St Helens Town v Bacup & Rossendale Borough 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 Manager: Nick Matthews Physiotherapists: Nicole Garner Jess Pritchard & Ben Fletcher U21 Team Manager Alan Gillespie U21 Asst Manager: John Whelan

Saturday 29th November 2014, kick off 3pm North West Counties League, Premier Division St Helens Town Red & White Shirts White Shorts, Red & White Socks No

Gls

St Helens Town

Rory Crowther James Halpin Jack Hont Hamish Falconer Aaron Morris Lewis Coyle Jack McKay Gareth Grant Andy Gillespie Kris Bell Ed Richardson Ryan Duffy Marcus Perry Matthew Davidson

Bacup & Rossendale Borough Pink Shirts Black Shorts & Socks No

Gls

Bacup & Ross’ Boro’

James Rushton-Woods

Callum Jakovlevs Martin Cosgrave Matty Bryan Gareth Wager Laquan Esdaille Daniel Holt Adrian Bellamy David Kuba-Kuba Glodi Kuba-Kuba Lee Oldham Alfred Hammond Matthew Maine Kyle Hendley Michael Gervin Martin Ormesher

Dom Whelan

Stelios Giannakopolos

U18 Team Manager: Cairns Hardie U17 Team Manager: Nick Matthews Veterans Team Manager: David Platt Email: sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk

Manager: Ian Price Assistant: Nick Matthews

Manager: Brent Peters Coach: Andy Barlow

Referee: Mr J Madine (Liverpool) Assist: Mr N Badger (Lydiate) & Mr C Duckworth (Crosby)

Main Club Sponsor: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Today’s Executive Match Sponsor:

Main Shirt Sponsor: Eciguk St Helens

www.keepfootballalive.co.uk

Legal: St Helens Town Limited Private Limited Company

Text ‘Newton’ to 07982 245152

Company No. 04392840 Date of Incorporation 12.03.2002

Newton Le Willows 7evens

Company Directors: Jim Barrett

7 A-Side Football League

Parent Company: A wholly owned subsidiary of Sporting Club St Helens Limited

Cover: Andy Gillespie in action at Runcorn Linnets (15/11/2014)

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 afternoon and welcome to Brocstedes Park for this North West Counties League, Premier Division contest against our friends from Bacup & Rossendale Borough. 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 eventful three weeks since we were last hosting a game here at Brocstedes Park when we welcomed in form Colne. In the first half it was a closer affair than the final score of 5-2 to the visitors suggests. Colne netted twice midway through the opening period but a spirted fight back from Town saw Chad Whyte felled and convert from the spot to reduce the arrears and it was the visitors who were grateful for the interval. In the second half Colne took the game to the Town and their attacking prowess was to the fore as they netted a treble with Kris Bell adding a late consolation for Town. We then had the daunting trip to league leading Runcorn Linnets where we turned in a fantastic battling performance and undeservedly fell to a 1-0 reverse through a late goal which former Town man Chris Lomax created. We had dominated the second half and had the better of the chances but in the end being unable to convert put paid to our chances of taking anything for the contest.

