SquiresGateFCEntityStatus: Unincorporated We would like to thank our sponsors for their continued support. It is very much appreciated. Enjoy the match! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT To view all of our available sponsorship opportunities, flick to page 10 or email our Head of Media James Ashton at jamesashton2000@icloud.com for any additional queries.
CLUB President:DIRECTORY Brian Addison Club Secretary: John Maguire Committee: Brian Addison, Steve Bellamy, Ian Moore, Micky Farrer, John Maguire Head of Media: James Ashton Media Officer: Jay Hayden Social Media Manager: Dan Hayden Club Photographer: Ian Moore KIT ShirtSPONSORSSponsors: Central Insurance, Open GlobalTaylorsRecruitment,Fish&Chips,FootballNetwork, Short Sponsor: Marsden Plastering CLUB Manager:MANAGEMENT Luke Evans Assistant Manager: Andy Baker First Team Coach : Liam Robinson Club Physio: Rhys Daly TALK OF THE GATE Editors; James Ashton Dan Hayden Jay Hayden Front Cover: Chris Stewart @kitforbrains Printing: Moulton Printing CLUB Website:CONTACTwww.squiresgatefc.co.uk Twitter: @squiresgatefc Instagram: @squiresgatefc Email: squiresgatefc@hotmail.com WELCOME WHAT’S INSIDE MORE?WANT FIND US HERE... #WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk @squiresgatefc 03 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc squiresgatefc.co.uk@squiresgatefc@squiresgatefc Good afternoon and welcome to The Brian Addison Stadium for today’s game against Longridge Town. A warm welcome to the Avisitingcommitteeandsupporters.positivenotefromWednesdaywas that we had yet another sell out of our matchday magazine, along as some really good feedback from the travelling fans. We really do appreciate those who continue to Apurchaseandreviewourprogramme.defeattoPadihamonWednesday night was hard to take, after such a good performance away at Litherland REMYCA but we are confident the boys can bounce Alsoback. a special mention to the young supporters on Wednesday, who continue to get behind the lads. It’s great to see Squires GateFootballClubgrowing. 4 THE GAFFER 18-19 LONGRIDGE TOWN 8 JAMES BOYD Q&A 20-22 MEDIA DIARIES 11 60 SECONDS 24-25 LIVERPOOL’S TITLE BID 12-13 ACTION REPLAY 28-29 QUIZ CORNER 14 MATCH-UP 31 RACE TO THE CENTURY 16-17 FIXTURES & RESULTS 32 THE TEAMS SquiresGateFC@squiresgatefc
Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to today’s match in the NWCFL Premier Division between Squires Gate and our defensiveevenWednesday.defeatafterWevisitorsLongridgeTown.comeintothegameareallydisappointingtoPadihamonItwasaverygame,butapoorerrorandasoft penaltydecisionsawusfall toa2 0defeat. It was a very frustrating night for us, especially after a really promising victory last Saturday at GoingLitherlandRemyca.intotoday ’s game, Longridge will prove a tough opponent like always. They are a great footballingsidewithsome top players at this level, and they will definitely be up there come the end of Wetheseason.knowwe’ve got what it takes though with our squad to win this match today. We’ve got some really good players and as we continue to gel, we will pick up more and more wins as the season goes on. A big thank you to everyone for their continued support this season. We’ll continue to work as hard as we can to improve and climb up the Enjoytable.thegame! Gaffer #WeAreGate #WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk @squiresgatefc 04 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc THE LUKE EVANS
LUKE EVANS (Manager) ANDY BAKER (Asst. Manager) LIAM ROBINSON (First Team Coach) NATHAN PENNINGTON JOSH WESTWOOD (Captain) ISAAC ABANKWAH CHRIS WEBSTER FIRST-TEAM SQUAD & MANAGEMENT SPONSORSHIPS // SQUIRES GATE FC 2022/23 SPONSORED BY DENISE GIBSON AVAILABLE TO SPONSOR AVAILABLE TO SPONSOR AVAILABLE TO SPONSOR AVAILABLESPONSORTO AVAILABLESPONSORTOAVAILABLESPONSORTO
ROWAN CHAMBERS GARY PETT RYAN POWELL NATHAN CLIFFE FIRST-TEAM SQUAD & MANAGEMENT SPONSORSHIPS // SQUIRES GATE FC 2022/23 AVAILABLESPONSORTO AVAILABLESPONSORTO AVAILABLE TO AVAILABLESPONSORTO SPONSOR AVAILABLESPONSORTO AVAILABLESPONSORTO AVAILABLESPONSORTO AVAILABLE TO SPONSOR
