St Helens Town v Alsager Town 2016-17 by John McKiernan

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Team Line-Ups Thursday 9th March 2017, kick off 7.45pm The Hallmark Security League, First Division

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

St Helens Town

Gls Y R

Vice Chairman: Glyn Jones

Hon. Secretary/Treasurer: Jeff Voller (07843 692695)

Eddie Pegler

1st Team Physiotherapists Lisa Phillipson U21s Team Manager: John McLaughlan

Warren Holmes David Harry

David MacPherson Mark Grice Michael Lennon Taylor Attrell

Shuan Brady

Joshua Glover

Alex Gillespie

Jonnathan Kapend

Dom Whelan

Ross Woodcock

Anthony Dunleavy

Joseph Minton

Paul Carney

Joshua Bowden Manager: Wayne Brotherton Assistant: Michael Lennon

Match Sponsor

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool 60 Rimrose Road, Bootle, Merseyside 0151 515 9742

Shirt Sponsor: Freestart SEO plc

Company Director: Jim Barrett

Paul Taylor

Referee: Mr S Robinson (Warrington) Assist: Mr R Woodcock (Billinge) & Mr M Moss (Springfield)

U18s Assistant Manager: Terry Smith

Legal: St Helens Town Limited Private Limited Company Company No. 04392840 Date of Incorporation 12.03.2002

Gls Y R

Sam Westray

Luke Edwards

Manager: Alan Gillespie Assistant: Lee Jenkinson

U18s Team Manager: David McNabb

Main Club Sponsor: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Kyle Stubbs

Andy Gillespie

1st Team Coach: Nick Robinson

Chris Fletcher Troy Bourne

Liam Dodd

1st Team Assistant Manager Lee Jenkinson

Ste Rigby

Dale Korie-Butler

1st Team Manager: Alan Gillespie

White Shirts Black Shorts & Socks

Andy Presho

Ant Whelan

Trustee: John McKiernan

Club Email: sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk

Adam Donohue

Hospitality: Margaret Wood and Paul Wood

Sunday Team Manager: David Platt

Adam Fairchild

Andy Webster

Full Committee: John McKiernan, Jeff Voller, Jim Barrett, Ste Ball, Andy Langley Paul Wood, Margaret Wood, Kieran Ford, Chris Ford & Glyn Jones

U21s Assistant Manager: Lee Jenkinson

Alsager Town

Blue Shirts Blue Shorts, Blue & White Socks

Match Ball Sponsors

Britannia Cars

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

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Next Home Game:

Town v Stockport Town

Hallmark Security League Thurs 16th March 2016, 7.45pm Volair Park, Prescot Cables

Cover Photograph: Dom Whelan and Luke Edwards

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Talk of the Town Good evening, and welcome to Volair Park for this Hallmark Security League, First Division contest against Alasger Town. May I open by welcoming our visitors I hope they enjoy the short time they will spend with us and have a safe journey home after the game. It has been three weeks since we were last here at Volair Park when we resumed our midweek games with the visit of AFC Blackpool. It was a strange game for various reasons Town dominated early possession without really threatening to break the deadlock but did have a couple of decent penalty shouts turned down. Just prior to the break a long ball from the visitors after a Town attack saw the hosts backline breached and the deadlock broken. Just before the teams went into break one of the Blackpool strikers kicked out at Eddie Pegler in an incident which somehow saw both players cautioned. After the interval tensions continued to rise as Town were reduced to ten men when Pegler picked up a debatable second yellow card after the officials had missed a prior infraction and soon afterwards Town had the ball in the back of the net when skipper Andy Gillespie run from behind a defender beat the keeper to the ball and chipped it over the advancing goalkeeper. Town’s joy was to turn to despair as the flag was raised for offside and Gillespie was sent off for an alleged stamp on the keeper, I must be due a sight test as I was less than 10 yards away from the incident with an unimpeded view and whilst there was contact, as tends to be the case when two players are moving towards each other there was certainly no stamp which even the visiting stopper confirmed. Town’s uphill struggle was made harder when the visitors scored a “worldie” soon after dismissal but the 9 men battled with all their might and it looked like there would be a small consolation when Town were awarded a spot kick with most in the ground unable to spot the infraction. Ste Rigby converted from 12 yards in the final minute of normal time but this was not to be the end of the goals as in the third minute of added on time debutant George Ukaegbu headed a left wing cross home and Town against all the odd had secured a share of the spoils. Saturday saw us take a trip for the first time to Sandbach to take on United who had secured a 4-2 win at Volair Park way back in August. Town took the lead on 18 minutes when Liam Dodd rose highest to head a Luke Edwards corner home but the hosts levelled in similar circumstances when Luke Pearson headed a corner home. Sandbach took the lead around the hour mark when Josh Lane side-footed a cross home at the far post and Town’s numbers were reduced for the second consecutive game when Dale Korie-Butler was given his marching orders for reacting to an industrial challenge from behind which on another day would have seen the defender taking an early shower. Town huffed and puffed but the home side consolidated their 4th position in the table with the win. We turn our attentions to this evenings contest against an Alsager outfit who have been at the business end of the first division table for virtually all of the season and currently sit in 5th position after the weekends game despite losing two out of their last three game having gone down 3-0 at home to league leaders Litherland REMYCA on Saturday and going down 3-1 at Silsden a month earlier in between these two contests the Bullets ran out 4-0 winners at Bacup Borough. The hosts will be looking to avenge their 3-1 reverse at Alsager in October. Let’s get behind Town this evening and hopefully cheer them on to victory! Enjoy the game . . . Jeff Voller

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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In Town Today The merger of Alsager Institute and Alsager United formed Alsager AFC in 1965. The merger came about due to lack of pitches in the village. They acquired Wood Park in 1967 that was then seeded ready for the following season and it was first played on in 1968/69. Alsager AFC were playing in the Crewe League at this stage. In the early 70’s the club decided they would like to try for the Mid-Cheshire League which they were successful in doing by bringing the ground up to a higher standard. They remained in this league and in 1985/86 they were Runners Up. The club folded due to the lack of funds and support. They then re-formed with just a youth team playing in the Crewe Premier League for two seasons. In 1991/92 they managed to regain entry in to the Mid Cheshire League Division Two where they remained until 1998/99 when the committee decided to try for the Springbank Vending League, where most of the Potteries teams were based. Steve Booth built a strong squad which was able to challenge for the title in their first season, but unfortunately Alsager were pipped at the post by Norton FC. The team were doing well enough and the committee decided to apply for the North West Counties Football League and after a lot of hard work by the committee Alsager AFC successfully passed the criteria necessary to gain entry, and a second place finish in the Staffs County Senior League was enough to gain promotion. Bad form after Christmas 1999 and the decision by Steve Booth to leave the club saw a new management team step in to the fold. Greg Clowes and his assistant Dorian Garner were welcomed to the club. They were in charge for the remaining 10 games of the season and managed to finish in a creditable 12th position. Their first season in charge saw them achieve 7th place in the league and along with Warrington Town they kept the most clean sheets. Floodlighting was erected in August 2001 and then the addition of a new stand by the end of the season saw Alsager in prime position to challenge for promotion. During the summer of 2001 it was decided to change the name of the club back to Alsager Town and to run a side in the Springbank Vending League under the name of Alsager AFC A runners up spot in the 2001/02 season was enough to see Alsager Town FC promoted to the NWCFL Division 1. During the close season resurfacing of the pitch, decoration of the club house and changing rooms and a new toilet block and tea bar gave Alsager Town an air of aristocracy as they aimed for success in the NWCFL. They remained in N.W.C.F.L. until the end of the 2005/06 season when they finished in third place. Due to THE changes being made by the FA to the non-league pyramid system Alsager were invited to step up to the Northern Premier League Division One which they did, they finished their first season in a creditable 14th place. Further changes were to be made by. With further changes to the Northern Premier League, Alsager Town were placed in to the Unibond League Division One South. Another 14th place finish was the outcome but the club fell foul to the ground grading regulations and with required work not completed in the required time given by the League they were relegated back to the North West Counties League Premier Division. Due this set back the management walked out. Former chairman Peter Clegg stepped in to take control of the club . Former Witton Albion reserves coach Neil Gill was appointed as manager and for two seasons kept Alsager Town in the Premier Division and then in early 2011 with finances tight the players expenses budget was cut and then later stopped completely. This was followed by the news that there were to be major changes at the club at the end of the season. Neil Gill, his assistant, the players and the committee walked away. Acting Chairman Mike Cross acted very quickly and the remaining committee members voted for change. Terry Greer the former Chairman of Biddulph Victoria was elected to become the new Chairman of Alsager Town F.C. Terry’s first job was to appoint a new management team. Damian Grocott and Andy O’Connor stepped into the position, they signed a new squad of players and began the job of securing Alsager Town’s place in the N.W.C.F.L. Premier Division. They worked hard to keep the status of the club securing it with three games in hand. For the 2011/12 season the club looked to move forward run by a new committee which was installed at the AGM in the May their aim being to improve the club in all aspects both on and off the pitch. The changing rooms and showers were upgraded, some of the club house had been redecorated and the ground in general had been given a face lift when on the night of the Monday 11th July a catastrophic fire destroyed the office and part of the dressing rooms and club house. The whole building had to be demolished due its asbestos construction and the electricity was cut off due to the damage caused to the switch boxes.

