OFFICIAL 32 PAGE MATCHDAY PROGRAMME OF SQUIRES GATE
Pic by Albert Cooper
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CLUB DIRECTORY & OFFICIALS CONTACT US Squires Gate Football Club School Road, Blackpool, FY4 5DS
Good afternoon, and welcome to Also, don’t forget we are hosting a Email: squiresgatefc@gmail.com The Brian Addison Stadium for our sportsman dinner with former Website: www.squiresgatefc.co.uk game with Skelmersdale United. Blackpool player Keigan Parker on Twitter: @squiresgatefc 8th Feb, for just £20 a ticket! Gate are yet to win in the new Facebook: Squires Gate FC year, and will be looking to I hope you all enjoy today’s game, bounce back against a tough Skem and of course the programme! EXECUTIVE: Utd team. Jay Hayden, Programme Editor
Chairman: John Maguire
With a tough month coming up for Gate, we need to try and pick up points from home fixtures to progress up the league.
Co-Chairman: Tony Jo Treasurer: Mark Ashmore Secretary: John Maguire First Team Manager: Luke Evans Assistant Manager: Shane Hudson Director of Football: Jimmy Salthouse Physio: Lucy Gray Club President: Brian Addison
IN TODAY’S ISSUE 4
FROM THE DUGOUTS
8
ABOUT SKELMERSDALE
10
VIEW FROM THE AWAY END
12
Q & A WITH BEN BARNES
14
MATCHDAY CENTRE
16
MEET GATE TEAM
19
NWCFL STATS
20
MATCH ACTION
22
AROUND THE NWCFL
24
VIEW FROM THE HOME END
26
GROUNDHOPPER
29
ESTADIOS DE ESPANA
30
LINE UPS
7
ABOUT SKELMERSDALE
Committee: John Maguire, Mark Ashmore, Steve Bellamy, Brian Addison, Colin Smith, Karl Townson, Spencer Leader, Chris Chadwick, Nick Grindley, Tony Jo, Media: Albert Cooper, Mark Ashmore Programme Editors : Jay Hayden, Dan Hayden
Gate Attendee: Jay Hayden Groundsman: Brian Addison, Steve Bellamy, Roy Bar: Denise Gibson, Chris Chadwick, Dan Hayden, Steve Bellamy
PART FOUR NOTE: The words in this programme are NOT those of Squires Gate FC or Skelmersdale Unitrd, and facts and stats are as accurate as can be at the time of writing. 3
HERE WHAT THE GAFFERS SAY: LUKE EVANS
PAUL MCNALLY
Welcome to today’s game as we see Skelmersdale United visit us. Skelmersdale like ourselves have had a recent upturn in I am expecting a really tough game today against one of the fortune and as we know from the previous game they are a leagues in form teams. force to be reckoned with. When we last met in December the game was an exciting The away game a few weeks back was very frustrating for us game for the neutral but not for either of us 3-3 which over the course of the game was probably a fair reflection but I would as although maybe not deserved finding ourselves 3-0 up at half time we should 100% see the game out for 3 points but it take a boring 1-0 today as it would mean we have been defensively sound and got the vital 3 points we need to climb the wasn’t to be and skemlersdale were excellent second half to table. take a share of the spoils. They showed great character and fighting spirit and I am sure that will be on show again today. I watched Squires Gate against Bootle recently and I was very impressed with how they played, they like to get the ball Last Saturday we hosted Whitchurch and although being down and play the right way so am expecting a great game above us in the table we took the game too them but we just with hopefully an away win. couldn’t find the right answer and had to settle for a point. Jake Higham came closest hitting the under side of the bar. A spe- Good luck and may the best team win ! cial mention must go to Cam Gourley who was brilliant Paul throughout and Jordan Gidley getting a clean sheet which is no more than his recent performances deserve. We want to get back to winning ways this afternoon and we hope to do that with your help. Enjoy the Game! Up the Gate Luke
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Formed: 1882 Ground: JMO SPORTS PARK Capacity: Colours: Red Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks HONOURS:
LIVERPOOL SENIOR CUP WINNERS 2014-15 Northern Premier League (North) Champions 2012-13 Lancashire Amateur Shield Winners 1907-08 Liverpool County Combination League Winners 1910-11, 1913-14, 1914-15, 1919-20, 1938-39, 1939-40, 1945-46, 195051, 1951-52, 1953-54 Liverpool Challenge Cup Winners 1911-12, 1913-14, 1920-21, 1921-22, 1939-40, 1940-41, 1945-46, 1946-47 George Mahon Cup Winners 1924-25, 1934-35, 1939-40, 1946-47,1951-52, 1954-55 Lancashire Junior Cup Winners 1914-15 Lancashire Combination Division Two Winners 1955-56 Amateur Cup Winners 1970-71 Amateur Cup Runners up 1966-67 Amateur Cup Semi Finalist 1968-1969, 1969-70 Cheshire League Champions 1968-1969, 1969-70 Cheshire Challenge Shield 1968-69, 1969-70 Cheshire Jubilee Cup Winners 1969-70 Lancashire Challenge Cup Winners 1969-1970, 1970-1971, 2008-09 Lancashire Floodlite Cup Winners 1969-70 Ashworth Cup Winners 1970-71 FA Cup 1st ROUND PROPER 1966-67, 1968-69, 1971-72 EUROPEAN AMATEUR CUP Winners Cup 1971-72 Skelmersdale Utd 2-1 Monte Belluna (On Agg) Liverpool Senior Non League Cup Winners 1973-74 1974-75 North West Counties League Cup Winners 1999-2000 7
WE WELCOME SKELMERSDALE UNITED Skelmersdale United Football Club has a very rich pedigree with an extensive list of honours since they were founded in 1882.
club, with financial problems that the club would have hanging round its neck for over two decades and performances on the pitch were less than impressive.
The Club had its genesis in a team of players brought together by the teachers of the Skelmersdale Wesleyan Day School and it was called Skelmersdale Young Rovers, the head master at the time being Mr Ritson. When he left he was succeeded by Mr Forster of St Helens, a football enthusiast. Under his guidance the team became a much stronger organisation and the name was changed to Skelmersdale Wesleyans, subsequently the minister expressed his disapproval of this and the team became Skelmersdale United.
After joining the North West Counties League in 1982 without much success and following three seasons of just avoiding relegation to the 2nd Division in the early 90’s, the inevitable happened at the end of the 1995-96 season as the club slumped to its lowest level Russ Perkins was named as manager and the club quickly regained promotion and the start of the long road back to the clubs former glories.
They joined the Liverpool County Combination in 1909 and won the first of their Championship titles in 1911 they competed in the League until 1955, during which time they were Champions on 10 occasions, Liverpool County FA Challenge Cup Winners on 8 occasions and George Mahan Cup Winners 5 times. For the majority of their first seventy years the club played at Sandy Lane that is now the site of an office block. Tom Tinsley who played for just four seasons (either side of the war) created a record by scoring 214 goals this despite many games missed due to Army call ups between 1966-67 and 1970-71 included 2 appearances at Wembley in the Amateur FA Cup in 1967 & 1971.