Last Saturday we had the 400 mile round trip to Northern League, Alnwick Town in the FA Vase 2nd Round and it wasn’t a game for those of a nervous disposition! We took an early lead when Chad Whyte created and finished an early chance before the hosts levelled a couple of minutes later. We then regained the lead as half time approached as Whyte netted his and St Helens’ second before Skipper Andy Gillepsie deflected a Kris Bell effort into the net and in added on time at the end of the half the hosts reduced the arrears to make it 3-2 to St Helens at the interval. The second half saw Alnwick level and a swift response saw Bell power a thunderous effort passed the keeper to make it 4-3 but Alnwick wouldn’t lie down and levelled with five minutes of normal time remaining. There was a controversial penalty awarded and the rescinded by the referee before the end of normal time and Bell beat the keeper but not the post with a thunder bolt but in the end a scrappy goal poked home by Gareth Grant in extra time was enough to send St Helens Town through and the draw has given us a home tie against NCEL, Premier Division Leaders Tadcaster Albion next Saturday. We then to the much shorter trip to Marine to take on AFC Liverpool and this was to prove to be an entertaining contest for the neutrals, AFC took an early 2-0 lead before Bell continued his prolific form to pull one back for Town. Just before the break the hosts made it 3-1 a massive blow to Town but again they bounced back and Bell netted his second of the contest and seventh since joining the club and indeed he had a great chance to level as his header beat the keeper but not the crossbar and the loose ball was cleared to safety. As Town poured forward looking to level they were picked off by some swift counter attacks and the pacey hosts raced out to 6-2 before Lewis Coyle headed home from a set piece to make it 6-3. A late goal from the hosts saw a final score line of 7-3 and Town rueing missed chances and wondering what could have been. This afternoons contest is a vital one to the cause as we take on Bacup & Rossendale Borough who are one of the sides in our mini-league at the bottom of the table in what can be described as that clichéd “relegation six pointer”! Let’s get behind Town this afternoon 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 Bacup Borough Football Club was established in 1875. Their first match to take place at their current Brian Boys West View Stadium was not until 1889 when one of the founder members of the English Football League Accrington Stanley played there in front of over 1,000 spectators. Bacup’s proudest achievement was winning the Lancashire Combination Championship in the 1946/47 season, this along with finishing runners up after losing to Marine 2-1 in the Lancashire Combination Cup Final. In the 1972/73 season the club finished runners up in the League, losing out on goal average despite scoring 101 goals. In 1974/75 they reached the Lancashire Junior Cup Final losing 1-0 against Lancaster City, this despite famous victories against Formby, Wigan Athletic, South Liverpool, and Morecambe. In the last ever Lancashire Combination Challenge Cup Final Bacup were beaten 1-3 by Caernarfon Town in a two-legged Final. In 1982 Bacup Borough became founder members of the North West Counties League, this following the amalgamation of the Cheshire League & the Lancashire Combination. In the 1987/88 season Bacup had to apply for re-election following finishing bottom of the Second Division. In the 1988/89 season under the Management of Gary Warburton the club finished Runners up in Division Two and also finished Runners Up in the Lamot Pils Trophy, they also the same season reached the Quarter Final of the League Cup and due to the Leagues re-organisation the club started the 1989/90 season as a First Division Club. However, in the1994/95 season Bacup Borough were relegated back to the Second Division & did struggle both on and off the field. In September of the 1997/98 season with no points on the board and following a humiliating 0-10 defeat by Tetley Walker this prompted the Committee to part company with their then Manager. This then made way for the appointment of the former Doncaster Rovers Assistant Manager, Bury F.C Youth Team Coach, Accrington Stanley Director of Football, & Rossendale Utd & Glossop North End Manager Brent Peters to take over as Manager, a position he has held ever since. Brent’s early record of achievement saw the club finish the 1997/98 season in 14th position, climbing in 1998/99 to 11th position before in 1999/00 they finished 5th in the league, the clubs highest league position in over ten years. In Season 2000/01 the club reached the Second Division Cup Final but lost 1 -0 to Squires Gate. Brent’s greatest achievement came at the end of the 2002/03 season when he guided the club to the Championship of the North West Counties League Division Two, the first major success for the club in 56 years. This brought Brent Three Manager of the Month Awards and The Manager of The Year Award.

Season 2003/04, Bacup’s first season following the Second Division Championship the club finished 14th in Division One and did win the North West Counties League Challenge Cup at Southport’s Haig Avenue Ground by beating Newcastle Town 3-0. Other cup runs saw Borough as NWCFL Challenge Cup Quarter Finalists in 2004/05 and Lancashire FA Co-operative Trophy Quarter Finalists in 2007/08. They finished in 8th Position in the NWCFL Premier Division in the 2008/09 Season. June 14th 2004 brought another land mark for the club when Bacup’s Secretary Frank Manning celebrated not only his 70th Birthday but also 50yrs in the game of which well over 40 years have been spent in administration at his beloved Bacup Borough F.C, This achievement was recognised by Frank being presented with a gold award on behalf of the Football Association by Mr Jim Kenyon the Secretary of the Lancashire Football Association. This achievement brought Frank the position of Chairman of the club, a post he held until accepting the position of President of Bacup & Rossendale Borough FC at the re-branding on June 17th 2013. It was a sad start to the 2011/2012 season with the sudden passing away of Kenneth Peters on the 15th June 2011 and he was also the club president and father of our manager. On the field of play further success was to come with more silverware, this following a comprehensive 5-0 victory over

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

Bacup & Rossendale Maine Road in the NWCFL Challenge Cup Final which was played at the Tameside Stadium Ashton in front of a big crowd, the team was captained by Davey Luker. The 2012/2013 season proved to be another difficult time at the club following the sad deaths of people dearly close to the club. Four came in the month of October 12 from which the biggest shock was 27 year old player Bryan Herbert. On the pitch the team once again did well by getting to yet another cup final and this time it was the Lancashire FA Cooperative Trophy Final played at the Reebok Stadium at Bolton. Despite playing a team from two leagues aboveBacup gave a very good account of themselves against team from the Evo-Stick Premier Division, AFC Fylde ran out 2-0 winners. June 17th 2013 Bacup Borough officially adopted the title of Rossendale; this came about following the sad demise of Rossendale United FC, thus leaving Bacup Borough as the Rossendale Valley’s most senior football club. They were now the sole flag bearers of the Rossendale Valley and, for the commercial side, it made sense to add ‘Rossendale’ to the club’s name making the club Bacup & Rossendale Borough FC. The new name also brings with it a newly designed crest to form its very own identity, with a plan for progression in place and the words, ‘Prosperity Through Endeavour’ prominently featured. The 2013/2014 season was a nail-biter right until the last game when the club fell into the relegation zone for the first time and looked set to be relegated back to the First Division . The clubs place in the Premier Division was secured off the field when repercussions from above meant that the NWCL did not receive a relegated club from above and now the club is ready to progress with its ambitious plans as Rossendale’s number one football club. 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-2 NWC-2 NWC-2 NWC-2 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P

