St Helens Town v Daisy Hill 2015-16 by John McKiernan

CLUB INFORMATION Honorary Life President: Alan Wellens

Saturday 21st November 2015, kick off 3.00pm

Vice Presidents: Jim Barrett and Steve Ball Chairman: John McKiernan (07713 339682) Vice Chairman: Glyn Jones Hon. Secretary/Treasurer: Jeff Voller (07843 692695)

St Helens Town

Daisy Hill

Red & White Shirts White Shorts, Red & White Socks No

Mathew Hodge

Gls Y R

Blue Shirts Blue Shorts & Socks No

Chris Taylor

Gls Y R

Matthew Davidson

Reece Broadhurst

Stephen Rigby

Lee Green

Adam Lawrence

Jordan Hussey

Edward Pegler

Hospitality: Margaret Wood and Paul Wood

Craig Naylor

David Baines

Scott Winstanley

Trustees: John McKiernan and Eric Bond

Alex Gillespie

Matthew Davidson

Todd Blayney

Jake Forster

Andy Gillespie

Alexander McPolin

Johan Du Toit

Mathew Knowles

Josh Hoult

Tim Raines

Jack Golding

David Norbury

Ant Whelan

Adam Farnworth

U18s Team Manager: Ellis Hawksworth

Charlie Duke

Daniel Gregory

Matty Lennon

Jordan Donnelly

U18s Assistant Manager: Alex Jardine

Marcus Perry

Ellis Worrell

Sunday Team Manager: David Platt

Managers: Alan Gillespie and Nick Matthews

Managers: Craig Thomas, Marc Thomas & Brian Hart

Full Committee: John McKiernan, Jeff Voller, Jim Barrett, Ste Ball, Andy Langley Paul Wood, Margaret Wood, Chris Ford and Glyn Jones.

1st Team Joint Managers: Alan Gillespie & Nick Matthews U21s Team Manager: John McLaughlan U21s Assistant Manager: Billy Davies

Club Email: sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk Main Club Sponsor: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Referee: Mr D Chisnall (Rochdale) Assistants: Mr Ross Woodcock (Bolton) Mr Lee Berry (Bolton)

Match Sponsor

Shirt Sponsor: EcigUK St Helens Legal: St Helens Town Limited Private Limited Company Company No. 04392840 Date of Incorporation 12.03.2002

CelebLook Ladies & Girls Fashion St Mary’s Market, St Helens

Company Director: Jim Barrett Parent Company: A wholly owned subsidiary of Sporting Club St Helens Limited Cover Photograph: Adam Lawrence in action v Holker Old Boys (24/10/2015)

Match Ball Sponsors

Next Home Game: Tuesday 24th Nov 2015, 7.45pm St Helens Town v Chadderton Reusch First Division Cup Adults £5, Concessions £3 U16s £1, U12s FREE*

Good afternoon and welcome to Brocstedes Park for this North West Counties Football League, First Division contest against Daisy Hill. 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. Our last home game was on 24th October when we hosted Holker Old Boys. We started off well only to concede a penalty on Holker’s first foray in the Town box which was fired high and wide of the target but the relief was short lived as Holker took the lead as a cross from the right was deflected home by Adam Lawrence but Town levelled when Josh Hoult’s corner went directly in early on in the second period but Holker netted midway through the 2nd half and debutant Mathew Hodge in the Town goal saved a second Holker spot kick only to see the rebound turned home Holker sending Town to only their second home league defeat of the season. We then took the rather short trip to Bootle for a Liverpool Senior Cup, First Round tie a rather ominous task as the Delta Taxi Stadium has never been the happiest of hunting grounds for us and with the hosts coming into the game as high flyers in the Premier Division it was never going to be an easy tie. We fell behind early when a half clearance was returned with interest by Jackson Ellis but drew level when Alex Gillespie sent a cross in from the right which the keeper could only push back into the danger area and Josh Hoult smuggled the ball home. After the break Andy Gillespie put Town in the lead with a well executed half volley high into the net from distance but Ellis was able to level before putting Bootle 3-2 up and a late fourth sealed the hosts advancement into the next round.

We then took a trip up the East Lancs’ to West Houghton to take on this afternoons opponents Daisy Hill. We had only ever visited the ground once in September 2012 for an FA Vase, 2nd Qualifying Round Tie which the visitors ran out comfortable 5-0 winners. Saturday’s visit was to prove a much closer contest! The hosts took the lead on 28 minutes when a corner from the right was half cleared to edge of the box and Craig Naylor fired the ball home. Town levelled in added on time at the end of the first half when skipper Andy Gillespie harassed an error from the home defence and then linked with Ste Rigby who crossed towards Johan Du Toit who slid the ball home to send the sides in level at the break. What turned out to be the winning goal came on 64 minutes when Alex Gillespie sent a right wing corner into the box which Du Toit met with a looping header at the far post it looked an easy take for the home keeper but he somehow made a mess of it and the ball sneaked inside the left hand post to secure the win for the visitors. We have then been twice frustrated by the weather as first the scheduled First Division Cup tie here against Chadderton was called off and will now take place at Brocstedes Park this Tuesday (24th November) and then the trip to Atherton LR also fell foul of the recent wet spell. The lads will be eager to get back on the park and will be looking to pick up where they left off against Daisy Hill three weeks ago, Daisy have played three time since going down narrowly at Litherland REMYCA, losing 4-0 at Bamber Bridge with former Premier League hotshot Brett Ormrod netting a hat-trick and securing a score draw at Rochdale last weekend. Prior to kick off today Mathew Hodge will be collecting his October First Division Goalkeeper of month award for October, congratulations to him for some fine performances between the sticks in his first month at the club. Let’s get behind Town this afternoon and hopefully cheer them onto victory! Enjoy the game . . . Jeff Voller

Situated one and a half miles south of Westhoughton town centre, four miles from Bolton and five miles from the the Macron Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers, the village of Daisy Hill first saw football in season 1894-95 although it is possible that football was being played in the area for some years prior to that date. The first known honours for the club came in 1896-97 when the Wigan and District League Championship and the Westhoughton Cup were won without losing a match. The location of the clubs ground in those days is unknown but the present ground was used during the first world war period when the club played in the Leigh and District Senior Sunday School League. The club then joined the Westhoughton League and during the 1920's and 1930's won many honours in what was one of the strongest local leagues at the time. Little is known of the period leading up to the second world war but the club re-formed in 1951 playing in the Westhoughton League on the St. James Street Recreation Ground/Cricket Ground until the landowner made an offer to the club to return to New Sirs in 1957. The acquisition of the lease was a major step forward and gave aspiration to move into the Bolton Combination and develop into one of the most formidable clubs in the area. Dressing rooms were erected at the ground for the start of the 1968/69 season whilst on the field the club won the Bolton Combination Premier Division on four occasions, the Bolton Combination Cup on four occasions and the Lancashire Amateur Shield twice during the 60's and 70's. In 1978 the Club was accepted into the Lancashire Football Combination and with the advent of the Non-League football pyramid and the subsequent amalgamation of the Lancashire Football Combination and the Cheshire County League the Club became a founder member of the North West Counties League giving them the opportunity to play in and bring national competition to the village. With the National League System requiring clubs to meet new standards for facilities, new dressing rooms and a clubhouse for social activities were erected at New Sirs in 1982. Since then improvement of the clubs facilities has been ongoing and for the 2005-2006 season a floodlighting system has been installed which has allowed the club to remain in the National League System and return to National and County competitions.

The club also comprises an U/18's Youth Team playing in the North West Youth Alliance and a thriving junior section playing in the Bolton, Bury and District Junior Football League. Notable players include: Dick Pollard and Billy Farrimond, both of whom went on to play cricket for Lancashire and

England, Alf Watkinson, grandfather of the former Lancashire Cricket Club Captain Mike Watkinson went on to sign for Blackpool. ( Mike himself had the odd game for the club). Sam Marsh (Bolton Wanderers and Bury), Alf Gray (Torquay United and Lincoln City), Greg Strong (Motherwell) and Danny Williams (Inverness Caledonian Thistle) began their careers in senior or junior football at Daisy Hill Football Club. Other notable people / sportspersons born in Westhoughton who may or may not have been associated with the club: Ethel Johnson (Great Britain Olympic Athlete), Joe Bromilow (American Olympic Athlete), Jack Daisy Hill 1-2 St Helens Town Bruton (Blackburn Rover, Burnley, NWCFL Division One Bournemouth and England). Joe Clare Saturday 24th October 2015 (Accrington Stanley, Norwich City and Lincoln City). Tommy Woodward (Bolton Wanderers and Middlesborough), Francis Lee (Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City, Derby County and England) and Robert Shaw (Actor).

