CLUB INFORMATION Honorary Life President: Alan Wellens
Tuesday 16th February 2016, kick off 7.45pm 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
Litherland REMYCA
Red & White Shirts White Shorts, Red & White Socks No
Mathew Hodge
Gls Y R
Sky Blue Shirts Navy Shorts & Sky Blue Socks No
Paul Willis
Aaron Morris
Jake Connor
Stephen Rigby
David Flynn
Adam Lawrence
Lee McConchie
Hamish Falconer
Hospitality: Margaret Wood and Paul Wood
Stephen King
Ant Whelan
Colin Quirk
Trustees: John McKiernan and Eric Bond
Ellis Mavers
Jamie Colbourn
Sam Sheen
John Hastings
Andy Gillespie
Colin McDonald
Daniel Greene
David Thompson
Connor Murphy
Jordan Stafford
Andrew Presho
Louis Austin
Alex Gillespie
Chris Lowe
U18s Team Manager: Ellis Hawksworth
Todd Blayney
Daniel Duffy
Matthew Smith
Jamie Watkinson
U18s Assistant Manager: Alex Jardine
George Lomax
Wade Muscat
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.
1st Team Joint Managers: Alan Gillespie & Nick Matthews U21s Team Manager: John McLaughlan U21s Assistant Manager: Billy Davies
Club Email: sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk
Main Club Sponsor: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool
Gls Y R
Manager: Phil Stafford Assistant: Stuart Kier
Referee: Mr A Cottrell (Bolton) Assistants: Mr A Hodgkinson (Leigh) & Simon Robinson (Warrington)
Match Sponsor
Shirt Sponsor: EcigUK St Helens Legal: St Helens Town Limited Private Limited Company Company No. 04392840 Date of Incorporation 12.03.2002
Kiera’s Occasions 2 North Road , St Helens WA10 2TL
Company Director: Jim Barrett Parent Company: A wholly owned subsidiary of Sporting Club St Helens Limited Cover Photograph: Andy Gillespie in action v Daisy Hill (19/12/2015)
Match Ball Sponsors
Next Home Game: Tues 23rd Feb 2016, 7.45pm Town v Hanley Town NWCFL Division One Adults £5, Concessions £3 U16s £1, U12s FREE*
Good evening and welcome to Brocstedes Park for this North West Counties League, First Division contest against Litherland REMYCA. 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 feels like an eternity since we were last here at Brocstedes Park when we took on Eccleshall on 19th December in what was definitely a game of two halves. Town opened up a two goal lead at the interval opening the scoring when a Lomax free kick found skipper Andy Gillespie centrally six yards out and he slotted home on the volley. Town doubled their lead when Gillespie was presented with the ball just outside the box and he made Eccleshall pay the ultimate price as he struck a thunderous effort into the bottom left hand corner. After the break the wind and rain increased and this benefited Eccleshall who had these at their backs. The visitors pulled a goal back through Jepson midway through the half before substiute Max Linaker levelled matters on 81 minutes and added his second late on Linaker getting the final touch in a goal mouth scramble to secure the win for the visitors. We then went on a three match road trip first to Northwich Manchester Villa. A solitary goal was enough to secure the spoils for Town as they started 2016 off with a win when a cross into the box by Greene was half cleared the ball to the edge of the box where Pegler stepped in and fired a first time reflex effort into the bottom left hand corner of the net for the only goal of the game in a stout defensive performance as Town kept their first clean sheet since September. The next trip was the furthest south we have ever played a league fixture as we took the trip to Eccleshall looking to gain revenge for the December reverse. It was an end to end contest with both sides having spurning some great chances. Town had a double salvo either side of the half time interval, just before the break Sam Sheen collected a loose pass on the edge of the box and found the bottom left hand corner of the net to send the visitors into the break in the lead and just after the interval a fine flowing move culminated in Ste Rigby doubling the advantage for the visitors. Matty Hodge conceded and then saved a penalty to keep Town two goals to the good and the scoring was rounded off late in the contest when Andy Gillespie was found by Aaron Morris in the box where he was able to turn and fire home into the bottom left hand corner of the net under pressure from a defender. We then took the trip to Cheadle Town who came into the contest in third place in the table. We took an early lead when Andy Gillespie who before the contest had seen his 100th appearance for the club earlier in the month commemorated was able to poke a loose ball home from a corner for his 20th goal of the season. The hosts levelled just before the interval when Chris Sherrington found the net. What turned out to be the decisive goal came on the hour when Gillespie released George Lomax with an excellent through ball and he got into the area, drew the stopper and lofted a well weighted effort over the keeper and into the net to give Town a 100% record in 2016, this result saw Town claim the January club of the Month award. The fine month of January was rounded off when Mathew Hodge was awarded the First Division Goalkeeper of the Month award for January his second such award in three months at the club. February has so far been frustrating as our scheduled games at home to Bacup and at Whitchurch Alport have both fallen foul of the weather and we are look for it to be third time luck as we host Litherland REMCYA who had a fine 4-1 win close by at Ashton Town on Saturday and we are looking to gain revenge for a 3-1 defeat in the reverse fixture. Lets get behind Town and hopefully cheer them on to victory!
