CLUB INFORMATION Honorary Life President: Alan Wellens
Sat 19th December 2015, 3pm North West Counties League, First Division
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
Eccleshall
Red & White Shirts White Shorts, Red & White Socks No
Mathew Hodge
Gls Y R
Navy Shirts Navy Shorts & Socks No
Spencer Martin
Matthew Davidson
Nathan Dyer
Alex Gillespie
Jake Linaker
Adam Lawrence
Jack Beech
Edward Pegler
Hospitality: Margaret Wood and Paul Wood
Daniel Counter
Todd Blayney
Jack Warren
Trustees: John McKiernan and Eric Bond
Connor Murphy
Dean Twigg
Aaron Morris
Peter Aidley
1st Team Joint Managers: Alan Gillespie & Nick Matthews
Andy Gillespie
Daniel Jones
George Lomax
Ryan Greene
U21s Team Manager: John McLaughlan
Stephen Rigby
Angelo Errico
Ant Whelan
Benjamin James
David Baines
Max Linaker
U18s Team Manager: Ellis Hawksworth
Daniel Greene
Callum Whittaker
Matthew Smith
Oliver Jepson
U18s Assistant Manager: Alex Jardine
Andrew Presho
Adam Jones
Sunday Team Manager: David Platt
Managers: Alan Gillespie and Nick Matthews
Full Committee: John McKiernan, Jeff Voller, Jim Barrett, Ste Ball, Andy Langley Paul Wood, Margaret Wood, Chris Ford and Glyn Jones.
U21s Assistant Manager: Billy Davies
Club Email: sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk
Main Club Sponsor: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool Shirt Sponsor: EcigUK St Helens Legal: St Helens Town Limited Private Limited Company Company No. 04392840 Date of Incorporation 12.03.2002
Gls Y R
Manager: Steve Lloyd Assistant: TBA
Referee: Mr B Richards (Wigan) Assistants: Mr J Chadwick (Leigh) & Mr A Waring (Swinton)
Match Sponsor
STILLIA
Company Director: Jim Barrett Parent Company: A wholly owned subsidiary of Sporting Club St Helens Limited Cover Photograph: Home and Away Shirts sponsored by Eciguk (2014-16)
Match Ball Sponsors
Next Home Game: Saturday 16th Jan 2016, 3pm Town v Stockport Town NWCFL Division One Adults £5, Concessions £3 U16s £1, U12s FREE*
Good afternoon and welcome to Brocstedes Park for this North West Counties League, First Division contest against Eccleshall. 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 four weeks since we were last here hosting Daisy Hill on an afternoon which saw Town fall to their heaviest league defeat of the season. A early chances fell to Andy Gillespie’s, Ste Rigby and Gillespie again but the hosts couldn’t make this pressure pay and Daisy Hill took the lead on 27 minutes and had a massive deflection to thank for breaking the deadlock. Matthew Knowles tried his luck from the right hand edge of the box and it looked a routine take for Mathew Hodge in the Town goal only to take a deflection off an outstretched leg from a defender and beat the stopper. Three minutes later another deflection helped the visitors double the lead a left wing cross took a deflection which looped it towards Daniel Gregory on the far post and he was able to head home. At the other end Town spurned a golden chance to halve the deficit when Todd Blayney sent a left wing corner into the box which reached Eddie Pegler unmarked in the 6 yard box on the far post the ball was low and he stooped to head it but somehow managed to head wide of the right hand upright when it seemed easier to score. Daisy Hill then responded as Alex McPolin had an effort pushed wide by Hodge and just before the break they added a third when Matthew Davidson showed some fine footwork to beat a defender and fire home. The game did not reignite until midway through the second half Daisy Hill first had a double salvo denied by the hosts as a goalmouth scramble saw Hodge make a fine save before a second effort was cleared off the line and soon afterwards the visitors added a fourth through skipper Craig Naylor. The final ten minutes of contest saw another four goals scored as the visitors added a fifth through McPolin before George Lomax netted on his Town debut after being found by Gillespie’s ball from the left wing. Less than a minute later Gillespie also got on the scoresheet as Johan Du Toit progressed down the right wing before centring towards the Town skipper who fired home for his fifteenth goal of the season. The scoring was rounded off when Daisy substitute Daniel Holoran netted in the final minute to give the crowd in attendance great value for their £5 admission fee.
We were then thwarted by the heavy rain as the games at Northwich Manchester Villa and here against Chadderton and Hanley fell foul of waterlogged pitches. We then took the trip to Chadderton in the much rearranged Reusch First Division Cup Tie after losing home advantage. We could all be forgiven for thinking it was “Groundhog Day” as Chadderton took the lead 21 minutes into the contest when Daniel Murray was on hand to sweep home a right wing cross. Town levelled a quarter of an hour later when an Alex Gillespie free kick was flicked into the net by Declan Gregson’s deft back header and the sides went into the break level. The second period started with the visitors on top as Eddie Pelger fire home off the crossbar and Andy Gillespie finished a fine move to put Town 3-1 up (the same scoreline both league contests had ended) but a fight back from Chaddy saw goals from Stephen Ledjohn and Leon Iluobe take the game to extra time. The hosts had too much for Town in the extra half hour and Iluobe added two before Matt Booth rounded off the scoring. This afternoons visitors have been in fine cup form and have secured a quarter final berth in the MEN United cup but see themselves bottom of the pile in the First Division albeit having played the fewest games of all the teams. Their recent form has seen them win three and lose three so Town will not be taking anything for granted this afternoon. Finally from all at the club Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year! Enjoy the game . . . Jeff Voller
There has been football in the town of Eccleshall for over 100 years, however very little archive material is available from those early years. Eccleshall Football Club was reformed in 1971 and nicknamed the Eagles. The club's meeting place was the George and Dragon Public House, Eccleshall and whose landlord the late Mr. M. Beale led the first committee. At that time the team was made up of locals and staff from the Eccleshall Secondary School which also provided training and playing facilities. The club was called Eccleshall Old Boys Football Club. In 1974 the team won their first trophies, the Mid-Staffs 3rd Division Cup and were also runners-up in that division, gaining promotion to Division 2. In 1976 they won the 2nd Division Cup in the same league and Old Boys was dropped from the club's name. In 1979 the first team joined the Staffordshire County League (North).
