
OLLIE MARTIN – Goalkeeper born 4/10/95 in Stockport who finished last season making 12 appearances, three clean sheets with City of Liverpool. A graduate of the Manchester City Academy, as well as completing a two year scholarship with Fleetwood Town, captaining the Youth team in his second year. As a first year scholar he was heavily involved with the first team, before subsequently making his first team squad debut making the bench in early 2013. He then joined Stalybridge Celtic for the ‘14/15 campaign. After a brief spell in Sweden with Ange IF Ollie then had a couple of spells at New Mills sandwiched between being 39 matches for Mossley in ‘17/18. Joining Radcliffe he kept 30 clean sheets in his 90 appearances up until leaving them in mid-March 2020. He was then on the books of FC United of Manchester but appeared for both Ramsbottom United and Ashton United prior to his move to City of Liverpool in January 2022.
He began his football career in the Academy at Manchester United, spent a season at Riomaior in Portugal before moving to Macclesfield Town in 2014 and progressing to feature in the Silkmen’s first team. Then signed by Radcliffe Borough where he was their Young Player of the Year in 2016/17 having scored 16 goals. His performances earned him a move to Tranmere Rovers, going on loan to Colwyn Bay in December 2017 and Hyde United (9 matches, 2 goals). Played in Tranmere’s final match of the season but was released and re-signed for Radcliffe in August 2018 making 43 appearances and scoring 4 times in his 23 starts prior to moving to Atherton Collieries in March 2020. Signed a four-week loan deal at the end of November 2021 with phoenix club Macclesfield FC and further loan with Colne (6 matches, 1 goal) in February 2022.
ELLIOT ROKKA – Forward born in Stockport 16/3/96 who has joined us after playing the previous two seasons at Atherton Collieries (24 starts in 44 matches scoring six times).
JACK TINNING – Left sided wing back born in Tameside 14/6/98 who has joined us from Warrington Rylands for whom he made 27 appearances last season having joined them in October 2020 and was in their FA Vase winning team as well as both their NWCL and subsequent NPL West Division promotion squads. Earlier in his career Jack was on a schoolboy contract at Oldham
Athletic, at FC United of Manchester and from 2015 with Barnoldswick Town, Abbey Hey and Padiham prior to signing for 1874 Northwich in January 2019 for whom he made 24 appearances, 18 starts, netting twice in his 15 months stay.
Heys, Ashton United, Radcliffe and Widnes.
KINGSLEY WILLIAMS –Midfielder born 10/8/92 in Bolton who has followed Jon Macken from Colne where he made 17 appearances at the start of 2022. His career began playing in Sheffield United’s youth set up before appearing for Northwich Victoria in 2010/11, Bacup Borough and Alfreton Town. In January 2013 he moved out to Australia playing for Sydney Olympic before joining Cultural Deportiva Leonesa in the Spanish Segunda División in September 2014. In January 2015, a move to AC Monza fell through and he made his way back to England training with Crawley Town prior to signing for Ilkeston FC in July 2015. Following trials with Hartlepool United and Kidderminster Harriers he signed for Trafford making 60 appearances in his 16 month spell there. December 2017 saw him at Radcliffe where he remained, having captained the team, until January 2020. The remainder of 2020 saw him play in 20 matches for Widnes scoring 3 goals. Before joining Colne, last season saw him also have brief spells at Prestwich
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
Sat
Tue
Sat Nov 26 2022 LEAGUE A Mossley
Sat Dec 3 2022 LEAGUE A Ramsbottom United
Sat Dec 10 2022 LEAGUE H Hanley Town
Sat Dec 17 2022 LEAGUE H Glossop North End
Mon Dec 26 2022 LEAGUE A Runcorn Linnets
Mon Jan 2 2023 LEAGUE H Bootle
Sat Jan 7 2023 LEAGUE A Skelmersdale United
Sat Jan 14 2023 LEAGUE H 1874 Northwich
Sat Jan 21 2023 LEAGUE A Widnes
Sat Jan 28 2023 LEAGUE H Ramsbottom United
Sat Feb 4 2023 LEAGUE A Trafford
Tue Feb 7 2023 LEAGUE H Colne
Sat Feb 18 2023 LEAGUE A Kidsgrove thletic
Sat Feb 25 2023 LEAGUE H Clitheroe
Sat Mar 4 2023 LEAGUE A Newcastle Town
Sat Mar 18 2023 LEAGUE H Workington
Sat Mar 25 2023 LEAGUE A Newcastle Town
Sat Apr 1 2023 LEAGUE H Prescot Cables
Sat Apr 8 2023 LEAGUE A Macclesfield
Mon Apr 10 2023 LEAGUE H Runcorn Linnets
Sat Apr 15 2023 LEAGUE H Mossley
Sat Apr 22 2023 LEAGUE A Witton Albion
RYAN HAMER 1 OLLIE MARTIN
DANNY SHAW 2 PRINCE HAYWOOD
JACK WALLS 3 TAYLOR KENNERLEY
LOUIS CORRIGAN 4 BEN HARRISON
ADAM HUGHES 5 LEE JACKSON
JACK HAZLEHURST 6 JORDAN BARROW
MAX ALLEN 7 CAMERON FOGERTY
NATHAN BURKE 8 KINGSLEY WILLIAMS
JOHN MCGRATH 9 MIKE KORAL
STE MILNE 10 JOE DUCKWORTH
JAMES STEELE 11 CONNOR HUGHES
KEVIN ELLISON 12 KYLE RILEY
CONNOR MCCARTHY 14 HARRY MCGEE
MICHAEL SIMPSON 15 ELLIOT ROKKA
PETE WYLIE 16 JESSE DOWLING
DANNY MCKENNA 17 SAM BILLINGTON
KENNY STRICKLAND 18 19 20 21
PAUL MCNALLY Manager PAUL HOUGHTON
GRAHAM HASTINGS Assistant Manager Coach G/K Coach Physio
COLlaborate is how you join with City of Liverpool Football Club to bring football back to its roots in Liverpool, linking you to a network of businesses, social enterprises, community organisations and other agencies who are committed to working locally and proving that good business is good for our com munities.
City of Liverpool Football Club doesn’t want to sell you an advert or a sponsorship package.
We want you to join with us in mak ing our community owned football club a vehicle for social value and wider community benefit - delivering your social value through the city’s passion for football.
Social Value is the wider financial and non-financial impact of your work, including the well-being of individ uals and communities, social capital and the environment.
COLlaborate will engage businesses alongside community and social en terprises, social landlords and others who share our community focused values and see the value of City of Liverpool Football Club as a means of selling this collective message to a wider audience.
Please visit colfc.co.uk for more