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Winning the League Challenge Trophy in May 2000, The club left their spiritual home of White Moss Park in 2002 and eventually moved to the newly named Westgate Interactive Stadium, Stuart Rudd smashed the goalscoring record netting 230 goals With Paul Gallagher in charge he took the club forward and with a second place finish and promotion to the Northern Premier League in 2006. United appointed the experience manager Tommy Lawson to take the club to the new level and apart from a mid table position in 06-07 the club finished in a play-off position all but once in the next 5 seasons winning the title in record breaking style in 2012-13.They also won the Lancashire Cup in 2010.
Despite challenging for the title in their first season in the NPL Premier the club lost ground and eventually finished 6th. After The 1st final was against Enfield which, following a 0-0 draw at a good start to the 2014-15 season, the club lead the table Wembley (with Alan Bermingham missing a last minute until after the Christmas period but United found themselves in penalty); they lost 0-3 at Maine Road, Manchester, in the a serious financial problem and only by the efforts of the replay. The 2nd Wembley date, in 1971, with Roy Rees in players supporters and sponsors the club managed to see the charge resulted in a convincing 4-1 win against Dagenham, season through. with centre forward Ted Dicken scoring a hat trick, Andy Windsor also scoring. In between the two Wembley finals, the 2015-16, however was one of difficulty both on and off the field the club was perilously close to the relegation zone for club had regular successful cup runs in the Amateur Cup, much of the season, not helped by some dramatic Winter reaching the semi-final on two other occasions. weather that had the ground underwater and the large back During this period the club also won 2 Cheshire League titles fence totally destroyed, the club survived but worse was to and numerous other trophies. One of the everlasting memories come, the following season was spent in the bottom 4 and by of the many successful Amateur Cup days was the January Tommy Lawson the long serving manager was tremendous support for the club. The phenomenal increase in sacked, replaced by former Notts Forrest and Leicester crowds will probably never be repeated again, with regular defender Alan Rogers. crowds between 1,000 and 1,500 for league games, rising to Manager Dave Powell replaced Alan Rogers in September several thousand for cup games. 2017, United avoiding relegation, There was good news in Indeed the record gate for the club was 7,500 for a quarter August as United announced plans for a new stadium at The final game in March 1967 that resulted in a 1-0 victory over JMO, just 100 yds from their spiritual home of White Moss Slough Town. The cup final of 1967 attracted a massive Road. Paul McNally, former Manager of Cammell Lairds and 75,000, There is no doubt that the 1967-1971 period was a REMYCA stepped in to replace Powell during the winter, as golden era for Skelmersdale with many players progressing United failed to get out of the relegation zone, he could not into the Football League. Although the club joined the Northern help the slide and United suffered the second relegation in 3 Premier League in 1971 it was to be an unhappy time for the years.
AN INSIGHT TO SKELMERSDALE UNITED BEN BARNES
JACK COOKSON
ALEX DAVIES
Position: Goalkeeper
Position: Defender
Debuted at the age of 17 in 2005. Had spells at Marine & Prescot.
Began career at Morecambe. Stints at Burscough and Chorley
Joined for his second stint at the club, after being at Rylands.
CAMERON GLENNON
JOE HERBERT
BENJAMIN STANTON
Position: Defender
Position: Defender
Position: Defender
Joined the club in 2016, after a spell at Ashton United.
Dual registration with Widnes.
Joins from Ramsbottom United.
MARVIN MOLYNEUX
DANIEL MURPHY
SIMON WOODFORD
Position: Defender
Position: Defender
Position: Defender
Worked under McNally at Litherland REMYCA.
Everton youngster who joined from AFC Liverpool in 2015.
Has represented Curzon Ashton.
REGAN JARRETT
JORDAN TYRER
PATRICK STAUNTON
Position: Midfielder
Position: Midfielder
Had a loan spell at Avro last season, also played at Rammies.
Joined in March 2019, after playing Saturday and Sunday football.
Son of Steve Staunton. On a dual registration with Marine.
.ALEX GRIFFITHS
KHALIL OSI-EFA
JACK GRIMSHAW
Position: Midfielder
Position: Midfielder
Position: Midfielder
Played all 42 games last season, joined from Vauxhall Motors.
On a dual registration from Ramsbottom United
1 goal in 24 apps this season, so far.
TOM GRIMSHAW
SAM BYRNE
WILLIAM DUNNE
Position: Midfielder
Position: Striker
Position: Midfielder
Made 15 apps for Ramsbottom United last season.
Dublin born, ex United and Everton youngster.
Joined from Marine last season
RICHARD BRODIE
JOSH KLEIN-DAVIES
EMINI ADEGBENRO
Position: Striker
Position: Striker
Position: Striker
Has scored 162 goals in 492 games in his career.
Began career at Bristol Rovers, on dual reg with Prescot Cables.
Joined from Congleton where he scored 16 goals last season.