Following the disaster the committee worked very hard to get things in to place so that football could return to The Town ground. The league committee helped where they could switching fixtures for The Bullets and 99% of their games were played away from home until the November. A rebuilding programme immediately got underway and things went well, both on and off the pitch. Massive help from BAE Systems and their contractors followed and they had helped to rebuild the changing rooms so

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Alsager Town that football could return. A new manager in former coach John Brown was installed as manager At the end of the season John Brown, resigned and Chairman Terry Greer soon had replacements with former Tottenham Hotspur player Andy Turner taking over the reigns of the first team. Terry’s gang (The workers) set about completing work around the new changing room complex, planning permission was sort to build a new club house and virtually 12 months to the day that permission was granted. In October 2012 the club received the news that they had been granted a massive £85,860 from the Football Foundation. Work was commenced on building a new car park and clubhouse. The modular building was delivered just 9 days before Christmas 2012, the contractors and Alsager’s committee worked, tirelessly to get the club open for the Boxing Day game of 2012. The season went quite well for the new management, the team finishing in 15th place with 50 points. Their first season with the club gave them the necessary experience of the league which they got and everyone at the club was looking to the new season. There were many new signings with some of last years squad having decided to stay. Things didn't go well for the first X1 and they spent most of their time in the lower reaches of the league and then unexpectedly Andy Turner resigned in the new year. Phil Parkinson stepped into the breach bringing in his own team. They avoided relegation by winning the last three games of the season. Just before the start of pre-season training Phil tendered his resignation after getting a promotion at work. He was succeeded by the his two assistants Craig Dove and Danny Griggs they steered the club to an 18th placed finish and the following term the Bullets improved to finish in 17th place albeit with only 21 teams in the division. The 2015/16 season saw the Bullets finish in 20th position and follow the same fate that befell Town the season before as they were relegated to the First Division. Wayne Brotherton is now in charge of first team affairs and is looking to gain promotion at the first attempt this term. Season 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16

League NWC-2 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NPL-1 NPL-1S NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P

P 40 42 42 42 42 46 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 40 42

W 24 15 16 19 27 18 12 18 11 10 16 14 11 12 11

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D 9 11 15 11 7 7 7 5 7 8 9 8 7 6 6

L 7 16 11 12 8 21 23 19 24 24 17 20 24 22 25

F 77 61 54 65 87 72 58 66 60 57 63 66 57 64 56

A 31 67 47 47 43 75 88 72 79 94 65 78 85 87 101

GD 46 -6 7 18 44 -3 -30 -6 -19 -37 -2 -12 -28 -23 -45

Pts 81 56 63 68 88 61 43 59 40 38 57 50 40 42 39

Position 2/21 11/22 9/22 7/22 3/22 14/24 14/18 7/22 18/22 20/22 13/22 15/22 18/22 17/21 20/22

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Chairman’s Notes Good evening and a very warm welcome to Volair Park for this Hallmark Security League First Division encounter with promotion chasing Alsager Town. Many thanks to tonight’s match sponsors Johnsons Toyota Liverpool along with our match ball sponsors Britannia Cars, their continued support is greatly appreciated. Our last couple of outings failed to yield a win - a home draw against AFC Blackpool (2-2) was followed by a 2-1 loss away at Sandbach United. The visit of the sea-siders proved a frustrating evening but ultimately provided a brilliant comeback. One-nil down and then reduced to nine men following the dismissals of Ed Pegler and Andy Gillespie (his first career red card) was followed by a second goal for the visitors. Kieran Ford’s match report gives the full details but the roar from the crowd when the stoppage time equaliser went in provided a real moment and hopefully bodes well for future support. The trip to Sandbach was interesting - another new club and ground with great, albeit unusual, facilities which continue to be developed as their deadline for seating, etc closes in. It does seem strange that we have a number of clubs who are promoted into the league without floodlights, little or no spectator cover, no seats and although I understand the ‘rules’ it does seem unfair. This is in no way meant as a criticism of Sandbach (which is an impressive setup) or any other club but just an observation based on our own plight.

The game in Cheshire proved to be another tough encounter and another red card (fully justified) saw Dale KorieButler dismissed. Alan Gillespie and I have spoken and we are both looking for a immediate and significant improvement in our disciplinary record and while we cannot impact on the performances of match officials we can influence players and impress on them the serious implications of poor attitude and application by players. We enter a strange period for fixtures with a number of blank Saturday’s but plenty of Thursday night games in March - we travel to Holker Old Boys on Saturday afternoon and are back here next Thursday when Stockport Town are our visitors. I have started to put together next season’s sponsorship packages which are now all available for viewing on our website www.sthelenstownafc.com if you can help in any way please speak to me at today’s game or call me on 07713 339 682 Enjoy the game . . . John McKiernan, Chairman St Helens Town AFC

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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The world this week Kieran Ford takes a trip down memory and discovers what events happened in the history of St Helens Town, sport in general and provides a reminder of any historical world events that occurred in this week in history. The week of 3rd-10th March Last Season: St Helens Town – 5th March 2016 Town succumb 2-1 away to title chasing Hanley Town, with Ellis Mavers grabbing St Helens’ only goal. Sport – 7th March 2016 Maria Sharapova reveals she failed a drug test for meldonium at the Australian Open in January. World – 5th March 2016 US primary elections: Super Saturday Republican Donald Trump and Ted Cruz win 2 states, Democratic Bernie Sanders wins 2, Hillary Clinton one. 10 Years Ago: St Helens Town – 6th March 2007 St Helens are on the wrong end of a 4-2 score line away to Nantwich Town, club stalwarts Ian Dyson and Brian Hatton are both on the scoresheet. Sport – 3rd March 2007 Stockport County set a Football League record of nine consecutive wins without conceding a goal by beating Swindon Town 3– 0 at Edgeley Park. Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey keeps the club record nine consecutive clean sheets and is named Player of the Month for February 2007. World – 4th March 2007 Estonian parliamentary election: approximately 30,000 voters take advantage of electronic voting in Estonia, world's 1st nationwide vote where part of the vote casting allowed by remote electronic voting. 20 Years Ago: St Helens Town: - 8th March 1997 Town manage to defeat now Vanarama National South side Salford City 1-0 away from, with Chris Walmsley scoring the only goal in the final minute of the game. Sport –7th March 1997 Athens, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Rome & Stockholm are finalists for 2004 Olympics site.

World – 6th March 1997 Picasso's painting Tête de Femme is stolen from a London gallery, and is recovered a week later. The Vase Year (+1!): 1988 St Helens Town - 5th March 1988 St Helens start a period of 3 successive matches against Warrington Town with a goalless draw at Houghton Road in the league.

Sport – 3rd March 1988 Norwich City sign defender Andy Linighan from Oldham Athletic for £300,000. World – 10th March 1988 Avalanche at Swiss Ski resort Klosters nearly kills Prince Charles.

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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

Home

Away

Collated

Alsager Town - last 6 matches All Competitions

Most recent

Home

Away

Collated

St Helens Town games since... All Competitions

Alsager Town games since... All Competitions

Clean sheet

Goal Scored

Loss

No score draw

104

No score draw

Score draw

Win

Home League Away League Home Cup Away Cup Collated

P 11 12 2 1 26

W 1 6 0 1 8

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at St Helens Previous at Alsager Town Meetings Town NWC-D1 2001-02 NWC-D2 22/03; 1-1 2002-03 19/10; 1-0 11/11; 1-2 2003-04 15/10; 0-1 22/03; 1-1 2004-05 14/08; 2-0 16/08; 1-4 2005-06 28/02; 1-0 NWC-D1 2006-07 NPL-1 NWC-D1 2007-08 NPL-1S 22/11; 0-1 2008-09 09/08; 3-2 02/03; 1-1 2009-10 13/04; 3-1 27/04; 5-1 2010-11 07/08; 1-2 28/02; 0-3 2011-12 05/11; 2-3 20/10; 2-2 2012-13 19/03; 0-2 31/08; 0-3 2013-14 05/04; 2-1 09/08; 0-4 2014-15 17/01; 2-4 NWC-D1 2015-16 NWC-PD 09/03/2017 2016-17 08/10; 1-3 St Helens Town Scores First Games Played 23 St Helens Town Wins 7 Draws 4 Alsager Town Wins 12 St Helens Town Goals 30 Alsager Town Goals 42 Percentage Town Wins 30.43

Previous Meetings D L 4 6 0 6 0 2 0 0 4 14

F 12 18 2 2 34

A 23 19 5 1 48

GD -11 -1 -3 1 -14

Win % 9.09 50.00 0.00 100.00 30.77

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Ruskin Update

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Tea Break Teasers Q1. Who was manager of Leyton Orient between 2010 & 2014?

