St Helens Town v AFC Darwen 2016-17 by John McKiernan

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Team Line-Ups Saturday 1st October 2016, kick off 3pm The Macron Cup, First Round

CLUB INFORMATION Honorary Life President: Alan Wellens Vice Presidents: Jim Barrett and Steve Ball Chairman: John McKiernan (07713 339682)

St Helens Town

AFC Darwen

Blue Shirts Blue Shorts, Blue & White Socks Gls Y R

Vice Chairman: Glyn Jones

Hon. Secretary/Treasurer: Jeff Voller (07843 692695) Full Committee: John McKiernan, Jeff Voller, Jim Barrett, Ste Ball, Andy Langley Paul Wood, Margaret Wood, Kieran Ford, Chris Ford & Glyn Jones Hospitality: Margaret Wood and Paul Wood

Ryan Taylor

1st Team Joint Managers: Alan Gillespie & Nick Matthews

Daniel Jackson

Daniel Brady

Reece Fletcher

Ste Rigby

Samuel Morris

Jacob Ball

Luke McKenna

Nathan Ogden

Oliver Birchall

Eddie Pegler

Martyn Hillier

Sam Sheen

Kallum Banks

Andy Presho

Trustee: John McKiernan

Red Shirts Red Shorts & Socks

Jordan Scott

Andy Gillespie

Ryan McKenna

Danny Greene

Karl Turner

Phil Williams

Jonathan McDonald

1st Team Coach Lee Jenkinson

Alex Gillespie

Jordyn Fitton

Tom Bradley

1st Team Physiotherapists Ellie Hayes & Paige Marcus

Liam Cole

Shaun Brady

Adam Douglas

Adam Donohue

Bailey Wallace

U21s Team Manager: John McLaughlan U21s Assistant Manager: Lee Jenkinson U18s Team Manager: Colin Hamlet

Lee Novak Managers: Alan Gillespie and Nick Matthews

Gls Y R

Keith Wedge Manager: Scott Campbell Assistant: Adam Douglas

Referee: Mr N Storey (Worsley) Assist: Mr A Phillips (Sale) & Mr D Brown (Swinton)

U18s Assistant Manager: Patrick Dooney Sunday Team Manager: David Platt

Match Sponsor

Club Email: sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Main Club Sponsor: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

60 Rimrose Road, Bootle, Merseyside L20 4TX

Shirt Sponsor: Freestart plc Legal: St Helens Town Limited Private Limited Company Company No. 04392840 Date of Incorporation 12.03.2002 Company Director: Jim Barrett

Match Ball Sponsors

Next Home Game:

MLR Heating Supplies

The Hallmark Security League Sat 15th October 2016

St Helens Road, Rainford WA11 7QT Tel: 01744 883553

Parent Company: A wholly owned subsidiary of Sporting Club St Helens Limited

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Town v AFC Darwen

Volair Park, Prescot Cables FC

Cover Photograph: Sam Sheene and Andy Presho

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Talk of the Town Good afternoon and welcome to Volair Park for this Macron Cup, First Round Tie against AFC Darwen. 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. Last Saturday saw us get back to winning ways with a hard fought victory over an FC Oswestry Town outfit who had been in good form coming into the contest. The opening stages saw a quick start from the hosts and when the opening goal eventually came midway through the half it was from a quick counter. An Oswestry corner saw the ball cleared to an isolated Andy Gillespie who did a great job of holding the ball up before support arrived in the form of Sam Sheen who the skipper found with a threaded ball and Sheen made no mistake firing home past the visiting stopper. Town doubled their lead on 53 minutes when a half cleared corner fell to Danny Greene on the edge of the box and he returned the ball with interest finding the bottom right hand corner of the net. Midway through the second period the visitors reduced the arrears when Jack Harris found space and picked his spot but the hosts were able to see out the remainder of the contest and secure their first win since the end of August. Attention switches back to Cup action and it was one and out in this cup competition last season as we had the unenviable task of visiting what would be eventual league champions Hanley Town and exited the competition after a 4-1 reverse. The format of the competition has changed this term as the first round draw which was previously only contested by First Division clubs was an “open” draw for the first time this season and we have been drawn against Premier Division AFC Darwen. The two sides have never met since the reformation/new version of the old Darwen club began life in the West Lancashire League, Premier Division in August 2009. The two clubs met many times in their previous form with the first meeting being in the Lancashire Combination, First Division way back in March 1952! The last meeting between the two sides was sometime ago in January 1998 when they played out a 1-1 draw at the Anchor Ground Ste O’Neill netting for the visitors and we have to go back almost another two months to the beginning of December 97 for the last time we played host to Darwen when a brace from the legend that is Ste “Pellet” Pennington was enough to see the sides share the spoils again. Cup meetings between the two sides have been few and far between with just four meetings which have seen Town come out victorious on three occasions most notably in May 1974 securing the Bass Carrington Trophy with a 4-3 success at Burscough FC. Pulling ourselves out of the archives and back more towards the present the two sides passed each other on the way between division at the end of the 2014-15 season with Town dropping into the First Division and AFC Darwen beating the aforementioned Hanley Town in the inaugural First Division play off final to secure promotion to the Premier Division. This season has been a mixed bag for both ourselves and AFC Darwen the visitors will go into this contest as the favourites due to their Premier Division status but all the pressure and expectations will be on this afternoons visitors and in situations like this you can see an upset or two something which the Town faithful will be hoping for today. The victors from this afternoons tie which if required will be played to a finish with extra time and penalties if the scores are level at the end of 90 and 120 minutes respectively will visit Eccleshall in the next round scheduled for Saturday 29th October.

Let’s get behind Town this afternoon and hopefully cheer them into the next round! Enjoy the game . . . Jeff Voller

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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In Town Today At the end of the 2008/2009 season Darwen Football Club ceased to exist after the club was wound up due to bad debts. One of the previous owners had systematically destroyed the club financially but, also discredited its reputation within the town which resulted in lower attendances and a reduction in the number of volunteers that gave up their valuable time to help keep the club running. With debts in excess of £60,000 it was inevitable that the club could not survive. It was decided that Darwen still had the desire to field a town team, and although various people had left the club; meetings began to take place to discuss the future of Darwen Football Club. Derek Slater, former club secretary and reserve team manager of Darwen FC, had already set the ball rolling by forming AFC Darwen, a not for profit organisation. The lease was then secured back from the local council and AFC Darwen rose from the ashes. The F.A. instructed that AFC Darwen would start life at step 6 in the football pyramid, so their inaugural season began in the West Lancashire Football League. The aim of the club was to gain its place back in the North West Counties League, and go on to compete at a higher level.

