CLUB INFORMATION Honorary Life President: Alan Wellens Vice Presidents: Jim Barrett and Steve Ball Chairman: John McKiernan (07713 339682) Vice Chairman: Glyn Jones Hon. Secretary/Treasurer: Jeff Voller (07843 692695)
Saturday 22nd August 2015, 3.00pm NWCFL, First Division St Helens Town
Irlam FC
Red & White Shirts White Shorts, Red & White Socks No
Graham McLoughlin
Gls Y R
Blue Shirts Blue Shorts & Blue Socks No
Jake Aldred
Matty Davidson
Liam Green
Sean Kelly
Richard Peters
Ant Whelan
Ryan Longworth
Dale Sealey
Hospitality: Margaret Wood and Paul Wood
Conor Braithwaite
David Baines
Jacques Kpohgomou
Trustees: John McKiernan and Eric Bond
Jordan Lorde
Gareth Mooney
Johan Du Toit
Isaac Illidge
1st Team Joint Managers: Alan Gillespie & Nick Matthews
Andy Gillespie
Adam Campbell
Alex Nwachukwu
Dean Burgess
U21s Team Manager: John McLaughlan
Jack Marshall
Daniel Eyres
U21s Assistant Manager: Billy Davies
Dom Whelan
Thomas Russell
Charlie Duke
Lewis Adams
U18s Team Manager: Ellis Hawksworth
Alex Russell
Jordan Southworth
Marcus Perry
Lee Grimshaw
U18s Assistant Manager: Alex Jardine
Tom Bradley
Jacob Holt
Sunday Team Manager: David Platt
Managers: Alan Gillespie and Nick Matthews
Full Committee: John McKiernan, Jeff Voller, Jim Barrett, Ste Ball, Paul Wood, Margaret Wood, Chris Ford and Glyn Jones.
Club Email: sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk
Main Club Sponsor: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool
Gls Y R
Managers: Steve Nixon Assistant: Chris Boardman
Referee: Mr Z Bamber (Blackburn) Assist: Mr H Daniels (Blackpool) & Mr C Hughes (Preston)
Match Sponsor
Shirt Sponsor: EcigUK St Helens Legal: St Helens Town Limited Private Limited Company Company No. 04392840 Date of Incorporation 12.03.2002 Company Director: Jim Barrett Parent Company: A wholly owned subsidiary of Sporting Club St Helens Limited Cover Photograph: Jack Marshall in FA Cup action at Maine Road last Saturday
Johnsons Toyota Liverpool 60 Rimrose Road, Bootle, Merseyside L20 4TX Telephone: 0151 922 9777 Match Ball Sponsor
Next Home Game: Saturday 29th August 2015 St Helens Town v Rochdale T NWCL, Division One Adults £5, Concessions £3
Good afternoon and welcome to Brocstedes Park for this North West Counties Football League, First Division contest against our friends from Irlam. May I open by welcoming our visitors I hope they enjoy the short time they will spend with us and have a safe journey home after the game. It has been an interesting start to the new season for all at St Helens Town as we adjust to life in the First Division of the North West Counties League. It is fair to say that we have dominated spells of all three contests we have been involved in so far this season.
The fixture computer gave us quite a difficult start as we visited defeated play off semi finalists Chadderton. It is fair to say that we had a slow start and went behind to what was overall a sloppy goal but we responded well and levelled when persistence from Jack Marshall saw him slalom through a couple of industrial challenges to retain the ball and got a shot off from an acute angle which went in via the inside of the right hand upright and the sides went in level at the break. The second period saw almost complete dominance from Town and this culminated in two late goals from Alex Russell and Jordan Lorde secured the points We then hosted Atherton LR and again started slowly but by the midway point of the first period they were well in control and netted their first goal when Lorde’s goalbound effort was adjudged to have crossed the line and before the interval Andy Gillespie doubled the lead when he fired home from close range. After the break the visitors make a spirited revival as they tried to reduce arrears but Town absorbed the pressure and made it 3-0 when Marcus Perry just on as a substitute latched onto a through ball racing away from the defenders and firing home. LR pulled one back with just under 10 minutes remaining but Town restored their three goal cushion soon afterwards when Gillespie broke and lofted an effort over the advancing goalkeeper to make it a maximum return from the opening two contests. Saturday saw Town in FA Cup action when they visited Maine Road and got off to the worst possible start when they conceded a sloppy goal after 5 minutes when an in swinging corner caused problems in the Town box and the ball hit David Baines and found the corner of the net. The response from the visitors was swift as a free kick on 13 minutes saw Town level matters when skipper Gillespie's goal bounded effort took a deflection centrally which wrong footed the keeper and found the bottom left hand corner. The rest of the half belonged to the visitors as they dominated possession Gillespie attempted an overhead kick which was held by the home stopper and Jordan Lorde was denied by a well-timed touch from a recovering defender. As the half wore on further pressure saw another free kick from Gillespie tipped over the bar by Ryan Livesey and the scores were level at the interval. In the second half the game was more even and it looked like the next goal would be the winner and when it came was a fine move from the hosts which released substitute Nick Osborne, he collected a flick from a team mate and got into the box before firing home the decisive goal to send the Manchester club into the next round. Onto this afternoons contest which will be a difficult challenge as we host an Irlam outfit who started the season off with back to back victories over Northwich Manchester Villa and Ashton Town before narrowly losing 1-0 at Barnton and had a good come from behind victory at home to Stockport Town in midweek securing a 2-1 win to record a third win.
Let’s get behind Town this afternoon and hopefully cheer them onto victory. Enjoy the game . . . Jeff Voller
This particular section of Mitchell Shackleton Football Club was founded in October 1969 by a group of employees working for Mitchell, Shackleton and Company Limited, a well established engineering company based in Patricroft, Eccles, which manufactures marine and diesel crankshafts. The founding members of Mitchell Shackleton Football Club were Bob Cowlishaw (Chairman), Bill Russell (Secretary) and Charlie Flynn (Treasurer, who served the Club also served as Secretary with distinction from 1981 until his death in 1994). They were ably supported by a Committee comprising of Alf Johnson (now Club President), Ged Moore (Kit Manager) and Stan Catlin (Team Manager). Although the Cub has been in existence for over 30 years, Mitchell Shackleton FC can trace teams playing under the Company's banner as far back as 1935. Initially, the Football Club was financially supported through the Company's active Sports and Social Club, however the recession of the late 1970's led to the Company restructuring it's business interests, and unfortunately a reduction in the workforce. These events inevitably led to the dissolution of the Sports and Social Club, and a splintering of the various sporting sections with each individual group becoming self-financing. The Football Section based its headquarters at the Oddfellows Arms, Patricroft, before moving to St Michaels Community Centre, Peel Green in 1973, which was to become the Club's permanent base for the next 29 years. Mitchell Shackleton FC entered the Eccles and District Amateur Football League in 1970 where the Club established itself without winning any major honours. After a two-year association with the Eccles League, the Club sought pastures new by joining the Manchester Amateur League in season 1972-73.
