St Helens Town v Carlisle City 2017-18 by John McKiernan

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Talk of the Town Good afternoon and welcome back to Ruskin Drive! May I open by welcoming our visitors from Carlisle City. I hope they enjoy the short time they will spend with us and have a safe journey home after the game.

Many thanks to today’s match sponsors John Iddon Transport Specialists who can also be seen pitch side here at Rusk Drive. Many thanks for your support and hopefully we will see you once again. We came back down to earth with a bump last weekend after the euphoria of the previous weekends victory at Nelson hopes were high that we would get a positive return against Daisy Hill here at Ruskin Drive last Saturday and after a positive start Town took the lead after 13 minute when Shaun Brady fired home his 11th goal of the season. The advantage was short lived and the old adage that you are most vulnerable just after you have scored was never more true as the hosts were in front for less than two minutes when Jack Burke’s speculative effort from distance crept in just inside the left hand upright. As the half wore on Brady had the ball in the back of the net soon after the equaliser but was denied by a debatable offside flag and at the other end Adam Fairchild made a good save but the ball broke loose and the resultant shot was cleared off the line. Town had a further let off before the interval when Fairchild was again called into the action for an initial effort with ball breaking to the far post where it seemed the visiting striker

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only had to make contact in the 6 yard box to steer to ball into the unguarded net but he somehow managed to miscue the ball well wide of the target when it seemed easier to score and the sides went into the interval level but Town were definitely behind on points. The weather turned from bad to worse at the start of the second half and Daisy Hill took complete control of the game with Town struggling to retain possession and it was no surprise when the visitors took the lead midway through the second half recently introduced substitute Nial Callaghan was found with a through ball from star man Michael Gervin and the striker rounded the advancing Fairchild before slotting the ball home. The game was over as a contest a couple of minutes later when man of the match Gervin fired a free kick home from 25 yards. The result saw Daisy Hill close the gap on Town to just a single point with both sides having played 20 matches and increases the pressure on us as we aim to avoid the bottom two places in the table and potential relegation although with the new division being added next season who knows what will happen! We must put last week behind us and move on to today’s contest against a Carlisle City outfit who we have yet to gain any return from in three contests so far since they joined the league last season. The two sides have already met this season Town making a the “short” midweek trip to Cumbria on a Tuesday evening in September and the hosts ran out 3-0 winners on an evening when the contest was closer than the score line suggests. Lee, Nick and the lads will know that they need to turn in a much improved performance this afternoon if they are to gain a return from this contest and with play-off chasing Sandbach United next up here in 7 days time the challenges don’t get any easier before the festive period!

Let’s get behind Town this afternoon and hopefully cheer them on to a much needed victory! Enjoy the game . . . Jeff Voller

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From the Chair Welcome to our visitors from Carlisle City for this afternoon’s game at Ruskin Sports Village. They joined the Hallmark Security League last season and in three encounters between the clubs so far, we’ve yet to beat them, for they completed a league double over Town last season, winning 4-3 on both occasions last term and won the game at Gillford Park in September this year, scoring twice in the last three minutes to complete a 3-0 win. The common theme in each game has been late Carlisle goals, so at least St. Helens Town will know they will have to be prepared for a late onslaught this afternoon if they are to secure only their second home win of the season. Carlisle are not the only Cumbrian side in the NW Counties League, of course, as

Holker Old Boys, from Barrow also represent the county. They were geographically in Lancashire until boundary changes in 1973, but Penrith were once also members. Next season may see an influx of fellow Cumbrian clubs when the new North and South Divisions are introduced at Step 6, so we can look forward to a few more longer distance trips North in the near future. If those clubs offer the same level of hospitality as we’ve enjoyed at Carlisle, then we have much to look forward to. December marks six months for me as interim chairman of St. Helens Town. I took over the job in June when the then Chairman, John McKiernan, stood down. I had rather more time on my hands then than I do now and whilst I was able to dedicate my time to sorting out some of the issues here at the new ground, the role of Chairman has proved too much for one man, especially since I have resumed my legal career. I still hold the nominal position, but the work itself is divided between a number of club officers and the club is still looking for a Chairman to fill the role. If you believe you are the person to fill that position, or know of someone who can fill that role, please contact me at glynjones1@sky.com for a discussion in confidence.

The club is not only looking for a Chairman. We are desperately short of volunteers, especially on matchdays, to help out behind the scenes, to man the paybox, sell programmes, act as stewards and ball boys, crowd control officers and so forth. Ask anyone in a hi-vis jacket for details. Glyn Jones

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Player Awards August Sat 12 New Mills Thu 8 Abbey Hulton Sat 26 Eccleshall Tue 29 Atherton LR Player of the Month

A H A A

Neil Weaver Shaun Brady Shaun Brady Andy Webster Andy Webster

September Sat 02 Silsden Tue 05 Carlisle City Sat 16 Oswestry Town Wed 20 Litherland R Sat 23 Prestwich Heys Sat 30 Daisy Hill Player of the Month

H A A A H A

Luke Edwards Shaun Brady Neil Weaver Neil Weaver Joel Douglas Shaun Brady Shaun Brady

October Sat 07 Chadderton Sat 14 AFC Blackpool Sat 21 Stockport Town Sat 28 Cheadle Town Player of the Month

H H A H

Paul Cliff Alex Ashby Shaun Brady Paul Cliff Liam Dodd

November Sat 04 Eccleshall Thu 16 Holker OB Sat 18 Bacup Borough Sat 25 Oswestry Town Player of the Month

H H H H

Paul Cliff Paul Cliff Danny Lomax Shaun Brady Danny Lomax

December Sat 02 Nelson Sat 09 Daisy Hill Sat 16 Carlisle City Sat 23 Sandbach Utd Tue 26 Cammel Laird Sat 30 Whitchurch A

A Luke Edwards H Luke Edwards H H A A

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The Prabhu Ventures Ltd Man of the Match v Bacup Borough - Danny Lomax with manager Lee Jenkinson

The Prabhu Ventures Ltd Man of the Match v FC Oswestry Town - Shaun Brady pictured with manager Lee Jenkinson

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Club Information Honorary Life President: Alan Wellens Vice Presidents: Jim Barrett and Steve Ball Interim Chairman: Glyn Jones Hon. Secretary/Treasurer: Jeff Voller (07843 692695) Hospitality: Margaret Wood and Paul Wood Other Committee: Andy Langley and Kieran Ford 1st Team Manager: Lee Jenkinson 1st Team Assistant Manager Nick Robinson 1st Team Physiotherapist Lisa Phillipson Reserve Team Manager: Keith Griffiths U21s Team Manager: Jay Campbell U21s Assistant Manager: Joe McCann

