St Helens Town v Maine Road by John McKiernan

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

Executive Executive Programme Programme Sponsor Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners Programme Year Five Time Winners of of Programme of of thethe Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Today’s Team News CLUB INFORMATION Honorary Life President: Alan Wellens

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

Full Committee: John McKiernan, Jeff Voller, Jim Barrett, Ste Ball, Chris Ford and Glyn Jones. Trustees: John McKiernan and Eric Bond Club Manager: Ian Price

Assistant Manager: Nick Matthews Physiotherapists: Nicole Garner Jess Pritchard & Ben Fletcher U21 Team Manager Alan Gillespie U21 Asst Manager: John Whelan

Saturday 18th April 2015, kick off 3.00pm North West Counties League, Premier Division St Helens Town Red & White Shirts White Shorts, Red & White Socks No

Gls

St Helens Town Rory Crowther James Halpin Ed Richardson Hamish Falconer Chris Tingay Edward Pegler Daniel Brooks Aaron Morris James Rushton-Woods Lee Harrison Jack Golding Kieran Leyland Nathan Hughes Andy Gillespie Matthew Davidson Liam Hynes

Maine Road Sky Blue Shirts Sky Blue Shorts & Socks No

Gls

Maine Road Ryan Livesey John Mason Josh Tinker Andy Thorpe James Flynn Rick Williams Jamie Roe Callum Broady Rory Breslin Josh Harper Connor Hughes Adam Savill Nick Osborne Jamie Allen Mike Burke Matthew Morgan

U18 Team Manager: Cairns Hardie U17 Team Manager: Nick Matthews Veterans Team Manager: David Platt

Manager: Ian Price Assistant: Nick Matthews

Manager: Derek Barber Assistant: Jeff Newman

Referee: Mr D Underwood (Thornton-Cleveleys)

Email: sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk

Assists: Mr A Beckett (Thornton-Cleveleys) & Mr C Sharp (Lytham)

Main Club Sponsor: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Today’s Executive Match Sponsor:

Main Shirt Sponsor: Eciguk St Helens

John Allison

Legal: St Helens Town Limited Private Limited Company Company No. 04392840 Date of Incorporation 12.03.2002 Company Directors: Jim Barrett Parent Company: A wholly owned subsidiary of Sporting Club St Helens Limited

Happy 60th Birthday from all your family Today’s Match Ball Sponsor:

Autism and Asperger Society Cover: Aaron Morris in action v Ashton Athetic on Easter Monday

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Talk of the Town Good afternoon and welcome to Brocstedes Park for this North West Counties Football League, Premier Division contest against Maine Road. 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 been four weeks since we were here for our last home game on 21st March against Winsford United in a game which we fell behind to a headed goal on the stroke of half time we bounced back well to equalise through James Rushton-Woods and looked to be on track to take all three points but the sending off of Adam Birchall put paid to those hopes and in the end we had to battle to hold onto our first point in the league since the January draw at Squires Gate. We then went on a road trip first travelling all the way to Glossop on a Monday evening only for the weather to thwart us before a ball was kicked after the referee deemed the pitch to be waterlogged with both teams wanting to at least start the contest. We then had to wait another week for a contest as we took the “trip” to Brocstedes Park on Easter Monday to take on landlords Ashton Athletic. We got off to a great start as Aaron Morris curled a loose ball from a corner home and then a well executed lob by skipper Andy Gillespie saw Town double their lead and before the interval spurned a fine chance to make it 3-0 that they would come to rue by the end of the contest. The second half saw Ashton Athletic quickly level matters as Town’s habit of conceding goals in clusters continued as they succumbed on 50 and 52 minutes but showed character to respond quickly with Morris adding his second of the game as he we found in space by Gillespie and rifled the ball into the top corner of the net. Ashton pressed but Town kept them out until around 10 minutes from time when a similar goal to their second saw them level and then late on Town hearts were broken when a former player in the shape of Adam Gilchrist netted (his second of the game) in added on time to give the hosts the spoils and with Barnoldswick defeating Nelson sent Town into the relegation zone for the first occasion this season at the worst possible time. Our previous contest saw us visit FA Vase Finalists Glossop last Thursday evening and on what was an excellent night for them in front of a partisan crowd of almost 600 as they put a young and fairly stretched Town line up to the sword recording a comfortable 4-0 victory after we had been give the game on just 7 days notice which isn’t ideal. Without playing we have feel deeper into the relegation mire as AFC Blackpool won 1-0 at Winsford on Saturday and Barnoldswick won 3-2 at Bootle on Tuesday evening. The equation is simple for us we need to win both our remaining games and hope that Runcorn Town beat Barnoldswick this afternoon or we will be unable to climb out of the relegation zone and will lose our ever present status in the NWCFL top flight. We don’t have an easy task as we face a Maine Road outfit who sit in the top three of the form table, it could be “Sods Law” but it we seem to have played a lot of teams when they are “in form” this season! Let’s get behind Town this afternoon and hopefully cheer them onto victory you support is vital to the cause!

Enjoy the game . . . Jeff Voller

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

In Town Today Maine Road were formed in 1955 as City Supporters Rusholme, when present club president Frank Thompson and a few friends formed a team and after playing a few friendlies joined the local Rusholme Sunday League. In the late sixties the club changed to the Manchester Amateur Sunday League and also moved it’s headquarters to the newly built Maine Road Social Club and hence the new name Maine Road Football Club was taken. Ronnie Meredith was now running the club and in 1971/72 the club won the Manchester County Sunday Cup and both the club’s sides won their respective leagues. This prompted Ron to look for a new challenge and he changed the whole future of the club by switching to Saturday football in the shape of the Manchester League. Success followed success on the field and after several years of moving grounds the club settled at their present home Brantingham Road in 1980. After a lean spell one of Ron’s other ambitions was realised in season 1983/84 when the club won the Manchester League Premier Division. This was to be the first or four consecutive Manchester Premier Division Titles for the club. Derek Barber took over the reigns of management in 1986 and the clubs progress continued, so much so that when the Manchester County F.A.’s new complex at Brantingham Road was built, Ron’s other ambition was achieved, entry to the North West Counties Football League. In season 1987/88 Maine Road were successful at Maine Road the then home of Manchester City FC as they beat Irlam Town 1-0 in the final of the Manchester County FA Premier Cup to complete a unique record of winning all five Manchester County FA County cups.The five cups were; Premier Cup (1987/88), Amateur Cup(1972/73, 1997/98 & 2004/05), Sunday Amateur Cup (1971/72), Intermediate Cup (1975/76 & 1976/77) & Challenge Cup (1982/83, 1984/85, 1985/86 & 1986/87). In only their second season in the North West Counties League 1988/89, the club finished 2nd Division runners-up behind champions Vauxhall but were denied promotion on ground grading. The club went one better the next season when they won the Second Division Championship and took what they felt was their rightful place in the League’s top flight. At the end of 2001/02 season after 12 years in the North West Counties League Division One Maine Road were relegated to the Second Division. This was the first time that a Maine Road side had been relegated. Two seasons in Division Two saw a very young and inexperienced side finish in 3rd place and then Runners-up, which lead to the club regaining their place in the top flight. Under the guidance of Chris Simms the club finished 8th in its first season back in the top flight, 2004/5. Town had mixed fortunes against Maine Road that term recording a 2-0 victory at Knowsley Road in February and in the March return Maine Road gained revenge with a 2-1 victory in Joe Gibiliru’s first game in charge. The following season saw a 10th position finish in Simms’ final season in charge. Record appearance holder Ian Walker took up the managerial hot seat and lead the outfit to a club record sixth position finish in his first season in charge (2006/7). 2007/8 saw Walker lead Road to a cup success beating Second Division Bootle on penalties in the Challenge Cup Final. On top of this Maine Road ended the season in fourth position, their highest ever league finish. After a difficult early campaign in 2008/9 saw the Manchester outfit unable to build on the