It was in the Manchester Amateur League that the Club's reputation began to grow, winning the Third Division (1973-74) and Second Division (1974-75) Championships in successive seasons, and in 1975 a reserve team was formed. Between 1976 and 1978, the Club went through a transitional phase with younger players being introduced to the first team, and the formation of a new management team of George Walker, Billy Hall and Jimmy Preston. During this period, a re-structuring of the League saw Mitchells competing in the Industrial 'B' Division, in which the Club were runners-up in 1979-80. In season 1983-84, Mitchells finished Industrial 'A' Division runners-up, but ended the season on a high by winning the Gosling Cup. Industrial 'A' Division runners-up once again in season 1985-86, and defeated finalists in the Gosling Cup of 1988-89 signalled the end of the Club's 17 year association with the Manchester Amateur League with Mitchells again looking for a new challenge by joining the Manchester League in 1989. Mitchells quickly found their feet and gained promotion to the Premier Division at the second attempt, finishing as First Division runners-up in 1991. A change of management saw Paul Traynor and Kenny Davies take on the first team responsibilities, with George Walker and Ron Parker managing the reserves. In 1993, Mitchells reached the Gilgryst Cup Final, only to lose out to Woodley Sports in the Final. 1994 saw the formation of a third team which was entered into the Eccles and District League, and in the same year, Paul Traynor departed due to work commitments and Kenny Davies assumed control, ably assisted by Billy Hall. This management team took Mitchells to their highest ever league position in the Premier Division, runners-up to Abbey Hey in 1995. The Club was rocked prior to the commencement of 1997-98 season when Kenny Davies walked out, taking with him several first team players to local rivals Monton Amateurs. Dave Rowan and Craig Woodley, who had forged a successful partnership with the reserves, were promoted and asked to rebuild the side. Roy Bluer, a successful manager in Sunday football, was recruited to run the reserves. By
the end of December 1997, the first team were rock bottom of the Premier Division with two points, and were twelve points adrift and facing certain relegation. However, the Club kept faith with its management team and a run of six wins, three draws and only two defeats saw Mitchells catch the side above them. Losses in the next two games saw Mitchells drop into the bottom two, but a dramatic win against fellow strugglers Wythenshawe Town and mid-table Monton Amateurs saw the Club stave of relegation. The start of the 2001-02 season saw the Club change its title to Irlam MS in anticipation of a proposed move to Irlam, which is still ongoing. It also saw the departure of Craig Woodley and the formation of a new management team of Rowan, former Willows boss Gary Fellows, and team coach Dave Mann, who have rebuilt the squad and introduced several young prospects. League form fell short of early expectations, but the team did put together a good Gilgryst Cup nun to reach Mitchell Shackleton were proud winners of the Albert Booth Sportsmanship Trophy in 1998-99, a testament to the spirit in which the Club plays the game. A major change at the Club occurred in 2002 when Mitchells were informed that Salteye Park, their existing ground was to be purchased and subsequently be used for what is now to become the new Salford Reds rugby League stadium. The hunt was on for a new ground, and with compensation from their move, plus football foundation assistance, Silver St in Irlam , once home to Irlam Town became an obvious choice. The new ground at Silver St was officially opened in 2003 with a visit from Brian McClair's Milk Cup winning, Manchester United youth team.
A further name change saw Irlam MS become Irlam FC, and the appointment of Warren Dodd as secretary of the Club, from Irlam Rangers Junior Club saw development increase at the ground. The Clubs performances to date have fluctuated in the NWCFL as the Club adjusts to the higher level of competition. Previous managers Dave Mann, Ryan Gilligan and Nick Parker have all poured their effort and commitment into the Club, culminating in the most recent appointment, Steve Nixon, a local manager with an impeccable coaching CV. Despite Irlam's lowest finish to a campaign in its six seasons in the NWCFL a decent finish to the season provided the Club with an optimistic outlook for 2013/14 but the season was a learning curve for the new management team and presented plenty of positives from probably the youngest squad in the league. A large pool of players competing in the 1st Division, Res Division and North West Youth Alliance league really put the accent on youth at the Club. Notable highlights for the 1st team was a final appearance in the Manchester FA Premier Cup, along with a mid table finish in Division One. With management team Steve Nixon and Chris Boardman once more at the helm for 2014/2015, it was hoped that the talented young players would really push on but again they had an inconsistent season putting in some excellent performances including taking Town to extra time in their FA Vase contest but ultimately not getting results and they finished the season in 14th position.
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 MANC-P MANC-P MANC-P MANC-P MANC-P MANC-P MANC-P MANC-P NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1
P 28 28 30 30 28 32 36 36 34 32 34 34 34 36 36
W 13 11 18 15 20 9 17 18 13 12 14 13 9 14 11
D 7 9 5 1 3 4 7 4 13 7 5 5 6 8 8
L 8 8 7 14 5 19 12 14 8 13 15 16 19 14 17
F 56 55 67 82 79 67 69 79 51 52 63 68 47 53 51
A 37 41 43 57 32 81 52 53 43 45 69 75 72 64 64
GD 19 14 24 25 47 -14 17 26 8 7 -6 -7 -25 -11 -13
Pts 46 42 59 46 63 31 58 58 52 43 47 44 33 50 41
Position 4/15 8/15 1/16 7/16 2/15 15/17 5/19 8/19 8/18 10/17 9/18 10/18 14/18 10/19 14/19
St Helens Town - last 6 matches All Competitions
Most recent
at St Helens Town NWC-D1
Previous Meetings 2000-01
at Irlam MANC-PD
Home
L
L
W
W
D
W
NWC-D1
2001-02
MANC-PD
Away
L
L
L
L
W
L
NWC-D1
2002-03
MANC-PD
Collated
L
W
D
W
W
L
NWC-D1
2003-04
MANC-PD
NWC-D1
2004-05
MANC-PD
NWC-D1
2005-06
MANC-PD
NWC-D1
2006-07
MANC-PD
NWC-D1
2007-08
MANC-PD
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
22/08/2015
2015-16
02/04/2016
Irlam - last 6 matches All Competitions
Most recent
Home
L
W
W
D
W
18/8
Away
W
L
L
L
W
L
Collated
L
L
W
W
L
1W
St Helens Town games since...
Irlam games since...
All Competitions
All Competitions
Clean sheet
4
Goal Scored
0
Clean sheet
2
Goal Scored
St Helens Town Scores First
0
Loss
0
Loss
1
No score draw
34
No score draw
6
Score draw
3
Score draw
Win
1
Win
Games Played
0
St Helens Town Wins
0
Draws
0
Irlam Wins
0
13
St Helens Town Goals
0
Irlam Goals
0
0
Percentage Town Wins
N/A
Previous Meetings
All Competitions P
W
D
L
F
A
GD
Win %
Home
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.00
Away
1
1
0
0
2
1
1
100.00
Collated
1
1
0
0
2
1
1
100.00
Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to Brocstedes Park for this North West Counties Football League Division One encounter with Irlam FC. Let’s hope our first time visitors have had a safe journey and along with today’s match officials and our own support are treated to an entertaining encounter. It’s the first league meeting between our two sides with the only previous encounter coming during last season’s superb FA Carlsberg Vase run when Ian Price’s charges recorded a hard-fought extra time 12 win at Silver Street – goals from Nathan Ogden and Karl Bergqvist. Our visitors have had a good start to the season having taken 9 points from a possible 12 including a late winner this midweek when coming from a goal behind to win 2-1 against new boys Stockport Town - Gareth Mooney (57) and Jordan Southworth (87) hitting the goals. Congratulations to Irlam who made a huge step forward over the summer with the opening of a very impressive looking new-build clubhouse that will be the envy of many clubs at our level. It adds to an already impressive set-up at Silver Street and I look forward to seeing it in the ‘flesh’ later in the season. Our opening day win at Chadderton was followed by a 4-1 home win over neighbours Atherton LR containing former Town favourites Brian Hatton and Ian Fraser. Last Saturday our Emirates FA Cup exploits started and ended for another season when we went down 2-1 at Maine Road. Despite dominating long periods of the game we failed to take full advantage and I know the lads were disappointed not to have secured at least a replay. We are continuing to work hard on the sponsorship and commercial aspect of the club – vital as we aim for a speedy return to the borough of St Helens. We welcome on board another new sponsor this week – Warrington Motors who have agreed to sponsor the club’s home Man of the Match awards as well as sponsoring youngster Charlie Duke. Match sponsors will choose the Warrington Motors Man of the Match who will receive an engraved medal as a memento. Each MoM recipient will also receive two tickets for the Laughter Factory UK, a professional comedy club held each month at the Citadel in St Helens (thanks to Phil Knight). We are also delighted to welcome our new U21s team shirt sponsor Pound Plus, Church Square Shopping Centre, St Helens. They will join associate shirt sponsor Toast Café, St Helens who will appear on the back of both the U18s and U21s shirts.
