HEYS ONLINE REVIEW 5
#PrideOfPrestwich @PrestwichHeysFC
RESTWICH
Ground – Adie Moran Park, Sandgate Road, Prestwich, M45 6WG 1st Team Manager – Jon Lyons 2nd Team Manager – Jeff Kavanagh
CLUB SPONSORS
HEYS’ NEXT FIXTURE Tuesday 7th April 6.15pm KO @ Thomasson Fold, Edgworth, Bolton, Lancs,BL7 0PD
Turton Vs Prestwich Heys
GAFFER’S VIEW Heys Online Review caught up with 1st team manager Jon Lyons ahead of tonight’s cup game v Turton for his views on the last week or so “Since we last caught up we have played Ashton Town & Stockport in 2 different competitions. V Ashton we got another well deserved victory on a cold and challenging Thursday evening. Against a team from the league our aspirations are to compete in week in week out it was a good test. One we passed. I felt we were the stronger team over the 90 minutes and deserved the win. We showed our qualities at both ends of the pitch and a superb Mat Jolly strike sealed the win. He individually has optimised the work ethic, patience and abilities I’m looking for from my players. A well deserved moment for Mat. Saturday saw us in league action against Stockport. Games in hand for Stockport meant it was a must win for us, the defeat we suffered was difficult to take. We contained Stockport to few clear cut opportunities, their goal coming from our own mistake. However going forward we were at 90%. We had plenty of the ball, worked it well, got bodies where we wanted them but that final 10%, the killer pass or cross was lacking. It’s not something I’m use to seeing as so often it’s that final 10% that sees us through games, like against Ashton. But Saturday, we couldn’t find that extra. A real shame, but we kick on. Turton in the cup tonight, a competition that could see a Macron Stadium final. A great carrot for the lads.”
Inside Heys – Mat Jolly It’s been a good week for the club on the pitch. Following on from a poor loss and performance to Walshaw a fortnight ago. Saturday’s game against Springhead was always going to be a tough test of character against a team in a relegation dogfight on a quite frankly, disgraceful playing surface, but the lads played well and although the score doesn’t suggest so, it was a relatively comfortable win. The defence never looked like being breached and they also provided us with our goal, Lewis Smith bagging a great header. Tuesday’s training session was really good, it was mixed up a bit and we also missed the hill run off which was a bonus. I think the gaffer had half an eye on Thursday’s cup game so didn’t want to flog the lads too hard! On to Thursday’s cup Semi Final which was a memorable night for both the club and myself personally. After looking good for a fairly comfortable victory against a team a division above us, Brad Lyons decided to make things interesting, scoring a quite exquisite header into his own net! As the game moved towards penalties I was thrown into the mix for the last 10 minutes, I suspect because of my excellent penalty taking record. Then, Ryan swung in a great cross, I connected beautifully on the volley from 25 yards (editor notes - this seems a tad elaborate) out it thundered in off the underside of the crossbar! In all fairness it would have been a bit of a travesty had we not gone on to win the game as the lads had performed really well and have another cup final to look forward too. Off the pitch things are moving forward with work being carried out at Adie Moran Park and it’s great to see the progressing. I've always thought it had potential for at least the North west Counties and the management team, committee and supporters/sponsors have worked wonders this season trying to get things finalised. Come on the Heys!!
Inside Heys – Rob Sadler With off field progresses only half the job and a top 5 finish on the field has to be achieved. On the back of 2 good wins at Springhead and the semi final triumph over Ashton confidence in the squad was high. We believed the strong defensive displays in those 2 wins would stand us in good stead for the last 4 league games to secure fifth spot at least. The ability over the last few months to maintain the same back four has provided the defensive solidity we have needed to win games. We knew that defence would be tested again at Stockport. With Stockport Having so many games behind the match being called off was never in doubt. Stockport are always a difficult side to face. They have beaten us twice at home in the last 2 seasons and although we won 3-1 at their place in quite comfortable fashion we expected a much sterner test this time around. Stockport were as expected very organised, defended well and looked to counter on the break. Their transition into attack when they win the ball is one of their main strengths and this was evident quite a lot in the first half. We weathered an early storm when they created a couple of good chances but then got hold of the game and dominated possession but with no real end product as it was quite often breaking down in the final third. It was touched on at half time that we needed to keep patient and it was more than likely something special or a mistake that could win the game, unfortunately for us that was right. A mix up and lack of communication between myself and Ash, playing at Centre half, gifted Stockport’s leading scorer the chance to add another to his tally. Very disappointing on a personal note to be at fault but in all fairness after they were reduced to 10 men for what looked to be a harsh red we had more than enough of the ball to get something out of the game. It was really frustrating and disappointing not to come away with any points when we had so much of the ball but an unusual lack of quality when it mattered meant we didn’t create anything much of note and was limited by Stockport’s defensive organisation. The defeat leaves us with 3 home games remaining. Hindsford, Avro and East Manchester. We have to look at getting maximum points from those games to have any chance of securing that top 5 spot we need. We need to pick ourselves up quickly as we have got another cup game on Tuesday night at Turton. After a defeat you always look for a reaction and it may be a blessing that we have a game 2 days after the Stockport defeat. We have a massive chance of progressing in another cup competition and we need to get a good result going into what is another huge game against Hindsford on Saturday.