AFC Darwen’s first ever competitive game took place at the Anchor ground on Saturday 11th July 2009 in a pre-season friendly against AFC Liverpool from the North West Counties League. With Darwen winning 3-0 things looked bright for the future. With high expectations of a good season AFC Darwen soon realised that life in the West Lancashire football league wasn’t going to be easy. Results over the first few games were inconsistent up until October 2009, after which the team went on a disastrous run of 8 straight defeats. With the realisation that the team was not progressing as expected, it was decided that a change in the management team was required. The difficult decision to replace Dennis Hill was made and Kenny Langford took over the reins as the first team manager. Results immediately improved and although the title was out of reach, at least the team could push on and try and finish in a respectable position. AFC Darwen finished 8 th, with a record of 13 wins, 3 draws and 14 defeats, goals scored 42, conceded 54. At the end of the 2009/10 season AFC Darwen gained re-election back into the North West Counties Football League after achieving the required ground grading standards to compete at that level. The main aim of the club back in the NWCFL was to steady the ship and cement their place in the league. AFC Darwen finished 13th,, with a record of 9 wins, 10 draws and 12 defeats, goals scored 37, conceded. 62. A respectable position for their first season. During the close season before the start of the 2012/13 campaign the structure of the club changed. Due to personal reasons and business commitments Derek Slater decided that he could no longer run both the senior and junior sides. It was decided that Kenny Langford would become the sole director of AFC Darwen; the structural change resulted in Kenny taking over the day to day running of the club, and the responsibility for the first and reserve teams. This allowed Derek the time to focus on the development of the junior teams within the club. The changes helped the club the move forward more positively “not only on the pitch, but also on the development of the ground. AFC Darwen finished 5th, with a record of 20 wins, 3 draws and 11 defeats, goals scored 79, conceded 57. AFC also reached the semi-final of the 1st division trophy. The 2013/14 season proved to be disappointing for the first team, finishing 9th, with a record of 15 wins, 7 draws and 14 defeats, goals scored 64, conceded 64. However they had successful cup runs; yet again reaching the semi-final of the first division trophy. They also reached the semi-final of the Lancashire Challenge Trophy narrowly losing to Chorley. This was a major achievement with AFC Darwen being the first club at North West Counties league level to reach a semi-final in such a prestigious competition. The reserves under the leadership of Mathew Pilkington won the clubs first silverware by winning the reserve division cup; beating Irlam on penalties after the tie finished at 2-2 after extra-time. At the start of the 2014/15 campaign, not many could have predicted just how incredible the season would turn out to be. AFC Darwen got off to a good start and looked to be one of the favourites to gain

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AFC Darwen promotion, however with the team competing well in the cup competitions and the weather starting to play havoc with the fixtures, Darwen soon found themselves with a mountain to climb. The club was dealt another blow when Kenny stepped down as manager due to personal reasons. "At least the majority of players remained at the club" Nick Lloyd took over as caretaker manager for the remainder of the season. Although one or two players left Nick managed to strengthen the squad, and he also promoted players from the reserves. The club policy of fielding a reserve team proved pivotal towards the success of the first team at the latter stages of the season due to injuries and suspensions. With a 2-1 win against Chadderton, Darwen set-up an home tie against 4th place Hanley Town in the first ever NWCFL play off final. What made the effort even more outstanding is that during the 20 day period Darwen played the league champions Atherton Collieries in the Reusch First Division Cup Final. It was to be a memorable night winning the cup with a fantastic 3 - 1 win against a very good side. In front of over 840 spectators; the NWCFL biggest crowd of the season for a league game Darwen produced a stunning performance to defeat Hanley Town 5 - 3 and win promotion to the Premier league. Not only did AFC Darwen do the double by wining promotion and division cup, other significant milestones where also achieved. The reserves also had success finishing 2nd in their first ever season in the East Lancashire Football League 2nd Division. Everyone involved with the AFC Darwen new that the 2015/16 Season would be a big test for the club "no one could have envisaged the hardships to follow" Peter Devine, exprofessional player took over as first team manager; however after just one pre-season friendly Peter resigned "Possibly the shortest appointment in the history of football". AFC Darwen then appointed a new management team, bringing in Neil Prince and Neil Black. Neil Prince an ex-professional had previous managerial experience with Bootle and Prescot Cables and brought a wealth of experience and knowledge. AFC Darwen picked up 16 points from a possible 36, during this period. During this period it was evident that there was significant unrest in the camp and people felt like the team was starting to lose its identity, so the difficult decision was taken to replace the management team. In came Paul Marriot along with assistant Scott Campbell. Paul had previous experience at local side Eagley. Paul didn't get off to a good start, going out of the MEN United cup to AFC Blackpool 3-1 at home. Out of the 13 games in charge AFC only recorded 2 victories. during this period AFC Darwen conceded 49 goals and continued to struggle near the bottom end of the table, on their current form they were destined for relegation back to the first division. After the 3-1 home defeat to Congleton Paul resigned as first team manager. Scott Campbell "the fifth manager in a turbulent season" took over, however the club recognised that he required some support; in came Adam Douglas who for some reason had been overlooked by the previous manager after suffering from injury earlier in the season. The impact on moral was immediately evident and the team had regained the will and desire to fight for survival. Although they lost their first two games in charge performances significantly improved and you could feel the sense of desperation lift from around the ground. The relegation fight went right to the end; going into the last game of the season AFC Darwen required a draw or win to secure premiership football. AFC Darwen produced a fine performance, beating Cammell Laird 1907 4-1 to maintain their status.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Chairman’s Notes Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to Volair Park for this Macron Challenge Cup game against AFC Darwen. Let’s hope their players, officials and supporters along with our own supporters have had a safe journey here and are treated to an entertaining encounter. I’d like to thank today’s match sponsors Johnsons Toyota Liverpool and our match ball sponsors MLR Heating Supplies who join us for a second game - many thanks for your continued support.

It’s a break from league action this afternoon and I am sure that the lads will be looking to build on last week’s 2-1 home victory over FC Oswestry Town; our first three points at our temporary home. It’s likely to be another tough encounter and although our visitors are at the wrong end of the Premier Division league table they will arrive as favourites to proceed to the second round where a trip to Eccleshall awaits. Incidentally, we had the pleasure of hosting The Macron Challenge Cup silverware during the summer when the illustrious Trophy made an appearance at our 70th Anniversary Exhibition at St Helens Central Library. While Town have never won the Cup in it’s current incarnation Alan Wellens did lift the silverware back in 1972 having been crowd Lancashire Combination Champions. Next Saturday we travel to Alsager Town who have started the season in good form as they look to make an immediate return to the Hallmark Security League top flight. We follow this with a midweek trip to AFC Blackpool on Tuesday 11th October. Please watch out for a couple of fixture changes in mid-October as our current programme sees us clash with a couple of Cables home games.

Congratulations to our U18s team who had an impressive week with a North West Youth Alliance League win away at Witton Albion (1-3) and two cup successes. Firstly, an impressive 1-2 win at Chadderton U18s in the FA Youth Cup was followed last Sunday by an equally impressive performance which saw the Town youngsters run out 1-2 winners against Prescot Cables U18s to progress in the Liverpool County FA Sunday Youth Cup. The U18s will host Newcastle Benfield U18s in the FA Youth Cup at the Liverpool County FA ground on Thursday 6th October, 7.30pm - admission is £3 Adults, £2 Concessions and £1 U16s. Please do your best to get along and support the lads - I am sure they will appreciate some extra encouragement. We are looking for a couple of match ball sponsors (£25) for the game which will help offset some of the costs of hosting the game. Please call me n 07713 339 682 for details.

John McKiernan Chairman St Helens Town AFC

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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The world this week This Week in the World of... I take a trip down memory and discover what events happened in the history of St Helens Town, sport in general and provide a reminder of any historical world events that occurred in this week in history. The week of 25th September – 2nd October Last Season: St Helens Town – 26th September 2015 – Town succumb to a 4-1 away defeat to eventual champions of the First Division Hanley Town in the North West Counties League Cup 1st round with Jack Golding grabbing Town’s only goal. Sport – 27th September 2015 Frank Tyson, English cricketer ("Typhoon Tyson" pace bowler), dies at 85. World – 28th September 2015 NASA scientists announce the discovery of flowing water on Mars. 10 Years Ago: St Helens Town – 27th September 2006 – St Helens lose 5-1 away from home at Flixton. Sport – 1st October 2006 Brazilian goalkeeper Dida announces he will never play for the Brazilian team again.