We’ve done extremely well with almost twenty player sponsors and I’d like to thank supporter Brian Wright who has helped significantly; providing access to his numerous business contacts. We are still looking for a couple of player sponsors (£100 for the whole season) - please get in touch if you can assist.
Off the field our main aim this season has to be to generate enough income in support of all our teams. We’re looking to ensure as many of our games here at Ashton Athletic are sponsored and we still have a number of Match and Ball packages from just £50 which includes guest entry, free programmes, advertising space, social media and website coverage, match-day photos, etc – real value for any business or individuals wishing to support us. The U18s North West Youth Alliance League campaign started with a win last Sunday afternoon when goals from Tom Gibbings, Liam Beech and Reece Hughes saw Ellis Hawksworth’s side run out 1 -3 winners at Egerton U18s. On the same afternoon our U21s were in friendly action at Daten FC and despite being 1-0 down at half time two goals from Rivan Fisher and another from Brad Green earned them a 1-3 win. The U18s continue tomorrow with a home fixture against Nelson Youth at Edge Hill University, 2.30pm while and at the same venue the U21s start the defence of their Cheshire FA u21s title with a tough opener against Bootle U21s, 12 noon kick off. There’s been a couple of changes to the opening fixture list with Rochdale Town now our visitors next Saturday (29th August) as Holker Old Boys remain in the FA Cup; while on October 10th we now entertain Chadderton following an adjustment to fixtures because of other club’s involvement the Staffordshire FA Vase. Enjoy the game . . . . . . and we’ll hopefully see you next weekend. John McKiernan Chairman St Helens Town AFC 07713 339 682 www.sthelenstownafc.com twitter.com/sthelenstownfc
St Helens Town AFC 2014-15 Johnsons Toyota Liverpool Presentation Evening Award Winners
1st Team sponsored by Eciguk St Helens The Bert Trautmann Trophy 1st Team Player of the Year Award - Aaron Morris The Bill Foulkes Trophy 1st Team Players Player of the Year Award - Aaron Morris The Tommy O'Neil Cup 1st Team Young Player of the Year - Rory Crowther 1st Team Golden Boot - Top Goal Scorer Award - Andy Gillespie U21s sponsored by Bizspace UK & Toast Café Cheshire FA U21s Champions 2014-15 Under 21s Player of the Year Award - Dominic Whelan Under 21s Players Player of the Year Award Marcus Perry U21s Golden Boot - Top Goal Scorer Award - Marcus Perry U18s sponsored by Bizspace UK and Toast Café U18s Player of the Year Award - Jonathan Dugdale U18s Players Player of the Year Award - Jordan Wynne U18s Parents Player of the Year Award - Jordan Wynne U18s Golden Boot - Top Goal Scorer Award - Jordan Wynne & Connor Jamieson U17s sponsored by Battmar Recovery South Lancs Counties League Wilf Hickson Memorial Cup Final Runners Up U17s Player of the Year Award - Liam Murray U17s Players Player of the Year Award - Joe Stanley U17s Parents Player of the Year Award - Tom Gibbings U17s Golden Boot - Top Goal Scorer Award - Reece Hughes Veterans sponsored by Contego Security UK Veterans Player of the Year Award - James Makin Veterans Players Player of the Year Award - Matty Nation Veterans Golden Boot - Top Goal Scorer Award - Dave Platt and Karl Johnson Club Persons of the Year - Debra Voller and Jodie
Forgotten Football Last November I had plans to visit Bishop Auckland, a club whose name I remember from my childhood, ticking one of the boxes off my football list. However, having barely left Manchester on the train Twitter informed me that the match was off. For the groundhoppers the world over, this is where we jump into action, where else can I get to? Is that on? Is it definitely on? What happens if that is off? So on and so on. This time I dropped lucky, very lucky. Crook Town were at home and it was on. I arrived at Mirfield, their home, to find a wonderful old ground, a ground that once had 17,000 on it, yes 17,000 for an FA Amateur Cup match. A ground that had its floodlights opened in 1968 by the then league champions Manchester City. Their full team including the legendary forward line of Lee, Bell and Summerbee all playing. You cannot imagine the present side risking Aguero, Toure and Silva to play in such a match can you? I was informed about this by a couple of club volunteers, their enthusiasm for the club is replicated all over the world by similar fanatics, one of the gents had even named his daughter Amber after the clubs colours. Whilst I am not sure that Amber shares her father’s enthusiasm for Crook Town, I would love to know just how he managed to sell the idea to her mother. I learned 2 incredible pieces of information that afternoon, firstly that in the 1970’s Crook Town went on a tour of India, culminating in a match against the national side in front of 100,000. Incredible eh, that a non-league side from the North East of England managed to get such an invitation and crowd. For the second, I have to digress slightly, in 1909 and 1911 West Auckland, also of the Northern League, somehow managed to find themselves invited to take part in the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy in Turin. Whilst a little misleading, it is referred to as the first World Cup, probably more Champions League; anyway, West Auckland won the competition both times, beating the mighty Juventus 6-1 in the second final. In their 1909 winning side was a man called Jack Greenwell. Ever heard of him? No, me neither. I really have to wonder why we have not heard more of Mr Greenwell. His legacy is quite something. Jack started out at his hometown team of Crook Town before his move to West Auckland. His next club, Barcelona. Not sure how, but that was it, he played 88 matches for the Catalonians, scoring 12 goals. He also managed to arrange for his old club Crook Town to tour Spain and play against Barcelona. In one game Town won 4-2, drawing the other two. After hanging his boots up Jack then managed the club for the next 7 seasons and later on for another 2. Only Johan Cruyff has managed Barca for a longer period. He also managed Espanyol, Mallorca, Valencia and Sporting Gijon. Fleeing the Spanish Civil War he ended up in Peru, where he eventually became the only non-South American coach to date to win the South American Championship with his new home country. How on earth did it take a club enthusiast at Crook Town to tell me all about this? With all the footballing ‘heroes’ we have these days, many of whom achieve very little, here we have a genuine national treasure, someone who has left his mark on the beautiful game and should have a greater profile than he currently has. www.footballspoon.net
New sponsor deal kicks off for Town youngsters Fusion21 have teamed up with St Helens Town U18s to sponsor the team during the 2015-16 season. The social enterprise’s brand will appear on the youngsters’ training kit and the team will also be provided with a range of products including bottled water and sports bottles which can be used during training sessions and on match days. With their headquarters in Knowsley the company uses its public sector procurement expertise to generate a surplus which is reinvested in communities to create positive social outcomes.
Town Chairman John McKiernan said, ‘I am delighted with the continued support offered by Fusion21 and a lot of our work is about creating and developing partnerships with a broader benefit, which in a small way mirrors the work undertaken nationally by Fusion21. ‘Business and community support continues to be the life-blood of club’s like ours and the Fusion21 partnership is another boost in advance of the new season and I look forward to seeing the training kit on show.’
Dave Neilson, Chief Executive of Fusion21, said: ‘By supporting the club we are continuing to help deliver social value which is core to what we do. We hope they have a very successful season.’
