St Helens Town v Abbey Hey by John McKiernan

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

Executive Executive Programme Programme Sponsor Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners Programme Year Five Time Winners of of Programme of of thethe Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Today’s Team News CLUB INFORMATION Honorary Life President: Alan Wellens Vice President: Jim Barrett Chairman: John McKiernan (07713 339682) Vice Chairman: Glyn Jones

Hon. Secretary/Treasurer: Jeff Voller (07843 692695) Full Committee: John McKiernan, Jeff Voller, Jim Barrett, Ste Ball, Chris Ford and Glyn Jones. Trustees: John McKiernan and Eric Bond Club Manager: Ian Price Assistant Managers: Paul Jones & Nick Matthews

Physiotherapists: Nicole Garner Jess Pritchard & Ben Fletcher U21 Team Manager Alan Gillespie U21 Asst Manager: J ohn Whelan

Tuesday 9th September 2014, kick off 7.45pm North West Counties League, Premier Division St Helens Town Red & White Shirts White Shorts, Red & White Socks No

Gls

St Helens Town Rory Crowther Aaron Morris Lewis Saunders Hamish Falconer Jack McKay Chris Cottington Karl Bergqvist Paul Cook-Hannah Andy Gillespie James Rushton-Woods Marcus Perry Chad Whyte Neil Hulme Joe Peers Lee Harrison Chris Brinksman

Abbey Hey Blue Shirts Black Shorts & Blue Socks No

Gls

Abbey Hey Jon McIlwaine Kiarno Samms Daniel Hewitt Des Flanagan Kieran Burywood Wesley Harney Liam Murray Kieran Shaw Brandon Zibaka Sam Fitzgerald Jon Hardy Adam Lawrence Malam Varela Max Pouncey Martin Kilgour Sam Jones

U18 Team Manager: Steve Wallis U17 Team Manager: Nick Matthews Veterans Team Manager: David Platt

Manager: Ian Price Asst: Paul Jones/Nick Mathews

Manager: Stewart Airdrie Assistant: James Gill

Referee: Mr M Duncan (Warrington)

Email: sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk

Assist: Mr M Southern (Liverpool) & Mr A Butler (Liverpool)

Main Club Sponsor: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Today’s Executive Match Sponsor:

Main Shirt Sponsor: Eciguk St Helens Legal: St Helens Town Limited Private Limited Company Company No. 04392840 Date of Incorporation 12.03.2002 Company Directors: Jim Barrett Parent Company: A wholly owned subsidiary of Sporting Club St Helens Limited

Cover: Andy Gillespie in action v Barnoldswick Town (30/08/2014)

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Talk of the Town Good evening and welcome to Brocstedes Park for this North West Counties Football League, Premier Division contest against our friends from Abbey Hey. May I open by welcoming our visitors I hope they enjoy the short time they will spend with us and have a safe journey home after the game. It has been an interesting 10 days since we were last here at Brocstedes Park when we recorded a nail biting 4-3 win over Barnoldswick Town. The scoring started early in this game as the visitors took the lead in the third minute when Chris Ridehalgh found too much space on the edge of the host’s box and found the bottom left hand corner of the net. Parity was restored on 25 minutes when Karl Bergqvist thundered an effort home from the right of the box and the only surprise of the opening period was that this ended the scoring. The second period saw the visitors awarded an early penalty for a tussle in the box from a corner and Mark Threlfall converted from 12 yards. St Helens levelled on 62 minutes when Aaron Morris headed a corner home and this began a period of four goals in 6 minutes as first Jack McKay took advantage of a poor clearance applying a cool finish to put the hosts into the lead for the first time only for the visitors to quickly level as Ridehalgh added his second before the scoring period ended and indeed the contests final goal was smuggled home by skipper Andy Gillespie who turned Morris's square header home with his knee to secure the much needed victory. We then ventured to Silver Street to take on Irlam in the FA Vase on Saturday and it was another game where we ended up victorious after extra time but it was a game we could and indeed should have had wrapped up ling before the end of normal time. After a dour first period where neither team seemed to have a cutting edge in the final third a brace of corner for Town right at the end of the half saw us take the lead. The corner was flighted into the box from the right wing and Nathan Ogden rose highest to head the corner goalwards an Irlam defender headed the ball away from goal but the assistant referee adjudged the ball top have crossed the line and a goal was awarded. Town start the second half brightly and efforts from James Rushton-Woods & Karl Bergqvist beat the keeper but were thwarted by the crossbar and a defender respectively. After effort from Bergqvist was saved well by Lee White in the home goal before Irlam levelled late on in the contest when a free kick was headed goalwards by Isaac Illidge with the effort parried by Rory Crowther and Steven Mills was on hand to turn the ball home. Town could have won the game before the end of normal time with White denying Bergqvist and substitute Chad Whyte being cynically brought down by Mills when through on goal and he was red carded and from the free kick the home stopper saved well from Rushton-Woods. Ten minutes into extra time Town netted what was to be the winner when a free kick found Aaron Morris on the left post and he headed across goal for Bergqvist to steer the ball home. There was one last chance for White to win his personal duel with Rushton-Woods as he denied the Town man for a third occasion this time from the edge of the box. This evening’s visitors were going down 4-1 to Bootle in league action on Saturday whilst we were advancing in the FA Vase and it is important that we continue the winning form before some more difficult (on paper) upcoming contests against AFC Liverpool & Runcorn Linnets. Finally, let’s get behind Town this evening and hopefully cheer them onto victory you support is vital to the cause! Enjoy the game . . . Jeff Voller

