St Helens Town v Bacup Borough 2016-17 by John McKiernan

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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

Saturday 10th December 2016, kick off 3pm The Hallmark Security League, First Division St Helens Town

Bacup Borough

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

Vice Chairman: Glyn Jones

Gage Walsh

Michael Chojnicki

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

Ste Rigby Adam Donohue

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

Andy Webster Andy Presho Danny Greene

Hospitality: Margaret Wood and Paul Wood

Alex Gillespie

White Shirts Black Shorts & Socks No

Aaron Ashley Jordan Rutter

Artjoms Butorins Stuart Craig Reevell Bellamy Thomas Coulson Ashley Leather

James Constantine

Trustee: John McKiernan

Andy Gillespie

Wayne Morrison

1st Team Manager: Alan Gillespie

Will Threlkeld

Luke Podmore

Luke Edwards

Anthony Hall

Interim 1st Team Manager Lee Jenkinson

Eddie Pegler Callum Davies

1st Team Coach: Nick Robinson

Warren Twist

1st Team Physiotherapists Ellie Hayes & Paige Marcus

Alex Worthington

U21s Team Manager: John McLaughlan U21s Assistant Manager: Lee Jenkinson

U18s Team Manager: David McNabb U18s Assistant Manager: Terry Smith

Josh Hoult Manager: Alan Gillespie Assistant: Lee Jenkinson

Main Club Sponsor: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Zack Hargreaves Michael Gervin Benjamin Rhodes Kevin Masirika Joshua Harris Manager: Brent Peters Ferre Edwards & Andy Barlow

Referee: Mr A Ball (Wigan) Assist: Mr P Rigby (Liverpool) & Mr P Sephton (Warrington)

Match Sponsor

Sunday Team Manager: David Platt Club Email: sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk

Gls Y R

Kieraâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Occasions

Unit 2 Ruskin Drive, St Helens WA10 6RP

Shirt Sponsor: Freestart plc

Match Ball Sponsors

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

Dave Wiggins

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

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@DWiggo

Next Home Game: Town v Litherland REMYCA

Hallmark Security League Mon 26th December 2016, 3pm Volair Park, Prescot Cables FC

Cover Photograph: Danny Greene 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 Hallmark Security League, First Division contest against Bacup Borough. May I open by welcoming our visitors I hope they enjoy the short time they will spend with us and have a safe journey home after the game. It been just over a week since we last convened here at Volair Park to take on City of Liverpool in the Reusch First Division Cup, Quarter Final. The game was an even affair with very few clear cut chances in the opening period indeed the scores were level at 0-0 at the interval with both goalkeepers having made a fine stop each. The second period saw the game open up more and the visitors started to dominate the midfield battle and eventually opened the scoring midway through the second half. Town were then denied a stonewall penalty as one of the visiting defenders punched a cross away with his hand high above his head and to add insult to injury the visitors doubled their lead moments later and secured victory with a well taken free kick as the game ticked into added on time and will face Widnes over two legs to decide one of the finalists of the competition. After a quick turn around as we made the short and well worn trip to former landlords Ashton Town last Saturday. Ashton have been struggling at the wrong end of the table all season and have been rooted to the foot of the league ladder for a while which is a perilous place to be with the league at full compliment and the very real potential of relegation for the bottom two teams in the division this season. The game itself went to the form book as St Helens took the lead on 21 minutes through Luke Edwards and seven minutes later doubled their advantage when Dale Korie-Butler netted whilst Town were comfortable for the rest of the contest and never really under any pressure they did not add to their advantage but three points and a clean sheet were ample return on the day. We then ventured on to the Delta Taxi Stadium to take on the rather ominous task of visiting Bootle who sat second in the Premier Division table coming into the contest with a place in the Quarter Final of the Macron Cup and a visit to another ground we know very well in Brocstedes Park to take on Ashton Athletic for the victors. Town started the contest well with skipper Andy Gillespie putting them into a third minute lead but the advantage was not to last long as the prolific Ryan Cox levelled in the fourth minute and Town managed to hold out the dangerous Bootle attack until the 36th minute with Kieran Haligan putting the hosts into the lead and Cox added his second and Bootle’s third before the interval. Cox completed his hat-trick on 73 minutes and he rounded off the scoring in the 81st minute to put Bootle into the next round and end Town’s interest in cup competition for the current season. We turn our attention back to the bread and butter of league action this afternoon and indeed for the rest of the season and we welcome Alan Gillepsie back to the dugout after the excellent work done by Lee Jenkinson, Nick Robinson and Andy Gillespie in his absence for which we are all grateful. We have already visited Bacup this season and looked to be set to return to Merseyside with all three points after a strike from Dale Korie-Butler but a late goal for the hosts deep in added on time saw them take a share of the spoils on the day. Town will be looking to avenge that late leveller this afternoon as we look to continue our push up the table towards those much vaulted play off places. Let’s get behind Town this afternoon 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 Bacup Borough Football Club was established in 1875. Their first match to take place at their current Brian Boys West View Stadium was not until 1889 when one of the founder members of the English Football League Accrington Stanley played there in front of over 1,000 spectators. Bacup’s proudest achievement was winning the Lancashire Combination Championship in the 1946/47 season, this along with finishing runners up after losing to Marine 2-1 in the Lancashire Combination Cup Final. In the 1972/73 season the club finished runners up in the League, losing out on goal average despite scoring 101 goals. In 1974/75 they reached the Lancashire Junior Cup Final losing 1-0 against Lancaster City, this despite famous victories against Formby, Wigan Athletic, South Liverpool, and Morecambe. In the last ever Lancashire Combination Challenge Cup Final Bacup were beaten 1-3 by Caernarfon Town in a two-legged Final. In 1982 Bacup Borough became founder members of the North West Counties League, this following the amalgamation of the Cheshire League & the Lancashire Combination. In the 1987/88 season Bacup had to apply for re-election following finishing bottom of the Second Division. In the 1988/89 season under the Management of Gary Warburton the club finished Runners up in Division Two and also finished Runners Up in the Lamot Pils Trophy, they also the same season reached the Quarter Final of the League Cup and due to the Leagues re-organisation the club started the 1989/90 season as a First Division Club. However, in the1994/95 season Bacup Borough were relegated back to the Second Division & did struggle both on and off the field. In September of the 1997/98 season with no points on the board and following a humiliating 0-10 defeat by Tetley Walker the Committee decided to part company with their then Manager. This then made way for the appointment of the former Doncaster Rovers Assistant Manager, Bury F.C Youth Team Coach, Accrington Stanley Director of Football, & Rossendale Utd & Glossop North End Manager Brent Peters to take over as Manager, a position he has held ever since.