U18s Team Manager: Graham Arkle U17s Manager: Phil Fisher Sunday Team Manager: David Platt Main Club Sponsor: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool Legal: St Helens Town Limited Private Limited Company Company No. 04392840 Date of Incorporation 12.03.2002 Parent Company: A wholly owned subsidiary of Sporting Club St Helens Limited Company Director: Jim Barrett

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Managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Notes Good afternoon and welcome to this afternoon's game against Carlisle City. May I wish the committee, players and supporters of Carlisle a very Merry Christmas and hope they enjoy their first visit to our new facilities here at St Helens and have a safe journey back up the M6 after the game. One result to report on since my last notes and it's not good news again after another defeat this time to the hands of Daisy Hill in a game in which we took the lead with a fantastic team goal and then after that we decided to put in the worse performance I think I've seen since I have been involved with the club. We went on to lose the match 3-1 and to be fair to Daisy Hill who were by far the better team could have won by more. Our game was also the only game played in the First Division last weekend after the awful weather we experienced; so it does really go to show that 3G pitches may be the way forward and that the FA/Premier League could help grassroots football with all the millions they are making. After the game we all sat down in the changing rooms and some very strong words along with some home truths had to be said. We all started again with training Tuesday night and in what was a great turn out the lads put in a great session.

I'm hoping to add a couple of new faces to today's squad. We have secured the services of midfielder Mike Furlong from Rainhill Town. Mike is an experienced player and we have done really well to sign him as I know our neighbours Prescot Cables were very interested in signing him. I would like to finish by congratulating our Reserve side who earned their first win of the season at home to second placed Broadheath Central last Saturday Enjoy the game Lee Jenkinson

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Blast from the Past St Helens Town v Runcorn Reserves in the George Mahon Cup Final - 7th May 1949. Town ran out 2-1 at Prescot Cablesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hope Street with goals from Twist (pen) and Thompson in front of a 9000 crowd. Later the same day Town played their final Liverpool County Combination Division One winning 2-4 away at Orrell with only one team change.

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Half Time Quiz Q1. Which four grounds hosted matches at both the 1966 World Cup & Euro 1996 Finals? Q2. Which player holds the record for the most Premier League appearances from the substituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bench?

Q3. Which former Liverpool player has played the most Premier League matches without being booked? Q4. Which former Everton player holds the Premier League own goal record having put through his own net 10 times? Q5. Who was the last club to win the FA Cup featuring 11 English players in the starting line up in the final?

the top flight? Q10. Which player who can count, Newcastle, Spurs, Aston Villa & Everton amongst his English clubs won the PFA Player of the Year award for the 1998/99 season?

Q11. Which team have lost the most first Premier League fixtures of the season having been defeated on the opening day of the season 11 times? Q12. Which goalkeeper became the first South American to keep 50 Premier League clean sheets this season? Q13. Who is the only Columbian to have won a Premier League title? Q14. How many teams took part in the inaugural Football League Championship season 1888/9? Q15. Who was the last Welshman to score a Premier League hat-trick?

Q6. Who was the first player to score a hattrick for Fulham in the Premier League doing so against QPR in October 2011?

Q8. With which Spanish team did Philippe Coutinho have a loan spell in 2012 whilst with Inter Milan? Q9. Which season was the last time prior to this term that Huddersfield Town played in

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1) Hillsborough, Old Trafford, Villa Park & Wembley 2) Peter Crouch 3) John Barnes 4) Richard Dunne 5) West Ham United in 1975 6) Andy Johnson 7) Aston Villa 8) Espanyol 9) 1971/2 10) David Ginola 11) West Ham United 12) Heurelho Gomes 13) Juan Cuadrado with Chelsea 14) Twelve 15) Gareth Bale for Spurs Dec 2012.

Q7. Which current Championship team finished the first Premier League season in 1992/3 as runners-up?

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Match Day Sponsors

We are looking for additional sponsors on match-days with a host of benefits for both match (£100), match ball (£50) and programme (£50) sponsors including free entry & programme; hospitality, programme and social media advertising; pre-match photos, man of the match awards. Contact Simon

Opponents

Match Sponsor

Match Ball Sponsor

Programme Sponsor

AFC Blackpool

Johnsons Toyota

Macron Cheshire

Lanes Trophies

Abbey Hulton

David O’Keefe

Johnsons Toyota

Beer EnGin

Unite, St Helens

The Boar’s Head

Johnsons Toyota

Bacup Borough

Britannia Taxis

Johnsons Toyota

ODs Menswear

Cammel Laird

Johnsons Toyota

The Boar’s Head Unite , St Helens

Alsager Town Atherton LR

Carlisle City

Iddon Transport

Chadderton

Johnsons Toyota

Cheadle Town

Johnsons Toyota

Iddon Transport

Beer EnGin

A180 Darts

Daisy Hill

Unite, St Helens

Dave Wiggins

Johnsons Toyota

Eccleshall

Johnsons Toyota

Beer EnGin

Toast Cafe

FC Oswestry

Johnsons Toyota

A180 Darts

Beer EnGin

Holker Old Boys

Litherland

Stuart Pyke

Unite, St Helens

Britannia Taxis

Johnsons Toyota

Airborne Bathrooms

The Boar’s Head

Prestwich Heys

A180 Darts

Johnsons Toyota

Toast Cafe

Sandbach Utd

Unite, St Helens

Stuart Pyke

Silsden

Top Car Detailing

Johnsons Toyota

Nelson New Mills

Johnsons Toyota

Stockport Town

Unite, St Helens Johnsons Toyota

Whitchurch Alport

Johnsons Toyota

Hemsworth MW

Dave Wiggins

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Johnsons Toyota

Unite, St Helens

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Blast from the Past Action from the FA Vase Semi-Final victory at Emley in 1987. Town ran out 0-2 winners overturning a 1-0 lead their hosts had held from the first leg.

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St Helens Mind St. Helens Mind relies on our dedicated volunteers to help deliver and develop our services. There are many opportunities for volunteering within our organisation and more roles become available all the time. As well as helping to deliver our core service, befriending, they help at our social groups, with planning and hosting fundraising events, supporting people at the allotment and kitchen garden, or maybe sharing horticulture skills. Others use their photography and journalism skills or deliver sessions such as 'Reading for Wellbeing', arts and crafts and even sound recording. Other volunteers offer administration skills or will attend public events; raising awareness and encouraging donations. With a small team of just four part time staff, the volunteers are a valuable resource.

St. Helens Mind Manager, Gill Ellison says: "Many volunteers have been with us for a long time and their skills and experience means we have great confidence in them, to represent the organisation and raise our profile. After all, they are the people who are delivering services directly to the local people who need it most. We also have volunteers who have or are still benefitting from our services. They could be mentors to support people new to our groups for example, or help at awareness raising events to add a personal perspective."