Enjoy the game . . . Jeff Voller
Litherland Remyca Football Club started life in the Seaforth area of Liverpool as St Thomas F.C. (1959) playing in the Church of England League. Players were recruited mainly from Seaforth and Bootle and the team later became known as Bootle C.L.B. (Church Lads Brigade). The founder members of Remyca Utd, Bill and Ken Edwards, acted as managers having recently given up their playing careers. The area, predominantly working class, provided an abundance of talented amateur players and links were formed with Bootle YMCA which provided a club base and facilities to train. In 1967 the team again changed its name to REM Social as a local workingman’s club offered to finance the running of the club. One year later REMYCA UTD F.C. came into being, the name derived from connections with both REM Social Club and Bootle YMCA. The team entered the Third Division of the I Zingari Alliance League and became Champions at the first attempt. Thereafter, successive championships followed culminating in acceptance into the I Zingari League that was regarded as a higher standard of football. The First XI made steady progress through the divisions earning a reputation for playing open and attractive football. The I Zingari Challenge Cup was claimed in the 1975/76 season as Remyca Utd began to establish itself as a force within amateur football on Merseyside. The formation of a Premier League led to the club being invited to become inaugural members. This demanded improved playing facilities and the club left its spiritual home at Moss Lane, Litherland to move to Maghull High School. A former player, Steve Smith, became manager and began building a squad capable of competing with the best amateur sides in the region. Remyca Utd became the I Zingari League Champions in the 1987/88 season and in 1991 became one of the few Merseyside Teams to win the all Lancashire FA Amateur Cup. The 1990s was a significant period in the club’s history, and the most successful, as both Premier League and Cup doubles were achieved in seasons 1993/94, 1994/95 and 1995/96 followed by again winning the Challenge Cup in the 1998/99 season. This period of dominance and success resulted in Remyca Utd seeking entry to the Liverpool County Combination League to test itself at a higher level again. The club returned after a while to it’s local level after a number of structural re-organisations. The club over recent years worked its way up to the upper echelons of the local leagues. Under various names and guises, Remyca Utd has been established for close to over 50 years. Special mention must go to Bill and Ken Edwards, founder members who started the original aims of a platform for competitive football for local people of all ages and abilities. Remyca Utd are now based at Litherland Sports Park, which is one of the finest facilities within the region providing a wide range of activities for all ages and abilities, encouraging use by the local community and performance athletes alike. Our midlong term aims though are to work with local councils to identify a site and build a community facility for all sides under the Remyca banner as well as the local area. In 2013 the Management Committee of REMYCA began exploring the potential to grow and develop the club. Social and cultural changes had impacted on grass roots football with many teams, clubs and even leagues folding due to lack of
support. The basis for a sustainable club was clearly a community based model offering football opportunity with good coaching to all ages from 7 years upwards. The first stage of the new development plan was to add Litherland to the club name so as to identify with the local area and enhance the community ethos of the club. A key appointment was Colin Begbie as head of youth development who’s experience and network of football contacts has proven invaluable. The longer term plan is to achieve Community Charter Standard status and the journey has commenced extremely well. In line with aspirations to compete at the highest level the club applied to be promoted to step 6 of the Football Pyramid and enter the North West Counties Football League.
Ashton Town 1-4 Remy NWCFL Division One Sat 13th Feb 2016
A tremendous amount of work was undertaken to finance and fabricate a 50 seater spectator stand at Litherland Sports Park. The club got the required league position for admission and last season entered the non-league football pyramid for the first time, reaching 9th in the league and a divisional cup final. An amazing year of development also witnessed the junior section grow and girls and open age women’s teams are now being introduced. There are currently 16 teams from under 7s to Veterans playing under the REMYCA banner, a fantastic achievement and testimony to the passion, commitment and hard work of a fantastic group of people. After taking part in the Liverpool Senior Cup for the first time last season, this season 15-16 sees Remyca participate in the FA Vase for the first time, another historic first. The future is looking solid for Litherland Remyca built on historic and lasting foundations.
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 IZL-1 LPL-CC2 LPL-CC IZL-2 IZL-1 IZL-2 LCPL-2 LCPL-1 LCPL-1 LCPL-1 LCPL-P LCPL-P LCPL-P LCPL-P NWC-1
P 26 24 10 20 18 24 32 26 30 28 30 28 24 26 36
W 16 14 3 18 11 19 27 13 18 15 9 5 10 13 13
D 2 3 1 1 4 4 2 5 6 4 7 1 3 4 8
L 8 7 6 1 3 1 3 8 6 9 14 22 11 9 15
F 66 67 16 74 53 83 120 59 60 59 52 39 40 58 72
A 43 37 28 15 24 25 41 48 37 46 70 88 50 49 73
GD 23 30 -12 59 29 58 79 11 23 13 -18 -49 -10 9 -1
Pts 50 45 10 55 37 61 83 44 60 49 34 16 33 43 47
Position 4/14 3/7 Resigned 1/11 2/10 1/9 1/17 4/14 4/16 3/15 13/16 15/15 9/13 5/14 9/19
It was a dank November lunch time when the usual gang got on the coach along with other supporters, including the writer’s parents. (Bugger ‘I had to be on my best behaviour’) on our way to sunny Canal Street, not for those with sensitive noses, Runcorn. For those who haven’t been or can’t smell Canal Street, if the wind was in the wrong direction the aroma from the chemical works was very fragrant. Arriving at Canal Street there was a slight mist falling, and jokingly my friend Mike said to anyone listening “I bet this match doesn’t finish” to which the reply from all and sundry was “don’t be stupid” (or words to that effect). Pre-match drinks drunk, pies eaten and with visibility decreasing, the match starts, some wit shouts “hey liner where are you?” to which the reply came back “Runcorn!” As the half progressed muffled Ooohs and Ahhhhs could be heard around the ground. Half time came 0 – 0. Second half the match resumed, visibility dwindling very quickly until the ref blew his whistle on 70 minutes and brought both teams off the pitch with players coming up to the fans and saying “so that’s what you look like!” Five minutes later the ref abandoned the match. Back on the coach my father turned round to my friend Mike and said “I’m not speaking to you again” A promise kept until Paul and I got married 18 years ago, when father and friend again Mike both attended the wedding, thus ending 25 years of silence between the two. The journey home was an experience in itself, we left Canal Street in thick fog, the coach driver tootled out of the car park, and turned right – no-one noticed until the driver, after 15 / 20 minutes, said “sorry folks I’ve turned the wrong way”. So he turned the coach round and off we went again, some 30 minutes later we went past Ford Halewood, and then John Lennon Airport, interesting! Some how we stumbled on to a motorway and ended up in Salford, then after 1 ½ hours we eventually arrived back in Altrincham with clear skies, the fog had lifted. To conclude if you insist on following a team home and away sooner or later you will enjoy this sort of day out. Paul has mentioned getting as far as Carlisle from Wigan before the match at Darlington was called off is nearly as much fun.