Q2. On how many occasions have Nottingham Forest won the League Cup? Q3. Which former Southampton player made his full England debut against Slovenia in 2014? Q4. Who managed Blackburn Rovers to the only Premier League title in 1994/95? Q5. Which former Everton manager resigned Brian Oviedo in the January transfer window and who does he currently manage? Q6. With which African nation is Daniel Amartey a full international? Q7. Who is the only Costa Rican to have scored a Premier League hat-trick? Q8. Which footballer broke the English transfer record when he moved to Liverpool for ÂŁ8.5m in 1995? Q9. Which club has played the most Football League seasons without ever appearing in the top-flight? Q10. Which former Manchester United striker is second on the Scottish Premier League goalscorers list with 158 goals? Q11. Chelsea have had two Portuguese managers, Jose Mourinho is one who was the other? Q12. Which two Champions League winning defenders did Everton sign in August 2005? Q13. Which Liverpool born player scored an opening day hat-trick against Arsenal in 1993? Q14. Which club drew the most Premier League matches during the 2014/15 season? Q15. Who moved to Manchester City from Everton on 2000 for ÂŁ3m after making 60 appearances for the Toffees?

1) Russell Slade 2) Four 3) Nathanial Clyne 4) Kenny Dalglish 5) David Moyes, Sunderland 6) Ghana 7) Paulo Wanchope 8) Stan Collymore 9) Lincoln City (104 Seasons) 10) Henrik Larsson 11) Andre Villas Boas 12) Nuno Valente & Phil Neville 13) Micky Quinn for Coventry 14) Sunderland (17 draws) 15) Richard Dunne

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Ruskin Drive News More disappointment as the wait continues for Town's return to St Helens. Club officials met with the Council last Friday (3rd February) and it has now been confirmed that the work required to meet the FA Ground Grading will not be completed until mid-May 2017. While the ground is currently being used by the club’s U18s, U21s and Sunday teams the prolonged delays to the completion of the new dressing room facilities and a problem with the height of the pitch perimeter fence have left the club frustrated that the first team will have an extended wait to make a return home. The delay will mean a number of issues for Town including the need to secure alternative playing facilities for next season to ensure they do not fall foul of the FA and NWCFL ground requirements. As the Ruskin Drive Sports ground will not be in a position to be inspected by the 31st March deadline the club needs to have a ground sharing agreement in place at a suitable alternative ground to maintain their membership of the league and guarantee entry to FA competitions. Club Chairman John McKiernan said, ‘The news is very disappointing and a real blow to our plans. We’ve relied on the good will and support of a number of clubs over the past six years and are indebted to those clubs in ensuring the survival of the club – their assistance should not be underestimated.’

He added, ‘If we accept that the new ground will be ready in May the reality is that we will never need to utilise any ground sharing agreement but it still has to be in place or we could be in serious trouble.’ The club will also lose out on a lucrative fixture as part of the NWCFL Easter weekend Ground Hop. Town were due to host promotion chasing City of Liverpool at Ruskin Drive as the second of three Ground Hop fixtures in the area on Easter Sunday which would have seen up to 300 ‘hoppers’ part of a likely four-figure crowd. Mr McKiernan added, ‘We had expected to be on the new ground some time earlier this season but delays have shifted from weeks to months. The loss of the Ground Hop fixture is both hugely disappointing and financially disastrous, losing the club thousands of pounds. ‘Given our opposition the City of Liverpool FC, who are very well supported, hundreds of ground hoppers and a lot of local interest this was guaranteed to be bumper crowd and an ideal way to showcase the club and the new Ruskin Drive Sports Ground facility. ‘Unfortunately, we had no other option but to inform the league that we would not be able to participate in the Ground Hop programme.’

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Eddie Pegler in action v Sandbach United on Saturday 18th February 2017 www.sthelenstownafc.com

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 Toyota Liverpool

MLR Heating Supplies

Sat 15/10/16

Carlisle City

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Excell Painting & Decorating

Sat 05/11/16

Daisy Hill

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Beechley Stables, RDA

Thu 10/11/16

Cheadle Town

Beer EnGin, Whiston

Toast Café, St Helens

Thu 01/12/16

City of Liverpool (Reusch Cup)

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Dave Wiggins

Sat 10/12/16

Bacup Borough

Kiera’s Occasions

Dave Wiggins

Mon 26/12/16 Litherland REMYCA

Toast Café, St Helens

Britannia Taxis

Sat 07/01/17

Holker Old Boys

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Connor McGinn

Sat 14/01/17

Eccleshall

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

LM Travel

Sat 04/02/17

Daisy Hill

Freestart SEO

Dave Wiggins

Sat 11/02/17

Silsden

Thatto Heath Tech Shop

Beer EnGin, Whiston

Thur 16/02/17

AFC Blackpool

The Track King

Beer EnGin, Whiston

Thur 09/03/17

Alsager Town

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Britannia Taxis

Thur 16/03/17

Stockport Town

Michael Allison

Stuart Pyke

Thur 23/03/17

Chadderton

Sat 01/04/17

Atherton LR

Thur 06/04/17

Whitchurch Alport

The Track King

Fri 14/04/17

City of Liverpool

The Boar’s Head

Thur 20/04/17

Ashton Town

Sat 29/04/17

Charnock Richard

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Action Coach NW North West Dog Rescue

Stillia

John Cahill

Toast Café , St Helens

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Bacup Borough

Atherton LR

Ashton Town

Alsager Town

AFC Blackpool

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4-2 2-0

0-1

2-2

Holker Old Boys

Litherland REMYCA

3-0

2-1 1-2

7-0 1-4

Widnes

2-1

4-2

1-2

1-4 1-6

1-2

X 3-2 1-2

1-3

0-2 1-1

5-0 2-2 2-2

1-3

2-0

1-1

2-2 3-0

2-5

1-5 2-3

1-1

0-3 1-4

0-3 3-0

2-2 1-3

3-0 2-1

1-4

2-0 2-1

1-3

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

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

2-3

1-0 1-3

0-10 3-4 7-1 2-3 2-2 4-0 3-1 2-1 2-1 0-0

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

5-4 2-2 5-2

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

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

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

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

2-1

0-3 3-2

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

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

3-1 3-4 1-0

2-0 3-4

1-2

1-0 6-1 2-4

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

0-2 7-2

0-1

0-3

0-1 2-4

0-6

0-1 1-2

2-3 3-0

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

0-2 2-1 1-1

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

2-2 1-3

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

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

0-1 2-2

2-2

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

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

2-2

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

2-1

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

5-2 2-1 6-0

Whitchurch Alport

Stockport Town

St Helens Town

Silsden

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

0-5 2-1

1-7 0-3 1-5 1-2

2-1

1-5

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

6-0 5-0 4-0

0-1 1-2

Prestwich Heys

Sandbach United

5-1 3-0 4-2

3-1

2-2

FC Oswestry

1-2 1-2

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

2-0

1-0

Daisy Hill

5-0

0-4

0-1 2-0 0-3

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

1-1 1-3 5-4

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

1-4 2-3

3-3 1-3

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

1-5 1-3 0-1

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

6-2 2-0 0-0 8-0 3-2

1-2 3-0

Eccleshall

City of Liverpool

Cheadle Town

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

Charnock Richard

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

4-2 3-0 0-0

1-3

Chadderton

3-1

1-1 1-0

3-1

0-6 1-3

Stockport Town

Carlisle City

0-4 4-0

Bacup Borough

Carlisle City

2-3

Chadderton

FC Oswestry Town

0-2 2-1

Charnock Richard

3-0 0-4

Cheadle Town

0-1 3-5 0-5

Sandbach United

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

Whitchurch Alport

2-0

Widnes

Atherton LR

City of Liverpool

Ashton Town

Daisy Hill

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

Eccleshall

3-1 3-1 5-0

Holker Old Boys

0-5

Litherland REMYCA

Prestwich Heys

6-1

Silsden

Alsager Town

St Helens Town

AFC Blackpool

Hallmark Security League First Division Results Grid Up to and including Tuesday 7th March 2017

Results Grid

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Mike Hodson Getting to know the Northern League…with some help from Ali, Liz and Julio Arca I’ve watched a lot of non-league football over the years. Since my first match in the late 1970s, much of that has been in the North West of England; starting off in the Cheshire League, moving on to the North West Counties League on its formation in 1982, and subsequently the Northern Premier League, and various versions of the National League and National League North. I’ve also spent quite a few hours at matches in the Manchester and West Lancashire Leagues. I have some degree of familiarity with non-league football in the North West, its clubs, grounds and characters. In my early years of watching non-league I became fascinated by clubs and leagues beyond the North West; those that I couldn’t experience, only know in a kind of distant way. As a 9 or 10 year old, I wondered what the Isthmian League was, who the teams were in the Southern League and what the strange but fascinating world of non-league football looked like outside of the North West?

