Squires Gate v Lower Breck

We would like to thank our sponsors for their continued support. It is very much appreciated. Enjoy the match!

CLUB DIRECTORY

President: Brian Addison

Club Secretary: John Maguire

Committee: Brian Addison, Steve

Bellamy, Ian Moore, Mickey Farrer, John Maguire

Head of Media: James Ashton

Social Media Manager: Dan Hayden

Club Photographer: Ian Moore

Media Officer: Jay Hayden

Media Assistant: George Moore

KIT SPONSORS

Shirt Sponsors: Central Insurance, Open Recruitment,

Taylors Fish & Chips, Global Football Network, Short Sponsor: Marsden Plastering

CLUB MANAGEMENT

Manager: Luke Evans

Assistant Manager: Paul Mussachio

First Team Coach : Liam Robinson

U23’S Manager: Josh Strachan

TALK OF THE GATE

Editors; James Ashton

Dan Hayden

Jay Hayden

Front Cover: Chris Stewart

@kitforbrains

Printing: Moulton Printing

CLUB CONTACT

Website: www.squiresgatefc.co.uk

Twitter: @squiresgatefc

Instagram: @squiresgatefc

Email: squiresgatefc@hotmail.com

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Peter Leonard

Assistant Referees: Lewis TuplingBaron, Benjamin Wiseman

Good afternoon, and welcome to The Brian Addison Stadium for today’s final home game of the season against Lower Breck.

As some of you may have seen, we have been nominated for Non League Bible’s Programme of the Year for the second year running so if you have enjoyed reading our issues this season, please head over to drop us a vote on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. James, Jay and I put a lot of hours into each issue so your vote would be appreciated.

With Burscough beating Bury on Thursday night, it is important that we get all 3 points today to ensure our safety in the Premier Division.

Thank youfor your support this season.

Dan Hayden

@squiresgatefc

Words by James Ashton

It was the visitors who started the match on top, and took a deserved lead inside eight minutes. A ball to the back post led to a shot that was initially saved well by Pennington, but the loose ball fell straight to Buckley who tapped into the top corner from close range.

Gate continued to battle though and went close to an equaliser on 32 minutes, with a smart volley from Alex Ralph clawed away from the top corner by the goalkeeper. Vauxhall did double their lead though on 41 minutes. A soft free kick was given just outside the area, with Hughes curling round the wall and into the bottom corner.

Gate started the second half much stronger as they looked to get back into the game, with a deserved goal from Callum Sandle coming on 55 minutes. Dan Gray threaded a perfect ball in behind for James Boyd, who showed great composure to square it

for Sandle who slotted into the bottom corner. Evans’ men stayed on top, and found their equaliser on 64 minutes in controversial circumstances. A deep free kick from Ryan Riley led to a scramble where Gate seemingly bundled the ball over the line. Despite anger from the Vauxhall players, surrounding the referee and his assistant, the goal was given with Josh Westwood wheeling away in celebration.

It was heartbreak for Gate though as Vauxhall re-took the lead on 89 minutes. A long ball in behind wasn’t dealt with and the ball fell to a free man at the back post, with Kieran Jones clearing off the line but the rebound was tapped in by Burkey.

As Gate committed men forward in search of an equaliser, Vauxhall sealed the win with McDonnell firing a clinical finish past Pennington.

1.PENNINGTON

2. GRAY

3. RILEY

4. MOORE

5. WELSH

6. WESTWOOD ©

7. BOYD

8. C.WEBSTER

9. SANDLE

10. CLIFFE

11. RALPH

BURSCOUGH 5-1 SQUIRES GATE

1. CHRISTIE

2. GRAY

3. RILEY

4. MOORE

5. WELSH

6. WESTWOOD ©

7. BOYD

8. C. WEBSTER

9. SANDLE

10. CLIFFE

11. RALPH

CAPTURING THE IAN MOORE

THE M MENT MOORE

TALK OF THE GATE UP FOR BEST PROGRAMME AWARD

As you may have seen across our social media pages, Talk Of The Gate has been nominated for Non League Bibles ‘Best Football Programme’ award for the second year running.

We face some tough opposition against Bury AFC, Wealdstone, South Shields, Pontefract Colls and Altrincham.

We’d like to thank those who have been regular buyers of TotG this season, as well as Chris Stewart @kitforbrains who has designed every single front cover for us.

