The Official Matchday Programme of City of Liverpool FC
THE ORACOL
Special Commemorative Issue £5
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A WORD FROM OUR CHAIRMAN
W
elcome to City of Liverpool Football Club and thank you for buying this Commemorative Pre-Season programme. A lot of people have worked long and hard to get the club to the point of actually kicking a football and now that the moment has arrived for once I am a bit lost for words, which is not good when you have a 300 word article to write! In virtually every interview I have been asked to give about us, the same question gets asked first: “Why did you start City of Liverpool FC?” Now nearly 2 years down the line from the sending of a somewhat angry “call to arms” e-mail, I ask myself the same question and I come up with different answers at different times, But Peter Furmedge, who has an unerring ability to put into words what I am thinking without realizing I’m thinking it, sums up our intentions best when he says “We just want people to be happy”. We want people to actually enjoy watching a game of football again. The Premier League has sucked so much joy and laughter out of supporting your team that it almost beggars belief that there are still people willing to part with their hard earned cash to be treated with almost utter contempt by the powers that be. Most of my match going mates are in this boat. So we urge you all, young and old alike, come along to watch City of Liverpool FC and have a good time again, If that means having a pint with your mates you can do that. If that means having a smoke you can do that too. If it means kicking a ball with your mates you can do that as well. If that means getting on a coach or train with your mates to travel to an away ground, that will be great or maybe you just want to come along to an occasional home match, we’ll always be happy to see you. Fathers and sons, husbands and wives, grandparents, brothers, sisters and cousins. You are all welcome to come along and enjoy supporting COLFC in your own way.
(whilst being respectful to those around you of course!) We’ve got 975 league miles to travel this season, with cup games on top and I hope to see you at every single ground we play! Lots of people have played a part in getting the club to where it is today and I would like to try and mention everyone I have come into contact with. Some have made small contributions others large, but they have all played their part to some degree and I want to recognize them now, so in a roughly chronological order and trying not to forget anyone; Nicky Allt, Kevin Morland, Martin Jones, Stuart Fitzgerald, Rhiannon Lucas, Joe Connor, Sean McGivern, Dave Marsh, Drew Hyland, Andrew Wilson, Steve Smith, Joe Thomas, Adam Catterall, Mick Coyle, John Colfar, Ste Martin, Jockey, Gary Shaw, Neil Prince, Joe Doran, Frank Doran, Bobby Capstick, John Deal, Paul Lawlor, Gary Langley, Amanda Manning, Leanne Brady, Nigel Draco, John Tierney, Gareth Penman, Martin Stewart, Ian Pickstock, Emy Onoura, Peter Manning, Phil Rowan, Gary Johansen, Phil Kelly, Liam Ravenscroft, Alan Blaney, Tony Caveney, Kev Torpey, Fruit ‘n’ Fibres, Carl McGivern, Bobby Parry, Scally Bob, Philip Costello, Paul Edwards, John Middleton, Target Football CIC Thank you to everyone who has contributed to getting the club to this point in our history
Paul Manning
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WELCOME
T
he OraCOL is our official matchday magazine and will be available at all our home league and cup games throughout the season.
INSIDE TODAY...
This special commemorative first ever edition has been written to cover all our pre-season games this summer and contains all you need to know about where we have come from, what we have been up to so far and what we hope to achieve in the future. You will also get a chance to read up about our new management team and see some of the players in action at the recent open trials. We have put together a great team of writers, photographers and artists and throughout the season we hope to bring you all the upto date news in and around the club as well as regular articles that will give you an entertaining read as you wait for the match to start. Remember though, this is YOUR programme and we want to hear from you if you have any ideas or comments to make, or if you’d like to write an article for us yourself. So please email me at martin.stewart@colfc.co.uk
4 The Story So Far 8 Simon Says 12 Home Sweet Home 16 Action Replay 20 Meet the Management 24 A Guide to the NWCFL
Martin Stewart City of Liverpool FC, 98 Great Homer Street, LIVERPOOL, L5 3LF www.colfc.co.uk Chairman/Operations Director Paul Manning
Dep. Chair/Finance Director Peter Furmedge
Club Secretary Peter Manning
Administration Manager Rhiannon Lucas
Hospitality and Catering Leanne Brady Amanda Manning
Head Steward Joe Connor
App Manager Ian Pickstock
Official Photographers Scott Carey Phil Costello Paul Edwards Ciaran McCoy John Middleton
Programme Editor Martin Stewart
Club Statistician Gary Johansen
1st Team
Simon Burton (Manager) Tom Spearitt (Assistant) Chris Lawton (Coach) Phil McDiarmid (Coach) Richard Cowderoy (Goalkeeper Coach) Lucy Orme (Physio)
Reserves
Wayne Coldicutt (Manager) Robbie Machell (Assistant)
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THE STORY SO FAR...
T
he genesis of this club goes all the way back to 2008 and can be traced through lots of small meetings, chats, encounters, and talk. The club that has now become City of Liverpool FC had hovered just beneath,the surface for 6 years before an angry “call to arms” email was sent out to 10 likeminded people in October of 2014. A meeting was hastily arranged and a 4 hour discussion ensued between 6 people, although it could rightly be called “putting the world to rights” as much as it could be called a meeting. Not much came out of that first meeting other than a general consensus that we would all meet again soon and keep talking.