JOE CAWLEY Position: Striker Previously at Colwyn Bay 9
SIMON DRISCOLL
Speaking to The Gate from Skelmersdale United this week, is Club Media Officer Simon, he talks about why he supports Skelmersdale, his expectations for the rest of the season and his 5 a side team. First of all, what got you into football? More importantly Skelmersdale United? I got into football, literally from birth as my family is full of football fans, Liverpool specifically. As for Skelmersdale, my support also began at a young age with my Dad taking me to a game in my early years at our former home at White Moss Park, my support grew massively in 2013 as I had more free weekends to attend and it propelled me to become the Club Media Officer of almost three years. Did you own any football shirts when growing up? Who was your football idol? I have a collection of Liverpool home and away and third kits from almost every year until teenage including three famous “Ecru” kits and since Skem home in recent years with the seasons current kits recently obtained. A strange idol maybe in that was John Motson, always had the dream of becoming a sports reporter or commentator like him and reached it with Skem currently. You say you have been media officer for 3 years. Why do you think it is important for every club to have volunteers like yourself taking on your sort of role? What makes non league football unique to you? Three years comes on the 4th Feb, so it is huge personally for me mainly because without myself and several volunteers, our club wouldn't currently exist. A huge amount of hard work from board to fan level has ensured that we have battled through tough times in the last few years to move back home and build a future. Non league is unique as it is like a family at times, players and fans can mix without the issues found at professional level, 10
chatting before the game and then maybe over a drink in the bar. Before the season started, what were your expectations for Skem? How does that compare to your position now? What position do you hope to achieve by the end of the season? Pre season hopes were to end in the top 10, maybe 8th or 9th, something still attainable despite being in 16th given the table is close, points wise. Hopefully our perfect start at home can continue and help us move up and creep into that top half before the season ends. Do you remember the first game you attended? In general, and for Skelmersdale? The aforementioned White Moss Park one is all I could remember of my first Skem game but aside from Skem and a few visits to Tranmere Rovers that I can’t find dates for it was Liverpool v Charlton Athletic in Feb 1996 at Anfield with Fowler and Collymore scoring in a 2-1 win. What has been your most memorable Skem moment? The league title win in 2013 comes close but April 1st 2017, also known as the day of the canine pitch invader is the most memorable, a 1-0 defeat at Halesowen Town reached worldwide media coverage as one of the Town players’ dog stopped play for seven minutes with my footage featuring on the ITV Evening News. What has been the best and worst game that you have ever seen? In general, and watching Skem? Some of the best ever are in my Rugby League attendances but seeing Liverpool secure a place in the 2007 Champions League final at Anfield is the best in general. Worst being a dull 0-0 draw with Hull City (Liverpool again). Skem wise, the worst was covering a 10-1 home defeat to Ashton United in 2017 and best is a comeback from 2-0 down with 80 minutes played at Kendal Town to win 3-2 with a Scott Bakkor 9 minute
hat trick in March 2018. When the fixtures are announced, which do you look out for first? Which teams do you hate visiting, and playing? As we have played in three divisions in four seasons, it has been Prescot Cables or Marine (both recent groundshares) for the first look as they are great derbies. Honestly, there isn’t a team I’ve hated visiting as have only seen a few teams away more than once due to divisional changes, the best has to be South Shields with a crowd of over 1500. In terms of hated playing, it has to be Prescot Cables in terms of results as there have been a few heavy losses Skem have had some great reviews for their programme this season. What makes a good programme for you? What is your routine for visiting a new ground? Our programme editor Kev Panther excels with his solo output for the programme and has done for years so kudos to him. A great programme for me, is one that features both past and present info on both clubs for that match and also some interaction from fans or youth players to show the club has a good community feel. My routine for visiting a new ground, for example ahead of the visit to yourselves at Gate is to look for images of the stadium to pick out a nice filming spot and a good place to affix our flag. The NWCFL is a hard division to get out of, which teams have been the strongest that you have played so far? As there are some teams we have yet to play at all this season both Irlam and Charnock Richard were very tough away trips, as they overpowered us in attack in 4-0 defeats and at home, Longridge was a very tough game as their pace on that day proved costly for us. You can bring 3 Premier League players to Skem on a free transfer. Who do you sign and why? Virgil Van Dijk as we do have a strong defence but in need of some height. Also from Liverpool, Trent Alexander Arnold as we have pacy strikers who would have a field day with his quick corners and crosses. Finally, Jamie Vardy as he has played at this level before so he can share how effective beginning at this level can grow into a great future. You are manager of a 5 a side team. You can pick 2 Skem players, past or present, and 3 Premier League legends. Who makes your team? Ben Barnes - Current Skem keeper, bought a huge lift to the club on and off the pitch this season. Alex Griffiths - Showed great loyalty in playing 50 consecutive games from signing in August 2018. Steven Gerrard - Legend and great leader. Alan Shearer - Guaranteed a goal and a great celebration. Hard choice for my fifth but I’m going with Robbie Fowler as, just like Shearer, he found the net with ease and became an idol of mine early on. Which 3 teams will go up this season? Who will go down? 1874 look good in place even with games in hand, and I think Bootle might go that extra step after missing out last season. Third is tough, and hard to choose between current side Charnock Richard and Longridge as for down, Burscough or Litherland REMYCA Finally your prediction for the game? After a six goal thriller in the reverse meeting, anything can happen but it’s our first away trip this year. A narrow 1-0 win.
Pictured above: Article ahead of the 50th Anniversary of the FA Amateur final
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SKEM’S SHOT STOPPER TALKS TO THE GATE This week talking to Gate is Skelmersdale keeper, Ben Barnes, he tells us a bit about his career, why he wanted to be a goalkeeper and how he prepares for games.
There, quite rightly, was an immense pride which you could feel in the atmosphere. We recorded the highest attendance in the league on the day which reflects how much the community has missed having the club based in the town and to top it off with a 4-0 goosing of our derby rivals was brilliant. As a What encouraged you to want to become a keeper? Did you have local lad and being captain on the day it was extra special for me as I know any footballing idols as a kid? what the clubs about and what it means. I'd just like to take this moment to congratulate those on the board and working behind the scenes for the I always wanted to be a striker. Robbie Fowler was my hero growing amazing work they've done in keeping the club afloat and managing to get the up. Never seen a player finish like he could, just passing the ball into the goal. He was unbelievable and left footed like me too. I only started club back to Skelmersdale. playing in goal at 15 and hated it to begin with but it grew on me. What do you love most about being a keeper? Do you have any pre match superstitions or rituals that you HAVE Firstly it's those big moments in a game where it's tight and you manage to pull to do before any game? off a good save or take a corner out the air under pressure to give your team that bit of relief or even spur them on. Secondly, penalties. I love them. I’ve got loads of superstitions but they change every time we lose. Whether that's using the same towel for match days or the same pair You are DJ before the game, what is the first song on your playlist in the of gloves or even which way round I wear my shin pads. A superstition dressing room? is only as good as your last win. Right now I'd go for DMX - X gon hive it to ya but I'll have anything as long as it How do you mentally prepare yourself when facing a penalty in an gets you going, I'm genuinely not bothered either way. It could go from Wigan important game? Do you think a keeper has more pressure than Pier classics to Neil diamond to Led Zeppelin. the taker? If you were to have any 2 centre backs in the world playing in front of you, I never feel nerves for a penalty. For me the pressure is always on the apart from your current two, who would you pick and why? taker. I've had a good reputation for saving penalties over my career, including saving 3 in 1 game for Skem earlier in the season, and I think Van Djik and Joe Gomez. I'm a big believer in centre halves having a partnerthat lack of pressure I put on myself is part of that success. ship and right now there is no better partnership in world football. Part of that is the mind games, especially in a shoot out, you can play with the takers. That's purely down to the pressure they are feeling in that moment and you have to get as much advantage from that as possible. Every advantage you can get, within reason, could be a big difference. Who are the toughest opponents you have faced in your career? When I was at Marine we played AFC Fylde, and they were a very very good team, however I'd say the best team I've played was South Shields with Julio Arca playing centre mid when I was at Prescot Cables. We took the lead early in that game but they absolutely dominated us, and we were a very good team. For the rest of the game we were hanging on but we eventually succumbed to the pressure and lost. No disgrace in that defeat though. Top team. What would you say your favourite save of all time, by any goalkeeper is?
I have 2. The first is David Seaman's one handed claw off the line for Arsenal against Sheffield Utd in the FA CUP. Seaman was an unbelievable goalkeeper and probably the best England have ever had. The other one is Jerzy Dudek's point blank save from Andriy Shevchenko in extra time of the 2005 champions league final. People say its lucky but it's not. It about being in the right place and never giving up. It was an inspired save and won his team the final which is what it's about as a keeper. What has been your favourite and most memorable moment during your time at Skelmersdale?