TODAY’S COVER STARS!

As we continue to recognise some of the people who have played a huge part in the progression of the club off the field, today’s cover stars are Steve Bellamy and Mickey Farrer.

Steve and Mickey are both part of the committee and have been at the club for many, many years. Both starting off as players and remainas two club stalwarts.

Steve Bellamy has played a huge part in putting together sportsman dinners over the years, and has helped raise money for the club. Mickey has been a huge help with some work around the ground.

We would like to say a massive thanks to both for your continuedefforts around the club.

Creating New Memories. Respecting Our Past.

OF THE SEASON

AWAY DAY AWARDS!

I’ve been a massive fan of the footy scran at away games this season as you would have seen from my Twitter posts. This was a tough one to call for me; the pie, peas and gravy at Northwich Vics and Irlam. The pie, chips, gravy and peas at Congleton Town all worthy of a mention.

Avro get a lot of praise and coverage for their footy scran; however, I didn’t really get the chance to fully test out their menu as planned. A night out drinking on the Friday meant I was a little hungover when we got there. Went for a bacon barm which did well to sort me out for the game, but I didn’t really feel hungry enough to try the halloumi wrap. James was also disappointed that there was no salt and pepper wings.

Therefore, our footy scran of the season award goes to EMLEY AFC.

Our FA Vase trip back in November to a club in the NECFL, and the bacon cheeseburger is a prime example of the food you get at this level in non league. Unreal!

AWAY DAY OF THE SEASON

If you have been a regular buyer of our matchday programme, and read our “Away Day Reviews”, you will probably already know the winner of this one unless the trip to Burscough got a higher score from James.

To be honest, looking back I’m not sure how the trip to Emley AFC in the Vase got beaten on points by this one considering we lost here. Me, and James have made the majority of trips this season, occasionally joined by Jay and we have had some good trips as part of the media team.

We’ve heard that Isle of Man was a great away day, with a matching 4-1 win too which I am sure is most of our fans’ away day of the season.

But, based on their amazing pie, chips, peas and gravy; the lovely homemade cakes in hospitality, and a good stadium for this level. Also, a well designed programme. Our away day of the season award goes to...CONGLETON TOWN.

PROGRAMME OF THE SEASON

As programme editors ourselves, we can appreciate a good programme when going to away games. To be fair, the NWCFL has a great standard of printed programmes and very few clubs do not produce one, or it is online only.

I’ve always been a fan of our visitors’ programme covers. Last season they had a tube map design and this year, it was a passport cover with stamps from each club added once they played them. A great idea.

A 32 page effort too, with plenty to read and a very nice layout, so our award for programme of the season goes to LOWER BRECK.

HOSPITALITY OF THE SEASON

Again, I have heard great things about the hospitality that fans received at Isle Of Man. A shoutout to Ian Strodder who arranges this at the local Pinewood pub near their ground. I’ve met Ian numerous times, most recently at our trip to Longridge vs IOM last weekend and he is a great guy. But as none of the media team attended the game, we can’t really give them the award for this. Basing hospitality on various things throughout the visit, from friendliness and welcoming to the selection of cakes and biscuits in the committee rooms at half time. As mentioned, the homemade cakes at Congleton were lovely, and some of the friendliest people at Ashton Athletic. But, the welcome we received at this club, along with the free hot drinks and unreal toffee shortbread biscuits, our award goes to AVRO.

THE ULTIMATE GATE QUIZ

HOW MUCH HAVE YOU PAID ATTENTION TO THE 2022/23 SEASON?