Boydy! It's great to have you back at Gate. You feature as our cover star for today's programme! How does it feel to be "home" and wearing the blueshirt? It’s great to be back after some time away last season. Some great people at the club so it’ There's been a few additions to the squad since you've returned. How you would you compare it to previous squads you'vebeenin? Tough to answer really as I’m only just getting to know a lot of the new young lads who have come in but straight away it’s clear to see how driven and unphased they are which is refreshing and something I’m hoping to take some inspiration from. Certainly a team that has plentyofpotential. You've already opened your account for this season with yourgoalagainstIrlam,andhit double figures last season, do you have a target for how many you want to score this To be honest I haven’t really set myself any targets for the season other than a short term goal of enjoyingplayingagain.vealwaysseen10goals from midfield as the minimum for a season so hopefully I’ll get there soonerthanlaterandkickon. Westwood and others, how important are those experienced players in helping the young talent that’s coming through? Very important. There’s certainly a good blend of youth and experience. Can only be a good thing for Cliffy, Theo and co as attackers to play with and learn
ContributefromGal/RyRiley.goals,know the game well and are brilliant off the pitch. Same can be said for the other experienced players in the squad too. Longridge are always a tough opposition but we put 4 past them here last season. Is 3 pointstheaimtoday? They are a good footballing side who look to get the balldown and play as do we so it should be a good game. 3 points at home is always the aim, every confidence theladscandojustthattoday.
Q&A WITH JAMES BOYD // WE ARE GATE Q&A JAMES BOYD
SOCIAL SPONSORMEDIA (£1000 for 2 seasons) > 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. DIRECTORS & SPONSORS SPONSORSHIPSTAND (2500 for 2 seasons) > Your business name & logo proudly displayed across our Directors & Sponsors >Stand.FiveFree 2022/23 Season Tickets (worth >£400).Unlimited Social Media inclusion across all of >platforms.ourFreeroom hire of our function room. > Free Match Sponsorship Package (worth £150). PITCH-SIDE ADVERTISING BOARD (£300 first season, £200 thereafter)p/season > 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 SPONSORSHIPMATCH (£150 per game) > 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.6FreeTickets 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. MATCHBALL SPONSORSHIP (£75 per game) > 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. For more information, or any questions regarding commercial deals, email our Head of Media James Ashton at jamesashton2000@icloud.com SPONSORSHIP DEALS // GET INVOLVED // @SQUIRESGATEFC
@squiresgatefc 11 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc Your perfect meal deal? (Butty, snack&drink) Chicken, Bacon Lettuce Sandwich, Salt & Vinegar McCoys, Mars Bar and StrawberryVolvic YourgotoMacciesorder? LargeBigMacMealwithaFanta. Which movie can you quote by heart? StepBrothers If all the lads were on Love Island,whowouldwin? I wouldn't say anyone would win, but probably Nathan Bartram because everyone would be scaredtotakehisbird. Worst fashion sense in the squad? Ollie Burgess for wearing some Rascalbrighttrainers You can listen to one album on repeat.Whichdoyoupick? I’d probably say any old school ChrisBrown Who would be in your all-time Gate5-a-side? Penny & Ry can do a half each, then Cam Gourley, Ryan Riley, JamesBoyd&DeanIng Do you have an embarrassing story? Having my toe nails painted and getting caught in the changing rooms. Worst piece of advice you’ve everreceived? Being told not to play Sunday League by an ex manager then let others play just to keep them happyhastobeupthere. 60 SECONDS // PART FIVE // JAMES HUGHES HUGHESJAMES JAMES HUGHES IS SPONSORED BY
#WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk @squiresgatefc
1. PENNINGTON2.HUGHES 3. WELSH 4.5.CHAMBERSHOLDEN 6. WESTWOOD © 7. RILEY 8. MEKKAOUI ABOUZAID 9. BALL 10. CLIFFE 11. BOYD
PICTURES BY IAN MOORE // @OLDBLUEFOX // @FYLDEFOX ACTION REPLAY #WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk @squiresgatefc 13 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc
Report by James Ashton Ryan Riley had the first effort of the game on 17 minutes, firing high and wide following well worked short corner PadihamwithJamesBoyd.threatened the Gate goal on 17 minutes, with Gate struggling to clear their lines. A couple of well blocked shots and a waved away penalty shout eventually came to nothingforthe visitors. The Storks had the closest effort yet of the game on 24 minutes, volleying just wide from the edge of the box after Josh Westwood could only half clear a long throw in. Westwood went close himself at the other end, coming within inches of meeting an excellent corner kick deliveryfrom Riley. Substitute Abankwah went agonisingly close to opening the scoring just eight minutes into the second half, heading against the woodwork at the back post. The follow up fell to Boyd who then had his goal bound effort well blocked. Padiham then took the lead on 70 minutes. Gate looked to throw the ball back to goalkeeper Pennington, but Padiham’s Joel Brownhill reached the loose ball before the keeper, and squared for Price to tap into the open goal. A counter attack from a Gate free kick ended with a seemingly soft foul from Chambers penalised for a spotkick, which was converted into the top corner by Brownhilltosealvictoryforthe Storks.
MATCH-UP L 3 0 vs Avro (A) L 2 1 vs Skelmersdale (A) RECENT FORM SQUIRES GATE THE LAST THELONGRIDGETHREELASTTHREE L 0 3 vs AFC Liverpool (H) W 1 2 vs Winsford Utd (A) West Didsbury (H) L 0 2 vs Padiham (H) W 0 2 vs Litherland (A) D 3 3 vs Irlam (H) WINSONESHEAD-2-HEAD2WATCH GOALS SCORED R E W I N D 8 7 2 2 R E W I N D Gate last welcomed Longridge Town to the Brian Addison Stadium last September, with a Josh Westwood brace and a wonder strike from Ollie Burgess helping Gate on their way to a superb 4 1 victory and a huge three points! JAMES BOYD
fantasticAselectionofphotographsofoursupportacrosstheseasonsofar,capturedbyIanMoore!
FIXTURES & RESULTS // 2022-2023 DATE VS KO / RESULT ATT. 1 2 3 4 5 30 July 22 AFC Liverpool 1 4 68 Pennington Abankwah Welsh Gray Bartram 2 Aug 22 Charnock Richard 3 1 220 Hogarth Abankwah Welsh Gray Bartram 6 Aug 22 Northwich Vics (FA CUP E.P.) 1 2 136 Pennington Abankwah Shields Chambers Welsh 10 Aug 22 Irlam 3 3 68 Pennington Hughes Shields Chambers Welsh 13 Aug 22 Litherland REMYCA 0 2 69 Pennington Hughes Welsh Chambers Holden 17 Aug 22 Padiham 0 2 118 Pennington Hughes Welsh Chambers Holden 20 Aug 22 Longridge Town 15:00 23 Aug 22 Prestwich Heys 19:45 27 Aug 22 Easington Collieries (FA V Q1) 15:00 30 Aug 22 Bury AFC 19.45 03 Sep 22 Wythenshawe Town 15:00 07 Sep 22 Ashton Athletic 19:45 10 Sep 22 Northwich Vics 15:00 14 Sep 22 Barnoldswick Town 19:45 17 Sep 22 Vauxhall Motors 15:00 01 Oct 22 Winsford United 15:00 08 Oct 22 Wythenshawe Town 15:00 15 Oct 22 Cleator Moor Celtic (MACRON R1) 15:00 22 Oct 22 Charnock Richard 15:00 26 Oct 22 Avro 19:45 29 Oct 22 Irlam 15:00 05 Nov 22 Winsford United 15:00 09 Nov 22 FC Isle Of Man 19:45 19 Nov 22 Bury AFC 15:00 26 Nov 22 West Didsbury & Chorlton 15:00 03 Dec 22 Congleton Town 15:00 10 Dec 22 Kendal Town 15:00 17 Dec 22 Ashton Athletic 15:00 26 Dec 22 Burscough 15:00 07 Jan 23 Barnoldswick Town 15:00 14 Jan 23 Lower Breck 15:00 21 Jan 23 Congleton Town 15:00 28 Jan 23 FC Isle Of Man 15:00 04 Feb 23 Northwich Vics 15:00 11 Feb 23 Avro 15:00 18 Feb 23 Longridge Town 15:00 25 Feb 23 Litherland Remyca 15:00 04 Mar 23 West Didsbury & Chorlton 15:00 11 Mar 23 AFC Liverpool 15:00 18 Mar 23 Kendal Town 15:00 25 Mar 23 Prestwich Heys 15:00 01 Apr 23 Vauxhall Motors 15:00 10 Apr 23 Burscough 15:00 15 Apr 23 Lower Breck 15:00 22 Apr 23 Padiham 15:00