Margaret Wood
Good evening and a very warm welcome to Brocstedes Park for this first NWCFL First Division home encounter of 2016 against our visitors Litherland REMYCA. 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 would like to extend a warm welcome and thank you to tonight’s Match Sponsors Kiera’s Occasions, 2 North Road St Helens, who have been long time supporters of the club! We also welcome today’s Match Ball sponsors Danny’s Window Cleaning Service who are also Player Sponsors for Jack Marshall. 2016 promises to be significant one for the club combining our 70th anniversary since the reformation after the Second World War along with a much awaited return to the Borough as part of the Ruskin Drive Development. The latest news is that ground-work has now started and council officials confirmed at our last meeting that a completion date of May 2016 is expected. I will endeavour to keep you all updated as the season progresses and more news is available. We started our work on ‘bedding-in’ at Ruskin by accepting their invitation to take part in a Comedy & Curry Night event last month, alongside Pilkington FC, St Helens Cricket Club, and Pilkington RLFC, which raised over £300 for the club. We have also booked our End of Season Presentation Night in the Percival Rooms at Ruskin on Friday 6th May - I hope you can join us. 2016 has started very well for the team with an impressive 0-1 away victory at Northwich Manchester Villa last; Ed Peglar with the only goal of the game. Two further away victories at Eccleshall (0-3) and at Cheadle (1-2) ensured a 100% record in January and we were announced as the NWCFL Division One Club of the Month - congratulations to Alan, Nick and the players. In addition, Matthew Hodge was chosen as Goalkeeper of the Month while tonight's visitors saw Colin McDonald collect the Player of the Month award! We will need those battling qualities again this evening if we are going to make it four from four in 2016. Remy arrive off the back of an impressive 1-4 win at Ashton Town at the weekend which saw former Town player Colin Quirk hit two.
We lost our game at Whitchurch Alport, one of only two league games falling to the weather; the other being Bacup Borough who we are due to visit this weekend before returning home to host in-form Hanley Town next Tuesday. Congratulations to club captain Andy Gillespie (pictured above) who was presented with an engraved Silver Salver prior to the game at Cheadle Town recently to mark his 100th appearance for the club (v Northwich Manchester Villa). He duly celebrated with the opening goal v Cheadle, his 20th of the season to date. We are still looking for a few match and ball sponsors with packages from just £50. Similarly, membership to our Goldline Lottery is available at just £1 per week - see me for details. Enjoy the game . . . John McKiernan Chairman, St Helens Town AFC 07713 339 682
TOWN BOUNCE BACK TO WINNING WAYS by Glyn Jones St. Helens Town turned in a tremendous defensive effort at Manchester Regional Arena on Saturday, to gain a precious 1-0 victory over a lively Northwich Manchester Villa side in the first ever meeting between the sides. Not only was this Town’s first win since October, but it was their first clean sheet since the FA Vase win at Winterton Rangers in September and it also represented their first shut-out in league games this season. On a slick, wet pitch, Town began under pressure from the home side, who launched several attacks before the visitors’ first raid, which saw Ste Rigby sprint 30 yards with the ball, only to fail to get sufficient power in his shot as the NMV defenders closed in after 12 minutes. A further 12 minutes on, Villa had a series of shots on goal in quick succession, which the Town defence did well to keep out and a few minutes later, a free-kick from Nalatche Lassana was passed to Gavin Salmon and Matt Hodge in the Town goal pulled off a fine save from point-blank range. Town had to wait until the half hour mark before they got in their second shot on goal, Todd Blayney hitting a few feet over the crossbar from 20 yards. As the action switched to the other end of the pitch, Hodge again saved from close range from Callum McGlynn. Nine minutes from half-time, St. Helens went ahead. A snap shot from Daniel Greene was blocked by a Villa defender and Ed Pegler hit the rebound in from 20 yards in spectacular fashion. The second half followed much the same pattern as the first, as the NMV forwards launched wave after wave of attacks in the pouring rain, but the Town defence turned in a tremendous shift to keep the home side out, on virtually every occasion getting in crucial tackles to deny the equaliser. Only once did Hodge make a mistake, slicing a clearance on 65 minutes, but there was Adam Lawrence on the far post to clear the ball off his line. In a rare attack, Town lost possession on the half-way line with twelve minutes remaining, but Hodge once again pulled off a fine save to deny Dominic McHale when he looked almost certain to score. It was a marvellous performance in deplorable conditions, but Town shone through and fully deserved their victory, which lifts the team into tenth place, with games in hand on most teams above them. Indeed, another win this Saturday against Stockport Town at Brocstedes Park, could elevate them into seventh place, hot on the heels of the promotion play-off contenders. St. Helens still have 18 games remaining in the First Division programme. Only seven of these are at home, but with this sort of improvement and, hopefully, the prospect of drier grounds on the horizon, prospects are looking good for a second half surge up the table.
FORGOTTEN FOOTBALL In November 2015 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.
Welcome to Brocstedes Park for this evenings game against Merseyside rivals Litherland REMYCA.
It's been just over 8 weeks since our last home game and since then we have been on the road 3x and managed to record 3 hard fought victories at Northwich MV, Eccleshall and Cheadle Town. Probably the most pleasing aspect of our play in the 3 games has been the improvement in our defensive performances only conceding once. The progressive improvement in the squad has continued during January. The returning Centre Back Hamish Falconer has restored the defensive leadership we were lacking at times and the new midfield additions Sam Sheen and Ellis Mavers have both made very positive impacts. The improvement in our performances during January was recognised in the winning of the Club of the Month award. Another high spot was Matty Hodge winning GK of the month Award very well deserved for a very young keeper who has made some great stops.
Always nice to win things but we know there is a long way to go yet. We almost need to have a period of stability with the squad now and see where this group can take us. The promotion race is wide open with eight or nine teams pressing for one of the three promotion places so hopefully we can put a decent run together and keep ourselves in the hunt We are expecting a really tough game tonight having been well beaten 3-1 at their place in September. Alan Gillespie
Thanks to Prestige Vehicle Movement First Team Tracksuit sponsors. Pictured are George Lomax, Andy Gillespie & Todd Blaney
Runcorn Town - after rolling over for the last 33 weeks, the Runcorn Town FC Ground Fund Lottery has finally found a winner with Town fan Mark Theobold successfully matching the 2 numbers to give him a record payout for the Town Lottery of £2,095. Mark said: "It was a lovely thing to wake up to find a message from the club to tell me I'd won. Thanks to everyone at Runcorn Town FC. Runcorn Town Lottery manager Glyn Davies said: "After such a long time waiting for a winner and our sales growing every week, it is really good that we have finally have a winner. Well done to Mark on his win, and thanks to all our Lottery players for their continued support". Colne - A busy week of work at Colne last week saw a new security system installed and repairs carried out to floodlights damaged in the recent inclement weather. The recent well publicised break-in at the club, where local vandals caused damage inside the clubhouse as well as stealing stock, led to a local firm, Fresh Fire & Security, approaching the club to offer assistance in improving security at the XLCR Stadium. Colne’s Janette Harries said: “They have done us a fantastic 2 year deal, installing cameras and recording equipment and providing 24/7 coverage, which involves monitoring our cameras and alerting emergency services when necessary”. With the new security system in place, attention then turned to the repair of the floodlights, which took place on Thursday, with a willing group of volunteers assembling at the ground at 8.30 am to help place Enduramats down to protect the pitch, and allow the cherry picker to drive onto them to be in place for repairing the affected floodlights.