Brent’s early record of achievement saw the club finish the 1997/98 season in 14th position, climbing in 1998/99 to 11th position before in 1999/00 they finished 5th in the league, the clubs highest league position in over ten years. In Season 2000/01 the club reached the Second Division Cup Final but lost 10 to Squires Gate. Brent’s greatest achievement came at the end of the 2002/03 season when he guided the club to the Championship of the North West Counties League Division Two, the first major success for the club in 56 years. This brought Brent Three Manager of the Month Awards and The Manager of The Year Award. Season 2003/04, Bacup’s first season following the Second Division Championship the club finished 14th in Division One and did win the North West Counties League Challenge Cup at Southport’s Haig Avenue Ground by beating Newcastle Town 3-0. Other cup runs saw Borough as NWCFL Challenge Cup Quarter Finalists in 2004/05 and Lancashire FA Co-operative Trophy Quarter Finalists in 2007/08. They finished in 8th Position in the NWCFL Premier Division in the 2008/09 Season. June 14th 2004 brought another land mark for the club when Bacup’s Secretary Frank Manning celebrated not only his 70th Birthday but also 50yrs in the game of which well over 40 years have been spent in administration at his beloved Bacup Borough F.C, This achievement was recognised by Frank being presented with a gold award on behalf of the Football Association by Mr Jim Kenyon the Secretary of the Lancashire Football Association. This achievement brought Frank the position of Chairman of the club, a post he held until accepting the position of President of Bacup & Rossendale Borough FC at the re-branding on June 17th 2013. It was a sad start to the 2011/2012 season with the sudden passing away of Kenneth Peters on the 15th June 2011 and he was also the club president and father of our manager. On the field of play further success was to come with more silverware, this following a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Maine Road in the NWCFL Challenge Cup Final which was played at the Tameside Stadium Ashton in front of a big crowd, the team was captained by Davey Luker. The 2012/2013 season proved to be another difficult time at the club following the sad deaths of people dearly close to the club. Four came in the month of October 12 from which the biggest shock was 27

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Bacup Borough year old player Bryan Herbert. On the pitch the team once again did well by getting to yet another cup final and this time it was the Lancashire FA Cooperative Trophy Final played at the Reebok Stadium at Bolton. Despite playing a team from two leagues aboveBacup gave a very good account of themselves against team from the Evo-Stick Premier Division, AFC Fylde ran out 2-0 winners. June 17th 2013 Bacup Borough officially adopted the title of Rossendale; this came about following the sad demise of Rossendale United FC, thus leaving Bacup Borough as the Rossendale Valley’s most senior football club. They were now the sole flag bearers of the Rossendale Valley and, for the commercial side, it made sense to add ‘Rossendale’ to the club’s name making the club Bacup & Rossendale Borough FC. The new name also brings with it a newly designed crest to form its very own identity, with a plan for progression in place and the words, ‘Prosperity Through Endeavour’ prominently featured. The 2013/2014 season was a nail-biter right until the last game when the club fell into the relegation zone for the first time and looked set to be relegated back to the First Division. The clubs place in the Premier Division was secured off the field when repercussions from above meant that the NWCL did not receive a relegated club from above and the club looked to grab their reprieve with both hands. Last term saw Bacup get off to a mixed start and find themselves firmly rooted in the relegation zone for the vast majority of the season a flurry of good form late on in the season gave them a glimmer of hope that they could preserve their Premier Division status but in the end they could not overhaul Barnoldswick and St Helens Town and finished at the foot of the table. The club dropped “& Rossendale” from their title for the new season reverting back to their traditional name of Bacup Borough. A decision was taken to relaunch Bacup Borough Football Club from the start of the 2015/2016 season. The historic crest was brought back and there were exciting developments on and off the pitch. Among those was the creation of two junior teams – an U15 team and an U18 team – who competed under the banner of Bacup Borough FC and had excellent seasons; both teams winning trophies. Season 2015/2016 was a season of rebuilding and the first team finished the season very strongly reaching the Division One play-off final, only to lose 2 nil in extra time of what had been a hard fought and evenly balanced game. Bacup have strengthened our coaching staff; and feel they have laid the foundations for a serious challenge for promotion. With more exciting developments on and off the pitch planned they look forward to a successful season in 2016/2017.

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

P 40 34 42 42 42 42 38 42 42 42 41 42 42 40 34

W 13 25 15 19 13 11 5 16 15 17 15 13 9 6 17

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D 13 2 8 8 8 13 11 10 12 10 7 8 12 6 6

L 14 7 19 15 21 18 22 16 15 15 19 21 21 28 11

F 52 91 68 52 44 50 35 71 63 69 59 51 38 42 81

A 66 32 72 47 62 65 69 71 75 56 77 71 68 98 54

GD -14 59 -4 5 -18 -15 -34 0 -12 13 -18 -20 -30 -56 27

Pts 52 77 53 65 47 46 26 58 57 61 52 47 39 24 57

Position 12/21 1/18 14/22 9/22 17/22 15/22 18/20 8/22 12/22 11/22 17/22 17/22 21/22 21/21 5/18

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Chairman’s Notes Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to Volair Park for this Hallmark Security League First Division encounter with Bacup Borough. Let’s hope their players, officials and supporters along with today’s match officials have had a safe journey and enjoy our hospitality. Many thanks to this afternoon’s match ball sponsors Kiera’s Occasions along with our match ball sponsor Dave Wiggins. Both have been generous supporters of the club over a number of season and long may this continue. The reverse fixture took place at The Brian Boys West View Stadium back in October when we left disappointed having succumbed to a very late equaliser in a 1-1 draw. The game was also notable for the high number of cautions and our hosts suffered three dismissals, one from the pitch and two from the dug-out. In my opinion there was a single ‘bad tackle’ by each team but both sets of players were foolish in getting involved with too much petty behaviour and poor attitudes towards the referee on the day is something we should not be witnessing. Despite two cup exists at the hands of City of Liverpool (Reusch Cup) and Bootle (Macron Cup) respectively our recent performances and form has been excellent with last Saturday’s 0-2 win at former landlords Ashton Town our fourth successive league win. However, we will need to be at our best if we are to make it five wins! This week has seen the return of manager Alan Gillespie who has been away on family business in the USA for the past three months and he will join interim boss Lee Jenkinson and 1st team coach Nick Robinson in the dugout this afternoon. I’d like to place on record my thanks to Lee, Nick and John McLaughlan for their work during Alan’s absence and hopefully our upturn in fortunes will continue across the remainder of the season. Town have produced a 2017 Calendar which will raise funds for local charity Melissa’s Smile Fund. We are supporting Melissa who has Angelman’s Syndrome and her family who are hoping to provide a sensory room in the near future. The calendar’s are on sale at today’s game and having secured sponsorship to cover the production costs all of the money raised (£5 per calendar) will go directly to the fund. Next Saturday we travel to league leaders Whitchurch Alport who have recorded one of the greatest ‘turn-arounds’ the league has seen across many years. Last season the ‘Reds’ were firmly rooted to the bottom of the First Division but changes on and off the field has seen them top the league table and become favourites from automatic promotion - a real tough encounter in the build-up to the Christmas period. Work continues on the Ruskin Drive dressing room facilities but it looks unlikely the contractors will meet the Christmas deadline. We are expecting this to be revised to sometime early in the New Year so fingers crossed the weather causes no additional delays. Enjoy the game and as this is our last home fixture before the festivities, have a great Christmas and we will see you on Boxing Day v Litherland REMYCA 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... 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 4th-11th December Last Season: St Helens Town – 9th December 2015 St Helens crash out of the North West Counties First Division Cup at the 2nd round stage with a 6-3 away defeat to Chadderton. Sport – 5th December 2015 5 December: Leicester go top of the Premier League with a Riyad Mahrez hat trick helping them to a 3–0 win at Swansea. The Foxes displace former leaders Manchester City, who go down to a 2–0 defeat at Stoke. Chelsea lose for the eighth time this season in a 1–0 home defeat to AFC Bournemouth. World – 7th December 2015 Time Magazine readers name Bernie Sanders their 'person of the year'.