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Maine Road previous seasons achievements and they struggled at the wrong end of the table for most of the season before recovering to finish in a respectable 13th position. Those foundations were built upon when in 2009/10 a splendid 6th place position was again attained.

Season 2010/11 proved a difficult one as many players left Road to move on to clubs who were prepared to pay them for their efforts. Many young reserve players were therefore brought through perhaps earlier than scheduled for first team duty. They battled manfully and another 13th position was no disgrace. Maine Road have a long and proud reputation for attracting young players to the club. This began with the introduction of a Youth Team run by Derek in the late 1980’s, which brought a succession of fine young players to the club. This success in spotting and nurturing the best young talent has continued over the last decade with Maine Road’s domination of the Umbro International Football Tournament at Under 19 level. Over the last 11 seasons our Under 19’s have taken on and regularly outplayed talented youngsters from around the world. They have won the competition an amazing 6 times and been runners up 3 times. 2011/12 was a difficult season for Road as they had their worst finish, 18th position since returning to the NWCL top flight in 2004/5. Under a new management team of John Morrey & Chris Thomas they more than made amends the following season as they were surprisingly one of the forerunners for the title and fell just short of the title finishing one point behind Champions Padiham. Their good form continued into the 2013/14 season as they again were fighting at the top of the table eventually finishing in 4th position.

There was a change in the dugout for the start of the 2014/15 season with Lee Bennett replacing the previous duo coming to the club from a successful spell at Manchester League Hindsford but he stepped down in November with club stalwarts Derek Barber and Jeff Newman taking the reins until the end of the season.

Season 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14

League NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-2 NWC-2 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P

P 42 42 44 34 38 42 42 42 38 42 42 42 42 42 42

W 9 15 8 23 23 20 17 22 20 14 21 15 13 28 24

D 10 3 7 2 5 7 10 7 8 9 7 9 9 3 9

L 23 24 29 9 10 15 15 13 10 19 14 18 20 11 9

F 59 75 68 74 99 76 65 79 75 60 82 69 58 99 85

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

A 100 102 115 55 58 69 56 58 45 74 59 64 69 57 42

GD -41 -27 -47 19 41 7 9 21 30 -14 23 5 -11 42 43

Pts 37 48 31 71 74 67 61 73 68 51 70 54 48 87 81

Position 19/22 15/22 22/23 3/18 2/20 8/22 10/22 6/22 4/20 13/22 6/22 13/22 18/22 2/22 4/22

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

How We Compare? St Helens Town - last 6 matches All Competitions

Most recent

Home

Away

Collated

Maine Road - last 6 matches 6/4 All Competitions Home

Most recent

03/11; 0-5

12/10; 3-3

2010-11

22/02; 3-0

21/04; 0-3

2011-12

19/11; 1-2

06/04; 3-4

2012-13

01/12; 1-2

24/08; 0-5

2013-14

26/04; 0-6

18/04/2015

2014-15

02/08; 2-1

Maine Road games since...

All Competitions

All Competition

Score draw

Win

19/03; 1-2

23/08; 2-1

St Helens Town games since...

No score draw

NWC-D2

2004-05

2009-10

2003-04

2008-09

No score draw

NWC-D1 05/02; 2-0

20/04; 2-2

NWC-D2

07/04; 0-0

Loss

2002-03

18/03; 1-1

18/08; 5-0

NWC-D1

10/02; 2-0

Loss

19/08; 2-1

2001-02

2007-08

Collated

2000-01

26/02; 4-0

27/10; 2-1

Goal Scored

13/01; 2-0

07/01; 2-1

16/11; 1-1

2006-07

Goal Scored

1999-00

2005-06

15/04; 4-0

12/09; 0-4

Clean sheet

at Maine Road

03/12; 2-1

Previous Meetings

Away

Clean sheet

at St Helens Town

St Helens Town Scores First Games Played

St Helens Town Wins

Draws

Maine Road Wins

St Helens Town Goals

Maine Road Goals

Percentage Town Wins

48.15

All Previous Meetings All Competitions P

Win %

Home

32.00

Away

56.00

Collated

44.00

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

From the Chair Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to Brocstedes Park for this NWCFL Premier Division encounter with our friends from Maine Road FC. Let’s hope their players, officials and supporters have had a safe journey and along with our own support are treated to an entertaining encounter. I’d also like to welcome and thanks to today’s Match Sponsor John Allison who is our honorary guest celebrating his 60th Birthday courtesy of his son Michael and his family. Let’s hope John enjoys a great afternoon of football and our hospitality. John is joined by David O’Keefe from the Autism and Asperger Society who are today’s match ball sponsor. The charity have been chosen as the mayoral charity and the Mayor and Mayoress of St Helens Councillor Geoffrey Pearl and his wife Carol are also in attendance. There will be a bucket collect at the game - please give generously. Today is our penultimate game of the season and results in the past week have meant we now have two ‘must-win’ games and unfortunately dependent on other results even six points may not be enough to survive the drop. The lads know what’s needed of them and I am sure they will give everything as we look to upset the odds and maintain our ever-present place in the NWCFL top flight. We can look back on a number of missed opportunities throughout the season but all that goes out of the window today and hopefully my notes in next Tuesday’s programme v Silsden will find me discussing a possible ‘great escape’. If not, we will have to dust ourselves down and get on with life in Division One. Maine Road arrive in decent form with three wins and three draws in their last six outings including an impressive 2-0 home win over Colne on Monday night before a goalless draw at Nelson on Wednesday evening. We started the 2014-15 season at Brantingham Road and earned a valuable three points with a 1-2 win when goals from Aaron Morris and Chad Whyte secured the spoils. Let’s hope we can record a first ‘double’ of the season. Don’t forget our U17s team take on Southport U17s in the South Lancs Counties League Cup Wilf Hickson Memorial Cup Final here at Brocstedes Park on Sunday 26th April 2015, kick off 11.30am - please get along and support Nick Matthews and his youngsters admission is £2.50/£1.00 Next up we entertain Silsden next Tuesday evening, kick off 7.45pm Enjoy the game . . .