Season

League

Pts

Position

2000-01

NWC-2

-2

9/20

2001-02

NWC-2

114

-65

20/21

2002-03

NWC-2

-51

16/18

2003-04

NWC-2

-49

19/20

2004-05

NWC-2

-7

8/19

2005-06

NWC-2

-37

18/19

2006-07

NWC-2

-40

15/18

2007-08

NWC-2

-58

18/18

2008-09

NWC-1

101

-62

17/18

2009-10

NWC-1

-5

11/17

2010-11

NWC-1

-43

14/18

2011-12

NWC-1

-8

12/18

2012-13

NWC-1

-26

16/18

2013-14

NWC-1

103

-60

18/19

2014-15

NWC-1

-11

8/19

St Helens Town - last 6 matches All Competitions

Most recent

at St Helens Town

Previous Meetings

at Daisy Hill

NWC-D1

2000-01

NWC-D2

Home

NWC-D1

2001-02

NWC-D2

Away

NWC-D1

2002-03

NWC-D2

Collated

NWC-D1

2003-04

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2004-05

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2005-06

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2006-07

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2007-08

NWC-D2

NWC-PD

2008-09

NWC-D1

NWC-PD

2009-10

NWC-D1

NWC-PD

2010-11

NWC-D1

NWC-PD

2011-12

NWC-D1

NWC-PD

2012-13

NWC-D1

NWC-PD

2013-14

NWC-D1

NWC-PD

2014-15

NWC-D1

21/11/2015

2015-16

31/10; 2-1

Daisy Hill - last 6 matches

All Competitions

Most recent

Home

Away

Collated

St Helens Town games since...

Daisy Hill games since...

All Competitions

Clean sheet

Goal Scored

Loss

No score draw

St Helens Town Scores First Games Played

St Helens Town Wins

Draws

Daisy Hill Wins

Score draw

St Helens Town Goals

Win

Daisy Hill Goals

Percentage Town Wins

100.00

Previous Meetings

All Competitions P

Win %

Home

0.00

Away

100.00

Collated

100.00

Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to Brocstedes Park for this NWCFL First Division game v Daisy Hill. Let’s hope their players, officials and supporters along with our own following are treated to an entertaining encounter.

Many thanks to today’s Match sponsors CelebLook Fashion (St Mary’s Market, St Helens) and our Match Ball sponsors Kiera’s Occasions - Balloon & Venue Dressing (North Road, St Helens) who join us this afternoon. I thank you for your continued support and hope you enjoy the game and Town win! We’ve suffered a couple postponements due to the weather but despite a low key performance at Daisy Hill the lads ran out 1-2 winners with two goals from Johan Du Toit after the home side had taken a first half lead; again Glyn Jones’ match report and some photos included in today’s programme (photos are available on the club website). I had the pleasure of watching our U18s make Liverpool County FA Sunday Youth Cup progress a couple of week’s ago in a thrilling encounter against a very strong Canada FC U18s. The game was played at the County FA ground and as part of a refereeing exchange which saw three Norwegian youngsters officiate the game which finished 3-2 aet (full report and photos in today’s programme). The U18s will now travel to Mersey South on December 6th hoping to maintain a fantastic start to the 2015-16 season which has seen them win 10 and draw 1 on their 12 games! On the same afternoon the U21s were winning 1-0 at home to previously unbeaten Irlam U21s to make it to the semi-finals of the Cheshire FA U21s Premier Division Cup where they will now entertain Bootle in the New Year. Last Sunday the U21s made progress in the Liverpool County FA Sunday Junior Cup with a 1-8 win away at Churchtown Jaguars. They will now meet Carrs FC in February 2016. Well done to our open age Sunday team who have seen some great results recently with wins against Mr Smiths FC (1-2) and AFC Huyton (5-4) while last Sunday they held league leaders Huyton Villa to a goalless draw. One of our postponed games was our Reusch First Division Cup game at home to Chadderton - the game will now take place here at Brocstedes Park next Tuesday (24th November), kick off 7.45pm. Should the game be postponed it would be switched to Andrew Street on a date to be confirmed.

Congratulations to young ‘keeper Matty Hodge (pictured above) who’s had a great start to his Town career - with just three games under his belt last month he earned the plaudits and the NWCFL First Division Goalkeeper of the Month for October. He will be presented with his award by league official Gary Langley prior to kick off this afternoon. We are currently working on a 2016 St Helens Town Calendar which will be on sale very soon (final details to be confirmed). Enjoy the game John McKiernan Chairman, St Helens Town AFC 07713 339 682

By Tony Incenzo of talkSPORT Radio (twitter: @TonyIncenzo) IN THE BEGINNING I’ve been watching Non-League football on a regular basis since I was 10 years old. What I like most is that the players, club officials and supporters are there for the love of the game. The true spirit of football exists at Non-League level. I grew up in North-West London and I was taken by my family to see my local club QPR as a child in the 1970’s. I’ve always supported the R’s, but when they were playing away from home I started going to see my local Non-League clubs – Hendon primarily, but also Finchley, Barnet and Edgware Town. GROUNDHOPPER From there, I decided to visit every Non-League club in London as my groundhopping bug began. By the time I was 17, I had visited all 92 Football League grounds and I visited all the Scottish League grounds whilst still a teenager. Since then, I’ve continued travelling all around the country to visit NonLeague clubs. Earlier this season, I chalked up my 2,000th ground at FC United of Manchester. WORLD RECORD One of the best groundhops was being part of a world record in March 2004. I joined 250 other groundhoppers to watch five matches at five different football grounds in one day in the Central Midlands League. This is listed in the Guinness Book of Records and we received certificates confirming the world record at the end of the fifth game. INSIDE PRISON! In December 2011, I set about watching a match inside Feltham Prison in Middlesex. This featured a team called Phoenix FC, who had to play all their fixtures at home (for obvious reasons!) as inmates of the Young Offender Institution at Feltham. I received special permission by email to attend a fixture, but I was told not to bring a phone or a camera with me. I was instructed to arrive in the main car park along with the match referee and the visiting players from Hanworth Villa Vets. We were met by members of the prison staff who escorted us all in together…via an airportstyle metal detector, a body search, numerous locked gates and along a path to the changing rooms. This process took 45 minutes. After the players and ref got changed, we were then accompanied through more locked gates out to the playing area. A high mesh fence with barbed wire on top surrounded the football pitch. There were dug-outs along one touchline and I watched the match from there as the only spectator. THE FUTURE By going to FC United, I re-completed visits to the top 16 divisions of English football down to Non-League step 4. Then at step 5 I need 30 grounds and another 81 at step 6. There are endless possibilities at step 7 and below. Also, I’ve been to 35 European countries plus the USA for football – so it would be nice to visit more countries.

Follow Tony Incenzo on Twitter @TonyIncenzo

THE REUSCH FIRST DIVISION TROPHY Or First Division Cup as most of us probably know the competition, is at the 2nd Round stage and it is a competition that I have seen a bit of over the previous couple of years, in the main watching some good matches.