In 1981 after much hard fund raising and with the help of grants and a loan a four acre field was purchased at Pershall. In the same year the team moved into the Premier Division. Work began converting it into a football ground. In 1982 a building was purchased from British Telecom and with lots of hard work during that and the following year on the building, car park and the pitch, the ground was ready. The ground was christened Pershall Park. In 1983 a small covered area was put up commonly known as 'The Shed'. In 1983-84 season the Staffs County League Premier Division Championship, the Premier Division Cup and the May Bank Cup were secured. 1984-5 and 1985-86 seasons saw the club reach the Staffs F.A. Vase finals only to be beaten on both occasions. 1984-85 saw the Staffordshire Senior League formed and the majority of clubs came from the Staffs County League Premier Division of which Eccleshall was one. In 1989-90 the club won the Staffs Senior League and the 1990-91 season saw the club enter the F.A. Vase for the first time and a small extension was added to the clubhouse. 1991-92 saw the club reach the F.A. Vase 2nd round, having gone through all the preliminary stages but lose at home to Wisbech Town 2 -0 in front of a record crowd of 368. A steady improvement from the mid 90's led to a fairly successful seasons without winning any silverware. The team have fared well in the league since in the late 90's finishing 3rd (97-98), 6th (98-99), 2nd (99-00) and 3rd (00-01). In 2001-02 season Eccleshall won the Springbank Vending Midland League Championship. Planning permission was granted for both floodlights and a covered seated stand and 2002-03 saw work completed to allow the club to apply to the North West Counties League. The Staffordshire F.A. Vase was won for the first time in the club's history and the championship retained and promotion achieved. On the pitch 2003-04 brought no rewards but the club's application to the Football Foundation for ÂŁ87,500 for funding floodlights and levelling the pitch, was granted. Work on both projects started during the close season. The following term was disappointing; hopes were high after a year of consolidation but performances faltered after Christmas and the team finished in mid-table.
Manager Bob Askey decided to stand down at the end of the 2004-05 season and hand the reigns to brother Mark, who had been running the reserves. During this season the club reached the Staffs F.A. Vase final only to lose by the odd goal. The 2006-07 season promised much but league form took a nose dive after Christmas and the club finished in mid table after holding a promotion spot in the first half of the season. 2007-08 held hopes of a more consistent season but things started badly and only improved towards the end. A new management team in Dave Dale and Gary Worthington took over prior to the start of the 2008-09 term, when Mark Askey resigned due to lack of time to commit to the job in hand. The new management team had spent the season before coaching the first team squad under Mark Askey. Gary Worthington left the management team half way through 2009-10 with Duncan Maydew taking over as assistant. The team finished the season in 9th place, its highest since joining the league. However Dave Dale handed in his resignation in February 2011 and was quickly replaced with former Nantwich Town manager, Peter Hall. Peter Hall declined the invitation to stay on for 2011-12 season so the job was offered to Kieron Hammett who had assisted him, Kieron accepted and appointed Roy Lane as his assistant. Following a turbulent start to the season the team settled and ended with a reasonable league position. During the close season Kieron Hammett decided to quit with nearly all the players leaving before the start of the new season. The 2012-13 season saw Dave Porter appointed manager with Kevin Reeves as his assistant however they both resigned at the end of September following a heavy Staffs FA Vase defeat and a poor start in the league. Reserve team manager Liam James took over the job and steadied the ship and in February 2013a new management team of Dean Sibson and John Mayer. Unfortunately the side lingered near the foot of the table. John was unable to commit time for the 2013-14 season so Dean was left in sole charge. Unfortunately results didn't improve and in November 2013 Dean left the club, by mutual consent.
The club offered Shaun Hollinshead the chance to take charge of the team which he agreed to. He appointed Dave Johnson and Phil Bath as his assistants. 2014-15 saw the management team joined by Matt Brabury in a coaching role after finishing playing due to injury the team made good progress but a run of very poor results led to all three resigning after a heavy home defeat against Widnes. New manager Steve Lloyd and coach Mike Alcock were appointed in December with the hope of improving the stability of the team after several seasons of inconsistency. Steve continues in the hot seat for the 2015-16 season along with new back room staff.
Season 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 2014-15
League MIDL MIDL MIDL NWC-2 NWC-2 NWC-2 NWC-2 NWC-2 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1
P 32 36 36 38 36 36 34 34 34 32 34 34 34 36 36
W 17 24 22 10 11 13 12 8 14 13 15 14 7 7 12
D 9 6 12 14 8 7 6 6 5 7 3 5 7 5 5
L 6 6 2 14 17 16 16 20 15 12 16 15 20 24 19
F 59 89 85 56 47 50 44 41 44 43 64 52 44 43 47
A 36 35 24 65 58 64 46 69 44 45 70 64 79 78 91
GD 23 54 61 -9 -11 -14 -2 -28 0 -2 -6 -12 -35 -35 -44
Pts 60 78 78 44 41 46 42 30 47 46 45 47 28 26 41
Position 3/17 1/19 1/19 17/20 11/19 11/19 11/18 15/18 11/18 9/17 11/18 7/18 15/18 17/19 15/19
TOWN ACCOUNTS OFFER FASCINATING HISTORICAL INSIGHT by Glyn Jones St. Helens Town Vice-President Jim Barrett recently unearthed a copy of the club’s accounts and balance sheet for the year ended 31st May 1963. They provide a fascinating insight into the financial side of the club going back over 50 years ago and were of added significance, given that this marked the first full operating year of the long lamented Social Club at the Town Ground in Hoghton Road, Sutton. The football club had been re-formed in 1946, when a lease was taken out of the former Sutton Cricket Club near St. Helens Junction railway station and had begun playing in the Liverpool County Combination at the beginning of the 1947/48 season. Fifteen seasons later, the social club, which was the place to be seen in downtown Sutton. At its height, the main room seated over 800 and the bingo sessions and Friday and Saturday concerts were legendary, pulling in far bigger crowds than watched the football. At the end of its first full year of operation, the social club donated a net sum of £1120, which dwarfed the football profit of just over £381. Town played in the Second Division of the well-regarded Lancashire Combination in 1962/63 and finished the season half way up the table in 10th place, winning 16, drawing 6 and losing 16 of their 38 fixtures. They had won through to the third qualifying round of the FA Cup, winning at Earlestown and beating South Liverpool at home before going out at Hoghton Road to Altrincham, a leading light in the equally prestigious Cheshire League, which included Macclesfield and Wigan Athletic and that season’s champions Runcorn among its membership. Back in those days, there was no sponsorship of the competitions and gate receipts for 19 home league games amounted to barely £72, whereas the three FA Cup ties brought in £125. Donations, other than from the social club, amounted to nearly £3,300, the Christmas raffle netted £23 and programme sales contributed just £8. On the expenditure side, match expenses for the first team were £1347 and £360 for the reserves, referees and linesmen cost £90, the manager, trainer and groundsman cost £386, ground repairs £155 and travelling expenses amounted to £177. Playing kit cost £136, printing and advertising £36 and telephone expenses worked out at nearly £52. The secretary was awarded an honorarium in the princely sum of £50. Looking at the Balance Sheet, the value of the ground was stated to be £905, building (presumably the social club) £6,435 and the grandstand £1100, with fittings £150 and cash in hand and at the bank amounting to £283. Among the club’s creditors were Burtonwood Brewery £3,040, Forward Trust Ltd. £435 and the curiously named Trinidad Lake Asphalt Co. £80. The Notes to the Balance Sheet stated that the loans to Burtonwood and Trinidad Lake had been taken over by the social club. Put into context, today’s players are not paid, whereas over 50 years ago, the club paid out £1,700 over the season. These were momentous times, as the Football League had only just abolished the maximum wage of £20 per week to leading clubs’ players, season tickets at Everton were available in the “best seats” for £9, admission to Goodison and Anfield in the standing enclosures was 20p or 25p a game and programmes cost 4d at Liverpool and 6d at Everton. Liverpool had just been promoted back to the First Division and Everton won the Championship. Littlewoods Pools were offering total payouts of £500,000 every Saturday and men over 5’8” between the ages of 19 and 29 could join Liverpool City Police and earn £1,000 per year. They were the days!
Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to Brocstedes Park for this afternoon’s NWCFL First Division encounter against first time opponents Eccleshall FC. Let’s hope their players, officials and supporters have had a safe journey and along with our own support are treated to an entertaining encounter. I like to extend a warm welcome and thank you to today’s Match Sponsors ODs Designer Clothing, St Helens who are also our digital match programme sponsors! We also welcome today’s Match Ball sponsor Action Coach North West, Ian Finney and his son Daniel who will join us again later in the campaign for another ball sponsorship - many thanks for your support. With only one game beating the weather in November it’s been a quiet spell for the club on the pitch but continues to be a busy one off it! The club has put together a 2016 calendar including lots of photos from our four teams from this season. Having secured sponsor for each month of the year we’ve been able to announce that The Steve Prescott Foundation will receive all the proceeds from the sales. There are full details in today’s programme of where the can be bought (available at today’s game). The calendars cost just £5 and I would appreciate your support in promoting them and the club. Our final game of 2015 sees us make a trip to former landlords Ashton Town on Boing Day and we don’t return home until Saturday 16th January 2016 when Stockport Town are our visitors. With the lack of games it’s always difficult to remember what news to report but don’t forget we keep supporters updated via our social media outlets (Facebook and Twitter) as well as via the club’s official website www.sthelenstownafc.com We’ve have had another £500 winner on our Goldline Lottery with club Secretary Jeff Voller the latest recipient. It costs just £1 per week to join with a chance of winning weekday prizes of £500 plus an Extra Draw Jackpot of up to £5k every Friday (currently stands at £4750). See me at today’s game for membership details. After a lengthy wait tracksuits and training kit packs finally arrived for the 1st team and U21s recently - thanks to Prestige Vehicle Movement for their sponsorship. May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and let’s hope 2016 sees Town make a much needed return to St Helens. Enjoy the game . . .
John McKiernan Chairman St Helens Town AFC
DAISY HILL TAKE THEIR REVENGE OVER RUSTY TOWN St. Helens Town 2, Daisy Hill 6 by Glyn Jones
Without a game for three weeks, missing several regulars and fielding two debutants in Connor Murphy and George Lomax, St. Helens Town were hoping to complete a league double over Daisy Hill on Saturday, but they turned in a rusty, disjointed performance against a side who were still smarting from handing Town a lucky 2-1 win at the end of October. The Westhoughton club arrived seeking revenge for their home defeat and ran out comfortable winners on their first visit to St. Helens’ home. The first chance of the match fell to Town when Andy Gillespie broke down the left and set up Aaron Morris, returning to the club after a stint with Ashton Athletic, but Morris’ goal-bound shot was saved by Chris Taylor. Soon afterwards, the visitors took the lead, a 25-yard shot from Matthew Knowles deflecting past Matthew Hodge, giving the Town keeper no chance after 27 minutes. Craig Naylor placed an effort just over the bar soon afterwards but Daniel Gregory scored a second on the halfhour, his long shot deflected off two defenders leaving Hodge stranded. Town had a chance to pull a goal back at that stage, but Ed Pegler nodded his free header wide of the back post from a corner kick when it looked easier to score than to miss. Hodge, who had been presented with the NW Counties’ First Division Goalkeeper of the Month award prior to the game, pulled off a fine save from Alex McPolin shortly afterwards, but he had no chance with the third goal on 42 minutes when Gregory netted on the re-bound after his first effort had been well blocked. The visitors went in three goals to the good at the break, all of them with more than a hint of fortune. St. Helens made more of a fight of it in the second-half and they again had chances to get back into the game before Daisy Hill scored their fourth goal, on the break, Naylor netting after 72 minutes. McPolin hit a fifth on 80 minutes before Town scored a brace of late consolation goals through Lomax (86) and Andy Gillespie (87), his 15th of the season, but Daisy Hill rounded off the scoring through Daniel Halloran a minute from the end. Town will be hoping for a change in fortune this Saturday, when they travel to the Manchester Regional Arena, M11 3FF, to take on Northwich Manchester Villa in a First Division encounter, kick-off at 3pm. Villa are in eleventh place in the table, one below Town and the game, which takes place adjacent to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium, will be the first between the clubs. Despite their inconsistent form, Town are only 9 points behind leaders Barnton and 5 points off the play-off places, so there is still plenty to play for. On Tuesday next, 1st December, Town’s delayed Second Round tie against Chadderton in the Reusch First Division Trophy takes place at Brocstedes Park, kickoff at 7.45pm, ahead of a home league game against Hanley Town on Saturday week.
FOOTBALL IN THE SUN As we look out of the window at this time of year on match day I am sure I am not on my own of looking back to the start of the season and watching matches in shirt sleeves instead of 5 or 6 layers, it feels like a different world.