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

In Town Today Abbey Hey FC were formed in 1902 in the Abbey Hey district of Gorton, some three miles away from the centre of Manchester. During their formative years and through the two World Wars, the club was disbanded and reformed on a number of occasions. Starting in the Church Sunday Leagues, they progressed through the Manchester Amateur Leagues during the intervening years but the club really came into it's own in the 1960s after it took in the players of the Admiralty Gunning Engineering Department (AGED) following it's closure. Alf Gentry, the Manager of Abbey Hey at this point, decided that with the influx of new players he would step down in favour of the AGED Manager, Danny Danson. Alf, who had been for many years the prime mover of the club, stayed on in a senior position and shared in the success that the club would have in the coming years. The new players made up the backbone of the club during the decade with some staying on after their playing careers had ended. Most notable of these was Allan Vaughan, who occupied the positions of Treasurer and Secretary. Ken Brown also stayed on, becoming manager after Danny Danson had retired, and won numerous honours culminating in 1978 with the club deciding to apply for a position in the Manchester League. The application was successful and the following year the club began playing in the 2nd Division of the Manchester League, achieving promotion in their first season. Reaching this position meant that the club had to find an enclosed ground suitable for playing their home games. The nearest ground available at the time was in Chorlton at Werburghs Road. The ground was owned by a car dealership (Lookers) but was being used by a local school. It was agreed that if Abbey Hey FC carried out some improvements, such as installing showers in the dressing rooms, they could rent the ground. After two years, Lookers reneged on the deal and the club was forced out, this time to a ground nearer home at Godfreys. The next eighteen years were fairly successful with the club winning the Gilchrist Cup under Managers Jim Whittaker and Dave Denby and a League title but this ended when Abbey Hey FC were told that as from the start of the new season they would not be allowed to use Godfreys. This despite the large amounts of money that they had spent on drainage and despite assurances when they had taken over the derelict ground that as long as Abbey Hey had a football team this would be their ground. A temporary home, at the old English Steel ground, was arranged on a season to season basis with the owners at theme, Clayton Analine but after only 2 years, the ground was sold to a local builder who required the land to build houses on. During the two years the club were based at the ground, negotiations with Crossley Motors Ltd had been taking place to buy a disused ground they owned in Goredale Avenue, Gorton. Unfortunately, the land was not in good order and was becoming an eyesore with fences falling down and people using it for fly-tipping. Contractors working for the council had tipped 1,000 tons of hardcore onto the car park to prevent access to the ground. Matters had reached an impasse between Abbey Hey FC and Crossleys when Manchester City Council stepped in, They informed Crossleys that if an agreement was not made with the people that they were dealing with, the ground would be the subject of a compulsory purchase order. This tipped the scales in favour of the football club who were asked to make an offer for the ground which was promptly accepted. Legal representation and a bank loan were quickly arranged and in 1984 the club at last had their own home. The bank loan was paid off and the ground was improved including having the fly tipped hardcore removed from the ground. These improvements to the ground could only have been achieved by the hard work and dedication of the committee, who not only raised the money to carry out the improvements but also carried out 90% of the work themselves. Jim Clark was to join during these turbulent times as manager, a position he was to occupy for the next 18 years. The club went on to gain success in the Manchester League during the late eighties and early nineties, winning the Premier Division

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Abbey Hey Championship on five occasions during this period. In 1997, after finishing 2nd in the Manchester Premier Division, the club applied for membership of The North West Counties League. Following a ground grading visit by League Officials, the club was accepted into the 2nd Division for the 1998 season. Abbey Hey's first season in the North West Counties League couldn't have been more exciting. Although Fleetwood Freeport had taken the Division Two title, the runners-up place was still to be decided. On the last Saturday of the season any one of three clubs could have taken second place, but it was Abbey's 3-2 win at Darwen that clinched promotion to Division One in their first season in the league. Promotion to the 1st Division meant that the club had to install floodlights. True to form, they designed, ordered, erected and wired them within a couple of months. The biggest job during the ground improvements was the building of the new clubhouse and dressing rooms. Planning permission was given with the majority of work once again being carried out by the clubs own members. In 2009/10 Abbey Hey were hallf way through the season with only 4 points to their name and in the basement position in the league after 25 games. However, following the appointments of Barrie Walker as Manager and Andrew Harris as Assistant Manager in November 2009, Abbey Hey made several new signings with the likes of Jon-Paul Lewis, Gareth Wager, Daniel Cocks, John Hardy, Darren Evans, Lee Knowles and Nathan Finnigan joining the club. This signalled a turn in fortune for the club as they picked up 30 points in the 2nd half of the season however it wasn't enough and they were relegated from the North West Counties Premier Division. The form in the second of the season saw Abbey Hey going all the way to the final of the Vodkat League Challenge Cup beating the likes of Ashton Athletic FC and Bootle FC along the way. Abbey Hey beat Winsford Utd 3-0 in the final and lifted the trophy. Walker and Harris made the decision to blood young local talent, realising that this would serve the club well in the future but that it would take time to reap it's rewards. Abbey made a slow start to life in the NWCFL First Division 2010/2011 and departed all cup competitions at the initial stages. However, October signalled a change in fortunes and wins at Atherton Collieries, Daisy Hill and Wigan Robin Park pointed to a brighter 2011. The introduction of quality players such as Antal Tompos, Luke Gibson and Martin Pilkington started to pay dividends though the results did not always reflect this. Unfortunately, the team's home form was to be their downfall as far as progressing up the league table although the team were usually beaten only by the odd goal.

For the 2011/12 season, Walker's youth policy started to pay quick dividends as the team has made an excellent start to the league season, remaining in the top four of Division One from day one. Though a run of poor results saw them exit the NWCFL Challenge Cup, FA Vase and 1st Division Trophy they did take the notable scalp of Evo Stik North team Radcliffe Borough in the first round of the Manchester Cup. The season really stepped up a gear as they moved into 2012 with Abbey at one point pushing Wigan Robin Park and Norton United for one of the two promotion places. Though they were to ultimately finish in 3rd place, the season had been an undoubted success as Walker had built a promotion challenging team in just 2 seasons. The 2012/13 campaign started better than anyone at the club could have imagined as the team went unbeaten in the league for the first 3 months. Although unsuccessful in the FA vase, they would eventually reach the latter stages of the FA Cup qualifiers and a plum tie at FC Halifax via fantastic wins at St Helens Town and Sheffield. Rarely stepping out of the top two in Division One, Abbey continued to rack up league wins whilst also moving thru the Challenge Cup, Div One Trophy and Manchester Premier Cup rounds. Last season saw Abbey Hey struggle back in the top flight of the NWCFL and they spent much of the term fighting at the wrong end of the table securing their survival on the final day of the season with a 1-1 home draw against Bacup & Rossendale Borough which ensure the visitors finished below their hosts.

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

How We Compare at St Helens Town 25/03; 5-1

Previous Meetings 1999-00

at Abbey Hey 08/01; 1-2

03/01; 10-2

2000-01

25/11; 4-0

15/12; 5-2

2001-02

01/09; 4-0

28/09; 2-1

2002-03

24/08; 4-0

13/09; 3-0

2003-04

25/10; 1-0

21/08; 5-1

2004-05

09/04; 0-3

21/03; 1-1

2005-06

13/08; 1-2

07/04; 0-2

2006-07

13/01; 3-0

09/10; 5-1

2007-08

26/01; 2-4

25/04; 5-4

2008-09

29/11: 2-2

28/11; 2-0

2009-10

08/08; 5-1

NWC-PD

2010-11

NWC-D1

NWC-PD

2011-12

NWC-D1

NWC-PD

2012-13

NWC-D1

08/03; 2-1

2013-14

21/09; 1-1

09/09/2014

2014-15

07/03/2015

St Helens Town - last 6 matches All Competitions Home

Most recent

Away

Collated

Abbey Hey - last 6 matches All Competitions

Most recent

Home

Away

Collated

St Helens Town games since...