West Didsbury & Chorlton have announced that Chorlton-based estate agent Belvoir wil be their first team kit sponsor this season. The firm, who have offices in Chorlton and Manchester city centre, launched their new brand identity as main shirt sponsors for the club before Saturday’s home game with Atherton Collieries. Belvoir have supported the club in recent years as it has progressed from local football to the Premier Division of the North West Counties Football League and Matt Duckett and Vishal Gupta were on hand at Saturday's opening fixture to present the new kit to West player manager Steve Settle and club Chairman Glyn Meacher. Belvoir local manager Matt Duckett said: "As a local company Belvoir is delighted to be putting something back into the community to support the local non-league club at West which has been around for over 100 years since its foundation in 1908. We've been delighted to see club progress in recent years and it was a pleasure to attend the opening league game last Saturday.” West Chairman Glyn Meacher added: “We are delighted that Belvoir has chosen to get involved with the football club and it really shows that we are getting things right both on and off the field. As we’ve progressed through the divisions, we’ve strived to do things ‘the right way’. Belvoir is a confirmation that we are doing that and we very pleased to have them on board”. In the first of what will be a regular blog post, new League Chairman Paul Lawler hails the unsung heroes who spend their summers working hard for their clubs. The start of the new North West Counties Football League season last weekend will have come as welcome relief to the many volunteers at the League and our clubs. While the return of football is great, for those of us who work in the game, it allows them to get back into the matchday routine. I laugh every summer when people comment that it must be nice to have a break from football once the season finishes. As anyone who runs a club or a league knows, there is no such thing! We wish. The end of the season marks the start of a period of summer madness where we are rush around in preparation for the campaign still months away. Pitches need repairing, new equipment needs purchasing, sponsors need sourcing, and the close season gives most clubs the opportunity to catch up on the jobs you don’t have time to sort in the season. Head down to your local ground on a balmy summers afternoon and you will no doubt witness a team of volunteers busily working away. Without this dedicated band of individuals, our clubs would not be what they are. It’s the same with the league. Preparations for the new season begin as soon at the old season starts and generally doesn’t end until kick off on the first Saturday of the season. For me, I was working until 2am on Saturday morning with the League’s website editor Martin Fallon trying to get the new League website live for the morning of the new season. The website is the culmination of several hundred hours of work, all done by the in-house team. It is the same with other key jobs within the League. For example, our Secretary John Deal has been working tirelessly throughout the summer organising everything from the AGM, to the printing of handbooks. Lesley Pierce, our Registrations Secretary was working until 3.30am (that stopped me moaning about my 2am finish!) making sure all of the players were registered for kick off on Saturday. Gary Langley our new Development Officer has also been busily pulling together the League's Development Plan for submission to The FA by the end of August. It is this dedication that makes the North West Counties League and its clubs what they are and without this we wouldn’t exist.
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
KO
Match Sponsor
Match Ball Sponsor
Tue 11/08/15
Atherton LR
19:45
PC Problems St Helens
John Cahill
Sat 22/08/15
Irlam
15:00
Johnsons Toyota Liverpool
Mike Cole Web Design
Sat 29/08/15
Rochdale Town
15:00
Sat 12/09/15
Barnton
15:00
Sat 19/09/15
Cheadle Town
15:00
Paul Pritchard
Sat 10/10/15
Chadderton
15:00
KA Davies Electrical
Conor McGinn MP
Tue 13/10/15
Widnes
19:45
Toy World St Helens Rylance Fishmongers
David O’Keefe
Sat 21/11/15
Daisy Hill
15:00
CelebLook
Kiera’s Occasions
Sat 05/12/15
Hanley Town
15:00
Stillia
Sat 19/12/15
Eccleshall
15:00
Northern Rags
Danny’s Window Cleaning
Sat 16/01/16
Stockport Town
15:00
Michael Allison
Invisible Heroes
Sat 06/02/16
Bacup Borough
15:00
Mon 28/03/16
Ashton Town
19:45
Rylance Fishmongers Toy World St Helens
Extra Time Academy
Sat 16/04/16
Northwich Manchester Villa
15:00
Sat 23/04/16
Whitchurch Alport
15:00
TBA
Holker Old Boys
TBC
TBA
Litherland REMYCA
TBC
LM Travel
All sponsorship fixtures are subject to confirmation
NW Dog Rescue
St Helens Town are delighted to announce another new sponsor as Warrington Motors have agreed a double sponsorship package for the 2015-16 season.
The Fiat and Nissan dealership on Winwick Road in Warrington will be sponsoring Town youngster Charlie Duke who has joined the club on work experience from Torquay United. They have also agreed to support the club by sponsoring the home match-day Man of the Match award – now named the Warrington Motors Man of the Match. Warrington Motors General Manager Ian Duke said, ‘We are delighted to be able to assist the club and we look forward to working with them throughout the season.’ Club Chairman John McKiernan added, ‘It’s great that we are able to recognise individual player performances and Warrington Motor’s sponsorship gives the award a real boost.’ ‘Players will receive an engraved medal in a presentation box which will be presented following each home game by the match sponsors. I’d like to thank Ian and Warrington Motors for their support’ Warrington Motors Fiat and Nissan 201 Winwick Road, Warrington Cheshire WA2 7PE Telephone: 01925 669 401
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
Maine Road
AUG 22 IRLAM
NWCFL
3.00
AUG 29 ROCHDALE TOWN
NWCFL
3.00
Sep 05
Winterton Rangers
FAV 1QR
3.00
Sep 09
Litherland REMYCA
NWCFL
7.45
SEP 12 BARNTON
NWCFL
3.00
Sep 15
NWCFL
7.45
SEP 19 CHEADLE TOWN
NWCFL
3.00
Sep 26
MUC 1R
3.00
OCT 10 CHADDERTON
NWCFL
3.00
OCT 13 WIDNES
NWCFL
7.45
Oct 17
Stockport Town
NWCFL
3.00
Oct 27
Holker Old Boys
NWCFL
7.45
Oct 31
Daisy Hill
NWCFL
3.00
Nov 14
Atherton LR
NWCFL
3.00
NOV 21 DAISY HILL
NWCFL
3.00
Nov 28
NWCFL
3.00
DEC 05 HANLEY TOWN
NWCFL
3.00
DEC 19 ECCLESHALL
NWCFL
3.00
Dec 26
Ashton Town
NWCFL
3.00
Jan 09
Northwich Manchester Villa NWCFL
3.00
Rochdale Town Hanley Town
Bacup Borough
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 02
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
HOLKER OLD BOYS
NWCFL
TBA
TBA
LITHERLAND REMYCA
NWCFL
TBA
TBA
Chadderton or Bacup B’
FDC 2R
TBA
Irlam
St Helens Town Pla Matty Lennon Sean Kelly Dale Sealey Jordan Lorde David Baines Johan du Toit Tom Bradley Dom Whelan Graham McLoughlin Alex Russell Alex Nwachukwu Marcus Perry Matty Davidson Ant Whelan Andy Gillespie Gavin O'Keefe Declan Gregson Charlie Duke Jack Marshall Alan Gillespie (Manager) Nick Matthews (Manager)
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
ayer Sponsors 2015-16 Premier Parking Leech Bedrooms & Kitchens Leech Bedrooms & Kitchens Gibney's Jewellers SG Specialist Roofing Total Building Care Kealshore Cornerstones Electrician's Direct Rob Thompson Auto Repairs Curtain Wizard North West North West Piling Kiera's Occasions The Daily Grind Arco Frame