John McKiernan Chairman St Helens Town AFC Don’t forget we continue with our sponsorship work over the summer and if you are able to help contact me on 07713 339 682 or email mckiernanj@live.com

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Maine Road v Town

NWCFL Premier Division Maine Road 1-2 St Helens Town Opening game of the 2014-15 season Saturday 2nd August 2014

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

NWCFL News Runcorn Linnets - Linnets are holding a Corporate Team Golf Competition at Runcorn Golf Club on Friday, July 31st 2015. The 18-hole Stableford event will welcome teams of four with tee times from 11am-2pm, and entry is open to all at £200 per team, including coffee and light lunch on arrival and a two-course dinner. First prize for the winning team is golfing equipment from the Runcorn professional with prizes also for the runners-up and third-placed team. Linnets vice-chairman Hedley Edwards, a past captain of Runcorn Golf Club, said: "We are hoping that local businesses will support this venture but we would obviously like to see members of Runcorn and other local golf clubs and societies taking part. Cammell Laird 1907 - Lairds will host a charity football match on Saturday 9th May to raise funds for Wirral Hospice and Wirral Media Centre. Tranmere Rovers' legendary player and manager, Ray Matthias, will take charge of one of the sides against Wirral Radio’s own Adam Siddorn’s All Star XI. Former Tranmere players Gareth Roberts, Andy Robinson, Alan Mahon, Simon Haworth, Kenny Irons, Jason Price, Gary Jones Alex Hay and Chris Malkin will appear with former Liverpool favourite Dave Thompson, Leicester City’s Ade Akinbiyi and Swansea’s Lee Trundle. The match kicks-Off at 5.30pm and is £5 for Adults and £2 for Children with all proceeds going to the charities. 1874 Northwich - The Green have announced that they will adopt the Neuro Muscular Centre (NMC) as a charity partner for 2015/16 season. The NMC is based in Winsford and was founded in 1990. It is dedicated to supporting people with muscular dystrophy and other neuromuscular condition from all over Mid-Cheshire and beyond. 1874 Northwich will be one of 25 sports club in the area to be linked to charity in the 25th anniversary year. Winsford United - the Blues are hosting a football tournament for local primary schools on Saturday 16th May at the Barton Stadium, to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. The tournament will be run by the Vale Royal School Sport partnership, with up to 25 teams taking part on the day. The games start at 10 am running through to 3.30 pm, and the club house will be open all day. Hanley Town - Town stepped in to help Evo -Stik League neighbours Leek Town to give them a helping hand in reaching the Staffordshire Senior Cup Final. Town's Abbey Lane ground was the venue for Leek's 1-0 semi-final win over Port Vale, after the original venue of Harrison Park in Leek was waterlogged. As it turned out, after agreeing to host the fixture, Abbey Lane was also waterlogged on the original date but the game finally went ahead on Thursday 2nd April. Leek Town Chairman Andy Wain said: "The people at Hanley Town pulled out all the stops to ensure our game went ahead, and I'm grateful for their co-operation which got us out of a tricky situation in terms of fixture congestion".

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

NWCFL News AFC Liverpool are hoping to make club history on Saturday when they aim to lift the Liverpool Senior Cup for the first time today. The Reds face Evo-Stik League side Skelmersdale United at their West Lancashire College Stadium, and after a cup campaign that has seen them knock out fellow-NWCFL sides Ashton Town and Bootle, along with a memorable home win over Everton, they will looking to end the season by lifting some silverware. Skelmersdale United are, of course, a familiar club to many around our league, having been members for many years before being promoted to the Evo-Stik League Division One North in 2006. The management team of Tommy Lawson and Brian Richardson have been at the helm since 2007, and after finishing in a play-off position all but once in their first five seasons, they steered Skem to the title in 2012-13, and finished 6th in their first season in the Premier League last season. Although destined to miss out on a play off spot this season, Skelmersdale showed that they are not taking their foot off the gas, with a midweek win over league leaders FC United of Manchester that did little to help the Manchester club’s title hopes. It will undoubtedly be a tough test for AFC Liverpool, but Chairman Chris Stirrup says everyone is looking forward to the game, and another milestone in the club’s history. “From the Club’s point of view, it is a great achievement to reach the Liverpool Senior Cup Final for the second time in three years, and hopefully we can win the Trophy this time”, he said. “It will be a tough ask against Skemersdale United but the pressure will all be on them, with them being the favourites. For our club, it’s another massive game in our short history, our fifth Cup Final in seven years. Not many teams can boast that and it’s a credit to Manager Paul Moore and his staff and players who have got us there. “After beating Ashton Town, Everton and Bootle, the Club, its members and supporters all deserve the good day out that a Cup Final bring”. Manager Paul Moore is equally upbeat about his side’s prospects, although very much aware of the dangers posed by their opponents. “We go into this game knowing that Skemersdale are the big favourites, and even though their recent form might not be the best, they put five past Southport and beat FC United this past week, so it shows the calibre of the team we are up against. “But we hold no fear and if we play how we can play, then I’d fancy my lads against anyone. I don’t think we've been favourites in any of our games in this Cup this season, even Ashton Town away, the conditions and pitch that night didn’t really suit our game.

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

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

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

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

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Town v Winsford . . .

NWCFL Premier Division St Helens Town 1-1 Winsford united Saturday 21st March 2015