Janette said: “This worked better than anyone could have hoped for, and there has been very little damage caused to the pitch surface. “Electrician Andy, assisted by Jamie from local firm Walsh Electrical, worked their way methodically around the pitch and one by one the lights came on. Andy working at the top of the cherry picker endured the windy conditions, and a shower from one of the lamps, which was half full of water when he took the front casing off.”
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
Tue 16/02/16
Kiera’s Occasions Litherland REMYCA Venue Dressing & Balloons
Tue 23/02/16
Hanley Town
Sat 27/02/16
Whitchurch Alport
Sat 08/03/16
Stockport Town
Mon 28/03/16
Ashton Town
Tue 12/04/16
Bacup Borough
Sat 16/04/16 Northwich Man Villa
Stillia
Danny’s Window Cleaning Action Coach NW Invisible Heroes
Johnsons Toyota Liverpool A180 Darts
Michael Allison
Invisible Heroes Airborne Bathroom Services & Extra Time Academy The Track King Stuart Pyke Wilf Marshall & Finding Furever Homes
Warrington Motors Man of the Match Awards Matty Lennon (v Irlam) and Graham McLoughlin (Rochdale) & Dave Dempsey (Cheadle T)
Warrington Motors Fiat and Nissan
201 Winwick Road, Warrington Cheshire WA2 7PE Telephone: 01925 669 401
Man of the Match Awards 2015-16 Town v Atherton LR Andy Gillespie/Dale Sealey Town v Irlam Matty Lennon Town v Rochdale Town Graham McLoughlin Town v Barnton Dale Sealey
Town v Cheadle Town Dave Dempsey Town v Chadderton Adam Lawrence Town v Widnes Jack Marshall Town v Holker Old Boys Matthew Hodge Town v Daisy Hill George Lomax
Town v Eccleshall Andy Gillespie
Warrington Motors Man of the Match v Eccleshall Andy Gillespie with Match Sponsors Ian Finney (Action Coach NW)
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
Aug 15
Maine Road
7.45
4-1W
Bradley
Davidson
Kelly
A.Whelan
Sealey
Baines
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
SEP 12
BARNTON
NWCFL
3.00
3-3D
McLoughlin
Davidson
Kelly
Gibson
Sealey
A.Whelan
Sep 15
Rochdale Town
NWCFL
7.45
3-1L
McLoughlin
Davidson
Marshall
Gibson
Sealey
A.Whelan
SEP 19
CHEADLE 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
Stockport Town
NWCFL
3.00
3-0L
McLoughlin
Lawrence
Marshall
A.Whelan
Lennon
Twist
OCT 24
HOLKER OLD BOYS
NWCFL
3.00
1-3L
Hodge
Lawrence
Rigby
A.Whelan
Lennon
Pegler Davies
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
Chadderton
FDC 2R
7.45
6-3L#
Hodge
Davidson
Rigby
Lawrence
A.Whelan
Al Gillespie
DEC 19
ECCLESHALL
NWCFL
3.00
2-3L
Hodge
Presho
Rigby
Lawrence
Pegler
Blayney
Jan 09 Northwich Manchester Villa
NWCFL
3.00
0-1W
Hodge
Alex Gillespie
Rigby
Lawrence
Presho
A.Whelan
Jan 23
Eccleshall
NWCFL
3.00
0-3W
Hodge
Alex Gillespie
Marshall
Lawrence
Falconer
A.Whelan
Jan 30
Cheadle Town
NWCFL
3.00
1-2W
Hodge
Morris
Rigby
Lawrence
Falconer
A.Whelan
FEB 16
LITHERLAND REMCYA
NWCFL
7.45
Feb 20
Bacup Borough
NWCFL
3.00
FEB 23
HANLEY TOWN
NWCFL
8.00
FEB 27
WHITCHURCH ALPORT
NWCFL
3.00
Mar 05
Hanley Town
NWCFL
3.00
MAR 08
STOCKPORT TOWN
NWCFL
8.00
Mar 12
Widnes
NWCFL
3.00
Mar 15
Holker Old Boys
NWCFL
7.45
Mar 19
Ashton Town
NWCFL
3.00
Sat 26
Whitchurch Alport
NWCFL
3.00
MAR 28
ASHTON TOWN
NWCFL
3.00
Apr 02
Irlam
NWCFL
3.00
APR 12
BACUP BOROUGH
NWCFL
7.45
APR 16
NORTHWICH M.V.