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What our volunteers tell us: "I get a lot of satisfaction by helping others and it takes away my focus from my own health and other problems. I love the feeling of being with other people with whom I have things in common & the mutual respect and friendship. Most of all, laughter is the best medicine and there's loads going about in St. Helens Mind!" Dolly "I applied for volunteering, purely to put back into the community, offer a knowledge and experience that I had learned, and to help others that have the same interest and abilities." Rob "I volunteered because I wanted to help people and to give something back. It dawned on me after a few weeks that I was enjoying it so much, I was being helped as much as I was helping." Jim "I love being a volunteer. It gives my life purpose, something I've missed while not being well enough to work. I love doing crafts and creative projects, and helping others achieve things they didn't think they could do gives me such a great boost. Some days I find it hard to motivate myself because of my health but going to the social group always makes me feel better; having a chat and a laugh really is good for me. And if I go home knowing someone's smiled, feels better or has got something off their chest, because of me, it's the best feeling in the world." Sally

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Photographs: Action from Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home fixture with Carlisle City last season which took place at Atherton Collieries . City ran out 3-4 winners.

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The world This week Kieran Ford takes a trip down memory lane and discovers events that happened this calendar week in the history of St Helens Town, sport in general and world news. The week of 10th-17th December Last Season: World – 15th December 2016 Maple Mill, a historic former cotton mill in Oldham, is gutted by fire. Sport – 15th December 2016 The 2017 PDC World Darts Championship begins at Alexandra Palace with reigning champion Gary Anderson beating Mark Frost to advance to the 2nd round. St Helens Town – 10th & 17th December 2016 Town secure a 2-0 win at Bacup Borough before a 3-0 loss at league high flyers Whitchurch Alport.

Sport – 14th December 2007 Fabio Capello is appointed England manager. St Helens Town – 15th December 2007 Town return to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Atherton LR at home.

20 Years Ago World – 11th December 1997 The Royal Yacht Britannia is decommissioned after 44 years in service. Sport – 12th December 1997 Irish footballer Niall Cahalane is handed a 12 month suspension for assaulting a referee. St Helens Town – 10th & 13th December 1997 Town make It 5 & 6 games unbeaten by progressing in the Floodlit Trophy 2nd round beating Chadderton 3-0 before salvaging a dramatic 4-4 draw at home to Blackpool Rovers. The Vase Year – 1987 World – 15th December 1987 Channel Tunnel construction is initiated, and it is expected to open in 1993 or early Sport – 16th December 1987 Manchester United pay £900,000 for Norwich City central defender Steve Bruce. St Helens Town – 12th & 15th December 1987 Town are involved in successive 0-0 draws against Clitheroe and Burscough.

10 Years Ago World – 13th December 2007 Gordon Brown turns up late to the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon, prompting criticism from the media. The Sun reports that Brown's late arrival was intended to 'snub' other EU leaders, contradicting Number 10's line of a diary conflict; Brown had attended a pre-arranged House of Commons liaison committee that morning.

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50 Years Ago World – 11th December 1967 The Concorde supersonic aircraft was unveiled in Toulouse, France. Sport – 13th December 1967 United Soccer Association & National Pro Soccer League merge into NASL. St Helens Town – 16th December 1967 Town grind out a 1-0 home win over Horwich R.M.I.

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Match Report St. Helens Town’s hopes of extending their winning run to two games came to an abrupt end on Saturday when they went down 3-1 to Daisy Hill at Ruskin Drive. Taking the field without Alex Ashby and Liam Dodd, both suspended for 3 games after their dismissals last week at Nelson, it was another game where Town took an early lead, conceded a quick equaliser and appeared to have ridden out the storm and looked set for at least a draw, only to ship two late goals and slide to yet another home defeat. On a bitterly cold afternoon when all other games in the Hallmark Security First Division were postponed – even the match on the 3G surface at FC Oswestry Town – a goodly number of brave souls braved the conditions to witness an excellent, end to end contest, in keeping with the two previous matches between the clubs this season which had ended in a 4-3 win for Town and a 3-3 cup-tie draw, settled on penalties in favour of the Daisies. Both sides had won away from home last week, St. Helens at bottom club Nelson and Daisy Hill 5-1 at crisis-hit New Mills, so it was always going to be nip and tuck between these neighbouring rivals and so it proved. Town took an early lead, top scorer Shaun Brady racing on to a through ball to finish clinically past Craig Haynes in the visitors’ goal in the 13th minute, but that lead was to last only a couple of minutes. On their first attack, Daisy Hill’s Jack Burke let fly with an unstoppable shot from 35 yards, giving Adam Fairchild no chance, to level the scores two minutes later. That score inspired the visitors and they went all-out on the attack. It took a marvellous diving save from Fairchild to deny Sam Crook then, with Fairchild still on the deck, Owen Dursley saved a certain goal from the rebound, turning the ball round his post.

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Andy Webster was called into action a few minutes later, taking the ball off the feet of Jordan Donnelly with an expert last-ditch tackle, then Donnelly broke clear and hit the Town bar and had the goal at his mercy, only to blast the rebound wide. Half-time came as a relief to St. Helens but, shortly afterwards, they conceded a penalty, which Fairchild saved brilliantly from Donnelly. Town were leading a charmed life at this stage, clinging on at 1-1, due in no small part to brilliant last gasp defence, but also to the profligacy of the away side’s forwards. However, all that changed in the 73rd minute when substitute Nial Callaghan broke clear and hit a daisy-cutter for the Daisies, right under Fairchild’s diving body, to give them the lead and, within three minutes, Michael Gervin made it 3-1 with a fierce drive from close range which Fairchild got his hand to, but its sheer power made it unstoppable and, with that, the game had finally slipped beyond Town’s reach. The result leaves St. Helens Town in 20th place, only a point above Daisy Hill. The good news is there is no relegation this season, as Division 1 is due to be split into North and South leagues next season, with a huge influx of new clubs, the selection of which is to be made by the FA early next year. Glyn Jones

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Club Honours 1949 George Mahon Trophy Winners 1951 Lancashire Comb Division 2 Champions 1972 Lancashire Combination Champions 1973 Bass Charrington Cup Winners 1974 Watson Trophy Winners 1978 St Helens Hospital Cup Winners 1979 St Helens Combination Div 1 Runners Up 1979 St Helens Hospital Cup Runners Up 1980 St Helens Combination Div 1 Champions 1985 NWCFL Reserve Division 2 Runners Up 1986 NWCFL Reserve Division 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 2015-16 Cheshire FA U21 Premier Cup Finalists 2016-17 Cheshire FA U21 League Cup Finalists 2016-17 Cheshire FA U21 Premier Div Runners Up