10 Years Ago: St Helens Town – 9th December 2006 Town lose their second game in a row in the league with a 3-1 defeat to Ramsbottom United at Knowsley Road. Sport – 5th December 2006 Macclesfield Town, the last team without a win in the Football League, beat Rochdale 1–0 at Moss Rose. World –6th December 2006 NASA reveals photographs taken by Mars Global Surveyor suggesting the presence of liquid water on Mars. 20 Years Ago: St Helens Town: - 7th and 11th December 1996 St Helens defeat Vauxhall Motors 4-1 at home before the short trip to Knowlsey United in the Liverpool Senior Cup 1st Round. However they exit the competition with a surprise 1-0 defeat. Sport – 11th December 1996 John Scales turns his back on Leeds United after looking set to return to the club where he began his career over a decade ago, and leaves Liverpool for Tottenham Hotspur in a £2.6million deal. World – 7th December 1996 Space Shuttle STS 80 (Columbia 21), lands. The Vase Year – 1987: St Helens Town – 5th December 1987 Town secure an impressive 4 -1 victory against Glossop in the North West Counties League Cup 3rd Round. Sport – 9th December 1987 Eight football hooligans, all either Manchester United or West Ham United supporters, receive prison sentences totalling 51 years at Chelmsford Court after being found guilty of public order offences on a Sealink ferry bound for Amsterdam on 8 August 1986. Meanwhile, Chelsea look to the future with the acquisition of Jersey-born defender Graeme Le Saux, 19. World – 8th December 1987 US President Reagan & Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev sign a treaty eliminating medium range nuclear missiles.

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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

Previous Meetings

at Bacup Borough

NWC-D1

2001-02

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2002-03

NWC-D2

Home

Away

21/02; 2-1

2003-04

27/09; 0-2

Collated

18/09; 0-0

2004-05

16/10; 0-0

21/02; 0-2

2005-06

29/04; 2-0

21/10; 0-1

2006-07

17/03; 0-0

15/09; 1-3

2007-08

16/04; 2-2

18/10; 3-4

2008-09

04/10; 0-3

Bacup Borough - last 6 matches All Competitions

Most recent

Home

20/02; 3-0

2009-10

24/04; 1-2

Away

05/03; 1-1

2010-11

09/04; 1-7

Collated

03/03; 0-0

2011-12

16/04: 2-3

05/03; 1-2

2012-13

06/05; 0-0

28/09; 1-1

2013-14

12/04; 2-3

29/11; 2-0

2014-15

13/08; 6-2

27/04; 4-0

2015-16

19/03; 3-3

10/12/2016

2016-17

22/10; 1-1

St Helens Town games since...

Bacup Borough games since...

All Competitions

Clean sheet

Goal Scored

Loss

No score draw

Score draw

Win

St Helens Town Scores First Games Played

St Helens Town Wins

Draws

Bacup Borough Wins

St Helens Town Goals

Bacup Borough Goals

Percentage Town Wins

22.22

Previous Meetings Home League

38.24

Away League

-16

28.57

Home Cup

25.00

Away Cup

42.86

Collated

133

134

-1

33.75

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Ruskin Update

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Tea Break Teasers Q1. Which player played in the opening weekend of both the 1996/97 & 2016/17 Premier League seasons? Q2. Who is the only Premier League player to score more than 15 goals in the last three seasons? Q3. Which four Englishmen scored over 18 goals in the 1999/00 Premier League season? Q4. Which former Everton player was Accrington Stanley’s manager from 2013 to 2014? Q5. How many goals for Everton did current Stoke City manager Mark Hughes score? Q6. Which goalkeeper has kept the most Premier League clean sheets? Q7. Who has made the most Premier League appearances for Arsenal? Q8. Which current League One club reached the 2013 League Cup final? Q9. Who is Middlesbrough’s top scorer in the Premier League? Q10. What nationality is Everton’s loan signing Enner Valencia? Q11. In which city was Everton’s Welsh international Ashley Williams born? Q12. With which club did Sadio Mane start his professional career?

Q13. Which two clubs have been relegated from the Premier League on four occasions? Q14. Who is the only Italian to earn a Premier League winners medal?

Q15. Which player was Liverpool’s top goal scorer under Rafa Benitez?

1) Shay Given 2) Sergio Aguero 3) Kevin Phillips, Alan Shearer, Andy Cole & Michael Bridges 4)James Beattie 5) One 6)Petr Cech 7) Ray Parlour 8) Bradford City 9) Hamilton Ricard 10) Ecuador 11) Wolverhampton 12) Metz 13) Crystal Palace & Norwich 14) Mario Blotelli 15) Steve Gerrard

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Ruskin Drive St Helens Town’s return ‘home’ took another step closer last week with the opening of the new 3G pitches at Ruskin Drive Sportsground. While Hallmark Security League Division One football on the site is still a little way off for Town, players across all the club’s teams have now start to train at the St Helens Council owned venue. The club’s Sunday team and Under 21s outfit will made their new home debuts last Sunday afternoon in the Liverpool and District Sunday League and Cheshire FA U21s League respectively. With the U18s having to wait a little longer for their North West Youth Alliance first appearance at the impressive new facility as their next home fixture doesn’t take place until next month. The club is unable to confirm a start date for first team football at their new home which they will share on match-days with Cheshire League neighbours Pilkington FC. Club Chairman John McKiernan said, ‘It’s great to finally see the facility up and running and we’re delighted to be part of a project that will mean so much to development of sport in the borough. ‘It’s been a long time in the planning and construction but I am sure it will all be worth it for those involved now and in the future. We are extremely grateful to St Helens Council and the Liverpool County FA for their support in ensuring our recent nomadic existence is almost over.’ He added, ‘Our first team will have to wait a little longer before Hallmark Security League football can be played at Ruskin Drive as the new changing room facilities are yet to be completed along with the required on-site hospitality and catering amenities. ‘We now need to make the most of our return home and having a base in the town to ensure that we’re successful on and off the pitch.’

