2018 Season
£2
Versus YORK ACORN
Saturday 14th April 2018 National Conference League Division 1
v Thornhill Trojans| Sat 3rd February 2018 | Ladbrokes Challenge Cup
OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
£2
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE President Dave Corless Vice President Derek Cross Chairman Ralph Rawsthorne Vice Chairman Dave Roughley Club Secretary Billy Dillon 07879 662940 Treasurer Andy Lyons Youth & Junior Development Director Neil Belshaw Club Registration Manager Joanne Knapper Club Welfare Officer Gary Trueman 07816 509995 Discipline Chairman
Gary Philbin Junior Representative Brian Hatton School Liaison Manager Ste Edgerton Fundraising Managers Kevin Whittall
Sarah Whittall Player Representative Paul Cresswell
HONOURS BARLA National Cup Winners: 1974-75, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1981-82 BARLA Lancashire Cup Winners: 1974:74, 1976-77, 1978-79, 1980-81 BARLA Inter County Cup Winners: 1980-81 North West Counties Premier Cup Winners: 2007-08, 2010-11, 2011-12 North West Counties Champions: 1977-78, 1979-80 North West Counties Div 1 Champions: 1975-76, 1985-86, 1991-92, 2004-05 Warrington & District League Champions: 1973-74 Warrington & District League Leaders: 1968-69 St.Helens Junior League Champions: 1953-54 St,Helens Junior League Leaders: 1951-52, 1953-54 St.Helens Cup Winners: 1980-81, 1985-86, 2010-11 West Lancs League Trophy Winners: 1953-54 Bootle Charity Cup Winners: 1953-54 BARLA John Players 7s Winners: 1982 Haresfinch 7s Winners: 2007 North West Counties Fair Play Award 2005/06
CONTACT US @pilksrecsarlfc /pilkingtonrecs www.pilkigntonrecs.org
CHAIRMANS WELCOME Good afternoon and welcome to Ruskin Drive for what is our first home game in the National Conference League division 1. Despite the season now being a few weeks under way our Challenge Cup run with its associated cancellations due to the weather has meant that we are only now playing our first home game. Our visitors this afternoon are York Acorn who have made the long journey from the East Coast and it is my pleasure to welcome them today.
ty. On behalf of the Club I wish Ellis a speedy recovery and hope to see him back in training again soon.
Last week’s second team game was abandoned due to one of our players, Ellis Stokes, receiving a bad injury. Thankfully it has now transpired to be not as serious as first thought, but player welfare must always be a high priori-
Ralph Rawsthorne
The game today promises to be entertaining with both teams plenty to aim for and I hope our spectators get behind our team.
I would like as always to thank out hard working committee for their management of the Club business; our sponsors for their generous and continued support of our Club at all age groups. Thanks also to our supporters for their York Acorn have started their season encouragement of our teams and finally strongly and currently hold third position to players and coaches for their hard in the table and no doubt will be looking efforts in the playing and coaching for to continue their good form. However, I the Recs. know that Recs will be eager to bounce back from last week’s game and kick on Enjoy the game today, support your respective team and applaud good rugfor the season from here. The Chalby. And always spare a thought for the lenge Cup games now a thing of the officials who have to manage the game. past it is time to focus on the season ahead and I know the players and Come on The RECS!! coaches have that firmly fixed as a tarYours in Sport get.
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Chairman
All spectators are requested to remain behind the pitch side spectator barriers Inside the ground perimeter fence is strictly a No Smoking Area at all times No dogs are allowed inside the ground Please use waste bins provided to dispose of your litter
Finest Quality Pork Sausage
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01744 22738 Lock Street, off Merton Bank Road St. Helens, WA9 1HS
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TODAY’S VISITORS Today we bid a warm welcome to York Acorn, the leading amateur club in that famous city. Our paths have not crossed for a season, following their relegation to League 1 and matches between the two clubs have always been enjoyable spectacles. If you went down to the Knavesmire by York Racecourse in the 1970s on a Sunday morning in winter, you would have seen a plethora of Open Age matches involving many local sides in a thriving competition. This is where the Acorn first began, in August 1973, to be precise, formed by Pete Warters and Tony Winn. They moved to their present location in Thanet Road in 1990, down Acomb way, not too far from the Knavesmire itself, of course. Their first objective was to build a clubhouse and this was achieved in just under twelve months, when the building was opened on 4 January 1991. What they had was a bar area, four changing rooms, two pitches, an all-weather pitch and two Open Age teams. The next step was to encourage the juniors and to establish teams further down the chain, as it were. After seven years, the club’s ambition of fielding junior teams at every age group was accomplished. Success bred success and the next stage in the provision of facilities included changing room extensions [they have seven now!], together with a gym, storage area, physios room, referees changing room and a room to wash the kit!