Your favourite game of all time? That you have played in, or watched? My favourite game I have ever watched was Liverpool vs Everton in 2001 when Gary McAllister scored that last minute free kick to win it 3-2. I loved that game, watching it with my dad and my uncle. My favourite game I've ever played in is much tougher though. I would have to say Prescot Cables beating Marine 4-0 in the Liverpool Senior Cup Final. That was a special one for me as I'd played for marine for a long time and had moved to Prescot earlier that season, so to go back to a ground where I'd made so many appearances, for a new club which I'd instantly fallen in love with was special and nerve racking. Fortunately I had a very easy night, managed to keep a clean sheet and had some unbelievable celebrations afterwards with the fans. What is the most embarrassing memory you have as a footballer? That has happened to you, or a team mate? First thing I'll say is you're not a keeper unless you've got some embarrassing memories. I'll have to pick a recent one as I'm too old to remember the early mistakes I've made! Last season for Prescot I was asked to play as a sweeper keeper. The job I was asked was to keep a VERY high line. I'm not the quickest of keepers so it worried me a bit about getting caught out however the gaffer assured me even if that did happen once or twice the amount of chances prevented playing this way would make up for those. He was right of course but in November we played Ramsbottom. The wind was blowing a gale right down the pitch and the first half I’d had a good successful stint of sweeping. What I didn’t realise was that Rammy’s assistant gaffer, (now at Skem!) told Rammy’s keeper to have a pop if he fancied it with the wind behind him. Sure enough Tammy got a free kick approximately 10 metres inside their own half. I'm stood about 20 yards out from my goal ready for the inevitable sweeping to come. Unfortunately the keeper has pinged a beauty which has flown right over my diving fingertips and into the top corner. We got beat that day 4-0.
My favourite moment whilst being at Skem has to be our return to the You are the manager of a 5 a side team. You can pick 2 players from town on boxing day in our fixture vs Burscough. We won the game 4-0 Skelmersdale and 3 PL legends. Who makes your team? and the team played really well but it was the feeling around the club Pepe Reina, Luis Suarez, Sergio Aguero, Khalil, Alex Griffiths. on the day which made it special. 12
“THEY PLAYED FOR SKELMERSDALE UTD?” MICKY BURNS Micky Burns was born in Preston, and was signed from Skelmersdale United in 1969 by Les Shannon. He was a striker with pace and could score goals. Indeed, he was the Seasiders' top scorer in three of his five seasons at Bloomfield Road. He scored on his league debut, on 9 August 1969, in a 2–1 home win over Portsmouth, and helped the Tangerines to win promotion back to Division One. On 10 June 1972, Burns scored four goals in a Blackpool's 10–0 win over Lanerossi Vicenza in the Anglo-Italian Cup, en route to an unsuccessful defence of their title in the final against Roma. He had scored the extratime winner in the previous year's final that brought the cup to his home county of Lancashire. He was unpopular with some of the home fans, who regarded his playing style as too individualistic, and in the summer of 1974, he asked for a transfer. Newcastle United came in for his services for a £166,000 fee.
MATTY HUGHES Hughes began his career playing at the Everton academy until he was released in 2012. He played amateur football with Golborne Sports becoming top goal scorer in half a season before joining Skelmersdale United in November 2012. He impressed for the Northern Premier League side and became a prolific goalscorer which earned him a move to Fleetwood Town in January 2014. He made his Football League debut on 22 February 2014 in a 1–0 defeat away at Mansfield Town. He spent two loan spells with Chester during the 2014–15 season, making 26 appearances. At the end of the season, Fleetwood Town announced that they would not be renewing Hughes' contract. On 30 May 2015, AFC Fylde announced they had signed Hughes on a 2 year contract.
BEN TOLLITT Born in Liverpool, Tollitt joined Widnes in the summer of 2013 after being released by Everton. He made his starting debut for the club on 25th September. Tollitt scored his first goal in a 1–4 home defeat to Atherton Collieries.He finished his first senior season with 23 league appearances and eight goals. On 27 September 2014, Tollitt scored a hat-trick in a 4–2 home win against Daisy Hill.[5] In November, he joined Skelmersdale United in a dual registration deal, making his debut for the club in a 1–1 draw against Grantham Town. He has since played for Tranmere Rovers and Portsmouth, but he is now currently playing in League One for Blackpool. 13
A PREVIEW OF TODAY’S GAME SQUIRES GATE
SKELMERSDALE UNITED
Gate have only suffered one defeat, at the hands of a very good Bootle side. A solid performance against Whitchurch Alport after conceding 7 was much needed.
Skem have also picked up some crucial points in their previous 6 games and drew 3-3 with Gate last month. Klein Davies and Adebengro caused a lot of problems for Gate, and will be looking to do the same again today.
Blackpool loanee Nana Adarkwa will be looking to continue impressing for Luke Evans’ side.
GATE FORM GUIDE
SKELMERSDALE FORM GUIDE
DREW 3-3
WON 3-1
WON 2-1
WON 2-1
LOST 7-3 DREW 0-0
LOST 1-0 DREW 3-3
WON 4-0
LOST 3-1
WON 3-2
WON 2-1
14/12/19
17/12/19
21/12/19
28/12/19
03/01/20
11/01/20
07/12/19
14/12/19
21/112/19
28/12/19
04/01/20
14/01/20
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
League
LAST TIME OUT SKELMERSDALE UNITED 3
3 SQUIRES GATE
Adebengro (52) Klein-Davies (59,80)
Riley (19), Boyd (27), Pollard (35)
Saturday 14 December 2019 / JMO Sports Park/ Attendance: 68
Gary Pett making his second debut for the club. After a good spell from the homeside, Gate broke through James Boyd but the return pass from Dean Ing caught him offside. Ing was then fouled on the edge of the box with the referee awarding a freekick. From that freekick Ryan Riley stepped up to fire into the top corner leaving the home keeper stranded. Not content enough with his goal, Ryan Riley was back involved when he set up team mate James Boyd on 27 minutes for Gate’s second of the afternoon. As quick as Gate made it two, it was soon 3-0. He took his time on the edge of the box before picking his spot which the keeper couldn’t keep hold off with the ball going through his hands. To say it was a game of two halves would be an understatement with the homeside blowing Gate away in the second half.Emini Adegbenro nipping in at the back post unmarked to grab a goal back from the homeside. Just seven minutes later and Skem were in again. Joshua Clone-Davis beating the offside trap and slotting the ball past Jordan Gidley. Despite a few half chances for Gate, it was Skem who found the equaliser. A long ball forward from the keeper bounced in front of Gate’s defence with Klein-Davis nipping in for his second of the game.