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 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1993-94, 1995-96, 1997-998, 1998-99, 2000-1 NWCFL Premier Division 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 NWCFL First Division 2015-16, 2016-17 Wirral Programme Club National Survey NWCFL Programme of the Year 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99 Programme Monthly NWCFL Programme of the Year 2007-08 Soccer Club Swap Shop National Awards 2010-11 28th, 2011-12 8th, 2012-13 7th, 2013-14 8th, 2014-15 5th, 2015-16 8th, 2016-17 2nd

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

St Helens Town AFC - Player Records 1946-2016 Goals in a Career

Goals in a Season

Career Appearances (Qualification 250 games)

216 Steve Pennington

47 Phil Stainton 1963/64

448 Alan Wellens (inc. 207 estimated)

118 Terry Garner

46 Steve Pennington 1997/98

359 John Critchley (16 estimated)

108 Gary Laird

45 Jackie Kendrick 1973/74

352 Steve Pennington

105 Lee Cooper

45 Steve Pennington 1993/94

346 Gary Lowe (1 estimated)

101 Glenn Walker

40 Bob Potter 1952/53

345 Glenn Walker

94 Iain Dyson

38 Terry Fearns 2000/01

327 Jackie Atherton (122 estimated)

83 Harry McCann

36 Albert Leadbetter 1950/51

300 Jackie Cooke (1 estimated)

81 Ray Fairweather

35 Arthur Tyrer 1957/58

287 Gary Laird

72 Arthur Tyrer

34 Lee Cooper 2001/02

280 Kevin Grice (147 estimated)

68 Phil Stainton

33 Ronnie Rigby 1952/53

278 Jimmy Woodyer (67 estimated)

63 Mervyn Bull

32 Harry McCann 1950/51

276 Iain Dyson

31 Terry Garner 1950/51

272 Ray Fairweather (3 estimated) 265 Larry Redmond (134 estimated)

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2017-18 Fixtures, Facts and Figu Date Opponents Aug 12 New Mills AUG 17 ABBEY HULTON UTD Aug 26 Eccleshall Aug 29 Atherton LR SEP 02 SILSDEN Sep 05 Carlisle City SEP 09 HEMSWORTH M.W. Sep 16 FC Oswestry Town Sep 20 Litherland REMYCA Sep 23 PRESTWICH HEYS Sep 30 Daisy Hill OCT 07 CHADDERTON Oct 11 Holker Old Boys OCT 14 AFC BLACKPOOL Oct 17 Prestwich Heys Oct 21 Stockport Town OCT 26 LITHERLAND REMCYA OCT 28 CHEADLE TOWN NOV 02 DAISY HILL NOV 04 ECCLESHALL NOV 16 HOLKER OLD BOYS NOV 18 BACUP BOROUGH NOV 25 FC OSWESTRY TOWN Dec 02 Nelson DEC 09 DAISY HILL DEC 16 CARLISLE CITY DEC 23 SANDBACH UNITED Dec 26 Cammell Laird Dec 30 Whitchurch Alport JAN 06 ALSAGER TOWN Jan 13 Sandbach United Jan 16 Prestwich Heys Jan 20 AFC Blackpool JAN 27 NELSON Feb 03 Holker Old Boys FEB 10 WHITCHURCH ALPORT Feb 17 Chadderton Mar 03 Silsden MAR 10 NEW MILLS Mar 24 Bacup Borough MAR 31 CAMMELL LAIRD Apr 02 Alsager Town APR 07 ATHERTON LR APR 14 LITHERLAND REMCYA Apr 21 Abbey Hulton United APR 28 STOCKPORT TOWN May 05 Cheadle Town

Comp NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL FAV 1QR NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL FDC 1RN NWCFL TMC 1RN NWCFL LSC 1R NWCFL FDC 2RN NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL

KO Result GK 2 3 4 3.00 2-0L Bradley Presho Whelan Edzes 7.45 0-0A Fairchild D.Whelan Dursley Webster 3.00 3-2L Fairchild D.Whelan Presho Webster 7.45 2-0L Fairchild Presho Dursley Webster 3.00 1-4L Bradley Presho Dursley Webster 7.45 3-0L Fairchild Hope-O’Connor Heron Webster 3.00 1-2L Fairchild Presho Dursley Dodd 3.00 0-3W Fairchild Presho Dursley Webster 7.45 1-0L Fairchild Presho Dursley Webster 3.00 0-2L Fairchild Young Dursley Webster 3.00 3-4W Fairchild Presho Dursley Webster 3.00 3-1W Fairchild Presho Dursley D.Whelan 7.45 1-2W Young Presho H-O’Connor Dodd1 3.00 2-3L Fairchild Presho Dursley D.Whelan 7.45 4-0L Fairchild Young Potter Webster 3.00 1-1D Walsh Hope-O’Connor Dursley Dodd 7.30 1-2L Fairchild Hope-O’Connor Whelan Dodd1 3.00 2-3L Walsh D.Whelan Dursley Dodd TBC 3-3D# Fairchild D.Whelan Dursley Dodd 3.00 1-2L Walsh Young Dursley Heron 7.45 1-3L Fairchild Young Dursley D.Whelan 3.00 1-2L Fairchild Young Dursley Lomax 3.00 2-3L Walsh D.Whelan Dursley Lomax 3.00 1-2W% Walsh Young Dursley Webster 3.00 1-3L Fairchild Young Dursley Webster 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 Name1 Player name and number of goals scored 3.00 Name Player name and CAUTION 3.00 Name Player name and DISMISSAL FOR 2 CAUTIONS 3.00 3.00 Name Player name and DISMISSAL 3.00 Name10 Player name and number of replaced player 3.00

5 Webster Dodd Dodd D.Whelan D.Whelan Edzes Webster Dodd Dodd Dodd Dodd Dodd D.Whelan Dodd Heron Webster Webster Webster Webster D.Whelan Heron Lawrence Lawrence D.Whelan D.Whelan

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6 Dodd Presh Loma Loma Smith A.Whel Loma A.Whel McHug Loma Lomax Loma Loma Loma Smith Loma Loma Loma Loma Loma Lomax Baine Baine Baine Loma

ures

dd ho ax ax th elan ax elan ugh ax ax1 ax ax ax th ax ax ax ax ax ax1 es es es ax

7 Forrester Forrester McHugh Douglas Edwards1 Potter HO’Connor Ashby Ashby Ashby Ashby Ashby1 Ashby Ashby1 Ashby Ashby Ashby Ashby Ashby Ashby Ashby Ashby Ashby1 Ashby1 Baines