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

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Town Managers Between 1946 and 1962 the club, like many, didn’t have a ‘manager’. Town officials would liaise with first and reserve team captains over team selection. In 1962-63 ‘First Manager’ Pat Murphy came from Burscough with a nucleus of his team which won the Lancashire Combination Division One title for Burscough but the formulae didn’t work for Town despite financial backing of a brand new 200 seat supporters club opened by John Connelly in spring of 1962. 1963-64 Sam Cottingham came after success with Pilkington's in a move to rebalance the squad with more local players. 1964-66 Jimmy McKiernan became the club's first commercial manager and team boss after arriving from Earlestown via a successful playing career which included a spell on the North Wales circuit. 1966-68 Jackie Dewsnip, cousin of Town player Jimmy Dewsnip who along with the latter’s son Neil meant the Haydock based family served Town well over a couple of decades. 1968-71 Peter Jones took the reigns in the wake of the Northern Premier League being formed which reduced Town’s league (Lancs Combination) to one division. He moved on after three years to a position on the staff of Preston North End. 1971-77 Alan Hampson arrived from South Liverpool after a distinguished playing career at Holly Park and became a mini ‘Messiah’ as Town won the Lancs Combination title in 1972 along with the Bass Charrington and Watson trophy in quick succession. He also oversaw Town’s step into the Cheshire County League in 1975 as by then, the Lancashire Comb had become a pale imitation of its former self. 1977-79 The aforementioned Jimmy Dewsnip took the reigns after ‘Hampy’ had moved on and became the first ex Town player to become manager. He combined this with work for the Liverpool County FA with the latter eventually claiming his services after two years. 1979-80 Player manager Geoff Robinson hailed from the new overspill at Laffak where he also ran the increasingly successful ‘Starting Gate’ pub team in the blossoming new Sunday League. Many of his squad were ‘Town’ players but the ‘conflict’ of interests was seen as detrimental to the senior club. 1980-82 Jack Prytherch had been at Wigan Athletic and he brought in players from that area including new club skipper, his son in law, Steve Murfin. Jack’s reign saw the formation of the North West Counties League and Town’s first season was a struggle in the new league’s top flight resulting in a change in mid-term. 1982-84 Peter Rutherford. After the success of Alan Hampson a decade earlier, the Town board returned to South Liverpool again for their next appointment. Peter Rutherford was number two at Holly Park at the time but he also found it hard going in the NWCFL inaugural season and his charges only escaped relegation on a ‘technicality’. Things got a little better the following season and he bowed out just before glory arrived. 1984-87 Alan Wellens had skippered Town’s Lancs Combination title team and went on to become the club’s top appearances holder after making his debut at Great Harwood in 1966. His playing career was ended by a broken leg against Hyde in 1981 at Hoghton Road. Alan went on to Town history with the club’s historic journey to Wembley in 1987 before he and the vast majority of Allan Wellens receiving the Lancs the FA Vase winning side sought pastures new. 1987Combination Championship Trophy 92 Alan Aspinall (pictured opposite) took over the from Wesley Bridge in 1972 mantle of manager following the departure of the Vase squad and management team having been Reserve team boss and spent a successful five seasons in charge.

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Past & Present 1992-93 Mick Holgate presided over just one season at Hoghton Road before moving on to Leigh RMI. 1993-2002 Jimmy McBride stepped up from his position as Reserve team boss to take the reigns of the first team for almost a decade which saw the club’s move from Hoghton Road to Saints. Took the club to its first cup final since the visit to Wembley but lost out in the League Cup and Floodlit Trophy finals in the mid 1990s. 2002-2003 John Davison and Peter King arrived from Burscough having presided over a very successful period in the ‘Linnets’ history. After a disappointing first campaign despite significant financial backing the club’s need to tighten the purse strings led to the pair’s departure at the start of the 2003 campaign, along with most of the squad. 2003-04 Ex-Everton professional Paul Lodge became Town manager as the club reeled from financial cuts but unfortunately his youthful side struggled at the bottom of the league and he was replaced in January 2004. 2004-05 Former Town ‘keeper Joe Paladino took over the reigns from Lodge and secured the club ’s safety from relegation before going to challenge for the title during most of 2004-05. Joe resigned in March 2005. 2005-06 Assistant to Paladino, Joe Gibiliru took over the manager’s position and presided over a period of on the field stability for the club before resigning in September 2006. 2006-07 Alex Wright, who had previously been assistant manager to Paul Lodge returned to the club as manager but his tenure was short-lived as family commitments led to him stepping down in September 2007. 2007-08 John Fletcher, Wright’s assistant, was given managerial responsibility and he steered the club away from the relegation battle with a 19th place finish at the end of 2006-7. Despite the club’s off the field problems and financial difficulties the following season saw Fletcher’s charges finish fourteenth after only one defeat in the last nine games. However Town remained rooted in a relegation spot for most of the following season and Fletcher departed with weeks of the season remaining. 2009 – 2010 Gary Bickerstaffe was appointed in March 2009 and secured the club ’s safety with some ease recording six victories from the final eight games. Bickerstaffe’s fine form as manager continued throughout 2009-10 eventually finishing in 9th place. 2010 – 2011 Lee Riley steps up from assistant manager when Gary Bickerstaffe steps down at the end of the 2009-10. Lee resigned in March 2011 due to work commitments and Iain Dyson took over the managerial reigns before he too stepped down at the end of the season. 2011-12 season saw Jimmy McBride make a return to Town but it proved a difficult season and Town parted company with him as we narrowly avoided relegation. 2012 - 2013 Ian Granite became manager following success with neighbours Wigan Robin Park FC. A challenging 2012-13 season saw Town eventually steer clear of relegation, in doing so maintaining their unique 30 year stay in the North West Counties League top division. Despite an excellent start to the 2013-14 season Ian stepped down at the end of November due to business and family commitments and Ian Price (left) took over the managerial reigns with Paul Jones as his assistant. Many thanks to Jim Barrett and Eric Bond for their input in compiling the information.

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

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2014-15 Fixtures, Facts an Date Aug 2 Aug 5 Aug 9 Aug 13 Aug 16 Aug 18 Aug 23 Aug 26 Aug 30 Sep 6 Sep 9 Sep 13 Sep 16 Sep 20 Sep 23 Sep 27 Sep 30 Oct 5 Oct 11 Oct 18 Oct 21 Oct 25 Oct 28 Nov 1 Nov 4 Nov 8 Nov 15 Nov 22 Nov 25 Nov 29 Dec 6 Dec 20 Jan 3 Jan 10 Jan 17 Jan 24 Feb 7 Feb 14 Feb 17 Feb 24 Feb 28 Mar 3 Mar 7 Mar 10 Mar 14 Mar 21 Apr 6 Apr 9 Apr 18 Apr 21

Opponents Maine Road AFC BLACKPOOL ALSAGER TOWN Bacup & Rossendale B ATHERTON COLLS Runcorn Town Colne STOCKPORT SPORT BARNOLDSWICK TN Irlam (*AET) ABBEY HEY AFC LIVERPOOL RUNCORN LINNETS Winsford United Bootle W DIDS & CHORLTON Burscough NOSTELL M.W. SQUIRES GATE Congleton Town AFC Blackpool Widnes RUNCORN TOWN YORKSHIRE AMS Stockport Sports COLNE Runcorn Linnets Alnwick Town AFC Liverpool BACUP & ROSSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; B TADCASTER ALBION Nelson Silsden Squires Gate Alsager Town West Dids & Chorlton BOOTLE Barnoldswick Town ASHTON ATHLETIC 1874 NORTHWICH NELSON 1874 Northwich Abbey Hey GLOSSOP NE CONGLETON TOWN WINSFORD UNITED Ashton Athletic Glossop North End MAINE ROAD SILSDEN