GATE v SKELMERSDALE HEAD TO HEAD
16 14
Played
Gate Wins
Draws
Skelmersdale
Gate Goals
Skelmersdale Goals
Highest Score
1
0
1
0
3
3
3-3
0%
100%
0%
3 G.P.G
3 G.P.G
14/12/19
AUGUST
25 ASHTON ATHLETIC FEBRUARY
A
1
RYLANDS
A
LITHERLAND REMYCA
H
RUNCORN TOWN BURSCOUGH
A H
2-1 0-1
10 WEST DIDSBURY (FAC)
H
1-2
8
17 WINSFORD UNITED
A
5-2
15 BARNOLDSWICK TOWN
H
20 PADIHAM
A
1-2
19 LONGRIDGE TOWN
A
26 BARNOLDSWICK TOWN
A
2-2
A
31 WHICKHAM (FA VASE)
A
1-2
29 BURSCOUGH MARCH 7 RUNCORN TOWN
H
14 HANLEY TOWN 21 PADIHAM
A H
3 6
SEPTEMBER 7
BOOTLE
H
2-4
14 W. A CELTIC (FA VASE 2Q)
H
1-4
24 LANCASTER CITY (LCT 1)
H
1-6
APRIL
28 AVRO OCTOBER
A
3-2
2
5
H
1-5
12 1874 NORTHWICH
H
0-4
15 NORTHWICH VICS
H
2-1
19 EMLEY AFC (MACRON CUP)
A
2-1
23 LITHERLAND REMYCA
A
0-0
29 HANLEY TOWN
H
1-2
IRLAM
NOVEMBER
1874 NORTHWICH
A
16 LONGRIDGE TOWN
H
23 CHARNOCK RICHARD
A
30 IRLAM
A
TEAM
P
PTS
GD
1
1874 Northwich
21
53
39
2
Bootle
22
50
28
2
ASHTON ATHLETIC
H
0-4
3
Charnock Richard
25
47
24
5
WHITCHURCH ALPORT
A
3-2
4
Longridge Town
18
42
18
9
CONGLETON TOWN
A
2-3
5
Ashton Athletic
23
40
20
23 RYLANDS
H
0-3
6
Rylands
21
38
14
7
30 NORTHWICH VICS
A
2-3
Irlam
20
34
11
8
Whitchurch Alport
22
33
4
9
Avro
24
32
-2
10
Runcorn Town
21
30
-1
11
Northwich Vics
21
29
11
12
Squires Gate
24
28
-18
DECEMBER 7
CONGLETON TOWN
H
2-1
14 SKELMERSDALE
A
3-3
17 WINSFORD UNITED
H
3-1
13
Winsford United
22
27
-3
21 CHARNOCK RICHARD
H
2-1
14
Barnoldswick Town
21
24
-12
28 AVRO
H
2-1
15
Skelmersdale United
22
23
-5
16
Congleton Town
23
23
-6
17
Hanley Town
22
20
-19
18
Padiham
22
19
-19
19
Burscough
23
15
-39
20
Litherland REMYCA
23
15
-45
JANUARY
A
7-3
11 WHITCHURCH ALPORT
H
0-0
18 SKELMERSDALE UNITED
H
3 BOOTLE
15
MEET THE 2019/20 SQUIRES GATE SQUAD JORDAN GIDLEY
JAKE HIGHAM
JOSH WESTWOOD
SHOT STOPPER
DEFENDER
DEFENDER
Apps: 16 CS: 2
Apps: 30 Goals: 1
Apps: 28 Goals:2
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
squiresgatefc.co.uk
Emily Higham Jewellery
Mark Ashmore
JACOB DAVIES
LUKE HOLDEN
CAMERON GOURLEY
DEFENDER
DEFENDER
DEFENDER
Apps: 0 Goals: 0
Apps: 5 Goals:0
Apps: 8 Goals:0
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
Available to sponsor
Available to sponsor
Available to sponsor
ROBERT PARKER
RYAN DODD
DEAN ING
DEFENDER
DEFENDER
MIDFIELDER
Apps: 13 Goals:0
Apps: 14 Goals: 0
Apps 28 Goals: 11
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
Available to sponsor
Available to sponsor
All Aspects Plumbing
JACK ILEY
SAM S-TURNER
JOSH POLLARD
MIDFIELDER
CLUB CAPTAIN
MIDFIELDER
Apps: 13 Goals: 1
Apps:29 Goals: 0
Apps: 15 Goals: 1
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
Available to sponsor
Available to sponsor
Available to sponsor
JAMES BOYD
MATT FARNWORTH
RYAN RILEY
MIDFIELDER
MIDFIELDER
MIDFIELDER
Apps: Goals:
Apps: 13 Goals: 0
Apps: 20 Goals: 4
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
Boyds Landscapea
Available to sponsor
Available to sponsor
NANA ADARKWA
GARY PETT
STRIKER
STRIKER
Apps: 1 Goals: 1
Apps:5 Goals:2
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:
Available to sponsor
Denise Gibson
A GREAT CHANCE FOR YOU TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS A fantastic chance to sponsor one of our players at Squires Gate Football Club. Sponsorship is still available for the players listed above, and if you are interested in supporting the club and advertising your company then get in touch. The package is £50, and includes advertising on the club website, on all social media platforms and in our programme. Our programme gets over 200 views on issuu.com so a great chance to get your company advertised. Interested? Drop us an email at squiresgatefc@gmail.com or ring 0789553914 and support your local club, while getting your business noticed! 16
17
18
FACTS & FIGURES FROM THE PREMIER DIVSION MOST CLEAN SHEETS
HIGHEST ATTENDANCES
MOST 2ND HALF GOALS
G. McCall (Rylands)
5
1874 v Winsford
403
Charnock Richard
40
B. Barnes (Skem Utd)
4
Bootle v 1874
351
1874 Northwich
36
A. Reid (Runcorn Town)
3
1874 v Rylands
348
Bootle
33
D. Taberner (N.Vics)
2
Whitchurch v Hanley
333
Rylands
31
A. Woolrich (Hanley Town)
2
N. Vics v Burscough
310
Northwich Vics
27
MOST CARDS (Y / R)
TOP SCORERS (ALL)
HIGHEST SCORES
Padiham
41 38 / 3
Paul Turner (LON)
32
Barnoldswick v 1874
4-8
Lither’ REMYCA
40 33 / 7
Carl Grimshaw (CHAR)
26
Bootle v Gate
7-3
Avro
38 34 / 4
Scott McGowan (1874)
22
REMYCA v 1874
0-9
Barnoldswick Town 36 31 / 5
Jake Parker (1874)
19
Winsford v Gate
5-4
Skelmersdale Utd
Sam Madeley (WIN)
17
Bootle v Avro
7-2
36 33 / 3
GATE v SKELMERSDALE: LEAGUE GOALS IN MINUTES 6+ 5 4 3 2
2
1 0-10
11-20
WHERE TO SEE GOALS
21-30
31-40
41-45
46-50
51-60
61-70
FORM TABLE (Last 6)
71-80
81-89
90+
GATE TOP SCORERS
1 Charnock Richard
54
1 Bootle
18
James Boyd
14
2 Northwich Vics
51
2 1874 Northwich
18
Dean Ing
11
3 Barnoldswick Town
50
3 Longridge Town
15
Ryan Riley
4
4 Litherland REMYA
50
4 Charnock Richard
13
Josh Westwood
2 2
49
13
Gary Pett
5 Avro
5 Ashton Athletic
6 Bootle
49
7 Winsford United
47
8 Longridge
46
9 Skelmersdale
46
10 Congleton Town
45
FORM TABLE (LAST 6)
GATE MOST APPS
16 Burscough
6
Jake Higham
30
17 Congleton Town
4
Sam Staunton-Turner
29
18 Hanley Town
4
James Boyd
29
19 Winsford United
3
Dean Ing
28
20 Irlam
3
Josh Westwood
28
19
PREMIER DIVISION, THE BRIAN ADDISON STADIUM, 11.01.2020 SQUIRES GATE
0-0
WHITCHURCH ALPORT
Att:70 GATE 1
Jordan Gidley
2
Ryan Dodd
3
Jacob Higham
4
Sam Staunton-Turner
5
Cameron Gourley
6
Josh Westwood
7
Jack Iley
8
Matthew Farnworth
9
Nana Adarkwa
10
Dean Ing
11
James Boyd
It was the visitors who started the game on the front foot but didn’t have there shooting boots on when they fired wide after four minutes. Gate had calls for a free kick on the edge of the box turned down six minutes in when Jack Iley was sent through down the right on 22 minutes but before he could get his head up to cross the ball, a Alport defender was there to take the ball from him. His and Alport’s day then got worse when he was shown a second yellow card for swearing at the linesman and was sent off.