My first taste of the cup was at this stage in November 2013 as Cheadle Town visited the now promoted AFC Darwen, a bitterly cold late November afternoon saw the visitors go 2-0 up fairly early on only to see the hosts slowly claw their way back into the tie and as extra-time loomed snatch a winner to complete the comeback and win 3-2. Certainly a winter warmer this one. As was my next taste 10 weeks later as promotion chasers Formby and 1874 Northwich went head to head at Burscough in the last 8. Due to face each other in the league a few weeks after I decided to go for the cup game, I picked right for once as they drew 0-0 in the league and I got a 6 goal cracker. Feisty from the start on another cold afternoon, the travelling Green Army in full voice as their team started to get picked off. In the end, the 4-2 scoreline to Formby slightly flattered 1874, they were never really in this tie and the hosts deserved to progress. Last season, with the draw split on a North / South basis, a freezing Remembrance night mtch in the Southern half at Park Road, Cheadle saw Town entertain Hanley Town. Both sides had entertained me on previous occasions, sadly though, not on this occasion. Unsure if it was the cold, but there was very little to talk about as we finished the 90 minutes deadlocked 1-1. Extra-time was worse and even the penalty shoot-out left a lot to be desired too, most being missed before the Staffordshire team prevailed. A week later, just under 400 of us turned up for the Atherton Derby in the Northern half of the draw; Collieries hosting but it was LR that came out all guns blazing and led 1-0 at the break and scored a second soon after the break despite being reduced to 10 men. The League Champions elect toiled and toiled, ultimately drawing level late on to take the match into extra-time, where they managed to grab another couple and also finished the match with 10. Earlier this year I went to two of the quarter-finals, both ending in victories for the visitors, first Atherton Collieries progressing to the last 4 against a subdued Barnton, winning 2-0 at a canter on a Friday night when the Villagers rarely threatened. Around 10 days later I was in Flixton to see Litherland REMYCA beat the then named Northwich Flixton Villa 10 on yet another cold night; neither match got the heart rate going. That is that folks for my experiences in this trophy, 22 goals in 6 matches, 2 going to extra-time, 1 to penalties; it is a cup that I will be getting to again this season, maybe even a semi-final this time.

visit of Daisy Hill.

The weather has not been too favourable over the last 2 Saturday's and both of our last 2 games have been postponed vs Chadderton and my former club Atherton LR. The lads have trained very well and have been in positive mood. We have prepared well and we look forward to the

On the players in and out front, sadly we lost centre half Luke Gibson to NWCFL Premier Division side Darwen, we all wish Luke the best and the door will never be closed to lads who have worked hard for the red and white stripes of Saints. The good news is we have managed to add some real quality in three different areas. We have signed George Lomax from Prescot Cables on a dual registration. George is a player I know very well having coached him before he signed for Blackpool FC. He is a natural goalscorer who has unfortunately suffered a lot of injuries in his young football career and he scored over 30 goals for Blackpool FC youth team before sadly not earning a pro deal. His talents them took him to Staleybridge Celtic but a groin operation and then a serious knee injury didn't allow him to progress as he should have. A short unsuccessful spell at Barnton and then Prescot Cables alerted us to his signature. We have also resigned last seasons player of the year Aaron Morris from Landlords Ashton Athletic. Aaron is a fantastic player and I am really looking forward to working with him again; heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full of running, can play in defence or midfield and he has a eye for a goal. Last but not least we welcome lightening fast winger Connor Murphy from Litherland REMYCA. I have been monitoring the situation with Connor since last season; he has unbelievable pace and great feet and we are looking forward to linking him up with Lomax and current leading goalscorer and captain Andy Gillespie. We are hoping to add at least 3 more signings in the next week or so. We are hopeful that with the above signings we can push on and into the playoff positions. Just want to add a big congratulations to our young giant goalkeeper Matty Hodge who after only playing three games won NWCFL goalkeeper of the month. His talents have not gone unnoticed and he has been invited to go and train for Conference team Southport first team. Let's hope history repeats itself vs Daisy Hill and we can get the three points in today's game. COYS

AFC Darwen have announced the appointment of a new management team. Paul Marriott joins the club as first team manager, and with him are a team made up of Scott Campbell and Nick Lloyd as assistant managers and Matt Pilkington as first team coach. The new team replace the previous management trio of Neil Prince, Neil Black and John O'Toole. During his time at West Lancashire League side Eagley, Marriott built up the club throughout a successful five years before he returned in 2013 as director of football. During his time in charge he guided the team to the League Cup, the Bolton Hospital Cup and the Lancashire Shield, and to second place in the West Lancashire League Premier Division. Scott Campbell has joined from Atherton Collieries and has worked with Marriott at Eagley, both as reserve team coach and progressed to be his assistant at for the first team. He will be working closely with Nick Lloyd who has been involved with the club for five years, as assistant manager from 2010 to 2014 and last season took over as caretaker manager and led the team to victory in the Reusch Cup and promotion into the NWCFL Premier division. Matt Pilkington is the first team coach, and makes the step up to first team duties after spending time with the youth team last season. A club statement said: “The message from the management team is that ‘all players are part of the club and all players in the youth team should be aspiring to make the first team’, and the addition of Matt Pilkington to the senior management team will be a way for this to be put firmly into place. “The club give a wholehearted thank you to Neil Prince, Neil Black and John O'Toole for their efforts during the season”.

We are looking for additional sponsors on match-days with a host f benefits for both match (£100) and ball (£50) sponsors including free entry & programme; hospitality, programme and social media advertising; pre-match photos, man of the match awards. Contact John McKiernan on 07713 339 682 for more details. Date

Opponents

Match Sponsor

Match Ball Sponsor

Tue 11/08/15

Atherton LR

PC Problems St Helens

John Cahill

Sat 22/08/15

Irlam

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Mike Cole Web Design Anthony Hall - Exiled Geordie on Merseyside LM Travel The Cowley Vaults

Sat 12/09/15

Barnton

Wheel Pro - Alloy Wheel Repairs & Refurbishment Toast Café, St Helens

Sat 19/09/15

Cheadle Town

Paul Pritchard

Sat 29/08/15

Rochdale Town

Sat 10/10/15

Chadderton

KA Davies Electrical

Conor McGinn MP

Tue 13/10/15

Widnes

Rylance Fishmongers

David O’Keefe & Gary Shaw

Sat 24/10/15

Holker Old Boys

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Britannia Taxis

Sat 21/11/15

Daisy Hill

CelebLook Ladies & Girls Fashion

Kiera’s Occasions Venue Dressing & Balloons

Tue 24/11/15

Chadderton (Cup)

ODs Designer Clothing

Sat 05/12/15

Hanley Town

Stillia

Sat 19/12/15

Eccleshall

Northern Rags

Sat 16/01/16

Stockport Town

Michael Allison

Sat 06/02/16

Bacup Borough

Mon 28/03/16

Ashton Town Northwich Manchester Villa Whitchurch Alport

Sat 16/04/16 Sat 23/04/16

The Track King Airborne Bathroom Services & Action Coach NW Danny’s Window Cleaning & Action Coach NW Invisible Heroes Stuart Pyke

Rylance Fishmongers

Extra Time Academy Wilf Marshall & Finding Furever Homes Invisible Heroes

All sponsorship fixtures are subject to confirmation (Litherland REMYCA date tbc)

Warrington Motors Man of the Match Awards Matty Lennon (v Irlam) and Graham McLoughlin (Rochdale) & Dave Dempsey (Cheadle T)

Warrington Motors Fiat and Nissan

201 Winwick Road, Warrington Cheshire WA2 7PE Telephone: 01925 669 401

Man of the Match Awards 2015-16 Town v Atherton LR Andy Gillespie/Dale Sealey Town v Irlam Matty Lennon Town v Rochdale Town Graham McLoughlin Town v Barnton Dale Sealey Town v Cheadle Town Dave Dempsey Town v Chadderton Adam Lawrence Town v Widnes Jack Marshall Town v Holker Old Boys Matthew Hodge

Town 3-1 Chadderton Man of the Match

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.

Allan Wellens receiving the Lancs Combination Championship Trophy from Wesley Bridge in 1972

Alan went on to Town history with the club’s historic journey to Wembley in 1987 before he and the vast majority of the FA Vase winning side sought pastures new. 1987-92 Alan Aspinall (pictured opposite) took over the 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.

1992-93 Mick Holgate (left) 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 took over the managerial reigns. The end of the 2014-15 season culminated in relegation for Town and Ian Price had already informed the club of his intention to step down. U21s boss Alan Gillespie and Ian Price’s long time assistant Nick Matthews were promoted to the joint managers Nick Matthews Alan Gillespie position. Many thanks to Jim Barrett and Eric Bond for their input in compiling the information.