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Andy Gillespie in action v Silsden (Hallmark Security League) on Saturday 12th November 2016

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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 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

Britannia Taxis

Sat 07/01/17

Holker Old Boys

Sat 14/01/17

Eccleshall

Connor McGinn

Sat 21/01/17

AFC Blackpool

Action Coach NW

Sat 28/01/17

Whitchurch Alport

Dave Wiggins

Sat 11/02/17

Silsden

North West Dog Rescue

Sat 18/03/17

Daisy Hill

The Track King

Sat 25/03/17

Stockport Town

Stuart Pyke

Sat 01/04/17

Atherton LR

John Cahill

Sun 16/04/17

City of Liverpool

The Boar’s Head

Sat 29/04/17

Charnock Richard

Toast Café , St Helens

TBC

Ashton Town

TBC

Alsager Town

TBC

Chadderton

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Michael Allison

Stillia

LM Travel

Action Coach NW The Track King

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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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 02/10/16 12:45 Town 3-2 Mr Smiths 09/10/16 12:45 Western Approaches 1-4 Town 16/10/16 12:45 Town 2-4 The Claremont FC 23/10/16 12:45 Town 5-5 The Masons 30/10/16 12:45 Town 2-4 Bootle Wanderers 06/11/16 12:45 Picton Athletic 2-3 Town 13/11/16 12:45 The Georgies 3-1 Town 20/11/16 12:45 Town 1-3 The Georgies 27/11/16 12:45 Town 2-8 MBS Woolton Fixtures To be confirmed 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 Cup 02/10/16 12:30 Abbey Hey 2-0 Town Cup 09/10/16 12:45 Town 6-3 MSB Woolton Lge 23/10/16 12:45 Town 6-2 Stockport Town Cup 06/11/16 11:00 Clay Brow 5-0 Town Cup 13/11/16 12:45 Town 6-5 Litherland REMYCA Lge 20/11/16 12:45 Town 4-1 Manchester Central Fixtures 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 Lge 02/10/16 14:30 West Kirby & Wasps 1-2 Town Cup 07/10/16 Town 1-2 Newcastle Benfield Cup 23/10/16 14:00 Chester FC 12-1 Town Lge 30/10/16 14:30 Tranmere Rovers 1-0 Town Lge 06/11/16 14:00 Town 11-0 Witton Albion Lge 13/11/16 14:00 Town 2-2 Newton Lge 04/12/16 15:00 Town 2-1 Tranmere Rovers Fixtures Lge 18/12/16 15:00 Town v Southport Lge 08/01/17 15:00 Town v Vauxhall Motors

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Guest Writer The Great Non-league Bake Off Food is as much a part of non-league football as players, programmes and FA Cup runs. That may seem a strange thing to say. But a non-league match is more than the match. It is both a 90 minute event and a longer routine. This routine encompasses the journey to and from a match and a multitude of rituals that take place in between. That might include buying a programme, having a pint in the clubhouse, berating a linesman, taking the piss out of an opposition goalkeeper, or buying a raffle ticket or Golden Goal ticket. One of the strongest rituals is a visit to the refreshment hut. These are, often, cabin-like constructions within which a small number of (predominantly though not always) women operate as the undervalued club volunteers whose efforts literally fuel non-league crowds. Refreshment huts are usually located overseeing the pitch, although sometimes they can be under a stand. They are constructed in materials ranging from breeze block rooms to old railway carriages and from temporary-style shipping containers to more robust brick-built structures. Historically, it’s fair to say in my experience that nonleague food was, to put it euphemistically, patchy. It was generally pretty unadventurous, reflecting the culinary wasteland that Britain was in days gone by. Tangibly, this usually amounted to refreshment huts selling a small range of pies (meat or meat and potato, possibly steak or cheese and onion if a club was ahead of the competition or a bit adventurous). Additionally some might sell pasties. Clubs would usually have a small range of warm and cold drinks. And you could get a packet of crisps and a Mars bar or a Twix or something similar. This was the state of things when I first started watching non-league football in the 1970s. There were always exceptions and clubs that did something distinctive with their food offering – like the magnificent hot pot at my club, Horwich RMI – but generally speaking what was distinctive about food at nonleague football at this time was its blandness. Maybe it is my memory and the blandness of the food in these times imprinted in my mind, but there seems to have been something of a relative revolution in the food that is served at many non-league grounds in recent years. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still primarily the carb-loading festival that it has always been. It’s breads, pastries and potatoes along with meats, served in polystyrene. Some dreadful examples of how not to serve food persist. But it’s seems to me that there are very many positive attempts to make food at nonleague football grounds much more of a tasteful experience. One where the range of what is being served is stretched. There are some fantastic examples of how to keep a non-league crowd fed that involve different combinations of people, serving spaces, menus and ways of organising these different elements. I want to share some of my more recent experiences. This is not a chart of favourites as such but a list of some recent positive experiences. A couple of games that I watched this season in the FA Cup, meant I took in visits to Lincoln United’s Ashby Avenue ground (I’m refusing to recognise its current sponsored guise). These visits were enjoyable and produced two decent matches. But the standout aspect of these visits was the refreshment hut. This place did everything one would expect from a refreshment hut and did it well. There was a good selection of decent quality burgers, hot dogs and pies. These were reasonably priced. The flow of people through the hut was at a decent pace. This remained so even when a couple of hundred Spennymoor fans turned up. The really impressive part of this operation was the effective and very friendly staff. Over the two matches, I must have visited the hut half a dozen times and each

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Mike Hodson time was met with a friendly smile and a chat.