I was particularly intrigued by the Northern League, the second oldest surviving football league in the world; at the time, a strong regional league primarily made up of clubs from the North East of England. A roll call of its clubs in the late 1970s included: Ashington, Bedlington Terriers, Bishop Auckland, Blyth Spartans, Consett, North Shields, Shildon, Spennymoor United, West Auckland and Whitley Bay. Just before the election of Margaret Thatcher as UK Prime Minister, this, to me, encompassed a different story of Britain than the one of finance capitalism, retail parks and service jobs with which we are now familiar. It spoke of coal mining, steel production, railway works, shipbuilding and seaside resorts for those working in this heavy, industrial economy. Of course, the reality of this was that by the late 1970s much of this economy was confronted by significant challenges. But, this is the image that the Northern League conjured in my young head; a place of tightly knit communities, underpinned by functioning economies that worked for them, with local football clubs, which, often, occupied a central place in those communities. Many of these places and clubs had rich footballing histories. Ashington was the birthplace of Jackie Milburn and Jack and Bobby Charlton. Bishop Auckland were FA Amateur cup winners no fewer than 10 times, including a golden spell in the 1950s when they won that cup three times and the Northern League six times. Their neighbours, West Auckland, were in 1909 and 1911 winners of the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy (often referred to as the World Cup). Their 1911 triumph was sealed with a 6-1 victory over Italian giants, Juventus. Blyth Spartans became known as FA Cup kings, given their exploits over many years. Notably, Blyth reached the fifth round of the Cup in 1977/8 where they lost after a replay to Wrexham in front of 42,000 fans at Newcastle’s St James’ Park. The grounds of the Northern League also resonated with me in a way that is difficult to articulate. I think it was their names – Ironworks Road, the Welfare Ground, Dean Street, Kingsway, Croft Park, Belle Vue Park – that fused with my perceptions of the wider North East of England. Big industries, powerful clubs, distant, evocative names and deeply interesting places weaved together a rich lattice of social, economic, as well as, footballing history. From my home in Horwich, north of Bolton, as I thought about these clubs as a child it was inevitably mediated through these perceptions. I saw the Northern League as something of a great football Leviathan; greater than the sum of its many fine parts and with multiple circulating histories that sustained its position as a top league. At the time of the re-organisation of the non-league game and the establishment of the pyramid in 1979 the Northern League, a regionally strong powerhouse, was widely seen as one step below the new top tier, the Alliance Premier League. The Northern League had a strong regional identity which, no doubt, informed its resistance to being incorporated into football’s American Dream, the pyramid. I admired the way in which League officials stuck the finger up at the bureaucrats running the game and refused to blindly follow their masterplan. That said, there were consequences; in particular, a long-term weakening of the League. Various clubs left in the 1980s and 1990s (including Spennymoor, Bishop Auckland & Durham City), although some later came back. By the time the Northern League took its finger down and joined the pyramid in 1991 its relative weakness meant that it became a feeder league for the bottom end of the Northern Premier League, a couple of steps below where it would have been a decade earlier. As my non-league patch was the North West, I had little tangible engagement with the Northern League at that time beyond reading about it. Through the FA Cup and the FA Trophy there was a series of matches between my team, Horwich RMI and Northern League sides in the late 1970s and early 1980s. RMI played Whitley Bay, Tow Law Town, Spennymoor, Shildon and Ashington. I saw the home games but wasn’t able to travel to the away games. A small number of opportunities came in the 1980s to travel to Northern League grounds. Again, for various reasons I never made the away trips. By the time RMI’s ground was sold for housing and the club died in 1995 I had still not been to a match at a Northern League ground. There also seemed little likelihood of a trip up there given my primary purpose for going (to watch RMI) had gone. The resonance of this league and its clubs has stayed with me though. The industries may have gone and the strength of community that went with them diluted, but the league and its clubs survive. I’ve kept in my mind that I’d like to travel up to the North East and take in a number of Northern League clubs and grounds. Through writing this blog I came to the decision that I should actually make the aspiration a reality and do two things. First, my plan was to visit a club that wasn’t part of the Northern League’s 1970s glory days, of my memory, South Shields, and to see how they are trying to build a successful club in the post-industrial Northern League. Second, my aim is also to visit long-standing clubs, Ashington (1883), Consett (1899) and Shildon (1890), from communities built on coal, steel and rail – bulwarks of the social, economic and

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Guest Writer footballing history of the North East – to see what the story of these historic clubs is today. This I will do through separate visits. My first stop, though, was to visit a place at the mouth of the River Tyne experiencing something of a footballing resurgence. South Shields FC were established in 1974. The history of the club is more complicated than this in that this is the third club to bear the name of the town. The first, founded in 1889 had a spell playing in the Football League but folded in 1930. A second club was established in 1936 until 1974. The current club was set up following the demise of the second manifestation and was promoted to the second division of the Northern League in 1995. The history of the club in the two decades since is one of sharp ups and downs and some political wrangling. The club are currently on something of an upswing. The Mariners are averaging gates of over 1,000 at their Mariners Park ground. These crowds make them comfortably the best supported club in the Northern League. The club, as well as riding high in the league, where they are fighting neighbours North Shields for the title, also found themselves in the Quarter Final of the FA Vase, two rounds from a Wembley appearance. In the previous round more than 300 Mariners fans had travelled down to the south coast to watch the team beat Team Solent, 5-2, including a ‘wonder goal’ from former Sunderland midfielder, Julio Arca. Following this victory I kept my eye closely on the draw for the next round. Shields drew Newport Pagnell Town at home. I took the decision that I would go. I contacted the club and bought a couple of tickets for myself and my mate, Alex. I’ve only previously been to South Shields once before, when I was a few months short of being six year old. In 1977 my uncle was based at college in the area for a short while. My family went up to visit him. It is one of those surreal kind of trips that you remember many years later. On one of the days we were there we walked in to the town. Huge crowds were in the centre of South Shields. Weaving our way through the crowds on to the pavement edge in the market square we stood waiting. Round the corner came a silver open top double decker bus, decked out, and with various people stood upstairs. Standing out from this crowd was Muhammad Ali. I still don’t know to this day what Ali was doing being paraded around on a bus in South Shields. It’s one of those strange kind of things that you might see in the 1970s. But probably not the kind of thing you’d see today as large cities would fight and compete with each other to attract such ‘global icons’. No sooner had Ali left than we relocated to another part of town. Apparently the Queen was in town as part of her Silver Jubilee celebrations. The buzz from our vantage point seemed to be much less than it had been earlier when we’d seen the King on his double decker bus. Anyway, my mum captured Ali and Liz via some grainy, wobbly shots on her 1970s standard-issue Kodak Instamatic, before we headed to the local playground. This is my abiding memory of South Shields almost 40 years on. With those memories in mind, I picked up Alex on the Saturday morning of the match unsure of what to expect in South Shields. We drove the 150 miles or so and arrived in the town at 1pm. We headed straight for the ground, Mariners Park, which was already filling with people. The club had set out a programme for the day and a series of special drinks prices so that fans could make a day of it; which significant numbers were doing. The ground is modest but very tidy. The hub of it is the clubhouse, which was keeping a very large number of fans refreshed. This also seemed to offer a carvery. Fans were well serviced by (my counting) at least four refreshment huts. There was a ticket office inside the ground and a good number of people working for the club in various roles around the ground. The symbols of a club in the ascendancy were visible; there were a stream of flags around the ground and every other person seemed to be wearing clubs colours, whether a hat, a scarf or a coat. It was clear that a real pride in place was being communicated; this provided a strong counter to many long running media and political tropes about former industrial areas. The crowd inside the ground really began to build up from 2pm. It’s a long time since I had to bag a spot on a terrace an hour before kick off. But, seeing the ground fill up that is what we did, taking a place on the terrace in front of the main stand. South Shields felt like not only a club on the up but a culture being re-energised. I wondered how many of the fans I was seeing were disillusioned Sunderland and Newcastle fans, finding again things that have been lost in the culture of the professional game in a new context. By kick-off time there were over 3,161 people in Mariners Park (a ground record). Newport Pagnell attacked straight from the kick off. But little did we know then that this would be their only real offensive contribution until the last couple of minutes of the game. In the third minute Shields launched their first attack and scored. For the following 20 minutes their football was outstanding and they raced in to a 4-0 lead after 25 minutes. With Arca sat in front of the back four and quietly using his experience to control the game, the tie was effectively over. That first 25 minutes, though, was as good a non-league performance as I have seen all season. The second half was played at a slower tempo. This was not surprising as the match was effectively over. Shields added another two goals, before Newport Pagnell netted a late consolation. On the final whistle we headed back to the car for the long journey home.