6 7 8 9 10 11 SUB SUB SUB SUB SUB 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 RED CARD SUB 1 SUB 2 SUB 3 HOME FIXTURES IN BOLDYELLOW CARD SUB 4 SUB 5
In 1996 Longridge United and Longridge St. Wilfrid's amalgamated to give a single club which is still the situation today. The club initially played in the Preston & District League, winning the Third Division title in 2003 4, en route to their rise tothe FollowingPremierDivision.athirdplaced finish in 2007-08, the club’s application to join the West Lancashire Second Division was successful. In only their second season in the league, the club were promoted to the First Divisionattheendofthe2009 10 12 the club enjoyed their most successful season so far whenthey won the FirstDivision title from Crooklands Casuals and scored 91goals in the process to be crowned champions. In 2016/2017 season Longridge became West Lancs League Premier Division Champions. Since then the club finished third in 2017/2018 which was enough to secure promotion to the North West Counties League Division One North. In the clubs first season in Division One North they became Champions at thefirst attempt scoring 144goals and achieving the highest average gate in the division of 177. A truly successful season and now looking to consolidate the clubs position in thePremierLeague.
LONGRIDGE TOWN mated to give a single club with the ultimate aim of bringing a higher standard of football to the town. Although Longridge Town football club has only been in existence since 1996, the two clubs from which it was formed have histories which can be traced back to the 19th century when two clubs Longridge St. Wilfrid’s and Longridge St. BothLawrencewerefirstformedoftheseclubswerebased on sectarian grounds and played in their respective religious leagues. This situation existed until 1929
#WeAreGate squiresgatefc.co.uk @squiresgatefc 18 Squires Gate FC @squiresgatefc LAST SEASON Premier Division: 12th FA Cup: Extra Preliminary Round FA Vase: First Round A BRIEF HISTORY OF LONGRIDGE…
LONGRIDGE TOWN: THE SECONDSIXTYGUIDE DEEPDALE The closest league ground to Longridge Town is Deepdale, home of Championship side PrestonNorthEnd COMING TOGETHER Longridge Town formed in 1996 when Longridge United and Longridge St. Wilfrid amalgamatedintoasingleclub. CLOSE BY Longridge Town are our closest opponentsintheNWCFLPremier Division, with just 21 miles separatingourgrounds. THE NUMBER CRUNCHER W D L F AP 2 0 2 8 74 2021/22 STATS MEDIA MEMOIRS YEAR FORMED 1996 YEARS IN PREM DIV 3 TWITTER FOLLOWS 5.3k HIGHESTDIVISIONPREMIERFINISH(2019/20) 6th THE SCOREAGGREGATEBETWEENTHETWOCLUBSLASTSEASON 5-3 INSTA FOLLOWS 1.8k W D L GF GA 15 7 18 74 83 GATE RECORD VS LONGRIDGE
I've also noticed the increase in followers and interactions over your platforms. What is your favourite platform in terms of interactions and generating interest? I love Twitter, but if we’re talking interactions with fans then TikTok is the way forward. We were really the pioneers in non league on TikTok so we’ll keep our throne on there, but Twitter is the most enjoyable social mediaforme can have a rightlaughonthere! A massive fan of your TikTok account too, and I'm right in saying one of the most currenttoJustpopularnonleagueaccounts?howimportantisTikTokgenerateinterestinthedayandage? It’s massive! I think you’d be right in saying top five obviously we’ve been overtaken by clubs like Wrexham with their TikTok sponsorship but we are a good 60,000 followers clear of anyone in the National Leagues apartfromWrexham. It’s vital to look at that young support, I know the common theme about non league is an ageing fanbase, and TikTok has the potential to get more youngsters through the gates who’llsupporttheclubforlife. Programmes now. I know Leam won an award for their programme last season, and as you know from our admin group chat, we are proud of ourawardtoo!