1. Squires Gate began the 2022/23 season at home to which club?

A. AFC Liverpool

B. Northwich Victoria

2. Who was the cover star our programme in that game?

A. John Maguire B. Luke Evans

3. Who scored Gate’s first goal of the season?

A. JoshWestwood B.Theo Ball

C. Longridge Town

C. Brian Addison

C. Nathan Cliffe

4. A goal was controversially not given after the ball bounced off the inside post against?

A. Irlam B. LitherlandREMYCA

5. Which team knocked Squires Gate out of the FA Vase?

A. Cleator Moor Celtic B. Emley

6. How many yellow cards has Nathan Bartram got this season?

A. 11

B. 16

C. Charnock Richard

C. Holker Old Boys

C. 32

7. Which player scored the last minute winner against Charnock Richard?

A. Nathan Cliffe

B. JoshWestwood

8. Who scored the first Gate goal of 2023?

A. Callum Sandle

B. Nathan Cliffe

9. Alex Welsh scored his first Gate goal against which club?

A. Avro B. Prestwich Heys

10. Who scored the winning penalty against Ashton Athletic?

A. Rowan Chambers B. Dan Gray

C. Oliver Hesford

C. Nathan Bartram

C. CongletonTown

C. HarrisonWebster

11. How many appearances has Nathan Pennington made this season?

A. 42 B. 44

C. 46

12. How many players have featured for Gate in all competitions this season?

A. 34

B. 35

C.36

LOWER BRECK

LAST SEASON

Premier Division: 19th

FA Cup: Prelimairy Round

FA Vase: 2nd Qualifying Round

A BRIEF HISTORY OF BRECK….

Lower Breck Football Club was founded in the summer of 2010 in the Tuebrook area of Liverpool. The aim on formation was to establish a youthful group of quality, committed players capable of challenging for honours in all future competitions in the years to come. The lads in there first season as a open age side became a member of the Liverpool County Premier League's 2nd Division. In keeping with tradition the lads won the 2nd Division title another remarkable achievement as this was their first year in adult football.

Not settling for just a domestic trophy the club embarked on a European Tour when they traveled over to Cologne Germany to take part in the 2013 Rheintal Trophy and in doing so brought home the winner’s trophy capping another trophy led season for the lads.

Due to the financial climate the decision was made by the club committee to bring the Lower Breck

name back from its hiatus. For the 2013/14 season the club played their football in the Liverpool County Premier League's 1st Division as Lower Breck FC.

With hard work and dedication the club was aiming to be playing Premier League football the following season and that aim was realized when the lads clung on to the last remaining promotion spot. With the step up to the Premier Division secured the club looked to secure their position amongst the very best the city had to offer and build a squad capable of challenging for a league title in the forthcoming years.

For the start of the 2015/16 season

Lower Breck had grown from the one team the Moore family founded back in 2010 to the club now running five playing sides. With the addition of these sides Lower Breck set their focus on growing into a strong established club and with growth on/off the field and the club pushed full steam ahead.

In the 2016/17 season the Breck secured a domestic cup double winning the highly respected I-Zingari & George Mahon Cups.

In the 2017/18 season the club raised the bar even further and achieved greatness in Liverpool by winning all four competitions they played in and also going unbeaten throughout the whole campaign with a run stretching back to October 2016 LCPL, LCFA, George Mahon & I-Zinagri Cup Champions a truly remarkable feat that some massive clubs in Liverpool never managed to achieve.

Lower Breck FC have made the swift transition from Youth side to North West Counties affiliated member Club in under 10 years. Fostering realistic ambitions of FA Cup Football at Breckside Park, this Club epitomises Grass Roots development. Signing off last season with an unbeaten clean-sweep of every available Trophy was a statement of our intent. You or your company could benefit from both local and national exposure: ensuring your sponsorship is a worthwhile investment for you, our Club and the wider Community.

THE BRECK: 60 SECOND GUIDE

THIS IS ANFIELD (NEARLY)

Lower Breck play their home matches at the Anfield Sports & Community Centre, located just 0.8 miles awayfrom Anfield.

TEENAGERS

Lower Breck are now in their 13th year as a football club, one of the newer teams in the NWCFL as theywere formedin 2010.

MEDIA MEMOIRS

GARY MOORE

Gary Moore has been in the dugoutfor 13years!

FIXTURES & RESULTS // 2022-2023

JAWAD JEBRIN

Firstly, can you give us a brief insight into your career? How long have you been at Lower Breck? Was at a few teams when I was young and playing for the school team in Secondary but my football career started to blossom after I had left school. I was at the Robbie Fowler Academy for 3 years and each year brought me memories I will never forget. 1st year, I went to Dubai with the college and got to the final in the Dubai Super Cup. 2nd year, I was enjoying my football while scoring goals and assisting them too. 3rd and final year, was the best because not only did we win the League, I was also lucky enough to get a contract offer from Witton Albion at the end of that year. Witton was a learning curve for me in my career as i was still young and learning.