8 Lomax Smith Smith Kwofie Kwofie Smith A.Whelan Lomax1 Lomax McHugh McHugh Smith McHugh1 Smith Presho Smith Smith McHugh McHugh McHugh Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith

9 Lacey Brady Brady1 Brady Brady Brady Douglas1 Brady1 Douglas Douglas Brady2 Brady1 Bolton Brady1 Brady Brady1 Brady Brady2 Brady Brady Brady Brady Brady1 Brady Brady1

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10 Weaver Weaver Forrester Weaver Weaver Dodd Smith Weaver1 Weaver Brady Cliff1 Cliff Cliff Cliff Murray Cliff Cliff Cliff Cliff Cliff1 Cliff Grimshaw Grimshaw Grimshaw Grimshaw

11 12 14 Smith McHugh9 Young11 Douglas Kwofie7 Heron Kwofie101 Moody Edzes6 Moody Edwards11 Edzes2 Young Norris9 Edzes Moody Kelly11 McHugh6 Potter Brady7 Heron Smith Norris7 H-O’Connor11 Brady Norris Heron11 Presho Norris2 Heron Edwards Norris7 Heron Edwards Bolton9 Heron Smith Heron5 Hoult10 Edwards Bolton9 Heron Edwards Cliff8 Onhu10 Edwards Murray10 Heron Edwards Young Heron9 Edwards Smith8 Murray2 Edwards3 Potter Murray8 Edwards Lawrence Smith8 Edwards Lawrence4 McHugh Edwards1 Cliff8 Weaver9 Edwards Young11 Cliff Edwards Dodd9 Lawrence Edwards H-O’Connor6 Presho2

15 16 17 Heron8 Parkinson Fairchild Moody9 McHugh Young Young7 Weaver Bradley Smith Young7 Bradley Forrester10 McHugh11 Fairchild Forrester3 Hatton Bradley Weaver11 Kwofie Edzes6 Forrester Young McHugh6 Forrester9 Young2 Onhu Forrester D.Whelan4 Edwards7 Murray10 D.Whelan Bolton9 Murray101 Norris Young8 Onhu8 Murray10 Potter2 McHugh Hoult9 Dodd Lomax Potter3 Young7 Murray10 McHugh8 Walsh Heron Young7 Fairchild Smith Bolton10 Young4 Bolton10 Potter3 Fairchild H-O’Connor Potter10 Hoult Potter Heron H-O’Connor Dodd3 McHugh6 H-O’Connor McHugh H-O’Connor2 Weaver Cliff McHugh Salah7

Match Report 9 Man Town Claim Massive Victory By Kieran Ford A spirited 2nd half performance hands St Helens their first win in 11.

With it now being 10 matches since St Helens Town’s last win, they entered Saturday’s game against bottom side Nelson knowing that a confidence boosting victory was a real possibility. Last Saturday’s 3-2 defeat against in form Oswestry Town was a case of “same old story” for St Helens, who failed to put away the multiple good chances their play created. Having said this, Lee Jenkinson continued to have faith in his players, as a

familiar line up was once again picked. The encouraging signs of key players returning to the side continued, as Liam Dodd once again made the bench, and Andy Webster returned from his period of leave to take the captains armband at centre half. The opening exchanges started evenly, with both sides looking to take the initiative early on. Christopher Turner hit a shot from range that went past the post before jinking through many Town defenders, but he fired his shot over the bar from close range. Shaun Brady had a golden opportunity for Town moments later, but he couldn’t find a way past the Nelson goalkeeper when through on goal. Nelson looked the more likely to score in the opening 20 minutes and their superiority was rewarded as Alexander Grice headed in from a corner, as the hosts dealt the first blow in the contest. Town looked to respond as Alex Ashby cut inside from the right and played Brady through, he rounded a defender but his effort was well saved at the goalkeeper’s

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near post. Town continued to create chances through Brady. Matty Smith played him through, he rounded the goalkeeper that stood between him and an equaliser, but took long to get his shot away and eventually fired the ball over the bar. Town again were through on an open goal, with Alex Ashby rounding the keeper this time, however a tremendous tackle from Ashley Brierley prevented Town from scoring.

Nelson player Nathan Gibson on the thigh which diverted the ball past the keeper to give Town the lead for the 1st time.

HT: Nelson (Grice, 20) 1 – 0 St Helens Town

Lee Jenkinson needed to inspire his players after their first half performance. It appeared that he had done just that as Town started the 2nd half as much the better team. A succession of corners failed to produce a goal, but an Alex Ashby free kick from a tight angle that was fired through a crowd of players gave St Helens a vital lifeline. Town continued to pummel the Nelson area, with Shaun Brady having multiple chances that just failed to find the net, as well as an effort cleared off the line as a result of some heroic Nelson defending.

Nelson could only hold on until the 69th minute, as an Ashby corner from the left hit

Town’s chances of holding on for victory were dealt a blow as the star of the 2nd half Ashby was sent off for his participation in a resulting fracas after a foul. After this the tireless Shaun Brady was replaced by Liam Dodd who took his place up front, as Town looked to wind down the game. There was more drama towards the end of a game, as substitute Dodd was sent off for a clash with a Nelson player on the ground, resulting in more clashes between both sets of players. Nelson’s Christopher Turner was also sent off for his part in the incident, making it 9 men against 10 heading into the closing stages. Town managed to hold one for the last minutes and 7 minutes of stoppage time, helped largely by some terrific defending from captain Andy Webster, to claim their 1st win in 11 matches. FT: Nelson (Grice, 20) 1 – 2 St Helens Town (Ashby, 52) (Own Goal, 69)

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On this day In history On this date, the 16th December, Town have taken part in encounters across a number of competitions including league action in the Lancashire Combination, Cheshire League, FA Vase, Liverpool Senior Cup and North West Counties League.