It’s important to note that throughout this period we had reason to believe that we would start life with our own ground in the City Boundaries and a lot of time was spent nurturing relationships with councilors and executives to this end. The prospect of a groundshare was not on the agenda at all, otherwise we could easily have targeted August 2015 as a start date and life would have been a lot simpler – but hindsight is a wonderful thing! Wavertree Athletics Centre had been identified as our #1 target with the small Council owned stadium at Walton Hall Park #2. It was felt that with all councils divesting themselves of parks
The next meeting got cancelled at very late notice when two people couldn’t attend and by the time we met again in November, our numbers were down to 3 people only; Paul Manning, Peter Furmedge & Martin Jones but that meeting in November 2014 was a crucial milestone in the history of the club. At that meeting the question was asked “When is this Football Club going to play football” and the process began that concluded with our successful appeal at Wembley on June 8 th 2016. We all agreed that August 2016 was when we should be playing football, giving ourselves a generous 21 months to achieve our dream. Once we agreed the target date, we worked backwards trying to work out the milestones and hurdles we would have to get over to be playing in what is now the Hallmark Security Football League Division One. The notes taken that night, scribbled on a whiteboard formed the basis of the Timeline document which we placed on our website and became a quasi-business plan for us.
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and leisure centers by 2017, we could possibly “Asset Transfer” either of these facilities and take ownership of them. By early 2015, the executive committee grew to 4 with the addition of Stuart Fitzgerald but nothing much was happening generally – we had given ourselves too much time, so we gently nudged and prodded away at politicians and people who we felt could help. In May 2015, work began in earnest as we decided the various roles that we would each undertake voluntarily on behalf of the club. Paul Manning was to be Operations Director, Peter Furmedge was Finance Director, Stuart Fitzgerald was Commercial Director and Martin Jones was to be Sporting Director when the football actually started. The website and social media were launched in May 2015, and interest began to build. In addition to being the Finance Director, Peter Furmedge was also the resident expert on the legalities of a supporter owned football club and as such he called our very first public meeting for 21st September 2015, in order to legally form the club as a Community Benefit Society, owned by its members. Around 50 people attended that first meeting at the Quakers meetings rooms, we gained the support of the crowd to form the club. Peter worked with Supporters Direct and confirmation duly arrived – We were a supporter owned football club! After that meeting we had some great media coverage from The Liverpool Echo, Radio City and also the Guardian and a buzz was really starting to grow about the new club. October 14th saw us receive a massive blow as Liverpool City Council confirmed that they could not allow us a lease on either targeted facility as Wavertree was too small to host a football pitch and various organisations objected to us playing at Walton Hall Park. As a new club, our application to join the NWCFL had to be in by 31st December 2015, so
given the Christmas period we had roughly 8 weeks to secure a groundshare or shelve our plans for another 12 months, which bearing in mind we had already been working for a year and had built a decent following and groundswell of opinion, was not an option. So the search began for a groundshare. We emailed literally every club or facility that could host Step 6 football within a 35 mile radius and got few replies. None of the other local nonleague clubs seemed to want to help us play football! Then a breakthrough came towards the end of November when Neil Prince put us in touch with Bootle FC. Calls were made and emails flew and literally within a matter of 10 days we had our groundshare agreement to play at the Delta Taxis Stadium – what a relief – and so our application to join the NWCFL was submitted in plenty of time before the deadline. On we went into 2016 full of hope and endeavor. We had an interview with the management committee of the Hallmark Security League in February at Bootle, which seemed to go well and soon enough they had confirmed that they were supporting our bid for a place in the league. Our 1st members meeting took place at Jack Jones House and was well supported. We made the manager’s role available for application and got a good response from varied parts of the football spectrum. We wanted actual, nailed on, NWCFL experience, preferably experience of being promoted out of the 1 st Division. We whittled 23 applications down to 5 candidates and interviews took place. Everyone was good in their own right, but 1 man stood out like a sore thumb; Simon Burton. He had already advised Runcorn Town that he was resigning at the end of the season and within a matter of days, COLFC had their 1st manager and the
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...CONTINUED club had just taken another massive step forward. We now had a Hallmark Security League Premier League ground and a Hallmark Security League Premier League manager. In order for a new club to join the National League Pyramid at Step 6, the club had to show exceptional circumstances and so on April 20th 2016 our 3 man delegation travelled down to Wembley to make our case. We were confident and after maybe an hour and a half, we came out of a meeting with a 4 man committee from the FA, satisfied that we had made our case and given ourselves the best opportunity to succeed, if indeed there was a space in the league – which was by no means certain at this point. The FA leagues committee could not just make a dry decision of “shall we let COLFC in or not?” it was a complex nationwide jigsaw puzzle involving promotions, relegations, clubs folding and other considerations too. We were told to expect a decision towards the end of May. May 21st, 4pm and an email arrives – We had not been placed in the Hallmark Security League but instead been placed in the Liverpool County Premier League – Phone calls fly, emails too, the phone is red hot, no-one can believe it, but we are not in. But a Hallmark Security League press release gives us hope, Northwich Manchester Villa have resigned from the league at the last minute, there is still a space and the FA confirm we have leave to appeal. June 8th . Wembley again. 3 man FA appeal panel, Paul Manning and Peter Furmedge arguing against the decision of the FA leagues committee, who are also present to defend their original decision to place us at Step 7.
We miss trains, give 1st Aid to passing sickly woman in Gerrards Cross, eat Subway Sandwiches in Bicester and walk across Birmingham from Moor Street to New Street to catch the train home, all the while checking our phones for the fateful email. It’s been 3 and a half hours now and nothing; this looks and feels bad. We’ve got 45 minutes to kill, so “let’s go for a pint”. Just as we walk into All Bar One the email arrives. Peter begins reading through the Appeal decision.......”Appeal board at Wembley” “3 Man Committee”....“decision of the Appeal board”......yes, yes come on......... ”The appeal is upheld”.......”Appeal fee to be refunded” “COLFC will play at Step 6 in season 2016” “This decision is final and binding and cannot be appealed by any party” cue jubilation, with a lot of Birmingham office workers staring at two middle aged scousers jumping up and down, hugging each other and shouting “YES!” very loudly. We had the decision that we had worked so long and hard for and the relief was palpable. We had achieved our dream and that jubilant moment is the end of the Story So Far. The rest of the story should rightly belong to Simon Burton, his coaching staff and players beginning on July 9th at Prestatyn Town.