In recent years, Chorley have enjoyed an upturn in their fortunes. Riding high in the National League North their crowds at Victory Park frequently top 1,000, sometimes 2,000 and on odd occasions even 3,000. I’ve always found the food at Chorley ok but in recent years they’ve really upgraded their operation. Their refreshment hut, the Magpies Nest, offers a range of pies, burgers, hot dogs and chips. It also offers very good value for money and decent quality of food. What is noticeable about this is the scale of the operation. On my last visit I noticed they had multiple grills, large-scale ovens, heating lamps and so on. There were at least seven people – maybe more – working in the Nest and they provided a very effective and efficient service. By contrast to this multi-person operation, the very good refreshment hut at Atherton Collieries’ Alder House ground has been operated by the same individual women on each of my visits over recent seasons. Colls frequently attract between 100 and 200 for home games, although in the last couple of seasons bigger games have pulled in double that. This lady does a remarkable job of keeping a queue of people moving, serving a reasonable range of foods all from within what I seem to recall was a very small container. To me, this person represents much of what is good about non-league football. Each time I have been there she has dealt with a steady stream of people, kept these fans fed and contributed her time in the service of Colls. It’s fair to say FC United divide opinion. That in no small part is no doubt due to their historical links to Manchester United. Those who know me will tell you that I have very little positive to say about Manchester United. Yet, I’ve found much to be positive about at FC United, from their model of fan ownership to their admission prices that remain accessible, particularly for younger, older and disadvantaged people. FC United have also got it largely right on the refreshment hut front too. They have a conventional refreshment hut under the stand but they also have more ‘pop-up’ style food outlets in the ground, including a sausage grill with a terrific range of sausages (with a bit of a price premium). At midweek matches I’ve been to, FC United have also served cooked plates of food – helpful to those coming straight from work in particular – for a few quid in a convivial environment in the suite at the top of the main stand. There are other food-related things that particular non-league grounds are noted for. Glossop’s Surrey Street ground offers a terrific range of pies, served from the Pie Hut and where there is a Pie of the Month (POTM) served. One POTM, for example, contained chilli topped with cheese, Dorito and jalapeños. On a recent visit to Radcliffe Borough’s Stainton Park (again, I’m not giving legitimacy to their sponsored name) in amongst the normal offerings of non-league food they offered the magnificent Carrs pasties. Many non-league clubs – for example, Congleton Town’s Booth Street and Ashton United’s Hurst Cross – provide a good all-round refreshment hut service. Indeed many nonleague clubs do a good job in this area. A small number of clubs still remain in the Dark Ages of refreshment huts. I’ll spare them by name. But I’m thinking here of the Cheshire club that offered Cup-a-Soup, chocolate bars or crisps at a night match I attended. Or the Lancashire club that was one step up from this offering some basic pies. In addition, some of the biggest non-league clubs appear to have franchise-style operations, which offer a less conventionally non-league experience of refreshment hut. Most notably this becomes apparent through much higher prices and a less idiosyncratic experience. I’m aware that a focus on non-league food is a very particular and strange interest. But, as I’ve tried to point out, it is about much more than a pie here or a burger there. Refreshment huts are part of a routine and they represent in micro many of the things that make non-league attractive – the volunteering and the quirkiness in particular. It’s never going to be Michelin-starred, it’s not even going to make a food review in your local, free newspaper, but my hope is that the improvements that have undoubtedly taken place in recent years continue. And that the Great Non-League Bake Off rolls on. 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 JAN 21 JAN 28 Feb 04 FEB 11 Feb 18 Mar 04 Mar 11 MAR 18 MAR 25 APR 01 Apr 08 APR 16 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 AFC BLACKPOOL WHITCHURCH ALPORT Bacup Borough SILSDEN Sandbach United Chadderton Holker Old Boys DAISY HILL STOCKPORT TOWN ATHERTON LR Widnes CITY OF LIVERPOOL 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

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 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00

Result GK 2 4-3L Novak D.Brady 3-3D Novak Presho L2-4 Novak Greene W1-2 Novak Greene W1-3 Novak Greene 2-2D Hodge Greene 4-2L Hodge Greene1 5-1L Hodge D.Brady 3-5L Taylor D.Brady 1-1D Taylor D.Brady 2-2D Taylor D.Brady 2-1W Taylor Greene1 4-2W Walsh Presho 3-1L Walsh Presho 1-3W Walsh Presho1 3-4L Walsh Pegler 3-2L Walsh Tserpes 1-1D Novak Presho 3-5W Hodge Presho 2-0W Walsh Presho 4-2W Walsh Presho 1-4W A.Whelan Chojnicki 4-2L Brinksman Presho 0-4W Walsh Presho1 0-3L Walsh Presho 0-2W Walsh Chojnicki 5-1L Walsh Chojnicki

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

3 Williams A.Whelan Rigby Rigby Rigby Rigby Rigby Presho Presho Rigby Rigby Rigby Rigby Rigby Carney Carney Carney Rigby Rigby Rigby Rigby Rigby Rigby Rigby Rigby Rigby Rigby

4 Rawsthorne Falconer Presho Webster Webster Webster Falconer Falconer Webster Pegler Ball Donohue Pegler Pegler Pegler Webster1 Webster Donohue Webster Webster Webster Donohue Donohue1 Donohue Donohue Donohue Donohue

5 Falconer Rigby An Gillespie Falconer Falconer Falconer Webster Webster Donohue Webster Ogden Falconer Donohue Donohue Webster A.Whelan A.Whelan1 A.Whelan A.Whelan1 Donohue Donohue Webster Webster Webster Webster Webster Webster

6 Presho A Sheen Gr Pegler D.W Presho S Presho S Presho S Presho A Ashton W Davies P Donohue S Pegler S Ball Sh Carney G Carney G Tserpes G Rigby G Pegler G Webster K-B Carney Gr A.Whelan G A.Whelan G Presho1 G A.Whelan G A.Whelan G Al Gillespie G Pegler G Presho G

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16-17

7 8 shton Pegler1 eene1 Pegler Whelan Sheen1 heen Pegler1 heen Ashton heen Ashton shton Sheen illiams Sheen egler Sheen heen Davies heen Presho heen1 Pegler reene Sheen reene Cliff reene Rigby reene Tserpes reene K-Butler1 Butler1 Pegler eene1 Pegler reene Carney reene Carney reene Carney reene Carney reene Carney1 reene Carney reene Carney reene Al Gillespie

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

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

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

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12 14 Greene10 Alex Gillespie6 Williams10 C.Banasko Threlkeld11 Alex Gillespie Threlkeld10 Alex Gillespie Davidson Mavers9 Ball Mavers D.Brady6 An Gillespie11 Greene7 C.Lomax Ball Williams71 Greene10 Rowe2 Al Gillespie Bradley11 Hoult10 Alex Gillespie D.Brady S.Brady Tserpes8 Ball5 Cliff8 Ball2 7 Ball Ashton Presho2 Rigby7 8 Cliff Alex Gillespie Cliff8 Donohue Cliff11 McDonald9 Chojnicki Ball7 2 Threlkeld Ball3 Al Gillespie8 D.Whelan2 McDonald Chojnicki2 Chojnicki2 Pegler A Gillespie9 Woods11 Pegler6 Davies8