The first game took place 56 years ago (1961) when Town travelled to Morecambe Reserves in the Lancashire Combination Division Two. The home side ran out 3-1 winners with Underdown hitting the Town consolation. Hoghton Road was the venue on this date in 1967 as Town hosted Horwich RMI in the Lancashire Combination top flight. The Town scorer is unknown but they ran out 1-0 winners in a very tight game. It was back to Lancashire Combination action on this date in 1972 as Town travelled to Lomond for what would be the first of four goalless games on the 16th December! Six seasons later (1978) Town hosted Prescot BI in the Cheshire League Cup 2nd Round Replay after the original game two weeks earlier had also finished goalless. Nothing could separate the two sides and another 0-0 draw ensued leading to a second

replay. A solitary goals from Town’s Stott secured progress for Town at Kirby Town’s neutral ground. The 3rd Round saw Town win 0-2 away at Leek Town (Richardson and Beesley) before eventually bowing out of the competition losing 2-0 at Winsford United. It would be over a decade before Town played on this date (1989) when they travelled to Darwen in the 3rd Round of the FA Vase. Goals from Shaw and Madin earned Town a 1-2 win at the Anchor ground which in turn led to an epic 4th Round tussle with Farsley Celtic which eventually was settled in favour of the Yorkshire outfit after three games (0-0, 1-1 and 0-1) The following season 1990 Town battled out a 0-0 draw at White Moss Park against Skelmersdale United in the North West Counties Division One. Five season’s later and Town edged a thriller at Hoghton Road as they ran out 4-3 winners against Penrith in the North West Counties League top flight. On target that day were Martin, Ungi, Pennington and Bickerstaffe. On this date in 1998 Town were back at White Moss Park this time losing 3-2 to Skelmersdale United in the 1st Round of the Liverpool Senior Cup. Gary Bickerstaff and Ste Pennington hitting second half goals for Town. The start of the new millennium (2000) saw Clitheroe the visitors to Knowsley Road in the North West Counties League. The visitors ran out 1-2 winners with Robbie Cowley hitting a 90th minute consolation for St Helens.

The last time Town played on this date was back in 2006 when they travelled to ‘Little Wembley’ home of Nelson FC. A goalless draw was the outcome of the NWCFL Division encounter. John McKiernan

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Thanks to

Dave Wiggins

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Blast from the Past: Town in action at Carlisle City on the opening day of the 2016-17 season (Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first ever game in the Hallmark Security League)

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Charity Partners The club has produced a 2018 Calendar which will be on sale very soon. At just ÂŁ5 each with all monies going to St Helens MIND. The costs of production have been supported by our programme printers Willow Design and Print Ltd along with 12 monthly sponsors. Our thanks go to: Abbey Plaster & Construction Total Building Care St Helens Gutter Valet Prabhu Ventures Limited David Scott Kealshore Limited SG Roofing Limited Sporting Juniors Charity TWC Consulting RT Diamond Drilling PJC Decorating Solution St Helens NOW

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Town Archive ‘Two for a tanner’, ‘Five for a bob’ was the cry that greeted me as I first remember coming into the ground as a child in the fifties. The selling of raffle tickets was as necessary then as it is now, perhaps even more so in those austere times. The ground was completely walled in by old railway sleepers and was highlighted by a semi-circular type arch above the turnstiles proudly bearing the name ‘St Helens Town AFC’ and to finish off, a flagpole bearing a ‘blue-peter’ flag was procured by some exnaval man, conveniently in Town’s colours. The late Roddice Winstanely used to charge 3d extra to go into the stand as LMS steam trains thundered past on the trans Pennine route. The more

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frequent locos being the Jubilee class, Napier, Seahorse, Resolution, Bihar and Orissa while Patriot class Sir Frederick Harrison and Southport were frequent visitors to the ‘Junction’. The smell of smoke, steam mixed with ‘winter-green’ which oozed from the dressing rooms was a concoction I’ll never forget as you walked down the track passing the wooden buildings on your right which housed the dressing rooms, office and refreshment canteen ran by Mrs Houghton and family.

At this time the site of the existing social club was merely the training pitch behind which lay a large grass mound which formed a mini ‘Kop’ behind the Hoghton Road end goal. In fact the entire pitch was surrounded by mounded bankings though not as high as the one behind the goals and there was also an entrance on the curve of Hoghton Road which supplemented the main ingress on busy days and brought spectators on adjacent to the near left corner flag. The first ‘Town hero’ I can recall was Harry McCann with Jack McGuirk taking on the mantle when Harry was prized away

to Witton Albion. Later years saw the likes of Jackie Cooke, Jackie Critchley, Maurice Topping, Stan Ashcroft, Derek Maloney, Ray Fairweather, Dickie Barnes and a host of other including Joe and Bill Pennington. My own humble football career as I reached my mid-teens then limited my ‘support’ somewhat but I came when fixtures allowed to join my dad whose loyalty was steadfast. I was lucky to play in three finals on here, losing two and winning one and in the first one when I was just seventeen, we actually changed in the original old wooden dressing rooms shortly before they were knocked down, my ‘claim to fame’ whenever the ‘old days’ are discussed. These are just some personal recollections on the notable day which I hope will spark a

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few memories. There are many more which could fill a book. Now there’s a thought! Jim Barrett Published in Town’s match programme v Vauxhall Motors on Saturday 29th April 2000, their last fixture at Hoghton Road.

Brief History Of Town 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 over 2000 that season, peaking with a league record 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 all-time club record attendance of “between 8000 and 9000” witnessed a friendly game against Manchester City, arranged as part of the Trautmann transfer deal, in April

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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 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

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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. Current club captain Andy

Gillespie won the NW Counties’ golden boot with 34 goals in the 2015/16 season and netted another 24 times last season. This season sees Town in their third season in the Hallmark Securities League First Division, aiming to put behind themselves two seasons of inconsistent performances which have seen them finish some way short of the promotion places, despite some excellent results. New manager Lee Jenkinson, who served his time under the experienced Alan Gillespie, now has a settled first team squad and with the club having endured seven years of a nomadic existence, ground-sharing at Ashton Town, Ashton Athletic and Prescot Cables, the excellent 3G facilities at Ruskin Drive are now up and running and backed up by a strong development system, featuring Under-18s, Under-21s and Reserves managed by a top -class coaching team, St. Helens Town are looking forward once again to a great future. Glyn Jones

In Town Today The Club was formed in 1975 by two ex Carlisle United footballers, George Walker and Ron â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Gingerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Thompson in order to "give local lads somewhere to play". In 1976 a reserve side was formed, followed by a third senior team in 1977. The Club maintained 3 teams for about 13 years then in 1990 set up a junior section. An under 18 team was the first junior team formed and by 2000 we had grown significantly to 2 senior teams, 10 boys teams and 4 girls teams. Today the club has 5 senior sides. in addition to the Senior side there is a Reserve side are in the Cumberland County Premier League, the Veterans compete in the Cumberland County Veterans League, Carlisle City Deaf FC and Carlisle City Mencap FC compete in the Cumberland FA Ability Counts Leagues. The clubs junior section comprises of 14 boys teams and 2 girls teams, all in all there are nearly 300 players at the Club all of whom are required to complete a membership form. The 2009/10 season saw a City ladies team compete in the Cumbria Womens league for the first time. The senior side joined the Northern Alliance league in 1975 and played continuously at that level until 2015/16 season when promotion to the Hallmark Security League was secured for the following season. In the Northern Alliance, City were often the bridesmaids and never the bride, as they finished league runners-up on no fewer than nine occasions. Incredibly, City finished second on four occasions in their first five seasons in the Alliance. In more recent times, the side were also runners-up in successive