Paul Manning
An hour of legal-esque arguing later and we head back to Liverpool with the promise of a decision later that day. Our heads are spinning. We got attacked for 45 minutes, but the tide did seem to turn our way in the last 15.
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PRESTATYN TOWN Saturday 9th July, 2.30pm Bastion Gardens, Prestatyn, LL19 7LU Prestatyn Town played their first game on 20 October 1910 when they travelled to Rhyl Amateurs, winning 3–2. Until the 2007–08 season, the club played in the Cymru Alliance, North Wales’ feeder league to the Welsh Premier League. After winning the league title in 2007–08, the club was promoted to the Welsh Premier League for the 2008–09 season. Their promotion was dependent on their ground, Bastion Road, meeting certain criteria, meaning that the stadium had to be upgraded by 1 May 2008. The club installed floodlights and their promotion to the Welsh Premier League was ratified. They maintained Premier League status for a second season with a 15th-place finish in 2008– 09. In 2013, Prestatyn won the Welsh Cup for the
first time, beating Bangor City 3–1 after extra time and In July 2013, they reached the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League only to lose to Croatian side Rijeka, thus missing out on the group stages. As the 2013-14 season began, there were multiple players leaving the club to pastures new and as a result, the performance for the next couple of years started to deteriorate, but at the end of the season they survived relegation with an 11th-place finish by the skin of their teeth. In 2014-15 they were ultimately relegated, a 12th-place finish meaning Llandudno F.C. took their place ending a successful 7-year stint in Wales’s top division. Last season was one of consolidation in the Cymru Alliance with a comfortable mid-table finish.
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SIMON SAYS
F
irstly I’d like to start off by welcoming each and every one you and to thank you in advance for the support that you will give throughout our inaugural season in the Hallmark Security League First Division. After our initial hiccup with the FA and their decision to exclude us from the league and then our subsequent successful appeal, things have snowballed on and off the pitch in preparation for the start of the season. Since my appointment as First Team Manager I have been working very hard on the player front trying to attract the right sort of player to the club that will achieve our overall aim of promotion. Player recruitment has gone well and when you couple that with a very successful trial day we started pre season on 18th June with good numbers and very good quality players. I decided that we needed to start a little bit earlier than I have in the past and that was really to focus on the players fitness to ensure that we are ahead of the game when the pre season fixtures start and this will benefit us massively when we are ready to kick our season off on 6th August. There are still a number away on holiday and that will be a theme throughout pre season but preparations are well underway for our first
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friendly at Prestatyn. We have 8 pre season friendlies in place and the main focus is to build up the players match fitness. Obviously it’s important to win games as well because this gives us confidence as we move through the fixtures. We will use the first couple of games to assess everyone in a game situation as we look to finalise our squad and then the following games will be there to build up the lads match fitness ahead of our first league game. I hope you’re all looking forward to the forthcoming season as much as myself, the coaching staff and the players are as we put the building blocks in place to achieve promotion.
Simon Burton
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CONGLETON TOWN Tuesday 12th July, 7.30pm Ivy Gardens, Congleton, CW12 4GA Formed in 1901 as part of the Crewe and District League, they were crowned champions in their first three seasons before joining the Staffordshire and District League in 1905-06. Up until the outbreak of World War I their highest league placing came in 1914-15 when they were runners-up. When the league resumed after the war Congleton immediately won promotion as champions to the Cheshire County League in 1919-20 and managed again to finish as runners up in their first season. After WWII Congleton Town initially struggled and spent much of their time toward the bottom of the table, but by 1965-66 they had joined the Manchester League and their stay lasted just three seasons before they joined the Mid-Cheshire League. They were runners-up in 1969-70 and again in 1971-72 before winning the title in 1973-74.
They won the league again in 1975-76 and for a 3rd time in 1977-78 before rejoining the Cheshire County League, In the newly formed Second Division, they finishing 7th but by 1981-82 they were champions again. The league merged with the Lancashire Combination to form the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) and in 1985-86 the Bears finished runners-up in the league, only missing out on the title on goal difference. In 1987-88 they joined the Northern Premier League (NPL) and in 1989-90, they reached the First Round of the FA Cup. However, they struggled most years in the NPL and were relegated back to the NWCFL in 200001 Congleton Town Supporters Trust was formed in 2001 and last season the Bears finished the league in 6th place in the Premier Division.
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I
THE LONG ROAD TO COLFC
n the aftermath of the Heysel disaster, an idealistic group of Labour Party Young Socialists (a coalition of Red, Blue and Tranmere) emerged from an early meeting of the Football Supporters Association and began to think about how football could be better run by the people who actually kept the game afloat.
supporter ownership should be the goal of the campaign. This remains Spirit of Shankly’s ultimate goal. However, with the astronomical sums of money now involved in Premier League football, together with the globalisation of top flight clubs dislocating them from their traditional community base, it’s a goal that is increasingly distant. Hence COLFC.
Four years later, in the wake of Hillsborough, the same group of idealists headed to London for a public meeting of the Campaign Against ID Cards – a movement against Thatcher’s plans to make ID cards compulsory for football supporters. A 22 year old me, unnerved by the media presence, spoke to a packed hall in Westminster about the already covered up truth of Hillsborough.
After working with Supporters Direct to help establish and finance community owned football clubs, it was obvious to me that I should become involved when Paul Manning called a small group together to discuss forming a new football club.
That summer we started the “What’s the Score?” fanzine to promote our vague notions of a socialist football utopia - alongside “other stuff”! As things turned out, that was to be it for me as far as “football activism” was concerned. Until January 2008 when Liverpool FC supporters began organising against the ownership of the club. Before the fans’ first public meeting, I was invited to a pre-meeting where I argued that
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That this new club should be completely nonaligned, with no prior cultural or historical attachment to other clubs was crucial – after all, why start something new if half of your mates feel alienated by colours, culture and songs? So, here we are, a new community-owned football club for the City of Liverpool, with big ambitions to be a footballing expression of our civic and social identity, about to embark on our first season in the football pyramid. It’s been a long time coming.