Date

Opponents

Comp

Result

Aug 08

Chadderton

NWCFL

3.00

1-3W

McLoughlin

Davidson

Kelly

A.Whelan

Sealey

Baines

AUG 11 ATHERTON LR

NWCFL

7.45

4-1W

Bradley

Davidson

Kelly

A.Whelan

Sealey

Baines

Aug 15

FAC EPR 3.00

2-1L

McLoughlin

Davidson

Marshall

Lennon

Sealey

A.Whelan

AUG 22 IRLAM

NWCFL

3.00

3-1W

Bradley

Davidson

Marshall

Lennon1

A.Whelan

Agbodjan1

AUG 29 ROCHDALE TOWN

NWCFL

3.00

2-3L

McLoughlin

Davidson

Marshall

Lennon

A.Whelan

Griffiths

Sep 05

Winterton Rangers

FAV 1QR

3.00

0-4W

McLoughlin

Davidson

Marshall

Lennon

Sealey

Begley

Sep 09

Litherland REMYCA

NWCFL

7.45

3-1L

McLoughlin

Davidson

Kelly

Lennon

Sealey

Begley

NWCFL

3.00

3-3D

McLoughlin

Davidson

Kelly

Gibson

Sealey

A.Whelan

Maine Road

SEP 12 BARNTON

Sep 15

Rochdale Town

SEP 19 CHEADLE TOWN

NWCFL

7.45

3-1L

McLoughlin

Davidson

Marshall

Gibson

Sealey

A.Whelan

NWCFL

3.00

2-2D

Bradley

Baines

Marshall

Gibson

Lennon

A.Whelan

Sep 26

Hanley Town

MUC 1R

3.00

4-1L McLoughlin A.Whelan

Rigby

Gibson

Lennon

Begley

Oct 03

Rochdale Town

FAV 2QR

3.00

6-2L McLoughlin Lawrence

Rigby

Garcia

Gibson

Begley

OCT 10 CHADDERTON

NWCFL

3.00

3-1W Hawksworth Lawrence

Marshall

A.Whelan

Gibson

Davies

OCT 13 WIDNES

NWCFL

7.45

3-2W Hawksworth Lawrence

Marshall

A.Whelan

Gibson

Davies

Oct 17

NWCFL

3.00

3-0L McLoughlin Lawrence

Marshall

A.Whelan

Lennon

Twist

NWCFL

3.00

1-3L

Hodge

Lawrence

Rigby

A.Whelan

Lennon

Pegler

Stockport Town

OCT 24 HOLKER OLD BOYS Oct 27

Bootle

LSC 1R

7.45

4-2L

Hodge

Davidson

Rigby

Lawrence

Pegler

Davies

Oct 31

Daisy Hill

NWCFL

3.00

1-2W

Hodge

Davidson

Rigby

Lawrence

Pegler

Baines

NOV 21 DAISY HILL

NWCFL

3.00

NOV 24 CHADDERTON

FDC 2R

7.45

Northwich Manchester Villa NWCFL

3.00

Nov 28

DEC 05 HANLEY TOWN

NWCFL

3.00

Dec 12

Irlam

NWCFL

3.00

DEC 19 ECCLESHALL

NWCFL

3.00

Dec 26

NWCFL

3.00

JAN 16 STOCKPORT TOWN

NWCFL

3.00

Jan 23

Eccleshall

NWCFL

3.00

Jan 30

Cheadle Town

NWCFL

3.00

FEB 06 BACUP BOROUGH

NWCFL

3.00

Feb 13

Whitchurch Alport

NWCFL

3.00

Mar 05

Hanley Town

NWCFL

3.00

Mar 12

Widnes

NWCFL

3.00

MAR 28 ASHTON TOWN

NWCFL

3.00

APR 16 NORTHWICH M.V.

NWCFL

3.00

APR 23 WHITCHURCH ALPORT

NWCFL

3.00

Apr 30

Barnton

NWCFL

3.00

TBA

LITHERLAND REMCYA

NWCFL

TBA

Holker Old Boys

NWCFL

TBA

Bacup Borough

NWCFL

TBA

Holker Old Boys

NWCFL

TBA

Ashton Town

St Helens Town Player Sponsors 2015-16 Matty Lennon Premier Parking Matt Hodge Leech Bedrooms & Kitchens Adam Lawrence Leech Bedrooms & Kitchens Josh Hoult Gibney's Jewellers David Baines SG Specialist Roofing Johan du Toit Total Building Care Tom Bradley Kealshore Alex Gillespie Focus Windows & Doors Ltd Graham McLoughlin Electrician's Direct Jack Golding Rob Thompson Auto Repairs Declan Gregson Curtain Wizard North West Marcus Perry North West Piling Matty Davidson Kiera's Occasions Ant Whelan The Daily Grind Andy Gillespie Arco Frame Warren Twist Cornerstones Ste Rigby Airborne Bathroom Services Charlie Duke Warrington Motors Jack Marshall Danny's Window Cleaning Alan Gillespie (Manager) Star Physio Nick Matthews (Manager) Foxwood Joinery

Lorde1

Du Toit

Andy Gillespie

Nwachukwu

Marshall1

D.Whelan

Duke10

Russell21

Perry11

Bradley

Lorde1

Du Toit

Andy Gillespie2

Nwachukwu

Marshall

Lennon

Russell11

Perry71

Duke10

McLoughlin

Baines

Du Toit

Andy Gillespie1

Lorde

Kelly

Perry10

Nwachukwu7

Duke

D.Whelan3

Bradley

Duke

Griffiths

Andy Gillespie1

Nwachukwu

Golding

Lorde6

Perry11

Rooney

Rigby10

McLoughlin

Perry

Du Toit1

Andy Gillespie1

Rigby

Agbodjan

Golding10

Lorde7

Nwachukwu

Duke11

Rooney

Twist

Du Toit

Andy Gillespie1

Nwachukwu

Rigby1

Perry91

Agbodjan111

Golding10

A.Whelan

Rooney

Twist1

Du Toit

Andy Gillespie

Nwachukwu

Marshall

Perry12

Gibson11

Golding

Baines10

Bradley

Du Toit

Baines

Andy Gillespie1

Twist

Rigby

Perry102

Duke

Lennon5

Begley

Golding11

Duke

Baines

Andy Gillespie1

Du Toit

Rigby

Perry11

Nwachukwu6

Golding

Lennon2

Bradley

Du Toit

Twist

Andy Gillespie2

Dempsey

Sealey

Perry8

Duke10

Rigby

Golding5

McLoughlin

Baines

Du Toit

Andy Gillespie

Gregson

Twist

Perry11

Golding81

Hoult

Duke6

Bradley

Baines

A.Whelan

Andy Gillespie1

Du Toit

Gregson1

Lennon8

Golding10

Hoult11

Graham

Bradley

Duke

Gregson1 Andy Gillespie1

Golding

Du Toit

Rigby10

Lennon

Perry71

Hoult

Twist8

Duke

Andy Gillespie1

Golding1

Du Toit1

Rigby8

Lennon

Perry7

Hoult

Twist10

Baines8

Perry2

Gregson

Duke

Du Toit

Andy Gillespie

Gregson

Golding

Rigby11

Hoult

Al Gillespie

Duke

Gregson

Andy Gillespie

Du Toit

Hoult1

Golding11

Baines

Davidson7

Twist6

Al Gillespie

Baines

Andy Gillespie1

Blayney

Hoult1

Du Toit7

A.Whelan11

Duke

Lennon6

Bradley

Al Gillespie

Blayney

Andy Gillespie

Du Toit2

Hoult

Golding10

A.Whelan

Duke8

Lennon

Perry11

Name1 Name Name Name Name10

Player name and number of goals scored Player name and CAUTION Player name and DISMISSAL FOR 2 CAUTIONS Player name and DISMISSAL Player name and number of replaced player