seasons in 2013/14 and 2014/15. Carlisle City competed in the FA Cup between 1976/77 and 1980/81. Their best performance was in 1979/80, when they took Bishop Auckland to two replays in the first qualifying round. They also played in the FA Vase during the same period, and reached the third round in 1976/77 City have enjoyed plenty of cup success over the years, winning the Northern Alliance League Cup four times, and the Challenge Cup on six occasions. The last season in the Northern Alliance also saw a trophy collected as City beat Percy Main in the Final of the Bill Gardner Trophy. After taking over the lease of Gillford Park from Celtic Nation in 2015 the club revealed ambitions to play at a higher level. They applied to join North West Counties Football League for the 2016/17 season and in April 2016, it was confirmed that Gillford Park had passed the FA ground grading with their destination being confirmed as the North West Counties League Division One in May. The club installed former Penrith manager James Tose as City's new Manager for the 2016/17 season and he will be assisted by Jonny Allan who has played for Northwich Victoria and Carlisle United and was Assistant Manager at Celtic Nation before the club folded in 2015. City made their debut in the NWCFL in the 2016/17 season finishing in a respectable mid-table position in the league as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Cumberland Senior County Cup.

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roses can be readily determined as showing the city's Lancastrian sympathies. The descriptor “patonce” as it relates to a cross means that the cross has expanded ends. Its presence here comes from the Coat of Arms of Sir William de Carlyell (de Carlyle) who was a significant landowner in the 13th and 14th centuries with tracts of land in both Scotland and England. In addition to being landowners the de Carlyle family became involved through marriage in border disputes between England and Scotland.

Following the formation of Carlisle City FC in 1975 the club adopted the City of Carlisle Coat of Arms rather than having its own emblem. This remained the position until 2015. At that point, discussions amongst the club's Management Committee, and to mark the clubs 40 Year Anniversary, it was agreed that a Club emblem should be created to give the club its own unique identity, as the City of Carlisle Coat of Arms is widely used by many clubs and groups throughout the City. Various ideas were put together by a local designer, and these were then put to a vote amongst the members of the club. The decision was pretty much unanimous in favour of the current emblem and this was adopted for the start of the 2015/16 season.

The link comes from the marriage of Sir William to Margaret Bruce and, hence, a link to the famous Scottish warrior Robert the Bruce (King Robert I of Scotland) who led Scotland in the First War of Scottish Independence against England, which lasted from 1296 to 1328. This included the famous Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. We may say that echoes of this struggle continue to the present day.

The club emblem still contains the City of Carlisle Coat of Arms but this has been joined by the two C’s, representing the club name in graphical form, in the clubs Sky Blue colour surrounding it, the year the club was established and the motto ‘Pro Amore Ludum’ which translates from Latin as ‘for the love of the game’.

Sir William and Margaret had two sons of their own, one of whom was named Robert Carlyle, although any reference to the well known actor of that name is probably coincidental. The gold rose in the centre of the cross is the badge of King Edward I (1239 – 1307). Edward, also known as Edward Longshanks and The Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 until his death in 1307. During much of his time as monarch, Edward was engaged in rebellions in both Wales and, of relevance to this story, Scotland.

Carlisle is an historic city, having seen good times and troubled times over many centuries being, as it is, on the border between England and Scotland. This is referenced in the City Coat of Arms by the depiction, above the arms, of a distinctive mural crown representing the castle. The gateway denotes the geographical location of the city, close to the English/ Scottish border.

This device of a gold rose appears again in the City Coat of Arms of the supporters. These supporters are wyverns and we have come across these mythical creatures before as their presence as supporters in Coats of Arms is quite frequent.

On the shield we see a red patonce cross on gold with a gold rose in the centre and four red roses. The meaning of the red Season 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

League NTH ALL-P NTH ALL-P NTH ALL-P NTH ALL-P NTH ALL-P NTH ALL-P NWC-1

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P 32 30 30 28 28 28 42

15 16 19 16 18 16 16

5 4 3 6 4 3 6

12 10 8 6 6 9 20

57 64 78 57 104 56 97

54 37 39 33 42 39 83

GD 3 27 39 24 62 17 14

Pts 50 52 60 54 58 51 54

Position 6/17 5/16 3/16 2/15 2/15 3/15 14/22

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I did walk 1000 miles I concluded my column in the last programme with a cliff-hanger worthy of EastEnders: would I manage to complete the final 19 miles of the #walk1000miles 2017 challenge in time for kick off against Daisy Hill? I wrote that on the Thursday morning, then trundled three miles that afternoon and a freezing five in Rotherham on the Friday (passing Rotherham United’s new(ish) New York Stadium, and glimpsing the derelict Millmoor in the distance whilst I was at it). That left 11.5 miles to walk on Saturday, before three o’clock. I planned a pleasant route out to Billinge, over the hill (no comments, please), through Crank (and again!), past the cemetery and onward to Ruskin. As long as I started by noon, all would be well. Work could go wrong, for a start: a tricky overnight email and three unexpected phone calls prolonged the planned stint at the desk. Then pressing and ultimately irresistible demands to take part in a re-enactment of one of the most testing days in the history of Adventure Bay (when Mayor Humdinger of Foggy Bottom looked set to win the hot-air balloon race), using plastic action figures and a vivid imagination, cost me a further half hour. By the time I managed to swerve Paw Patrol put my boots on and crossed the threshold it was ten past 12. I clomped off through Sankey Valley, and up to Carr Mill Dam. So far so good. Then I met a convivial snag, in the form of a friend I sometimes go walking with. Five minutes of chat later, I made my excuses and left,

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hurrying up Old Carr Mill Road and past – yes past – The Masons. Then the snow started. The ascent of Billinge Hill reminded me of a scene from Where Eagles Dare, though without the Schmeissers, cable cars and Ingrid Pitt (sadly). Then the flurries abated to reveal a striking scene looking south, all frozen fields and soft, low sun, with an ethereal column of steam rising from Fiddler’s Ferry; I contemplated my place in the universe, for a moment. I was still six miles and only 80 minutes from Ruskin. I had alternatives: accept I would be late, or run. I ran – most of the way down the western slopes of Billinge Hill to King’s Moss, then much of Crank Hill toward the junction with the Rainford Bypass. It wasn’t very dignified, but it worked – I found myself striding past the cemetery and through Denton’s Green in good time for kick off. I wheezed my way to the ‘turnstile’, paid my fiver and clicked a pic of the ‘Welcome’ board to mark the occasion.