Peter Furmedge
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CONWY BOROUGH Saturday 16th July, 2pm Delta Taxis Stadium, Vesty Rd, Bootle, L30 1NY Our opponents for our historic first ever home match come from the Huws Grays Alliance in North Wales. Following the demise of Borough United in 1967, Welsh representatives in the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1963/64, there was a void of Welsh League clubs in the Conwy area. Historically there has always been football in the area, and especially a Conwy team, stretching back to the 1870’s. Then in 1977 Conwy Town and Conwy Royal British Legion, both of whom played in the Vale of Conwy League, amalgamated to form Conwy United. The club was duly elected to the Welsh League (North) that later became the Welsh Alliance League. In 1981/82 they won the Welsh Intermediate Cup and also won the Welsh Alliance League in 1984/85 and 1985/86. In 1990 the club became founder members of the Cymru Alliance League and finished in the top seven both seasons that they were members. In 1992 Borough became founder members of the League of Wales. They finished a creditable 7th place in its first season and in 1995/96 finished 3rd. They also qualified for the InterToto Cup and played Charleroi (Belgium) and SV Reid (Austria) at The Racecourse, Wrexham, and travelled to Zeglebie Lubin (Poland) and Silkeborg (Denmark). The following three seasons Conwy reached the semi-finals of the Welsh Cup twice, and also qualified for the FAW Premier Cup twice, most notably holding Swansea City to 0-0 draw at The Vetch. However the financial burden had began to take its toll and in 2000 they were relegated.
In its second season the club were League runners-up and Cookson Cup runners-up. In 2005-06 a young Conwy side clinched the Cookson Cup. An extra time penalty from Matty Bennett won the trophy against rivals Llandudno Junction at Maesdu whilst in the league the club finished sixth. In 2010/11 Paul Moroney took charge at Y Morfa in one of the most successful seasons of the clubs recent history, winning the Welsh Alliance Division One and reaching the final of the FAW trophy. In 2011/12, Conwy were back in the 2nd tier of Welsh football and secured a 10th place finish. In June 2012 the Football Association of Wales approved a name change request from the club to be renamed Conwy Borough F.C. To fit with the name change, a new club badge was chosen by supporters The club enjoyed a successful first season under the new name with a third place finish in the leagye and the Huws Gray league cup Chris Herbert and John Keegan left their posts in December 2013 and were replaced by players Darren Moss and Aden Shannon until the end. In February 2014 the club announced that Moss and his assistant Shannon had signed permanently and would continue to be in charge of first team affairs for the 2014/15 season. A great deal of work has gone in to improve Y Morfa Stadium as the club work towards securing an FAW club license. Past players for the club who have gone on to the Football League include; Neville Southall, Carl Dale and Kevin Ellison. Last season the Tangerines finished 11th in the Huws Grays Alliance
The club decided not to progress to the next level being the Cymru Alliance and instead accepted an invitation to join the Welsh Alliance League.
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HOME SWEET HOME
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e will be starting off our embryonic footballing life in the newly sponsored Hallmark Security League Division One, and our home, for at least season 2016/17, will be The Delta Taxis Stadium on Vesty Road in Bootle. The Delta Taxis Stadium, has a ground capacity of 2,500, which makes it the joint 5th highest capacity of all the Premier League Clubs. It is also the joint 5th highest capacity of all the clubs who will be playing in the first division for the coming season, of which we are one of six new teams making our debut this term. The others being Carlisle City, Charnock Richard, FC Oswestry Town, Prestwich Heys and Sandbach United. The ground is located within a small industrial estate in North Liverpool, and it is both very easy to find and to get to, with highlighted signposting found nearer towards the ground itself. The club does have its own car park, though this
isn’t huge and it can tend to fill up quite quickly. Fortunately however, there is plenty of car parking space available in the nearby units within the actual business park. Unfortunately, due to the grounds location within the industrial estate, it does mean that there isn’t an availability of pubs, cafes or chippies etc. within the immediate area of the stadium. The ground is a very neat, well developed modern set up. It has two seated stands, one with white seats and the other with blue, both of which are the drag and drop variety. Next to these, just along the same side, is a matching block of covered raised terracing. Behind the goal is a two-step covered concrete terrace, known as the ‘Dodge Kop’ The Delta Taxis Stadium also boasts a fully licensed clubhouse and this incorporates all the facilities for fans, officials and players alike. Fans can get to access a large bar area which is decorated to a high standard and which is nor-
Delta Taxis Stadium Vesty Road, Bootle, L30 1NY
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mally well stocked, serving a good selection of draught ales etc. The clubhouse can be rented out for functions and proves to be very popular. The ground has toilet facilities within the bar area of the clubhouse, and there are also external toilet facilities in the stadium. As well as the excellent clubhouse facilities, there is a snack bar located just passed the turnstiles. The usual offerings of hot drinks, burgers, hot dogs etc. can be purchased here, and all are very reasonably priced. All in all, Bootle FC and their Delta Taxis Stadium offer a fantastic setting for City of Liverpool FC’s footballing debut season. As a club we are thankful that we were able to secure an agreement with Bootle FC for this groundshare, and we look forward to all the thrills and spills, highs and hopefully not many lows that may come our way this season.
Gary Johansen
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C
OLlaborate 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 communities.
street. Through your support , City of Liverpool Football Club will grow and prosper as a footballing expression of our civic and social identity. Through your association with City of Liverpool Football Club your enterprise will be seen as one that has not just economic value but demonstrable social value too. Much more than football. Our network and reach is extensive and growing.
City of Liverpool Football Club doesn’t just want to sell you an advert or a sponsorship package. We want you to join with us in making 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.
City of Liverpool Football Club has deep roots within the Liverpool City Region. Through COLlaborate our network becomes your network. Our business events and matchdays will put you in contact with thousands of potential customers and suppliers, generating a positive image along with opportunities for business and community engagement.