Ashton Town

Widnes

Whitchurch Alport

Stockport Town

St Helens Town

Rochdale Town

Northwich Man Villa

Litherland REMYCA

Irlam

Holker Old Boys

Hanley Town

Eccleshall

Daisy Hill

2-3

2-1

0-2

2-2

4-1

3-0

3-2

0-3

5-2

2-1

1-1

1-6

1-1

3-3 3-1

3-3

1-2

1-4

1-6

1-1

3-5

2-2

2-1

0-1

1-1

2-2

0-2

4-0

5-1

Daisy Hill

0-1

0-0

Chadderton

4-3

3-0

0-3

4-2

0-2

1-2

0-1

2-1

1-1

0-4

2-1

1-0

1-2

2-2

0-3

1-3 3-1

1-2

0-3

2-2

3-2

1-1

3-2

1-3

1-1

2-1

0-2

2-3

2-1

3-0

2-0

2-1

4-2

0-3

1-2

1-3

1-1

2-3 3-0

3-1

2-2 3-1

4-0

1-2

0-3

9-2

2-1

3-2

St Helens Town

Cheadle Town

2-0

Bacup Borough

Barnton

5-5

1-3

Hanley Town

1-4

Holker Old Boys

0-4

Atherton LR

2-3

Chadderton

3-1

Litherland REMYCA

Bacup Borough

Barnton

1-1

Cheadle Town

5-1

6-1

1-2

1-0

1-2

2-1

4-1

1-1

0-0

Stockport Town

Atherton LR

Eccleshall

0-1

Irlam

4-3

Northwich M Villa

3-2

Rochdale Town

2-3

3-3

4-1

1-0

0-0

4-3

5-3

1-4

5-0

Whitchurch Alport

Ashton Town

North West Counties Football League Division One Season 2015-16 Tuesday 18/11/15

3-3

2-2

3-2

2-3

4-1

4.3

4-3

0-1

Widnes

ST. HELENS TOWN AFC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A STATISTICAL HISTORY by Glyn Jones Part 62 - Season 2008-09 North West Counties League Team AFC Fylde New Mills Newcastle Town Congleton Town Glossop North End Ashton Athletic Alsager Town Bacup Borough Silsden Squires Gate Runcorn Linnets Atherton L.R. Maine Road Ramsbottom United (-1) Formby St. Helens Town Nelson Colne Flixton Winsford United Abbey Hey Atherton Collieries Opponents Abbey Hey AFC Fylde Alsager Town Atherton Collieries Ashton Athletic Atherton L.R. Bacup Borough Colne Congleton Town Flixton Formby Glossop North End Maine Road Nelson Newcastle Town New Mills Ramsbottom United Runcorn Linnets Silsden Squires Gate Winsford United

P 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 Home Apr 25 Oct 25 Nov 22 Mar 7 Oct 28 Nov 18 Oct 18 Apr 21 Mar 17 Dec 13 Mar 31 Mar 24 Apr 7 Apr 27 Feb 17 Sep 9 Mar 10 May 8* Dec 20 Nov 1 Feb 21

W 33 34 26 26 25 18 18 16 16 14 16 12 14 13 15 14 11 11 9 10 11 7

D 5 2 9 8 7 7 5 10 10 15 7 15 9 12 3 4 12 10 14 9 5 8 Result Won 5-4 Lost 0-3 Lost 0-1 Drew 1-1 Lost 1-2 Lost 3-6 Lost 3-4 Won 4-0 Lost 1-2 Lost 0-2 Won 1-0 Lost 0-6 Drew 0-0 Lost 0-3 Lost 1-4 Won 2-1 Lost 1-3 Won 5-0 Won 4-1 Lost 1-3 Won 2-1

L 4 6 7 8 10 17 19 16 16 13 19 15 19 17 24 24 19 21 19 23 26 27

F 122 92 91 85 83 67 66 71 62 56 64 70 60 56 57 63 68 64 58 52 60 42 Away Nov 29 Apr 4 Aug 9 Sep 22 Dec 26 Feb 24 Oct 4 Apr 13 Sep 27 Mar 14 Nov 25 Apr 29 Aug 23 Feb 28 Oct 11 Dec 6 Mar 28 May 2 Sep 13 Apr 11 Mar 3

A 35 33 33 44 49 68 72 71 67 56 84 77 74 71 67 97 86 75 86 82 89 93

Pts 104 104 87 86 82 61 59 58 58 57 55 51 51 50 48 46 45 43 41 39 38 29 Result Drew 2-2 Lost 1-3 Won 3-2 Won 3-0 Lost 0-5 Lost 0-4 Lost 0-3 Won 3-1 Lost 0-1 Lost 0-3 Lost 1-5 Won 3-1 Won 2-1 Drew 1-1 Lost 0-1 Lost 1-7 Lost 3-6 Lost 0-1 Lost 1-2 Won 3-1 Won 2-0

FA CUP Aug 16

Ex-Prelim.

Holker Old Boys

Away

Drew

2-2

Aug 19

Replay

HOLKER OLD BOYS

Home

Won

1-0

Aug 30

Prelim.

Bacup Borough

Away

Lost

1-3

Sep 20

Home

Lost

1-2

Lost

1-2

Lost

3-6 AET

FA VASE 2

Qual.

ASHTON ATHLETIC

VODKAT LEAGUE CUP

Nov 8

2nd Rd.

RUNCORN LINNETS

Oct 1

1st Rd.

East Villa

Home

LIVERPOOL SENIOR CUP

Player

App Sub Total Goals

Away Player

App Sub Total Goals

Locke, Clive

Lynskey, Andy

McEwen, Steve

McLoughlin, Nick

Mitchell, Graeme

Mitchell, Phil

Monteith, Paul

Phillips, Peter

Purnell, Jordan

Redmond, Ray

Reilly, Adie

Rudkin, Paul

Baker, Scott

Baker, Tom

Bermingham, Chris

Bickerstaffe, Gary

Burke, Chris

Cliff, Paul

Critchley, Dave

Dempsey, Dave

Dyson, Iain

Edwards, Stephen

Elias, John

Fletcher, John

Forrester, Paul

Freeman, Vinnie

Gilchrist, Adam

Gillespie, Andy

Hampson, James

Harris, Lewis

Hatton, Brian

Holden, Neal

Jones, Chris

Jones, Neil

Own Goals

Ledsham, Karl

Totals

20 2

Scully, Mike

Stephens, Marc

Sumner, Tom

Voller, Jeff

1 1

Walker, Andy

Warriner, Antony

Webster, Andy

Whelan, Anthony

Williams, Phil

Woods, Kevin

1 528 100

628

The original St. Helens Town club was formed in 1901 and played at Park Road, behind the Primrose Vaults public house. Although it was known as the Primrose Ground, the players changed further down Park Road at the Black Horse pub. Playing in the Lancashire League and Lancashire Combination, the team enjoyed some early success, but struggled after the Great War and appears to have folded midway through the 1928/29 season. The club was re-formed by George Fryer and a group of local businessmen in 1946. They took out a lease of the former cricket ground at Hoghton Road, Sutton, adjacent to the St. Helens Junction railway station and, although it entered in the FA Cup in the 1946/47 season, a team could not be raised in time to fulfil its tie with Prescot Cables. Friendly games were played, then local team Derbyshire Hill Rovers were taken over in April 1947, those players forming the nucleus of the team which entered the Liverpool County Combination at the start of the 1947/48 season. St. Helens Town soon began to prosper and early results included a sensational 10-4 win over Everton “A” on 6th December 1947. Former German prisoner-of-war Bert Trautmann joined the club in the Summer of 1948, the strapping goalkeeper helping the team to win its first trophy, the George Mahon Cup, which was secured with a 2-1 win over Runcorn at Prescot on 7 th May 1949. Crowds averaged over 2000 that season, peaking with a league record attendance of 3102 against Burscough Tommy O’Neil in October 1948. Wembley,1987 The following season, 1949/50, Town entered the Lancashire Combination and, despite losing Trautmann to Manchester City in October 1949, they won the Second Division title in some style the following season, three players, Albert Leadbetter (36), Harry McCann (32) and Terry Garner (31) all netting over 30 goals apiece. An all-time club record attendance of “between 8000 and 9000” witnessed a friendly game against Manchester City, arranged as part of the Trautmann transfer deal, in April 1950 and another 4000 witnessed a second match with City the following season. Although relegated by a slender margin from the First Division in 1951/52, the club continued to look forward, even contemplating Football League status and, in order to further their ambitions, it moved to the former St. Helens Recs. ground at City Road. Initial crowds were encouraging but, despite success, the club decided to move back to Hoghton Road in October 1953, where they remained until April 2000. Town produced a number of fine players who joined Football League clubs, including Bill Foulkes (Manchester United), John Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday) and John Connelly who joined Burnley, later transferring to Manchester United and who played in the England 1966 World Cup winning squad. More recently, Dave Bamber scored goals in all four divisions of the league with a host of different clubs, starting and ending his league career at Blackpool and Karl Ledsham is now playing his football at Conference level, initially with Southport, then at Lincoln City. Following a second relegation in 1956, St. Helens Town continued to play in the Lancashire Combination, winning the Championship in 1971/72, by nine points ahead of Accrington Stanley. However, the formation of the Northern Premier League in 1968 led to a gradual drain of stronger clubs from the Combination and St. Helens joined the Cheshire League in 1975, becoming founder members of the North West Counties League seven years later. They held the