15 16 17 Threlkeld3 D.Whelan Al Gillespie D.Whelan2 Threlkeld11 Tingay C.Banasko2 D.Whelan Tingay11 S.Brady Ball2 Hodge1 D.Brady S.Brady Al Gillespie Pegler7 Ball Dutton G.Lomax61 Ball4 Donohue Rowe5 Rawsthorne10 Hodge 11 S.Brady Mavers S.Brady4 Novak Williams Jones Rawsthorne Ball Jones Falconer Al Gillespie Jones K-Butler11 A.Whelan Novak K-Butler10 Donohue Cliff6 Donohue3 Walsh Threlkeld11 An Gillespie9 Ball Threlkeld7 Ball Chojnicki Pegler Alex Gillespie Threlkeld10 9 Al Gillespie D.Whelan Pegler Chojnicki D.Brady Threlkeld9 Al Gillespie D.Brady7 D.Brady Twist8 Threlkeld10 Al Gillespie6 Worthington Hoult Twist Worthington11 Hoult

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Photo Gallery

Bacup Borough 1-1 Town Hallmark Security League Saturday12th October 2016

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Ste Rigby in action v Ecceshall (Hallmark Security League) on Saturday 29th October 2016

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U21s Match Action

21s 4-1 Manchester Central Cheshire FA U21s League Sunday 20th November 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

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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 DIVISION ONE - Player of the Month NATHAN FAIRHURST OF CHARNOCK RICHARD Former Wrexham midfielder Nathan Fairhurst has enjoyed outstanding form since arriving at Mossie Park from our West Lancashire League near neighbours Coppull United during the summer. Nathan has unobtrusively gone about his work in an efficient manner. His overall contribution, to what has been an excellent start to the club’s first ever season in the Hallmark Security League, has been immeasurable, and during November Nathan put in some outstanding performances in both league and cup. Whilst his work-rate and talented displays has been second to none throughout, contribution can so easily be overlooked by the spectacular efforts of colleagues around him in what is a well organised and competent team. What has marked Nathan out is the sheer regularity of fine performances - he just never seems to have a poor game.

his

Nathan’s highly efficient and polished performances have been a major factor in Charnock’s decent start to the campaign. He has gone about his business in a quietly efficient and highly productive way, and has been a key member of the squad. DIVISION ONE - Goalkeeper of the Month RICHIE MOTTRAM OF WIDNES November was another month in which Richie produced a series of solid performances, during which the team recorded impressive wins at Skelmersdale United in the Liverpool Senior Cup and at Winsford United in the Macron Cup. Richie played in all six games during the month, in which the team recorded 5 wins and a draw, and in each of those games was in top form, making vital saves at crucial points in the games. His ability to influence the attacking side of the game, with his long range passing off the floor and kicking out of his hands, has also been highly instrumental in the team’s ability to make the transition from defence to attack so potent. A previous winner of the award several times in the past at his previous clubs, including Runcorn Linnets and Barnton, Richie has again proved his worth to his team mates in all aspects of his play with his performances during November. Prestwich Heys Former QPR, Manchester City and England star Stan Bowles was a special guest at Heys home game with AFC Blackpool at the end of November. Bowles made 565 appearances in his career, and started his career at City in 1967 but left after a falling out with Malcolm Allison. He is best remembered for his time at QPR where he made 315 appearances, scoring 97 goals and he made five appearances for England scoring once. Sadly, Stan now suffers from Alzhiemers but still enjoys his football and posed for a picture with the Heys team before the game.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Match Report v Bucks In Luck as Town Crash Out of Cup A 4 goal haul from Ryan Cox sees Bootle progress. A routine 2-0 victory over Ashton Town on Saturday saw St Helens Town head into their Macron Challenge Cup division clash against Premier Division side Bootle with some kind of momentum. However it was always going to be a tough ask against a Bucks side that were sitting pretty in 2nd place of the Premier Division, and had recently been awarded the Club of the Month Award for November.

However, even though St Helens had made 3 changes from Saturday, they took the lead in the opening stages as a Luke Edwards corner found Andy Gillespie, who was returning to the lineup after illness on Saturday, at the front post with a free header. His aerial effort nestled in the far corner to stun the home faithful. However this surprise turned to relief for the Bootle fans as they countered immediately from kick off as the ball broke to Ryan Cox in the St Helens area to fire past Gage Walsh to make it one apiece after only 4 minutes. After these goals went in, the game settled down as the hosts started to control possession and dictate the contest. Bootle right winger Kieran Haligan started brightly and was giving Ste Rigby something to think about at left back, it was hit shot from range that was tipped onto the post smartly from Walsh as the hosts tried to take the lead. However they couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t create any more meaningful chances before St Helens had some good attempts of their own. Both of these came through Will Threlkeld, still looking for his first league goal of the season but came mighty close here. First he cut inside from the right before unleashing a shot

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Bootle that was well saved by the goalkeeper to tip it over the bar. This was followed up by a swift Town attack as he was slipped in by Danny Greene but his shot was again saved over the bar. Town were punished for these missed opportunities as another Bootle counter attack saw Carl Peers cross to the impressive Haligan to tap into an empty net. 4 minutes later Bootle added a 3rd through another counter attack. In almost a carbon copy of the 2nd just minutes prior, Peers again squared the ball this time to Cox who added his 2nd of the night. HT: Bootle (Cox, 4, 40) (Haligan, 36) 3-1 St Helens Town (Andy Gillespie, 3)

The second half started how the first side ended with the home side on top of proceedings. Bootle could have added to their goal tally however they had a goal ruled out for a push on the goalkeeper from a corner. The referee then had two more big decisions to make as he turned down two St Helens Town penalty claims for potential fouls on Will Threlkeld and Andy Gillespie. The home side were dropping off at St Helens looked to find a way back into the game, and they almost did so as Ste Rigby was allowed to surge forward down the left before playing in Andy Gillespie who teed up Threlkeld but his shot blazed over the bar. Town then had another chance to pull one back through an Adam Donohue header from a corner but this went over the bar. Bootle did add a 4th 17 minutes from time as a deep corner was met by Steven Hoy who nodded it into the path of Cox to swivel and half volley his hatrick. 9 minutes from the end a 5th goal was added and was arguably the goal of the night. Some neat 1 touch football around the area saw substitute Josh Hamilton square to Cox who added his 4th of the evening. FT: Bootle (Cox, 4, 40, 73, 81) (Haligan, 36) 5-1 St Helens Town (Andy Gillespie, 3)