A couple or so years ago I was sat at home desperately trying to find a match to attend whilst game after game was being called off I thought of all the clubs who were suffering under such conditions. How many programmes would go to waste? What food either for fans, guests or even players would suffer a similar fate? How many hours had the groundsman lost trying their utmost to get the game on only for another deluge to ruin all their hard work? Two weeks or so later, I was at one of the rearranged games, one of a handful of fans who had braved the conditions on another night as a below average crowd turned out for a club, like many, fighting for financial survival, must have lost money on the lighting bill for the floodlights alone. My thought? Sounds like madness at first, but please bear with me on it; Summer Football. Move the game. Have a season from February to October, though I doubt you would need that long. March would probably do the trick. I believe the benefits of doing this will be the saviour of grassroots football. When I have been on groundhops, clubs have said they make so much money from selling food. How about in the summer months going along to a game that has a barbecue on the go? It’s in the 6 weeks of the summer school holidays, so take the kids, there’s no school in the morning, and maybe we can even get whole families back to games. There would be no wastage of food or programmes as less games would be off. Less associated costs for floodlights as the days are longer. We would also have 3 months where there would not be any Premier League to compete with, maybe we could entice the Sky Couch Potatoes to actually attend a few matches, and they might even get a taste for it? Or is that going too far? When I was discussing this with a club official on one occasion he suggested that holidays would get in the way, I pointed out that the opposition manager like both his full-backs at the end of the previous season had gone away during the season anyway. At this level it doesn’t stop people, they need to take a holiday when they can, it also gives others experience, blood a couple of kids, give a coach a chance. I appreciate it is going against tradition, but change is not always for the worse, it has worked for Rugby League at the top level, the women’s game has also benefited. I genuinely believe that the game would benefit from the change, have a think, the minuses are, well for me anyway, well none.
Good afternoon and welcome to Brocstedes Park for today's NWCF League Division 1 fixture versus Eccleshall.
I think we can expect Eccleshall to be tough opposition today despite their lowly position as their recent form has seen them record two good wins in their last two League games 2-0 v Irlam and 3-2 v Atherton LR so they should certainly be a good test for our lads today. Our Reusch First Division Cup game was finally played last week after two postponements at Brocstedes Park the game switched to an away tie at Chadderton. The game was played on a very heavy pitch but both teams adapted well to the conditions and to be fair it was keenly contested affair. The emphasis has to be on tightening up things defensively it has been our Achilles heel all season and securing three points is impossible when your conceding three goals a game. The last league game v Daisy Hill remains a massive disappointment having beaten them on their patch a couple of weeks beforehand. Expectations were high but we didn't take our early chances and were punished with a couple of deflections and allowed the opposition to take full control of the game. We can't allow that to happen again today and need to be switched on from the start to the end of the game.
Alan Gillespie Joint First Team Manager
Congratulations to Matt Hodge NWCFL Goalkeeper of the Month for October with Gary Langley
Nelson supporter John Heyworth was able to combine two of his main spare time interests simultaneously at Little Wembley on Saturday. As well as getting his regular Saturday fix of football watching the Admirals in their MEN United Cup game against Cammell Laird 1907, John was also manning a stall in the clubhouse on behalf of Prostate Cancer UK, in his role as a volunteer for the charity and through his involvement in the East Lancashire Prostate Cancer Support Group. It’s a cause that is close to John’s heart, as he was diagnosed with prostate cancer four years ago, and after treatment and an operation to have his prostate removed, he is still suffering from the disease. He now has to try and control his condition by medication and leading a healthy lifestyle, and in the meantime, he is committed to raising the awareness of prostate cancer in any way he can. His first introduction to the Prostate Cancer UK charity was through football, and he is keen to use football as a means to get the message across to as many men as possible. “I am a season ticket holder at Burnley FC, as well as at Nelson, and I came across Prostate Cancer UK on the Burnley website about 4-5 years ago”, said John. I now spend quite a few days a month working for the charity. I've been doing bucket collections at football matches, and I've been to most of the league clubs in the North West.
“I spend time campaigning on behalf of Prostate Cancer UK, for example I was up in Glasgow at the LibDem conference and got to speak to the likes of Nick Clegg and Vince Cable to raise awareness. I also do a lot of one-to-one-peer support, so if somebody contacts the Prostate Cancer help desk and speaks to one of the nurses there, and wants to speak to someone who has had prostate cancer and had the treatment I have had, they often get referred to me. I phone them up and spend maybe an hour on the phone, talking things through and trying to reassure them. I also do talks to various groups, but the thing I spend most time on is an involvement with a research project called True North, which is funded by the Movember Foundation, and it is all about survivorship. “About 330,000 people in the UK like me are living with prostate cancer, but depending on where you live it is a bit of a lottery as to what treatment you get and how you get looked after afterwards. So this group is looking to come up with an improved programme of interventions for people surviving prostate cancer”.