South Shields is a club that has momentum. The place feels like somewhere that is both part of its community and somewhere you want to be. It also illustrates the potential of the Northern League to rise again. Whether this potential exists elsewhere in the League remains to be explored. Shipbuilding and coal mining may have gone but this remains a fascinating place in an evocative footballing region. One that I was delighted to begin to know and experience in a first-hand way and where history is still being made… For future blogs follow me on Twitter: @mhod71

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Match Statistics 201 Date Aug 06 Aug 13 AUG 18 Aug 20 Aug 27 SEP 01 Sep 03 Sep 06 SEP 10 SEP 15 Sep 17 SEP24 OCT 01 Oct 08 Oct 11 OCT 15 Oct 18 OCT 22 Oct 29 NOV 05 NOV 10 Nov12 Nov 16 Nov 19 DEC 01 Dec 03 Dec 06 DEC 10 Dec 17 DEC 26 Dec 30 JAN 07 JAN 14 FEB 04 FEB 11 FEB 16 Feb 18 MAR 09 Mar 11 MAR 16 MAR 23 APR 01 APR 06 Apr 08 Apr 11 APR 14 APR 20 Apr 22 APR 29

Opponents Carlisle City Cheadle Town SANDBACH UNITED Litherland REMYCA Charnock Richard PRESTWICH HEYS Atherton LR City of Liverpool CHADDERTON WIDNES Daisy Hill FC OSWESTRY TOWN AFC DARWEN Alsager Town AFC Blackpool CARLISLE CITY FC Oswestry Town Bacup Borough Eccleshall Daisy Hill CHEADLE TOWN Silsden Litherland REMYCA Eccleshall CITY OF LIVEPOOL Ashton Town Bootle BACUP BOROUGH Whitchurch Alport LITHERLAND REMCYA Prestwich Heys HOLKER OLD BOYS ECCLESHALL DAISY HILL SILSDEN AFC BLACKPOOL Sandbach United ALSAGER TOWN Holker Old Boys STOCKPORT TOWN CHADDERTON ATHERTON LR WHITCHURCH ALPORT Widnes Chadderton CITY OF LIVERPOOL ASHTON TOWN Stockport Town CHARNOCK RICHARD

Comp NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL FAV 1QR NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL TMC 1R NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL TMC 2R RFDC 2R NWCFL NWCFL LS Cup NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL TMC 3R NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL

KO 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 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 3.00 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00

Result GK 2 3 4 5 4-3L Novak D.Brady Williams Rawsthorne Falconer 3-3D Novak Presho A.Whelan Falconer Rigby L2-4 Novak Greene Rigby Presho An Gillespie W1-2 Novak Greene Rigby Webster Falconer W1-3 Novak Greene Rigby Webster Falconer 2-2D Hodge Greene Rigby Webster Falconer 4-2L Hodge Greene1 Rigby Falconer Webster 5-1L Hodge D.Brady Presho Falconer Webster 3-5L Taylor D.Brady Presho Webster Donohue 1-1D Taylor D.Brady Rigby Pegler Webster 2-2D Taylor D.Brady Rigby Ball Ogden 2-1W Taylor Greene1 Rigby Donohue Falconer 4-2W Walsh Presho Rigby Pegler Donohue 3-1L Walsh Presho Rigby Pegler Donohue 1-3W Walsh Presho1 Carney Pegler Webster 3-4L Walsh Pegler Carney Webster1 A.Whelan 3-2L Walsh Tserpes Carney Webster A.Whelan1 1-1D Novak Presho Rigby Donohue A.Whelan 3-5W Hodge Presho Rigby Webster A.Whelan1 2-0W Walsh Presho Rigby Webster Donohue 4-2W Walsh Presho Rigby Webster Donohue 1-4W A.Whelan Chojnicki Rigby Donohue Webster 4-2L Brinksman Presho Rigby Donohue1 Webster 0-4W Walsh Presho1 Rigby Donohue Webster 0-3L Walsh Presho Rigby Donohue Webster 0-2W Walsh Chojnicki Rigby Donohue Webster 5-1L Walsh Chojnicki Rigby Donohue Webster 2-0W Fairchild Presho Rigby Donohue Webster 3-0L Fairchild Presho Rigby Webster Donohue 2-4L Fairchild Muscart Presho Webster1 Donohue 3-0L Fairchild Muscart Rigby Webster Donohue 4-2W Fairchild Presho Rigby Webster Pegler 1-0W Fairchild Presho Rigby Webster Pegler 4-2 Fairchild Presho Rigby1 Webster Donohue 2-6L Fairchild Presho Rigby1 Webster Donohue 2-2D Fairchild D.Whelan Presho Webster Pegler 2-1L Fairchild D.Whelan Presho Dodd1 Pegler

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

6 Presho Sheen Pegler Presho Presho Presho Presho Ashton Davies Donohue Pegler Ball Carney Carney Tserpes Rigby Pegler Webster Carney A.Whelan A.Whelan Presho1 A.Whelan A.Whelan Al Gillespie Pegler Presho A.Whelan1 Davies Al Gillespie Al Gillespie A.Whelan A.Whelan Dodd A.Whelan A.Whelan Al Gillespie

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7 Ash Gree D.Wh She She She Ash Willi Peg She She She Gre Gre Gre Gre Gre K-Bu Gree Gre Gre Gre Gre Gre Gre Gre Gre Gre Peg Gre Gre Carn Gre Gre KorieRig Rig

16-17

7 8 hton Pegler1 eene1 Pegler Whelan Sheen1 heen Pegler1 heen Ashton heen Ashton hton Sheen liams Sheen egler Sheen heen Davies heen Presho een1 Pegler eene Sheen eene Cliff eene Rigby eene Tserpes eene K-Butler1 utler1 Pegler eene1 Pegler eene Carney eene Carney eene Carney eene Carney eene Carney1 eene Carney eene Carney eene Al Gillespie eene Pegler egler Greene eene Threlkeld eene Presho ney1 Greene eene Carney eene Carney e-Butler Dodd gby1 Carney gby Carney

Name1

Player name and number of goals scored

Name

Player name and CAUTION

Name

Player name and DISMISSAL FOR 2 CAUTIONS

Name

Player name and DISMISSAL

Name10

Player name and number of replaced player

9 Andy Gillespie1 Andy Gillespie1 Williams Andy Gillespie1 C.Lomax C.Lomax1 G.Lomax1 Andy Gillespie Andy Gillespie2 Andy Gillespie Andy Gillespie2 Andy Gillespie Andy Gillespie2 Andy Gillespie Andy Gillespie1 Andy Gllespie1 Andy Gillespie Andy Gillespie McDonald1 Andy Gillespie1 Andy Gillespie1 Andy Gillespie2 Andy Gillespie1 Andy Gillespie1 Andy Gillespie Korie-Butler1 Andy Gillespie1 Andy Gillespie1 Korie-Butler Korie-Butler Andy Gillespie Andy Gillespie1 Andy Gillespie Korie-Butler1 Andy Gillespie1 Andy Gillespie Andy Gillespie

10 C.Lomax G.Lomax1 G.Lomax1 G.Lomax G.Lomax1 G.Lomax C.Lomax Pegler Greene Presho Greene S.Brady McDonald2 McDonald1 McDonald McDonald McDonald Edwards K-Butler2 K-Butler1 K-Butler1 K-Butler1 Korie-Butler Korie-Butler Korie-Butler Threlkeld Threlkled Korie-Butler Threlkeld Twist Pegler Korie-Butler Korie-Butler Pegler Pegler Korie-Butler Korie-Butler

11 G.Lomax1 C.Lomax C.Lomax Williams Williams2 Williams1 Williams Rigby Rigby Williams1 Williams Presho Edwards Edwards Edwards1 Edwards1 Edwards Carney Edwards Edwards Edwards2 Edwards Edwards Edwards1 Edwards Edwards1 Edwards Edwards Muscart Edwards1 Edwards Edwards2 Edwards1 Edwards1 Edwards Edwards Edwards