NWCFL
3.00
Apr 23
Atherton LR
NWCFL
3.00
Apr 30
Barnton
NWCFL
3.00
# - AET 3-3 @ Full Time
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
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
Davidson2
Baines7
Smith
Morris
Andy Gillespie2
Lomax
Greene
A.Whelan11
Alex Gillespie
Bradley
Pegler1
Blayney
Andy Gillespie
Murphy
Greene
Lomax10
Baines7
Smith
Woodhall
Hoult11
Mavers
Sheen1
Andy Gillespie1
Murphy
Rigby
Greene3
Morris2
Davidson
Smith10
Mavers
Sheen
Andy Gillespie1
Greene
Murphy
Presho8
Alex Gillespie
Blayney
Smith
Lomax111
5-2 1-3 0-2 1-1
1-3 1-2
2-3 1-1
6-1 3-3
3-3 1-1 1-6 1-1 1-4 1-1 0-5 0-3 2-2 0-3 1-1
Widnes
2-3
2-2 Whitchurch Alport
4-1 2-2 0-3 2-2 2-1 3-1 3-0 6-0 1-2 2-1 4-0 3-2 0-2 2-0 3-5
4-1 St Helens Town
3-3 3-1 2-2 2-6 2-3
1-1 4-3 0-3 1-6 5-0 Rochdale Town
3-3 2-0 Northwich Man Villa 0-2 3-0
Stockport Town
3-2 1-3 3-1
0-3
2-3
3-1
0-1 2-2 4-3
2-2 Litherland REMYCA 0-2
1-4 1-2 Irlam
Holker Old Boys
3-0 1-0 1-0
5-2 1-4 2-1
2-1
0-2
3-0
0-2
1-3 2-1
1-1
4-1 2-2 3-1 1-2 1-0
2-3
4-1
1-1
3-0 4-0
1-0
8-0 3-1 1-2
1-2 0-0 4.3 3-2 2-0
3-1 1-2 1-2 0-3 1-1
Hanley Town
0-4 Daisy Hill
3-2 0-1
3-0 1-2 Cheadle Town
Eccleshall
0-0 Chadderton
Atherton LR
Ashton Town
1-1
Ashton Town
1-2 1-2
1-2 2-1 4-3 4-2
2-0 Barnton
1-6 3-0
1-1
1-2
0-3 1-3 0-3 0-4 1-3
2-4 1-1 0-3 1-2 0-1 5-3
2-0 4-3
2-2
1-0 1-2 2-1 7-1
2-1 4-2 9-2 2-3
Atherton LR
North West Counties Football League Division One Season 2015-16 Saturday 13/02/16
5-5
0-4
Bacup Borough
Bacup Borough
Barnton
2-3
Chadderton
3-1 1-4
3-2
Daisy Hill
Cheadle Town
0-1 5-1
Eccleshall
4-3
Hanley Town
4-0 4-2
1-3 3-2
Holker Old Boys
0-1
Irlam
2-1
Northwich M Villa Litherland REMYCA
0-2 0-3 2-1
Rochdale Town
0-1 1-4 5-1 3-2
St Helens Town
2-1
1-3
4-1
0-0
Stockport Town
1-1
5-0
0-1
Widnes Whitchurch Alport
St Helens Town AFC - Player Records 1946-2015 Goals in a career 216 Steve Pennington 118 Terry Garner 108 Gary Laird 105 Lee Cooper 101 Glenn Walker 94 Iain Dyson 83 Harry McCann 81 Ray Fairweather 72 Arthur Tyrer 68 Phil Stainton 63 Mervyn Bull
Goals in a season 47 Phil Stainton 1963/64 46 Steve Pennington 1997/98 45 Jackie Kendrick 1973/74 45 Steve Pennington 1993/94 40 Bob Potter 1952/53 38 Terry Fearns 2000/01 36 Albert Leadbetter 1950/51 35 Arthur Tyrer 1957/58 34 Lee Cooper 2001/02 33 Ronnie Rigby 1952/53 32 Harry McCann 1950/51 31 Terry Garner 1950/51
Career Appearances (Qualification 250 games) 448 Alan Wellens (inc. 207 estimated) 359 John Critchley (16 est.) 352 Steve Pennington 346 Gary Lowe (1 est.) 345 Glenn Walker 327 Jackie Atherton (122 est.) 300 Jackie Cooke (1 est.) 287 Gary Laird 280 Kevin Grice (147 est.) 278 Jimmy Woodyer (67 est.) 276 Iain Dyson 272 Ray Fairweather (3 est.) 265 Larry Redmond (134 est.)
ST. HELENS TOWN AFC – A STATISTICAL HISTORY by Glyn Jones Part 64 - Season 2010-11 North West Counties League New Mills Ramsbottom United Winsford United Padiham Colne Bootle Barnoldswick Town Congleton Town Squires Gate Atherton L.R. Bacup Borough Runcorn Linnets Maine Road Glossop North End Silsden St. Helens Town Flixton (-3) Formby Stone Dominoes Alsager Town Rossendale United (-1) Ashton Athletic Opponents Alsager Town Ashton Athletic Atherton L.R. Bacup Borough Barnoldswick Town Bootle Colne Congleton Town Flixton Formby Glossop North End Maine Road New Mills Padiham Ramsbottom United Rossendale United Runcorn Linnets Silsden Squires Gate Stone Dominoes Winsford United
P 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 Home Apr 27 Feb 19 Oct 5 Mar 5 Aug 21K Jan 3 Apr 5 Aug 24K Oct 16 Oct 19 Oct 30 Oct 12 Sep 28A Apr 12 Mar 15 Jan 15 Apr 25 Apr 19 Mar 30 Nov 23 Nov 20
W 32 29 26 21 21 21 19 18 18 19 17 16 15 14 13 14 13 11 12 10 6 5
D 6 4 5 10 10 9 12 10 10 6 10 8 9 11 9 5 9 10 6 8 11 6 Result Won 5-1 Won 2-1 Won 3-0 Drew 1-1 Lost 0-3 Won 1-0 Lost 4-8 Lost 2-3 Won 3-2 Lost 4-5 Won 1-0 Drew 3-3 Lost 2-4 Drew 2-2 Lost 1-5 Drew 3-3 Lost 0-4 Lost 0-3 Lost 1-3 Lost 0-2 Lost 0-3
L 4 9 11 11 11 12 11 14 14 17 15 18 18 17 20 23 20 21 24 24 25 31
F 102 101 99 84 90 78 81 70 74 75 69 68 69 68 47 79 78 67 60 57 63 45 Away Aug 7 Mar 19 Mar 26 Apr 9 Feb 12 Sep 7 Apr 30 Apr 16 Jan 8 Sep 21 Sep 25 Feb 22 Mar 12 Oct 9 Apr 23 Oct 23 Mar 1 Sep 11 Oct 26 Mar 22 Aug 10
A 38 45 50 62 73 56 58 60 70 72 56 77 64 55 74 116 91 95 90 94 106 122
Pts 102 91 83 73 73 72 69 64 64 63 61 56 54 53 48 47 45 43 42 38 28 21 Result Lost 1-2 Won 3-1 Lost 0-1 Lost 1-7 Lost 0-3 Lost 1-2 Lost 1-6 Lost 1-4 Lost 2-3 Lost 1-2 Won 4-2 Won 3-0 Lost 0-9 Won 3-1 Drew 3-3 Won 4-2 Won 5-3 Won 3-0 Lost 0-4 Lost 2-3 Won 3-2
Extra-Prelim. Replay Prelim. Replay
Aug 14 Aug 17K Aug 28K Sep 1
1st Rd. Qual. 2nd Rd. Qual. 1st Rd. 2nd Rd. 3rd Rd.