World – 2nd October 2006 Cases of diabetes rise by 100,000 in England since the previous year. 20 Years Ago: St Helens Town: - 28th September and 2nd October 1996 – Two draws for Town in 5 days, as they drew 2-2 at home to Penrith before the spoils were shared in a 3-3 draw away at Kidsgrove, with future Town managed Garry Bickerstaffe grabbing a brace. Sport –29th September 1996 34th Tennis Fed Cup: USA beats Spain in Atlantic City USA (5-0). World – 29th September 1996 Nintendo 64 video game system debuts in USA (3 months after Japan).

The Vase Year – 1987: St Helens Town – 29th September and 3rd October 1987 – St Helens progress in the FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round replay with a 3-2 win versus Horwich R.M.I and draw 1-1 against Clitheroe 4 days later. Sport – 27th September 1987 NFL players' strike begins in the US. World – 28th September 1987 Hilary Duff, actress and singer (Lizzie McGuire), born in Houston, Texas.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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

Most recent

At St Helens Town NWC-D1

Previous Meetings 2001-02

At AFC Darwen NWC-D2

Home

NWC-D1

2002-03

NWC-D2

Away

NWC-D1

2003-04

NWC-D2

Collated

NWC-D1

2004-05

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2005-06

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2006-07

NWC-D2

AFC Darwen - last 6 matches All Competitions

Most recent

NWC-D1

2007-08

NWC-D2

NWC-PD

2008-09

NWC-D1

Home

NWC-PD

2009-10

W LAN-PD

Away

NWC-PD

2010-11

NWC-D1

Collated

NWC-PD

2011-12

NWC-D1

NWC-PD

2012-13

NWC-D1

NWC-PD

2013-14

NWC-D1

NWC-PD

2014-15

NWC-D1

2015-16

NWC-PD

NWC-D1

2016-17

NWC-PD

St Helens Town games since...

AFC Darwen games since...

All Competitions

Clean sheet

Goal Scored

Games Played

St Helens Town Wins

St Helens Town Scores First

Loss

Draws

No score draw

AFC Darwen Wins

Score draw

St Helens Town Goals

Win

AFC Darwen Goals

Percentage Town Wins

0.00

Previous Meetings All Competitions P

Win %

Hoame

52.94

Away

-7

30.30

Neutral

100.00

Collated

111

42.65

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Ruskin Update

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Tea Break Teasers Q1. Who is Aston Villa’s record signing?

Q2. Who is the only player to have played in the Final of three consecutive European Championships? Q3. Which three Manchester City players scored against QPR on the final day of the 2011-12 season to secure the Premier League title? Q4. Which German club has reached the most UEFA Cup/Europa League Finals?

Q5. Which player holds the record for the most full French international goals? Q6. Against which nation did Emile Heskey score his first international goal? Q7. Which three former Wycombe Wanderers managers have gone on to manager Aston Villa in the Premier League? Q8. With which club did Jurgen Klopp begin his managerial career? Q9. Which club reached the most UEFA Cup Winners Cup Finals? Q10. Which National League team play their home games at Sincil Bank? Q11. Which band recorded the 2006 England World Cup song “World at your feet”? Q12. Which five players scored the six goals in the 2005 Champions League Final between Milan and Liverpool? Q13. Which National League North team are nicknamed “The Lambs”? Q14. Who is the Norway national teams record appearance holder? Q15. Who was the last player not named Cristiano or Lionel to win the Ballon d’Or? 1) Darren Bent £18m 2) Rainer Bonhof (West Germany 1972, 76 & 80) 3) Zabaleta, Dzeko & Aguero 4) Borussia Monchengladbach (4) 5) Thierry Henry (51) 6) Malta 7) John Gregory, Martin O’Nell & Paul Lambert 8) Mainz 9) Barcelona (6) 10) Lincoln City 11) Embrace 12) Maldini, Crespo(2), Gerrard, Smicer, Alonso 13) Tamworth 14) John Arne Riise 15) Kaka in 2007

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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John Connelly John Connelly began playing for St. Helens Town in 1956. Born John Michael Connelly at Clock Face on 18th July 1938, he was an apprentice joiner at Clock Face colliery and joined the club from St. Theresas FC, Sutton Manor, at the same time as John Quinn. Scouts from Burnley came to Hoghton Road in November 1956 to watch another player, but Connelly had an outstanding game and was immediately offered a trial at Turf Moor. He went on to make his debut against Leeds United at Elland Road on 11th March 1957.

John went on to gain a regular first team place at Burnley in 1958/59 and the following season, won a Football League Championship medal at Turf Moor. Burnley were at the peak of the game in those days and played in the European Cup in 1960/61 and were beaten FA Cup finalists and Championship runners-up in 1961/62 season. A right winger blessed with great speed, he could also play on the left and was a prolific goal scorer, getting 20 in the 1959/60 Championship season from 34 games. In all, Connelly scored 105 goals in 265 Burnley appearances, before he was transferred for £56,000 in April 1964 to Manchester United, where he teamed up with former St. Helens Town prodigy Bill Foulkes. He won his second Championship medal at Old Trafford in the 1964/65 season. John scored 35 goals in 113 appearances with United before transferring to Blackburn Rovers for £40,000 at the start of the 1966/67 season, finishing his career with Bury in 1973. John Connelly was an England regular between 1959 and 1966, earning 20 caps and scoring 7 goals. He was also capped by the Football League. His international debut came against Wales in Cardiff on 17th October 1959 and he was a squad member in Englands 1962 and 1966 World Cup finals campaigns. Indeed, John played in Englands 1966 opener against Uruguay, but after a 0-0 draw, Alf Ramsey left him out for the remaining games. Belatedly, however, he was presented with his World Cup Winners medal by Gordon Brown in June 2009. In retirement from football, John operated a successful fish and chip business with several outlets in Lancashire. John lived near Burnley, at Barrowford, until his death in October 2012. He has two brothers who still reside at Clock Face. Check out the club’s Hall of Fane and Elite Players at www.sthelenstownafc.com

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Club News

Many thanks to BOLD Skip Hire shirt sponsor of our U21s side who have recently started their third season in the Cheshire FA U21s League. Do you see our weekly coverage in the St Helens Star newspaper which is available on line or the more traditional printed version. Our thanks to sports editor Mike Critchley who ensures plenty of page space and lots of photos are used on a regular basis. Our new club mugs are available at all home games - just £5.00 raising funds for the club. We also have official club pin badges on sale at £3.00. Our Freestart UK sponsored home and away shirts are on sale from Macron Store Cheshire (online) Juniors £30 and Adult £35. Don’t forget we are selling tickets for the Ruskin Comedy & Curry Night - tickets are £15 and a great night is planned. Please see any club official for details.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Andy Gillespie in action v FC Oswestry Town on Saturday 24th September 2016

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Match Sponsors We are looking for additional sponsors on match-days with a host of benefits for both match (£100) and match 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

Thu 18/08/16

Sandbach United

Beer EnGin, Whiston

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Thu 01/09/16

Prestwich Heys

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Cuncannon

Sat 10/09/16

Chadderton (FAV)

Top Car Detailing

Cuncannon

Thu 15/09/16

Widnes

Thatto Heath Tech Shop

Beer Engin, Whiston

Sat 26/11/16

FC Oswestry Town

Toast Café

Live Wire Electrical

Sat 01/10/16

AFC Darwen (Macron Cup)