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
Sat 29/08/15
Rochdale Town
Wheel Pro - Alloy Wheel Repairs & Refurbishment
Anthony Hall - Exiled Geordie on Merseyside
Sat 12/09/15
Barnton
Toast Café, St Helens
LM Travel
Sat 19/09/15
Cheadle Town
Paul Pritchard
The Cowley Vaults
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
Sat 19/12/15
Eccleshall
ODs Designer Clothing
Action Coach NW
Sat 16/01/16
Stockport Town
Sat 06/02/16
Bacup Borough
Mon 28/03/16
Ashton Town
Rylance Fishmongers
Sat 16/04/16
Northwich Manchester Villa
Michael Allison
Sat 23/04/16
Whitchurch Alport
TBC TBC
Invisible Heroes
Invisible Heroes
Kiera’s Occasions Litherland REMYCA Venue Dressing & Balloons Hanley Town
The Track King Stuart Pyke Danny’s Window Cleaning & Extra Time Academy Wilf Marshall & Finding Furever Homes
Stillia
Airborne Bathroom Services Action Coach NW
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
Man of the Match v Holker Old Boys Matty Hodge with Ian Duke of Warrington Motors
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
KO
Result
GK
2
3
4
5
6
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
NWCFL
7.45
3-1L
McLoughlin
Davidson
Marshall
Gibson
Sealey
A.Whelan
SEP 19 CHEADLE TOWN
Sep 15
Rochdale Town
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 Davies
Stockport Town
OCT 24 HOLKER OLD BOYS Oct 27
Bootle
LSC 1R
7.45
4-2L
Hodge
Davidson
Rigby
Lawrence
Pegler
Oct 31
Daisy Hill
NWCFL
3.00
1-2W
Hodge
Davidson
Rigby
Lawrence
Pegler
Baines
NOV 21 DAISY HILL
NWCFL
3.00
2-6L
Hodge
Davidson
Alex Gillespie
Lawrence
Pegler
Blayney
Dec 09
6-3L#
Hodge
Davidson
Rigby
Lawrence
A.Whelan
Al Gillespie
FDC 2R
7.45
DEC 19 ECCLESHALL
Chadderton
NWCFL
3.00
Dec 26
Ashton Town
NWCFL
3.00
Jan 02
Atherton LR
NWCFL
3.00
Jan 09
Northwich Manchester Villa 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
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
HANLEY TOWN
NWCFL
TBA
TBA
LITHERLAND REMCYA
NWCFL
TBA
TBA
Bacup Borough
NWCFL
TBA
TBA
Holker Old Boys
NWCFL
TBA
Apr 2
Irlam
# - AET 3-3 @ Full Time
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
7
8
9
10
11
12
14
15
16
17
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
Gregson
Andy Gillespie1
Golding1
Du Toit1
Rigby8
Lennon
Perry7
Hoult
Twist10
Duke
Du Toit
Andy Gillespie
Gregson
Golding
Rigby11
Baines8
Perry2
Hoult
Al Gillespie
Duke
Gregson
Andy Gillespie
Du Toit
Hoult1
Golding11
Baines
Davidson7
Twist6
Al Gillespie
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
Murphy
Morris
Andy Gillespie1
Lomax1
Rigby
A.Whelan2
Perry
Baines
Duke7
Du Toit8
Gregson1
Baines
Andy Gillespie1
Pegler1
Hoult
Woodhall7
Blayney
Marshall
Davies
Bradley10
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
2-3
2-1
0-2
2-2
4-1
3-0
3-0
Hanley Town
Holker Old Boys
3-2
Eccleshall
Daisy Hill
3-2
0-3
5-2
1-0 2-1
1-1
1-6
1-1
3-3 3-1
3-3
1-2
1-4
1-6
1-1
1-1
2-2
0-2
4-0
5-1
1-1
1-4
3-5
1-1
2-2 2-6
2-1
0-1
Daisy Hill
0-1
0-0
Chadderton
1-2
4-3
3-0
0-3
4-2
0-2
1-2
0-1
2-1
1-1
1-1
0-4
2-1
1-0
1-2
2-2
0-3
0-3
1-3 3-1
1-2
0-3
2-2
3-2
1-1
3-2
1-3
1-1
1-2
2-1
0-2
2-3
2-1
3-0
2-0
1-1
2-1
4-2
0-3
1-2
1-3
1-1
1-1
3-1 3-0
2-3
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 Saturday 12/12/15
3-3
2-2
3-2
2-3
4-1
4.3
4-2
4-3
0-1
Widnes
ST. HELENS TOWN AFC – A STATISTICAL HISTORY by Glyn Jones Part 63 - Season 2009-10 North West Counties League Team Newcastle Town New Mills Bootle Ramsbottom United Congleton Town Maine Road Glossop North End Colne St. Helens Town Padiham Runcorn Linnets Bacup Borough Squires Gate Silsden Formby Flixton Nelson Alsager Town Winsford United Atherton L.R. Ashton Athletic Abbey Hey Opponents Abbey Hey Alsager Town Ashton Athletic Atherton L.R. Bacup Borough Bootle Colne Congleton Town Flixton Formby Glossop North End Maine Road Nelson Newcastle Town New Mills Padiham Ramsbottom United Runcorn Linnets Silsden Squires Gate Winsford United
Pld 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 Home Nov 28 Mar 2 Aug 18 Sep 8 Feb 20 Aug 11 Mar 9 Dec 5 Apr 27 Oct 6 Nov 7 Apr 20 Oct 17 Aug 25 Jan 26 Feb 13 Dec 1 Nov 17 Apr 29 Oct 20 Mar 23
Won 37 27 26 24 24 21 19 19 20 18 17 15 15 13 14 12 12 11 11 10 8 7
Drn 3 9 7 9 8 7 12 10 6 6 6 12 8 7 3 8 8 7 7 7 8 6 Result Won 2-0 Drew 1-1 Won 2-0 Drew 2-2 Won 3-0 Drew 0-0 Lost 1-2 Won 2-1 Lost 1-2 Won 1-0 Lost 1-5 Drew 2-2 Won 4-0 Lost 1-3 Lost 0-4 Lost 1-2 Drew 3-3 Won 6-3 Won 1-0 Lost 0-4 Drew 0-0
Lst 2 6 9 9 10 14 11 13 16 18 19 15 19 22 25 22 22 24 24 25 26 29
For 121 108 92 92 90 82 74 70 74 71 75 63 61 53 57 54 47 60 53 53 51 49 Away Aug 8 Apr 13 Dec 12 Mar 16 Apr 24 Apr 15 Aug 22 Oct 13 Oct 10 Sep 19 Feb 6 Nov 3 Mar 13 Oct 24 Mar 6 May 8 Apr 3 Oct 3 Mar 20 Jan 30 May 1
Agt 21 38 41 69 46 59 49 65 75 71 78 75 74 75 81 85 87 79 79 96 101 106
Pts 114 90 85 81 80 70 69 67 66 60 57 57 53 46 45 44 44 40 40 37 32 27 Result Won 5-1 Won 3-1 Won 5-4 Won 1-0 Lost 1-2 Lost 0-3 Won 2-1 Lost 0-2 Won 2-0 Won 4-0 Lost 2-5 Lost 0-5 Won 2-1 Lost 0-3 Lost 1-2 Won 4-2 Lost 1-3 Won 2-1 Won 3-2 Won 2-1 Lost 0-2
Extra-Preliminary Preliminary st 1 Qualifying Round
Aug 15 Aug 29 Sep 12
1st Round Qualifying
Sep 5
nd
2 Round 3rd Round Quarter Final Semi-Final
Oct 31 Jan 23 Apr 6 Apr 10
1st Round
Oct 27
Player Anders, Paul Birch, Peter Burke, Chris Burns, Dave Clarke, Danny Cunningham, Craig Dyson, Iain Edwards, Stephen Elias, John Evans, Mark Fargher, Mike Faulkner, Luke Foster, Chris Foster, Jamie Frazer, Ian Gilchrist, Adam Gillespie, Andy Hanley, Rob Hatton, Brian Jones, Neil Kay, Stephen (Ben) Ledsham, Karl McCall, Graeme McLoughlin, Nick Mitchell, Graeme Mitchell, Phil Monteith, Paul Picton, Kevin Pitts, Dougie Riley, Lee Scully, Mike Stephens, Marc Thomas, Gareth Woods, Kevin Own Goals Totals
FA CUP Parkgate Colwyn Bay Cammell Laird FA VASE Padiham VODKAT LEAGUE CUP Colne Norton United Wigan Robin Park Winsford United LIVERPOOL SENIOR CUP WARRINGTON TOWN
Away Away Away
Won Won Lost