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

KO 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 8.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 7.45 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45

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

GK Brinksman Brinksman Brinksman Brinksman Brinksman Brinksman Brinksman Brinksman Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Mullin Mullin Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther

2 Cottington Cottington Cottington Cottington Cottington Cottington Cottington Morris Saunders Morris Cottington Saunders Duffy Cottington Duffy Duffy Whelan Duffy Duffy Duffy Duffy Halpin Halpin Duffy Duffy Halpin Duffy Halpin Halpin Halpin Halpin Halpin Halpin Halpin Halpin Halpin Whelan Halpin Halpin Halpin Morris Halpin Halpin Davidson Davidson Davidson Tingay Halpin

3 4 5 Saunders Falconer Morris1 Saunders Falconer Morris1 Saunders Falconer Morris Houghton Falconer Morris1 Houghton Falconer1 Morris Houghton Falconer Morris Morris Falconer Ogden Richardson Falconer Ogden Richardson Falconer Morris1 Saunders Falconer Ogden1 Morris Falconer Ogden Richardson Falconer Morris Morris Falconer Grant Morris Falconer Grant Richardson Falconer Morris Saunders Falconer Morris Morris Falconer Ogden Morris Falconer Ogden Morris Falconer Ogden Morris Falconer Grant Morris Falconer Coyle1 Morris Falconer Coyle Hont Falconer Coyle Hont Falconer Coyle Hont Falconer Coyle Hont Falconer Morris Hont Falconer Morris Hont Falconer Morris Hont Falconer Morris Hont Falconer Morris Hont Duffy Morris Hont Falconer Duffy Hont Falconer Duffy Hont Morris Vincent Richardson Falconer Morris Hont Falconer Morris Hont Falconer Morris Hont Falconer Morris Hont Falconer Morris Hont Falconer Morris Richardson Falconer Mawdsley Hont Morris Banasko Casey Dempsey Morris1 Casey Pegler Coyle Casey Pegler Coyle Casey Pegler Falconer Davidson Falconer Dimitriou Richardson Falconer Tingay

6 7 McKay Lightbody Lightbody1 McKay McKay Lightbody McKay Rushton-Woods McKay Andy Gillespie1 McKay1 Peers McKay Andy Gillespie Cottington1 Coulter Bergqvist1 Cottington Bergqvist1 McKay C McKay Bergqvist McKay Andy Gillespie C McKay Perry Ale McKay Perry Cottington McKay McKay Cottington McKay Saleh McKay Saleh McKay Bergqvist McKay Cottington McKay Saleh Saleh1 McKay Morris Saleh McKay1 Morris Morris McKay Bell1 Coyle Coyle Bell Coyle McKay Coyle1 McKay Duffy McKay Grant McKay Morris Davidson Morris Davidson Davidson Ashton Davidson Vincent Ashton McKay Rus Ashton McKay Rus Davidson McKay Davidson McKay Davidson McKay Banasko Hynes Findlay Davidson Birchall Davidson Birchall Morris Hynes Birchall Hynes Morris Pegler Brooks Pegler Brooks

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

nd Figures

8 Hulme Hulme Coulter Hulme Hulme Hulme Hulme Hulme McKay1 Cottington Hulme Cottington lex Gillespie Ashton Ashton Ashton Ashton Grant Grant Ashton Grant Grant Grant Grant Grant Duffy Grant Grant1 Grant Grant Davidson McKay McKay McKay Ashton shton-Woods shton-Woods Ashton Vincent Birchall Birchall Birchall Derby Derby Morris Birchall Morris2 Morris

9 Whyte1 Cook-Hannah Cook-Hannah Cook-Hannah Cook-Hannah Whyte1 Whyte Whyte Cook-Hannah Cook-Hannah Cook-Hannah Whyte Cook-Hannah Cook-Hannah Whyte Bergqvist Cook-Hannah Cook-Hannah Cook-Hannah Whyte Whyte Whyte2 Whyte1 Whyte1 Whyte Whyte1 Whyte Whyte2 Andy Gillespie Andy Gillespie1 Andy Gillespie1 Whyte Andy Gillespie Andy Gillespie Whyte1 Andy Gillespie Cook-Hannah Andy Gillespie1 Rushton-Woods Bell1 Perry Perry Taylor Taylor Taylor1 Taylor Andy Gillespie1 Rushton-Woods

10 Rushton-Woods Rushton-Woods Rushton-Woods Bergqvist3 Rushton-Woods Rushton-Woods Rushton-Woods Rushton-Woods1 Rushton-Woods Rushton-Woods Rushton-Woods Rushton-Woods Rushton-Woods Rushton-Woods Rushton-Woods Rushton-Woods Rushton-Woods Bergqvist1 Ashton Andy Gillespie Bergqvist Bell1 Bell1 Bell1 Bergqvist Andy Gillespie McKay Bell1 Bell2 Bell1 Bell Perry Perry1 Perry Andy Gillespie1 Bell Andy Gillespie1 Moore Hynes Rushton-Woods Rushton-Woods Rushton-Woods Martland Rushton-Woods Rushton-Woods Rushton-Woods1 Hynes Harrison

11 Perry Perry1 Perry Perry1 Perry Andy Gillespie Perry Andy Gillespie Andy Gillespie1 Perry Andy Gillespie Perry Andy Gillespie Andy Gillespie Andy Gillespie Andy Gillespie Bergqvist Andy Gillespie1 Andy Gillespie Saleh Andy Gillespie Andy Gillespie Andy Gillespie Andy Gillespie Andy Gillespie1 Perry Andy Gillespie Andy Gillespie1 Richardson Richardson Richardson Rushton-Woods Rushton-Woods Rushton-Woods1 Rushton-Woods Richardson Perry Rushton-Woods Richardson Richardson Golding Golding Marshall Martland Andy Gillespie Andy Gillespie Golding Golding