Social Value is the wider financial and non-financial impact of your work, including the wellbeing of individuals and communities, social capital and the environment. COLaborate will engage businesses, alongside community and social enterprises, 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. Through working with City of Liverpool Football Club, you will be delivering social value in a visible and highly effective way. The benefits of your good business to the community will be evidenced and promoted, enhancing both your profile and your ability to work with key public agencies that are required by legislation to maximise social value in their procurement and public service delivery.
Alongside, and integrated with, COLlaborate we will be delivering the COLlective initiative, bringing together community and voluntary organisations to enable them to expand their networks and activities through City of Liverpool Football Club. COLlective will see our football club develop into a thriving community hub that you can both support and draw support from through your membership of COLlaborate. For each business supporting COLlaborate we will provide a local community or voluntaryorganisation with a complimentary COLlective package of match tickets and matchday promotion.
Peter Furmedge
COLlaborate is very much a two way
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These businesses are already collaborating with City of Liverpool FC, so if you can use them please do and don’t forget to mention COLFC!
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ACTION REPLAY
M
anager Simon Burton and his team were joined by Runcorn Town and Bootle legend James McShane to run the rule over a number of trialists at Admiral Street Playing Fields in the Dingle. Name
Age
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P
ge
OPEN TRIALS SATURDAY 11TH JUNE 2016 Over 70 players registered for the event and on the day 27 were put through their paces in two smaller groups. Our photographers Phil Costello and John Middleton were there to capture the action. Position
From
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ACTION REPLAY
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OPEN TRIALS SATURDAY 11TH JUNE 2016
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MEET THE MANAGEMENT
A
t the end of last season COLFC announced the appointment of the management team that was going to assemble and coach the first ever squad for the club. Working together for a long time at NWCFL Premier League side Runcorn Town, they bring a wealth of talent and experience with them. Simon is an FA Qualified football coach who joins us after 7 seasons at Runcorn Town, where he led them out of the West Cheshire League and into the NWCFL in his first season and followed up with an immediate promotion to the Premier Division. Town almost made it a hat-trick of promotions, with an excruciatingly close 2nd place finish in 2011/12 and missed out on the title again the following year in the last week of fixtures.
Runcorn Town have only finished outside the top 5 places in the Premier Division once and they also enjoyed great success in FA competitions making several appearances in the latter stages of the FA Vase. In 2014/15 they also achieved a memorable 0-1 away victory over the Northern Conference leaders, Barrow AFC in the FA Cup 2nd qualifying round. Still only aged 38, married with 2 children he works as an account manager for a large food service company. Tom Spearritt grew up in Liverpool, playing for Liverpool school boys at U10 and U14-15 levels. He then went on to complete a scholarship at Wigan Athletic. Tom moved into semi pro football, playing at Southport, Runcorn FC and several other clubs over a 14 year period. He joined up with Simon at Runcorn town in 2012/13, eventually becoming their captain. Professionally, Tom is a Chartered Specialist physiotherapist working at the Walton Centre, specialising in head and spinal injuries. We caught up with them at our recent race night to ask them some questions; You were at Runcorn Town a long
time, what was it about us that made you decide this move was right?
Simon: Just listening to people like Paul, Stuart and Peter at COLFC made me think this was something I needed to be a part of. Their passion for the game appeals to my own and I didn’t want to miss this opportunity to work within the vision that COLFC are offering.
How are you going about putting a squad together ?
Simon: We are looking good, one of the big assets me and Tom have are our contacts within non-league. We have a strong nucleus of a dozen players we know will come here and do well and the pool of talent that exists in this city will unearth the rest of what we need. Experience tells us we need around 20-22 players in the squad and we are confident we can reach that target.
How far do you think you can take us ?
Simon: The chairman’s plan is to have us promoted out of this league in 3 years and that is music to my ears. I am 99.9% confident we will get promotion in our first season. We know only too well how hard it is to then get out of the Premier Division and because there is only one promotion spot available. But we’ve come very close before and we think we know what it takes to win it. Beyond that I actually think any of our Premier League clubs can do well in the Northern Premier League. So for us the limit is as far as you want us to take you.
Tom, what is Simon like as a boss ?
Tom: I can tell you now there is no messing around, he is very straight with you. But you learn he is also fair and not afraid to talk one to one with a player if they need that little extra attention.
Our last word though is from, Jon Urqhart, programme editor at Town’s fierce rivals Runcorn Linnets; As a Linnets fan, I always knew going into a game against Town, that nothing would come easy. Simon always had them set up well and you knew they would try to play good attractive football. You could see that his players carried his passion onto the field too. I suppose the best way I could put it as an outsider, is that despite the hostility (from some) between the two Runcorn teams I dont know of any Linnets fan who doesn’t respect him, for what he achieved at Pavillions.
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ASHVILLE FC Tuesday 19th July, 7.30pm Cross Lane, Wallasey, CH45 8RH Ashville Football Club was founded in 1949, by John and Joyce Dennett from Ashville Road Wallasey. From that humble beginning they had immediate success in the Wallasey Youth league, before progressing to the Bebington league in 1951. After winning the championship, Ashville moved to the Wirral Combination and won the league for three consecutive seasons. In 1955-56 Ashville were voted into the West Cheshire League Division Two, and in their first season won both the championship and the West Cheshire Bowl. The following season they were promoted to Division One, and amongst the honours collected at their Wallacre Park ground were the Wirral Amateur and Wirral Senior Cups. In 1962, they moved to their present ground
‘Villa Park’, where they have had much success, notably the first division championship in 1967-68 and more recently, winning the coveted ‘Cheshire Amateur Cup’ in 1997/98 whilst finishing a creditable, runner-up in division one. In 2002/03 having been re-instated to division one they went on to win the Pyke Cup for the first time. In 2010-11 Ashville secured promotion back into the first divison as well as winning the Cheshire Amateur Cup and Howarth & Gallagher Bowl. 2011-12 saw Ashville win the West Cheshire Div 1 title, the Wirral Senior Cup & Bill Weight Trophy. Last season Ashville were back in division two of the West Cheshire League and finished just outside the promotion spots in 4th place.