St Helens Town 1948

proud record of being the only club to play in the NW Counties’ top flight every season until they were relegated in April 2015, conceding an injury-time equaliser to Silsden in the last game of the season, a match they had to win to stay up. Town enjoyed a golden era in the late 1980s, just missing out on an appearance in the First Round proper of the FA Cup in 1985/86, losing to Morecambe in a Fourth Qualifying Round Replay, but they obtained ample compensation by winning the FA Vase at Wembley in 1987, beating near neighbours Warrington Town 3-2, with two goals from Phil Layhe and one from Brian Rigby. They were regular promotion candidates for many years, largely due to the scoring exploits of Steve “Pellet” Pennington, who grabbed 216 goals in 351 games, his season’s best hauls of 45 in 1993/94 and 46 in 1997/98 just failing to beat the club record of 47 scored by Phil Stainton in 1963/64. This season is a momentous one for St. Helens Town: not only do they have to fight to regain their Premier Division status, but also they are looking to return to a new base, back in the town at Ruskin Drive. The Hoghton Road facilities had fallen into disrepair and the site was sold for housing in 2002, Town having gone into partnership with Saints Rugby League club, ground-sharing at the old Knowsley Road ground for 10 years, but the intended relocation to the new Langtree Park ground did not materialise and the club embarked on a nomadic existence, first at Ashton Town, now at Ashton Athletic. Construction work at the Council-owned multi-sports facility at Ruskin Drive has been delayed, but is now under way and Town are looking to move in at the start of the 2016-17 season, hopefully back in the Premier Division.

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 2014-15 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 Soccer Club Swap Shop National Awards 2010-11 Placed 28th 2011-12 Placed 8th 2012-13 Placed 7th 2013-14 Placed 8th 2014-15 Placed 5th

In addition to our North West Counties League side the club has an U18s team playing in the North West Youth Alliance League Division One and an U21s team playing in the Cheshire FA U21s League Premier Division (both Sunday Leagues) U21s L L L Cup L L Cup L L L Cup Cup L L L L Cup SF

U18s L L L L L L L Cup L L Cup Cup L L Cup L L L L L L L

DATE RES HOME AWAY VENUE 23/08/2015 W 2-1 St Helens Town Bootle Edge Hill University #2 06/09/2015 W 6-1 Claybrow FC St Helens Town Edge Hill University #1 13/09/2015 W 4-0 St Helens Town Winsford United Edge Hill University #2 20/09/2015 W 0-0* AFC Sefton St Helens Town Edge Hill University #2 27/09/2015 L 1-2 St Helens Town Stockport Town Edge Hill University #2 04/10/2015 L 3-1 Bootle St Helens Town JMO Sports Park 11/10/2015 W 0-5 The Highwayman St Helens Town 15/10/2015 L 3-0 Irlam St Helens Town Irlam FC 18/10/2015 L 2-4 St Helens Town Irlam Edge Hill University #2 25/10/2015 W 1-3 Winsford United St Helens Town Winsford United FC 01/11/2015 W 1-0 St Helens Town Irlam Edge Hill University #1 15/11/2015 W 1-8 Churchtown Jaguars St Helens Town 22/11/2015 11:00 Abbey Hey St Helens Town Abbey Hey FC 29/11/2015 14:00 Stockport Town St Helens Town Stockport Sports Village 06/12/2015 12:00 St Helens Town Rochdale Edge Hill University #2 20/12/2015 12:00 St Helens Town Abbey Hey Edge Hill University #2 21/02/2016 12:00 St Helens Town Bootle Edge Hill University #2 *0-0 after extra time St Helens Town won on penalty kicks 2-4 DATE 16/08/2015 23/08/2015 30/08/2015 06/09/2015 13/09/2015 20/09/2015 27/09/2015 04/10/2015 11/10/2015 18/10/2015 25/10/2015 01/11/2015 22/11/2015 29/11/2015 06/12/2015 13/12/2015 20/12/2015 10/01/2016 17/01/2016 31/01/2016 07/02/2016 21/02/2016

RES HOME W 1-3 Egerton FC W 3-1 St Helens Town W 4-5 Marine D 0-0 St Helens Town W 2-1 St Helens Town W 1-3 Altrincham W 4-1 St Helens Town L 2-1 Macclesfield Town W 1-6 Macclesfield Town W 1-3 Vauxhall Motors W 0-5 West D & Chorlton W 3-2 St Helens Town 14:00 St Helens Town 14:00 Irlam FC 11:00 Mersey South 14:00 Nelson 14:00 St Helens Town 14:00 AFC Blackpool 14:00 St Helens Town 14:00 Bolton Wyresdale 14:00 St Helens Town 14:00 Vauxhall Motors

AWAY St Helens Town Nelson St Helens Town Chester Colts Altrincham St Helens Town AFC Blackpool St Helens Town St Helens Town St Helens Town St Helens Town Canada FC U18 Egerton FC St Helens Town St Helens Town St Helens Town Marine FC St Helens Town Macclesfield Town St Helens Town Chorley FC St Helens Town

VENUE Egerton FC Edge Hill University JMO Sports Edge Hill University Edge Hill University Hale Country Club Edge Hill University Platt Lane Platt Lane Riveacre Park HARDY FARM Liverpool CFA Edge Hill University Silver Street Edge Hill University VICTORIA PARK Edge Hill University Mechnics Ground Edge Hill University Little Lever School Edge Hill University Rivacre Park

Town 1-3 Holker Old Boys NWCFL Division One Saturday 24th October 2015

SLOPPY TOWN PAY THE PRICE FOR COMPLACENCY St. Helens Town 1, Holker Old Boys 3 by Glyn Jones

Holker arrived late for Saturday’s game at Brocstedes Park and, starting with only one substitute on the bench, the Barrow side had something of a vulnerable look to their line-up, which perhaps led St. Helens Town to the conclusion that they might stroll to an easy win. They began well enough, Andy Gillespie missing the target by the narrowest of margins in the opening exchanges, but a goal against the run of play in just the fourth minute gave the Old Boys the perfect start and something to hold on to. A ball from the right wing, played at high speed just above ground level, hit a Town defender, giving new keeper Matthew Hodge no chance and the visitors had a 1-0 lead. St. Helens were then fighting an uphill battle to get back into the game and, soon afterwards, Johann du Toit made a crucial tackle and hit a stinging shot, but it went straight at Oliver Bell in the visitors’ net. Du Toit tested Bell again on 20 minutes and although the stopper spilled the ball, there was nobody on hand to deal with the rebound. At the other end of the pitch, new goalie Hodge from Maghull, was fortunate not to be penalised for an ankle tap on Jordan Brough, but there was no such luck for Ste Rigby moments later when he up-ended the same player and a penalty was awarded by referee Rudd. Brough was a little too hasty with the spot kick and fired high and wide, so Town went in at the break just one goal in arrears, with all to play for.

Seven minutes into the second half, St. Helens drew level with a fluke goal from Josh Hoult, whose corner kick beat all the defenders on the goal-line and looped in at the far post, much to the debutant’s delight. Town should have gone on to win from that point, with Holker at full stretch, their only substitute deployed soon after the interval, but several chances were spurned, leaving the visitors to take full advantage on the break. On 77 minutes, Holker regained the lead when John-Paul Stanway touched in a cross from the right-hand side and Hodge saved a certain third minutes later, smothering a shot from the same player. Jack Golding, Matty Davidson and Warren Twist were sent on from the bench to try to salvage the game in the closing stages, with Town’s regular saviour Marcus Perry unavailable due to a family holiday, but it was Holker who finished strongly, Bradley Hubbold following up to score after Hodge had initially saved his penalty kick in the last minute.

Q1. Which French record do Le Harve hold? Q2. Which club did Phil Neville make more Premier League appearances for Manchester United or Everton? Q3. Who are the current holders of the FA Trophy? Q4. Which two Northern Irish men have won the European Cup or Champions League? Q5. Which of the 92 Premier/Football League club grounds is the highest above sea level?