Johnsons Toyot Liverpool

MLR Heating Supplies

Sat 15/10/16

Carlisle City

Michael Allison

Conor McGinn

Sat 22/10/16

Chadderton

Beechley Stables, RDA

Thu 10/11/16

Cheadle Town

Invisible Heroes

Thu 17/11/16

Ashton Town

Sat 19/11/16

Eccleshall

Danny’s Window Cleaning

Thu 01/12/16

Alsager Town

The Track King

Sat 10/12/16

Bacup Borough

Mon 26/12/16 Litherland REMYCA

Stillia

Kiera’s Occasions

Action Coach NW

Kiera’s Occasions Britannia Taxis

Sat 07/01/17

Holker Old Boys

LM Travel

Sat 21/01/17

AFC Blackpool

Action Coach NW

Sat 28/01/17

Whitchurch Alport

Invisible Heroes

Sat 11/02/17

Silsden

North West Dog Rescue

Sat 18/03/17

Daisy Hill

Invisible Heroes

Sat 25/03/17

Stockport Town

Stuart Pyke

Sat 01/04/17

Atherton LR

John Cahill

Sun 16/04/17

City of Liverpool FC

The Boar’s Head

Sat 29/04/17

Charnock Richard

Toast Café

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Team Fixtures St Helens Town Sunday Liverpool &District Sunday League Results 08/09/16 18:30 Hunting Lodge 3-0 Town 11/09/16 11:00 Fulwood Arms 2-0 Town 18/09/16 11:00 Birkdale United 4-3 Town 25/09/16 13:00 Fazakerley Athletic 3-2 Town Fixtures 09/10/16 12:45 Town v Mr Smiths St Helens Town U21s Cheshire FA U21s League Premier Division Results Lge 24/08/16 Manchester Central Reserves 0-4 Town Cup 21/08/16 Atherton Town 2-2 Town (Town won 1-3 on pens) Lge 18/08/16 Southport 2-2 Town Cup 11/09/16 11:00 Glossop North End 1-9 Town Cup 18/09/16 11:00 BRNESC Reserves 4-7 Town Lge 25/09/16 14:00 Atherton Town 1-6 Town Fixtures Cup 02/10/16 12:30 Abbey Hey v Town Lge 09/10/16 12:45 Town v Irlam Lge 16/10/16 12:30 Abbey Hey v Town Lge 23/10/16 12:45 Town v Stockport Town Lge 30/10/16 11:00 Malvern v Town Lge 06/11/16 12:45 Town v Atherton Town Lge 13/11/16 12:45 Town v Southport Lge 17/11/16 19:45 Irlam v Town Lge 20/11/16 12:45 Town v Manchester Central Lge 27/11/16 12:45 Town v Malvern Lge 04/12/16 12:45 Town v West Kirby Lge 11/12/16 12:30 Stockport Town v Town St Helens Town U18s North West Youth Alliance League Results Lge 21/08/16 14:30 Town 3-5 Chester Colts Lge 04/09/16 14:30 Chester Colts 1-3 Town Cup 08/09/16 19:45 AFC Blackpool 3-4 Town Lge 11/09/16 14:30 Town 2-8 Marine Lge 18/09/16 14:30 Witton Albion 1-3 Town Cup 21/09/17 19:30 Chadderton 1-2 Town Cup 25/09/16 11:00 Prescot Cables 1-2 Town Fixtures Lge 02/10/16 14:30 West Kirby & Wasps v Town Cup TBC Town v Newcastle Benfield Lge 09/10/16 14:30 Town v Heswall Lge 16/10/16 14:30 Town v Vauxhall Motors Cup 23/10/16 14:00 Chester FC v Town Lge 30/10/16 14:30 Tranmere Rovers v Town

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Guest Writer You think you know what non-league football is? Think again! What is non-league football? Surely the answer to this is obvious! Well it is…until you start to think about it. A general view is that non-league is what it says on the tin – those clubs outside of the four divisions of the Premier League and the Football League. Fine. But this definition is built on an opposition; it tells you what non-league is not – i.e. it is not THE league. But it doesn’t really tell you much about what it is. This, I think, is hardly satisfactory. So where do we look to get a better understanding? Well, we could look at the official structures. The pyramid shows us that non-league starts at the National League and, connected by promotions and relegations, goes down another six levels (to Step 7). At Step 7 we find a collection of leagues that includes the premier divisions of the West Lancashire League, the Anglian Combination and the Leicestershire Senior League amongst many others. Yet these boundaries of non-league aren’t really satisfactory either. To my mind, the National League is the fifth division of a national league structure. Over the last couple of decades big, former Football League clubs have played in the National League, from Luton to Stockport and from Wrexham to Grimsby. At the other end of the pyramid, it’s not clear to me that non-league stops at Step 7. Beyond this level I’ve watched quite a few matches in the first division of the West Lancashire League and the Manchester League. Some of the teams in these leagues look more than capable of mixing it with teams at the division above.

The point is, other than in crude ways, it’s not easy to draw boundaries around what we mean by ‘nonleague football’. We have a rough sense of which leagues and teams we should include. But under this way of thinking we talk about Tranmere Rovers (who frequently attract crowds upwards of 4,000) in the same way as we talk about their near neighbours Cammell Laird (for whom a couple of hundred people is a well above average attendance); and Stockport County likewise with their neighbours Cheadle Town. Surely it would be helpful to find a way of thinking about non-league football that deals with the richness and diversity of the clubs that constitute it. But, how should we do this? Though there are many ways we could do this, I’d like to sketch out a first go at thinking about nine categories of non-league teams. There are undoubtedly many different ways of slicing and dicing the body of non-league football. But this is my attempt, mainly drawing on clubs that I know in the north of England as examples. The ‘just visiting’: These are the big, former Football League clubs, relegated to non-league since automatic promotion and relegation in 1987. The list includes big clubs like Tranmere, Wrexham and Stockport with recent memories of relative glory. Tranmere, for example, were members of the League for over 90 years, reached the League Cup final in 2000, and the last eight of the FA Cup three times in the 2000s. Wrexham had 87 years of League football and also big European nights between the 1970s and the 1990s. Other clubs, such as Grimsby and Stockport have long histories in the league. Some of those ‘just visiting’ play their role appropriately, for example Luton, and leave non-league within a few years. Others, appear to have forgotten their role – Wrexham have been non-league for approaching a decade. The ‘former giants’: These are clubs who 30 or 40 years ago would have been new to non-league football. This includes former Football League clubs voted out by their fellow members, such as Barrow and Southport. These clubs generally move between the upper levels of the non-league game.

‘New money’: This includes a small group of non-league clubs, such as AFC Fylde and Salford City, with new ‘visionary’ owners who aspire to push their clubs up the pyramid rapidly. These clubs have Football League dreams (although in their visionary zeal they might refer to it as the EFL). A new stadium (not ground) or at least aspirations for one are part of these plans. Some of the new money clubs had ‘average’ histories until their new owners came along. Former members of this category include

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Mike Hodson Fleetwood Town. The ‘punching above their weights’: This category includes clubs that for a period of time managed a lot of success (e.g. high league placings and cup runs) relative to the size of the club. Recent members of this category includes clubs such as Curzon Ashton, members of the National League North, playing at a high level of non-league football and not traditionally seen as one of non-league’s bigger clubs. Historically this category would also include clubs like Runcorn, who were arguably the best non-league club in England as Alliance champions in1982 and who also reached the FA Trophy final in 1986. Mossley would have also fallen into this category in the late 1970s and early 1980s when they were one of the best non-league sides in England reaching the FA Trophy final in 1980 and finishing in the top two in the Northern Premier League (at the time the second tier of non-league football) for five consecutive seasons. This was a remarkable achievement for a small town club. The ‘Steady Eddies’: Clubs that have been steady in maintaining their position over the years probably account for the majority of non-league clubs. These clubs are seen at all levels of non-league. There are many examples, but, to pick a few, might include Ashton United, Marine, Congleton and Winsford. Yes, they might experience ups and downs, but they are generally clubs that operate at a consistent level. This is probably the most common category.