P 34 38 40 34 42 42 42 42 38 42 42 42 41 42 42

W 15 13 13 25 15 19 13 11 5 16 15 17 15 13 9

D 11 9 13 2 8 8 8 13 11 10 12 10 7 8 12

L 8 16 14 7 19 15 21 18 22 16 15 15 19 21 21

F 68 59 52 91 68 52 44 50 35 71 63 69 59 51 38

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 42 60 66 32 72 47 62 65 69 71 75 56 77 71 68

GD 26 -1 -14 59 -4 5 -18 -15 -34 0 -12 13 -18 -20 -30

Pts 56 48 52 77 53 65 47 46 26 58 57 61 52 47 39

Position 5/18 14/20 12/21 1/18 14/22 9/22 17/22 15/22 18/20 8/22 12/22 11/22 17/22 17/22 21/22

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

How We Compare? at St Helens Town

Previous Meetings

at Bacup & Rossendale Borough

NWC-D1

1999-00

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2000-01

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2001-02

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2002-03

NWC-D2

21/02; 2-1

2003-04

27/09; 0-2

18/09; 0-0

2004-05

16/10; 0-0

21/02; 0-2

2005-06

29/04; 2-0

21/10; 0-1

2006-07

17/03; 0-0

15/09; 1-3

2007-08

16/04; 2-2

18/10; 3-4

2008-09

04/10; 0-3

20/02; 3-0

2009-10

24/04; 1-2

Bacup & Ross’ Boro’ games since...

05/03; 1-1

2010-11

09/04; 1-7

03/03; 0-0

2011-12

16/04: 2-3

All Competitions

05/03; 1-2

2012-13

06/05; 0-0

28/09; 1-1

2013-14

12/04; 2-3

11/04/2015

2014-15

13/08; 6-2

St Helens Town - last 6 matches All Competitions

Home

Most recent

Away

Collated

Bacup & Rossendale Borough - last 6 matches All Competitions Home

Most recent

Away

Collated

St Helens Town games since...

L L

All Competitions Clean sheet

Clean sheet

Goal Scored

Loss

No score draw

Score draw

Win

St Helens Town Scores First Games Played

St Helens Town Wins

Draws

Bacup Borough Wins

St Helens Town Goals

Bacup Borough Goals

Percentage Town Wins

17.39

All Previous Meetings All Competitions P

Win %

Home

33.33

Away

-16

32.50

Collated

123

131

-8

32.89

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

From the Chair Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to Brocstedes Park for this North West Counties Football League Premier Division game against today’s visitors Bacup & Rossendale Borough. Let’s hope their officials, players and supporters have had a safe journey and we’re all treated to an entertaining encounter. Many thanks to today’s match sponsors Paul Mitchell from ‘Keep Football Alive’ who are expanding their 7-a-side leagues with a new local venue at Selwyn Jones Leisure Centre in Newtonle-Willows - many thanks for your support. It’s been a busy couple of weeks since we were last at home but the highlight has to be last weekend’s FA Vase success at Alnwick Town. The game was a thriller with lots of goals and Town made the 3rd Round with an extra time goal from Gaz Grant which saw them win 4-5 making the 200 mile journey home a pleasant one!! Many thanks to our main sponsors Johnsons Toyota Liverpool and Toyota GB who sponsored our trip to Alnwick by match funding the money the club raised by selling seats on the coach, raising an additional £240 towards club funds. Unfortunately it was back down to earth on Tuesday evening when we went down 7-3 to bogey side AFC Liverpool at the Arriva Stadium. Match reports from both games are elsewhere in today’s match programme. Our reward for the Vase win in Northumberland is a 3rd Round home tie against Northern Counties East League Premier Division leaders Tadcaster Albion next Saturday 6th December, kick off 3pm - we’re still looking for a match (£100) and match ball (£50) sponsor for the game which should see a bumper crowd.

Today’s game is a massive one for both clubs with Bacup currently occupying bottom spot in the Premier Division with just a solitary league win this season while Town will be hoping to complete a ‘double’ having recorded a 2-6 win at The Brian Boys Stadium earlier in the season. Tomorrow afternoon sees the club’s U17s, U18s, U21s and Veterans teams in action with the latter taking on the league leaders Warner FC and looking to make it three successive wins after a tough start to the season. The U17s travel to Knowsley South U17s, the U18s are at home (Edge Hill University) to Bolton Wyresdale U18s under a new management team headed by Cairns Hardie while the impressive U21s travel to Sandbach United U21s looking to build on their recent excellent form Enjoy the game . . . and we hope to see you at the FA Vase game next Saturday afternoon, 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

Match Sponsor Mitchell’s plan to Keep Football Alive with formation of new league St Helens Town are delighted to welcome Keep Football Alive as one of their latest sponsors – the local company are today’s Executive Match sponsors against Bacup & Rossendale Borough. Keep Football Alive is an organisation set up in and around St Helens to provide a local small sided football league. Paul Mitchell said: “I have refereed in football for many years and I have been concerned by the demise of some of the grass roots football.