Sep 4A Sep 18A Oct 2 Nov 13 Dec 15
2nd Rd. 3rd Rd.
Nov 6 Mar 8
2nd Rd. QF
Nov 16 Feb 2
FA CUP Nostell Miners Welfare NOSTELL MINERS WELFARE GLOSSOP NORTH END Glossop North End FA VASE BRODSWORTH WELFARE WORSBOROUGH BRIDGE ATH OLDHAM BORO Winterton Rangers Holbrook Sports VODKAT LEAGUE CUP Alsager Town AFC Blackpool LIVERPOOL SENIOR CUP SKELMERSDALE UNITED TRANMERE ROVERS
Away Home Home Away
Drew Drew Drew Lost
1-1 2-2 AET* 1-1 1-3 AET
Home Home Home Away Away
Won Won Won Won Lost
8-1 4-0 2-1 2-0 0-4
Away Away
Won Lost
2-1 AET 1-5
Home Home
Won Lost
3-2 AET 2-4
*Won 5-4 on penalties. Home games played at K Knowsley Road and A Alder House, Atherton Collieries FC. All home games from 2 nd October played at Edge Green Street, Ashton Town FC. Player Aldridge, Karl Anders, Paul Arnold, Liam Baker, Gavin Baker, Scott Birch, Peter Brown, Karl Burton, Phil Cliff, Paul Croxton, James Deakin, Mike Dyson, Iain Elias, John Evans, Mark Fargher, Mike Faulkner, Luke Foy, Franny Frazer, Ian Gardner, James Garnell, Dave Gore, Ray Grogan, Mike Hatton, Brian Jarrett, Danny Kavanagh, Mike
App 28 1 6 3 17 11 4 21 7 34 20 11 21 27 19 39 13 27 7 6 5 5 14
Sub 2 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 9 8 6 2 1 2 1 1 10 2 3 3 17
Total Goals 30 1 2 9 2 1 6 2 18 1 14 1 13 2 21 5 15 3 40 15 22 12 23 4 28 3 20 2 49 1 15 1 30 3 7 6 2 8 1 5 31 1
Player App Kay, Stephen (Ben) 39 Langley, Mike McGann, Chris 16 Mahoney, Danny 3 Mitchell, Phil Mkatapa, Francis Moran, Rafael 1 Morgan, Che 27 Morris, Andrew 1 Newbrook, Dale 42 Odukamaya, Josh 2 Owens, Lee 18 Parr, Michael 1 Pearson, Liam 37 Riley, Lee Ryder, Liam 17 Stephens, Marc 25 Taylor, Ricky 1 Uji, Makoto 2 White, Tom 6 Williams, Aaron Woods, Daley 14 Woods, Kevin 7 Own Goals Totals 605
Sub 1 1 1 2 2 9 3 2 13 1 2 1 8 3 2 1 10 142
Total Goals 40 1 1 17 10 5 1 2 9 4 1 27 1 3 42 2 31 1 2 39 24 1 25 1 28 5 1 4 6 1 24 11 7 3 747 108
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, groundsharing 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 multisports 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 2014-15 South Lancs League U17s Cup Finalists 2014-15 Cheshire FA U21 League Champions
Record Appearances: Alan Wellens (448) Record Goal Scorer: Steve Pennington (216) Record Attendances: 3012 at Hoghton Road v Burscough (1948) 8000 at Hoghton Road v Man City (1950) 1723 at Knowsley Rd v FC Utd Manchester (2006) 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 January 2016 Team of the Month ‘Keeper of the Month Jan Matthew Hodge
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 three English strikers shared the Premier League Golden Boot for the 1997/8 season? Q2. What is the South American equivalent of Europe’s Champions League called?
Q3. Which team has lost the most English Football League Cup finals? Q4. Who was the first non-British Isles player to be Scottish Top-Flight top scorer? Q5. Which country won England’s 2014 World Cup Finals group? Q6. Which seven British clubs have competed in the UEFA Cup/Europa League Final since 1999?
Q7. Which player in May 2012 became the oldest to appear in a competitive match for Spurs? Q8. How many league goals did Mark Hughes score for Everton? Q9. Which team demanded a Jacuzzi in every hotel room for their World Cup stay in Brazil in 2014? Q10. Which Premier League club were the first to give away their shirt sponsorship to a charity between 2008 & 10?
Q11. Which English referee showed three yellow cards to the same Croatian player at the 2006 World Cup Finals? Q12. Which player scored 30 goals in his first Premier League season in 1999/00? Q13. Which former Liverpool striker was Champions League top scorer in 2003/4? Q14. What occurred for the first time in the Premier League when Wigan played Chelsea in August 2010? Q15. Which three German clubs have won the European Cup or Champions
1) Michael Owen, Dion Dublin & Chris Sutton 2) Copa Libertadores 3) Arsenal with 5 losses 4) Pierre van Hooijdonk 95/6 5) Costa Rica 6) Arsenal 99/00, Liverpool 00/01, Celtic 02/03, Middlesboro 05/06, Rangers 07/08, Fulham 09/10 & Chelsea 12/13 7) Brad Fridel 8) One 9) Japan 10) Aston Villa (Acorns) 11) Graham Poll 12) Kevin Phillips 13) Fernando Morientes with Monaco 14) There were no corners 15) Bayern Munich, Hamburg & Borussia Dortmund
TOWN’S IMPRESSIVE RUN CONTINUES by Glyn Jones St. Helens Town won their third successive game with a thoroughly deserved 2-1 victory at highflying Cheadle Town on Saturday, a win which lifts them into eighth place in the NW Counties First Division table. With games in hand on Cheadle, Stockport Town and leaders Barnton, further wins will see them enter the play-off positions and secure a place in next season’s FA Cup qualifying rounds. On a blustery day, which threw every kind of weather at the teams, St. Helens adapted better to the heavy pitch and they went ahead in the fourth minute from a corner kick, captain Andy Gillespie reacting fastest of all to beat home keeper Tom Elford and several defenders to the ball to net his 20th goal of the season. The home side roared back and the ever-dangerous Chris Sherrington went close twice in quick succession, firstly hitting the bar, then crashing a shot into the side netting. The visitors were stretched at the back for long periods of the first half, but these days the Town defence is much improved and work together like a real unit and were able to deal with all that Cheadle could throw at them, before launching counter-attacks of their own. One player called upon at both ends of the field was Aaron Morris, who was resolute in defence throughout, along with Hamish Falconer, Adam Lawrence, Ant Whelan and Ste Rigby, whilst Andy Gillespie led the line up front, ably supported by Connor Murphy and Sam Sheen.