3-1 4-2 1-3
Away
Lost
3-4
Away Away Away Away
Won Won Won Lost
1-0 5-2 4-2 0-1
Home
Lost
1-2 AET
App 4 16 11 1 2 40 1 43 30 32 19 20 2 1 41 5 9 49 10 34 10 26 31 1 41 24 41 17
Sub Apps 1 6 1 4 4 3 7 1 4 3 1 2 8 17 1 4 10 8 2 2 9 5 3 3 1 3 6 9 1 1
Total Apps 5 22 12 5 4 5 47 1 44 34 35 20 2 8 37 3 1 45 15 17 49 10 36 12 35 36 3 4 42 3 30 50 1 18
561
130
691
Goals 1 1
22 1 2 5
21
3 5 9 4 1 14 4
3 96
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 Comabination 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 2014-15 South Lancs League U17s Cup Finalists 2014-15 Cheshire FA U21 League Champions 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
NWCFL 2015 Awards Payer of the Month Oct Andy Gillespie ‘Keeper of the Month Nov Matthew Hodge
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 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 L 2-1 Abbey Hey St Helens Town Abbey Hey FC 29/11/2015 W 3-4 Stockport Town St Helens Town Stockport Sports Village 06/12/2015 W 3-2 St Helens Town Rochdale Edge Hill University #2 20/12/2015 12:00 St Helens Town Abbey Hey Edge Hill University #2 03/01/2016 11:00 Southport St Helens Town Edge Hill University #1 10/01/2016 11:00 Rochdale St Helens Town Egerton Youth Club 17/01/2016 14:00 St Helens Town Abbey Hey Edge Hill University #2 24/01/2016 14:00 St Helens Town Bootle 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 08/11/2015 22/11/2015 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 L 1-0 Chester Colts L 1-4 St Helens Town L 5-4 Marine W 0-2 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 St Helens Town Egerton FC 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 Chester Edge Hill University Edge Hill University Across College Edge Hill University Mechnics Ground Edge Hill University Little Lever School Edge Hill University Rivacre Park
St Helens Town have announced plans for a 2016 club calendar, with the proceeds from sales going to the Steve Prescott Foundation. The charity was set up by the former St Helens and Hull rugby league star Steve Prescott, who died of a rare form of cancer in 2013. The work of the charity is now overseen by his wife Linzi, and raises money for nominated charities, and a grand total of £940,000 has been donated to causes since Steve started the Foundation in 2007.
St Helens Town are planning to produce an A4, full colour, glossy calendar which will feature match action photos and club images from this season from all four club teams at U18s, U21s, NWCFL and Sunday Open Age. Each month has been sponsored by local businesses and individuals and this will enable the club to pass on all proceeds from the sale to the charity. Town Chairman John McKiernan said: "The proposal for the calendar started as a club fundraising idea, but the committee quickly decided it would be a great idea to support a local charity, and in turn raise some money. "We had already put out a request on social media looking for sponsors who would be willing to pay £20 to have their details placed on a month within the calendar. The response was excellent, with enough current and new sponsors offering their support to realise the plan within 24 hours. Sponsors weren’t aware of our plans to assist the charity at the time of our request, but I am sure they will be happy they are supporting the club and the Foundation. Their sponsorship money has enabled the club to cover the initial print run costs and means more money for The Steve Prescott Foundation.’ The Calendars will go on sale at the end of November and will cost £5.00. They will be available from the club on match-days and from a number events being held by the Steve Prescott Foundation. For further details please contact John McKiernan on 07713 339 682 or email sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk As well as match days the calendars are available from: PC Problems Unit 18 St Mary’s Market, St Helens EcigUK 18 Hall Street, St Helens Johnsons Toyota Liverpool 60 Rimrose Raod, Bootle, Liverpool Kiera’s Occasions 2 North Road, St Helens The Blue Lion High Street, Newton-le-Willows
Q1. Which country has played in the most European Championship Finals matches (six) without a win?
Q2. Which League Two team play their home matches at Brunton Park? Q3. Which legendary Milan striker has won the Capocannoniere as top scorer in Serie A the most times? Q4. Which is the only Paraguayan side to win the Copa Libertadores? Q5. Who is the only Pakistani international to have played in the Premier League? Q6. Which League of Ireland side play at the excellently named “Hunky Dorys Park”? Q7. Which team conceded 106 goals last season in the Conference North the season after conceding 119 in the Conference Premier being relegated in both seasons? Q8. Which ground hosted Brighton’s home games from 1902 to 1997? Q9. Which League One club used to play at Gay Meadow? Q10. Which Premier League first does former Everton midfielder Robert Warzycha hold? Q11. Which team has reached three Scottish League Cup Finals without wining any? Q12. Which three players played every minute of the 2014-15 Premier League season? Q13. Which two teams appeared in the first FA Cup Final to be held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff? Q14. Which club have appeared in the most English top-flight seasons, 73 without ever winning the title?
1) Poland 2) Carlisle United 3) Gunnar Nordahl (5 times) 4) Olimpia (1979, 90 & 02) 5) Zesh Rehman 6) Drogheda United 7) Hyde 8) The Goldstone Ground 9) Shrewsbury Town 10) First player from mainland Europe to score in the Premier League 11) Dunfermline Athletic in 1950, 92 & 06 12) John Terry, Aaron Creswell & Tom Heaton 13) Arsenal & Liverpool in 2001 14) Bolton Wanderers
The present St. Helens Town club is in its 69th league season. The first two 1947-49 were spent in the Liverpool County Combination, the period 1949-75 in membership of the Lancashire Combination, followed by 7 years in the Cheshire League and the last 30 in the North West Counties League, where they are the only club in permanent membership of the top division.