1
David Parton
2
Sean Griffiths
3
Leon Ashman
4
Stuart Dickin
5
Darren Campion
6 Lewis Jarman Gate upped the tempo in the second half against the ten men but 7 Daniel Skelton struggled with the final ball top open the scoring. Josh Pollard and Ryan Riley were introduced to the game with the latter almost making 8 Blake Robinson an instant impact. Jake Higham was the next Gate player to take aim 9 Ben Chilcott on the Alport goal when he came forward from defence, his shot was soft along the ground though and easy for the keeper. Seven minutes 10 Jud Ellis later and Hingham tried again but this time was denied again. 11 Alex Hughes
Pic by Albert Cooper
Pic by Albert Cooper
Pic by Albert Cooper 20
WHITCHURCH
21
THE LATEST FROM DIVISION 1 DIVISION 1 NORTH TEAM
P
DIVISION 1 SOUTH PTS
GD
TEAM
P
PTS
GD
1
Lower Breck
23
49
40
1
Vauxhall Motors
21
55
38
2
Emley AFC
22
43
14
2
FC Oswestry Town
24
51
27
3
AFC Liverpool
22
41
39
3
Stone Old
23
47
26
4
Shelley
21
37
6
4
Abbey Hey
22
43
10
5
AFC Blackpool
22
35
3
5
Eccleshall
24
42
18
6
Pilkington
23
34
3
6
West Didsbury
22
37
9
7
Daisy Hill
24
34
-14
7
Wythenshawe Town
19
34
27
8
Ashton Town
20
33
12
8
Cheadle Town
23
33
2
9
Chadderton
25
33
-4
9
Stockport Town
23
31
3
10 AFC Darwen
23
32
-12
10 Maine Road
19
29
5
11 Prestwich Heys
20
29
-2
11 Cammell Laird 1907
23
29
0
12 Nelson
23
29
-8
12 Cheadle Heath
24
29
-7
13 Holker Old Boys
22
28
-9
13 Sandbeach United
22
27
-4
14 Golcar United
19
27
12
14 Wythenshawe Amaterurs
20
22
-7
15 Cleator Moor
20
26
-7
15 New Mills
22
22
-18
16 Garstang
21
25
-11
16 Ellemere Rangers
22
22
-25
17 Atherton LR
21
25
-11
17 Abbey Huton United
23
21
-32
18 Bacup Borough
22
24
-4
18 Alsager Town
22
20
-25
19 St Helens Town
24
24
-12
19 Barnton
22
19
-23
20 Steeton
24
22
-28
20 St Martins
22
15
-24
RESULTS
22
AFC Liverpool
4
1
Atherton LR
Abbey Hey
1
4
Cheadle Heath
Ashton Town
1
6
Golcar United
Abbey Hulton United
0
2
Ellesmere Rangers
Chadderton
4
3
AFC Darwen
Alsager Town
1
2
Stockport Town
Emley AFC
2
1
Garstang
Barnton
1
6
Stone Old Alleynians
Holker Old Boys
8
0
Daisy Hill
New Mills
1
2
Cheadle Town
Lower Breck
4
3
AFC Blackpool
St Martins
0
2
Eccleshall
Nelson
2
3
Pilkington
West Didsbury
2
1
Cammell Larid 1907
St Helens Town
2
3
Shelley
Wythenshawe
0
2
Sandbach United
Bacup Borough
A
A
Steeton
Wythenshawe Town
1
2
FC Oswestry Town
23
MARK ASHMORE We interviewed Squires Gate media man, Mark Ashmore and asked him about his thoughts on the season so far, what got him into non league football, his love for Blackpool FC and what he expect for the rest of the campaign. Mark has been a major part of the club for many years now, and the work he puts in off the field is appreciated by those at the club.
Second team: Seamen, G.Neville, Ing, C.Ronaldo, G.Pett. Strength, and this lot would win at all costs. What has been your favourite Squires Gate goal? And goal in general? For what came after it I’m saying Joe Noblet away at Ashton Athletic. Even though the goal didn’t count what came after it with the goal cam going viral will live long in my memory! AlterFirst of all, what got you into football? Who did you natively we scored a great team goal a couple of seasons ago support growing up? at Barnoldswick to go I think 2-0 up in the first half. I’ve always supported Blackpool since about five years old. I What has been the best and worst game you have seen? come from a family where football was an important part of the In general, and for Squires Gate? week from my, Grandfather who volunteered at Blackpool Best has to be Leeds United away for Blackpool, we tore them Wren Rovers, to my Dad who has followed Blackpool home apart and scored some great goals in the process! Worst is and away since a young age. probably Man United away in the Premier League just BecYou have played a major part in the improvements off the uase of what the game meant. pitch at Squires Gate since you have been at the club. In your time at the club, who has been the toughest team What made you want to volunteer at Squires Gate? Gate have faced? Home and away? It was during a time when I struggled to get to Blackpool away Home would be either City of Liverpool last season or Colne games that I first came down. I googled local Non League the year they got promoted. Both played great football and we football and actually stumbled upon another club first. I went just couldn’t keep up! down there but didn’t feel welcome. I came down to Gate the When the fixtures come out, what is the first game you week after and was greeted at the Gate by Albert Cooper and look for? Which teams do you enjoy visiting, which do Steve Mclellan and got hooked from there. you hate visiting? Did you own any football shirts growing up? Who was Usually games around my birthday then around Christmas! I’m your footballing idol? always looking for the new teams to visit. Just Blackpool shirts really although I went through a stage of You can bring 3 PL players to Gate on a free transfer. Who not really wearing them for a couple of years! Idol wise I don’t do you sign and why? really remember having one! I would say I loved watching Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ozil and Zaha. Keith Southern play when he was at Blackpool! Do you remember the first game you attended? In general, Do you have any match day superstitions or rituals when watching Gate, or Blackpool? Or in general? and for Squires Gate? When I watch Blackpool we always go to the same pub for a First game was watching Blackpool against I think either Yeo- drink. When at Gate I always have a chat to the manager bevil or Oldham, don’t ask me the year though! For Gate it was fore the game. at home against Maine Road, I came down and filmed the Gate have some hard working volunteers behind the game, I think it’s still on the website somewhere! scenes, off the pitch. What is it that makes non league What has been your most memorable moment watching unique to you? Squires Gate? Being able to talk to the players and management and seeing I think either of the games playing at Ashton Athletic a couple your efforts pay off first hand. of years ago when we had to win to stay up. Either that or go- In your opinion, who do you think will go up and down ing to Droylsden in the FA Cup a couple of years ago with a this season? coach load. It just felt special. I think Bootle will do it this year! Going down it’s that tight at You are manager of a 5 a side team. You can have two the bottom it’s hard to call at the moment. teams. First team: A 5 a side of PAST Squires Gate play- Prediction for the game? ers only. Second team: 2 Gate present players, and 3 PL 3-1 to Gate. Ing, Westwood and Riley. legends. Who do you pick? First team: Fletcher, Richards, Booth, Harries, R. Seear. All technically good players, screams of entertainment! 24
25