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12 14 15 Greene10 Alex Gillespie6 Threlkeld3 Williams10 C.Banasko Al Gillespie Threlkeld11 Alex Gillespie Tingay Threlkeld10 Alex Gillespie D.Whelan Davidson Mavers9 S.Brady Ball Mavers D.Brady D.Brady6 An Gillespie11 Pegler7 Greene7 C.Lomax G.Lomax61 Ball Williams71 Rowe5 Greene10 Rowe2 S.Brady11 Al Gillespie Bradley11 S.Brady4 Hoult10 Alex Gillespie Williams D.Brady S.Brady Rawsthorne Tserpes8 Ball5 Falconer Cliff8 Ball2 K-Butler11 Ball7 Ashton K-Butler10 Presho2 Rigby7 Donohue3 Cliff8 Alex Gillespie Cliff8 Donohue Threlkeld11 11 9 Cliff McDonald Threlkeld7 Chojnicki Ball7 Pegler Threlkeld2 Ball3 Al Gillespie9 Al Gillespie8 D.Whelan2 Pegler McDonald Chojnicki2 Threlkeld9 Chojnicki2 Pegler D.Brady A Gillespie9 Woods11 Al Gillespie6 Pegler6 Davies8 Twist Chojnicki2 Al Gillespie10 Hoult Hoult10 Worthington11 Cullen7 A Gillespie Heron7 Worthington2 Threlkeld6 D.Whelan2 Worthington Muscart10 Alex Gillespie6 Donohue6 Muscart Ale Gillespie10 D.Whelan8 Preston Alex Gillespie6 D.Whelan7 S.Brady7 Alex Gillespie D.Whelan5 Donohue Alex Gillespie3 Dodd4 Donohue2 Chojnicki Dunleavy6

16 17 D.Whelan D.Whelan2 Threlkeld11 C.Banasko2 Tingay11 Ball2 Hodge1 S.Brady Al Gillespie Ball Dutton Ball4 Donohue Rawsthorne10 Hodge Mavers Novak Jones Ball Jones Al Gillespie Jones A.Whelan Novak Donohue Cliff6

An Gillespie9 Ball Alex Gillespie D.Whelan Chojnicki Al Gillespie Twist8 Worthington Worthington11 Threlkeld11 Heron Hoult11 Hoult10 Hennigan Hennigan? Hennigan Dunleavy8 Dunleavy Hennigan8

Walsh Ball Chojnicki Threlkeld10 D.Brady D.Brady7 Threlkeld10 Hoult Hoult Worthington

Walsh Preston S.Brady111 Carney Ukaegbu21 A.Whelan

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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On this day!

We are still looking for pitch-side board sponsors ÂŁ200 package includes Board design, manufacture and installation for one full year Plus a quarter page programme advert for the period of the package and lots of website and social media coverage, www.sthelenstownafc.com

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Kieraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Occasions sponsored League Man of the Match Awards Season 2016-17 August Sat 6 Carlisle City A Sat 13 Cheadle Town A Thu 18 Sandbach United Sat 20 Litheland REMYCA Sat 27 Charnock Richard

George Lomax Danny Greene H George Lomax A Danny Greene A Andrew Presho

September Thu 1 Prestwich Heys H Chris Lomax Sat 3 Atherton LR A George Lomax Tue 6 City of Liverpool A Andy Webster Thu 15 Widnes H Phil Williams Sat 17 Daisy Hill A Andy Gillespie Sat 24 Oswestry Town H Danny Greene October Sat 8 Alsager Town A Tue 11 AFC Blackpool A Sat 15 Carlisle City H Tue 18 Oswestry Town A Sat 22 Bacup Borough A

Stuart McDonald Andy Webster Luke Edwards Andy Gillespie Dale Korie-Butler

November Sat 10 Cheadle Town H Luke Edwards Sat 12 Silsden A Andy Gillespie Sat 19 Eccleshall A Paul Carney December Sat 3 Ashton Town A Sat 10 Bacup Borough H Sat 17 Whichurch Alport Mon 26 Litherland REMYCA Butler Fri 30 Prestwich Heys A January Sat 7 Holker Old Boys Sat 14 Eccleshall H

Adam Donohue Andy Gillespie A Adam Fairchild H Dale KorieDanny Greene H Paul Carney Andy Gillespie

February Sat 4 Daisy Hill H Danny Greene Sat 11 Silsden H Andy Gillespie Thur 16 AFC Blackpool H Ste Rigby Sat 18 Sandbach United A Ste Rigby

Andy Gillespie in action v Sandbach Utd (Hallmark Security Lge) on Saturday 18th February 2017

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Match Report Finally a Comeback In Our Favour! by Kieran Ford Town come back from 2 men and 2 goals down to clinch last minute draw. A run of 3 successive victories for St Helens Town was abruptly halted by Silsden last Saturday with a surprise 6-2 defeat at Edge Green Street. However they returned to Volair Park on Thursday night, facing 3rd bottom AFC Blackpool. The Blues made 2 changes from that Silsden defeat, with Adam Donohue missing the game with Dom Whelan filling in at right back. Liam Dodd also dropped to the bench with Paul Carney resuming his role partnering Ant Whelan in central midfield. Town started well in the game, as the aforementioned Paul Carney won the ball back in a terrier like fashion, the ball found Dale Korie-Butler who drove at the Blackpool defence but his shot was well wide of the far post. Dom Whelan, making his 1st start of the season, made a surging run from right back, played a quick one two with Andy Gillespie but his shot suffered the same fate as DKB as it sailed wide. The versatile Andy Presho, wearing number 3, remarkably his 8th shirt number of the season, played through captain Andy Gillespie. He used his strength to shrug off one defender before beating 3 more but his shot was deflected wide. Although Town were on top in terms of chances created, they were giving possession away cheaply, and this ultimately cost them in the 38th minute, AFC Blackpool manager Stuart Parker said “keep getting the ball over the top!” and his idea worked to perfection as Ricky Tomlinson (not that one!) played a ball over the Town defence, to find captain Jack Williams who lobbed the ball over Adam Fairchild to put the away side a goal to the good at half time.

HT: St Helens Town 0 – 1 AFC Blackpool (Williams, 38) After a first half void of any real action, the 2nd half could go down as one of the most enthralling of the season. Andy Webster was replaced by Liam Dodd at the interval, in what can only be seen as an injury precaution with a trip to Sandbach United 2 days later. The 1st major talking point of the game came just over 5 minutes after the restart, as Ed Pegler was shown a 2nd booking of the match after pulling down Williams as he was through on goal. The referee adjudged the Town centre back to be the last man and gave him his marching orders. Minutes later, the referee was the centre of controversy again as Town were reduced to 9 men in bizarre circumstances, as captain Andy Gillespie was shown a 2nd yellow for an alleged stamp on the Blackpool goalkeeper Callum Kirkland, as he scored a goal that was disallowed for offside. Alas, Gillespie was sent off and Town now had a mountain to climb to salvage something from the game. To complete a mad 10 minute spell, AFC Blackpool extended their lead with a possible goal of the season contender. The ball was headed away from a Blackpool free kick, which allowed Robert Hanslip to unleash a volley from fully 35 yards that sailed into the top corner, to compound Town to misery. Even though they were 2 men and goals behind, St Helens continued to look spirited, and the introduction of striker George Ukaegbu gave Town a different option up front due to his height and pace. The striker, on his debut, managed to win Town a consolation penalty in the 90th minute as he was dragged down in the area. Ste Rigby, playing on the left wing replacing the recently departed Dann Greene, stepped up and scored from the spot, giving Town a glimmer of hope heading into stoppage time. As Town gained some hope, they started to push for an equaliser, Rigby almost added to his tally as he controlled an Ant Whelan through ball well, but saw his name in lights and blazed over. Rigby did have involvement in Town’s dramatic leveller, as his stand up cross was headed in by the debutant Ukaegbu to send the crowd into ecstasy, and to finally secure a Town comeback of their own! FT: St Helens Town (Rigby, 90) (Ukaegbu, 90+3) 2–2 AFC Blackpool (Williams, 38) (Handslip, 57)

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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

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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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League News Recently, officials at Eccleshall welcomed representatives from four local organisations who had provided grants to help the club enhance the facilities at Pershall Park. Over a period of months, the club has received funding to assist with the necessary refurbishment of the clubhouse both external and to the main clubroom. The rear external wall has been replaced which also allowed essential internal work to the clubroom to be undertaken as well, including removal of the old tea bar, plasterwork and painting, the replacement of the ceiling together with new lighting and new floor covering. These have all been put in place with the assistance of grant funding from the Co-Op (via the local Eccleshall branch), the local Staffordshire County Councillor's Local Member Scheme budget and Eccleshall Parish Council. Additionally, following the break in last year, a bid was made to the Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner's People Power Fund for assistance to install new security measures at the ground. From this funding, a new CCTV system and alarm system were installed to provide additional protection to the clubhouse. Following the completion of the work, the club committee took the opportunity to welcome representatives from four organisations who had helped the club with grants In appreciation of the assistance given, representatives were invited to visit the clubhouse to see how their contributions had helped the club, meet club officials and have a bite to eat. Eccleshall Club Secretary Jim Tunney said: "Various bidding submissions had been made to help the club take the essential work forward. The rear clubhouse wall, for example, was the original wooden construction from when the building was put in place over thirty years ago and was in a very poor state. “Its replacement meant that we also had to renovate the clubroom and the final work - replacement of the floor covering, which again was over thirty years old - was completed on the 23rd February. “Photographs have now been replaced and the clubroom now has a fresh, homely feel to it. It has been dedicated as the 'Danny Stevens Lounge' in memory of our former club captain, who was tragically killed in a road accident a number of years ago. “Alongside this has been the installation of the new security equipment which will, hopefully, now provide additional protection to our facility. It goes without saying that this work could not have moved forward without the support of the Co-Op, Staffordshire County Councillor Frank Chapman, Eccleshall Parish Council and Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Ellis. “We are very grateful for their assistance and feel sure that member clubs visiting Pershall Park for our remaining home matches this season will notice the difference their contribution has made".