A friendly would be very interesting, we tend to keep our friendlies local but as they always say neversaynever! You do a cracking job in terms of the media output at Leamington, do you have a set routine thatyoufollow? Thank you, I’m way too disorganised to follow a set routine. I find it hard to put one in place aswellas one week you’llbe beating Farsley Celtic 4 0 and the next you’ll be losing to someone else, so the content will obviously
MEDIA DIARIES // MAX PASSANTINO // LEAMINGTON
Achangebasedontheresult.keythinginfootballmedia is reading the fans, knowing what they want to see. They don’t want you to joke after Kidderminster stuff you3 0attheirplace!
MEDIA DIARIES MAX PASSANTINO Max! It's great to have you season'sthoseMediabackforanothereditionofourDiariesfeature.Forthatmissedlastinterview,couldyou tellusabitaboutyourselfand yourcurrentrole? My name’s Max, Head of Media at Leamington FC in the National League North. Heading over to Leicester next month to start a journalism course but keeping Leamington going Ialongsideit!Havebeen a Leamington fan since I was five to so be involved in the club was a no brainer. Leamington and Squires Gate have built quite of a strong relationship over social media. Can we expect to see you at a Gate game in the future? Or even a friendly vs Leam? I’ll definitely get myself up, you’ll have to stagger your game when we play Fylde away so Leamington fans can come alongtoGateaswellasFylde!
The best one I’ve seen is ours. And I can say that because I have nothing to do with it apart fromacoupleof articles! Gate’s programme is fantastic and alongside their award I believe were robbed of another award because a fossil can’t use WeTransfer! The perfectprogramme hasmore content than adverts obviously but not just any random content it’s got to be readable and worthwhile to read! Ours is around 62 pages, I know some clubs will find that harder to fill but with a glossy cover the world is your oyster! What makes a good social media account to you? Any that stand out in non league as beingexceptional? In non league we aren’t robots, it’s clear that some clubs think so though. I think that the number onewayof goingaroundthings is being engaging and creating uniquecontent. Everything can be around a certain theme and not mix and match. And it’s just the silly things that annoy me - spelling and punctuation errors. If you spot one on the Leamington account that comesfrom me then I’ Everyonellgiveyouafiver! ’s socials from the elite admin groupchat are setting the standards for non league. Bury, Squires Gate, Taunton Town, Chippenhamalldoafantasticjob and Euan does a great job at IiConcordRangersaswell.
Matchday scran now. What grounds have the best food in the NLN? What is your go to matchdaymeal? Firstly, don’t think you’re finding anyone in Royal Leamington Spa saying scran! But it was always a sweet chilli wrap from Morrisons before they ruined it and put Mayoin.NowI’llsettleforchips!
’s already thrown up some shocks and we’re currently unbeaten having conceded once in three games. That defence will be the key to bringing us to the next level and potentially sealing usaplaceinandaround7th.
Best in the NLN, you’re lookingat Brackley, Bradford PA, ourselves and Curzon Ashton. Buxton’s chilli after the game on Tuesday was lovely too but only available forplayersandstaff.
t's been a great start for Leamington. What are the expectingfortheseason? Most people are probably saying another season of lower mid table mediocrity but stuff it - why can’
Thetwechallengefor7thplace?league
MEDIA DIARIES // MAX PASSANTINO // LEAMINGTON What makes a good programme? What are the best ones youhaveseen?
Won’t buy anything at Kidderminster because I’m petty like that but someone told me their food was awful now they Gatesheadthepies! was also lovely, free food and drink voucher for media somethingthat wehave in place at Leamington giving media free drink and programme to make the media matchday experience thebestintheleague! What grounds do you enjoy visiting? Are there any stories you have of grounds that you leastenjoy? Like visiting Kettering funnily enough, people will say it worst in the league but everyone there is so niceto visit. As is Fylde, I know Callum, Connor and Brian well so looking forward to catching up Badwiththemagain!grounds,York was a bit of a nightmare last season made even worse by someone representing them giving it the big one and calling us dog and duckinatinpotleague. The most important question. Is it pronounced Leamington orLemmington? Leamington, but Leam is pronounced Lem. In what world is Weather pronounced Weether? Leamington, Weather same vowel pronunciations. We’re right and everyone’s got to live withit.