Town should have doubled their lead on the half-hour when Michael Sacks was forced into an error on the corner of his penalty area, surrendering possession to Sheen, but the St. Helens midfielder had to bend his shot quickly round another defender and was narrowly wide of the post with his effort. At the other end of the field, James Horan had the chance to equalise, but good defending caused him to place his shot just to the left of Matt Hodge’s post. The home side did draw level, however, four minutes from the break, the irrepressible Sherrington getting a deserved goal after several other players had had their efforts blocked and the teams departed for the tunnel level at a goal apiece. Connor Murphy, injured towards the end of the first half, was replaced by George Lomax and the second half belonged to the young striker. As the weather deteriorated, he took the game by the scruff of the neck and the Cheadle defence had no answer to his barnstorming breaks. He set up chances for Gillespie and Morris, then carved out a goal for Danny Greene, which was disallowed for offside, which decision looked a little harsh. On the hour mark, Gillespie put Lomax through from the half-way line and the young forward beat two defenders, then keeper Elford, to score what turned out to be the winning goal. Remarkably, he had three further chances to wrap up the points: first, he beat two defenders, but pulled his shot wide; second, with apparently plenty of time, he picked his spot, only for a defender to pull off a last-ditch save at the post, then finally, rather than shooting, he elected to pass to Sheen, who dummied to Rigby, who fired wide, with the goal at his mercy. He will learn from this experience and he looks a real find. With new-found confidence in defence and up front, Town will surely go from strength to strength. Three wins from three away wins in January is a good return by anyone’s standards and just the start to the year that joint managers Alan Gillespie and Nick Matthews were looking for. Town had to survive a last minute scare when a second Cheadle equaliser was disallowed following a heavy challenge on Hodge as his opposite number’s free kick from his own half ended up in the back of the Town net, but the home side were hardly in the game in the second period and Town could and perhaps should have been two or three goals to the good at the end of this contest.
Cheadle Town 1-2 Town NWCFL Division One Saturday 30th January 2016
TOWN WIN AT ECCLESHALL by Glyn Jones St. Helens Town gained revenge over Eccleshall, easing to a 3-0 win, to wipe out the memory of a 3-2 home defeat to the same side just before Christmas. However, they did not have things all their own way and might have been a couple of goals in arrears in a first half which saw the home side waste a number of seemingly easy chances, whilst Matt Hodge had another outstanding match in goal for Town.
On a heavy pitch, Town began well, but Eccleshall soon tested the visitors’ defence with a number of surges upfield which ought to have resulted in at least one goal. In one particular attack 13 minutes in, Hodge blocked a good shot from Danny Jones only for the same player to hit the rebound over the bar. Shortly afterwards, Hodge tipped a fine shot round his left post to deny another opportunity. Midway through the first half, Town turned the tide and Hamish Falconer, making a belated seasonal debut, headed just over the bar on 25 minutes and was just wide of the right post with another similar effort a minute later. Andy Gillespie’s free-kick was turned against his post by Martin Spencer in the Eccleshall goal eight minutes before the interval, but Ste Rigby fired wide from the rebound. Just before half-time, St. Helens went ahead, debutant Sam Sheen placing the ball just out of Spencer’s reach with a shot from 12 yards. A minute into the second half, Town extended their lead. Several players were involved in a neat passing move straight off the training ground, which resulted in Rigby springing the offside trap and firing neatly into the roof of the Eccleshall net from the corner of the box. The home side still had chances, but Town always looked the more likely scorers. Andy Gillespie burst through on 55 minutes but a fine tackle from Jack Beech on the edge of the box denied the St. Helens skipper. Fifteen minutes later, Gillespie again bore down on goal but this time the big striker fired narrowly wide. With twelve minutes left, Hodge brought down Adam Jones in the penalty area, an action which earned him a yellow card, but the Town keeper easily saved Danny Jones’ spot-kick. The final action of the game saw substitute Aaron Morris pull off a great tackle 30 yards out on the right touch-line, turn quickly and find Gillespie in the box and his inch-perfect drive, despite the attention of two defenders, hit the back of Spencer’s net to wrap up the proceedings at 3-0.
St Helens Town - last 6 matches All Competitions
Most recent
at St Helens Town
Previous Meetings
at Litherland REMCYA
NWC-D1
2000-01
IZL-1
Home
D
W
W
L
L
L
NWC-D1
2001-02
LPL-CC D2
Away
L
W
D
W
W
W
NWC-D1
2002-03
LPL-CC
W
NWC-D1
2003-04
IZL-2
Collated
L
D
L
W
W
NWC-D1
2004-05
IZL-1
Litherland REMYCA - last 6 matches
NWC-D1
2005-06
IZL-2
All Competitions
NWC-D1
2006-07
LCPL-D2
NWC-D1
2007-08
LCPL-D1
NWC-PD
2008-09
LCPL-D1
NWC-PD
2009-10
LCPL-D1
NWC-PD
2010-11
LCPL-PD
NWC-PD
2011-12
LCPL-PD
NWC-PD
2012-13
LCPL-PD
NWC-PD
2013-14
LCPL-PD
NWC-PD
2014-15
NWC-D1
10/10/2015
2015-16
09/09; 1-3
Home
Most recent
L
D
D
W
D
W
Away
W
W
L
D
W
W
Collated
L
D
W
D
W
W
St Helens Town games since...
Litherland REMYCA games since...
All Competitions
All Competitions
Clean sheet
0
Clean sheet
6
Goal Scored
0
Goal Scored
0
Loss
3
Loss
5
No score draw
55
No score draw
Score draw
4
Score draw
Win
0
St Helens Town Scores First
155
Win
4 0
Games Played
1
St Helens Town Wins
0
Draws
0
Litherland REMYCA Wins
1
St Helens Town Goals
1
Litherland REMYCA Goals
3
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
1
0
0
1
1
3
-2
0.00
Collated
1
0
0
1
1
3
-2
0.00
Eccleshall 0-3 Town NWCFL Division One Saturday 23rd January 2016
Irlam recently hosted a Puma advertising campaign shoot at Silver Street, featuring Manchester City players Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure.