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Match Report v Alsager maintain unbeaten record as Blues fall to defeat. By Kieran Ford A brace from Mark Grice hands St Helens a first loss in five. Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s match at Woodland Court was always going to be a tough ask for St Helens Town. Although they had not lost in their previous 4 matches, their opponents, Alsager Town, had not tasted defeat in the league all season. Even though they were defeat 5-3 by fellow First Division side Widnes the Saturday prior, the trip to Stokeon-Trent was always going to be a challenge for Nick Matthews and Lee Jenkinsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side. St Helens made 1 change from the side that were victorious in impressive style against AFC Darwen last week. This change was in central midfield as Paul Cliff made his second debut for the club, after a number of years away from the club. He replaced Sam Sheen, who has departed the club to join Widnes. New signings Stuart McDonald and Luke Edwards made lasting impressions on their debuts last week. The latter was looking to continue this form as St Helens started brightly as the Bullets failed to shoot out the blocks, in the first minute he drove through the Alsager defence, but his shot forced a good save from Alsager keeper Christopher Fletcher. The away team looked completely on top from the start of the game, and created chances through Paul Carney, who send a curling shot wide of the post, before a layoff from Danny Greene on the right found Andy

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Alsager Town Gillespie, but his driven shot was well saved. However, the opening goal came against the run of play. Alsager took the lead as good work down the right from Leigh Skellern saw him drive towards the by-line. His cross was tapped in by Josh Glover as the home side took the lead. That goal seemed to knock the wind out of St Helens sails, as Alsager began to dominate the game at this point. Their physical presence was simply too much for St Helens to handle, as they won the midfield battle hands down. The Bullets added to their lead through more good work down the right. This tempted Ste Rigby into fouling Skellern as the referee pointed to the spot. Mark Grice smashed home the resulting penalty to ensure Alsager went 2 up. 5 minutes later the home team added a third as a long ball towards Grice saw him beat St Helens keeper Gage Walsh in a foot race to the ball, he composed himself and fired in to put Alsager 3 goals to the good at half time. HT: Alsager Town (Glover, 16) (Grice, 35, 40) 3-0 St Helens Town Seeing as the hosts were 3 goals ahead, they decided to sit on their lead. However, they managed to create some chances of their own as the danger man Skellern saw his well hit effort impressively heald by Walsh. Skellern was again the architect as he skipped round multiple St Helens defenders but his effort was again saved by Walsh, this time at the near post. However, apart from Grice being denied his hat trick due to an offside flag, St Helens Town were to create the better chances from here on out. The first of these saw Andy Gillespie through on goal but his attempted lob had no real power or accuracy to test Fletcher. Gillespie was sent through again, and decided to square to an onrushing Stuart McDonald but his effort was saved by the goalkeeper. Even the addition of debutant Stavros Tserpes from the bench couldn’t bring Town any luck. Town did get the chance to appear on the score sheet as the workhorse Stuart McDonald was brought down in the box by Alsager’s Taylor Attrell. McDonald stepped up himself and scored from the spot, but this couldn’t stop Town suffering defeat. FT: Alsager Town (Glover, 16) (Grice, 35, 40) 3-1 St Helens Town (McDonald, 90+2)

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Photo Gallery

Alsager 3-1St Helens Town Hallmark Security League 1st Division Saturday 8th October 2016

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Match Report v Dale Bails as Sandbach Move Into Automatic Promotion Fast Lane By Kieran Ford St Helens Town see red for 2nd time in 3 days as Josh Lane scores winner for Sandbach. After salvaging a last gasp 2-2 draw vs AFC Blackpool less than 48 hours earlier, St Helens Town faced a tough task against a Sandbach United side that had only lost once in 2017. Although they were sent off 2 days prior, both Andy Gillespie and Ed Pegler were eligible to play, and they duly did as Alan Gillespie made 2 changes from Thursday night. These were Liam Dodd replacing the injured Andy Webster in central defence and Alex Gillespie partnering “Pablo” Paul Carney in central midfield in place of Ant Whelan. Ever since the departure of winger Danny Greene last week, Ste Rigby has been given the licence to move further up the field from his usual left back role. This has been one he has thrived upon ever since and started this game no differently as Town looked to exploit the left wing to their advantage. However, this was thwarted through Sandbach’s marauding right back Matthew Pearson and a solid centre back display from Martin Evans to keep Rigby quiet. This quickly led to a period of Sandbach pressure as Town couldn’t get out of their own half, and Alex Gillespie had to block a Nathan Jones effort off the line to prevent the hosts taking the lead. Town did create chances of their own, as Dale Korie-Butler cut inside from the left and his cross found Ste Rigby but his shot was blocked out for a corner. From the resulting set piece Town took the lead as Liam Dodd rose highest to meet a Luke Edwards cross to net his first goal for the club. Sandbach looked for an immediate response as Pearson headed the ball down to George Riley but his shot was skewed wide. Then Adam Fairchild produced arguably the save of the match

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Sandbach United as he tipped Matthew Pearsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s header just wide of the post to keep the scores level. Pearson eventually got his name on the scoresheet in similar circumstances to Liam Dodd as he towered in a header from a corner to level the scores going into half time. HT: Sandbach United (Pearson, 31) 1 -1 St Helens Town (Dodd, 18) The second half was quite an even contest to start with, as St Helens arguably created the best chance of the opening exchanges. A telepathic understanding between brothers Alex and Andy Gillespie allowed the latter to dummy an inch perfect through ball into the path of Ste Rigby. The Town number 7 put in a teasing cross but Luke Edwards couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t connect with the pass. Sandbach took the lead on the hour mark as striker Josh Lane tapped home a deep cross at the back post as the bumper crowd of 134 saw the hosts take the lead. St Helens Town had only saw 2 red cards all season, but they have now had 3 men sent off 2 in days as Dale Korie Butler was shown his marching orders on 64 minutes. After receiving a strong challenge from a Sandbach United defender, DKB retaliated with an alleged headbutt which resulted in a straight red card. After this the game petered out as Sandbach looked comfortable on the ball, the late introduction of Anthony Dunleavy for Town was an attempt to grab an equaliser, however this was not forthcoming as its not 3 games without a win for St Helens. FT: Sandbach United (Pearson, 31) (Lane, 60) 2-1 St Helens Town (Dodd, 18)

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Match Action

Sandbach United v Town on Sat 18th February 2017

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Managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Notes Hello everybody welcome again to Volair Park for tonight's fixture against Alsager Town. Alsager are riding high in the table and from all accounts will prove to be formidable opposition. In the reverse fixture earlier in the season they ran out convincing 3-1 winners so let's hope we can show a big improvement tonight. Our last home game against AFC Blackpool was a pulsating affair. Our visitors took the lead somewhat against the run of play in the first half when we fell to a sucker punch long ball being lobbed over goal keeper Adam Fairchild. The second half saw the referee dismiss both Eddy Pegler and captain Andrew Gillespie for allegedly stamping on the AFC Blackpool goalkeeper. Despite conceding a second goal the lads showed unbelievable character to hold out for 35minutes with nine men and then to score 2 late goals from Ste Rigby and debutant George Ukaegbu. I think the roar that followed George's header was probably heard in Blackpool. The team then had to face a very tough fixture less than 48 hours later at high flying Sandbach and we very disappointed to come away empty handed after taking an early lead. Again I felt we were very harshly treated by the officials losing Dale Korie-Butler to a red card after reacting when he was on the end of an atrocious tackle.

These episodes will leave the squad stretched for tonight's games with three key players now suspended. This however presents opportunities for other players to show what they can do and everybody is very aware that there is no automatic right to a place in the starting line up . On a brighter note we have signed up one of our very promising under 18s James Duke who has impressed for both our u21 and u18 sides this season and is definitely one for the future .