12 14 15 16 Pullinger Alex Gillespie7 Bergqvist11 Cook-Hannah9 Pullinger Alex Gillespie Houghton Bergqvist9 Pullinger Houghton3 Alex Gillespie8 Bergqvist11 Pullinger Coulter10 Barton11 Andy Gillespie91 Barton11 Pullinger/Saunders Whyte9 Peers/Crowther Pullinger Coulter6 Perry7 Cook-Hannah Pullinger10 Bergqvist11 Cook-Hannah Richardson7 Bergqvist7 Cook-Hannah3 Alex Gillespie Perry9 Harrison10 Alex Gillespie Peers Brinksman Peers5 Hulme11 Whyte9 Harrison Peers Whyte91 Perry11 Alex Gillespie Peers3 Alex Gillespie11 Cook-Hannah9 Peers Ogden Whyte9 Saunders Saunders Harrison9 Barton7 Whelan Cook-Hannah Bergqvist9 Whelan10 Cook-Hannah10 Saleh11 Perry7 Andy Gillespie9 Lightbody10 Whyte91 Saunders Harrison8 Whyte9 Lightbody10 Saunders Rushton-Woods11 Harrison Whyte9 Cook-Hannah Bergqvist11 Bell10 Rushton-Woods8 Halpin2 Harrison6 Bell11 Harrison Bergqvist10 Cook-Hannah Bergqvist9 Rushton-Woods McKay7 Ogden Rushton-Woods Bergqvist Perry Saleh Perry81 Bell Cook-Hannah Peers Nicholson Ogden Halpin Rushton-Woods Perry9 Whelan Richardson11 Davidson10 Perry9 Duffy Davidson8 Perry9 Rushton-Woods11 Davidson8 Coyle Rushton-Woods7 Perry10 Coyle Saleh Rushton-Woods8 Perry9 Cook-Hannah8 Bell Grant Andy Gillespie Cook-Hannah6 Whelan2 Whyte Cook-Hannah Whelan Whyte10 McKay7 Perry8 Hont Stevenson8 Moore3 Whyte Price Halpin Davidson10 Birchall11 Moore9 Whelan2 Cook-Hannah9 Perry8 Cook-Hannah6 Findlay7 Andy Gillespie Perry11 Whelan Findlay7 Golding11 S-Cunnington10 Hont Findlay91 Davidson4 S-Cunnington Cook-Hannah6 Price McKay Hont McKay11 Hynes7 Perry10 Halpin Hont7 Banasko9 Perry Marshall Derby9 McKay5 Halpin Marshall3 Golding11 Banasko Cook-Hannah Whelan Hassan Cook-Hannah9 Price Leyland2 Hughes11 Price

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

17 Crowther Crowther Crowther Crowther Coulter7 Crowther Crowther Crowther Brinksman Saunders

Halpin

Whyte11

C-Hannah Crowther C-Hannah McKay81 Perry11

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

0-4

Glossop NE

Congleton Town

Colne

Bootle

Barnoldswick T

Bacup & Ross

Ashton Athletic

Alsager Town

AFC Liverpool

Abbey Hey

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

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

0-3 2-2 0-6 1-1 1-2 0-3 4-3 1-2 3-4 2-6 1-3 x

North West Counties Football League Premier Division

Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Squires Gate

Winsford United

West Dids & Chrltn

0-2 x

1-1

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

0-0

1-0 0-2 4-2

0-0 3-0 4-1

3-0

0-3 1-1

1-1 2-0 2-2

0-0 2-1 6-1 0-0

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

1-6 0-1 2-2

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

1-4 1-0 3-0 0-9 0-4 0-2 2-0 4-3 1-2 2-5 1-3 1-3

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

3-1 2-7 7-2 1-2 3-4

2-1 2-0 2-0 1-0 6-0 2-0

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

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

0-1 1-1 1-0 2-1 7-2 1-2 2-0 0-0 1-0 0-0

1-1 3-2 4-0 6-0 4-0

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

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

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

Runcorn Town

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

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

3-2 2-2 3-2 0-2 4-1 0-3 3-2 6-2 2-1 1-1 4-3

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

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

Maine Road

Runcorn Linnets

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

1-3 6-2 2-1 1-2 1-0 4-2 0-0 2-0 2-1 0-1

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

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

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

Glossop NE

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

1-2 1-4 1-3 2-0 1-1 1-0 1-5 1-6 0-4 1-3 4-1 2-4 1-1

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

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

Colne

0-3

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

Bootle

1-4 1-2 3-2 1-1 2-1 1-6 0-0

Barnoldswick Town

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

Bacup & Rossendale

4-2 2-0 1-1

0-1 4-2 4-0 0-0 2-1 2-0 0-0 7-3 3-1 2-1

1-1 1-0 1-2 2-3 1-1 0-3 0-4 6-0 2-1 3-4 2-4 3-4

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

1-1 1-0 5-0 0-1 2-1

Alsager Town

3-1 4-1

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

AFC Liverpool

2-2

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

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

2-2 4-2 2-4

AFC Blackpool

St Helens Town

Maine Road

Silsden

Nelason

Nelson

Runcorn Linnets

Congleton Town

Runcorn Town

Ashton Athletic

Silsden

Squires Gate

AFC Blackpool

St Helens Town

0-1 1-0 0-0 6-2 3-1 1-0 1-4 2-0 1-0 4-2 0-0 0-0 3-0 6-1 1-1 5-0 4-2 0-1

WD&C

0-3 1-2

1874 Northwich

Winsford Utd

Abbey Hey

3-0

1874 Northwich

North West Counties Football League Premier Division 2014-15

Head to Head

Executive Programme Sponsor

Statistical History ST. HELENS TOWN AFC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A STATISTICAL HISTORY by Glyn Jones Part 52 - Season 1998-99 North West Counties League Workington Mossley Vauxhall GM Newcastle Town Kidsgrove Athletic Prescot Cables Skelmersdale United St. Helens Town Leek C.S.O.B. Salford City Ramsbottom United Clitheroe Maine Road Rossendale United Nantwich Town Glossop North End Cheadle Town Atherton L.R. Atherton Collieries Bootle Holker Old Boys Opponents Atherton Collieries Atherton L.R. Bootle Cheadle Town Clitheroe Glossop North End Holker Old Boys Kidsgrove Athletic Leek C.S.O.B. Maine Road Mossley Nantwich Town Newcastle Town Prescot Cables Ramsbottom United Rossendale United Salford City Skelmersdale United Vauxhall GM Workington

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P 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40

W 27 27 26 25 24 21 21 22 14 15 14 14 14 14 12 12 12 10 9 9 4

Home Apr 24 Apr 14 Sep 23 Jan 27 Sep 26 Jan 30 Dec 19 Feb 20 Apr 10 Nov 4 Jan 2 Mar 13 Mar 27 May 3 Aug 29 Aug 15 Mar 24 Apr 5 Aug 19 Apr 3

D 9 7 7 9 7 9 8 5 11 7 8 6 6 5 6 6 6 9 7 7 3 Result Drew 2-2 Won 1-0 Won 3-0 Won 4-1 Lost 1-2 Won 1-0 Won 5-0 Lost 0-3 Won 4-0 Won 3-1 Won 3-2 Won 3-1 Drew 0-0 Drew 0-0 Drew 2-2 Won 3-0 Drew 2-2 Lost 0-6 Lost 1-2 Lost 0-4

L 4 6 7 6 9 10 11 13 15 18 18 20 20 21 22 22 22 21 24 24 33

F 86 91 92 86 90 78 82 77 52 63 54 68 50 59 54 53 56 45 50 41 21

A 28 38 40 33 47 44 48 58 58 73 64 58 71 81 68 81 97 73 88 84 116

Away Jan 23 Feb 16 Nov 10 Sep 12 Nov 21 Apr 8 Aug 22 Sep 15 Aug 31 Mar 20 Nov 14 Mar 16 Aug 25 Mar 30 Apr 17 Oct 31 Oct 17 Dec 26 Apr 26 May 1

Pts 90 88 85 84 79 72 71 71 53 52 50 48 48 47 42 42 42 39 34 34 15 Result Won 3-1 Won 1-0 Won 4-0 Won 5-0 Won 2-1 Won 1-0 Won 4-1 Lost 1-2 Won 3-1 Won 1-0 Lost 1-2 Lost 0-1 Lost 0-5 Lost 1-4 Won 3-2 Lost 0-1 Won 3-1 Lost 2-3 Won 2-1 Lost 2-4

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Season 1998-99 Sep 19 Oct 3

1st Qual. 2nd Qual.