The day came about at pretty short notice, but was well worth doing, as Club Secretary Warren Dodd explained. "We got a call from a media company, The Production Office, based in Manchester who were looking for an appropriate venue to film some football related shots. No more information than that. Like many Clubs, we are always a bit sceptical of calls out of the blue, but nonetheless agreed to meet the contact. "On arrival at the ground, it was clear that we were onto a good thing, with the company informing us they were representing Puma and were filming for their new football boot range, to be launched prior to Euro 2016. "Things moved pretty fast, and within days we were hosting an event, with Puma representatives flying in from Europe and America. The event was very much under wraps, with us signing confidentiality agreements to ensure everything was kept confidential. Once it all got under way, our new Clubhouse became a real media hub, with every table covered with laptops, filming equipment and kit and boots. "The stars of the show were Manchester City players, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero. It was great to see the players in action at Irlam FC as they went through their paces at the ground, going through action shoots with the new products. It was a long day, 8am until 10.30pm at night, but a thoroughly enjoyable one. "Our thanks go to Guy Ferrington and Anna Jones from the Production Office for making the day such a great success".
First Division Table as at Saturday 13th February 2016 First Division
P
W D
L
F
A GD Pts
St Helens Town Player Sponsors 2015-16
1
Barnton
21 13 3
5
58 26 32 42
Matthew Hodge Leech Bedrooms & Kitchens
2
Hanley Town
16 13 1
2
34 14 20 40
Adam Lawrence Leech Bedrooms & Kitchens
3
Stockport Town
24 12 4
8
48 40
4
Holker Old Boys
16 11 3
2
42 20 22 36
Alex Gillespie Focus Windows & Doors Limited
5
Cheadle Town
23 10 6
7
53 40 13 36
George Lomax Electrician’s Direct
6
Litherland REMYCA 21 9
6
6 39 30
8
9
40
Matty Lennon Premier Parking Limited
33
Todd Blaney Rob Thompson Auto Repairs
7
Irlam
17 10 2
5
35 17 18 32
Ste Rigby Airborne Bathroom Services
8
Ashton Town
16 10 1
5
38 23 15 31
Andy Gillespie Arcoframe
9
St Helens Town
18 9
2
7 38 37
1
29
Ant Whelan The Daily Grind
10
Bacup Borough
18
8
3
7
8
27
Matty Davidson Kiera’s Occasions
Northwich Man Villa 22
8
3
11 38 45 -7 27
Charlie Duke Warrington Motors Jack Marshall Danny’s Window Cleaning
11
43 35
12
Rochdale Town
21
6
4
11 34 55 -21 22
13
Daisy Hill
19
6
3
10 30 49 -19 21
14
Chadderton
20
5
5
10 24 37 -13 20
15
Widnes
22
4
5
13 44 55 -11 17
16
Eccleshall
17
5
1
11 30 39 -9 16
17
Atherton LR
18
4
3
11 22 46 -24 15
18
Whitchurch Alport
23
1
9
13 25 67 -42 12
* points deducted for a breach of league rules
Conor Murphy Curtain Wizard North West
Danny Greene Total Building Care David Baines SG Specialist Roofing Josh Hoult Gibney’s Jewellers Hamish Falconer Cornerstones Aaron Morris Kealshore Ltd Ed Peglar North West Piling Ltd Alan Gillespie (Manager) Star Physio
Nick Matthews (Manager) Foxwood Joinery
Premier Division Table as at Monday 15th February 2016 Premier Division
P
W D
L
F
A GD Pts
1
Runcorn Linnets
26 20 0
6
63 23 40 60
2
Atherton Collieries
24 17 3
4
75 43 32 54
3
Colne
21 15 4
2
55 25 30 49
4
1874 Northwich
25 15 4
6
55 43 12 49
5
West Didsbury & Chorlton
28 14 1
13 56 50
6
Runcorn Town
26 13 3
10 55 42 13 42
7
Bootle
27 12 6
9
53 52
1
42
8
Abbey Hey
25 12 5
8
48 41
7
41
9
Barnoldswick Town
24 11 4
9
52 41 11 37
10
AFC Liverpool
28 10 7
11 72 71
1
37
11
Congleton Town
24 10 5
9
47 44
3
35
12
Nelson
25 10 4
11 47 41
6
34
13
Winsford United
26
9
7
10 45 57 -12 34
14
Ashton Athletic
24
9
6
9
15
Maine Road
16
37 33
6
4
43
33
28 10 3
15 52 58 -6 33
Cammell Laird 1907
27
8
6
13 49 57 -8 30
17
Padiham
24
8
4
12 48 52 -4 28
18
AFC Darwen
25
6
6
13 51 76 -25 24
19
Squires Gate
25
6
5
14 33 62 -29 23
20
AFC Blackpool
23
5
5
13 37 60 -23 20
21
Silsden
21
4
5
12 29 53 -24 17
22
Alsager Town
24
3
3
18 32 67 -35 12
* points deducted for a breach of league rules
Tuesday 16th February 2016 Premier Division Abbey Hey v Ashton Athletic Nelson v Squires Gate Silsden v Colne First Division Hanley Town v Cheadle Town Holker Old Boys v Daisy Hill Irlam v Atherton LR St Helens Town v Litherland REMYCA Cheshire Senior Cup Quarter Finals Alsager Town v Northwich Victoria Wednesday 17th February 2016 First Division Barnton v Eccleshall Friday 19th February 2016 Premier Division AFC Darwen v Nelson Saturday 20th February 2016 The Reusch First Division Cup QF Hanley Town v Chadderton Holker Old Boys v Barnton Litherland REMYCA v Irlam Rochdale Town v Stockport Town Premier Division AFC Liverpool v Colne Ashton Athletic v Alsager Town Atherton Collieries v Congleton Town Maine Road v Barnoldswick Town Padiham v Abbey Hey Runcorn Town v Silsden Squires Gate v Runcorn Linnets West Didsbury & Chorlton v Bootle Winsford United v AFC Blackpool First Division Bacup Borough v St Helens Town Cheadle Town v Atherton LR Eccleshall v Ashton Town Whitchurch Alport v Northwich Man Villa Widnes v Daisy Hill
Monday 22nd February 2016 The Men United Cup 3rd Round Atherton Collieries v Bacup Borough