IAN CUSACK Our groundhopper this week is based in Newcastle, and also does the programme for Newcastle Benfield. Ian talks about how he started his groundhopping adventures, and what he does when he visits a new ground. First of all, what encouraged you to get into football? Which team did you support growing up? What was the reason behind supporting them? Do you remember the first game you attended? What was the score? More importantly, what started you on your groundhopping adventures? I’d best state at the outset I’m 55, so I’ve been a football fanatic for coming up 50 years. Growing up in Newcastle, a single club city, there was only ever going to be one team for me, or there was until Mike Ashley came along. Anyway, my first visit to St James’ Park was on New Year’s Day 1973, when we drew 2-2 with Leicester City and I was hookedby the atmosphere and sense of spectacle from that moment. I went with my dad, an uncle and a cousin for a couple of years, until firstly my old man jacked it in when Joe Harvey was sacked as Magpies manager in 1975 and then my uncle did the same when Malcolm MacDonald was sold to Arsenal a year later. My cousin was more into heavy rock than football, so he bailed out as he’d started listening to Alan Freeman’s show on Radio 1, so I began going with a bunch of mates from school. The ground collecting, rather than hopping as it isn’t my primary football supporting activity, began during 1992/1993, when Newcastle’s promotion season saw them feature on ITV on Sunday afternoons, rather than Sky, over a dozen times. These fixture changes gave me plenty of free Saturdays and, rather than waste them in the house, listening to commentary on the radio or watching updates on telly, I decided on a whim to start the process of ticking off clubs in my locale, initially in the step 5 & 6 Northern League, as well as (then) near-ish league clubs like Darlington, Hartlepool and Scarborough. Around this time, Harry Pearson published the best book about NE football in history, The Far Corner, which inspired me to contact him. We met up, became firm pals and, over the past quarter of a century, have visited some truly primitive grounds, watched some awful football then drank some terrible beer. You are programme editor for Newcastle Benfield in the North East. What makes a good football programme to you? What do you hope to achieve with your programme? For me, a programme should always have plenty of reading in it. I always seek to showcase writing of a comparable standard to that you may find in the likes of Wisden, The New Statesman or the London Review of Books. I like long form 26
because they inform and stimulate the reader. Adverts are a necessary evil, puzzles an acceptable diversion, but pages of decontextualized match photos do nothing for me. Remember, many readers will be visiting your club for the first time; a club history and pen portraits of the players and management are essential to give them a feel for where they are visiting. Also, I firmly believe programmes should cost no more than a quid. Do you have any rituals or superstitions when it comes to supporting your team? Regardless of climactic conditions, I wear shorts rather than jeans during British Summer time. Once the clocks go back, I wear the same 2 pairs of socks to games; in rotation when the weather is clement and both together when it’s cold. Did you have any football shirts growing up? Who was your footballing idol? I got a full, heavy serge, cotton Newcastle United kit for Christmas 1972. It held water like a sponge and stubborn muck stains were impossible to remove. Goodness, I loved it. A couple of years later, as my idol was then Eric Morecambe, who was Luton chairman, I got one of the iconic orange Hatters’ Admiral tops with the thin white and blue stripe down one side. It was the most colourful thing I owned in the 1970s. Incidentally, I’ve still never visited Kenilworth Road. As regards a football idol; all the mavericks like Stan Bowles, Tony Currie, Robin Friday, Alan Hudson and Frank Worthington appealed to me because of their avowedly anti-establishment aura. My favourite Newcastle players were Terry Hibbitt, Pat Howard and Micky Burns. Can you give us a brief insight into Newcastle Benfield? Ground, league, etc? Ambitions for this season and beyond? We were formed to participate in Saturday football in the Northern Alliance, the lowest league in the pyramid up here, in 1988 as Heaton Corner House, playing in a public park in Walker. After a few name and ground changes, we were accepted into the step 6 Northern League Division 2 in 2003 as Benfield Park. We won promotion at the end of our first season and have been at step 5 in Northern League Division 1 ever since and Newcastle Benfield since 2007. Our honours consist of one League championship in 2008/2009, when we went from fourth to top (for the only time in the season,) courtesy of an 86th minute winner at the last game played on Penrith’s old Southend Road ground and 3 League cups. We play at Sam Smith’s Park in Walkergate and our record crowd is 926 for an FA Cup fourth round qualifier in October 2006, when York City
How many grounds have you visited? Good question; over 300 from Wembley to Wembley Town. I call myself a ground collector rather than hopper as my primary football interest is watching Newcastle Benfield. I only watch other teams when I can’t watch my own. I must state that, whatever the standard of football, supporters care as passionately about the result whether it’s Barcelona or Brechin City. Hence anyone who watches football regularly is as valid and important a member of the game’s body politic as any other. I despise the notion of superfans and the idea that certain standards of football have a kind of “purity” attached to them that others don’t. beat us 1-0. We’ve reached the FA Vase quarter finals twice, What is your usual match day routine when visiting a new ground? but always seem to come unstuck in the North West A programme, a pin badge and a pie are my purchases of (Chadderton, Atherton, Runcorn and Vauxhall Motors) Our manager is Stu Elliott, an ex-pro with Newcastle and many choice other clubs. He coaches at the NUFC academy, as does our What makes non league unique to you? most famous player, ex Newcastle, Reading, Cardiff and The fact I choose to watch Newcastle Benfield doesn’t make Northwich striker Paul Brayson, who is still banging them in at me a better fan than my neighbour who has 2 season tickets 42. Our record appearance holder is ex England beach for St James Park. At the moment, I cannot envisage the football international keeper Andy Grainger, who is virtually situation whereby I will not watch a game of football, 90% of ever present since ‘03, he was released by Darlington. the time a non-league one, every Saturday during the rest of With the Unibond League splitting into 3 parallel divisions on my life. I love the fact I know many, if not most, opposition geographical grounds for next year, we really hoped to be up fans, players and management, in the Northern League. there challenging for one of the minimum of 3 promotion You see, as I get older, I like my gigs to be intimate, my pubs places as the quality of the Northern League will be seriously to be quiet and my football to be grassroots. Others prefer the diluted (witness the loosening of its previously vice-like grip on opposite and that works for them, so I won’t criticize. the FA Vase), but we appear to