Oct 10 Nov. 7 Nov 28 Dec 1 Dec 12 Jan 16

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

Nov 18 Jan 23 Feb 13 Feb 22 Feb 27 Mar 6

1st Rd. 2nd Rd. 3rd Rd. Replay SF 1st Leg SF 2nd Leg

Dec 9

2nd Rd.

Dec 16

1st Rd.

Player

App

FA CUP Brandon United Droylsden FA VASE Hall Road Rangers BRIGG TOWN MORPETH TOWN Morpeth Town ECCLESHILL UNITED Clitheroe NWCFL CHALLENGE CUP Curzon Ashton Atherton Collieries CLITHEROE Clitheroe VAUXHALL GM Vauxhall GM NWCFL FLOODLIT TROPHY ROSSENDALE UNITED LIVERPOOL SENIOR CUP Skelmersdale United

Sub

Total

Goal

Player

Away Away

Won Lost

3-1 0-6

Away Home Home Away Home Away

Won Won Drew Won Won Lost

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

Away Away Home Away Home Away

Won Won Drew Won Lost Won

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

Home

Lost

1-3

Away

Lost

2-3

App

Sub

Total

Goal

Jones, Karl

Kirwan, Paul

Allison, Mike

Bickerstaffe, Gary

Blundell, Kevin

Laird, Gary

Burke, Andy

Lowe, Gary

Clarke, Paul

McGivern, John

Collins, Neil

Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill, Steve

Cramsie, A

Pennington, Ste

Davenport, P

Phoenix, Stu

Dickin, D

Quirk, Chris

Dooner, Gary

Reilly, Adie

Senior, John

Dunn, Joey

Graham, Curtis

Shaw, Neil

Griffiths, Bryan

Stamper, G

Gwyther, Paul

Walker, Glenn

Hatton, Brian

Walmsley, Chris

Williams, Ste

616

124

740

106

Hill, Franny

Hockenhull, Alan

Own goal

Jones, Gary

Totals

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

A Brief History The original Town club was in existence from 1901 to 1928, but George Fryer and a number of local businessmen decided to re-form the club in 1946. They obtained a lease on the Hoghton Road ground in Sutton, adjacent to St. Helens Junction station on the Liverpool to Manchester railway line, took over a local St. Helens Combination team, Derbyshire Hill Rovers, signing a number of players from other clubs and entered the Liverpool County Combination in the 1947/48 season, playing against Everton “A” and Liverpool “A” and several reserve sides from the leading non-league clubs in the Merseyside area. Success was first attained in May 1949 when Runcorn were defeated in the final of the George Mahon Cup, played at the Prescot Cables ground. The following season, 1949/50, Town were elevated to the Second Division of the Lancashire Combination and they were promoted as Champions in only their second season to the First Division, where they ran up against teams such as Ashton United, Nelson and New Brighton, newly relegated from the Football League. Sadly, Town were themselves relegated in their first season and although promoted briefly again for the 1955/56 season, they spent most of their early years in the Second Division. Improvements were quickly made to the facilities at Hoghton Road in the early years, but in November 1952 the decision was taken to re-locate to the former St. Helens Recs’ rugby league ground at City Road in order to further their ambitions of reaching the Football League. Initially, the move resulted in some encouraging crowds, but the club had a change of heart and returned to Sutton in the October 1953. The ground was purchased and further developed and a social club and floodlights were added in later years. Town were Champions of the Lancashire Combination in 1971/72 season, losing only one game, finishing 6 points clear of Accrington Stanley. 1975 brought a switch to the Cheshire League, where they remained until the formation of the North West Counties League in 1982 and St. Helens Town is still the only club to feature in the top division of that league throughout its existence. The club’s major achievement was to win the FA Vase at Wembley in 1987. After a stuttering start in the Preliminary Round with a 5-4 extra-time win over Colne Dynamoes, further home successes over General Chemicals, Wren Rovers, Guisborough Town and Wythenshawe Amateurs, led to wins at Wisbech Town, at home to Rainworth Miners Welfare, away to Falmouth Town (after a replay) and in the away leg at Emley when, following a 1-0 home defeat in the first-leg, a 2-0 win in Yorkshire secured a Wembley Final against local rivals Warrington Town, who were dispatched 3-2 with goals from Phil Layhe (2) and Brian Rigby. St. Helens Town boast an impressive “Hall of Fame”, including legendary goalkeeper and former German Prisoner-of-War Bert Trautmann, who signed for Manchester City over 60 years ago and who went on to play the game of his life in the 1956 FA Cup Final, despite breaking his neck in the latter stages. Bill Foulkes was transferred to Manchester United, where he had a glittering career, surviving the Munich Air Disaster in 1958, in which he bravely rescued some of his stricken team-mates. John Connelly, an England squad member in the victorious 1966 World Cup campaign, was sold to Burnley and he later moved to join Foulkes at Old Trafford. Sadly, all three have passed away in the last few years. Other future stars, groomed at St. Helens Town, include John Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday), Geoff Nulty (Burnley, Newcastle United and Everton) and, most recently, ace goalscorer Dave Bamber, who began and ended his league career at Blackpool and who played in all four divisions of the Football League. Captain of the FA Vase winning team was Tommy O’Neil, who began his league career playing alongside George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton at Manchester United.

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

of St Helens Town AFC

Town sold their Hoghton Road ground in 2000 to move in with St. Helens Rugby League Club at their Knowsley Road base. Their farewell appearance at Sutton produced a 1-0 win over Champions Vauxhall Motors and the initial campaign at Knowsley Road got off to a cracking start, with Town leading the table for most of the season, before finishing in a rather disappointing fourth place. Recent seasons have been more of a struggle, ninth place in 2009/10 being the best finish since. Season 2010-11 saw Town slide to 16th and next to bottom in 2011-12, when they would have been relegated, but for Flixton’s decision to resign from the league.