MEDIA DIARIES // MAX PASSANTINO // LEAMINGTON
Having lost out on Premier League titles to Manchester City by a single point in both 2018-19 and 2021 22, Liverpool are well versed in how the smallest slip can cost you the biggest prize. So the fact Jürgen Klopp’s team already trail Pep Guardiola’s gleaming champions by four points is a huge early season red Asflag.it stands and, yes, we realise how extreme this sounds in mid August City can already afford to lose to Liverpool this season and remain above them in the table. It’s not a marathon, it’s noteven a sprint anymore, it’s a 24/7 HIIT workout where the comments section comprises of every single person in the world and they all have a strong opinion about what is and isn’t going wrong.
IS LIVERPOOL’S PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE BID OVER AFTER TWO GAMES? // DUNCAN ALEXANDER
For the sort of person who doesn’t like looking at league tables until 10 games into the season the recent high points totals recorded by Premier League clubs is a concern. Because with only 114 points available all season, dropping, say, four in your first two games could very well be a disaster.
historyOnlythosedaysareseeminglygone.15clubsinEnglishtopflighthavefailedtowineitherof their opening two games and still won the title. Here they are, grouped into handy little era Footagecategories.of Newcastle playing Liverpool in 1901 emerged this week, and it’s as beautiful and alien as you might imagine. Semi circular goal areas and ‘keepers in the same kit as their team mates like Aaron Ramsdale,itwasadifferenttime.
There have only been 15 occasions in English top flight history of a team posting 90+ points in a season and seven of them have come since 2017. Was the world a better place when a club could amble around in the autumn before picking up form in the New Year? It’s not for me to say, but there are many phrases that reference the conclusion of the season (businessend,therun in, squeaky bum time) yet very few about the start. Teams who find form towards the back end of a season have been historically respected for dealing with whatever autumnal existential issues they were suffering, but
IS LIVERPOOL’S PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE BID OVER AFTER TWO GAMES?
’s almost impossible that Sunderland’s achievement will ever be repeated and if you look at every trend in contemporary Premier League football then it’s 23 title
This era is precisely why the idea that a team can not only recover from a slow start but that it might actually be preferable is so embedded in the footballing folk memory. Don’t start too quick, it’s unbecoming of a football club. Claw your way up the table in a respectable way.
Thisdouble.sort of thing simply doesn’t happen any more, although everyone at Liverpool will, for once, be hoping they can emulate their great rivals. After next Monday’s game between Manchester United and Liverpool, one or both clubs will have recorded a three game winless Asrun.mentioned above, United in 1992 93 and 2007 08 both bouncedbackfromnowins in the first three to win the title, but overall this even sterner task has only happened eight times.
And only a few years after that game Liverpool became the first team to lose two in a row at the season’s start and still win the league, in this case four points clear of 19th century icons Preston North End. This was a time when travel to away games was often problematic, injuries disruptive and outcomes pretty random. Aston Villa lost 16 times in the 1929 30 season and still came fourth, not that it counted for a Champions League spot. Liverpool in 1906 started a trend that they’ll hope to extend in 2023, and Sunderland (D1 L1) and Burnley (L2) added their name to the list in 1913 and 1921 respectively. The Rock & Roll Years (Manchester United 1955 -56, Ipswich Town 1961-62, Manchester United 1964-65, Manchester City 1967-68, Arsenal 1970-71, Derby County 1974-75,Liverpool1975-76) Before the Premier League began in 1992 people rarely used to compare achievements and records back to 1888 because they understood that the game had gone through many iterations. Post war was the historical moment they used (football didn’t start in 1946, guys!) and it’s understandable, because the 1950s, 60s and 70s saw some of the most celebrated and varied title battles in the nation’shistory. In the 20 years between 1956 and 1976 there were seven (!) instances of a team failing to win either of their first two games and stillgoingontowintheleague.