As well as having a number of players who have joined the professional ranks, the club has a proud tradition of achieving International and county honours at Open Age Youth and junior level in both the male and female sections of the game. They will prove redoubtable opponents this afternoon. Indeed the club has teams from Open Age level right through to the appropriately named ‘Little Acorns’. The latter name is quite appropriate given the need for all amateur clubs to sustain their player numbers! A visit to Acorn’s website certainly tells us where they are at and where they hope to be in the future: “Our aim is now to strengthen each age group by increasing the number of teams and therefore increase club membership and participation by way of a five year plan. This will see us form better links with local schools and colleges and hopefully see them playing finals, rallies at the club, which will further foster a good working relationship”. Anyhow, the best of luck to both our clubs in the current push back to the Premier League. Pilkington Recs ARLFC also remind everyone associated with York Acorn ARLFC to join us after the game in the Ruskin clubhouse to enjoy a refreshing drink and the man of the match celebrations.
THINK YOU KNOW YOUR HISTORY? Alex Service talks about different aspects of our club which was first formed in 1878! Recs: The Toast of Rugby League!
tion club. The St. Helens Newspaper stated that: “Pilkington’s Open-Age team seem to be having difficulty in getting a team together these days. They were short for their game with Parkside but eventually both clubs managed to have a run out. Once again, Recs met with a heavy defeat. It is hoped that the players will rally round and bring some spirit back to a club that was the backbone of the league for so long.”
Pilks Recs were in crisis just over half a century ago! Before the start of the 196566 campaign, at a joint meeting of the St. Helens, Warrington and Widnes Amateur Rugby League, it was announced that a new organisation, the South West Lancashire Amateur League would be formed. The signs were not good. At one stage, it This also included teams from Wigan and seemed as though the Rugby League section would fold, with Chairman Stan Brittle leaving for a job with the Firm in Glasgow. Ex-Saints’ second-rower George Parsons worked in the Personnel Department at Pilkingtons and later recalled the gravity of the situation: “There was a telephone call from Ken Griffiths, who was the Recreation Secretary at Pilkingtons. Ken had worked with me in Job Evaluation and he says ‘there’s been a Recreation meeting – they’re talking about packing in the rugby league section.’ Apparently there had been some, shall we say, areas of mismanagement and someone had thrown a George Parsons could play a bit too! He is seen here scoring a bucket of water over a referee brilliant try for Saints at Knowsley Road against Bramley in the after a match. He said they were early 1950s thinking of packing it in, but my name was mentioned. ‘We’re not Leigh and would, according to the press asking you to do it for life,’ he said. ‘But release, ‘make for complete fixture lists.’ can you get down and get it organised?’ The Chairman was Bill Chester, whose So I said ok. Anyhow, I took over as team, Blackbrook were involved in a real Chairman. I got in Jack Atherton to help ‘blood and thunder’ epic with Pilks early in us [A pre-war Recs player; former WarDecember, in atrocious weather condi- rington and Liverpool City forward, Senior tions at City Road. The last quarter of the Foreman in the Electrical Department at match saw three Recs’ players sent off in Ravenhead] and Todder Dickinson and quick succession, as behaviour deteriorat- Colin Whittaker were the coaches. ed. Continued later in Programme…….. By early February 1966, it was clear that there were some problems at the Recrea-
COACHES CORNER Welcome to Ruskin Drive for the the first time in over a month. It’s been an interesting, but disjointed start to the season as we are only now playing our first home game of the league campaign after Challenge Cup run has seen two fixture needing to be rearranged. The Challenge Cup is a fantastic competition for the club financially and the players, especially when you make it through to professional opposition and the chance to test yourself against the paid ranks. It does, however play havoc from a coaches point of view as you try to manage the distruption caused to the league campaign and the inevitable ‘come down’ once the cup run is over. Would I change it? Not a chance! Back to the season. Results haven't gone our way so far. We came across a strong Leigh Miners team in week one, eventu-
ally losing out aqfter a real tussle of a game in which either team could have won. Last week we travelled to Featherstone Lions and really did not perform. The fact we were still in the game with minutes to play is a testament to the quality we have. Last week we saw the return of captain Jamie Smith to the fiels. Jamie has had a horrendous 16 months following botched knee surgery, I am sure all at the club will be pleased to see him running out today and look forward to him getting back to his best. Finally, last week saw Ellis Stokes from the A Team taken to hospital following a heavy tackle. Thakfully he is okay, albeit battered and bruised. The response from both sides physios was superb. The coaches and players are grateful for all they do to keep them safe. ENJOY THE GAME
PLAYER PROFILE Age GARY JOHN Height PHILBIN This week it’s the one man wrecking ball, ‘Cheeky’
What’s your first rugby memory? Being made to run laps at training by Jimmy Parr because I was throwing mud.