During the early years, the newly reformed club had lofty ambitions, just as the original club had harboured in the early years of the last century. Success in the Liverpool County Combination culminated in the club’s first trophy, the George Mahon Cup, which was won in a thrilling final against Runcorn at Prescot on 7th May 1949. The following season, 1949/50, Town joined the Second Division of the Lancashire Combination, gaining promotion at the second attempt. Big crowds at Hoghton Road during the late 1940's and early 1950's
Back in 1951, long before the establishment of the football pyramid, the Lancashire Combination and the Cheshire League were widely regarded as the Football League’s Fifth Division. Leading clubs from both competitions vied for membership of the Football League. New Brighton had just failed to be reelected to the Third Division (North) and dropped into the Lancashire Combination, where they came up against Town on 20th October at the Tower Grounds, Garner and Sumner each scoring in a creditable 2-2 draw. Wigan Athletic were prominent members of the Combination (and, later on, the Cheshire League) and many St. Helens Town supporters were of the opinion that, whatever Wigan could do, Town could also do. There was a great deal of ambition around the Town club, built on the back of early successes, that a Football League place could be an achievable aim. After all, despite the competition from the Saints at Knowsley Road, several thousand men travelled from St. Helens every week to watch Everton and Liverpool. Success on the football field might well persuade a good number of those people to watch their football on their St. Helens doorsteps. Town’s first season in the First Division of the Lancashire Combination was an uphill struggle. Nevertheless, three wins from the last five games almost secured their status and they finished just two points adrift of Rossendale United in 20th place. 1952/53 began well enough and there were 6 wins and a draw from the first 7 games. However, there was unrest at Hoghton Road, where crowds were not as good as many thought they should be. It was generally thought that a move to a ground nearer the town centre would result in bigger support and with the bigger gates, the club would be able to attract better players and further its ambitions for Football League status. St. Helens Recs. Rugby League club had played professional rugby at City Road between the wars, but the Pilkingtons company had withdrawn their financial support in April 1939 and the ground had stood empty until 1949, when Pilkington Recs. were re-born as an amateur rugby league club. Pilkingtons were approached and the company’s board agreed to make City Road available to St. Helens Town. The Town Chairman, W. P. Smith, told the local press that the club had come to the cross-roads and a drastic solution to the club’s financial problems had to be found. It was a question of raising income or
disband. Not enough people were willing to pay their shilling at the gate. It was announced that a meeting would be held in the refreshment hut following the Droylsden game on 22nd November to discuss the proposed move. The momentous decision was taken to relocate to City Road and the first game, a Liverpool Non-League Cup game against Stoneycroft, resulted in an 8-1 victory. The following week, 6th December, Morecambe Reserves were dispatched 8-0. Ronnie Rigby scored 4 goals in each match.
St Helens Town 2-1 Runcorn Town George Mahon Trophy Final Saturday 7th May 1949
Crowds were encouraging at first, although they were a little disappointing if Saints were at home the same day. The season was quite successful, but Town ran out of steam towards the end, finishing in fourth place and just missing out on promotion.
1953/54 season began at City Road but, by the end of October, Town were back at Hoghton Road and the ground was taken off the market. A renewed appeal was made for more volunteers to assist the club and for supporters to be militant, rather than passive and to back the club’s ten shilling shares scheme to secure the club’s financial future. Part-way through the season, First Division Bootle folded and Town made application to take over their fixtures. However, their application was rejected and the season ended with some poor results. The following campaign, 1954/55, was worse and the club finished in eighteenth position yet, curiously, were promoted back to the St Helens Town 1950s First Division. Predictably, 1955/56, in the First Division, was a bridge too far. Three wins and three draws from 38 games (conceding 110 goals) resulted in a last place finish and, more importantly, the bitter realisation that ambitions for higher status were further away than ever before. Glyn Jones
TOWN LEFT TO CONCENTRATE ON PLAY-OFF PUSH Chadderton 6, St. Helens Town 3 (after extra-time) by Glyn Jones St. Helens Town had to concede home advantage to Chadderton in this Second Round Reusch First Division Trophy game, following two postponements at Brocstedes Park, so they travelled to Andrew Street on Wednesday night knowing they would be up against a team Town had already beaten twice, 3-1 at home and away in league encounters earlier in the campaign, looking to avenge those two defeats. The windy conditions certainly enabled the sides to blow away the cobwebs, as both had only played once since 31st October, due to the prolonged wet weather. As in the season’s opening game, the home side started the stronger and they took a deserved lead when Leon Iluobe, who was to prove a constant thorn in Town’s side, laid on a low cross to set up the opening goal for Daniel Murray after 20 minutes. Town fought back and Adam Lawrence tested home keeper Matt Green from 20 yards before Iluobe missed a golden opportunity to double his side’s lead. Town’s equaliser came in the 36th minute, a rather flat freekick from Alex Gillespie from out on the touchline being headed past Green by Declan Gregson. St. Helens had a couple more chances before the interval, but had to settle for parity after 45 minutes.
However, they began the second half like a train and went 2-1 up after a goalmouth scramble which ended with Ed Pegler netting at close range after 48 minutes. The lead was soon stretched to 3-1 when Pegler broke through the home defence to set up Andy Gillespie for his 16th goal of the season. From a position of strength, Town were torn apart by the athletic Iluobe, who scored again in the remaining half-hour along with a strike from Ledjon to send the game into extra-time at 3-3. Immediately from the re-start, Chadderton seized the lead at 4-3 and Town simply had no answer as Iluobe netted his third goal soon after half-time in extra-time and although Gregson tested Green with a freekick five minutes before the end, Chadderton made the game safe at 6-3 when substitute Andrew Booth, almost three yards off-side, was put clean through by the ubiquitous Iluobe with the last kick of the match, to set up a trip to Hanley Town in the Quarter-Final. Town are now out of all the cup competitions and sit handily in mid-table, with 20 games left, to launch their assault on the play-off placings. Many of the teams above them have been beating each other in recent weeks, so a run of good form could send St. Helens into the leading group.
www.sthelenstownafc.com
at St Helens Town NWC-D1
Previous Meetings 2000-01
at Eccleshall MIDL
L
NWC-D1
2001-02
MIDL
2002-03
MIDL
St Helens Town - last 6 matches All Competitions
Home
Most recent
D
D
W
W
L
Away
L
L
L
L
W
L
NWC-D1
Collated
L
L
L
W
L
L
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
19/12/2015
2015-16
23/01/2016
Eccleshall - last 6 matches All Competitions
Most recent
Home
D
L
D
D
W
W
Away
L
D
L
W
L
L
Collated
L
W
L
L
W
W
Eccleshall
St Helens Town games since...
games since...
All Competitions
All Competitions
Clean sheet
14
Clean sheet
0
Goal Scored
0
Goal Scored
0
Loss
0
Loss
2
No score draw
51
No score draw
St Helens Town Scores First Games Played
0
St Helens Town Wins
0
Draws
0
Eccleshall Wins
0
St Helens Town Goals
0
6
Score draw
10
Score draw
8
Win
2
Win
0
Eccleshall Goals
0
Percentage Town Wins
0.00
Previous Meetings All Competitions P
W
D
L
F
A
GD
Win %
Home
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.00
Away
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.00
Collated
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.00
Town 2-6 Daisy Hill NWCFL Division One Saturday 21st November2015
Bootle Football Club have announced that a ground share agreement has been reached with the newly formed City of Liverpool FC. The deal will start at the beginning of the 2016/2017 season and will see City of Liverpool FC play all their home matches at Bootle’s Delta Taxis Stadium. Terms of the ground share agreement will not be disclosed by either Club but an agreement was reached between Bootle and COLFC following meetings held at The Delta Taxis Stadium in November with the official contracts to be signed this week.