Warrington Motors Danny's Window Cleaning Star Physio Foxwood Joinery
Name1
Player name and number of goals scored
Name
Player name and CAUTION
Name
Player name and DISMISSAL FOR 2 CAUTIONS
Name
Player name and DISMISSAL
Name10
Player name and number of replaced player
2-3
Ashton Town
Widnes
Whitchurch Alport
Stockport Town
St Helens Town
Rochdale Town 4-1
1-1
2-2
Daisy Hill
Northwich Man Villa
Litherland REMYCA
Irlam
5-2
Bacup Borough
Holker Old Boys
1-2
1-2
0-3
3-0
1-1
1-3
1-0
1-2
Stockport Town
Hanley Town
0-3
Eccleshall
Eccleshall
Barnton
1-6
Holker Old Boys
Daisy Hill
Chadderton
1-1
1-0
1-0
5-3
Whitchurch Alport
Cheadle Town
0-1
2-1
St Helens Town
Chadderton
5-5
Hanley Town
Barnton
Atherton LR
2-3
Cheadle Town
Bacup Borough
Litherland REMYCA
0-2
5-1
Rochdale Town
Atherton LR
Irlam
0-1
Northwich M Villa
Ashton Town
North West Counties Football League Division One Season 2015-16 Wednesday 19/08/15
2-2
Widnes
ST. HELENS TOWN AFC – A STATISTICAL HISTORY by Glyn Jones Part 55 - Season 2001-02 North West Counties League Team Kidsgrove Athletic Prescot Cables Salford City St. Helens Town Newcastle Town Clitheroe Winsford United Mossley Skelmersdale United Woodley Sports Warrington Town Ramsbottom United Curzon Ashton Fleetwood Freeport Nantwich Town Congleton Town Atherton Collieries Abbey Hey Glossop North End Atherton L.R. Flixton Maine Road Great Harwood Town Opponents Abbey Hey Atherton Collieries Atherton L.R. Clitheroe Congleton Town Curzon Ashton Fleetwood Freeport Flixton Glossop North End Great Harwood Town Kidsgrove Athletic Maine Road Mossley Nantwich Town Newcastle Town Prescot Cables Ramsbottom United Salford City Skelmersdale United Warrington Town Winsford United Woodley Sports
P 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 44 Home Dec 15 Oct 24 Mar 30 Dec 29 Apr 13 Nov 14 Oct 27 Feb 16 Sep 8 Feb 13 Oct 6 Jan 26 Nov 17 Sep 26 Apr 3 Feb 2 Mar 13 Jan 30 Nov 21 Oct 10 Feb 20 Apr 24
W 31 29 29 28 22 22 19 18 19 16 16 15 16 13 12 13 13 12 13 11 11 8 5
D 9 10 10 6 11 10 12 14 5 12 11 10 7 13 15 11 8 11 7 11 9 7 11 Result Won 5-2 Won 4-0 Won 3-1 Lost 0-2 Lost 2-3 Won 3-1 Won 3-1 Lost 1-2 Won 3-1 Won 3-0 Lost 1-2 Won 4-0 Won 2-1 Won 5-2 Drew 2-2 Lost 0-1 Won 2-1 Lost 0-2 Won 6-2 Won 3-1 Drew 2-2 Won 1-0
L 4 5 5 10 11 12 13 12 20 16 17 19 21 18 17 20 23 21 24 22 24 29 28
F 125 110 91 101 97 73 72 82 87 58 78 75 74 70 63 71 66 62 78 62 61 68 39 Away Sep 1 Apr 27 Apr 20 Sep 29 Oct 30 Apr 22 Apr 9 Sep 15 Jan 12 Oct 19 Mar 9 Aug 18 Oct 16 Mar 26 Feb 9 Aug 21 Oct 13 Nov 24 Apr 1 Feb 5 Apr 16 Apr 6
A 47 42 40 44 66 53 71 63 89 65 72 73 72 86 90 79 91 101 105 88 112 115 99
Pts 102 97 97 90 77 76 69 68 62 60 59 55 55 52 51 50 47 47 46 44 42 31 26 Result Won 4-0 Won 2-1 Won 3-0 Lost 1-2 Won 2-0 Won 2-0 Won 2-0 Won 3-0 Won 2-1 Won 5-0 Drew 1-1 Won 5-0 Drew 1-1 Lost 0-1 Lost 1-2 Won 4-3 Won 2-0 Lost 0-1 Won 3-0 Drew 0-0 Drew 1-1 Won 2-1
Aug 25
Nov 9 Dec 8 Jan 19 Nov 3 Dec 1 Jan 5 Mar 16 Mar 23 Oct 2 Dec 4
FA CUP Brandon United FA VASE 2nd Round Winsford United 3rd Round BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA 4th Round Arlesey Town WORTHINGTON CHALLENGE CUP 1st Round CLITHEROE 2nd Round CASTLETON GABRIELS 3rd Round WARRINGTON TOWN Semi Final (1) PRESCOT CABLES Semi Final (2) Prescot Cables LIVERPOOL SENIOR CUP 1st Round Prescot Cables 2nd Round SOUTHPORT Preliminary
Player
App
Sub
Abbott, Steve
1
1
Total Goals 2
Ashton, Mark
27
1
28
Badrock, Lee
10
3
Baines, Ian
1
-
Baker, Tommy
8
4
12
Away
Lost
2-3
Away Home Away
Won Won Lost
4-2 3-1 0-1
Home Home Home Home Away
Won Won Won Lost Won
3-0 3-0 3-0 0-2 2-1
Away Home
Won Lost
1-0 1-2
Player
App
Sub
Kinsella, Mike
1
-
1
Langley, Paul
16
6
22
13
Loughlin, W (Billy)
1
-
1
1
McQueen, Neil
-
1
1
2
Mitchell, Graeme
2
11
13 2
2
Total Goals
Bell, Karl
45
-
45
1
Moores, Andrew
2
-
Bermingham, Chris
27
8
35
7
Morgan, Joe
2
-
2
Boyd, Charlie
8
9
17
3
Nestor, Terry
39
6
45
Brennan, Mark
3
-
3
Newman, John
4
2
6 37
1
1
6
Cavanagh, Andy
16
-
16
Nulty, Mark
36
1
Clandon, Michael
3
-
3
O’Callaghan, W (Billy)
2
4
6
Clarke, Paul
1
-
1
Phoenix, Stu
23
-
23
Cooper, Lee
40
6
46
Prior, Lee
1
-
1
Davison, Chris
-
2
2
Quirk, Chris
47
6
53
5
Dooner, Gary
4
1
5
Reay, Gary
1
5
6
1
Dunn, Lee
21
21
42
8
Salt, Danny
50
2
52
7
Farrell, Matty
29
13
42
1
Scully, Mike
1
-
1
21
34
Heavey, Paul
30
18
48
Swailes, Matty
1
-
1
Hughes, Graham
1
-
1
Wilde, Mark
33
8
41
Hughes, Simon
1
2
3
Wood, Phil
54
-
54
Johnson, Eddie
6
-
6
Own Goals
Jones, Gary
7
1
8
Totals
605
142
747
1
19
3 123
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 in October 1948. 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
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
Good afternoon everybody and welcome to Brocstedes Park for our third NWCFL fixture of the new 2015/16 against Irlam.
Since taking over the side with Nick in June we have been very pleased with the progress achieved in establishing a new team and in particular recruiting a new squad of players that can compete at this level. The pre-season schedule was also very successful in terms of training and competitive games and so far we have carried that form into our opening sequence of games. We go into today's fixture in good league form having recording two victories in our previous two league games. Against Chadderton when we came from a goal down to record a 3-1 victory and Atherton LR where we eventually ran out 4-1 winners in a game where our decisive finishing was the main difference between the sides. We finished both games very strongly with the well timed introduction of pacey impact substitutions proving turning points when opposition defences have possibly tired slightly. We have also been pleased with the defensive aspects of our game where our new defensive line up has been very effective in restricting the opposition chances although we have not managed a clean sheet yet but I'm sure with further improvement that will come. Unfortunately, however in what was many ways our best overall performance we came up just short against Premier Division opposition Maine Road in a closely contested Emirates FA Cup tie in Manchester last weekend going down 2-1. After a pretty much disastrous start to the game having conceded an own goal inside five minutes we showed great character and hauled ourselves back in the game and went onto dominate the remainder of the 1st half but with only a deflected equaliser to show for it at half time. As so often happens in these situations failing to capitalise on this first half dominance was to cost us very dearly and in the second period Maine Road played some good football and for thirty minutes we were on the back foot conceding a well worked goal to go 2-1 down. Despite a creating three or four decent chances in the last fifteen minutes we were unable to find an equaliser. I anticipate another very tough close game again today. Irlam's results have been very good so far with three wins from four games with only a narrow defeat to a very strong Barnton outfit indicates we are up against an in-form team with Premier Division ambitions. The challenge now is for us to use that painful cup exit as a platform to bounce back and continue our good form in the League to keep us in touch at the top. Alan Gillespie 1st Team Joint Manager
In what is fantastic news for the club, the St Helens town centre based specialist supplier of electronic cigarettes, e-liquids and accessories will continue as the club’s 2015-16 playing kit sponsors.