Modern Parallels (Manchester United 1998 99, Manchester United2007-08) Since performing well for the entirety of the season has become an important trait during the Premier League years, instances of teams failing to win eitherof theiropeningtwogames and still ending as champions have become almost vanishingly Alexrare. Ferguson seems to be the last of an old breed of managers who could stare out the league table and turn a slow start around. His 1998 99 team started slowly but were unbeaten in all competitions from December onwards and have the trophies to showfor it. And 200708 as it stands the most recent slow start/title win season saw United and Cristiano League and Champions League
IS LIVERPOOL’S PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE BID OVER AFTER TWO GAMES? // DUNCAN ALEXANDER
Should Liverpool’s sloppy start continue then they may have to hope they can do a Sunderland 1912 13; who didn’t win any of their opening seven games (D2 L5) but still recovered to win the title. But those hopes would be Itforlorn.
Which Premier League season are these shirts from?
QUIZ CORNER ANSWERS ON NEXT PAGE → Spot The Ball Match The Nationality Tad-Stad Trivia 1. PremierWhichteamiscurrentlybottomoftheLeague? 2. Whichteamwonlastseason’s ChampionsLeague? 3. LeagueWhogotpromotedtothePremierviatheplayoffslastseason?
QUIZ CORNER ANSWERS SHIRT SEASON: 2006/07 SPOT THE BALL: B TRIVIA: 1. Manchester United 2. Real Madrid YOUR SCORE
Nothing19years,340daysoldNewcastle00Arsenal(9April2007)muchhappened on Monday 9 April 2007 at St James’ Park in a drab 0 0 draw between Newcastle and Arsenal, but it did see Spanish midfielder Cesc Fàbregas make his 100th Premier League appearance. He missed out on becoming the youngest to the landmark by only 19 days, but as a consolation prize he became the youngest non-English star to a century of Premier League appearances.
ManchesterUnitedwhenPremieryoungestWayneMan19years,321daysoldUnited11ManchesterCity(10September2005)Rooneybecametheplayertoreach100LeagueappearancesheplayedforManchesterintheirderbyagainstCityatOldTrafford in September 2005. In doing so, he broke a 10 year record in the competition, overtaking Chris Bart Williams’ achievement of being the youngest of the landmark in February 1995. He wasn’t to score orassist in his 100th league appearance, but Rooney had tallied 39 goal involvements by this point in his career only Michael Owen (54) haseverhadmoregoal involvements by Rooney’s age on the day of this record breaking 100th appearance.
CESC FABREGAS
RACE TO THE CENTURY // MATT FURNISS
CHRIS BART-WILLIAMS
RACE TO THE CENTURY
Phil Foden is set to make his 100th Premier League appearance this weekend when Manchester City face Newcastle United. Surely he’ll be one of the youngest players to reach a century of Premier League Theregames,right?Wrong.are52tyrosthat can put their hand up and say that they were younger than Foden when they reached the 100 appearances in the competition, WAYNE ROONEY
ChrisSheff20years,247daysWed12AstonVilla(18February1995)BartWilliamsisprobably a name unknown to many modern Premier League fans but let me be the one to tell you that he was an excellent player, equally as comfortable in an attacking midfield role or more defensively later in his career. Bart Williams was a key player across England youth sides, but cruelly never won a full international cap for the Three Lions despite their struggles in the first half of the 1990s. Bart-Williams mayhave been the 27th playerto reach 100 appearances in the Premier League, but a little known fact is that he was the first todosoundertheageof 21.
TheYoungestPlayerstoPlay100PremierLeagueGames
JAMES MILNER 20years,104daysoldWigan3 -2AstonVilla (18April2006) James Milner made his 100th Premier League appearance in a five-goal thriller between Wigan and Aston Villa in April 2006 unfortunately for the English midfielder, he ended on the losing side. On loan from Newcastle United at the time, Milner becamethesecondyoungest playerto reach100appearances, just seven months after Wayne Rooney set the record (Fabregas overtook Milner a year later, pushing him to third in the rankMilnerings). was recognised for his achievement with a card a yellow from then referee, now TV -man-in-a-room-explaining-VARdecisionsexpertPeterWalton.
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