“There are a few small sided football businesses around, mainly out of the area. I felt it needed a business that put some of its profits back into grass roots football.” The league is affiliated to the Liverpool County Football Association and runs five, six and seven a side leagues. The newest league to be set up is a male adult league on Friday nights at Selwyn Jones Sports Centre, Newton-leWillows, between 6pm and 9pm. The League is also looking for Ladies Teams and Youth Teams for their small sided leagues on a Saturdays and Sundays. If any school or sports centres feel they would like to get involved with the league, at their premises either contact Paul on 07982 245152 or visit www.keepfootballalive.co.uk Paul said, 'We are continually looking for premises to run our small sided football leagues from.' Town Chairman John McKiernan added, ‘It’s great to have a local business join us and I am sure our partnership will benefit both parties.

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

Club News St Helens Town are delighted to welcome a brand new sponsor with Hallwood Solutions joining forces with the club recently. Town Chairman John McKiernan said, ‘Hallwood have agreed to a bespoke package including player sponsorship of Kris Bell, match and match ball sponsorship and they will also become sponsors of our Under 17s providing training kit and match day rain jackets. Hallwood Solutions Director Tom Hallwood said, ‘I am really pleased to be starting a great partnership with the club, hopefully the U17s will be happy with their new training kit and jackets. I will Hallwood Solutions is an outsourced sales company. Based in Liverpool, they work alongside clients from all over the UK and have many years of experience when it comes to obtaining profits for their clients. Hallwood cover various areas of sales including Lead Generation, Appointment Setting and Conversion of Sales. The company has over 10 years of experience in the B2B field and their highly-efficient members of staff have worked across numerous industries and sectors for both small and large companies – all with the intention of increasing profits. Want your company to make more sales? Give Hallwood Solutions a call to make it happen. The team are ready and waiting to take your call and look forward to working with you and your business.

Hallwood Solutions Ltd North Mersey Business Centre Woodward Road Knowsley Industrial Park Liverpool L33 7UY Tel Number - 0151 546 2645 Mobile Number – 07989664412 E: info@hallwoodsolutions.co.uk W: www.halwoodsolutions.co.uk

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

Action at Bacup

NWCFL Premier Division Bacup & Rossendale Borough 2-6 Town Tuesday 13th August 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

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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

Club News We are looking for supporters to become Goldline members which will provide the club with a valuable source of income which will help us to achieve a bright future by assisting us in our goal of making a return to St Helens. In addition, you will have the chance to win up to £5,000 . . . so we could all be winners! As a lottery partner, St Helens Town Football Club will receive a massive 70p of your £1 weekly subscription. As a Goldline member you will receive your membership card which includes your membership number, 10 sets of Goldline draw numbers and 4 unique rollover draw numbers:

Your 10 sets of Goldline draw numbers will be entered into the Goldline draw every weekday for your chance of winning. Each week 5 prizes of £500 are paid out, that’s a total of £2,500 paid out every week. Your 4 rollover draw numbers will be entered into the weekly draw for your chance of winning up to £5,000. The rollover draw starts at £250 and each week rolls over and increases by £250 until won or until it reaches £5,000 at which time it will be drawn and redrawn until a winner is found. £100s in £10 consolation prizes are paid out every week. Goldline pays out over £170,000 in prizes every year to members. In addition your Goldline membership card will entitle you to exclusive deals available at St Helens Town Football Club. No claim is necessary. Prizes will be sent automatically and either delivered by post or by your agent. Club Chairman John McKiernan said, “Having joined forces with Bolton Wanderers in the Goldline Lottery we can ensure big cash prizes are dished out every week but the Club also wins too – with the possibility of raising thousands of pounds each year.

“We hope those who have previously supported our monthly 500 Club lottery will now join our new venture. We are going to start canvassing this week with a view to entering our first draw at the start of March. In the current climate, this income through the Goldline Lottery will be crucial to the club. If people are able to give up £1 a week to enter then we think this is ta great way to support the club – but also give yourself a real chance of winning some cash too!” For more information on how you can join call John on 07713 339 682 or email sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk. Club officials will also have details on match days.

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 The winners of the League's Respect awards for the period of August/ September/October have been announced. The first recipients of the awards this season are Colne in the Premier Division and Barnton in the FIrst Division. Congratulations to both clubs, who will be presented with six Mitre Footballs in recognition of the award. The awards are based on marks given by member clubs to each other who have been given the highest ratings by their peers (other member clubs) in this initiative. After each game each club completes a simple report sheet and sent in after every League match. The League's Respect Co-Ordinator Stewart Taylor explained how the awards have been developed.