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TON PENTRE FC Saturday 23rd July,.3pm Llanfoist St, Pentre, Mid Glamorgan, CF41 7AF The present club was founded in 1935, but there were at least two earlier Ton Pentre FCs, dating back to 1896, when Ton Pentre was a soccer-playing island in the rugby union sea of the South Wales valleys. One of the previous incarnations of Ton Pentre F.C. reached the Welsh Cup final in 1922, where they lost 2-0 to Cardiff City. After WWII the Welsh National League (South) was re-introduced and Ton Pentre were the first champions of the new Division Two (West) section, On 15 November 1986 Ton Pentre played Cardiff City at Ynys Park in the First Round of the F.A. Cup. A full house of 2,800, and the ‘Match Of The Day’ cameras, saw the ‘Bluebirds’ win 4-1, with Ton Pentre’s consolation goal being scored by Gareth Bees.
Ton Pentre were invited to be founder members of the League of Wales (LoW) in 1992, however they preferred to be promoted to the highest level on their own merits, which was achieved the following year. In each of its first two seasons in the LoW, Ton Pentre finished a creditable third position, and in 1995 played in the UEFA Intertoto Cup. Between 1997 and 2005, Ton Pentre won the Welsh League title six times. The team also achieved two doubles adding the Welsh League Challenge Cup to their honours and in 2002 and 2003 reached the semi-finals of the Welsh Cup. The Bulldogs suffered their first ever relegation in 2010 due to a reorganisation of the League of Wales into two divisions. Last season they finished mid-table in the top flight of football in South Wales.
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A GUIDE TO THE HALLMARK SE On Wednesday 8th June, COLFC got the news we’d all been waiting for, our appeal to the FA Leagues committee to be allowed direct entry in to the North West Counties Football League had been granted. This brings to an end a process that started in 2014 to create a brand new club playing non-league football in the city.
are usually staged at a big non-league ground and the historic prize for the Macron Cup is one of the most beautiful and oldest trophies in the game, dating back to 1910.
But for many of you reading, this will be your first experience of the game at this level, so just what can you expect to see? The Hallmark Security League lies in steps 5 & 6 of the non-league pyramid. There are two divisions, each of 22 teams from across Cumbria, Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Staffordshire. The top two sides in the First Division are automatically promoted to the Premier Division as well as an additional end of season play-off for the teams finishing in 3rd to 6th places. The top team in the Premier Division is promoted to the Northern Premier League and for the first time in a while the bottom team in the First Division will be relegated at the end of the 2016/17 season.
The historic League Cup Trophy
Nationally, teams also compete in the FA Vase, which is a tournament for all step 5 and 6 teams across the country. The initial rounds are played regionally, but a place beyond the final 32 could throw up an away tie anywhere and the final is held at Wembley in May. Clubs also of course compete in the FA Cup where the competition starts way back at the beginning of August in the Extra-Preliminary round. There are a further 13 rounds to negotiate from there to Wembley. COLFC can look forward to entering this from season 2017/18 onwards.
Colne FC celebrate winning the title last season
Clubs in this league also compete in a variety of cup competitions. Locally, all clubs will compete in their own county FAs Senior Cup and within the league there is the Macron Challenge Cup competed for by all 44 sides as well as the Reusch First Division Trophy for just the 22 sides in the First Division. Finals of both competitions
With all these cups to play for the fixture list can get quite crowded, with most teams playing at least 50 games a season. Because of this games tend to come thick and fast in the opening months of the season and everyone will play twice a week until the end of October. As winter kicks in fixtures thin out, but with the lack of well drained and heated pitches, you can expect a bad winter period to see little or no football played at all. Once spring comes around in March the rush is back on to complete fixtures before the end of April and most teams will expect to find themselves playing twice a week, with some even playing three or
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K SECURITY LEAGUE four times in the final week of the season. Grounds at this level don’t enjoy the same plush playing surfaces as the professional game, but that doesn’t mean facilities for players and fans aren’t still very good. All clubs are bound by strict FA ground regulations. All grounds must have covered standing and seating, and also a club house for players and officials to change, along with toilets, floodlights, turnstiles and fencing. There is no segregation at grounds and one of the biggest joys of watching football at this level is your entry fee allows you to stand or sit anywhere you like within the ground. With terracing often just a metre from the pitch you can chat to the opposition goalie or give the linesman a piece of your mind.
Clubhouse next to the main stand at AFC Darwen
Many clubs have a bar area inside their clubhouse with most having sight of the pitch. So if it gets too cold outside you can enjoy the match and a pint in comfort. Not that you have to drink your pint inside either, stadium alcohol bans do not apply here so on a warm summers day you can happily wander outside with drink in hand. Lets also not forget the catering. Most clubs do hot and cold food of varying sorts on matchdays, from crisps and snacks to burgers, pies and hot dogs, you will get it all in this league. Some clubs really do have some terrific fayre on offer, don’t miss the pies at Bacup or Silsden, the burgers at West Didsbury or the rare treat of oatcakes at Hanley Town. Prices are incredibly reasonable at all grounds. Expect to pay between £5 and £6 at most grounds although many clubs allow children in
free. Add in a pint and a pie, a programme and your half time raffle ticket and a dad and lad (or mum and daughter) can have a terrific day out for under £15. Most teams will have anything from 50 to 150 supporters at home games and some will take a handful of dedicated fans away too. Two big clubs (Runcorn Linnets and 1874 Northwich) will have crowds approaching 300 and bring a coachload of colourful, noisy fans away with them. But lack of numbers certainly doesn’t mean lack of atmosphere and with fans mingling throughout the game you won’t ever feel wary bringing young children or even your dog to watch a game with you. Expect to make new friends too, an active social media community exists on both Facebook and Twitter. Banter away with fans of other clubs, or arrange to meet up for a friendly pint and a natter when your side plays theirs. Of course the most important thing you will want to know is what will the football be like? Don’t think that just because the players here are well below the level you are used to seeing on the TV that the games won’t be as entertaining. The passion and the pace here is as good as, if not better than the professional game. Expect to see on a regular basis; full-blooded tackles, skillful midfielders, huge imposing goalkeepers and some of the best goals you’ve ever witnessed. Games aren’t ruined by overly tactical managers or referees in awe of the big names, it’s football how you used to know and love it. Well hopefully this whetted your appetite for the season ahead. If you haven’t watched football at this level before, it will be different to what you are used to. But it will be hugely enjoyable, so bring your friends and your family and join us for the adventure.