be marooned in mid-table, even allowing for games in hand. There’s always next year I guess… Who is the toughest opposition in your league? It’s a tough league full stop; we’ve lost to relegation certainties and humbled champions elect over the past 16 years. Put it this way, I think the 3 to be promoted at the end of the season will be: Consett, Hebburn Town and Stockton Town who are all as strong off the pitch as on it. You can bring 3 PL players to make up a 5 a side team, with 2 Newcastle Benfield players. Who do you sign and why? We’ll contribute Andy Grainger in goal and Paul Brayson up Pictured above: Peterzalka FC front. If we’re talking about the current season, then it has to Have you ever visited any games abroad? What makes the be van Dijk, de Bruyne and Aguero; three players who read the game sublimely well. If it’s going back to the formation of experience different in other countries? Have you visited any obscure grounds? What made them different to the the Premier League then Kompany, Viera and Cantona simply others? couldn’t be beaten. Shearer on the bench I suppose. My family were all Irish, so I’ve been to 20 League of Ireland grounds over the years. Additionally, I lived in Slovakia for 2 years, in the capital Bratislava. The team I followed were Petrzalka (they beat Celtic 5-0 in CL qualifiers back in 2005) and my principal reason for travelling around Transdanubian Basin was watching Petrzalka lose 2-0 to the likes of Dunajska Streda and Banska Bystrica. Having visited loads of grounds in this country on my own, it wasn’t massively different abroad, though I struggled with the programme on most occasions. I did learn loads of new swear words of course. 27 31
As regards obscure grounds, possibly Balintore Athletic from the North Caledonian League, Athy Town of the Kildare League and Deportivo Betono from the bottom division of the Basque regional league are not the sort of venues most ground collectors, or even football fans, have on their radar. What is the best goal you've ever seen, live and in general? The best game you have ever watched? The worst? In general, and ones that you have attended on your travels? England: Alan Shearer, Newcastle v Everton, Dec 2002 English Non-League: John Campbell, Benfield v Billingham Synthonia, January 2012 Best League game: Newcastle 5 Brentford 1, March 1993 Best Non-League: Benfield 5 Runcorn Town 4, Dec 2018 Worst League game: Newcastle 0 Barnsley 0, Nov 1990 Worst Non-League: West Auckland 1 Whickham 0, Jan 1997 Your favourite grounds to visit? England: Valley Parade, Bradford City Scotland: Easter Road, Hibernian English Non-League: Woodhorn Lane, Ashlington Scottish Non-League: Dunterlie Park, Arthurlie & Hannah Park, Shotts Bon Accord Defunct English League Grounds: Highbury, Arsenal & Leeds Road, Huddersfield Defunct English Non-League Grounds: Portland Park, Ashington & Kingsway, Bishop Auckland What grounds are you planning on visiting in the next few months? I’ve never been that bothered about doing the whole 92, but Scotland is a different matter. I want to have the 42 SPFL grounds done by the end of next season, so Airdrie, Alloa and Dundee are in my sights. I only need Cobh Ramblers and Cork City to complete the League of Ireland, so a trip “back home” is on the cards as well. There are a few Northern Alliance park and school 4G pitches that I need to experience as well. Can we expect to see you at Squires Gate at some point in the future? Who knows what the FA Cup or FA Vase have in store next season? In general, Lancashire is an area where I’m poorly travelled; a situation I need to address.
Pictured above: Portland Park, Bishop Auckland. Now defunct.
Pictured above: Leeds Road, Huddersfield Town. Now defunct.
Pictured above: Deportivo Betono
We would like to thank Ian for his contribution to our programme, if you would like to follow Ian’s football travels you can follow him on Twitter.
Pictured above: Newcastle v Everton, 2002. 28
PART FOUR
From the Estadios De Espana blog this week, we look yet an- bench seating. Opposite stood a curious little stand, no more other lower league ground and the history behind the club and than 15 metres long, that housed about 150 seats, all under a stadium. This week is Club Haro Deportivo. dilapidated propped roof. You may not know it, but this is Club Haro Deportivo’s golden era. The club from the heart of the winemaking region of La Rioja is experiencing the most successful period in its history. Has this slipped beneath your radar? Well, I’m not surprised, you see Club Haro has become a big fish in the very small pond of Riojano football.
Club Haro finished fourth in the 2003-04 season, reaching the play-offs, where on 6 June 2004, they drew 1-1 with Sestao River at the last match at El Mazo. Club Haro lost the away leg at Sestao and thought the chance of promotion had passed. However, they didn’t count on CD Logroñés demotion from Segunda B and with a place up for grabs, the local federation Formed in 1914, it has had at best a modest history, spending awarded it to Club Haro. its first fifty seasons in the regional leagues. Upon reaching the On 26 August 2004 Club Haro opened the new Estadio El Tercera for the first time in 1965, Club Haro struggled to Mazo with a 2-0 friendly win over Deportivo Alavés. The become a permanent fixture, spending only seven of the next stadium was just 200 metres south from the old Campo El 23 seasons at that level. Some stability was achieved in the Mazo and was designed by architect Enrique Aranzubia. late 1980s when it occupied a lowly place in the Tercera group The municipally owned stadium has an athletics track and for clubs from La Rioja and Navarra. After dropping back to the three empty sides, but all is forgiven due to the striking stand regional league in 1995-96, some light relief was achieved a at El Mazo. year later, when on its return to the Tercera the club qualified All 4,300 seats are located on the east side of the stadium, for the play-offs to Segunda B. Unfortunately, Club Haro with the curved roof providing cover for all but the extreme finished bottom of the playoff group and had to wait another seven seasons before it would get another stab at promotion. ends of the seating tier. Club Haro’s first visit to Segunda B ended after just one season. Over the next 14 seasons, Club Home matches back then were played at the Campo El Mazo, Haro made the play-offs on all but one occasion. In the end, it a basic ground to the south west of the town. It featured a proved to be 13th-time lucky, when after securing their third raised stand on the west side of the ground, which was 45 Tercera title, Club Haro defeated Zamora CF in the play-off metres in length and had a low propped roof over eight rows of finals. 29
P Jordan GIDLEY (GK) Jacob DAVIES
G
P Referee Alexander Kelly
Jacob HIGHAM
Jack COOKSON (GK)
Marvin MOLYNEUX
Cameron GOURLEY
Robert PARKER
Ben BARNES (GK)
Jordan TRYER
Luke Holden
Josh WESTWOOD
G
Alex GRIFFITHS Assistant Referees Niall Evans
Emini ADEGBENRO Joe CAWLEY
James BOYD
Joseph Wareham
Jack GRIMSHAW
Ryan DODD
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