"Over the last few years there have been a number of FA Initiatives devoted to the subject of improving the game. These include the Kick it Out Campaign related to Equality and Inclusion, Football v. Homophobia which again focuses on inclusion and the Respect Campaign which tackles a range of issues relating to how individuals and organisations involved in football show respect for others. "If we add to this recent initiatives regarding the increase in funding for grassroots coaching, then we can see that serious attempts are being made to change the face of football for the better.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The North West Counties Football League support all of these initiatives and, in the case of the Respect Campaign, believe that the League and Member Clubs can go further. To this end, the NWCFL Respect Committee was formed just over a year ago. "The objective was to look at aspects of Respect which look to include a wide range of stakeholders, with the ultimate target of improving the matchday experience for all. The Committee consists of representatives from clubs, a referee organisation and the League Committee. By this means, a consensus view of the way forward can be achieved. "The work of the Respect Committee resulted in the production of the report sheet which is completed and sent in by each club after every League match. On this form consideration is given to a wide range of parameters which comment on aspects of the matchday experience which are relevant to all participants. "As with any system which looks to find a method of improvement, the fundamental issue is an understanding of where are we starting from. Much of the work of the last three months has been to establish these baselines. "What has also been done is to combine the information garnered from the Match Respect Report Forms, and add to that information supplied by Match Officials, to gain a wider understanding of the experiences of the constituent parts of the system. "Moving forward, the baselines have now been established, and this gives an important tool in being able to measure progress in line with the overall objective of improving the matchday experience for all".

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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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

2013-14 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 Sep 30 Oct 5 Oct 11 Oct 18 Oct 21 Oct 25 Oct 28 Nov 1 Nov 4 Nov 8 Nov 15 Nov 19 Nov 22 Nov 29 Dec 6 Dec 13 Dec 20 Dec 27 Jan 3 Jan 17 Jan 24 Feb 7 Feb 14 Feb 28 Mar 7 Mar 14 Mar 21 Apr 4 Apr 6 Apr 18 Apr 25 TBA

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 Burscough Nostell Miners Welfare SQUIRES GATE Congleton Town AFC Blackpool Widnes RUNCORN TOWN YORKSHIRE AMATEUR Stockport Sports COLNE Runcorn Linnets Alnwick Town AFC Liverpool BACUP & ROSS BORO’ TADCASTER ALBION 1874 NORTHWICH 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 MAINE ROAD Barnoldswick Town 1874 Northwich

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Comp NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL FAC EPR NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL FAV 1QR NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL LSC 1 FAV 2QR NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL LCC 2R NWCFL FAV 1R NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL FAV 2R NWCFL NWCFL FAV 3R NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL

KO 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 3.00 7.45 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 3.00 3.00 TBA

Result 1-2W 3-0W 0-4L 2-6W 2-5L 7-2L 4-0L 2-4L 4-3W 1-2W* 1-0W 0-9L 0-1L 3-0L 3-0L 0-3L 4-1L 3-0W 0-0D 2-0L 2-1L 4-4D# 2-2D 3-1W 0-2W 2-5L 1-0L 4-5W* 7-3L

GK Brinksman Brinksman Brinksman Brinksman Brinksman Brinksman Brinksman Brinksman Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther

Name1

2 Cottington Cottington Cottington Cottington Cottington Cottington Cottington Morris Saunders Morris Cottington Saunders Duffy Cottington Duffy Duffy Whelan Duffy Duffy Duffy Duffy Halpin Halpin Duffy Duffy Halpin Duffy Halpin Halpin

3 4 5 6 7 Saunders Falconer Morris1 McKay Lightbody Saunders Falconer Morris1 McKay Lightbody1 Saunders Falconer Morris McKay Lightbody Houghton Falconer Morris1 McKay Rushton-Woods Houghton Falconer1 Morris McKay Andy Gillespie1 Houghton Falconer Morris McKay1 Peers Morris Falconer Ogden McKay Andy Gillespie Richardson Falconer Ogden Cottington1 Coulter Richardson Falconer Morris1 Cottington Bergqvist1 Saunders Falconer Ogden1 McKay Bergqvist1 Morris Falconer Ogden McKay Bergqvist Richardson Falconer Morris McKay Andy Gillespie Morris Falconer Grant McKay Perry Morris Falconer Grant McKay Perry Richardson Falconer Morris Cottington McKay Saunders Falconer Morris McKay Cottington Morris Falconer Ogden McKay Saleh Morris Falconer Ogden McKay Saleh Morris Falconer Ogden McKay Bergqvist Morris Falconer Grant McKay Cottington Morris Falconer Coyle1 McKay Saleh Morris Falconer Coyle McKay Saleh1 Hont Falconer Coyle Morris Saleh Hont Falconer Coyle Morris McKay1 Hont Falconer Coyle Morris McKay Hont Falconer Morris Coyle Bell1 Hont Falconer Morris Coyle Bell Hont Falconer Morris Coyle McKay Hont Falconer Morris Coyle1 McKay

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

nd Figures

8 Hulme Hulme Coulter Hulme 1 Hulme Hulme Hulme Hulme McKay1 Cottington Hulme Cottington Alex Gillespie Ashton Ashton Ashton Ashton Grant Grant Ashton Grant Grant Grant Grant Grant Duffy Grant Grant1 Grant