Abbey Hey games since...

All Competitions

Clean sheet

Goal Scored

Loss

No score draw

St Helens Town Scores First

Score draw

Win

Games Played

St Helens Town Wins

Draws

Abbey Hey Wins

St Helens Town Goals

Abbey Hey Goals

Percentage Town Wins

66.67

All Previous Meetings All Competitions P

Win %

Home

71.43

Away

50.00

Collated

61.54

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

From the Chair Good evening and a very warm welcome to Brocstedes Park for this North West Counties Football League Premier Division against our visitors Abbey Hey. Let’s hope their players, officials and supporters have had a safe journey and enjoy our hospitality. Saturday saw Town make FA Vase progress following a tough encounter at Irlam. The 1-2 win was fully justified but once again we made hard work of the victory and it needed extra time to separate the teams. We now await a decision on when we will play our 2nd Qualifying Round opponents Nostell Miners Welfare - the game is scheduled for Saturday 4th October but our landlords Ashton Athletic are also at home so we may need a switch to Friday evening or Sunday afternoon! Town will be looking to make it three successive victories following Saturday’s Vase win and a league success over Barnoldswick Town a week earlier. On that occasion a see-saw encounter saw Town eventually run out 4-3 winners. Abbey Hey have had a tough start to the season with seven defeats from eight outings but their solitary victory - a 4-2 home win over AFC Liverpool just over a week ago shows they are more than capable of climbing the table. Most of our other teams have now started their respective campaigns - last Sunday the U21s recorded a fine debut 1-3 away win in the Cheshire FA U21 League. The U18s were without a game but last I witnessed a first class performance by the U17s who won 0-1 at Rylands U17s to make it two wins from two, thirteen goals scored and two clean sheets. The only team to get off the mark at the moment are the Veterans who suffered a 7-0 loss at an experienced Digmoor FC Vets. Next weekend sees all five teams in action for the first time - try to give them your support when possible. Tonight is the first of three successive home games with AFC Liverpool the visitors on Saturday afternoon while next Tuesday we entertain league leaders Runcorn Linnets; both are likely to provide tough tests. Don’t forget we are still looking for match and match sponsors as well as player sponsors packages start from £50 for the whole season. For more details of our sponsorship packages please call me on 07713 339 682, email mckiernanj@live.com or see me at this evening’s game.

Enjoy the game . . . and let’s cheers the lads on to three points. John McKiernan Chairman St Helens Town AFC

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

U17s Photo Action

South Lancs Counties Under 17s Division Thursday 4th September 2014 Action from Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 0-1 win over Rylands U17s

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Recent Results Sunday 7th September 2014 F.A. Carlsberg Vase 1st Qualifying Round Appleby Frodingham 2-4 Ashton Town Matthew Oates (47p) Neil Weaver (30) Stephen McCarron (89) Micheal Boyle (90) C Williams (98, 119) (AET, 2-2 after 90 mins) Oldham Boro 0-2 1874 Northwich Matthew Ward (116) Sakeel Abdulla (119) (AET, 0-0 after 90 mins) Saturday 6th September 2014 F.A. Carlsberg Vase 1st Qualifying Round Alsager Town 1-3 Maltby Main Jordan Elcock (55) Ben Thornton (42) Martin Jones (79 85) Atherton Collieries 4-0 Penistone Church Bradley Cooke (29) Matt Grimshaw (33) Mark Battersby (67) Matt Boland (72) Barnoldswick Town 5-1 Tow Law Town Joel Melia (14) Lewis Harrison (85) Chris Ridehalgh (93) Mark Threlfall (95 115) Matt Cavanagh (110) (AET, 1-1 after 90 mins) Colne 2-1 Penrith Jason Hart (70) Ryan Hall (85) Danny Boyle (90p) Daisy Hill 3-2 Newton Aycliffe Martin Hastings (43) Tom Atkinson (16) Jordon Hussey (73p) Zak Boaggy (24) Tim Raines (86) Dudley Sports 0-3 Eccleshall A Thompson (3p 74) Jimmy Gartside (72) Holker Old Boys 3-0 Norton & Stockton Jordan Brough (15) Nathan Ried (60) Jamie Pattinson (89) Irlam 1-2 St Helens Town Steve Mills (77) Nathan Ogden (45) Karl Bergqvist (100) (AET, 1-1 after 90 mins) Winsford United Alex Byrne (34) Tom Williams (42) Kyle Riley (61p) Paul McGuire (69) Danny Egan (74)

5-0 Cheadle Town

HT: 0-1 Att: 64

HT: 0-0 Att: 216

HT: 0-1 Att: 60 HT: 2-0 Att: 119

HT: 1-0 Att: 110

Rossington Main 2-0 Lee Holmes (84, 89) Runcorn Town 11-0 Paul Shanley (6, 43,74) Mark Keddie (14) Andy Potter (24, 70) Sean Breen (40, 77) Sam Houghton (62) Jack Irlam (85, 86) Silsden 4-0 Own Goal (10) Zach Dale (37) Craig Nichols (67) Nick McNally (90) Squires Gate 2-4 Jack Sowerby (84) Jake Forshaw (88) Stockport Sports 5-5 Alex Crowe (2) Justin Pickering (7) Ben Halfacre (78p) Ben Halfacre (90p) Justin Pickering (119) (AET, 4-4 after 90 mins)

AFC Blackpool Glasshoughton W

HT: 0-0 Att: 68 HT: 5-0 Att: 74

Brandon United

HT: 2-0 Att: 91

AFC Liverpool Ronnie Morgan (48) Ryan Cox (53 69 89) Selby Town Jamie Forrester (11) Ryan Robinson (32) Jack Binns (39) Matty Start (90) Joel Evans (113)

HT: 0-0 Att: 88 HT: 2-3 Att: 57

HT: 0-0 Att: 198 HT: 1-2 Att: 71

HT: 0-1 Att: 42 HT: 1-0 Att: 54

HT: 0-1 Att: 85

HT: 2-0 Att: 68

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Barnoldswick Photos

NWCFL Premier Division Saturday 30th August 2014 Action from Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 4-3 win over Barnoldswick Town at Brocstedes Park