The ‘alternatives’: These are clubs based on a set of values that seek to find a different way of doing football as an alternative to the modern game. Fan ownership and a broader politics of community participation and concerns are what clubs such as FC United of Manchester and City of Liverpool appear to represent. The ‘phoenix clubs’: Usually facing some serious financial problems, phoenix clubs emerge from clubs who were wound-up and who would have been killed off but who have refused to die. This would include clubs such as Runcorn, who reformed as Runcorn Linnets in 2006; Chester City who re-emerged as Chester FC in 2010; and Hereford United who returned as Hereford FC in 2014. Phoenix clubs were often founded on the concerns and energies of supporters groups such as Chester’s City Fans United and the Hereford United Supporters Trust and this is reflected in fan involvement in ownership, some of which are cooperatives. A sub category of the phoenix clubs are the ‘splinter clubs’, such as 1874 Northwich. These were clubs that were founded due to serious financial and/or ownership problems with a long established club. The ‘former local elites’: These are generally clubs lower down the pyramid who moved into the lower levels of non-league football, generally in the 1980s and 1990s, after dominating local league football. This includes clubs such as Cheadle Town (formerly Grasmere Rovers, in the Manchester League), Maine Road (also in the Manchester League) and Ramsbottom United (in the Bolton Combination and Manchester League). The ‘gone but not forgottens’: Facing problems, from finance, to ownership, to ground issues and combinations of these, some non-league clubs are unable to bounce back as phoenix clubs. Nonleague has always lost teams; teams that disbanded over the decades. This category includes clubs from all levels of non-league and from various parts of the country. Clubs that have disappeared in the last two or three decades include Horwich RMI and Eastwood Town. Though these clubs have disappeared, their histories live on as does affection for them among many supporters. These are just a few ways of thinking about the diversity of non-League clubs. There are many others. There are also combinations of these categories, with some cross-dressing. Wrexham, for example are a former Football League Club ‘just visiting’ but they are also a fan owned club providing an ‘alternative’ model of ownership. Other combinations are also apparent. These are also not static categories. Clubs could be in one category now and in another one in history or years to come. The point is that the crude category ‘non-league football’ is what we have to describe hundreds of clubs. It’s the best we have but it misses the diversity and richness of the non-league game. This article is one small attempt to open this up and help us think again what non-league is. Follow my Twitter for future articles: @MHod71