9 10 11 Whyte1 Rushton-Woods Perry Cook-Hannah Rushton-Woods Perry1 Cook-Hannah Rushton-Woods Perry Cook-Hannah Bergqvist3 Perry1 Cook-Hannah Rushton-Woods Perry Whyte1 Rushton-Woods Andy Gillespie Whyte Rushton-Woods Perry Whyte Rushton-Woods1 Andy Gillespie Cook-Hannah Rushton-Woods Andy Gillespie1 Cook-Hannah Rushton-Woods Perry Cook-Hannah Rushton-Woods Andy Gillespie Whyte Rushton-Woods Perry Cook-Hannah Rushton-Woods Andy Gillespie Cook-Hannah Rushton-Woods Andy Gillespie Whyte Rushton-Woods Andy Gillespie Bergqvist Rushton-Woods Andy Gillespie Cook-Hannah Rushton-Woods Bergqvist Cook-Hannah Bergqvist1 Andy Gillespie1 Cook-Hannah Ashton Andy Gillespie Whyte Andy Gillespie Saleh Whyte Bergqvist Andy Gillespie Whyte2 Bell1 Andy Gillespie Whyte1 Bell1 Andy Gillespie Whyte1 Bell1 Andy Gillespie Whyte Bergqvist Andy Gillespie1 Whyte1 Andy Gillespie Perry Whyte McKay Andy Gillespie Whyte2 Bell1 Andy Gillespie1 Andy Gillespie Bell2 Richardson

12 14 15 16 17 Pullinger Alex Gillespie7 Bergqvist11 Cook-Hannah9 Crowther Pullinger Alex Gillespie Houghton Bergqvist9 Crowther Pullinger Houghton3 Alex Gillespie8 Bergqvist11 Crowther Pullinger Coulter10 Barton11 Andy Gillespie91 Crowther Barton11 Pulling/Saunder Whyte9 Peers/Crowther Coulter7 Pullinger Coulter6 Perry7 Cook-Hannah Crowther Pullinger10 Bergqvist11 Cook-Hannah Richardson7 Crowther Bergqvist7 Cook-Hannah3 Alex Gillespie Perry9 Crowther Harrison10 Alex Gillespie Peers Brinksman Peers5 Hulme11 Whyte9 Harrison Brinksman Peers Whyte91 Perry11 Alex Gillespie Saunders Peers3 Alex Gillespie11 Cook-Hannah9 Peers Ogden Whyte9 Saunders Saunders Harrison9 Barton7 Whelan Cook-Hannah Bergqvist9 Whelan10 Cook-Hannah10 Saleh11 Perry7 Andy Gillespie9 Lightbody10 Whyte91 Saunders Harrison8 Whyte9 Lightbody10 Saunders Rushton-Woods11 Harrison Whyte9 Cook-Hannah Bergqvist11 Bell10 Rushton-Woods8 Halpin Halpin2 Harrison6 Bell11 Harrison Bergqvist10 Cook-Hannah Bergqvist9 Rushton-Woods McKay7 Ogden Rushton-Woods Bergqvist Perry Saleh Perry81 Bell Cook-Hannah Peers Nicholson Ogden Halpin Rushton-Woods Perry9 Whelan Richardson11 Davidson10 Perry9 Duffy Davidson8 Perry9 Rushton-Woods11

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 Runcorn Linnets 1-0 St Helens Town For the second time this season, St. Helens Town lost 1-0 to unbeaten NW Counties Premier Division leaders and promotion favourites Runcorn Linnets and despite the seventeen league places between the teams, there was very little to choose between the teams at the Millbank Stadium on Saturday. In fact, Town could well have won this match and will be extremely disappointed they did not collect a point from the encounter. This was ideal preparation for next Saturday’s FA Vase game at Alnwick Town and the near 400 crowd created a real cup-tie atmosphere, with the sort of partisan crowd St. Helens can expect to encounter in Northumberland. Starting without injury victims Karl Bergqvist and Cole Ashton, Town welcomed back Gareth Grant, but the former Runcorn Town midfielder quickly became the pantomime villain for the home crowd, unjustly picking up a booking midway through the first half, following a collision with a Linnets player. Already on a yellow card, the same player was perhaps fortunate not to be dismissed for a heavy tackle a short time afterwards, but with the crowd demanding a red card, they were silenced just before the interval when one of their own, prolific forward Kevin Towey, was sent off for a poor challenge on Hamish Falconer, which reduced the home side to ten players for more than half the game. St. Helens played great football during the first half, but several efforts on goal were thwarted by the tight home defence and a solid performance by keeper Richard Mottram. The best chance of the half fell to Kris Bell, who met an Andy Gillespie shot on the edge of the six yard box after ten minutes, but could not control the ball which had become trapped under his boot. Gillespie went through on goal on 21 minutes, but River Humphreys just managed to get to the ball in the nick of time, with Chad Whyte bearing down. At the other end, Rory Crowther pulled off two great saves from a Michael White header after 25 minutes and just before the interval, a good shot from Kyle Hamid. Early in the second half, a long pass from Grant found Bell, whose shot was well saved by Mottram and, with Town pushing forward in search of a goal to win the game, there were chances for Aaron Morris, Gillespie and Bell before the last-named broke down the right passed inside to Whyte, whose glancing shot beat Mottram but went inches wide of the Runcorn goal with fifteen minutes left. Whyte was replaced by Marcus Perry soon afterwards, but this appeared to coincide with a lull in Town’s performance and, urged on by the crowd, Linnets pushed forward and, as the visitors’ defence briefly lost concentration, Hamid latched on to a cross and netted for what turned out to be the winning goal, much to the relief of the home players and supporters. This was rough justice for St. Helens Town’s efforts in a game where, overall, they were the more composed and had the better chances. They will feel they were worth at least a draw, but the young side will have learned valuable lessons in their quest for FA Vase glory and their fight against relegation. Glyn Jones