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

NWCFL News A new book that records the 135 years of football in Bacup has just been published. For the past 10 years, the book's author Roger Hindle has researched the history of his home town’s football club, from its early beginnings in 1879 as a works team from Irwell Springs Mill in Weir Village through to the present day in its current form as Bacup & Rossendale Borough. For the first 10 years of the club's existence, games were played in and around Weir Village, but this season Bacup Football Club celebrates 125 years playing football at the current West View ground, coinciding with the publication of this book. Over 160 pages chart the ups and downs of the club, with poignant stories and tales including photos of the teams over the decades. The book is broken down into decade chapters, and gives a detailed account of most seasons. “What was interesting to find,” said Roger, “is that the club has played eight current or former Premier League sides, including a famous game against Manchester United in 1911. I guess not many non-league clubs of similar standing to Bacup could better that. “The book charts an interesting path of social history in the development of the game many of us love. When other Rossendale Valley clubs have folded, Bacup have miraculously been able to keep going. “Many people have helped me put together the book with photos and articles and I would like to thank them for their support”. Bacup & Rossendale Borough manager Brent Peters said: "We're pleased Roger has now launched the book, which is very impressive and will eventually be in the main stores. "It celebrates the club and their time at their current West View home. The book is a really good read, and it is published with our blessing". Copies of the book are on sale priced at £14.95 at Bacup & Rossendale Football Club, Bacup News, Bacup Natural History Museum, Rodney’s Greengrocers, or direct from Roger Hindle - for more details contact him by e-mail at rhindle @ymail.com.

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

NWCFL News Winsford United have announced that Winsford Town Council has renewed its sponsorship of the club for a third season. Chairman Mark Loveless said: “Their support of the club and what we are trying to achieve has given everyone involved with Winsford United a tremendous boost. "The funding they have provided has enabled us to greatly improve the facilities, including a changing room for lady officials and new drainage for problem areas of the pitch” Secretary Bob Astles added: “For many years now we have been a one-team club, but the help the Council has given us means we now have four junior teams and a ladies team under our umbrella. "We have also recently been awarded Charter Standard status, and we intend to do more to make Winsford United a genuine Community Club serving the needs of the people of Winsford”. The photo shows Mayor Gina Lewis presenting the sponsorship cheque to Blues team captain Gavin Ellison, with Commercial Manager Martin O’Neill and Vice-Chairman Dave Taylor looking on. The winners of the August Club of the Month awards (previously the Manager of the Month awards) have been announced. PREMIER DIVISION - THERE ARE TWO JOINT WINNERS: GLOSSOP NORTH END Results: 02.08 - Bacup & Rossendale Borough (away) won 0 - 6 05.08 - Maine Road (home) won 2 0 09.08 - AFC Blackpool (home) won 1 - 0 12.08 - Ashton Athletic (away) won 1 - 2 16.08 - AFC Blackpool (home) won 3 - 0 (FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round) 19.08 - West Didsbury & Chorlton (away) won 0 - 1 23.08 - Silsden (home) draw 1 - 1 26.08 - Congleton Town (home) draw 1 - 1 30.08 - Maltby Main (away) won 0 - 7 (FA Cup Preliminary Round) RUNCORN LINNETS Results: 02.08 - Stockport Sports (home) won 3 - 2 05.05 - Congleton Town (away) won 1 - 2 09.08 - Abbey Hey (away) won 0 - 5 12.08 - Bootle (home) won 2 - 1 16.08 - Rochdale Town (away) won 0 - 6 ( FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round) 19.08 - Alsager Town (home) won 4 - 1 23.08 - West Dids & Chorlton (home) won 6 - 0 26.08 - Winsford United (away) won 0 - 2 30.08 - Droylsden (away) lost 4 - 0 (FA Cup Preliminary Round) Congratulations to the clubs involved on their awards.

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Town Managers Between 1946 and 1962 the club, like many, didn’t have a ‘manager’. Town officials would liaise with first and reserve team captains over team selection. In 1962-63 ‘First Manager’ Pat Murphy came from Burscough with a nucleus of his team which won the Lancashire Combination Division One title for Burscough but the formulae didn’t work for Town despite financial backing of a brand new 200 seat supporters club opened by John Connelly in spring of 1962. 1963-64 Sam Cottingham came after success with Pilkington's in a move to rebalance the squad with more local players. 1964-66 Jimmy McKiernan became the club's first commercial manager and team boss after arriving from Earlestown via a successful playing career which included a spell on the North Wales circuit. 1966-68 Jackie Dewsnip, cousin of Town player Jimmy Dewsnip who along with the latter’s son Neil meant the Haydock based family served Town well over a couple of decades. 1968-71 Peter Jones took the reigns in the wake of the Northern Premier League being formed which reduced Town’s league (Lancs Combination) to one division. He moved on after three years to a position on the staff of Preston North End. 1971-77 Alan Hampson arrived from South Liverpool after a distinguished playing career at Holly Park and became a mini ‘Messiah’ as Town won the Lancs Combination title in 1972 along with the Bass Charrington and Watson trophy in quick succession. He also oversaw Town’s step into the Cheshire County League in 1975 as by then, the Lancashire Comb had become a pale imitation of its former self. 1977-79 The aforementioned Jimmy Dewsnip took the reigns after ‘Hampy’ had moved on and became the first ex Town player to become manager. He combined this with work for the Liverpool County FA with the latter eventually claiming his services after two years. 1979-80 Player manager Geoff Robinson hailed from the new overspill at Laffak where he also ran the increasingly successful ‘Starting Gate’ pub team in the blossoming new Sunday League. Many of his squad were ‘Town’ players but the ‘conflict’ of interests was seen as detrimental to the senior club. 1980-82 Jack Prytherch had been at Wigan Athletic and he brought in players from that area including new club skipper, his son in law, Steve Murfin. Jack’s reign saw the formation of the North West Counties League and Town’s first season was a struggle in the new league’s top flight resulting in a change in mid-term. 1982-84 Peter Rutherford. After the success of Alan Hampson a decade earlier, the Town board returned to South Liverpool again for their next appointment. Peter Rutherford was number two at Holly Park at the time but he also found it hard going in the NWCFL inaugural season and his charges only escaped relegation on a ‘technicality’. Things got a little better the following season and he bowed out just before glory arrived. 1984-87 Alan Wellens had skippered Town’s Lancs Combination title team and went on to become the club’s top appearances holder after making his debut at Great Harwood in 1966. His playing career was ended by a broken leg against Hyde in 1981 at Hoghton Road. Alan went on to Town history with the club’s historic journey to Wembley in 1987 before he and the vast majority of Allan Wellens receiving the Lancs the FA Vase winning side sought pastures new. 1987Combination Championship Trophy 92 Alan Aspinall (pictured opposite) took over the from Wesley Bridge in 1972 mantle of manager following the departure of the Vase squad and management team having been Reserve team boss and spent a successful five seasons in charge.