Inside Heys Continued… It may have been a bad result for the First team but Jeff’s Reserves once again put on another great display to take a step closer to what would be a brilliant achievement in winning the league. It has been an excellent season for the Reserves and winning the league would be a fitting tribute the effort and dedication all the lads have put in all the way back to day 1 of pre season. I think, and talk from personal experience having played a few games for the reserves this year, each player respects the honesty of Jeff and Mark’s approach. I think the honesty of the management is evident in the team and every player puts a shift in and works hard. The league doesn’t lie and regardless of what happens with the first team I will be made up for Jeff, Mark and the lads if they win the league. With only a few games left it is definitely achievable. It would be unthinkable that all the time, money and effort put in from the club off the pitch that it could still lose out due to the performances on it. We have some massive games coming up to make sure that we are playing North West Counties football next year. The motivation of playing on better pitches, better facilities should spur everyone on. Each player should be desperate to give back to everyone at the club who have given up their time, money and effort doing various jobs and roles in ensuring everything is in place to make the step up. We do not want it to be the on field results that cost us. With a big few weeks on the cards we need a result in the cup game on Tuesday and a good session at Training on Thursday night to setup both teams for the weekend. The Reserves winning their league, The first’s securing a top 5 spot and maybe a cup or 2 mixed in with confirmation of NWC football from the FA would surely make it one of the best campaigns in history. Just need United to win the Prem and it would be perfect (Not the views of wider Prestwich Heys)
Heys undone at Georgians Heys promotion hopes took a knock as they were beaten 1-0 at Stockport Georgians on Saturday. In a tense and keenly contested game Heys had long periods of possession but were unable to break down a Georgians side who defended stoically, particularly after they were reduced to ten men for the last half hour when Tyrone Turner was dismissed. Georgians made the better start putting Heys under early pressure. Prolific striker Sam Noar flashed a shot wide and then forced Rob Sadler to save at the foot of the post as Heys struggled to get a foothold in the game. However, with Phil Woodcock and Ash Blake beginning to dominate the aerial battle and nullify the threat of Noar, Heys began to put their passing game together. In what had developed into a tight contest of few chances Heys gained the upper hand, the longer the half went on, but for all their possession they had only a George Powell shot that was saved by the home 'keeper Dave Cash with his legs. With Georgians too making little headway there was little goalmouth action but the intensity and the tension in the air in this 3rd v 1st contest made it an absorbing affair. It seemed a case of who was going to crack first and within three minutes of the start of the second half started it was Heys, as Georgians took the lead. A defensive mix up left Heys exposed and although Rob Sadler and Ash Blake did their best to retrieve the situation Noar defied the efforts of both to net his 21st goal of the season. Against the meanest defence in the league Heys now had it all to do but they responded well with Conor Landers heading just wide from a Jon Lyons free kick and George Powell firing just over. As the pressure mounted the pressure began to tell on the home team and on the hour Turner saw red for a rash challenge on Landers. It was set the scene for a nerve wracking last half hour as Heys virtually camped in the Georgians half as they searched for an equaliser. In the 66th minute Darius Photiou saw a shot, from just outside the area, tipped onto the bar by Cash, in what was to prove his side’s best chance. A lack of quality with the final ball and poor delivery from crosses, free kicks and corners, often one of their strengths, saw some promising situations fizzle out. When Heys did get in sight of goal they hit a brick wall in the shape of some superb defensive work from the home side. Danny Eyres and Powell flashed shots wide but in the end Heys ran out of time and ideas.
FBT MANCHESTER LEAGUE – PREMIER DIVISION
#PrideOfPrestwich……..
continued….
Keep your eyes peeled as there’ll soon be a #PrideOfPrestiwch beer available!! Our friends at Beer Nouveau – England’s smallest commercial Brewery, based in Prestwich, are in the early stages of developing the brew. Suggestions on beer types can be sent to their twitter handle @BeerNouveau Catch up with Beer Nouveau at the Prestwich Beer Festival
Stockists Browton's Bottle Shop 8 Fletcher st. Ashton-Under-Lyne, OL6 6BY – TEL: 0161 343 8720 & BarBeerian 84 Bury Old Road, Manchester
Princess Elle Tierney's Fund UPDATE #10 Hi everyone, 4 weeks tomorrow is the big event, Saturday 18th April 2015, 9am outside Heaton Hall, The Heaton Park Royal 'parkrun'. Come dressed up in your finest royal attire and walk, jog or run to help raise money for Elle. We have raised a significant amount to date but there is still work that can be done. 1. Register for 'parkrun' (not compulsory)http://www.parkrun.org.uk/heaton/ 2. Share this update on social media or create your own status updates www. http://www.gofundme.com/PrincessElle to help raise sponsorship for your run. 3. Think of other ways to fund raise or add to this event.