32 5’ 7”
Weight
87 kg
Debut
2003
NCL Games
1
NCL Tries
0
When was your open age debut? NCL Points I can’t remember who it was against, but it was for the 2nd team Twitter in 2003. I was playing up from the U18s. We were allowed to do that back then.
0 @cheekyphilbin
What’s your best rugby memory? Beating Bank Quay in the 2011 Premiership Cup Final and then going on the ale for 3 days afterwards at Haggys pub. What’s the best trophy you’ve ever won? I’ve not won many trophies as an individual, but the one I won at U12’s for being Best Coaches Son is special. I’ve still got it on a shelf in my bar. Who would you say is your best team mate at Pilks and why? Gudge. We’ve grown up together and played through the good and bad. No matter what’s happened on the pitch we always have a laugh. Didn’t Gudge tell everyone about your Mum’s Mars Bar fetish? It was a Snickers, and yes he did. I forgive him though Who would you say is the laziest trainer? Ben Gravener. He’s a big fat s***e Who is your weirdest team mate and why? Ryan Hilliard. He’s really worried about me telling everyone about what’s in his shoebox. He is one weird man. Who is your dream woman? Holly Willoughby. I’m disappointed she’s lost her chest size with all that weight loss though. That’s upset me. Finally, is it true you are the tightest man at Pilks? Absolutely, I’m not called the Iron Fist for nothing.
THINK YOU KNOW YOUR HISTORY? Continued…….. Part of my job was simply PR. They didn’t need to be told how to use a rugby ball even as an ex-player I wouldn’t do that. They needed other kinds of help, which, as a Committee, we were proud to provide. Anyhow, they didn’t pack the section up and we got them back on the road again and I eventually disappeared from the set-up.” There was a real surprise for Recs’ players when Alex Murphy started to train at City Road, during the Summer of 1966. He was in dispute with the St. Helens club at the time and volunteered to help with the training. “He was unbelievable,” remembers Eric Frodsham. “He could run faster backwards than a lot of us could run forwards!” Murphy was later photographed in an Australian jersey with City Road as a backdrop for the front cover of his autobiography ‘Saints Hit Double Top,’ published in 1967.
Fortunately, the crisis at City Road had eased by the Autumn of 1967 and the Rugby League section was able to continue. Eric Frodsham, the legendary Big E, Recs’ former long-serving front-rower believes George was sent ‘from above’ to sort out the problems, otherwise closure was a real possibility. He liked the lads and eventually the threat of closure was averted. The club never looked back after that. “It is true that there were some discipline problems,” recalls Eric. “One of our players was accused of butting a referee, but it was a case of mistaken identity and the wrong lad ‘carried the can.’ George brought in Jack Atherton and Eric Cunliffe as Secretary, a snooker referee who went by the name of ‘Freeball’ in the local paper. Mind you, George was brilliant for us at the club. We played in seven-a-side competitions and after one he took us to Wakefield Variety Club to see the star turn, Marion Montgomery, who was a topclass jazz singer – great times!”
George Parsons with his charges in the mid-1960s. According to Eric Frodsham, he was the man to get the club out of a crisis situation.