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Match Statistics 201 Date

Opponents

Comp

Result

Aug 06

Carlisle City

NWCFL

3.00

4-3L

Novak D.Brady Williams Rawsthorne

Presho A.Whelan

Falconer

Presho

Rigby

Sheen

Aug 13

Cheadle Town

NWCFL

3.00

3-3D

Novak

AUG 18

SANDBACH UNITED

NWCFL

7.45

L2-4

Novak Greene

Rigby

Presho

Aug 20

Litherland REMYCA

NWCFL

3.00

W1-2 Novak Greene

Rigby

Webster

Falconer

Presho

Aug 27

Charnock Richard

NWCFL

3.00

W1-3 Novak Greene

Rigby

Webster

Falconer

Presho

SEP 01

PRESTWICH HEYS

NWCFL

7.45

2-2D Hodge Greene

Rigby

Webster

Falconer

Presho

Sep 03

Atherton LR

NWCFL

3.00

4-2L

Hodge Greene1

Rigby

Falconer

Webster

Presho

Sep 06

City of Liverpool

NWCFL

7.45

5-1L

Hodge D.Brady

Presho

Falconer

Webster

Ashton

SEP 10

CHADDERTON

FAV 1QR 3.00

3-5L

Taylor D.Brady

Presho

Webster

Donohue

Davies

SEP 15

WIDNES

NWCFL

7.45

1-1D

Taylor D.Brady

Rigby

Pegler

Webster

Donohue

Sep 17

Daisy Hill

NWCFL

3.00

2-2D

Taylor D.Brady

Rigby

Ball

Ogden

Pegler

SEP24

FC OSWESTRY TOWN

NWCFL

3.00 2-1W Taylor Greene1

Rigby

Donohue

Falconer

Ball

OCT 01

AFC DARWEN

TMC 1R 3.00

Oct 08

Alsager Town

NWCFL

Oct 11

AFC Blackpool

NWCFL

7.45

OCT 15

CARLISLE CITY

NWCFL

3.00

Oct 18

FC Oswestry Town

NWCFL

7.45

OCT 22

CHADDERTON

NWCFL

3.00

NOV 10

CHEADLE TOWN

NWCFL

7.45

Nov12

Silsden

NWCFL

3.00

Nov 16

Litherland REMYCA

LSCup

7.45

NOV 19

ECCLESHALL

NWCFL

3.00

DEC 01

ALSAGER TOWN

NWCFL

7.45

Dec 03

Ashton Town

NWCFL

3.00

DEC 10

BACUP BOROUGH

NWCFL

3.00

Dec 17

Whitchurch Alport

NWCFL

3.00

DEC 26

LITHERLAND REMCYA

NWCFL

3.00

Dec 31

Prestwich Heys

NWCFL

3.00

JAN 07

HOLKER OLD BOYS

NWCFL

3.00

Jan 14

Eccleshall

NWCFL

3.00

JAN 21

AFC BLACKPOOL

NWCFL

3.00

JAN 28 WHITCHURCH ALPORT

NWCFL

3.00

Feb 04

Bacup Borough

NWCFL

3.00

FEB 11

SILSDEN

NWCFL

3.00

Feb 18

Sandbach United

NWCFL

3.00

Mar 04

Chadderton

NWCFL

3.00

Mar 11

Holker Old Boys

NWCFL

3.00

MAR 18

DAISY HILL

NWCFL

3.00

MAR 25

STOCKPORT TOWN

NWCFL

3.00

APR 01

ATHERTON LR

NWCFL

7.45

Apr 08

Widnes

NWCFL

3.00

APR 16

CITY OF LIVERPOOL

NWCFL

TBC

Apr 22

Stockport Town

NWCFL

3.00

APR 29

CHARNOCK RICHARD

NWCFL

3.00

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Andy Gillespie Pegler D

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16-17 7

Ashton

Greene1

Name1

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

Pegler1 Andy Gillespie1

Pegler

D.Whelan Sheen1

Player name and number of goals scored

Name

C.Lomax

G.Lomax1

Greene10

Alex Gillespie6

Threlkeld3

D.Whelan

C.Lomax

Williams10

C.Banasko

Al Gillespie

D.Whelan2

G.Lomax1

C.Lomax

Threlkeld

Alex Gillespie

Tingay

C.Banasko

G.Lomax

Williams

Threlkeld10

Alex Gillespie

D.Whelan

Tingay11

Davidson

Mavers9

S.Brady

Ball2

Hodge1

Ball

Mavers

D.Brady

S.Brady

Al Gillespie

Pegler7

Ball

Dutton

G.Lomax61

Ball4

Donohue Hodge

Andy Gillespie1 G.Lomax1 Williams

Sheen

Pegler1 Andy Gillespie1

Sheen

Ashton

C.Lomax

G.Lomax1 Williams2

Sheen

Ashton

C.Lomax1

G.Lomax

Williams1

Ashton

Sheen

G.Lomax1

C.Lomax

Williams

Sheen

Andy Gillespie

Pegler

Rigby

Pegler

Sheen

Andy Gillespie2

Greene

Sheen

Davies

Andy Gillespie

Presho

Sheen

Presho

Andy Gillespie2

Greene

Williams

Sheen1

Pegler

Andy Gillespie

S.Brady

D.Brady6 Andy Gillespie11

Threlkeld11

Greene7

C.Lomax

Rigby

Ball

Williams71

Rowe5

Rawsthorne10

Williams1

Greene10

Rowe2

S.Brady11

Mavers

Al Gillespie

Bradley11

S.Brady4

Novak

Alex Gillespie

Williams

Jones

Presho

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Hoult

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1960s Finance Town accounts offer a fascinating historical insight St. Helens Town Vice-President Jim Barrett recently unearthed a copy of the club’s accounts and balance sheet for the year ended 31st May 1963. They provide a fascinating insight into the financial side of the club going back over 50 years ago and were of added significance, given that this marked the first full operating year of the long lamented Social Club at the Town Ground in Hoghton Road, Sutton. The football club had been re-formed in 1946, when a lease was taken out of the former Sutton Cricket Club near St. Helens Junction railway station and had begun playing in the Liverpool County Combination at the beginning of the 1947/48 season. Fifteen seasons later, the social club, which was the place to be seen in downtown Sutton. At its height, the main room seated over 800 and the bingo sessions and Friday and Saturday concerts were legendary, pulling in far bigger crowds than watched the football. At the end of its first full year of operation, the social club donated a net sum of £1120, which dwarfed the football profit of just over £381. Town played in the Second Division of the well-regarded Lancashire Combination in 1962/63 and finished the season half way up the table in 10th place, winning 16, drawing 6 and losing 16 of their 38 fixtures. They had won through to the third qualifying round of the FA Cup, winning at Earlestown and beating South Liverpool at home before going out at Hoghton Road to Altrincham, a leading light in the equally prestigious Cheshire League, which included Macclesfield and Wigan Athletic and that season’s champions Runcorn among its membership. Back in those days, there was no sponsorship of the competitions and gate receipts for 19 home league games amounted to barely £72, whereas the three FA Cup ties brought in £125. Donations, other than from the social club, amounted to nearly £3,300, the Christmas raffle netted £23 and programme sales contributed just £8. On the expenditure side, match expenses for the first team were £1347 and £360 for the reserves, referees and linesmen cost £90, the manager, trainer and groundsman cost £386, ground repairs £155 and travelling expenses amounted to £177. Playing kit cost £136, printing and advertising £36 and telephone expenses worked out at nearly £52. The secretary was awarded an honorarium in the princely sum of £50. Looking at the Balance Sheet, the value of the ground was stated to be £905, building (presumably the social club) £6,435 and the grandstand £1100, with fittings £150 and cash in hand and at the bank amounting to £283. Among the club’s creditors were Burtonwood Brewery £3,040, Forward Trust Ltd. £435 and the curiously named Trinidad Lake Asphalt Co. £80. The Notes to the Balance Sheet stated that the loans to Burtonwood and Trinidad Lake had been taken over by the social club. Put into context, today’s players are not paid, whereas over 50 years ago, the club paid out £1,700 over the season. These were momentous times, as the Football League had only just abolished the maximum wage of £20 per week to leading clubs’ players, season tickets at Everton were available in the “best seats” for £9, admission to Goodison and Anfield in the standing enclosures was 20p or 25p a game and programmes cost 4d at Liverpool and 6d at Everton. Liverpool had just been promoted back to the First Division and Everton won the Championship. Littlewoods Pools were offering total pay-outs of £500,000 every Saturday and men over 5’8” between the ages of 19 and 29 could join Liverpool City Police and earn £1,000 per year. They were the days! Glyn Jones

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Danny Greene in action v FC Oswestry Town on Saturday 24th September 2016

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

A Brief History 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 7th May 1949. Crowds averaged Tommy O’Neil over 2000 that season, peaking with a league record Wembley,1987 attendance of 3012 against Burscough in October 1948. The following season, 1949/50, Town entered the Lancashire Combination and, despite losing Trautmann to Manchester City in October 1949, they won the Second Division title in some style the following season, three players, Albert Leadbetter (36), Harry McCann (32) and Terry Garner (31) all netting over 30 goals apiece. An alltime 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 its ambitions, moved to the former St. Helens Recs. rugby league 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 in the last few years, Karl Ledsham, who had a productive career at conference level with Southport, Lincoln City, Barrow and Stockport County before moving to the USA. Following a second relegation in 1956, St. Helens Town continued to play in the Lancashire Combination, winning the Championship in 1971/72, by nine points ahead of Accrington Stanley. However, the formation of the Northern Premier League in 1968 led to a gradual drain of stronger clubs from the Combination and St. Helens joined the Cheshire League in 1975, becoming founder members of the North West Counties League seven years later. They held the proud record of being the only club to play in the NW Counties’ top flight every season until they were relegated in April

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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of St Helens Town

St Helens Town 1948 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. The 2015/16 season saw St. Helens Town in the First Division of the North West Counties League and despite some inconsistent mid-season form, they finished the season with an outside chance of making the promotion play-off places, only to fall short in the final match, losing at home to eventual champions Hanley Town in a game they needed to win thereby missing out for the first time on a place in this season’s FA Cup competition. Nevertheless, team captain Andy Gillespie landed the First Division Golden Boot Trophy with 29 league goals, 34 in all matches. At the start of the 2016/17 season, Town are looking to return to the borough and the new ground at Ruskin Drive will at last be ready in early October. In the meantime, early -season games will be played at Prescot Cables and with nearly all of last season’s squad staying on, boosted by new signings in key areas, they will be hoping to be among the front-runners for promotion in the club’s 70th year since their reformation, coincidentally, the 30 th year since their FA Vase success. The nomadic years since the loss of their Hoghton Road base in 2000 are now behind them, the return to their traditional blue and white colours herald a new beginning and the future once again looks bright.

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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 2015-16 NWCFL First 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 2015-16 Placed 8th NWCFL 2015-16 Awards Player 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

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Town News Johnsons Toyota Liverpool support Melissa

St Helens Town Football Club main sponsor and community partner 2016-17 have offered support to Melissa’s Smile Fund’s forthcoming fundraiser. Club Chairman John McKiernan said, ‘We spotted Melissa’s tweet for looking raffle prizes for her forthcoming fundraiser at another of our sponsors The Boar’s Head, Elton Head Road and we decided to approach Johnsons to see if they could help with a raffle prize. ‘As always Gareth Shone, Centre Principal at Johnsons Toyota Liverpool, was instant in his support and came back with a couple of great prizes.’ John added, ‘One lucky raffle winner will get to drive a brand new Toyota GT86 sports car for a long weekend – collecting the car on Friday afternoon and returning on Monday morning.’

‘Johnsons Cars also have a corporate partnership with Formby Golf Club and have offered great prize of a Four-Ball golf day at the prestigious venue.’ The club are continuing to raise awareness of Melissa’s Smile Fund activities and the Melissa’s logo and branding appears on the front of the St Helens Town U18s home kit for the 2016-17. John McKiernan added, ‘At our home game against Carlisle City on Saturday 15th October we will be donating the proceeds of our match day raffle.’ Melissa, the 2014 St Helens Child of Courage, suffers from Angelman Syndrome (AS) and is fundraising for a life changing sensory room. Please contact John McKiernan on 07713 339 682 if you can help Melissa.