Q6. Who are the current holders of the FA Vase? Q7. Which Bundesliga record did Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne break last season? Q8. Which Stadium will host the Champions League Final in 2016? Q9. Which Sunderland keeper was lobbed by Eric Cantona’s famous chip-shot in December 1996? Q10. Which ground hosted the 2006 Conference Play Off Final between Hereford & Halifax? Q11. Who was League One top scorer last season? Q12. Who was caretaker manager at Blackburn on six separate occasions in the 80’s, 90’s & 00’s but never held the manager’s job on a permanent basis? Q13. What is Mark Hughes first name? Q14. Which was the last season that The New Saints did not win the Welsh Premier League? Q15. With which team did Ronaldinho began his professional career?

1) Oldest French professional club formed in 1872 2) United 263 to Everton 242 3) North Ferriby United 4) George Best (1968) & Martin O’Neill (1979 & 80) 5) The Hawthorns – West Brom 6) North Shields 7) Most Assists 8) San Siro 9) Lionel Perez 10) The Walkers Stadium, Leicester 11) Joe Garner (Preston) 12) Tony Parkes 13) Leslie 14) 2010-11, Bangor City won by two points 15) Gremio

Liverpool County FA Sunday Youth Cup Round 1 St Helens 3-2 Canada AET It was a foggy start for this 10am kick off at the county FA and Canada who are 2nd in the Liverpool County Youth Premier Division took on a Saints side 2nd in the North West Youth Alliance first division and both sides served up a brilliant spectacle for a very appreciative crowd! It was a patched up St Helens side with injuries and unavailability effecting selection again. It was a 3-5-2/5-3-2 formation for Town and with only one recognised centre half it meant right back Jordan Patterson and left back Thomas Gibbings were deployed as centre halves to play along-side Ryan Howard with Liam Murray and Daniel Cull operating as wing backs. Sean Keyes captained the side in midfield along-side Liam Beech and Joe Stanley with Jonathon Dugdale and Jordan Ainsworth leading the attack. The game started off at a frantic pace and it was St Helens who were on the front foot playing some really good football and using the left side particularly well. Canada were also playing 3-5-2 and the systems threatened to cancel each other out. However on 8 minutes a mistake by a Canada defender gave Town the chance to take the lead. A stray pass across the back 3 was cut out by Jordan Ainsworth, he was about 20 yards from goal but drove into the box holding off a back tracking defender and coolly rolled Town into an early lead. St Helens 1-0 Canada, Ainsworth (8) Ainsworth then for the next 10 minutes ran the Canada back three ragged, his positively, pace and directness causing them all sorts of problems. The middle three of Stanley, Keyes and Beech were dominating keeping and using the ball well, Town were getting into some decent positions but werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite able to find that final pass or final finish to double their lead. Then on 31 minutes out of nowhere Canada levelled the game up. A corner from the right was only partially cleared and when it was put back into the box Dave Jones dropped the cross and it was poked home into the net for 1 -1. After the goal Canada dominated every aspect of the game as St Helens struggled to recover from conceding such a soft goal. Blocks, good defending, a bit of luck and near misses kept the scores at 1-1 until the 37th minute when a lack of communication at the back saw a clearance charged down by a forward, the ball went to the big number 9 who took a touch and hit a shot that goalkeeper Dave Jones will probably be disappointed that he didn't kept it out. St Helens 1 -2 Canada. Canada saw out the half with ease and Saints went in at the break trailing. Half Time 1-2

Town re-emerged from the changing rooms showing no changes and for the first 10 minutes of the second half pressed higher up the pitch played with more aggression and tempo. In fairness to Canada they dealt with Towns improvement and looked comfortable. Despite huffing and puffing it just wasn't working and on 60 minutes Jordan Ainsworth was replace by Reece Hughes and Daniel Cull replace by Harry Billingsley and Hawksworth's men went 4-3-3. Immediately Canada had to deal with more threat in behind as Town tried to use the pace of Hughes and Billingsley to their advantage. It didn't really work as Canada used their experience and slowed the game down and looked a major threat from set pieces and they were unlucky to wrap the game up with a succession of corners causing St Helens problems! Final substitute for Town saw George McManus replace captain Sean Keyes with 24 minutes to go. A few controversial offside decisions incensed the Town bench and the game was getting away from them, and with this the St Helens management went with their final roll of the dice. Goal scorer Jordan Ainsworth was sent back on in place of Joe Stanley as Jonathon Dugdale dropped into the midfield three and Town began to create chances, Canada had also gone 4-3-3 to try and see the game out and match the system Town were using. Little free-kicks lots of possession and general good game management was frustrating St Helens and it looked as though a cup exit was only moments away until Jordan Ainsworth came up with the goods again! Liam Murray linked up with Reece Hughes down the right with Hughes doing extremely well to roll his man, as Hughes drove towards goal he saw Ainsworth to his left a perfectly weighted pass set Ainsworth free he got into the box and the positioning of the goalkeeper made the angle look really difficult but Ainsworth's finishing is superb and he slotted the ball past the goalkeeper into the side netting off the far post a quite brilliant finish from the frontman much to the delight on the bench and supporters. St Helens 2-2 Canada, Ainsworth 85 The home sides tails were up and it was all Saints now attack after attack followed but the away side threw their bodies on the line in a desperate attempt to stay in the game, the Town attack was relentless though and the superior fitness levels were showing as Canada were struggling to get up the pitch and on 90 minutes Town almost snatched it and it would of been a great goal! A quick combination down the left from Billingsley and Gibbings saw the latter beat his man and get to the byline his superb cut back was met by the onrushing Reece Hughes who's first time shot flew agonisingly over the bar! Just inches away from a quite brilliant turn around! FT St Helens 2-2 Canada Extra time was next and Jordan Patterson who had been simply outstanding had to come off with a groin injury so on went Daniel Cull who slotted in at left back with Thomas Gibbings moving to centre half next to Ryan

Howard who had also been brilliant all morning. As ET got underway it was Town again on the front foot the energy levels were quite something and was to be a major factor in the result. Canada couldn't match the fitness levels of the home side and reverted back to 3-5-2 in a bid to regain control of a game looking increasingly one sided. However just 4 minutes into added time St Helens went ahead!! Thomas Gibbings had the ball just inside his own half and he spotted the run of Hughes, his clipped ball over the top was inch perfect and it found Hughes he took a touch away from the defender and as the keeper was quick off his line he managed to poke the ball beyond the Canada keeper it seemed to take an age to go in but in it went and the Town fans went mental, a quite remarkable turnaround by this young Saints side! St Helens 3-2 Canada, Hughes 94 (in ET)

and Town were 3-2 up in ET.

The early goal in extra time was just what Town's finish to the game merited and minutes later it almost got better a superb 4 man passing move saw the ball find Dugdale on the edge of the box, shoot was the cry from players and fans alike but Dugdale slipped a wonder pass through to Ainsworth who round the keeper and made it 4-2 only to be denied by the linesmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s flag! Unlucky after a quite sensational spot from Dugdale. Town continued to dominate but the HT whistle sounded

No team talk just a quick switch round and the second half of ET was under way and Liam Beech and Dugdale were withdrawn as Keyes and Stanley were sent on in a bid to shut up shop and keep possession it worked for the majority of the half but with only 7 minutes of ET left Canada really should of equalised, a quick exchange of passes down the left saw the number 11 escape and his cut back evaded everyone bar a late arrival on the 6 yard box with the goal gaping he blazed a glorious chance high over the bar and Town survived. The final 5 minutes was ariel bombardment as Canada launched balls into the box but Town through heads in the way bodies on the line and repelled everything to see the game out After the game Alex Jardine said, 'With the absentees we have at the moment we've probably come up against the strongest team we've played all season and to go in at 2-1 down at HT and come away with a win after extra time shows the mental strength character and determination this young group has. We are delighted for the lads.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

St Helens Town U18s 3-2 Canada FC U18s Liverpool County FA Sun Youth Cup 1st Round Sunday 1st November 2015