The sponsorship deal will see the Eciguk St Helens company logo adorning the front and back of the Town playing kit and the sponsor will continue to have a significant presence on the club’s website, social media outlets and in the award winning match day programme. An Eciguk St Helens spokesman commented on the deal, stating "We’re delighted to continue our sponsorship of St Helens Town and are looking forward to developing our partnership. ‘Our store was opened in October 2012 and was the first of its kind in St Helens and we have built a strong customer base. We are focused on providing high quality service and customer satisfaction.’ John McKiernan, Chairman of St Helens Town Football Club couldn't hide his delight when speaking about the deal and said ‘It's fantastic for the club to be able to retain such a sponsorship deal from a local company of the calibre of Eciguk St Helens. ‘So once again we would like to offer our thanks and gratitude to everyone at Eciguk St Helens for their superb support of the club and we look forward to developing our partnership throughout next season. ‘Remember to visit them at their retail store in George Street, close to St Helens Central railway station or on-line at www.ecigsthelens.vpweb.co.uk. The company believe that the customer’s needs are of the utmost importance and while product information is available on-line Eciguk St Helens prefer to meet the customer to give them the opportunity to try out products before deciding to make a purchase. As a result, a high percentage of the company’s business comes from repeat customers and referrals. Eciguk St Helens 32 George Street St Helens WA10 1BU Telephone: 01744 750800 Mobile: 07773 007731 Freephone: 0800 2707331 www.ecigsthelens.vpweb.co.uk
Q1. Which four Italians have won the FA Cup as a manager? Q2. Which player chequered Merseyside Derby history saw him sent off in 2005 & 2007 whilst scoring an own goal in 2006? Q3. Which player was transferred from AC Milan to Chelsea in July 2006 for a world record fee of £30.8m? Q4. Which Asian nation has advanced the furthest in the World Cup Finals tournament? Q5. Which player scored Everton’s first ever Premier League goal? Q6. In which year did Robbie Fowler score the then fastest Premier League hat-trick against Arsenal at Anfield? Q7. Which player now holds the record for the quickest Premier League hat-trick? Q8. Which player scored the most Premier League goals in the 2014 calendar year without making an assist? Q9. Which player holds the record for the most Premier League goal at a single ground and at which ground? Q10. Which two men competed against each other in FA Cup finals as both players and managers? Q11. With which club did David Beckham end his playing career? Q12. Who was the England national team manager who gave Gareth Barry his international debut in May 2000? Q13. Who is the top scorer from the penalty spot in Premier League history with 56 conversions? Q14. Which team have received the most red cards in the Premier League?
1) Gianluca Vialli, Carlo Ancelotti, Roberto Mancini & Roberto Di Matteo 2) Phil Neville 3) Andriy Shevchenko 4) South Korea, Semi Final in 2002 5) Barry Horne 6) 1994 7) Sadio Mane for Southampton 8) Diego Costa 9) Thierry Henry with 114 at Highbury 10) Bob Stokoe & Don Revie 11) Paris Saint Germain 12) Kevin Keegan 13) Alan Shearer 14) Everton 15) Arsene Wenger
Goalkeeper Graham McLoughlin joined the club this summer and includes former NWCFL outfit Formby FC among his previous clubs. At 30 years old Graham is a vastly experienced stopper with a great kick and superb distribution skills. The lads in front of ‘Grumpy’ will gets lots of talk and direction as the season progesses. Matthew Davidson one of a small number of players returning from last season ’s squad. The 23 year old, who hails from Standish, is a strong right back with a superb engine and a good passing range. Formerly with Warrington Town Youth and Reserves. Twenty year old Jack Marshall joined the club at the back end of last season and he will be looking to terrorise opposition defences with his pace and crossing ability. Based in Astley, Manchester his former clubs include Atherton Town (part of their promotion winning season) and Runcorn Linnets. Living in Rainford Anthony Whelan is one of our local players who has broke into the first team having been captain of last season’s Cheshire FA U21s Championship winning side. He can play at the heart of the defence or in central midfield and he is a great competitor. Anthony’s former clubs include Ashton Athletic, Burscough, Wrexham (1 year) and Tranmere Rovers (3 years).
Andy Griffiths is strong in the air and will chip in with his f air share of goals either from right back or central midfield. The twenty two year old joins from Prescot Cables but includes Stafford Rangers and Clitheroe among his former clubs alongside Skelmersdale United where he won the Evostik North title and Atherton LR where he was captain at 17 years old. Twenty two year old Matty Lennon joins this season from Widnes FC where he was part of the team that sent Town crashing out of the League Cup last season. He is a great organiser and great in the air from his position at centre half. Matty is a former captain and championship winner with Burscough Youth. Davey Baines in the elder statesman of the side at 29 years old and joins from St Helens outfit Penlake FC. A hardworking, energetic player with lots of composure and a great passer of the ball either a right back or central midfieldh. His former clubs include Kirkby Town and Kennelwood. He was in the Liverpool Echo Team of the Year in season 2013-14 having been Kennelwood Manager’s Player of the Year in the same season; a feat he repeated with Penlake last term.
Alex Nwachukwu (Chu) is another youngster joining the club this season. He hails from Preston and includes Burscough, Burnley FC and Across College among his previous clubs. 20 years old Alex is a strong midfield player with lots of skill and power with an eye for the long pass as the basis of his game. He captained the Lancashire Colleges U18s side. Whiston based Sean Kelly arrived at the club this summer from Waterloo Dock where he had been for three seasons along with high flying Sunday outfit Canada FC. While ferocious in the tackle the 21 year old also has an eye for goal, even from left back and will bag two or three spectacular efforts in a campaign. Twenty four year old Johan du Toit joined this summer from the Wigan League and is already proving to be a popular edition to the team. The Wigan based player has a superb engine and is strong in the air and in the tackle with a deft touch and great vision. Coppull United an Standish St Wilfrid’s are among Johan’s previous clubs; winning the League and Cup double and Wigan League Player of the Year last season with the latter. Another youngster making his debut for the club is 18 year old Stephen Rigby. Good with both feet he can play on either side of midfield and has excellent fitness levels
and is known to take the odd penalty. Most recently been with Marine Youth but also includes Lydiate FC, Blackpool FC and Ormskirk West End among his previous teams. Stephen was top scorer for Lydiate FC for ten consecutive seasons and represented Merseyside Schoolboys U18s last season and the Liverpool County FA side during 2013-14. Twenty one year old Jordan Lorde is another new face at the club this season. He can play up front or our out on either wing and has impressed during the pre-season games. A dead ball specialist with great pace and engine his recent clubs include Burscough Richmond, Ashton Town, Maghull and Burscough FC. Jordan has also played at Youth level for Everton, the Lancashire County side and represented his University 1st team. Tough tackling full back Sam Stock joined in the summer having previously been with Tideswell United, Tintwistle Athetic and his hometown team Glossop North End Reserves. The twenty one year old has a fine left foot and pace.
Skelmersdale based Dale Sealey is nother new recruit who includes Ashton Town, Skelmersdale United, Ashton Athletic and Wigan Athletic among his previous clubs. The 28 year old is able to play at centre half or in midfield and is very strong in the air and on the floor with a good touch for a big unit. Dale is a former England Schoolboy trialist. Alex Russell joined from Winsf ord United in the summer and includes Burscough, Port Vale, Burnley and Middlewich Town on his list of former clubs. Another strong player who is only twenty years old but has shown he can be an allrounder with pace, good use of both feet and a decent strike. Alex has played and scored for Port Vale in the FA Yoth Cup and represented Cheshire at County level. Club captain Andy Gillespie has been the club’s top scorer for the past two seasons. A strong centre forward who gives defenders a tough time; Andy looks sharp after a good pre-season and will be looking to lead the scoring charts again this term. A seasoned campaigner despite only being 24 years old and includes Ashton Athletic, Atherton LR and Burscough among his previous clubs. Twenty five year old Gavin O’Keefe joined in the summer from Oldham Boro. A strong central midfield player who has great positional awareness and good passing skills. Includes Wigan Robin Park, Cammel Laird and Burscough as previous clubs. Twenty two year old goalkeeper Tom Bradley hails from Liverpool and is another player joining from St Helens based Penlake FC. A great shot stopper who has previous experience with Litherland REMYCA and Lower Breck FC.