After my season had ended with Witton, I wanted to move on and get back to scoring goals. So during summer, Gary had approached me and my manager (at Witton) Carl Macaulay and told me that he was very much interested in signing me and after a couple of phone calls and meetings in person, I liked what Gary had planned for the season coming up and I made my decision and joined Lower Breck. This is my first season at the Breck and has been a rollercoaster of a year for me.

I’m also playing for my Sunday team Pineapple FC too, where we have got to the National Cup semi final this year too.

What is your earliest memory of your career?

I’ve been playing football from a very young age and my mother would take me anywhere and everywhere to play football because that’s how much I’m obsessed with it.

Who has been the toughest opposition you have come up against? Player and team?

Toughest player has to be Bohan Dixon of Warrington Town and the hardest team was pre season friendly against Crewe from my time at Witton.

If you could play alongside any player from the PL past or present. Who would you pick?

Eden Hazard

Could you talk us through your matchday routine?

9:30 - Wake up

10 - 10:30 - Shower and prepare myself with my gear for the game.

10:30 - 11 - Get my bag ready with boots and leave them at the door ready to go.

11 - 11:30 - Breakfast, Bowl of Porridge with Fruit and couple pieces of toast and some orange juice.

11:30 Will just watch some TV and stuff until it’s time to leave.

1:30 Arrive at ground with some fruit and prepare myself for the game

What is your most memorable career moment?

My first goal for Witton coming in the FA Cup beating Scarborough 2-0.

TEAM MATES

Who is the DJ in the changing room?

Thomas Williams

Worst taste in music?

Jamie Menagh

Who will be a future manager?

Adam Pepper

100m race, who wins?

Me

If you were all to go in the jungle, who would be likely to back out the challenges?

Jamie Menagh

Most intelligent player?

Adam Pepper

Your go to meal deal?

Tuna and sweetcorn sandwich

Chocolate bar

Water or smoothie

Your all time Lower Breck 5 a side?

Theo Roberts

Danny Mckenna

Adam Pepper

Me

Tom McNamara

SAINT ETIENNE

WORDS BY STEPHEN BRANDT

It took until the 2021-22 season for any club to match Saint Etienne’s French titles at 10, when PSG finally overtook it. The sport has changed massively since 1976, and PSG has far more money than Les Verts ever has had, but still almost 45 years later Saint Etienne is known for their glory time. To think, Saint Etienne from the mid sixties to the eighties ruled the French game. No one has had that in the country. PSG is coming close, but does not have their European Cup adventure yet.

Saint Etienne won four titles in a row between 1967 and 1970, with doubles during two of those seasons. The collective underwhelming effort in the European game for the French had been tiresome. Stade de Reims final defeat in 1959, and by the 1974/75 season no French club had made it past the quarter final stage. St. Etienne ended that by making the semis in 1975. Why you can keep bringing up the Remis side is because the architect of those sides, Albert Batteux also put Saint Etienne on the same path. Batteux arrived at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in 1967 taking over from JeanSnella.

Batteux is one of the most successful managers in French football history, winning nine titles, three Coupe de France’s, as well as taking Reims to two European Cup Finals,and

taking France to a third place spot in the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. With Saint Etienne he dominated at home up to 1970, but all good things started to crumble after a while. After two barren years in the trophy case, and any movement in the European game, Batteuxwas axed.

So the next manager brought in to take Saint Etienne to the next level of the French game and the world was Robert Herbin. He was a former French international who spent 15 years in the Saint Etienne midfield and defense. Herbin was one of the bedrocks of the Championship winning sides of Snella and Batteux, but he was still very young at just 33. Fortunately, the old guard from the glory days which he played with were still around, but what really helped Herbin was the club’s youth system.

The Revelli brothers Patrick and Herve were brought in. The team's great goalscorer had left for Nice in 1971, only to be brought back in 1973. Captain Jean-Michel Larque was also still around, to help the young talents like Christian Sarramagna and Dominique Rocheteau.

Also future French stars Christian Lopez, Gerard Janvion and Dominique Bathenay were also making their way in the club. Larquemade hisdebutin March

1966 ironically when Herbin had a serious knee injury. He also had fourteen caps with the French team, and had many doubles while at ASSE.