A TEAM FIXTURES Date
Comp
Home Or Away Home Home
Opponents
Result
Thatto Heath B Eccleston Lions
8 - 22 L P-P
3rd February-18 10th February-18
Friendly Friendly
3rd March-18 10th March-18 17th March-17 24th March-18 31st March-18
League League League League
7th April-18 14th April-18 21st April-18 28th April-18
League League League League
Away Away Away Home
Rochdale Mayfield A Halton Simms Cross Latchford Albion Widnes Tigers
5th May-18 12th May-18 19th May-18 26th May-18
League League
Home Away
Haresfinch Hindpool Tigers
League
Home
Leigh Miners Rangers A
2nd June-18 9th June-18 16th June-18 23rd June-18 30th June-18
League League League
Away Home Home
Wigan St Patricks A Walney Central Rochdale Mayfield A
League
Away
Widnes Tigers
7th July-18 14th July-18 21st July-18 28th August-18
League
Home
Simms Cross
4th August-18 11th August-18 18th August-18 25th August-18 1st September-18 8th September-18 15th September-18 22nd September-18 29th September-18
Home Wigan St Patricks A Away Walney Central Away Leigh Miners Rangers A Home HIndpool Tigers Easter Weekend
Nines Comp Nines Comp Challenge Cup Weekend League League
Away Home
Haresfinch Latchford Albion
14 - 36 L 42 - 6 L 10 - 46 L 40 - 20 W
A-A
1st TEAM FIXTURES Date
Comp
Opponents
Result
C/Cup C/Cup C/Cup
Home Or Away Away Home Home
27th January-18 10th February-18 24th February-18 3rd March-18 10th March-18
Wallsend Eagles Thornhill Trojans Millom
6 - 42 W 16 - 0 W 32-16 W
League
Away
Leigh Miners Rangers
24 - 8 L
17th March-17 25th March-18 31st March-18
League C/Cup
7th April-18 14th April-18 21st April-18 28th April-18
League League League League
5th May-18 12th May-18 19th May-18 26th March-18
Home Away Easter Weekend
Ince Rose Bridge Coventry Bears
P-P 31 - 20 L
Away Home Home Away
Featherstone Lions York Acorn Milford Marlins Oulton Raiders
32 - 20 L
League League
Away Away
Thornhill Trojans Lock Lane
2nd June-18 9th June-18 16th June-18 23rd June-18 30th June-18
League League League
Home Away Home
Bradford Dudley Hill Shaw Cross Sharks Thornhill Trojans
League
Home
Skirlaugh
7th July-18 14th July-18 21st July-18 28th July-18
League League League League
Away Home Home Away
Milford Marlins Lock Lane Oulton Raiders Skirlaugh
4th August-18 11th August-18 18th August-18 25th August-18
League League League
1st September-18 8th September-18 15th September-18 22nd September-18 29th September-18
League League League
Away York Acorn Home Shaw Cross Sharks Away Bradford Dudley Hill Challenge Cup Weekend Home Away Home
Featherstone Lions Ince Rose Bridge Leigh Miners Rangers
PILKINGTON RECS
YORK ACORN
1.
Ryan Hilliard
1.
Matt Chilton
2.
Kyran Knapper
2.
Josh Thomson
3.
Jon Frodsham
3.
Ryan Gallacher
4.
Ian Stanley
4.
Matty Downes
5.
Jake Hodson
5.
Callum Worthington
6.
Tom Roughley
6.
Anthony Chilton
7.
Danny Lynch
7.
Timmy Elliott
8.
Mark Briody
8.
Tom Hill
9.
Ryan Liptrot
9.
James Mountford
10.
Mike Garrity
10.
Ryan Price
11.
Tez Riley
11.
Reece Rushworth
12.
Luke Riley
12.
Matthew Woods
13.
Jamie Smith
13.
Brandon Harris
14.
Ryan Stevens
14.
Joe Budd
15.
Jono Peers
15.
Jordan Hyde
16.
Chris Clayton
16.
James Bromwich
17.
Ben Gravener
17.
Nathan Welsh
Coaches John Rees Liam Bostock Ste Edgerton Physio Gary Trueman
Officials Joseph Turner Connor Griffiths Innes Arnold
Coaches Leigh Paul-Rientoul Tom Hill