Squires Gate V Burscough

THANK

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

To view all of our available sponsorship opportunities, email our Head of Media James Ashton at jamesashton2000@icloud.com or flick to Page 12 for more information.

At the time of writing, we are due to go into our game with Bury AFC and we have not played a game since Congleton Town at the start of the month. I must say that was a very enjoyable trip, despite the result.

Today we also welcome Rowan Chambers’ family down. Coincidentally he is also our cover star for the game today so I hope you all enjoy your visit and even more so, the programme!

If you enjoy our matchday magazines, don’t forget to tag our account @TotG_SG on Twitter!

Dan Hayden

Hello everyone, and welcome to today’s Boxing Day fixture, as we welcome Burscough FC to The Brian Addison Stadium. A warm welcome tothe visiting fans, players andcommittee.

Firstly,Ihopeyou’ve all had a great Christmas, and that we can give you another present today with an entertaining afternoon of nonleaguefootball!

At the time of writing, we’re due to play Bury AFC the week before ourmatchagainst

Burscough, so we should have another game under our belts before today after a few postponementsrecently.

Today’s opponents will be a tough test for us, they've picked up some goodresultsrecently and will be desperate for three points. We’re massively up for it though, and we need a big win to take us into 2023. Thank you for all your continued supportthisyear.

Gaffer

LUKE EVANS

JAMES HUGHES

CHRIS WEBSTER

NATHAN PENNINGTON JOSH WESTWOOD (Captain)

Q&A

ROWAN CHAMBERS

Rowan! You’re our ‘Cover Star’ for today’s programme! Are you looking forward to the match?

Of course, I always look forward to a match day but playing on Boxing Day always adds extra excitement.

We face a tricky test in Burscough this afternoon, what are you expecting from our visitors? They’ve not got off to the best start but they have showed their quality quite a few times against some good sides this season, it will be a tough one but there’s no doubt in my mind thatwecantakeall3today.

instant impact on the team, winning POTM in August and putting in some grear performances - how have you settled in and enjoyed your time at Gate so far?

I’ve settled in nicely here, all the lads areclass on and off the pitch. Was buzzing to receive POTM as it gives that extra bit of confidence.

I’m loving every minute at Gate and can’t wait to see howfarwecanpushon.

gone so far but I know we are good enough to push furtherupthatleague.

Squires Gate have a growingfanbase,aswell as a strong social media presence.Hasthesupport this season both at matches and online given the squad a boost?

You joined Gate over the summer and have had an

The squad’s done decent this season, progressing well in cup competitions andsittingaroundmidtableintheleague - areyou happy with how the season’s gone so far? We’ve beat some very good sides this season and have showed how class we can be, I am happy with how it

The support has been quality, it’s good to know that people want to travel to comeand watch us playand it always gives us an extra bit of motivation. Can’t thank the fans and all the media

Your perfect meal deal? (Butty, snack & drink)

Spicy Chicken Pasta, Fridge Raiders, Coke. to Maccies order?

Large 5 Chicken Select meal, Mayo Chicken & Coke.

You can listen to one album on repeat. Which do you pick?

Drake - Views

Which movie can you quote by

Who would be in your all-time Gate 5-a-side?

Penni, Me, Harrison Kay, Ryan Moore and Nathan Cliffe.

If all the lads were on Love Island, who would win?

Roll/Cob/Barm etc - What do you call it?

A bun, anything else is wrong. (A cob?!?!)

Worst Dresser in the squad?

Worst piece of advice you’ve ever received?

That I shouldn’t be on penalties!

SOCIAL MEDIA

SPONSOR

DIRECTORS & SPONSORS STAND

PITCH-SIDE

ADVERTISING BOARD (£300 first season, £200 p/season thereafter)

MATCH

MATCHBALL SPONSORSHIP

> Your business logo will be on every single graphic we put on our social media pages

> Your business will be mentioned, tagged or displayed in every single post the club puts on social media.