Even though Saint Etienne only finished fourth in his debut, it was a season of progress. The following year with Revelli back the title was secured, and a Coupe de France was added in a 2-1 win over AS Monaco with goals from forward Christian Synaeghel and defender Alain Merchainder. Then Herbin’s charges really started rolling, in the 74/75 season Saint Etienne secured a second straight double. In the league they had a nine point cushion at the top, and a win over RC Lens in the Coupe de France.

The real key to the year was their time in the European Cup. In the first round they got past Sporting Lisbon before an epic tie with Yugoslav side Hajduk Split. The first type in the Croatian city looked like it was going to be an easy walk through. Les Verts came away with a 4-1 loss. The second leg proved to be a Herbin masterclass.

On the hour mark, Saint Etienne was tied 1-1, but trailing 5-2 on aggregate. Bathenay scored to give the home French fans a little bit of hope. That was extended when Georges Bereta slotted home a goal from the penalty spot. As the clock ticked away Yves Triantafyllos pulled Saint Etienne even, needing unforeseen extra time. Then in extra time Triantafyllos won the match for Saint Etienne.

This display of character was not the first time they had to use it. Next up in the quarter finals they played Ruch Chorzow of Poland, which was a match behind the Iron Curtain. Eastern Communism in it’s purest form, as the Polish side was very technical, well drilled and cohesive. Again Saint Etienne were defeated in the first leg 3-2, being down 3-0 at one point. When the French club got the tie atthe Stade

Geoffroy Guichard, with Janvion and Herve Revelli turning the tie around to a win at 2-0.

The Board of Saint Etienne finally had what they wanted, European progress. It was mostly down to the cycling of the new players. Many of the youth were called up to the quickly improving France National inthe

1978 World Cup, coming close to winning it in 1982 in Spain.

The final was at the Parc des Princes, there was a huge hurdle in the semifinals Saint Etienne had to face. The youthful Les Verts could not get past Bayern Munich in 1975, drawing 0-0 in French. Back in the Olympiastadion Bayern put two goals into the back of the net to move on. For Saint Etienne got another league and cup double, to add to the large list of honors brought in over the past eight years.

All of this helped for the run to the final in 1976. In the opening round, KB of Copenhagen were defeated with ease. The Revelli brothers and Rocheteau put the Scottish champions Rangers aside, sending Saint Etienne into a second straight quarter final. This set them up against Dynamo Kievand the greatOlegBlokinn.

Words by James Ashton

An Easter Monday trip to face Burscough awaited me at the start of this week as Gate looked to secure their safety in the division. We just needed a point to ensure Burscough couldn’t catch us, as they required maximumpointstostayup.

It was just me and Laura for this one, with Jay working and Dan at his dad’s down in Stoke. Laura had an early morning, working 6am11am, so I was surprised to see she still wanted to join me.

We set off just after half 12, witharelativelyeasyjourney up the A59 getting us to The Community Ground comfortablybefore2pm.

After taking a couple of pictures around the ground, I grabbedassistantmanager Paul for a pre-match interviewwithLukescouting & coaching with Global Football Network in Australia. I then took my seat in the stands, along with Laura and Luke’s son Charlie - who let me play Mario Kart on his switch which entertained me for a while The game began, with Alex Ralph firing us into an early lead on 10 minutes with a great strike after a positive start. We couldn’t stay on top though, as Burscough wentin2-1upatthebreak.

We headed inside and upstairsforthehalftime

hospitality where we received a friendly welcome, although Laura’s coffee looked pretty revolting to be completely honest. The selection of sandwiches wasn’t much to write home about either, and no cakes orbiscuitseither.

We headed back out into the rain for the second half, which was quite frankly a dire 45 minutes and one we don’t expect from such a talented and hard working group of lads. We ended up losing5-1,notideal.

Heads up though, the drive home was decent and me and Laura enjoyed a Papa Johns for our tea. Onto the next one now, our final away day of the season at

SCORE: 0/10

appealing either.

SCORE: 5/10

No programme on offer, so zero points

sandwiches with no cakes on offer either. Laura ’ s coffee didn ’ t look too

unfortunately. Nice people at Burscough, but a bit of a disappointing selection of

PROGRAMME HOSPITALITY

SCORE: 2/10

SCORE: 5/10

soulless atmosphere. Wasn ’ t really anywhere to sit

selection of drinks on offer unfortunately.