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

Statistical History ST. HELENS TOWN AFC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A STATISTICAL HISTORY by Glyn Jones Part 43 - Season 1989-90 North West Counties League Warrington Town Knowsley United Colwyn Bay Vauxhall GM Clitheroe Darwen Nantwich Town St. Helens Town Ashton United Prescot Cables Bootle Flixton Leyland Motors Atherton LR Skelmersdale United Salford Burscough (-3) Chadderton Opponents

P 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34

W 22 21 16 16 17 15 13 10 11 10 11 11 10 8 8 8 8 7 Home

D 6 6 12 9 6 9 5 13 10 11 8 7 7 13 11 11 12 12

L 6 7 6 9 11 10 16 11 13 13 15 16 17 13 15 15 14 15

F 69 68 79 50 48 40 50 50 39 49 44 37 55 43 48 31 38 39

A 31 45 50 42 47 34 52 48 45 54 58 47 64 58 59 47 41 55

Pts 72 69 60 57 57 54 44 43 43 41 41 40 37 37 35 35 33 33

Result

Away

Result

Ashton United

Dec 9

Won 2-1

Mar 17

Drew 0-0

Atherton L.R.

Mar 9

Drew 2-2

Mar 28

Won 1-0

Bootle

Sep 30

Won 2-0

Feb 17

Lost 1-2

Burscough

Dec 26

Drew 1-1

Jan 1

Drew 1-1

Chadderton

Apr 24

Drew 0-0

Sep 5

Drew 2-2

Clitheroe

Feb 24

Won 2-1

Oct 14

Won 4-0 Drew 1-1

Colwyn Bay

Apr 3

Lost 2-3

Apr 14

Darwen

Dec 30

Won 1-0

Aug 28

Lost 0-2

Flixton

Apr 21

Lost 1-2

Oct 28

Won 3-0

Knowsley United

Nov 18

Won 5-1

Dec 2

Lost 0-5

Leyland Motors

Apr 19

Drew 4-4

Aug 19

Drew 1-1

Nantwich Town

Mar 3

Won 2-1

Sep 23

Won 4-2

Prescot Cables

Aug 26

Drew 1-1

Jan 27

Lost 0-3

Salford

Sep 12

Drew 0-0

Jan 13

Lost 0-1

Skelmersdale United

Mar 24

Lost 2-3

Sep 9

Drew 3-3

Vauxhall GM

Aug 22

Drew 2-2

Dec 23

Lost 0-1

Warrington Town

Oct 21

Lost 0-1

Apr 10

Lost 0-1

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

Season 1989-90 Sep 2 Sep 16

Prelim. 1st Qual.

Nov 4 Nov 25 Dec 16 Jan. 20 Feb 5 Feb 8

1st Rd. 2nd Rd. 3rd Rd. 4th Rd. Replay 2nd Rep.

Nov 11

1st Rd.

Nov 14

1st Rd.

Player Aspinall, Dave Bayliss, Jimmy Billows, D Brady, Mark Campbell Carney, Paul Corns, Simon Deakin, John Dowling, Kevin Fairclough, Brian Flannery, Jimmy Gibiliru, Joe Green, Steve Hare, Ian Humphries, Kevin Laird, Gary Lee, John Litherland, Roy Lowe, Martin Madin, Lee Morgan, Peter Paladino, Joe Parker, Andy Pennington, Ste Seabrook, A (Tony) Shaw, Mark Shirley, M Smith, Steve Stocks, Jason Tidmouth, M Wilson, Barry Woodyer, Jimmy Totals

FA CUP Brigg Town Away SANDWELL BOROUGH Home FA VASE CHADDERTON Home HESWALL Home Darwen Away Farsley Celtic Away FARSLEY CELTIC Home FARSLEY CELTIC Home RAAB KARCHER LEAGUE CUP LEYLAND MOTORS Home LIVERPOOL SENIOR CUP SOUTH LIVERPOOL Home App 36 6 1 1 1 4 43 5 1 9 14 1 7 31 6 42 16 1 40 29 6 41 10 2 4 18 1 12 33 2 21 40 484

Sub App

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

Won Lost

2-0 0-1

Won Won Won Drew Drew Lost

4-2 2-0 2-1 1-1 AET 0-0 AET 0-1

Lost

1-2

Lost

0-1

Total App 36 6 1 1 1 4 43 5 2 9 14 1 7 31 6 42 16 1 40 29 6 41 10 3 4 18 1 12 33 2 21 40 486

Goals 4

1 2 1 1 2

23 6 1 3 1 1

7 5 4 62

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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 2010, Town have led a nomadic existence up the road in Soccer Club Swap Shop National Awards 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