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Past & Present 1992-93 Mick Holgate presided over just one season at Hoghton Road before moving on to Leigh RMI. 1993-2002 Jimmy McBride stepped up from his position as Reserve team boss to take the reigns of the first team for almost a decade which saw the club’s move from Hoghton Road to Saints. Took the club to its first cup final since the visit to Wembley but lost out in the League Cup and Floodlit Trophy finals in the mid 1990s. 2002-2003 John Davison and Peter King arrived from Burscough having presided over a very successful period in the ‘Linnets’ history. After a disappointing first campaign despite significant financial backing the club’s need to tighten the purse strings led to the pair’s departure at the start of the 2003 campaign, along with most of the squad. 2003-04 Ex-Everton professional Paul Lodge became Town manager as the club reeled from financial cuts but unfortunately his youthful side struggled at the bottom of the league and he was replaced in January 2004. 2004-05 Former Town ‘keeper Joe Paladino took over the reigns from Lodge and secured the club’s safety from relegation before going to challenge for the title during most of 2004-05. Joe resigned in March 2005. 2005-06 Assistant to Paladino, Joe Gibiliru took over the manager’s position and presided over a period of on the field stability for the club before resigning in September 2006. 2006-07 Alex Wright, who had previously been assistant manager to Paul Lodge returned to the club as manager but his tenure was short-lived as family commitments led to him stepping down in September 2007. 2007-08 John Fletcher, Wright’s assistant, was given managerial responsibility and he steered the club away from the relegation battle with a 19th place finish at the end of 2006-7. Despite the club’s off the field problems and financial difficulties the following season saw Fletcher’s charges finish fourteenth after only one defeat in the last nine games. However Town remained rooted in a relegation spot for most of the following season and Fletcher departed with weeks of the season remaining. 2009 – 2010 Gary Bickerstaffe was appointed in March 2009 and secured the club ’s safety with some ease recording six victories from the final eight games. Bickerstaffe’s fine form as manager continued throughout 2009-10 eventually finishing in 9th place. 2010 – 2011 Lee Riley steps up from assistant manager when Gary Bickerstaffe steps down at the end of the 2009-10. Lee resigned in March 2011 due to work commitments and Iain Dyson took over the managerial reigns before he too stepped down at the end of the season. 2011-12 season saw Jimmy McBride make a return to Town but it proved a difficult season and Town parted company with him as we narrowly avoided relegation. 2012 - 2013 Ian Granite became manager following success with neighbours Wigan Robin Park FC. A challenging 2012-13 season saw Town eventually steer clear of relegation, in doing so maintaining their unique 30 year stay in the North West Counties League top division. Despite an excellent start to the 2013-14 season Ian stepped down at the end of November due to business and family commitments and Ian Price (left) took over the managerial reigns with Paul Jones as his assistant. Many thanks to Jim Barrett and Eric Bond for their input in compiling the information.

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

2014-14 Fixtures, Facts an Date Aug 2 Aug 5 Aug 9 Aug 13 Aug 16 Aug 18 Aug 23 Aug 26 Aug 30 Sep 6 Sep 9 Sep 13 Sep 16 Sep 20 Sep 23 Sep 27 Oct 11 Oct 18 Oct 21 Oct 25 Oct 28

Opponents Maine Road AFC BLACKPOOL ALSAGER TOWN Bacup & Rossendale Boro’ ATHERTON COLLIERIES Runcorn Town Colne STOCKPORT SPORTS BARNOLDSWICK TOWN Irlam ABBEY HEY AFC LIVERPOOL RUNCORN LINNETS Winsford United Bootle W DIDS & CHORLTON SQUIRES GATE Congleton Town AFC Blackpool Widnes or Barnton RUNCORN TOWN

Nov 4 Nov 8

Stockport Sports COLNE

NWCFL NWCFL

7.45 3.00

Nov 15 Nov 19 Nov 22 Dec 6 Dec 13

Runcorn Linnets AFC Liverpool SILSDEN Alsager Town 1874 NORTHWICH

NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL

3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 3.00

Dec 20 Dec 26 Jan 3 Jan 17 Jan 24 Feb 7 Feb 14 Feb 28 Mar 7 Mar 14 Mar 21 Apr 4 Apr 6 Apr 11 Apr 18 Apr 25

Nelson ASHTON ATHLETIC Silsden Squires Gate West Didsbury & Chorlton BOOTLE GLOSSOP NORTH END NELSON Abbey Hey CONGLETON TOWN Glossop North End WINSFORD UNITED Ashton Athletic BACUP & ROSS’ BORO’ MAINE ROAD Barnoldswick Town

NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL

3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00

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Comp NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL FAC EPR NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL FAV 1QR NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL Lge Cup 2 NWCFL

KO Result GK 2 3 4 5 6 7 3.00 1-2W Brinksman Cottington Saunders Falconer Morris1 McKay Lightbod 7.45 3-0W Brinksman Cottington Saunders Falconer Morris1 Lightbod McKay 3.00 0-4L Brinksman Cottington Saunders Falconer Morris McKay Lightbod 7.45 2-6W Brinksman Cottington Houghton Falconer Morris1 McKay Rushton-W 3.00 2-5L Brinksman Cottington Houghton Falconer1 Morris McKay Andy Gilles 7.45 7-2L Brinksman Cottington Houghton Falconer Morris McKay1 Peers 3.00 4-0L Brinksman Cottington Morris Falconer Ogden McKay Andy Gilles 7.45 2-4L Brinksman Morris Richardson Falconer Ogden Cottington1 Coulter 3.00 4-3W Crowther Saunders Richardson Falconer Morris1 Cottington Bergqvis 3.00 1-2W* Crowther Bergqvis Morris Saunders Falconer Ogden1 McKay 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

nd Figures

dy dy1 dy Woods spie1

Hulme Hulme Coulter Hulme Hulme Hulme spie Hulme r Hulme st1 McKay1 st1 Cottington

Whyte1 Cook-Hannah Cook-Hannah Cook-Hannah Cook-Hannah Whyte1 Whyte Whyte Cook-Hannah Cook-Hannah