A 4g pitch with just one stand made for a very

inside either as players stood around in corridors. The hot dogs smelt very nice, and well priced too. Bit of an average

STADIUM FOOD

& DRINK

RATING: 20/50

1 Congleton Town 40 2 Emley AFC 39 3 Vauxhall Motors 37 4 Avro 36.5 5 Bury AFC 34.5 6 FC Isle Of Man 34.5 7 West Didsbury 34 8 Prestwich Heys 33 9 Northwich Vics 32.5 10 Irlam FC 32 11 Longridge Town 32 12 AFC Liverpool 30 13 Cleator Moor Celtic 30 14 Litherland REYMCA 29 15 Lower Breck 29 16 Charnock Richard 28 17 Holker Old Boys 27.5 18 West Allotment Celtic 27 19 Winsford United 26 20 Ashton Athletic 26 21 Kendal Town 26 22 FC St Helens 25 23 Wythenshawe Town 25 24 Burscough 20

just me and Laura making the trip to Burscough. SCORE: 8/10

Not having to deal with jays driving was a plus too!

JOURNEY

After a decade in charge of the club, manager Simon Armstrong stepped down from his duties in November 2021. This could’ve posed a threat regarding succession, but Assistant Manager and then-manager of the Under 23’s Sam Dexter stepped up to follow in Armstrong’s footsteps. Fast forward to the present day, and Ilkley Town find themselves thriving in only their second season in the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL). In The Making of a Semi-Professional Football Team – after Evan Seaman’s Part One piece - I’ll cover Sam Dexter’s reign as manager, including the rise from the cusp of relegation to having all to play for with only four games of the 2022-23 season remaining.

Despite the transition being a swift process – and the squad not having to adapt to a new philosophy of football – it wasn’t all plain sailing to begin with, as the Baht’atters were stifled by injuries and Covid-19. Regarding his first month at the wheel, Dexter says, ‘My first few games as manager were extremely difficult as we lost the first three games. Close defeats away at Atherton, Daisy Hill and Cleator Moor meant we were in the bottom three and fighting for survival at Christmas’.

On a bitterly cold December afternoon against a physical Ashton Town side, the Baht’atters fortunes were about to change. Recalling the game, Dexter states, ‘The turning point came with a dramatic home win against Ashton Town. We were 3-1 down with 20 minutes to go and we came back to win 4-3 in stoppage time. That was the turning point that gave the players the confidence and belief they needed and our results slowly improved after that performance.’

THE MAKING OF A SEMI-PRO TEAM

Words by Matthew Lambe

From this point onwards, the Baht’atters form improved greatly, managing wins against Pilkington, South Liverpool and even a 6-2 hammering of promotionbound Golcar United.

However, back-to-back losses against Holker Old Boys and Darwen in the final two away trips of the season left Town in a precarious position: they had to beat AFC Blackpool (who were fighting for promotion) to ensure survival. When asked if he altered his preparations for such a monumental occasion, the manager responded, ‘We prepared in exactly the same way as we had done for the previous 33 games of the season, two high intensity training sessions based around our playing principles.

It’s important to have courage in your convictions and we believe in playing a certain way and we won’t deviate from that no matter who the opposition is or what the occasion is. It would have been wrong to change anything, I knew what the squad were capable of and I believed in them 100%. That experience of survival has had an immeasurable impact on our current squad, they are better players because of it’.

Ultimately, Dexter’s side ran out 2-0 winners thanks to a double from Kevin Gonzalez and an excellent display defensively, meaning they finished their first season at semi-professional level one point above the drop.

The 2022-23 campaign couldn’t have gone any differently. Clearly not suffering from second-season syndrome, the Baht’atters burst out of the blocksgaining four wins in their first five games which saw them languish in 3rd

Dexter believes consistency away from the MPM Stadium has been one of the driving factors contributing to the Baht’atters success thus far; ‘Our away form has also been a contributing factor as we only gained 4 points away from home last season. This season we have flipped those stats on their head and were unbeaten away from home for the first 6 months of the season (up until the end of January), which is a fantastic achievement for any club at this level.’

This season has added increased competition to the league, with both promoted sides (FC St Helens and Euxton Villa) proving tough opposition. This can be seen from the current table, with Ilkley, St Helens and Euxton all occupying playoff positions currently – causing a dramatic conclusion to the campaign.