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

1874 Northwich

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

0-2 0-1 0-0

5-0

West Dids & Chrltn

Winsford United

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

0-4

Stockport Sports

7-2 1-2

1-1 2-1

3-2

4-3

1-0

1-3 2-0

2-5

0-6

0-0 0-3

2-1 0-0

0-4 1-3

0-2

x x

1-3 0-1

2-5

1-2

0-0

x 0-0

2-2

2-2 4-2

2-2

3-0

1-2 1-4

2-4 0-3

3-2

3-0 3-3

0-2

3-4

1-0 3-2 6-0 2-0 2-7 7-2 0-0

0-1

2-1

2-2

6-0 4-0

1-2

3-0 2-4

4-1 2-3 1-2 2-2

1-1 3-2

1-1 2-3

0-1 2-2

0-4 2-3

4-1 1-3

3-1 3-0

0-1

1-1

2-0

3-1 2-0 2-0

3-0 4-0 3-0 1-2 1-0 4-2 0-0 2-0

5-5 0-8 1-3 1-5 2-8 1-6 1-3

2-1 1-1 4-3

2-1

7-3

1-2 3-4 2-6 1-3 1-3

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

2-4 3-4

2-1

2-3 1-4 2-1 2-2

0-5 1-4 1-1 1-1 0-2 1-0 1-1 3-0

2-2 0-6

1-2 0-3

0-4 6-0 2-1

4-2 4-0

1-2 0-2 1-3 0-4

0-1 3-0 0-5

1-1 1-2 3-1

1-2 1-4 1-3

1-1

1-5

0-0 1-0 0-0

3-2 2-0 5-0

0-1 3-0 1-1

3-1

0-2 4-1 2-0

1-0 3-0 0-9 0-4

2-0 2-1

1-0 4-2 0-4

0-0

3-2 1-3 1-4

4-1

4-0

1-1

1-2

1-1 1-0

2-3

2-2

2-3

2-0 2-1

2-0 1-0

2-0

4-0 2-0

1-2 1-1

0-1

3-0

3-2 1-1 2-1

St Helens Town

Squires Gate

Silsden

Runcorn Town

Runcorn Linnets

Nelson

Maine Road

Glossop NE

Congleton Town

Colne

Bootle

Barnoldswick Town

1-0

3-1

0-4

Bacup & Rossendale

2-0 0-1

2-2

1-1

1-1 3-0 3-1

2-4

Squires Gate

Ashton Athletic

Abbey Hey

1-2 2-1

Silsden

Alsager Town

Ashton Athletic

Bacup & Ross

3-1 4-1

AFC Liverpool

2-1 1-4

Colne

1-4 1-1 1-1

Congleton Town

4-2 2-4

Runcorn Linnets

St Helens Town

AFC Liverpool

AFC Blackpool

Stockport Sports

0-3 1-2

Alsager Town

0-4

Barnoldswick T 0-0

WD&C

Abbey Hey

1-0 4-2 0-0

Winsford Utd

AFC Blackpool

Bootle

3-1 1-0

Glossop NE

1-0

Maine Road

3-0 0-1

Nelson

Runcorn Town

1874 Northwich

2014-15

Premier Division

Counties Football League

North West

Head 2 Head Results

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 Goalkeeper to have won the Golden Ball as the best player at a World Cup Finals tournament? Q2. Which current Championship team were runners up in the Europa League Final in 2010? Q3. How does Tovik Bakhramov have a place in English football history? Q4. Which former England captain has managed in Azerbaijan? Q5. Which Italian team play their home games at the Stadio Artemio Franchi? Q6. Which Football League club were formed as Pine Villa in 1895?

Q7. What type of animal was the Brazil 2014 World Cup Mascot? Q8. Who was the first player to captain teams to World Cup, European Championships & European Cup victories? Q9. Which record was broken in the Espanyol Vs Barcelona La Liga game in December 2003? Q10. Which Argentinian player has scored the most goals for his country in World Cup Finals tournaments?

Q11. Kevin Phillips made his senior debut playing right back for which Premier League’s reserve team in 1990? Q12. Which member of England’s 2014 World Cup squad was named PFA Young Player of the Year for the 2009-10? Q13. Which team play their home matches at Rugby Park? Q14. Why did FIFA choose Uruguay to host the first World Cup Finals Tournament in 1930? Q15. Who were the first Asian nation to compete in the World Cup Finals Tournament?

1) Oliver Khan (2002) 2) Fulham 3) The linesman in 1966 World Cup Final who gave Geoff Hurst’s 2nd “goal” 4) Tony Adams 5) Fiorentina 6) Oldham Athletic 7) Armadillo 8) Franz Beckenbauer 9) Most Red Cards (6) in a La Liga game 10) Gabriel Batistuta with 10 goals 11) Southampton 12) James Milner 13) Kilmarnock 14) They were the reigning Olympic Games Football Gold Medallists 15) The Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia) in 1938

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

Meet the Players

Alex Gillespie 06/08/1997 Midfield

Rory Crowther 29/12/1996 Goalkeeper

Gareth Grant 16/08/1990 Defender/Midfield

Marcus Perry 16/08/1996 Forward

This player is available to sponsor