> Regular social media posts directing our followers to your website.

> A free advertising board worth £300.

> 2 Free 2022/23 season tickets (includes matchday hospitality).

> A Matchday Sponsorship Package for a game of your choice.

> Your business name & logo proudly displayed across our Directors & Sponsors Stand.

> Five Free 2022/23 Season Tickets (worth £400).

> Unlimited Social Media inclusion across all of our platforms.

> Free room hire of our function room.

> Free Match Sponsorship Package (worth £150).

> Your business logo, company name and any message or contact details displayed on a 8ft x 2ft Alu Panel Board (All costs included)

> Exposure for your business in the local newspaper, media highlights and nationally through visiting fans and the non-league community including FA Cup games.

> A Matchball Sponsorship Package

> 2 Free 2022/23 Season Tickets (inc. hospitality)

> Inclusion on our Sponsors section in our match programme and club website.

> Social Media post directing over 10k followers to your website / company

> Your business logo will be on every single graphic we put on our social media pages leading up to and during your match.

> Your business will be mentioned or tagged in every single post the club puts on social media leading up to and your match.

> A social media post directing our followers to your website.

> Double Page spread on your business in our Matchday Programme.

> 6 Free Tickets including free food, drinks, programmes and hospitality.

> Choose the Man Of The Match, with a picture taken and shared with your business tagged on social media.

> Your business logo will be on every graphic we put on our social media pages on your matchday

> Your business will be mentioned or tagged in every post the club puts on social media on your matchday.

> A social media post directing our followers to your website.

> A Page on your business in our Matchday Programme.

> 4 Free Tickets including free drinks, programmes and hospitality.

CLIFFE & CHAMBERS

SIGN CONTRACTS

In recent news, Gate stars Nathan Cliffe and Rowan Chambers have both signed long-termcontractsattheclub. Both joining from AFC Fylde Academy over the summer, the lads have both made brilliant impacts at the club and the securingof theirfutures is a big step forward for the club!

for a corner.

Gate remained on top, and it was Cliffe again with a shot after a clever lay off by Riley from a free kick, but again the West Didsbury keeper was equal to it.

Appeals for a Gate penalty after Westwood was seemingly bundled over in the box were waved away, before a clever effort from Ryan Moore flew just over the bar before the break.

James Boyd and Isaac Abankwah replaced Dan Gray and Harrison Webster on the hour mark, before Ryan Riley brought Gate level just four minutes later. Cliffe won a free kick in a dangerous area, with Riley curling a superb effort around the wall and into the bottom corner.

Both sides scrapped in search of a winner, with a free kick in a good position for the hosts hit straight at the wall and a half chance for Theo Ball at the other end curled miles off target.

6

Westwood Riley Webster Ball Chambers Yelegon Holden Boyd Burgess Powell Hughes Westwood Riley Webster Pett Chambers Hughes Cliffe Yelegon Burgess Hesford Ball

Westwood Riley Webster Ball Pett Hughes Cliffe Eastham Burgess Kay Powell

Westwood Riley Webster Ball Cliffe Boyd Smith Eastham Kay Powell Hesford

Westwood Riley Webster Ball Cliffe Boyd Smith Yelegon Kay Abouzaid Powell

Westwood Riley Abouzaid Ball Cliffe Boyd Abankwah Gray Kay Pett Yelegon Westwood Riley Abouzaid Pett Cliffe Gray Smith Burgess Kay Robinson Yelegon

Westwood Riley Abouzaid Pett Cliffe Boyd Shields Powell Eastham Ball Yelegon Westwood Riley Abouzaid Ball Cliffe Boyd Gray Eastham Yelegon Powell Yilmaz Westwood Riley C. Webster Pett Chambers Boyd Kay Yelegon Abouzaid Cliffe Ball Westwood Abouzaid C. Webster Pett Cliffe Boyd Kay Yelegon Riley Gray Ball