Name1

Rushton-Woods Perry Pullinger Alex Gillespie7 Bergqvist11 Cook-Hannah9 Perry1 Rushton-Woods Pullinger Alex Gillespie Houghton Bergqvist9 Rushton-Woods Perry Pullinger Houghton3 Alex Gillespie8 Bergqvist11 Bergqvist3 Perry1 Pullinger Coulter10 Barton11 Andy Gillespie91 Rushton-Woods Perry Barton11 Pullinger/Saunder Whyte9 Peers/Crowther Rushton-Woods Andy Gillespie Pullinger Coulter6 Perry7 Cook-Hannah Rushton-Woods Perry Pullinger10 Bergqvist11 Cook-Hannah Richardson7 Rushton-Woods1 Andy Gillespie Bergqvist7 Cook-Hannah3 Alex Gillespie Perry9 Rushton-Woods Andy Gillespie1 Harrison10 Alex Gillespie Peers Brinksman Rushton-Woods Perry Peers5 Hulme11 Whyte9 Harrison

Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Coulter7 Crowther Crowther Crowther Brinksman

Player name and number of goals scored

Name

Player name and CAUTION

Name

Player name and DISMISSAL FOR 2 CAUTIONS

Name

Player name and DISMISSAL

Name10

Player name and number of replaced player

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Match Report Goalfest continues as Town return to winning ways St Helens Town 4 –3 Barnoldswick Town Saturday 30th August 2014 St. Helens Town’s spectators are certainly getting value for their fiver these days as 48 goals have been scored in their last eight matches and on Saturday they ended a run of four defeats with a welcome 4-3 win over Barnoldswick Town at Brocstedes Park. The visitors opened their account from a free kick as early as the third minute, Chris Ridehalgh following up from an unsuccessful clearance to score an easy goal. Town had a few halfchances to level the scores, both involving Paul Cook-Hannah but, in common with the rest of the players, he found it very difficult to deal with the gusty wind. On 25 minutes, Karl Bergqvist turned the Barlick full-back Carl Ellerton inside out, before entering the penalty box and lashing home the equaliser. The visitors roared back and a goalbound shot was headed away from point blank range by Hamish Falconer and the score remained 1-1 at the interval. The wind was more to Town’s liking in the second half, but before they could seize the advantage, Cook -Hannah was punished by the award of a penalty kick (and a yellow card) for a push in the box and Mark Threlfall sent young Town keeper Rory Crowther the wrong way to put Barlick 2-1 ahead. In an amazing spell of six minutes, four goals went in, turning the game on its head and catapulting St. Helens into a 4-3 lead. As Town exerted relentless pressure, James Rushton-Woods sent in a vicious corner kick, which Barlick could not control in the swirling wind and Cook-Hannah’s header bounced off the top of the bar. Then from a free-kick, Aaron Morris also went close with a powerful header as Barnoldswick began to wilt under the pressure. From a corner in the 62nd minute, Rushton-Woods found Morris whose header went like a speeding bullet into the net to draw Town level and, two minutes later, Jack McKay capitalised on a defensive blunder, burst through from 40 yards, drew keeper Chris Taylor and finished well to put Town into the lead for the first time at 3-2. Another two minutes passed before quick passing saw Barlick on the attack and a cross from the right had two teammates lining up for a header, Ridehalgh getting the crucial touch to beat Crowther and it was 3-3. But back came Town and two minutes on, from a copybook Rushton-Woods corner, Morris headed the ball back and the on-rushing Andy Gillespie kneed past Taylor to restore Town’s lead at 4-3. As full-time approached, McKay thundered a drive against the bar with the keeper grasping at fresh air and, right on the final whistle, substitute Lee Harrison intercepted on the half-way line and found McKay on the charge, but his shot was well saved by Taylor. This was a welcome return to winning ways and Town’s supporters won’t mind too much if the goals continue to flow, so long as the majority go in for their favourites. An FA Cup replay for 1874 Northwich on Saturday meant that last Tuesday’s game at Winsford’s Barton Stadium was postponed.

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

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Statistical History ST. HELENS TOWN AFC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A STATISTICAL HISTORY by Glyn Jones Part 34 - Season 1980-81 CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE Nantwich Town Hyde United Winsford United Formby Stalybridge Celtic Chorley Bootle Prescot Cables Horwich RMI Leek Town Ashton United Curzon Ashton St. Helens Town Fleetwood Town Rossendale United Burscough Darwen Droylsden Kirkby Town New Mills Opponents Ashton United Bootle Burscough Chorley Curzon Ashton Darwen Droylsden Fleetwood Town Formby Horwich RMI Hyde United Kirkby Town Leek Town Nantwich Town New Mills Prescot Cables Rossendale United Stalybridge Celtic Winsford United

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P 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38

W 26 23 20 21 16 17 18 16 15 15 12 14 14 9 9 11 8 9 6 8

Home Aug 30 Dec 6 Aug 16 Mar 14 Feb 21 Apr 11 Nov 8 Sep 2 Dec 20 Jan 24 Sep 9 Feb 7 Feb 28 Apr 15 Jan 3 Aug 26 Sep 27 Nov 22 Oct 25

D 6 9 10 7 15 11 7 9 9 9 12 8 7 13 12 6 10 8 11 7 Result Drew 2-2 Drew 2-2 Won 4-2 Lost 0-6 Won 1-0 Won 2-0 Lost 1-2 Won 2-0 Won 4-1 Won 4-3 Drew 1-1 Won 1-0 Won 1-0 Lost 1-7 Lost 2-3 Lost 0-5 Won 1-0 Won 5-1 Drew 2-2

L 6 6 8 10 7 10 13 13 14 14 14 16 17 16 17 21 20 21 21 23

F 87 75 75 65 62 65 68 60 53 50 70 48 63 33 49 52 46 49 30 34 Away Nov 1 Aug 18 Mar 3 Nov 18 Dec 13 Mar 28 Aug 23 Sep 16 Mar 7 Nov 29 Feb 16 Dec 27 Feb 14 Jan 1 Sep 6 Apr 18 Jan 31 Sep 30 Mar 21

A 34 27 38 39 50 48 53 46 49 47 73 63 82 53 69 62 74 82 65 80

Pts 58 55 50 49 47 45 43 41 39 39 36 36 35 31 30 28 26 26 23 23 Result Lost 1-4 Lost 0-2 Lost 0-1 Lost 0-1 Lost 2-3 Drew 3-3 Won 2-1 Lost 1-2 Lost 0-4 Lost 0-1 Lost 0-7 Lost 0-2 Lost 1-5 Lost 3-4 Won 5-1 Won 4-0 Drew 1-1 Drew 2-2 Won 2-1