The St Helens Town 2017 Calendar Raising Funds for Melissa’s Smile Fund

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Photo Gallery

Bacup Borough 1-1 Town Hallmark Security League Saturday 12th October 2016

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Match Report v Town Bounce Back and Continue Impressive League Form By Kieran Ford St Helens defeat basement boys Ashton Town to notch 4th league win in a row. Even with a resilient defensive display, St Helens Town bowed out of the Reusch First Division to City of Liverpool FC. Town had a quick turnaround as they visited their previous landlords Ashton Town at Edge Green Street on Saturday. Ashton have had a miserable season of late, only mustering 1 win and 1 draw in their first 17 matches and find themselves bottom of the table. With the bluesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; good league form as of late, this game seemed to be a landslide St Helens win on paper; however all was not as it seemed on Saturday. The regular 4-2-3-1 formation was proving successful again for St Helens as Paul Carney and Ed Pegler assumed control of the midfield battle. The former saw a shot from the edge of the box saved by Ashton keeper John Leggott and Will Threlkeld (getting his first start of the season) pounced to tap in the rebound, however his goal was ruled out for offside. Town dominated possession throughout the opening exchanges largely down to the extra man in midfield, but Ashton did have a chance from a free kick as Charlie Munro hit a powerful effort that Gage Walsh could only parry over the bar. St Helens right midfielder Danny Greene then made a surging run down the wing before pulling the ball back for attacking midfielder Threlkeld but his tame shot was gathered comfortably by Leggott. The home side then went down the other end and created a chance for themselves but Jack Irlamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long distance strike was saved by Walsh. The away side eventually took the lead with just over 20 minutes played. Danny Greene sent in a corner from the left that found his fellow winger and man in form Luke Edwards free in the area. His powerful leap saw the ball

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Ashton Town head towards goal with Joshua Ackers attempting to clear it off the line. However, the linesman had said the ball crossed the whitewash and the goal was given in St Helens Town’s favour. After the first goal went in, the Blues swapped wingers as Greene moved to the left and Edwards to the right hand side. This change proved beneficial as Edwards drove down the right before squaring to Dale Korie-Butler in the 6 yard area who was left with an easy tap in to add to Town’s goal tally. HT: Ashton Town 0 -2 St Helens Town (Edwards, 22) (KorieButler, 29) The second half continued in the same vein as the first, as there were many full blooded challenges that signified the fight and desire that both teams had during the contest. However the game did seem dead and buried by half time and as long as St Helens were comfortable on the ball the 3 points would be theirs.

Knowing they could afford to, St Helens dropped deeper and allowed Ashton to come Ashton Town 0-2 St Helens Town forward with the Hallmark Security League 1st Division intention of hitting them Saturday 3rd December 2016 on the counter attack. This almost worked as a swift move saw Will Threlkeld play a weighted through ball to Korie-Butler but he couldn’t direct his finish goalwards. After this an Edwards free kick found Andy Webster in the box but his improvised “chest” goalwards went just wide. Town brought on interim manager Andy Gillespie towards the end of the game, as he had been benched due to illness, and the visitors looked reinvigorated but the St Helens sub could only drag his shot wide. This was one of the final actions in a game where the blues barely looked to break sweat. FT: Ashton Town 0 -2 St Helens Town (Edwards, 22) (Korie-Butler, 29)

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Photo Gallery

Ashton Town 0-2 Town Hallmark Security League Saturday 3rd December 2016

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Manager’s Notes Good afternoon and welcome to today's game versus Bacup Borough. A warm welcome to Brent and all his players and staff along with the supporters of both teams - let’s hope we are treated to an entertaining encounter here at Prescot Cables. Three games since the last notes I wrote and I will start with the only league game we had which was against Ashton Town away in which we put in an excellent first half performance and then maybe our worse second half performance of the season but still come away with a 2-0 victory with another pleasing clean sheet. We then have had two cup games with the first at home against City of Liverpool and of course there ever growing purple army. The game itself was a very close affair with the away team scoring three goals in the last ten minutes to go through to the semi finals of the Reusch First Division Cup. On Tuesday evening we travelled to the Delta Taxis Stadium, home of Bootle looking for a place in the Quarter Finals of the Macron League Cup. After a very early goal from Andy Gillespie we then conceded three poor goals before half time. The second half we looked more like the team I know and after having two stone wall penalties waved away we ended up losing 5-1. Even though the scoreline looks bad I can assure you it was never a 5-1 game. Finally a big welcome back to Alan Gillespie and I know the lads along with myself and Nick will make sure we continue our good form. Enjoy the game

Lee Jenkinson Above: This week’s St Helens Star coverage of Town’s win at Ashton Town Left: Melissa and Kat (Melissa’s Smile Fund) with our Johnsons Toyota Liverpool sponsored car. Johnsons very kindly donated a couple of raffle prizes for a recent fundraiser at the Boars Head, St Helens

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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League News Goalscoring goal dust sprinkled around the Storks There’s an old saying that variety is the spice of life, and when it comes goalscoring, anyone playing Padiham at the moment will have difficulty in identifying where the goalscoring threat is likely to come from. James Dean has been leading the line with some success for the Storks this season, having 16 goals to his name, but in the last three games he has had plenty of company in hitting the back of the net, as he is just one of eight different scorers who have shared 12 goals for the Storks in those games. The Storks’ recent league form has propelled them up the table, and with goalpower apparent throughout the team at the minute, future opponents need to be wary of the goal threat posed by Steve Wilkes’s men. Purples to host Sky Sports Sky Sports' Soccer Saturday show will be at the Delta Taxis Stadium on Saturday for the Hallmark Security League First Division clash between City of Liverpool FC and Holker Old Boys. COLFC Chairman Paul Manning explained: “We were first approached by Sky Sports Soccer Saturday to come and make a short film about our club around a month ago. "We have been having discussions, both internally & externally since then, with the Macron Cup tie against Hanley Town an initial suggestion, but eventually we settled on the Holker game. "Everyone is excited about the exposure, which we think is great not only for our club but also for the Hallmark Security League as a whole and we know that all of the children that support the Purples are very excited at trying to get on the telly, so we are expecting a good crowd, especially as the two big local Premier League clubs are not kicking off at 3pm on Saturday. "Our main club sponsors Regenda Homes are providing the mascots for the game, Locker Freight have very kindly agreed to sponsor the match and Bootle FC have been very accommodating as usual, so all in all we looking forward to welcoming Sky Sports to the DTS and hopefully winning an important 3 points against Holker Old Boys". West host Christmas Miracle event For the second year in succession, West Didsbury & Chorlton are hosting their annual ‘Christmas Miracle’ event, when they host Winsford United on Saturday. The Christmas Miracle is run by West supporters Pete Jones and Matt Britton, as a way to encourage supporters to bring down friends or family who may never have been to a game before, and also acts as a thank you to existing supporters who’ve got behind the club this year. As one of the most exciting and successful years in West's 108 year history comes to a close, West, this year in conjunction with Musco Tours, a tour management and production company run by long time West supporter Paul Musco, are inviting supporters down to Brookburn Road to enjoy a free festive drink as they seek donations for Chorlton and Didsbury Food Bank.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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League News It Ain’t Over ‘til It’s Over….. "It Ain't Over 'til It's Over" is a phrase attributed originally to Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra, an American baseball player and coach who became known for his post-match off the wall quotes and malapropisms, and more recently, it was the title of a song written and recorded by American musician Lenny Kravitz. Whether in a sporting or a musical context, it's a phrase that can be adapted for a variety of events and circumstances, and it seems appropriate to refer to it now in the aftermath of Bootle's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Cleethorpes Town in the FA Vase on Saturday. Taking the lead in the 85th minute from a Ryan Cox goal, a place in the next round seemed to have been booked for the Bucks, but goals in the 87th and 90th minutes from Town’s Jonathan Oglesby turned the tie around in sensational, and from a Bootle perspective heart-breaking, fashion. It’s a tough one to take, but after a setback like that, the chances are that Joe Doran and his men will be even more determined to bring some silverware down Bridle Road and into the trophy cabinet at the Delta Taxis Stadium at the end of the season. Colls cup fever cranks up There was, of course, one good news story to emerge from the FA Vase at the weekend, with Atherton Colls progressing into the Fourth Round for the first time in the club’s history with a 3-0 win at Penrith. Victories for NWCFL clubs at grounds of Northern League opponents have become increasingly rare in recent years, given that clubs in the North East value progress in the FA Vase ahead of progress through the National League system, and set their stall out accordingly. That being the case, Colls’ victory was not only hard earned but very welcome, given that they are now the League’s sole representatives in the competition. With potent firepower out on the pitch, and the backing of the Colls Crazy Gang on the side lines, there are no better representatives for our League in the last 32 of the Vase, and the Colls Crazy Gang will no doubt be heading up in force to Shildon for the Fourth Round tie in January.