Town began the 2012-13 season under new manager Ian Granite, who brought in a new team and coaching set-up and they battled well to avoid relegation, their status being confirmed with a couple of games remaining. 2013-14 was a mirror-image of the previous campaign, with a 14-game unbeaten run between September and December putting the club just behind the front runners for two thirds of the campaign. Granite resigned in November 2013 due to work and family commitments and his assistant Ian Price took over the reins, assisted by Paul Jones and Nick Matthews, but the long breaks caused by the winter weather interrupted their earlier rhythm and Town finished the season once again in the lower reaches, although never in any serious danger of the drop.

Club Honours: 1949 George Mahon Trophy Winners 1951 Lancs Comb Division 2 Champions 1972 Lancs Combination Champions 1973 Bass Charrington Cup Winners 1974 Watson Trophy Winners 1978 St Helens Hospital Cup Winners 1979 St Helens Comb Div 1 Runners Up 1979 St Helens Hospital Cup Runners Up 1980 St Helens Comb Div 1 Champions 1985 NWCFL Reserve Div 2 Runners Up 1986 NWCFL Reserve Div 1 Runners Up 1987 FA Vase Winners (Wembley) 1994 League Challenge Cup Finalists 1994 NWCFL Reserve Division Runners Up 1995 NWCFL Reserve Division Champions 1996 NWCFL Reserve Division Runners Up 1998 Floodlit Trophy Finalists 1999 REALCO Fair Play Award Winners 2009 Bert Trautmann Trophy Winners Record Appearances: Alan Wellens Record Goal Scorer: Steve Pennington Record Attendances: 4000 at Hoghton Road v Manchester City 1723 at Knowsley Rd v FC Utd Manchester 9000 at Prescot Cables v Runcorn (1949) Programme Awards 1993-94 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1995-96 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1997-98 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1998-99 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1999-00 NWCFL Programme of the Year 2000-01 NWCFL Programme of the Year 2009-10 NWCFL Premier Division 2010-11 NWCFL Premier Division 2011-12 NWCFL Premier Division 2012-13 NWCFL Premier Division 2013-14 NWCFL Premier Division

Wirral Programme Club National Survey 1996-97 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1997-98 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1998-99 NWCFL Programme of the Year Programme Monthly 2007-08 NWCFL Programme of the Year

Following the demolition of the Knowsley Road ground in 2010, Town have led a nomadic existence up the road in Soccer Club Swap Shop National Awards 2010-11 Placed 28th Ashton-in-Makerfield, sharing Ashton Town’s Edge Green 2011-12 Placed 8th Street ground for three seasons before moving across town 2012-13 Placed 7th to Brocstedes Park as the guests of Ashton Athletic in 2012. 2013-14 Placed 8th The current season is scheduled to be the club’s last in exile, as plans are in place for re-location back to St. Helens for the 2015-16 season at the Council-owned Ruskin Park site, currently undergoing massive redevelopment and a brand-new facility awaits. In readiness for the move, the club is undergoing a radical re-branding, adopting the town’s coat of arms as their badge once again and reverting next season to their traditional blue and white colours in preparation for a return to the town in 2015.

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Match Report . . . Town succumb to champions elect Glossop North End 4-0 St Helens Town St. Helens Town turned in a brave defensive display away to FA Vase finalists Glossop North End recently, but went down to an expected 4-0 defeat. The win enabled Glossop to go above long-time League leaders Runcorn Linnets at the top of the NW Counties Premier Division table with 4 matches in hand and sets the Derbyshire side well on their way to a fantastic treble of trophies for, not only are they comfortably on target to be promoted to the Evo Stik League as Champions, they are also in the final of the NW Counties Men United Cup and are eagerly looking forward to a Wembley date against North Shields on 9th May. Town arrived at Surrey Street in the role of lambs to the slaughter and, before a bumper crowd of 592, withstood all the home side could throw at them for the first 20 minutes. However, two goals in a minute gave Glossop a lead they never looked likely to lose, the first being adjudged an own goal after a â&#x20AC;&#x153;daisy cutterâ&#x20AC;? across the goal line was deflected into his own net by the unfortunate Rory Crowther, who had an outstanding game. The second, a minute later, was headed in at the right post by Sam Freakes, a foul on Crowther going unnoticed by the referee. Dave Young gave Glossop a three goal lead on 32 minutes. Once again, Crowther performed heroics, blocking a series of shots in the build-up but, the ball having gone out for a corner, he was impeded again as he tried to gather the ball, but the goal was allowed to stand. The very young Town side, cobbled together at short notice following hasty re-arrangement of this game, did well to get through to half-time without conceding another goal, turned in a fantastic defensive display in the second half, yielding a fourth goal just nine minutes from time to substitute Sam Hind.

Glyn Jones

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Tea Break Teasers Q1. Who is only player to have been bought for a world record transfer fee twice? Q2. Which Scottish League side are nicknamed the Blue Brazil?

Q3. In which African country was Middlesbrough’s Mustapha Carayol born? Q4. Who has reached the most Copa del Rey finals without lifting the trophy? Q5. Which Bungesliga side host matches at the Coface Arena? Q6. Who were the last team from outside the top flight to appear in an FA Cup final? Q7. Which two teams have been bottom of the Premier League on Christmas Day and survived the drop? Q8. Which was the last European country to win the Olympic Gold Medal and in what year? Q9. Which manager said “Mind you, I’ve been through the bad times too. One year we came second”? Q10. Who was the first Dutchman to win a Premier League winners medal?

Q11. Why are Championship outfit AFC Bournemouth known as the Cherries? Q12. Which Sunderland player scored the Premier League;s 23,000 th goal in November 2014 agaisnt Everton? Q13. Which Spanish La Liga side are nicknamed Les Granotes (the frogs)? Q14. Which club has the smallest capacity ground in League One?

Q15. Who are the only side in the Premier League period (when the competition had 20 clubs) to have scored fewer than 30 goals in a season on three occasions?

1) Diego Marandona 2) Cowdenbeath 3) Gambia 4) Celta Vigo (1908, 48, 94 & 2001) 5) Mainz 6) Cardiff City in 2008 7) West Brom (2004-5) & Sunderland (2013-14) 8) Spain in 1992 9) Bob Paisley 10) Jordi Cruyff (1996-7) 11) Their stadium Dean Court was built on a Cherry Orchard 12) Seb Larsson 13) Levante 14) Fleetwood Town (5,327) 15) Sunderland

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

Meet the Players

Alex Gillespie 06/08/1997 Midfield

Rory Crowther 29/12/1996 Goalkeeper

Matthew Davidson 11/01/1992 Midfield

Marcus Perry 16/08/1996 Forward

Sponsored by Star Physio St Helens & Prescot