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Season 1980-81 FA CUP st

Sep 13

1 Qualifying Round

Southport

Away

Won

3-1

Oct 4

2nd Qualifying Round

Leyland Motors

Away

Won

4-0

Oct 18

3rd Qualifying Round

FLEETWOOD TOWN

Home

Lost

0-1

Oct 11

1st Round

Away

Lost

1-4

Sep 20

1st Round

Away

Lost

1-4

Home

Lost

0-2

FA TROPHY Accrington Stanley

CHESHIRE LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP Hyde United LIVERPOOL SENIOR CUP Nov 15

1st Round

Player Brimelow, Steve Brown, Alan Cain, Dave Currie, Dave Duffy, John Farnsworth, Derek Jones, M Kelly Larner, Geoff Lee Leonard, Mark Lowe, Barry Maguire, John Maher, Keith Milroy, Keith Molyneux, Dave Murfin, Steve Pinder, Paul Redmond, Larry Richardson, Alan Sharrock, Tony Smith, Mike Tickle, Steve Ventre Woodyer, Jimmy Own goals Totals

PRESCOT CABLES

App 1 12 5 2 5 16 4 1 30 2 10 1 10 2 11 15 2 4 10 20 11 7 2 2

Prov. 8 18 7 2 3 20 14 2 34 3 21 18 12 29 20 11 24 33 12 8

Sub App 2 1 2 1 -

Total App 9 30 12 4 8 36 6 1 44 1 4 44 4 31 20 23 44 2 26 21 44 44 20 2 10

186

298

490

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Goals 3 5 1 6

25 1 3 4 1 7 1

5 2 3 3 2 72

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A Brief History The original Town club was in existence from 1901 to 1928, but George Fryer and a number of local businessmen decided to re-form the club in 1946. They obtained a lease on the Hoghton Road ground in Sutton, adjacent to St. Helens Junction station on the Liverpool to Manchester railway line, took over a local St. Helens Combination team, Derbyshire Hill Rovers, signing a number of players from other clubs and entered the Liverpool County Combination in the 1947/48 season, playing against Everton “A” and Liverpool “A” and several reserve sides from the leading non-league clubs in the Merseyside area. Success was first attained in May 1949 when Runcorn were defeated in the final of the George Mahon Cup, played at the Prescot Cables ground. The following season, 1949/50, Town were elevated to the Second Division of the Lancashire Combination and they were promoted as Champions in only their second season to the First Division, where they ran up against teams such as Ashton United, Nelson and New Brighton, newly relegated from the Football League. Sadly, Town were themselves relegated in their first season and although promoted briefly again for the 1955/56 season, they spent most of their early years in the Second Division. Improvements were quickly made to the facilities at Hoghton Road in the early years, but in November 1952 the decision was taken to re-locate to the former St. Helens Recs’ rugby league ground at City Road in order to further their ambitions of reaching the Football League. Initially, the move resulted in some encouraging crowds, but the club had a change of heart and returned to Sutton in the October 1953. The ground was purchased and further developed and a social club and floodlights were added in later years. Town were Champions of the Lancashire Combination in 1971/72 season, losing only one game, finishing 6 points clear of Accrington Stanley. 1975 brought a switch to the Cheshire League, where they remained until the formation of the North West Counties League in 1982 and St. Helens Town is still the only club to feature in the top division of that league throughout its existence. The club’s major achievement was to win the FA Vase at Wembley in 1987. After a stuttering start in the Preliminary Round with a 5-4 extra-time win over Colne Dynamoes, further home successes over General Chemicals, Wren Rovers, Guisborough Town and Wythenshawe Amateurs, led to wins at Wisbech Town, at home to Rainworth Miners Welfare, away to Falmouth Town (after a replay) and in the away leg at Emley when, following a 1-0 home defeat in the first-leg, a 2-0 win in Yorkshire secured a Wembley Final against local rivals Warrington Town, who were dispatched 3-2 with goals from Phil Layhe (2) and Brian Rigby.

St. Helens Town boast an impressive “Hall of Fame”, including legendary goalkeeper and former German Prisoner-of-War Bert Trautmann, who signed for Manchester City over 60 years ago and who went on to play the game of his life in the 1956 FA Cup Final, despite breaking his neck in the latter stages. Bill Foulkes was transferred to Manchester United, where he had a glittering career, surviving the Munich Air Disaster in 1958, in which he bravely rescued some of his stricken team-mates. John Connelly, an England squad member in the victorious 1966 World Cup campaign, was sold to Burnley and he later moved to join Foulkes at Old Trafford. Sadly, all three have passed away in the last few years. Other future stars, groomed at St. Helens Town, include John Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday), Geoff Nulty (Burnley, Newcastle United and Everton) and, most recently, ace goalscorer Dave Bamber, who began and ended his league career at Blackpool and who played in all four divisions of the Football League. Captain of the FA Vase winning team was Tommy O’Neil, who began his league career playing alongside George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton at Manchester United.

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

of St Helens Town AFC

Town sold their Hoghton Road ground in 2000 to move in with St. Helens Rugby League Club at their Knowsley Road base. Their farewell appearance at Sutton produced a 1-0 win over Champions Vauxhall Motors and the initial campaign at Knowsley Road got off to a cracking start, with Town leading the table for most of the season, before finishing in a rather disappointing fourth place. Recent seasons have been more of a struggle, ninth place in 2009/10 being the best finish since. Season 2010-11 saw Town slide to 16th and next to bottom in 2011-12, when they would have been relegated, but for Flixton’s decision to resign from the league. Town began the 2012-13 season under new manager Ian Granite, who brought in a new team and coaching set-up and they battled well to avoid relegation, their status being confirmed with a couple of games remaining. 2013-14 was a mirror-image of the previous campaign, with a 14-game unbeaten run between September and December putting the club just behind the front runners for two thirds of the campaign. Granite resigned in November 2013 due to work and family commitments and his assistant Ian Price took over the reins, assisted by Paul Jones and Nick Matthews, but the long breaks caused by the winter weather interrupted their earlier rhythm and Town finished the season once again in the lower reaches, although never in any serious danger of the drop.