Westwood Riley Kay Pett Cliffe Boyd Chambers Yelegon Eastham Abouzaid Ball

Westwood Riley Chamber Yelegon Cliffe Boyd Abankwah Kay Welsh Webster Ball Bartram Kay Abouzaid Ball Cliffe Boyd Westwood Riley Hughes Gray Pett Westwood Riley Chambers Pett Cliffe Boyd Abankwah C. Webster Welsh Eastham Ball

Welsh Riley C. Webster Pett Ball Gray Abankwah Yelegon Abouzaid Kay Cliffe Welsh Yelegon C. Webster Aluebhosele Cliffe Boyd Shields Riley Abouzaid Kay Ball

Welsh Riley C. Webster Aluebhosele Cliffe Boyd Shields Kay Abouzaid Yelegon Ball Westwood Gray C. Webster Yelegon Cliffe Boyd Abankwah Welsh Abouzaid Aluebhosele Moore

Westwood Moore C.Webster Ball Cliffe Boyd Bartram Hughes Chambers Yilmaz Yelegon Westwood Moore Chambers Yilmaz Cliffe Boyd Welsh Jungo Riley Kay Abouzaid Westwood Gray C.Webster Ball Cliffe Boyd Abankwah Riley Riley Abouzaid Hesford Welsh Riley C.Webster Ball Cliffe Abouzaid Westwood Kay Chambers Boyd Hesford

Westwood Gray C.Webster Ball Cliffe Boyd Welsh Riley Abankwah Moore Abouzaid Westwood Riley C.Webster Ball Moore Abouzaid Hughes H.Webster Gray Kay Dimoski Westwood Riley C.Webster Ball Cliffe Moore Abankwah Chambers Bartram Hesford Abouzaid Westwood Riley C.Webster Ball Cliffe Moore Abankwah Abouzaid Bartram Kay Boyd

Bartram Kay C.Webster Ball Sandle Boyd Westwood Gray Moore Chambers Cliffe Westwood Riley C.Webster Ball Cliffe Boyd Abankwah Gray Bartram Chambers Aluebhosele Bartram Gray C.Webster Ball Cliffe Boyd Westwood Riley Moore Sandle Aluebhosele

BURSCOUGH FC

LAST SEASON

A BRIEF HISTORY OF BURSCOUGH...

cashire Junior Cup, George Mahon Cup and the Liverpool Challenge Cup. Two years later they again claimed the Junior Cup and also won the County Combination title for the first time. In 1952 they won the Liverpool Challenge Cup for a second time.

The Linnets also reached the F.A. Cup First Round Proper on three other occasions.

In 1977, a 1 -0 defeat at Blyth Spartans, in 1979, a 3-0 defeat at Sheffield United in front of 14,000 spectators and in 1980, a 2-1 defeat against Altrincham. In 1982 the Club became founder members of the North West Counties Football League and had the distinction of becoming the Leagues first ever Champions under Bryan Griffiths.In 1992/93 Burscough lost 2-1 to Conference bound Southport in the Liverpool Senior Cup Final at Goodison Park before 2,000 spectators. Success was achieved by winning the League Challenge Cup with a 2-1 victory over Nantwich Town.

Burscough went on to win the League Challenge Cup for the second time, beating League Champions Flixton 1-0 at Gigg Lane, Bury.

The following season after finishing runnersup in the North West Counties League the club made history by being promoted to the Unibond League. They also won the League Floodlit Trophy and reached the final of the Liverpool Senior Cup against Liverpool. In 2000/01 season the Linnets won the Liverpool Senior Cup for the first ever time after beating Conference side Southport. Following the resignation of John Davison the club appointed Shaun Teale as player/ manager in May 2002 and the ex-Aston Villa defender went on to sensationally lead the club to its greatest ever achievement as Burscough became the smallest club to ever win the FA Trophy following a t remendous 2-1 victory over Tamworth at Villa Park on Sunday 18th May 2003 in front of a crowd of 14,296 spectators and televised live on Sky.

would start to rebuilt the club off it. Burscough FC finished the 2012-2013 season in mid table in 11th place and the following season they again finished mid table, this time in 14th position. The club continued to play in the First Division North for the 2014-2015 season under Derek Goulding until he left for Bangor City in October 2014. Mark Beesley was named Caretaker Manager till January 2015 when he was given the role of manager full time, he brought in Liam Blakeman as his assistant.