1874 Northwich supporters have once again answered the club's call to support local causes. Last weekend the club once again appealed for donations to Mid Cheshire Food Bank, and asked for Christmas selection boxes to be donated to enable the Food Bank to spread a little Christmas cheer to the children they support. An amazing 159 selection boxes and 54 other chocolate gifts were donated by supporters attending the game against Atherton Collieries, and other financial contributions meant that the Community Team could buy more selection boxes after the match. Phil Burgess, the club's Community Team representative commented: "I have to say that our supporters have stepped up to support this cause again - we did not push it, but everyone showed what a generous spirit and heart they have. "We were totally amazed by the quantity that was collected, a massive thank you and Merry Christmas to everyone". Meanwhile, at the recent 1874 Christmas party, representatives of 1874 Northwich FC Community Team were pleased to present a cheque to the NeuroMuscular Centre. Debbie Leather, a Trustee of the charity and 1874 Northwich supporter, accepted the cheque for ÂŁ250 from Community Team members Philip Burgess and Stephen Richardson. The money was raised following a collaboration between 1874 Northwich FC and Moulton Drama Group.
First Division Table as at Saturday 12th December 2015 First Division
P
W D
L
F
A GD Pts
Saturday 19th December 2015
Premier Division Abbey Hey v Runcorn Town
1
Cheadle Town
18
9
6
3
46 31 15 33
2
Barnton
15
9
2
4
38 20 18 29
3
Hanley Town
12
9
1
2
24 12 12 28
4
Stockport Town
17
8
3
6
32 34
5
Irlam
14
8
2
4
28 12 16 26
6
Ashton Town
13
8
1
4
33 18 15 25
7
Holker Old Boys
12
7
3
2
28 18 10 24
Winsford United v Nelson
8
Litherland REMYCA
15
6
4
5
22 20
2
22
First Division
9
Bacup Borough
14
6
3
5
33 26
7
21
10
St Helens Town
14
6
2
6
30 33
-3 20
11
Northwich Man Villa
15
5
3
7
30 33
-3 18
12
Daisy Hill
17
5
3
9
26 46 -20 18
13
Rochdale Town
15
4
4
7
23 35 -12 16
14
Atherton LR
15
4
3
8
19 34 -15 15
15
Chadderton
14
3
5
6
20 25
-5 14
Monday 21st December 2015
16
Widnes
17
3
5
9
36 42
-6 14
Atherton Collieries v Colne
17
Whitchurch Alport
18
1
9
8
24 46 -22 12
18
Eccleshall
11
2
1
8
18 25
AFC Darwen v AFC Blackpool
-2 27
AFC Liverpool v Barnoldswick Town Bootle v 1874 Northwich Cammell Laird 1907 v Padiham
Congleton Town v Colne Runcorn Linnets v Alsager Town Silsden v Atherton Collieries Squires Gate v Maine Road West Dids & Chorlton v Ashton Athletic
Chadderton v Whitchurch Alport Cheadle Town v Bacup Borough Daisy Hill v Hanley Town
Holker Old Boys v Ashton Town
* points deducted for a breach of league rules
-7
7
Northwich Man Villa v Litherland REMYCA Rochdale Town v Irlam St Helens Town v Eccleshall Stockport Town v Atherton LR Widnes v Barnton
Premier Division
Tuesday 22nd December 2015 The Men United Cup 3rd Round 1874 Northwich v Ashton Athletic
Premier Division Table as at Saturday 12th December 2015 Premier Division
P
W D
L
F
A GD Pts
1
Runcorn Linnets
19 14 0
5
44 18 26 42
2
1874 Northwich
21 12 4
5
47 38
3
Colne
17 12 3
2
48 23 25 39
4
Bootle
22 12 3
7
45 40
5
AFC Liverpool
22 10 6
6
60 45 15 36
6
Runcorn Town
20 11 3
6
47 32 15 36
7
Atherton Collieries
16 10 3
3
48 33 15 33
8
West Didsbury & Chorlton
21 10 1
10 42 36
6
31
9
Barnoldswick Town
19
9
3
7
40 31
9
30
10
Cammell Laird 1907
23
8
6
9
47 44
3
30
11
Ashton Athletic
21
8
5
8
32 30
2
29
12
Abbey Hey
17
8
4
5
33 28
5
28
13
Winsford United
22
7
6
9
34 47 -13 27
14
Congleton Town
18
7
4
7
34 35 -1 25
15
Maine Road
22
7
3
12 39 48 -9 24
16
Nelson
19
7
2
10 34 33
17
AFC Darwen
20
6
4
10 43 60 -17 22
18
Padiham
19
6
3
10 36 41 -5 21
19
Silsden
17
4
4
9
20
Squires Gate
19
4
4
11 26 49 -23 16
21
AFC Blackpool
19
4
3
12 31 55 -24 15
22
Alsager Town
17
1
2
14 23 49 -26 5
9
5
1
40
39
23
25 43 -18 16
* points deducted for a breach of league rules
Saturday 26th December 2015 Premier Division Abbey Hey v Atherton Collieries AFC Blackpool v Squires Gate Alsager Town v Congleton Town Barnoldswick Town v Silsden Bootle v AFC Liverpool Cammell Laird 1907 v Ashton Athletic Nelson v Colne Padiham v AFC Darwen Runcorn Town v Runcorn Linnets Winsford United v 1874 Northwich First Division Ashton Town v St Helens Town Bacup Borough v Holker Old Boys Barnton v Eccleshall Chadderton v Stockport Town Daisy Hill v Atherton LR Irlam v Cheadle Town Rochdale Town v Northwich Manchester Villa Whitchurch Alport v Hanley Town Sunday 27th December 2015 Premier Division Maine Road v West Didsbury & Chorlton Saturday 2nd January 2016 Premier Division 1874 Northwich v Cammell Laird 1907 AFC Darwen v Bootle Alsager Town v AFC Liverpool Atherton Collieries v Ashton Athletic Colne v AFC Blackpool Congleton Town v Maine Road Padiham v Nelson Runcorn Linnets v Winsford United Silsden v Abbey Hey Squires Gate v Barnoldswick Town West Didsbury & Chorlton v Runcorn Town First Division Atherton LR v St Helens Town Cheadle Town v Ashton Town Eccleshall v Whitchurch Alport Hanley Town v Irlam Holker Old Boys v Daisy Hill Northwich Manchester Villa v Chadderton Rochdale Town v Barnton Stockport Town v Litherland REMYCA Widnes v Bacup Borough