Melissa’s Smile Charity Fun Day

Saturday 15th October 2016, from 12 noon Hosted by The Boar’s Head, Elton Head Road, St Helens

Live Entertainment Bouncy Castle, Barbecue, Raffle, Car Wash and Auction

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Report U18s v Sunday 25th Sptember 2016 Liverpool County FA Sunday Youth Cup 1st Round Prescot Cables U18s 1-2 St Helens Town U18s Town youngsters capped off a fine week with a hard fought 1-2 victory over local rivals Prescot Cables in their opening encounter in this season’s LCFA Sunday Youth Cup. Building on success in the League and the FA Youth Cup which had seen wins against Witton Albion (1-3) and Chadderton (1-2) respectively. An early strike from Alex Stewart was worthy of winning any game beating the home ‘keeper from 30 yards. The goal gave Town a firm footing against opposition who play in the top flight of the North West Youth Alliance League (a division above Town). Reece Hughes finished of a fine flowing move from Town to give his side a 0-2 cushion midway through the first half and despite a rally from Cables’ youngsters there was no change in the score line at half time. The second period saw Cables with lots of possession but the Town defence stood strong. However, the home side reduced the deficit with 25 mins to go and despite chances at both ends it would be the ‘blues’ who made it through to the quarter finals.

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Prescot Cables U18s

Prescot Cables U18s 1-2 Town u18s LCFA Sunday Youth Cup Sunday 25th September 2016

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Shaun Brady in action v FC Oswestry Town on Saturday 124h September 2016

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Match Report v Sheen and Greene Get St Helens Back On Winning Scene By Kieran Ford St Helens Town notch their first win in 6 as they dispose of Oswestry Town. The mood in the St Helens camp is now a lot different than to that of 2 weeks ago. Since bowing out of the FA Vase against Chadderton, todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home side have had 2 successive draws against teams above them in the table, thus showing a step in the right direction. Even at this early stage in the season, FC Oswestry were the final side that St Helens Town faced that they had never played before, and this sense of the unknown may have helped them in the fixture today. Even with a stretched squad as of late, Nick Matthews & Lee Jenkinson managed to field a strong line up. St Helens maintained the 3 centre back formation, with Danny Greene filling in at wing back for Danny Brady. Another notable change was that Shaun Brady was handed his first start of the season after a few substitute appearances in recent weeks. He replaced Phil Williams as he partnered Andy Gillespie up front. As has been the case on many occasions this season, St Helens Town started the better of the two sides, as their high energy pressing game caused problems for the Oswestry defence early on. In the early stages of the game, St Helens were also creating the better of the chances. The first of these was an acrobatic Sam Sheen effort that was blocked behind for a corner, before moments later he had another chance to give the home side the lead. He was presented with time and space on the edge of the area, but could only drag his shot wide. Oswestry also had forays forward to try and open the scoring, however Callum Graybrook fired over from a Jack Harris cross, and an Alun Morris header was easily caught by Ryan Taylor in the St Helens goal. The hosts took the lead through a terrific counter attacking move. From an Oswestry corner, the ball was played

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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FC Oswestry Town to Andy Gillespie, who held up the play bullishly in order to bring others into play. This was duly the case as Gillespie’s reverse through ball found Sam Sheen 1 on 1 with the goalkeeper; he slotted it home to make it 1-0 to the home team heading into half time. HT: St Helens Town (Sheen, 21) 1 – 0 FC Oswestry Town

The opening exchanges of the second half were fairly even, as both teams looked to feel their way back into the game, however, St Helens doubled their lead in emphatic style. A header away from a St Helens Town corner found Danny Greene just outside the area. The right wing back hit a powerful right footed effort that found the far bottom corner with pinpoint accuracy, putting the host’s two goals ahead. After doubling their advantage, St Helens dropped deeper, in order to frustrate their opponents and play on the counter attack. This ultimately resulted in more chances for Oswestry. The first of these was a deflected shot from substitute Jackson Hassanye before Olly Jones somehow managed to miss an open goal after a knock down header. The away team eventually pulled one back through their captain Jack Harris. The Oswestry striker was allowed time on the edge of the box to pick his spot, and his shot beat Taylor at his near post, and was too powerful for the palm of the goalkeeper. Although St Helens were defending their lead, they had the better chances at the game was reaching its end. An Ed Pegler hit the bar, before Andy Gillespie’s header was well saved by Oswestry goalkeeper Barton. The blues had a goal disallowed for offside in the final minute, as Gillespie was beyond the last defender when he smashed home a rebound, but this was void as St Helens still took home the points.

FT: St Helens Town (Sheen, 21) (Greene, 53) 2 – 1 Oswestry Town (Harris, 67)

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Photo Gallery

St Helens Town 2-1 FC Oswestry Hallmark Security League First Division Saturday 24th September 2016

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Managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Notes Hi everyone and welcome to Volaire Park.

Quite a lot of things have happened in and around the club of late. Starting with players leaving; its with regret that both Chris and George Lomax have left the club and joined Widnes. New boss Joey Dunn was very quick in adding the brothers, George was fantastic for the club towards the end of last season and the start of this. We wish both of them the best of luck.

On the players coming in we have signed two new goal keepers Ryan Taylor and Gage Walsh. Also coming in is former Camel Laird left back Paul Carney. Paul, known as Pablo, is a very good versatile player that can play across the park and has a great left foot. I expect a few more signings over the next few week. On the pitch our results have improved of late ; two draws and a win after a run of four defeats. Defensively we have tightened up and the young lads have stopped making the mistakes which has cost us plenty of goals. The midfield of Presho, Peglar and Sheen have been brilliant. We welcome Hallmark Security League Premier Division side Darwen in The Macron Challenge Cup. It should be a good game for the neutral as both sides have been involved in high scoring games this season. Keep the faith .. #BlueBoys Nick Matthews (Joint First Team Manager)

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League News Shooting boots needed when facing the Purples City of Liverpool’s march to the top of the Division One table has been achieved in no small way to their goalscoring ability. The Purples have the best goal difference of any team in the league, scored more goals than anyone in the league and have the best goals per game ratio, so it takes something special to beat them at the moment They had no game on Saturday, but at Charnock Richard last midweek, they kept up their goalscoring form by hitting the net three times – a decent return against a side going well themselves. The difference this time was that Charnock did what no side has done so far this season, and scored four times against their visitors. The message is clear – anyone hoping to pick up points against the Purples this season will need to be on top goalscoring form. First win for Eccleshall A big shout out must go to Eccleshall, who picked up their first league win of the season in fine style with a 5-3 win at Cheadle Town on Saturday. It’s been a difficult start to the season for Jim Leech and his side, but Saturday’s result, coming on the back of two heavy defeats, could be the boost they need to start climbing up the First Division table. Many more for the Road Maine Road’s goalscoring prowess has been in evidence right from the start of the season, and they underlined their attacking threat by hitting six goals in successive games at AFC Darwen in midweek and at home to Squires Gate on Saturday. In both games, five different Road players got on the scoresheet, and looking at the season as a whole, Chris Hirst’s men have scored in every game and have only scored less than two goals in three of their games. It’s a fine record, and one that proves the well-established club tradition of playing the game the way it should be played is very much still alive. Seven up for Barlick Barnoldswick Town recorded the biggest win of any of our sides in the Buildbase FA Vase on Saturday, with a 7-1 win over Stokesley Sports Club. It’s the second time this season that Barlick have hit seven goals in a game, and Saturday’s result was achieved without leading scorers Joseph Gaughan and Aaron Hollindrake hitting the back of the net. Scoring seven goals in any competitive game is no mean feat, and to achieve it twice before the end of September is good going by any standard.