After a successful first season in charge when finishing in fifth place Burscough made the play offs losing to Spennymoor Town, Mark left the club just before the start of the 2016/17 season along with many key players and despite their best efforts the club were relegated to the Hallmark Security North West Counties League for the 2017/18 season.

VICTORIA PARK

The club used to play their home games at Victoria Park, which had a capacity of 3,054, with a 250-seat grandstand. The ground was demolished in 2020

CLOSEST FL GROUND

The closest League ground to Burscough FC is the DW Stadium, home to Wigan Athletic.

WordsbyJamesAshton

Our first game of December saw us continue our FA Vase journey, as we travelled to Holker Old Boys fortheThirdRound.

Luke once again provided free mini-bus travel for a few of the Gate supporters, so I hopped on there with Helen, Carl, Fraser and a few others.

I’d picked Helen up on the way to the ground, via a quick stop at Greggs, before jumping on the minibusforan11.30departure.

I’d already travelled up to Barrow that week for work, so I wasn't too up for the journey, but a surprisingly quiet motorway and a clever route from Ian saw us arrive atHolkerbefore1pm.

It was pretty cold, so I went inside and was pleased to see a well-set up bar inside

with some decent drinks on tap. I opted for a fruit cider, which got a laugh from Fraser despite the fact his age restricts him to Fruit ShootsandLemonade

TV screens inside the clubhouse was showing Sunderland take on Millwall, so a few of us opted to stay in the warm and watch that while the players came out towarmup.

I did have to brave the cold for my pre-match interview with Luke, and decided I might as well stay out till kick off. We got behind the goal, feeling nervous but confident about the game ahead.

We were wrong, and went 2 -0 down inside just nine minutes. A clever free-kick from Harrison Webster got us a goal back, but the

Hosts grabbed another, and we went into the break 3-1 down.

I quickly went inside at half time, but with the clubhouse absolutely packed, I came straight back out after gettingmycupoftea.

The second half wasn't much better, and we eventually lost 4-2, seeing usexittheFAVase.

I had a kick around with Fraser and Kicksy, before conducting my post-match interview with Luke. We got back on the mini-bus and headed back to Blackpool, unfortunately without a fourth round FA Vase tie to lookforwardto.

An enjoyable day out nonetheless, but hopefully we can get back to winning waysnexttime!

STADIUM FOOD & DRINK

A fairly standard ground, with a decent clubhouse too. The standing areas around the pitch weren't very well covered though, and the pitch was on a very steep hill.

A good selection of drinks on tap, but the selection of pies ans sausage rolls were bang average based on the reviews of those that I asked.

SCORE: 7/10 SCORE: 6/10

SCORE: 5/10 SCORE: 6/10

PROGRAMME HOSPITALITY

A good effort from Holker, with all the relevant and important content. Printed on decent paper too, an overall good read.

Some nice people at the club welcoming us on arrival, but the hospitality area at half time was very packed so I opted to buy a cup of tea rather than wading through 50+ people.

JOURNEY

SCORE: 0/10

A mini-bus isn't the most comfortable place to travel, and even though the journey to Holker wasn't too bad, some bad traffic and weather on the way back paired with the poor result made for a pretty miserable end to the day.

SCORE: 7/10

SCORE: 6.5/10 SCORE: 6/10

SCORE: 5/10

Words By Dan Hayden

Can you do it on a cold Tuesday night in Stoke? Well, Congleton is as close to Stoke that we will get this season and the answer to that is, no. We can’t.