Martin Stewart 25
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A HOME OF OUR OWN
O
ne of the most personable and exciting things for any football fan is having a sense of connection to your club. A sense of identity, a sense of belonging, a sense of community, a sense of home! Supporting your club, taking pride in wearing your clubs colours, travelling to your clubs ground. In the hunt for a home for COLFC, back in October 2015, after a prolonged process and initial guarantees being made, Liverpool City Council informed the executive committee that they were unable to grant the club a lease to use and upgrade the existing football ground at Walton Hall Park. This was due to objections raised from the Liverpool County FA. This decision left the club with a timeframe of just over 8 weeks with which to try and secure a groundshare agreement in order for us to be able to submit an application to join the NWCFL, by the specified date of 31st December 2015. Thankfully, we were able to secure an agreement with Bootle FC that enables us to have a 2 year option to share their stadium. Throughout 2015 and early 2016, the executive committee have been busy developing a framework for our own ground and enquiries have been made into a number of sites. As our presentation to the FA and the subsequent appeal drew closer, our focus was somewhat taken away from the ground, however, we are determined that having our own ground is fundamental to the success of the club and is pivotal to our whole concept. Some previous options have sadly fell away for varying reasons, however, we are still in talks with one organisation which looks very prom-
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ising, and the FA sponsored ‘Parklife’ scheme presents us with another option too. Also, there are several brownfield sites being looked into that could also possibly work well for us. We are very fortunate to have the opportunity to share with Bootle, and the ground boasts excellent facilities which are more than the required regulations for Step 6 in the footballing pyramid. However, our aim is to have our own ground, and any ground we choose must adhere to the ground grading specifications stipulated by the FA; •An enclosed pitch of no less than 100m x 64m •A further 2m to a perimeter fence •2 sides of the ground also need to have hard standing of no less than a metre •Covered terracing for 50 people •A covered stand for 50 people •A pay gate / turnstile. •A clubhouse. •Toilets •Floodlighting For Step 5, should we gain promotion, the requirements are pretty much the same, however the covered terracing and stand would need to be for a minimum of 100 people. I can confirm that the executive committee are working tirelessly behind the scenes in order to find and locate the most suitable sites for any potential ground, and once we have more information on this matter, they will be able to share this with the shareholder members.
Gary Johansen
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EAGLE SPORTS Tuesday 26th July, 6.45pm Thornton Rd, Gt Sankey, Warrington, WA5 2SZ Eagle Sports FC began as a works team under the name of Electro Hydraulics and later amalgamated with Rubery Owen and Conveyancer, The original home ground was at Hood Lane and they began in the Warrington & District Football League (W&DFL) around 1941, although originally founded in 1928. Eagle Sports FC were always regarded as one of the top teams in the W&DFL, and the honours list included league titles as well as the Dodds Shield, Drinkwater Cup, Jubilee Cup and probably their greatest achievement, playing in the Final of the Liverpool FA Junior Cup in both 1992 and 1993, winning the latter against Aigburth People’s Hall. Colin Hope’s team became the first side from Warrington in 27 years to win this coveted trophy. The club reached the final again in 2009. The club eventually left the W&DFL in 2004, having been elected to join the Mid Cheshire Football League (MCFL). Playing as Penketh and Sankey Eagle, they won the 2nd division title in their first year, Robert Hope was also named as the league’s Joint Player of the Year.
Having been beaten by Knutsford FC in the previous two seasons, the club bucked that trend and won their first ever CFL Memorial Cup at the start of the 2014-15 season, defeating Garswood United 2-0. This was then backed up with the a Liverpool CFA Challenge Cup victory as Byrom were defeated 3-0 in the final. Current players such as Nathan Williams, Danny Nixon, James Maher, Rob Hope, Ged McAllister and Richard Chinn are all now over or approaching double figures in their years representing the club. This again shows the loyalty of the players towards the club, a tradition which everyone involved is proud to hold and may it continue into the future. Last season Eagle sports finished a creditable 10th in the CFL Premier Division and again reached the semi-finals of the Liverpool County FA Challenge Cup.
Following a name change back to Eagle Sports FC, the club could not sustain their success in the 1st Division and were relegated at the end of the 2005-06 season. In 2008 the club appointed Rob Hope as their manager and earned promotion back to Division 1 of the newly named Cheshire Association Football league in the final minute of the final game of the season with Ian Berry scoring an injury time winner Whitchurch Alport In 2011-12 the club won the JB Parker Cup and, the Guardian Cup and also finished 3rd in the league. The following season brought more success with a successful defence of the JB Parker Cup and a runners-up spot in the league. Rob Hope’s side followed up with a runners-up spot again in 2013-14 narrowly missing out on the title on the last day of the season.