St Helens based 17 year old Charlie Duke joins the club this summer on work experience from Torquay having previously been with Port Vale. He is a holding central midfield playmaker with a career in the professional game ahead of him. Charlie is a former winner in the St Helens Cultural Awards. Nineteen year old Jack Golding returns this summer having broken into the first team last season. Great from the dead ball situation with good pace and delivery from wide, Jack is a former Everton, Notts County and Skelmersdale United player. 22 year old Declan Gregson is another new face at Town and he includes Billinge among his former clubs along with Waterloo Dock and Canada FC where he was last season’s Player of the Year. Declan, who hails from Whiston has a great touch and pace giving defenders a tough time from his midfield position. Lionel Loick Agbodjan is another new recruit who can play on either side of midfield or as a powerful attacking central player. He has previous NWCFL experience with AFC Liverpool and had has five years with Liverpool and a season at Bolton Wanderers. Lionel also won the Liverpool Echo Cup in 2008 and played alongside Ross Barkley.
St Helens Town have had yet another great sponsorship boost with St Helens based Indie Rock band Stillia. The club will welcome the band as match sponsors for a game at Brocstedes Park later this year and are hoping it may be start of a great partnership. Stillia started in the early days of 2011 as an acoustic trio and what went from one member sat in his room recording Beatles covers evolved into a four piece rock and roll band. The band are all self-taught musicians who create a sound that has been influenced by a range of great artists including The Beatles, The Who, Rolling Stones, Stone Roses, The Smiths, Oasis and many more. The band members are Jack Bennett: lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter; Connor Moran: lead guitarist, harmonies and vocals; Johnny Waring: bass guitarist, harmonies and vocals; Matty Bennett: drummer and support vocalist. Club Chairman John McKiernan said, 'The lads have got a really busy few months ahead but will join us in October or November for one of our home games. 'Stillia have an ever-growing following and have been huge hits around the UK with performances in London, Hull and Liverpool. They remain prominent locally with regular performances in St Helens and were stars at the recent Westfield Street Festival in the Town.
He added, ‘We are delighted the lads have chosen to sponsor us and in turn we will promote them via our match programme and social media throughout the season. Stillia Manager Paul Moran said, 'The band are proud to be sponsoring the town's top football team and we hope this is the start of a long and successful partnership.' Wheel PRO will continue their sponsorship of the club's award winning match-day programme and as Executive Programme Sponsor the Wheel PRO logo will appear on the programme front cover and all editorial pages. In addition, Wheel PRO who offer professional alloy wheel repair and refurbishment across the North West, will receive a full page advert on the back programme cover. Last season saw 25 editions of 'The Marksman' covering every league and cup home game. Each full colour, glossy printed programme is on sale on match-day and is accompanied by an on-line 'e-Programme' version shortly after each game. The 'e-Programme' is freely available on the club's website and to date has had over 17000 views with an average of over 650 views per edition. Club Chairman John McKiernan said, 'Once again we are are delighted that Wheel PRO have renewed their sponsorship deal with the club. Our pogramme offers great coverage for sponsors, as well as being a great read. Programme advertising is vital if we are to continue to produce a professional programme but this income also helps to support the club's day to day activities.'
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 L L L L L Cup L Cup L L L L L L
DATE 23/08/2015 30/08/2015 06/09/2015 13/09/2015 20/09/2015 27/09/2015 04/10/2015 15/10/2015 18/10/2015 25/10/2015 01/11/2015 08/11/2015 15/11/2015 22/11/2015 29/11/2015 06/12/2015 20/12/2015
TIME 12:00 12:00 11:00 12:00 12:00 12:00 14:00 19:45 12:00 11:00 12:00 11:00 14:00 11:00 14:00 12:00 12:00
HOME St Helens Town St Helens Town Southport St Helens Town St Helens Town St Helens Town Bootle Irlam St Helens Town Winsford United St Helens Town Rochdale Manchester Central Abbey Hey Stockport Town St Helens Town St Helens Town
AWAY Bootle Manchester Central St Helens Town Winsford United Irlam Stockport Town St Helens Town St Helens Town Irlam St Helens Town Irlam St Helens Town St Helens Town St Helens Town St Helens Town Rochdale Abbey Hey
VENUE Edge Hill University #2 Edge Hill University #2 Edge Hill University #1 Edge Hill University #2 Edge Hill University #2 Edge Hill University #2 JMO Sports Park Irlam FC Edge Hill University #2 Winsford United FC Edge Hill University #1 Hyde United FC Belle Vue Sports Centre Abbey Hey FC Stockport Sports Village Edge Hill University #2 Edge Hill University #2
U18s DATE TIME L 16/08/2015 W 1-3 L 23/08/2015 14:30 L 30/08/2015 14:30 L 06/09/2015 14:30 L 13/09/2015 14:30 L 20/09/2015 14:30 L 27/09/2015 14:30 Cup 04/10/2015 14:00 L 11/10/2015 14:30 L 18/10/2015 14:30 Cup 25/10/2015 14:00 L 01/11/2015 14:00 L 08/11/2015 14:00 L 15/11/2015 14:00 L 29/11/2015 14:00 L 06/12/2015 14:00 L 13/12/2015 14:00 L 20/12/2015 14:00 L 10/01/2016 14:00 L 17/01/2016 14:00 L 31/01/2016 14:00 L 07/02/2016 14:00 L 21/02/2016 14:00 L 28/02/2016 14:00
HOME Egerton FC St Helens Town Marine St Helens Town St Helens Town Altrincham St Helens Town Macclesfield Town Macclesfield Town St Helens Town West D & Chorlton Chorley St Helens Town St Helens Town Irlam FC St Helens Town Nelson St Helens Town AFC Blackpool St Helens Town Bolton Wyresdale St Helens Town Vauxhall Motors Chester Colts
AWAY St Helens Town Nelson St Helens Town Chester Colts Altrincham St Helens Town AFC Blackpool St Helens Town St Helens Town Bolton Wyresdale St Helens Town St Helens Town Vauxhall Motors Irlam FC St Helens Town Egerton St Helens Town MARINE FC St Helens Town Macclesfield Town St Helens Town Chorley FC St Helens Town 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 Edge Hill University HARDY FARM Bishops Rawsthorne Edge Hill University 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 Cheshire County Sports
DEFENSIVE LAPSES PUT TOWN OUT OF THE CUP Maine Road 2, St. Helens Town 1 by Glyn Jones
St. Helens Town were knocked out of the FA Cup once again at the first hurdle, after they lost 2-1 to Maine Road of the NW Counties Premier Division, but for long periods of the game, they outplayed their hosts. Bridging the gap between Step 5 and Step 6 was always going to be difficult but, despite falling behind to an early in-swinging corner kick, they soon levelled and were well on top for virtually all the first half. Maine Road took the lead in the fourth minute when Connor Hughes delivered a perfect corner kick which went on off the far post, taking the covering defenders by surprise, but Town soon regained their composure and Andy Gillespie hit a wonderful drive from the edge of the penalty area which deflected off a Maine Road defender, sending keeper Ryan Livesey, who was impressive throughout, the wrong way eight minutes later. St. Helens very nearly took the lead shortly afterwards in spectacular fashion when Gillespie’s overhead kick found the athletic Jordan Lorde, who finished in similar style, only for Livesey to tip the ball against his bar and out of danger. Jack Marshall, playing at left back, terrorised Maine Road down that flank and, linking with Lorde and Gillespie, it seemed only a matter of time before Town went in front. On the half hour, Gillespie took a free kick from 30 yards out wide on the left and hit the bar with some force and only solid defending from the home side kept Town at bay for the rest of the half. Lorde was replaced by Marcus Perry soon after half-time and Maine Road reinforced the left side of midfield to restrict Town’s play down that wing. Dom Whelan and Alex Nwachukwu were introduced shortly afterwards following a couple of injuries and the home side took advantage before Town could adjust and, before long, Maine Road regained the lead when Nick Osborne finished clinically on 70 minutes as St. Helens were caught napping. Town tried to force the equaliser but were denied a penalty when Johan du Toit was scythed down in the box after the ball had gone. Dale Sealey was narrowly wide with a strong header from Gillespie’s corner and, in the closing minutes, Perry had a similar chance to that which produced a goal against Atherton LR on Tuesday but could only shin the ball into the grateful hands of Livesey. With that, St. Helens’ chances of a replay evaporated and Town duly extended their losing run in the FA Cup to five years, having failed to win any FA Cup game since leaving Knowsley Road in 2010. Despite being otherwise engaged on Saturday, St. Helens Town remained in pole position in the First Division table, but their next three scheduled league fixtures are against teams also on 6 points.