Whatever the outcome of this season may be, Ilkley Town remains a highly community-minded club, as well as having a reputation for playing an attractive style of football:

‘I have the responsibility to continue the outstanding work of my predecessors Dave Houlston (who is still our first team coach) and Simon Armstrong whose contributions to the club have been immeasurable. I think we are one of the most attractive semi-professional clubs to play for, for any potential new players wanting a new challenge or a young player wanting an opportunity. We have superb facilities, a team of very experienced coaches, and we play a very exciting and attractive brand of football that isn’t mirrored anywhere else. We have a proven track record of giving young players a chance to play semiprofessional football (the current squad of players is proof of that and I don’t think there is another club who offer those opportunities we do.

WHICH PLAYERS HAVE NEVER LOST WHILE SCORING A PREMIER LEAGUE GOAL?

Words by Oliver Hopkins

Logically, scoring a goal helps your team win. But who are those players that have taken that to the extreme and have never lost a Premier League game while netting? Behold, these are the league’s luckycharms.

First, a quick cautionary tale. We’ll get onto the Premier League’s lucky charms in a few moments. But pour one out for the top-flight’s most unlucky player: Huddersfield Town and Brentford’s Zanka, who has ended up on the losing side in all four of the games he’s scored in to date. Or Matt Le Tisser, who scored in 79 games across his Premier League career, but still lost a staggering 32% of those matches.

Scoring and winning isn’t for everyone. But here’s the list of the players that have scored in the most individual games without losing a single one of them.

JAMES MILNER

54 Games Scored In: W43 D11

James Milner always appears in these lists, doesn’t he? When he’s not appearing in the list for the youngest Premier League scorers of all-time, or those who’ve made the most appearances, he’s busy setting all sorts of other records. Like this one.

Milner has scored in 54 games across his Premier League career in spells at Leeds United, Newcastle, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Liverpool. No player has ever scored in more games without losing a single one of them. Mr. Reliable does itonce again.

However, his record is under serious threat by the next man in the list

GABRIEL JESUS

53 Games Scored In: W49 D4 At the time of writing, Gabriel Jesus has played 433 fewer Premier League games than James Milner, but if Arsenal don’t lose the next time Jesus scores, then he’ll go level with Milner’s record on 54games unbeaten.

Unlike Milner, Jesus has exclusively played in exceptionally dominant sides, and that’s why he’s managed to speed up this list so quickly. He joined Manchester City at the same time Pep Guardiola did in 2016-17 and has won four Premier Leaguetitles in just sixseasons.

Jesus joined Arsenal in the summer of 2022-23, together with fellow City team-mate Oleksandr Zinchenko, and the pair have transformed Mikel Arteta’s side, catapulting them from top-four hopefuls to title contenders.

DARIUS VASSELL

46 Games Scored In: W36 D10

Darius Vassell scored 52 Premier League goals across 265 appearances for Aston Villa and Manchester City. Those goals came in 46 games and Vassell remained unbeaten in every single one.

Vassell did find himself on the losing side after scoring for Leicester City in their 3-2 loss to Nottingham Forest in April 2011 but thankfully for him this came in the Championship and not the top flight. His place of this list is safe.

Of course, you don’t have to lose a game for footballing heartbreak to find you as Vassell knows all too well. After England’s 2-2 draw against Portugal in the quarterfinals of Euro 2004, Vassell missed England’s last spot-kick in the penalty shootout, allowing Portugal’s goalkeeper Ricardo to score the winner.

Rather than that painful memory, perhaps we ought to remember Vassell more fondly for being Aston Villa and Man City’s lucky charm over a large chunk of the noughties.

DIOGO JOTA

33 Games Scored In : W27 D6 2022-23 hasn’t been the luckiest season for Diogo Jota. The forward missed Liverpool’s start to the season with a hamstring injury he aggravated in pre-season, and then picked up a serious calf injury against Manchester City in October 2022 that ruled him out of the World Cup.

But while he’s not scored a goal this season for the Reds, he’s been a lucky talisman whenever he does. The Portuguese has scored in 21 different games for Jurgen Klopp’s side and hasn’t been on the losing side once. His time on Merseyside got off to a flying start, with Jota not only becoming the first player since Robbie Fowler to score as many as seven goals in his first 10 appearances, but the first Liverpool player to score in each of his first four Premier League home games.