I was a bit apprehensive for this away day after last season’s trip to Congleton and nearly being denied entry for not having our media passes, I suppose that’s our own fault really.

This one started when Jay picked me up after work, and we started our longest away trip of the season. I was in charge of the music for this one; a mixture of The Vaccines, The Reytons, Oasis and The Wombats alongside requests of Shakin’ Stevens and Westlife from Helen and we were there within a couple of hours.

We arrived just after 7pm, and there was no trouble getting in this time even though I didn’t get the pass off James before the game.

It was straight to the bar for me, and to watch the World Cup highlights between Spain and Morocco. A pint of Madri on tap, but at the cost of £4.50.

Jay and Helen soon joined me after having a quick look around the ground. I was looking forward to the footy scran that was on sale in the hut outside. The best part of away days this season as some of you may have seen from my Twitter account.

As kick off approached, we headed to the hut to get our food. It was the usual pies, peas and gravy for me, but this time I got some chips too. Turning into a proper northerner now, and I’m all for it. Was definitely the best I’ve had this season, and not bad for the price either.

We headed behind the dugout for the first half, and was joined by Tom Marsden (Marsden Plastering, Make sure you check his work out as he does a lot of behind the scenes stuff for Gate too!)

At half time, we headed for the hospitality room and was greeted by some friendly faces as well as the best homemade cakes in non league football. No joke.

A jam roly poly, and some lemon drizzle cake was waiting for us. Me and Tom sent Jay back in for seconds on the way out. Credit to the lady who apparently makes different cakes for every home game.

Overall, I quite enjoyed my trip to Congleton this time round apart from the result. But following Squires Gate around the North West isn’t always about winning, it’s about being part of a family that sticks together win, lose or draw.

STADIUM FOOD & DRINK

The furthest away ground from The Brian Addison Stadium (I think!) but it’s a nice little ground for step 5.

4 stands, and a cosy little bar. One of the stands is sponsored by Mind, Body & Sole who do a campaign for those with Mental Health. One of the better grounds in the league.

There is a nice little bar at Congleton, where they served Madri and a selection of alcohol. I think the £4.50 was a bit steep for the Madri but it went down well after the longest trip of the season.

As pictured on the left, I’ve got to say that the meat and potato pie, chips, mushy peas and gravy was the best I’ve had this season.

SCORE: 8/10 SCORE: 9/10

PROGRAMME HOSPITALITY

There was apparently a programme available online but after several attempts to access this, we had no luck.

However, after contacting Congleton on Instagram, I have now read through the programme. A well designed little programme but not much in terms of content.

After last season, we knew that we were in for a treat with the hospitality at Congleton and once again, it surpassed expectations.

The homemade cakes went down a treat, and I genuinely think this one will be hard to be beaten so this one gets full marks. A homemade roly poly and lemon drizzle cake was needed for a freezing cold night. Thanks, Congleton!

JOURNEY

SCORE: 5/10

The journey down was spent with Jay and Helen and we had a few Christmas songs on, as well as discussing the game ahead.

As Jay was heading to Keighley, I grabbed a lift home with Tom Marsden in his work van. A pretty straightforward journey, and good company rounded off a good away day.

SCORE: 8/10

SCORE: 10/10

WORLD CUP 2022: THE FACTS

THE GROUP STAGE

With their 2-0 loss to Ecuador, Qatar became the first host nation to lose their opening game of the World Cup (previously W16 D6).

Enner Valencia’s opener for Ecuador was the first time in World Cup history that the opening goal at a single edition of the tournament was scored from the penalty spot.

England’s 6-2 win against Iran was their biggest ever victory in their opening match at a major tournament (World Cup/ European Championships). It was also Gareth Southgate’s ninth major tournament win, more than any other England manager.

Against Saudi Arabia, Argentina lost a World Cup match after scoring the first goal for the first time since 1958 against Germany, while it was the first time they lost after leading at half-time since the 1930 final against Uruguay.