Hot Trot for Stott There can’t be many players anywhere in the country at the moment who are turning in goalscoring performances like Daisy Hill’s Ashley Stott. He followed up his two goals at Litherland REMYCA in midweek with a hat trick at Stockport Town on Saturday, taking his total to 26 goals for the season so far, which includes 11 in the last five games. He’s setting the bar high at the moment, but while he’s in this sort of form, Daisy Hill with Ashley in the ranks will be a force to be reckoned with for anyone in Division One. Cobbydalers on a roll It’s looking like there’s something stirring up in the Aire Valley, and the rumblings are of a footballing revival down Keighley Road way, as Silsden start to pick up some momentum under recently appointed manager Danny Forrest. Saturday’s emphatic 6-0 win at AFC Blackpool made if four wins out of six and three straight victories, with Saturday’s league win nicely bookending a Macron Cup win over Premier Division 1874 Northwich, and an equally impressive West Riding Cup triumph over FC Halifax Town in midweek – the same FC Halifax Town who played in the Second Round of the FA Cap at Eastleigh on Sunday. The Cobbydalers still have a bit of ground to make up to get within touching distance of the First Division play offs, but if they carry on at this rate, they won’t be far off before long.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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League Tables First Division Table as at Wednesday 07/12/2016 First Division

W D

A GD Pts

Whitchurch Alport

22 15 2

51 24 27 47

City of Liverpool FC

23 14 4

54 28 26 46

Charnock Richard

19 14 2

55 27 28 44

Litherland REMYCA

21 12 5

55 37 18 41

Alsager Town

20 12 4

46 26 20 40

FC Oswestry Town

21 11 4

42 33

Sandbach United

19 11 3

42 26 16 36

Widnes

19 10 4

44 35

9 9

37 34

Daisy Hill

20 9

43 47 -4 30

Prestwich Heys

18 9

41 25 16 29

Stockport Town

20 9

53 49

St Helens Town

20 8

47 43

Carlisle City

20 8

40 44 -4 27

Holker Old Boys

19 7

31 35 -4 24

Cheadle Town

22 6

11 43 57 -14 23

Silsden

18 7

10 44 40

Chadderton

17 6

Bacup Borough

20 6

10 24 36 -12 22

Atherton LR

21 4

14 27 53 -26 15

AFC Blackpool

22 3

14 25 53 -28 14

Eccleshall

20 2

15 28 71 -43 9

Ashton Town

19 1

17 17 61 -44 4

37 39 -2 22

St Helens Town Player Sponsors 2016-17 Anthony Whelan Focus Windows & Doors Limited Luke Edwards 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 Dale Korie-Butler Live Wire Electrical Alex Gillespie Walton Carpets Dom Whelan Walton Carpets Will Threlkeld Beer Engin, Whiston Stu McDonald 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 Wed 07/12/2016 W D

Premier Division Runcorn Town

21 17 0

64 24 40 51

A GD Pts

Bootle

21 15 1

65 30 35 46

Runcorn Linnets

22 13 5

52 26 26 44

Atherton Collieries

20 13 4

52 23 29 43

1874 Northwich

20 13 4

41 22 19 43

Hanley Town

24 10 6

53 43 10 36

Padiham

20 11 2

45 33 12 35

AFC Liverpool *

22 11 5

45 35 10 35

Irlam

29 33 -4 31

10 West Dids & Chorlton 21

53 45

Abbey Hey

10 39 38

Maine Road

42 33

Ashton Athletic

49 41

Congleton Town

44 48 -4 26

Squires Gate

12 48 61 -13 25

Alsager Town v AFC Blackpool

Barnoldswick Town

Carlisle City v Cheadle Town

Barnton

15 28 67 -39 23

Chadderton v Daisy Hill

Winsford United

Charnock Richard v Ashton Town

AFC Darwen

11 23 55 -32 19

City of Liverpool FC v Holker Old Boys

New Mills

13 33 52 -19 15

Eccleshall v Stockport Town

Nelson

13 24 45 -21 12

Litherland REMYCA v Whitchurch Alport

Cammell Laird 1907

18 18 84 -66 6

Prestwich Heys v FC Oswestry Town

35 32

31 43 -12 22

Saturday 10th December 2016 Premier Division 1874 Northwich v Runcorn Town Abbey Hey v Barnoldswick Town AFC Darwen v Bootle Ashton Athletic v Irlam

Atherton Collieries v Hanley Town Barnton v Nelson Congleton Town v Cammell Laird 1907 Padiham v Maine Road Runcorn Linnets v New Mills

Squires Gate v AFC Liverpool West Dids & Chorlton v Winsford Utd First Division

Silsden v Sandbach United St Helens Town v Bacup Borough Widnes v Atherton LR Monday 12th December 2016

Lancashire Challenge Trophy QF Daisy Hill v Chorley Tuesday 13th December 2016 Manchester Premier Cup QF Glossop North End v West Dids & Chorlton Mid Cheshire Senior Cup Semi Finals 1874 Northwich v Witton Albion

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016