Jota also scored in 12 different matches for Wolves during his time at Molineux Stadium and wasn’t on the losing side with them either. That’s perhaps a slightly more impressive feat given Jota’s first season in the top flight came as Wolves had just beenpromoted.

SALOMAN KALOU

Games Scored In: W29 D3 Salomon Kalou is another striker blessed to have played in a dominant team during his PremierLeaguedays.

Although he won just one Premier League title with Chelsea over his six-year career in west London, he was still part of the team that won both the FA Cup and League Cup in 2006-07 as well as finishing second in the Premier League, and part of the side that finished second, third, first and second in the four subsequent seasons.

Kalou – who had been brought to the club by José Mourinho after impressing with Feyenoord in the

Eredivisie – only hit double figures for league goals in one season (2010-11), but whenever he scored Chelsea were safe.

He notched in 32 games for the Blues, winning 29 of those and drawing three. sit

That’s the top five, but how about a look at the other players to have scored in 20+ Premier League games and not taste defeat.

Pedro (96.3% win rate) only failed to win one of the games he scored in across his English topflight career (a 1-1 draw against Burnley in February 2017 for thosewondering).

Given his youth and the team he plays for, Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli could quickly climb up the list, while it’s good to see Everton’s reliable skipper Seamus Coleman make an appearance.

Oyvind Leonhardsen

28 Games Scored In (W21D7)

Pedro

27 Games Scored In (W26D1)

Antonio Valencia

23 Games Scored In (W22 D1)

Gabriel Martinelli

23 Games Scored In (W20D3)

Georginio Wijnaldum

23 Games Scored In (W19D4)

Marcos Alonso

23 Games Scored In (W17D6)

Seamus Coleman

22 Games Scored In (W17D5)

Which of these are not in the last 8 of the Europa League?

A. Arsenal

B. Sporting

C. Sevilla

D. Bayern Leverkusen

E. AS Roma

Which of these clubs are not currently in the bottom 3 in the Championship?

A. Wigan

B. Blackpool

C. Cardiff

D. Reading

Haaland has hit how many goals in the PL this season?

A. 26

B. 27

C. 28

D. 29

E. 30

F. 31

WORDSEARCH

Guess The Shirt Season

BASEL WEST HAM FIORENTINA

AZ ALKMAAR GENT ANDERLECHT

Anagrams

ARTUS THOTH TOP MEN ADDISON BUST RUMOUR

AGREES QUITS BANS SCATTLY

ET JOHNS SNOT AFTER NOST NOTHING

LIAM TINNER ABDOL AMBUSHERS

COACHING

BRYCE INHUMAN CECIL ETTY IRIS

………………………………………………………...

ANSWERS

Shirt Season: 2018/19

Munich, Leicester City

Mochengladbach, Bayern

Squires Gate, St Albans City, St Johnstone, Nottingham Forest, Inter Milan, Borussia

Anagrams: Tottenham Hotspur, Borussia Dortmund,

Wordle: Xhaka, Sancho, Firmino

Quickfire: 1. A, 2.C, 3.E

SQUIRES GATE LOWER BRECK

Manager: Luke Evans

Colours: Blue shirt, Blue shorts, Blue socks

Nathan PENNINGTON

Josh WESTWOOD (C)

Nathan BARTRAM

Luke HOLDEN

Louis SHIELDS

Dan SMITH

Alex WELSH

Dan GRAY

Chris WEBSTER

Rowan CHAMBERS

Harrison KAY

Ryan RILEY

James HUGHES

Nathan CLIFFE

James BOYD

Theo BALL

Olly HESFORD

Gary PETT

Ryan MOORE

Callum SANDLE

Kieran JONES

Alex RAPLH

Jack PAGE

Manager: Gary Moore

Colours: Reds Shirt, Reds Short, Red Socks

Theo ROBERTS

Ryan BEIGAN

Aaqil CAMPBELL

Alife COWEN

Harry CURTIS

Louis HOLDEN

Kieran HOLSGROVE

Jawad JEBRIN

Kelvin LUGSEN

Connor MCCARTHY

James MCCULLOCH

Daniel MCKENNA

Thomas MCNAMARA

Jamie MENAGH

Connor MILLINGTON

James MENAGH

Joshua MURRAY

Adam PEPPER

Connor RANKIN

Ryan SMITH

Carl SPELLMAN

Jonathon SWATTON

Thomas WILLAMS

Jack WALLS