Premier Division Table as at Wednesday 19th August 2015 Premier Division
P
W D
L
F
A GD Pts
1
Colne
3
3
0
0
15
4
11
9
2
AFC Liverpool
3
3
0
0
8
0
8
9
3
Bootle
3
2
1
0
4
2
2
7
4
Barnoldswick Town
3
2
0
1
9
5
4
6
5
Abbey Hey
2
2
0
0
7
4
3
6
6
1874 Northwich
2
2
0
0
3
0
3
6
7
Ashton Athletic
2
2
0
0
2
0
2
6
8
Atherton Collieries
3
2
0
1
8
8
0
6
9
Padiham
3
1
1
1
5
5
0
4
10
Nelson
2
1
0
1
6
3
3
3
11
Runcorn Linnets
2
1
0
1
2
1
1
3
12
Congleton Town
2
1
0
1
4
4
0
3
13
Maine Road
3
1
0
2
7
9
-2
3
14
Winsford United
2
1
0
1
4
7
-3
3
15
West Didsbury & Chorlton
3
1
0
2
3
6
-3
3
16
Silsden
2
0
1
1
4
5
-1
1
17
AFC Darwen
3
0
1
2
3
9
-6
1
18
Cammell Laird 1907
2
0
0
2
2
5
-3
0
19
Squires Gate
2
0
0
2
0
3
-3
0
20
AFC Blackpool
2
0
0
2
1
6
-5
0
21
Alsager Town
2
0
0
2
1
6
-5
0
22
Runcorn Town
3
0
0
3
2
8
-6
0
* points deducted for a breach of league rules
PREMIER DIVISION FIXTURES Saturday 22nd August 2015 AFC Darwen v AFC Liverpool Alsager Town v Silsden Atherton Collieries v 1874 Northwich Bootle v Nelson Colne v Runcorn Town Congleton Town v AFC Blackpool Padiham v Ashton Athletic Runcorn Linnets v Maine Road Squires Gate v Cammell Laird 1907 West Dids & Chorlton v Barnoldswick Town Winsford United v Abbey Hey Monday 24th August 2015 Maine Road v Abbey Hey Tuesday 25th August 2015 1874 Northwich v Alsager Town Ashton Athletic v AFC Blackpool Barnoldswick Town v AFC Darwen Bootle v Winsford United Cammell Laird 1907 v Runcorn Town Congleton Town v Runcorn Linnets Nelson v West Didsbury & Chorlton Silsden v Padiham Squires Gate v Atherton Collieries Saturday 29th August 2015 AFC Darwen v Runcorn Linnets Barnoldswick Town v Squires Gate Cammell Laird 1907 v Bootle Nelson v Ashton Athletic Monday 31st August 2015 Winsford United v Cammell Laird 1907 Tuesday 1st September 2015 Abbey Hey v Bootle Alsager Town v Runcorn Town Colne v Atherton Collieries Runcorn Linnets v AFC Liverpool Silsden v Ashton Athletic Squires Gate v Nelson West Dids & Chorlton v 1874 Northwich Wednesday 2nd September 2015 AFC Darwen v Maine Road Padiham v AFC Blackpool Saturday 5th September 2015 1874 Northwich v Runcorn Linnets Alsager Town v Nelson Barnoldswick Town v Winsford United Bootle v AFC Darwen Colne v Abbey Hey Monday 7th September 2015 Maine Road v Congleton Town Runcorn Town v Atherton Collieries Winsford United v Alsager Town
First Division Table as at Wednesday 19th August 2015 First Division
W D
L
F
A GD Pts
1
Holker Old Boys
3
3
0
0
10
3
7
9
2
Irlam
4
3
0
1
6
2
4
9
3
St Helens Town
2
2
0
0
7
2
5
6
4
Barnton
3
2
0
1
7
2
5
6
5
Ashton Town
3
2
0
1
8
4
4
6
6
Litherland REMYCA
2
2
0
0
3
0
3
6
7
Cheadle Town
4
1
3
0
12 10
2
6
8
Hanley Town
3
2
0
1
5
4
1
6
9
Atherton LR
4
2
0
2
6
9
-3
6
10
Stockport Town
3
1
1
1
6
6
0
4
11
Eccleshall
3
1
0
2
5
4
1
3
12
Widnes
3
0
2
1
5
6
-1
2
13
Rochdale Town
2
0
1
1
2
3
-1
1
14
Chadderton
2
0
1
1
2
4
-2
1
15
Whitchurch Alport
3
0
1
2
4
7
-3
1
16
Bacup Borough
3
0
1
2
9
13 -4
1
17
Northwich Man Villa
3
0
1
2
3
10 -7
1
18
Daisy Hill
4
0
1
3
3
14 -11 1
* points deducted for a breach of league rules
FIRST DIVISION FIXTURES Saturday 22nd August 2015 Cheadle Town v Daisy Hill Eccleshall v Rochdale Town Hanley Town v Widnes Holker Old Boys v Barnton Litherland REMYCA v Ashton Town Northwich Manchester Villa v Atherton LR St Helens Town v Irlam Stockport Town v Bacup Borough Whitchurch Alport v Chadderton
Monday 24th August 2015 Daisy Hill v Litherland REMYCA Tuesday 25th August 2015 Chadderton v Bacup Borough Saturday 29th August 2015 Ashton Town v Eccleshall Bacup Borough v Northwich Man Villa Barnton v Stockport Town Chadderton v Daisy Hill Irlam v Widnes Litherland REMYCA v Cheadle Town St Helens Town v Rochdale Town Whitchurch Alport v Atherton LR Tuesday 1st September 2015 Atherton LR v Ashton Town Wednesday 2nd September 2015 Whitchurch Alport v Barnton Saturday 5th September 2015 Atherton LR v Holker Old Boys Barnton v Northwich Manchester Villa Daisy Hill v Stockport Town Eccleshall v Chadderton Widnes v Whitchurch Alport Tuesday 8th September 2015 Chadderton v Rochdale Town Stockport Town v Ashton Town Wednesday 9th September 2015 Cheadle Town v Eccleshall Litherland REMYCA v St Helens Town
Saturday 12th September 2015 Ashton Town v Cheadle Town Eccleshall v Bacup Borough Hanley Town v Atherton LR Holker Old Boys v Chadderton Irlam v Rochdale Town Litherland REMYCA v Stockport Town Northwich Manchester Villa v Widnes St Helens Town v Barnton Whitchurch Alport v Daisy Hill