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BOOTLE FC Friday 29th July, 7.30pm Delta Taxis Stadium, Vesty Rd, Bootle, L30 1NY The original Bootle F.C. were formed in 1879 and played at Hawthorne Road. They enjoyed plenty of success, winning the Liverpool Senior Cup in 1883, 1888 and 1889 before becoming founder members and eventual runners-up of the Football Alliance in 1889. They also, reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. The Alliance merged with the Football League in 1892, and Bootle became founder members of the new second division. However, despite finishing in 8th place they dropped out to be replaced by neighbours Liverpool and seemingly disappeared due to financial problems. Football returned to Hawthorne Road in 1948 with a new club, Bootle Athletic. Playing first in the Liverpool Leagues, they were elected to the Lancashire Combination 2, which they won at the first attempt. But, they struggled in the top-flight and folded during the 1953–54 campaign. In 1953, the current club was formed as Langton. After winning the Liverpool County Combination on numerous occasions they re-
verted to the name Bootle F.C. In 1974 they joined the Lancashire Combination, winning in 1976 and 1977. They then joined the Second Division of the Cheshire County League (CCL), which they won in their first season. In 1982 they were founder members of the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) The club spent most of their time in the First Division until relegation in 2000. Despite finishing 6th in 2002, they dropped into the Liverpool County Combination again but in 2006 were elected back into the NWCFL. In 2009 Bootle won promotion to the Premier Division where they have been a major player ever since. More recently they added the Liverpool Senior Cup in 2013. Last season they finished 8th in the league and of course we are hugely grateful to all at Bootle FC for being our hosts for our first ever season of football in 2016-17.
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PRESCOT CABLES Tuesday 2nd August,7.30pm Eaton St, Prescot, L34 6HD Prescot Cables joined the Lancashire Combination (LC) in 1927–28 and they came runner-up on three consecutive seasons from 1930–33 In 1932 Valerie Park hosted its record attendance (8,122) in a game against Ashton National. The years 1954 to 1960 were probably the club’s most successful. In 1954–55 they finished LC Division Two runner-up and were promoted to Division One. Then in 1956–57 they finished as champions of the league and were runners up the following two seasons. In the F.A. Cup too the Cables shone, fighting their way to the 1st round proper in 1957–58 and again in 1959–60. By 1975 fortunes at the club had dipped drastically. The Cables joined Mid Cheshire Football League and finished champions in 1976–77.
In 1978–79 they joined Cheshire County League as founder members of Division Two and finished as Champions in 1979–80. 1982–83 saw Cables became founder members of the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) and in 1986–87 they won promotion to Division One. In 2001–02 they finished runners-up and the following season they were crowned champions. After promotion to the Northern Premier League (NPL) they reached the Premier Division in 2004-05, their highest ever flight in football. By 2009 the club were back in the NPL First Division (North), where they have remained ever since, finishing last season in 16th place.
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MERCHANDISE C
OLFC have teamed up with a merchandise partner to bring you a range of exclusive COLFC branded items.
• Season tickets for our home games at the Delta Taxi Stadium are now available and include all home league games (21).
All items are of items available to securely purchase through our webshop at; http://www.colfc.co.uk/merchandise/ Due to popular demand we are releasing a limited edition of this Adidas Tabela shirt with embroidered COLFC Club Badge.
Prices for Adults are £100 & for concessions £63 (OAP, Students, Young Adults) but please be aware that you will be asked for proof of age at the gate. Don’t forget that with any season ticket children under 15 are completely FREE, so this really is a great idea for parents or families to spend some quality time, in a great little football stadium, watching your team together! NB - The Season Ticket does not include any Cup Games. Please allow 28 days for delivery of all orders. Shirts are available in Adult sizes S - XXL and at £29.99 + £1.99 postage and Childrens sizes S - XXL at price is £19.99 + £1.99 postage We also have available a collection of plain white or navy club T-shirts By Lyver Design & Development
E: Partisanmerchandise@gmail.com @Partisan_Sports T : +44 (0) 151 449 0312 Adult sizes S - XXL, are priced at £14.99 + delivery
• Club memberships are still available, and include your annual share certificate. All shareholders get a vote on all major club decisions. - Adults (21+) - £10, - Young Adults (16-20) - £5 - Junior Members (0-15) - £1 - Concessions (65+ and other concessions) - £5 (please note Junior memberships can only be purchased with an Adult membership and do not include voting rights)
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An Ode to City of Liverpool FC The City of Liverpool, now there is a name a team born from grassroots, a funny old game This is the way forward, a real Civic Pride a club run by Scousers, to unite Merseyside The Echo reported, this story in print it’s ruling the airwaves, this team will be mint Let’s get together, and let’s live the dream challenge the big boys, creating this team A team for the future, and one for the kids please let this happen, no heaven forbids They’re playing in purple, a mixture of us the Reds & the Blueboys, will get on the bus We’ll play a fixture, on our own ground build up a fan base, to me that is sound So give a big handshake, to those in the mix they’re building with passion, instead of big bricks Hats off for starting, a trend in the Pool with science and knowledge, together we’ll rule Offer solutions, to give the game back to all of us people, we’re not on our Jack Let us be happy, and see how it pans a game played with beauty, for us the real fans God I’m excited, to be part of this now where is that emblem, the badge I could kiss A meaningful logic, to wear on our chest with shorts and our socks, and of course a new crest A new brand of togger, created by folk a statement by people, the Prem is a joke The City of Liverpool, now there is that name remember us matey, with football our aim! Copyright@ Bobby Parry
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Pre-season fixtures 2016 Saturday 9th July - 2.30pm Prestatyn Town FC (away)
Squad Name
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Tuesday 12th July - 7.30pm Congleton Town (away) Saturday 16th July - 2pm Conwy Borough (home) Tuesday 19th July - 7.30pm Ashville FC (away)
r9
Saturday 23rd July - 3pm Ton Pentre FC (away) Tuesday 26th July - 6.45pm Eagle Sports (away) Friday 29th July - 7.30pm Bootle FC (away) Tuesday 2nd August - 7.30pm Prescot Cables FC (away)
First League Fixture v to be announced Saturday 6th August, 3pm
City of Liverpool Football Club is a registered society under the Cooperative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014. Our Registration Number is 7231
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