Remy on a roll Whether it’s league or cup competitions, there’s no stopping Litherland REMYCA at the moment. Saturday’s win over Vauxhall Motors means it’s now eight straight wins for Phil Stafford’s men, a run that includes a win at high flying City of Liverpool in the FA Vase, and a defeat of Evo-Stik League side Burscough in the Liverpool Senior Cup. After a couple of seasons finding their feet at this level of football, the signs are that Remy are ready for the challenge of moving on up.

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League News Litherland Remyca currently sit joint top of the Division One table at present and are currently on their best run of form in the Hallmark Security League. The club, now in their third season have finished just outside of the play-off spots in the last two campaigns and with a great start to this season, eight straight wins in all competitions and only beaten once this season early doors to St Helens Town, life is looking good for the side from Sefton. Manager, Phil Stafford took time out to speak to us about the start of the season, the clubs aims and what he has done to improve the clubs chances this campaign. “Things are going well for us at the moment and we are doing ok. Like any manager at any club, we set our stall out at the start of the season looking to get points on the board quickly and we have been lucky enough to do that. I mentioned last week actually to our media team the fact that we have a good amount of points but the performances in a couple of the games did not match the return we got so in some respects, when you can take three points from games you are not particularly good in then that’s a good sign. In the summer we changed a couple of things around at the club, nothing too drastic as we had created a good template here at Remyca but we were lucky enough to be able to bring in Paul McNally to our coaching staff. Paul had done well with an impressive Lairds side and for us we wanted to bring a fresh outlook into the changing room and someone with that extra steel. As a Coaching crew we have myself, Andy Olsen, Stuart Kier and now Paul and we haven’t had an argument yet, we all have different things to bring to the table and we feel as a club it is our duty to develop players on all levels and we are getting there. We did not change too many personnel over the closed season, we have an experienced squad now, a number of players are up to 75+ appearances for us and with appearances brings match experience. You cannot buy the experience the likes of Chris Tyson and Colin Quirk have but the addition of players who have made it through the youth team like Niall Gannon, Ewan McKevitt and Lewis Murphy show that we can freshen things up in-house and give players the opportunities too. For me one of the main additions was Michael Boyle, he has made a real impact and gives me multiple options on the park. For us, our aims this season are the play-offs, we were like everyone else, we did not know the effect and impact of the six new clubs so we planned accordingly. The New teams have made the expected impact but in that they are all taking points off each other too so for us we just need to concentrate on our own game and if we can meet our aim or go one or two places better that would be decent for us. The league is settling down well and taking shape. The new sides in the Division have made a real impact, for me clubs like Charnock Richard who were expected to do well to be fair have come in and played well and Alsager with the likes of Lennon’ and Glover’ there, they look a force and will be there or thereabouts. You have to look at City of Liverpool too, they have taken to the league really well and have a tremendous squad there. It will be interesting how it looks by say February, we will know then who the real movers and shakers will be at the top end. One thing is for sure though, the fans this season are having a ball, there seems to be a lot of interest in and around the league at the moment, we as clubs and players are doing our bit and the whole thing is looking good.”

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League Tables First Division Table as at Wednesday 28/09/2016 First Division

W D

City of Liverpool FC

12 8

Whitchurch Alport

12 8

Litherland REMYCA

Alsager Town

A GD Pts

39 19 20 25

29 15 14 25

11 8

31 19 12 25

10 7

26 10 16 24

Charnock Richard

12 7

28 18 10 23

Sandbach United

12 7

28 19

Prestwich Heys

11 6

31 17 14 20

Silsden

10 6

32 19 13 19

Widnes

11 6

28 22

Holker Old Boys

13 5

22 21

Stockport Town

11 5

33 27

FC Oswestry Town

12 4

25 26 -1 16 26 28 -2 15

Chadderton

12 4

St Helens Town

11 3

4 23 28 -5 13

Daisy Hill

10 4

19 27 -8 13

Bacup Borough

11 3

13 16 -3 11

Carlisle City

11 3

22 28 -6 11

Atherton LR

12 3

19 34 -15 11

Cheadle Town

10 2

19 32 -13 8

AFC Blackpool

10 27 -17 5

Eccleshall

11 1

18 44 -26 5

Ashton Town

10 1

33 -25 3

St Helens Town Player Sponsors 2016-17 Anthony Whelan Focus Windows & Doors Limited Sam Sheen Airborne Bathroom Services Andy Gillespie Arcoframe Danny Greene Danny’s Window Cleaning Jake Ball Kiera’s Occasions Andrew Presho Total Building Care Eddie Pegler Gibney’s Jewellers Lee Novak Howdens, Leigh

Phil Williams Kreative Kirsty Ste Rigby Kealshore Ltd Hamish Falconer Live Wire Electrical Alex Gillespie Walton Carpets Dom Whelan Walton Carpets Will Threlkeld Beer Engin, Whiston Cole Ashton MLR Heating Supplies Danny Brady Johnsons Toyota Liverpool We are still looking for a number of additional Player sponsors. Contact John McKiernan on 07713 339 682 for further details

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League Tables Premier Division Table as at Wednesday 28/09/2016 Premier Division

W D

1874 Northwich

30 16 14 27

Runcorn Town

26 17

Atherton Collieries

30 15 15 23

West Dids & Chorlton 10

A GD Pts 9

32 15 17 22

Runcorn Linnets

24 14 10 22

Bootle

32 18 14 21

Barnoldswick Town

25 18

AFC Liverpool

25 19

Maine Road

29 17 12 17

Hanley Town

27 19

Irlam

17 24 -7 17

Abbey Hey

16 19 -3 16

Congleton Town

25 23

Squires Gate

24 28 -4 13

New Mills

23 27 -4 12

Ashton Athletic

16 18 -2 11

Winsford United

13 15 -2 11

Padiham

15 23 -8 10

AFC Darwen

10 2

6 11 32 -21 8

Barnton

10 39 -29 7

Nelson

10 17 -7

Cammell Laird 1907

14 41 -27 3

Saturday 1st October 2016 The Macron Cup 1st Round Barnton v Nelson Carlisle City v Ashton Athletic Congleton Town v Prestwich Heys FC Oswestry Town v Irlam Padiham v 1874 Northwich Runcorn Linnets v Daisy Hill Sandbach United v Stockport Town Squires Gate v New Mills St Helens Town v AFC Darwen West Dids & Chorlton v Barnoldswick Town Widnes v Alsager Town Winsford United v Atherton LR Premier Division Abbey Hey v Hanley Town Atherton Collieries v Maine Road Bootle v Runcorn Town First Division Ashton Town v Charnock Richard Eccleshall v Bacup Borough Holker Old Boys v Cheadle Town Litherland REMYCA v AFC Blackpool Silsden v City of Liverpool FC Whitchurch Alport v Chadderton Monday 3rd October 2016 First Division Daisy Hill v Bacup Borough Tuesday 4th October 2016 Premier Division 1874 Northwich v Barnton Ashton Athletic v Atherton Collieries Barnoldswick Town v Padiham Congleton Town v Winsford United Hanley Town v New Mills Runcorn Linnets v Bootle West Didsbury & Chorlton v Squires Gate First Division AFC Blackpool v Charnock Richard City of Liverpool FC v FC Oswestry Town Whitchurch Alport v Widnes Manchester Premier Cup 1st Round Abbey Hey v Trafford Chadderton v FC United of Manchester Glossop North End v Maine Road Irlam v Salford City

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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