France became the first reigning champion to win their opening game of a World Cup tournament since Brazil in 2006, with their 4-1 win over Australia the biggest ever MD1 win by a reigning champion.

Against Germany, Japan came from behind to win a World Cup match for the very first time, having drawn two and lost 11 of their 13 matches when they had trailed beforehand.

Having lost their opening game at just one of their first 18 World Cup tournaments (W13 D4), Germany have lost their first game at each of the last two World Cups.

At the age of 18 years and 110 days against Costa Rica, Spain’s Gavi was the youngest player to score at the World Cup since Pelé for Brazil against Sweden in the 1958 final (17y 249d).

Uruguay’s goalless draw with Korea Republic meant that eight different sides drew their opening game of the 2022 World Cup 0-0, the most ever in a single edition of the tournament.

England’s 0-0 draw with USA was their 12th goalless draw at the World Cup – more than any other nation – while it USA’s first ever in the competition.

After beating Switzerland, Brazil became the first side in World Cup history to go unbeaten in 17 consecutive group stage matches (including final and second group rounds in earlier editions).

KNOCKOUT STAGE

Making his 1,000th senior career appearance in the match against Australia, Lionel Messi scored in the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time for Argentina, with his previous eight goals in the competition all coming during the group stage.

Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane were the seventh and eighth different players to score for England at the 2022 World Cup – this is the most different scorers (excl. own goals) that the Three Lions have ever had at a single edition of any major tournament (World Cup or Euros).

Olivier Giroud’s goal against Poland made him the all-time top scorer for the French national team, overtaking the previous record-holder Thierry Henry (51).

Against Japan, Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic became the third goalkeeper to make three saves in a World Cup penalty shootout after Portugal’s Ricardo in 2006 versus England and Croatia’s Danijel Subasic versus Denmark in 2018.

Spain became the first nation in World Cup history to lose four penalty shootouts, while they were just the second side to not score in one after Switzerland against Ukraine in 2006.

In losing to Croatia on penalties, Brazil have been eliminated from each of their six World Cup knockout round games against European sides, since beating Germany 2-0 in the 2002 final.

There were 15 cards shown to players that entered the field of play in Argentina vs. Netherlands, the most in World Cup history, overtaking Cameroon-Germany in 2002 (14 – 12 yellows and two reds).

England scored 13 goals at the 2022 World Cup, the highest number of goals they’ve ever scored in a single edition of a major tournament (World Cup and European Championship).

Croatia’s 2-1 win against Morocco meant that European sides have now won each of the last 11 third place play-off matches at the World Cup, since Brazil’s victory over Italy in 1978.

THE FINAL FACTS

France forward Kylian Mbappé became the fifth player to score in two separate World Cup finals, after Vavá (1958, 1962), Pelé (1958, 1970), Paul Breitner (1974, 1982), and Zinedine Zidane (1998, 2006). He has four goals in finals of the World Cup overall, the outright most of any player.

Argentina have won more penalty shootouts than any nation in World Cup history, with this their sixth such triumph. They are the third nation to win a World Cup final shootout, after Brazil in 1994 and Italy in 2006.

In France’s Kylian Mbappé and Argentina’s Lionel Messi, this was the first ever World Cup final to see both teams have a player score at least twice. Mbappé himself was only the second ever hat -trick scorer in a World Cup final, after England’s Geoff Hurst in 1966.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi made his 26th appearance in a World Cup match, becoming the all-time record holder for most games played at the tournament, overtaking Lothar Matthäus (25).

Argentina’s Lionel Messi became the first player in World Cup history to score in the group stage, round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final in a single edition of the tournament.

There were 172 goals scored at the 2022 World Cup, a new alltime competition record, surpassing the 171 scored in both 1998 and 2014.

Tad-Stad Trivia

1. Which 3 goalkeepers were included in England’s World Cup Squad?

2. Who did Man United buy Lisandro Martinez from this summer?

3. Who is currently Squires Gate goalscorer this season?

Spot The Ball