KEEPER’S HALLOWE’EN HOWLER HANDS VICTORY TO TOWN Daisy Hill 1, St. Helens Town 2 by Glyn Jones Saturday’s game at New Sirs proved to be a tale of two goalkeepers, as St. Helens rode their luck to take three points from Daisy Hill. A blunder by home keeper Chris Taylor, handed Town the winning second goal, whilst a string of impressive saves from Matthew Hodge at the other end denied a Daisy Hill side whose strong performance belied their lowly league position. Town came into the game on the back of two league defeats against Stockport Town and Holker Old Boys and a midweek exit from the Liverpool Senior Cup at the hands of Premier Division title contenders Bootle, whereas Daisy Hill had recovered from a poor start with impressive wins over Irlam, Whitchurch Alport and Atherton L.R. in recent weeks, so St. Helens had to be careful not to give the early advantage to the home side. They began well enough, Johann du Toit going close just two minutes in, but centre half Craig Naylor, who was imperious throughout, put the Westhoughton side ahead after 27 minutes, a set-piece ball being headed on in Town’s packed penalty box, finding Naylor unmarked at the far post and with time to pick his spot, beating Hodge inside his far post. St. Helens re-gathered themselves soon afterwards, but had Hodge to thank for pulling off a fine diving save at full stretch from the same player after 34 minutes. The visitors began to get a foothold in midfield as the interval approached and launched an attack down the left, Andy Gillespie making good ground, before finding Ste Rigby, who could only slice his shot, but du Toit managed to reach out with his foot and place the ball inside the left post to level the scores on 44 minutes. Daisy Hill had the better of the early play in the second-half, but thanks in the main to Hodge, could not regain their lead. However, the match turned on its head in the 65th minute when du Toit headed innocuously towards the home cross bar, only for keeper Taylor, who initially appeared to catch the ball, to drop it over the line and into his net, thereby putting Town 2-1 ahead. Recovering from the shock, Daisy Hill pressed at the other end, but Hodge was again on hand to foil the attack. Home supporters claimed the Town keeper had handled outside his box, but no card was forthcoming and they had to make do with a free-kick, which Hodge again saved. The drama continued in the other penalty area when Andy Gillespie was manhandled part-way to the ground by Taylor, but tried to soldier on to take a half-chance at goal, when a penalty kick might easily have been given. That proved to be Town’s last chance to make the game safe and Naylor very nearly levelled the scores in the closing stages, but was thwarted by Hodge who surpassed his earlier efforts and pulled off the save of the match to deny Daisy Hill.

Daisy Hill 1-2 Town NWCFL Division One Saturday 31st October 2015

Nelson have announced the appointment of Paul Fildes as their new First Team Manager. Fildes, who is 34, takes over the managerial reins following the departure of Mark Fell last month and is a well-known face around the NWCFL, having had previous managerial experience at Barnoldswick Town as well as having played for a number of clubs including Nelson, Colne, Padiham and Runcorn Linnets. He now follows in the footsteps of his father Terry, who had two spells as Nelson manager. Speaking on the club website, Nelson Chief Executive Adam Keizer said: "We were looking for an ambitious local manager with good knowledge of the North West Counties and nonleague football, and someone who can buy into the culture and philosophy of the football club. “Having played for us Fildesy knows the club inside out and he beat some excellent candidates for the job. We were impressed with his vision for moving the club forwards, his enthusiasm and he's clearly very popular with everyone at the club, from the players to the Chairman to the supporters. “We're delighted to have him here as manager, he's got good links to local players and he's someone we feel can help develop and get the best out of the young talent we have in the squad, as well as the ability to attract quality local players to the club. “We're very excited about working with him and we will be working hard to ensure he has the resources to build an exciting team that can move the club forward". Once his appointment was announced, Paul Fildes said on his Twitter account: “Looking forward to the new challenge and thanks for all the support”. He takes charge of the team for the first time when the Admirals face Runcorn Linnets at home this Saturday at Little Wembley.

First Division Table as at Tuesday 17th November 2015 First Division

W D

A GD Pts

Barnton

36 16 20 29

Cheadle Town

39 28 11 26

Ashton Town

33 18 15 25

Hanley Town

23 12 11 25

Holker Old Boys

28 18 10 24

Stockport Town

29 33 -4 24

Irlam

25 12 13 23

Bacup Borough

33 25

St Helens Town

5 28 27

Litherland REMYCA

20 19

Northwich Man Villa 14

29 32 -3 17

Rochdale Town

21 31 -10 15

Atherton LR

17 31 -14 15

Chadderton

20 25 -5 14

Widnes

33 37 -4 13

Whitchurch Alport

23 39 -16 12

Daisy Hill

16 42 -26 12

Eccleshall

15 23 -8

* points deducted for a breach of league rules

Monday 23rd November 2015 Cheshire Senior Cup Preliminary Round Hyde United v Stockport Town Tuesday 24th November 2015 The Reusch First Division Cup 2nd Rd St Helens Town v Chadderton Tuesday 24th November 2015 Premier Division Congleton Town v Runcorn Linnets Wednesday 25th November 2015 Premier Division AFC Darwen v Atherton Collieries Wednesday 25th November 2015 Lancashire Challenge Trophy 2nd Rd Bacup Borough v Clitheroe Wednesday 25th November 2015 Liverpool Senior Cup Quarter Finals Litherland REMYCA v Southport Saturday 28th November 2015 The Men United Cup 3rd Round 1874 Northwich v Ashton Athletic Bacup Borough v Atherton Collieries Eccleshall v Irlam Nelson v Cammell Laird 1907 Padiham v Runcorn Town Silsden v AFC Blackpool Squires Gate v Colne Stockport Town v Barnton Saturday 28th November 2015 Premier Division AFC Liverpool v Winsford United Alsager Town v Abbey Hey Runcorn Linnets v Barnoldswick Town West Dids & Chorlton v Congleton Town Saturday 28th November 2015 First Division Ashton Town v Chadderton Daisy Hill v Widnes Litherland REMYCA v Atherton LR Northwich Man Villa v St Helens Town Rochdale Town v Holker Old Boys Whitchurch Alport v Cheadle Town

Premier Division Table as at Wednesday 18th November 2015 Premier Division

W D

A GD Pts

Colne

16 12 3

48 19 29 39

1874 Northwich

19 11 4

45 35 10 37

Runcorn Linnets

16 12 0

38 17 21 36

Bootle

21 11 3

43 39

Runcorn Town

19 10 3

44 30 14 33

AFC Liverpool

56 43 13 33

Atherton Collieries

45 32 13 30

Ashton Athletic

32 30

Barnoldswick Town

37 28

Abbey Hey

32 26

Cammell Laird 1907

45 43

West Didsbury & Chorlton

10 35 33

Maine Road

10 38 44 -6 24

Nelson

34 32

Winsford United

27 39 -12 23

Congleton Town

30 31 -1 22

AFC Darwen

10 43 60 -17 22

Padiham

10 36 41 -5 21

Squires Gate

10 26 46 -20 16

Silsden

AFC Blackpool

11 29 52 -23 14

Alsager Town

13 20 45 -25 5

24 42 -18 15

* points deducted for a breach of league rules

Saturday 14th November 2015 First Division Ashton Town P-P Stockport Town Atherton LR P-P St Helens Town Bacup Borough P-P Whitchurch Alport Chadderton P-P Barnton Eccleshall P-P Cheadle Town Litherland REMYCA 1-1 Irlam Rochdale Town 1-1 Daisy Hill Widnes 1-2 Holker Old Boys Monday 16th November 2015 Premier Division Aherton Collieries t 7-2 Silsden Tuesday 17th November 2015 Premier Division Ashton Athletic 2-2 Winsford United Wednesday 18th November 2015 Premier Division AFC Liverpool 2-2 Cammell Laird 1907 Friday 20th November 2015 First Division Barnton v Litherland REMYCA Saturday 21st November 2015 FA Vase 2nd Round AFC Mansfield v Alsager Town Atherton Collieries v Chadderton Colne v Newton Aycliffe Marske United v Runcorn Linnets Morpeth Town v 1874 Northwich Runcorn Town v Garforth Town Premier Division AFC Blackpool v Cammell Laird 1907 AFC Darwen v Abbey Hey Barnoldswick Town v Congleton Town Bootle v Maine Road Winsford United v Silsden First Division Cheadle Town v Northwich Man Villa Eccleshall v Ashton Town Hanley Town v Bacup Borough Holker Old Boys v Atherton LR St Helens Town v Daisy Hill Stockport Town v Rochdale Town Whitchurch Alport v Irlam