IF YOU CAN HELP AT ALL, PLEASE DO. THANKS, ALL AT HEYS
ALL JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY REPEATING…
Formation
The origins of Prestwich Heys A.F.C. can be traced back to February 9, 1938 when a meeting was called at the music room of the Heys Road Boys' School at which Elgar Lumsden put forward the idea of forming an old boys' association. Attending that first meeting were messrs Bridge, Stott, Foster, Taplin and Alan Proctor Bell, who was to become a central figure in the club’s history and whose progress he was to report on in the Prestwich Guide under the guise of ‘Touchliner’. Despite the onset of the Second World War a year later, the association flourished under the chairmanship of Bell, who also acted as secretary of the football arm, known as Heys Old Boys' AFC and was acknowledged as one of the region’s best. The club went on to win its first honours in 1943 in the Prestwich and Whitefield League with the Woodward Shield – a success which was repeated for the next three seasons.
The glory years The team gradually progressed through the Bury Amateur League and into the South East Lancashire League claiming championships in 1960, 1961 and 1964. Under the guidance of Peter Gilmore in the 1960s, Heys won the prestigious Lancashire Amateur Cup in 1967 followed by the one and only Lancashire Combination Grand Slam in the 1970–71 season with Heys bringing all four trophies available back to Grimshaw's. The club also changed its name in 1964 to Prestwich Heys AFC, an acknowledgement of the fame achieved by the club as they proved one of the nation’s top amateur clubs. Thousands flocked to see Heys play, and beat, the likes of Sutton United, Ferryhill Athletic, Finchley and Highgate United in the FA Amateur Cup with the club's best run taking Heys to the last 8. The victory over Sutton United in 1969 ranks as one of Heys’ most famous moments, attracting nationwide coverage, coming a week before their opponents were due to meet Leeds United in the FA Cup.
Restructuring and a new home These were heady days but with the 1970s came the onslaught of professionalism and the club struggled to maintain its winning ways. After claiming the Manchester Amateur Cup in 1972, the trophy cabinet remained bare as Heys negotiated the gradual restructuring of semi-professional football, moving from the Cheshire County League into the newly formed North West Counties League in 1982. Ground grading problems saw the club drop into the Manchester Football League in 1986 but the club went on to gain its first trophy for over a decade when the First Division title was claimed in 1988. 1991 saw Heys moved by Bury Council off their Grimshaw's home on Heys Road for a new base at Sandgate Road, just over the border in Whitefield.
After relegation in 1996, the club bounced back with the Manchester League double of First Division Championship and Murray Shield built on the back of a record 19 league wins from the start of the season.
Former skipper Lee Connell in action for Heys in 2006
Present day The 2004–05 season saw Heys finally take the major prize of their first Manchester League Premier Division title. They followed this up by retaining their crown the following season with a 2–0 victory in their penultimate game of the season at Hindsford. In 2006–07 Heys made it a hat-trick of Premier Division titles and also lifted the Goldline Trophy after defeating Charnock Richard on penalties at the Reebok Stadium. Tragically, Manager and Chairman Adie Moran died on June 27 2007, whilst on holiday in Sri Lanka at the age of 43. Assistant Manager Jason Dormer took over first team duties until he was replaced by Peter Freakes and Andy Whiteman in February 2008. However, Freakes and Whiteman's spell in charge was to last only nine games with the club citing differences of opinion in the future strategy of the development of the club as the reason for their dismissal. Reserve team management duo of Liam Morrissey and Paul Taylor took over the running of first team affairs during the summer of 2008. Morrissey led the team to a 12th-place finish in the 2008–09 season, some 29 points behind league champions Manchester Gregorians. On 8 October 2009, with Heys sitting third from bottom in the table, it was announced that Morrissey was standing down from his position as first team manager. Morrissey moved to manage the reserve squad and was replaced by former Heys player Mark Slater, who was taking on his first managerial role. Former players Jon Lyons & Karl Kavanagh took charge of 1st team affairs in December 2012 with another former player, Jeff Kavanagh taking charge of the 2nd team Heys continue to work on their redevelopment plans as they look to get their Sandgate Road ground up to a standard that may possibly see a return of North West Counties League football to Prestwich for the first time since 1986. Planning permission for pitch floodlights was granted in November 2007. Working under the Shared Access Agreement to help with costs for floodlight installation Heys' push for a move back into The North West Counties Football League has taken great strides in early 2015. Installation of new changing facilities are taking place to meet league Ground Grading criteria
NOW TO THE FUTURE… #PrideOfPrestwich