Club Honours: 1949 George Mahon Trophy Winners 1951 Lancs Comb Division 2 Champions 1972 Lancs Combination Champions 1973 Bass Charrington Cup Winners 1974 Watson Trophy Winners 1978 St Helens Hospital Cup Winners 1979 St Helens Comb Div 1 Runners Up 1979 St Helens Hospital Cup Runners Up 1980 St Helens Comb Div 1 Champions 1985 NWCFL Reserve Div 2 Runners Up 1986 NWCFL Reserve Div 1 Runners Up 1987 FA Vase Winners (Wembley) 1994 League Challenge Cup Finalists 1994 NWCFL Reserve Division Runners Up 1995 NWCFL Reserve Division Champions 1996 NWCFL Reserve Division Runners Up 1998 Floodlit Trophy Finalists 1999 REALCO Fair Play Award Winners 2009 Bert Trautmann Trophy Winners Record Appearances: Alan Wellens Record Goal Scorer: Steve Pennington Record Attendances: 4000 at Hoghton Road v Manchester City 1723 at Knowsley Rd v FC Utd Manchester 9000 at Prescot Cables v Runcorn (1949) Programme Awards 1993-94 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1995-96 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1997-98 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1998-99 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1999-00 NWCFL Programme of the Year 2000-01 NWCFL Programme of the Year 2009-10 NWCFL Premier Division 2010-11 NWCFL Premier Division 2011-12 NWCFL Premier Division 2012-13 NWCFL Premier Division 2013-14 NWCFL Premier Division Wirral Programme Club National Survey 1996-97 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1997-98 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1998-99 NWCFL Programme of the Year Programme Monthly 2007-08 NWCFL Programme of the Year

Following the demolition of the Knowsley Road ground in Soccer Club Swap Shop National Awards 2010, Town have led a nomadic existence up the road in 2010-11 Placed 28th Ashton-in-Makerfield, sharing Ashton Town’s Edge Green 2011-12 Placed 8th Street ground for three seasons before moving across town 2012-13 Placed 7th to Brocstedes Park as the guests of Ashton Athletic in 2012. 2013-14 Placed 8th The current season is scheduled to be the club’s last in exile, as plans are in place for re-location back to St. Helens for the 2015-16 season at the Council-owned Ruskin Park site, currently undergoing massive redevelopment and a brand-new facility awaits. In readiness for the move, the club is undergoing a radical re-branding, adopting the town’s coat of arms as their badge once again and reverting next season to their traditional blue and white colours in preparation for a return to the town in 2015.

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

2014-15 1874 Northwich Abbey Hey AFC Blackpool AFC Liverpool Alsager Town Ashton Athletic Bacup & Rossendale Barnoldswick Town Bootle Colne Congleton Town Glossop NE Maine Road Nelson Runcorn Linnets Runcorn Town Silsden Squires Gate St Helens Town Stockport Sports West Dids & Chrltn Winsford United

Premier Division

Counties Football League

North West

1874 Northwich AFC Liverpool

x 0-0 x

1-1 4-0

2-6

0-0

2-3

2-4

2-0 2-1

1-0

1-2 4-2 0-0 2-0 0-2 1-1 2-3 x 4-1 1-2 2-2 2-0 5-0 x 1-1 2-3 4-1 2-1 x 3-2 6-0 2-3 3-2 1-4 x 7-2 4-1 2-1 1-0 x 0-0 1-2 3-1 3-0 x 3-0 0-4 4-3 x 2-4 5-5 x 1-4 0-2 0-1 2-5 1-2 x 3-0 5-0 1-3 2-0 x

Congleton Town 1-4 1-1

1-2 0-4

Silsden

4-0

Glossop NE

1-1 1-2 3-1 2-2 0-6

0-4

Squires Gate

x 1-0 4-2 0-4 2-1

2-1

0-5

St Helens Town

3-2 1-1

4-0

Nelson

1-1

0-1 1-2

Winsford Utd

0-4

Ashton Athletic

1-1

Colne

1-2

Maine Road

Bootle

1-4

Runcorn Town

x 0-1

Bacup & Ross

1-1

3-1

Runcorn Linnets

x 4-1

Alsager Town

4-2 2-4

WD&C

1-1

AFC Blackpool

0-1

Stockport Sports

0-3

Abbey Hey

Barnoldswick T

Head 2 Head Results

North West Counties Football League Premier Division

Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Tea Break Teasers Q1. Who is the only German to have been top scorer in Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Serie A? Q2. Which two countries co-hosted Euro 2008? Q3. Which former Arsenal & West Ham United striker was top scorer in the 1998 World Cup Finals? Q4. Who is the oldest goalscorer in Premier League history? Q5. Which club were relegated in successive season, from the Premier League in 2011/12 and then the Championship in 2012/13?

Q6. Which team currently playing outside the Premier League has won the FA Cup the most times? Q7. What do Bradford City, Coventry City & Wigan Athletic have in common when it comes to the FA Cup? Q8. Which player has made the most Premier League appearances for Aston Villa? Q9. Which country has played at the World Cup Finals without ever having won the trophy? Q10. Which city hosted the 2014 World Cup Final? Q11. Who is the only player to have scored over 150 Premier League goals and not to have won the Premier League Title?

Q12. Who was the first Premier League manager to leave his job last season? Q13. Which ground hosted the 1970 FA Cup Final replay between Chelsea & Leeds United? Q14. Which team did Chelsea beat in the 2013 Europa League Final? Q15. Who joined Liverpool from AFC Bournemouth in January 1991 and went on to make 308 appearances for the Reds?

1) Oliver Bierhoff, Udinese 97/8 2) Austria & Switzerland 3) Davor Suker 4) Teddy Sheringham 40 Years 266 Days 5) Wolves 6) Blackburn Rovers (9) 7) Reached the final just once and won the cup 8) Gareth Barry 9) Mexico 10) Rio De Janeiro 11) Robbie Fowler 12) Paulo Di Canio 13) Old Trafford 14) Benfica 15)Jamie Redknapp

Abbey Hey - NWCFL Playing History Season 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14

League NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-P NWC-P NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-P

P 42 42 44 42 42 42 42 42 38 42 42 34 34 34 42

W 14 15 12 12 7 16 14 10 6 11 7 6 22 26 9

D 8 6 11 13 8 6 12 10 9 5 6 6 3 3 13

L 20 21 21 17 27 20 16 22 23 26 29 22 9 5 20

F 50 76 62 56 46 51 61 44 45 60 49 48 82 88 47

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

A 75 92 101 73 90 69 70 83 106 89 106 72 44 25 86

GD -25 -16 -39 -17 -44 -18 -9 -39 -61 -29 -57 -24 38 63 -39

Pts 50 51 47 49 29 54 54 40 27 38 27 23 69 81 40

Position 14/22 14/22 18/23 13/22 21/22 14/22 11/22 17/22 17/20 21/22 22/22 15/18 3/18 2/18 20/22

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Meet the Players

Alex Gillespie 06/08/1997 Midfield

Rory Crowther 29/12/1996 Goalkeeper

Tom Barton 21/03/1997 Full Back

Marcus Perry 16/08/1996 Full Back

This player is available to sponsor