It was also good to see Michael Chojnicki back in the squad at Sandbach after being out since before Xmas with illness. Enjoy the game hopefully we can finish it with 11 players on the pitch! Alan Gillespie

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League News Whitchurch Alport have announced a major sponsorship deal with local business AJ Reid Independent Estate Agents. The significant sponsorship package presented by the owners Alison and Jonathan Reid will see the firm’s name displayed on the new covered enclosure at Yockings Park, and the deal provides some of the funding required to complete Alport’s Changing Room Challenge project - which will see the existing dressing rooms bulldozed, and replaced by more modern facilities. Jonathan Reid said he was delighted to get involved with the club. “We are extremely proud to sponsor Whitchurch Alport Football Club. The new 'AJ Reid Stand' looks terrific for both the club and ourselves. As a leading firm of estate agents in the town, we are delighted to re-invest and show our support for the local community. “The newly sponsored stand is our way of expressing our gratitude to all those that have supported us since we commenced trading in Whitchurch three years ago. “At the same time, we recognise that we have much in common with Whitchurch Alport. They are a progressive club, out-ranking most rivals at the level they play at, with star performers and still capable of rising to the top of the league. In essence, both Whitchurch Alport and AJ Reid are winning teams. “Last Saturday, during the unveiling of the 'AJ Reid Stand', we were very excited and proud to attend the match and see our home team beat Atherton Laburnum Rovers 2-1. We hope this partnership brings success for us both – on and off the pitch!” Reds’ Chairman Andy Hough said: “Sponsorship of this type is absolutely sensational and is highly valued. For a local business such as AJ Reid Independent Estate Agents to be willing to put significant funding into the club, highlights the amazing growth in interest the Whitchurch community has shown towards the football club since the summer. “The Committee and players alike are extremely grateful to Jonathan and Alison for their donation. We have erected banners along a complete section of our new stand to proudly display AJ Reid’s company logo. “Part of our agreement is to provide advertising opportunities for Jonathan and Alison, emphasising the connection between a thriving local business and our Club. In addition, the AJ Reid banners have aesthetically enhanced the overall look of the ground. It really is beginning to look like a proper stadium. “Without the support of companies like AJ Reid we would never succeed in

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League News More County Cup success Carlisle City became the latest club to reach the semi final of their local County Cup, with a 3-0 win over Netherhall on Tuesday evening in the Cumberland Senior Cup. City will now face Penrith of the Northern League in the last four. West Didsbury & Chorlton and Whitchurch Alport have already played semi-final ties in the Manchester Premier Cup and Shropshire Senior Cup respectively, Ashton Athletic will face Chorley in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy this week, and 1874 Northwich will play Witton Albion in the Mid-Cheshire Cup next week.vvIt's good to see our clubs well represented in their local competitions, and long may it continue.

Important win for AFC Darwen One of the more notable away wins on Saturday was AFC Darwen's 3-1 victory at Irlam, which keeps them nine points clear of the relegation zone and the nearest club Nelson. With the Admirals recording a fine 3-0 win at Congleton Town, the victory for Adam Douglas's men was all the more important, and certainly helped banish memories of their last away game when they lost 9-0 at Bootle. Having picked up more than half of their points tally on the road this season, it could be that good away days will be Darwen's salvation this season. Admirals not sunk yet Mention of Nelson's battle to beat relegation should also be tempered with analysis of their recent form, which belies that of a club fight to beat the drop. The Admirals have been affected worse than most with the bad weather of the past few weeks, with Saturday's win at Congleton being just their fifth game of 2017. However, a closer look at the five games reveal that they have lost just once, and have also hit the back of the net 12 times hardly relegation form. They face a tough run in to the end of the season, but their form in recent weeks suggests that Alex Norwood's men should not be underestimated. Back to business for Remy Litherland REMYCA got back to winning ways with an important 3-0 win at fellow promotion contenders Alsager Town on Saturday. After eight successive wins sent them surging through the pack to the top of the table, a draw and a defeat in the last two games appeared to have disrupted the momentum, but any doubts about their bouncebackability were dispelled with the fine win at the Wood Park Stadium. There's still a lot of points to be played for, but Remy returning to form is bad news for everyone else in the Division One promotion pack. Purples strong at both ends City of Liverpool have caught the eye this season with their goalscoring exploits, and a number of high scoring wins have taken them to the top of the Division One goals per game ratios tables for goals scored. However, their defensive exploits are equally worthy of mention, and two clean sheets last week now mean that the Purples have concede just one goal in the last five games. As well as having the defensive headache of contending with the notable firepower up front, it will take some good quality attacking play from future opponents to breach the Puple rearguard in the mood they are in at the moment.

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League Tables First Division Table as at Wednesday 08/03/2017

Player Sponsors 2016-17

First Division

W D

Litherland REMYCA

33 21 7

91 52 39 70

City of Liverpool FC

33 21 5

93 38 55 68

Whitchurch Alport

31 20 4

69 36 33 64

Sandbach United

31 19 4

62 37 25 61

Widnes

30 18 6

83 45 38 60

Charnock Richard

29 19 3

76 39 37 60

Alsager Town

29 18 4

7 75 37 38 58

Prestwich Heys

27 16 2

Stockport Town

32 14 7

11 75 72

Cheadle Town

33 13 6

14 72 72

FC Oswestry Town

32 13 5

14 55 66 -11 44

28 12 6

10 64 57

Chadderton

St Helens Town

A GD Pts

67 37 30 50

30 12 6 12 65 67 -2 42

Silsden

29 13 1

15 65 61

Daisy Hill

29 11 4

14 60 72 -12 37

Carlisle City

31 11 4

16 53 72 -19 37

Holker Old Boys

29 10 5

14 50 63 -13 35

Bacup Borough

30 7

18 30 61 -31 26

AFC Blackpool

32 5

20 38 88 -50 22

Atherton LR

31 6

22 31 70 -39 21

Eccleshall

30 3

23 40 103 -63 13

Ashton Town

29 2

25 30 99 -69 8

Anthony Whelan Focus Windows & Doors Limited Luke Edwards Airborne Bathroom Services Andy Gillespie Arcoframe

Danny Greene Danny’s Window Cleaning Eddie Pegler Kiera’s Occasions Andrew Presho Total Building Care Eddie Pegler Gibney’s Jewellers Adam Fairchild Howdens, Leigh Wade Muscart Kreative Kirsty Ste Rigby Kealshore Ltd Paul Carney Property Link Liverpool Dale Korie-Butler Live Wire Electrical Alex Gillespie Walton Carpets Dom Whelan Walton Carpets Dale Korie-Butler Beer EnGin, Whiston Adam Donohue MLR Heating Supplies Andy Webster 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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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

League Tables Premier Division Table as at Wednesday 08/03/2017 Premier Division

W D

Atherton Collieries

30 23 4

81 28 53 73

Bootle

31 23 1

7 107 42 65 70

Runcorn Linnets

33 20 8

79 38 41 68

1874 Northwich

31 20 5

61 34 27 65

Runcorn Town

29 20 4

82 33 49 64

AFC Liverpool *

33 16 6

11 68 57 11 51

Padiham

29 15 4

10 60 50 10 49

Maine Road

32 12 8

12 62 58

Winsford United

29 13 5

11 58 56

Hanley Town

31 11 9

11 63 55

11 West Dids & Chorlton 31 12 6

13 72 69

Abbey Hey

30 13 3

14 52 56 -4 42

Ashton Athletic

31 11 7

13 63 58

Irlam

30 10 9

11 42 56 -14 39

Congleton Town

33 10 8

15 56 71 -15 38

Squires Gate

Barnton

18 19

A GD Pts

17 63 81 -18 34

32 10 4

18 41 78 -37 34

Barnoldswick Town

12 44 40

AFC Darwen

14 33 75 -42 29

Nelson *

17 41 63 -22 20

New Mills

21 47 82 -35 16

Cammell Laird 1907

25 24 119 -95 8

Saturday 11th March 2017 The Macron Cup Quarter Finals Ashton Athletic v Bootle Nelson v Chadderton Silsden v City of Liverpool FC Widnes v Barnoldswick Town

Premier Division 1874 Northwich v Runcorn Linnets Abbey Hey v Squires Gate AFC Darwen v Irlam Barnton v West Didsbury & Chorlton Congleton Town v Padiham Hanley Town v Cammell Laird 1907 New Mills v Winsford United Runcorn Town v Atherton Collieries First Division AFC Blackpool v Stockport Town Alsager Town v Cheadle Town Ashton Town v Prestwich Heys Daisy Hill v Sandbach United FC Oswestry Town v Carlisle City Holker Old Boys v St Helens Town Litherland REMYCA v Charnock Richard Whitchurch Alport v Bacup Borough Tuesday 14th March 2017 Reusch 1st Division Cup Semi 2nd Leg City of Liverpool FC v Widnes Premier Division Abbey Hey v AFC Darwen Barnoldswick Town v Nelson Irlam v Runcorn Town Squires Gate v Winsford United First Division Atherton LR v AFC Blackpool Wednesday 15th March 2017 First Division Bacup Borough v Chadderton Prestwich Heys v Holker Old Boys

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

www.sthelenstownafc.com Thursday 16th March 2017

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