I had arrived wet and cold, and thought that things could only get better. When Shaun Brady put us ahead with an accomplished finish to a flowing move I began to feel merely ‘very cold’ rather than ‘bloody freezing’. The less said about the following hour of sleet-ridden sporting misery, the better: the highlight came when the ball was whumphed into touch – straight at me. I instinctively caught it, with approved goalkeeping technique, and fielded it to the nearest player. I’ve still got it – honest. Surviving until ten to five was almost as big an achievement as covering 11.5 miles in short of three hours in freezing conditions whilst wearing wet jeans and ill-fitting socks. I had walked my 1,000 miles, after all. I’d happily have done another ten for a home win though. COYB Ste Lingard

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How do we Compare? St Helens Town - last 6 matches All Competitions Most recent Home L D L L L L Away L W W L D W Collated D L L L W L

Carlisle City- last 6 matches All Competitions Most recent Home L W W L W W Away W L L L D W Collated W L L W D W St Helens Town games since... All Competitions Clean sheet 16

Carlisle City games since... All Competitions Clean sheet 8

Goal Scored

Loss

No score draw

Score draw Win

5 1

Loss No score draw Score draw Win

Home League Away League Home Cup Away Cup Collated Away Collated

P 1 2 0 0 3 3 4

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W 0 0 0 0 0 1 2

at St Helens Town NWC-D1

Previous Meetings 2002-03

at Carlisle City NTH ALL-P

NWC-D1

2003-04

NTH ALL-P

NWC-D1

2004-05

NTH ALL-P

NWC-D1

2005-06

NTH ALL-P

NWC-D1

2006-07

NTH ALL-P

NWC-D1

2007-08

NTH ALL-P

NWC-PD

2008-09

NTH ALL-P

NWC-PD

2009-10

NTH ALL-P

NWC-PD

2010-11

NTH ALL-P

NWC-PD

2011-12

NTH ALL-P

NWC-PD

2012-13

NTH ALL-P

NWC-PD

2013-14

NTH ALL-P

NWC-PD

2014-15

NTH ALL-P

NWC-D1

2015-16

NTH ALL-P

15/10; 3-4

2016-17

06/08; 3-4

16/12/2017

2017-18

05/09; 0-3

St Helens Town Scores First Games Played

St Helens Town Wins

Draws

Carlisle City Wins

St Helens Town Goals

1 0

Carlisle City Goals

Percentage Town Wins

0.00

Previous Meetings D L 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 2 0 2

F 3 3 0 0 6 3 6

A 4 7 0 0 11 7 8

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

Win % 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 33.33 50.00

League News It's beginning to look a lot like Widnes.... One club who have delivered some early Christmas cheer to their supporters are Widnes, who had a good week last week. First of all, a thumping 5-1 win over Southport in the Liverpool Senior Cup clinched a place in the semifinals for the first time in their history. Then, they followed that up with a 2-0 win over Barnoldswick Town which moved them into fourth place in the Premier Division. It's beginning to look a lot like recently appointed joint-managers Ste Akrigg and Kev Towey are settling nicely into their managerial roles.

It's the most wonderful time of the year for the Reds At this time of the year, men dressed in red attire capture the attention of many, and continuing that theme, AFC Liverpool are certainly worth a look at the moment. A poor run of form in September and October saw them plummet into the relegation zone, but in recent times things have started looking up, and Saturday's win over Bootle means it's just one defeat in five

games and 10 points from 15 for Chris Stammers' men. As a statement on the club website said after Saturday's game: "A first half to forget versus Widnes aside, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pretty much safe to say this side looks to have turned a corner".

Fairytale of New Sirs A few short weeks ago, it was looking like it might be a bleak midwinter for Daisy Hill. Bottom of the league, no away wins all season, and without a win since early September, it wasn't looking great. But all of a sudden, things are looking up. A cracking 5-1 win at New Mills brought back the winning habit, and on Saturday they proved that was no fluke by chalking up a 3-1 win at St Helens Town, even missing a penalty in the process. It's a marathon not a sprint, but all of a sudden it's looking like there's some momentum building down at New Sirs. Mistletoe and all fine for Charnock At this time of year, seasonal songs from Cliff Richard are often difficult to avoid, and Cliff's namesake Charnock Richard are also capturing attention at the moment with the form they are showing. Although the wintry weather has meant they have suffered a few postponements in recent weeks, it's just one defeat in nine game for Andy Westwell's men, and the latest win, a 3-1 win at Padiham in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy, clinched a place in the semi-final of that competition for the first time in their history.

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Throw in the fact that ace striker Carl Grimshaw has just won the Premier Division Player of the Month award, and it's certainly looking good for everyone down at Mossie Park right now. Blue Christmas looking good for Gate One team who spectacularly ended a bad run of form on Saturday were Squires Gate, who beat Barnton 6-4 in a ten goal thriller. Coming into the game on the back of three successive defeats, in which they scored just one goal, Gate rediscovered their shooting boots in fine style, hitting six goals in a game for the first time this season. If they can keep up that sort of form it will be a Happy Blue Christmas in the best possible sense down at the Brian Addison Stadium. 1874 Northwich - two Greens players achieved career milestones in the game against Hanley Town - Paul Connor made his 150th appearance for the Club, while Mark Jones made his 50th appearance. First penalty for Abbey Hulton United when Kieron Ball scored from a penalty kick for Abbey Hulton United at Stockport Town last Saturday, he wrote his name in the club's history books. By virtue of it being the club's first successful penalty of the season, it was also the first time that United have scored from the spot since joining the league in the summer. It wasn't the only penalty of the game though, and Ben Halfacre's spot kick for Stockport Town was also their first successfully converted penalty of the season. ‘Road to Wembley’ Heritage Boards Have you checked out our new heritage boards which are situated around the ground and feature our ‘Road to Wembley’ and ultimate FA Vase success in April 1987? Thanks to our board sponsors: Glyn Jones John McKiernan Dave Scott Flat Back Four Prabhu Ventures Limited Cllr. Keith Roberts

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Paul Pritchard The Clone Roses CWU Mersey and SW Lancs Dave Ashby

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Premier Division Fixtures

Premier Division Table Wed 13/12/2017

GD Pts

Runcorn Town

Runcorn Linnets

Hanley Town

Widnes

Charnock Richard

Bootle

Padiham

Winsford United

36 38

-2

City of Liverpool

10 Barnoldswick Town 20

Northwich Victoria

10 35

-12

Squires Gate

-22

Ashton Athletic

Abbey Hey

-5

Congleton Town

1874 Northwich

17 West Dis & Chorlton 18

10 36 48

-12

AFC Liverpool

46 49

-3

Irlam

10 30 36

-6

Burscough

-22

Maine Road

14 26

-30

AFC Darwen

-40

Barnton

40 84

-44

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Saturday 16th December 2017 Ashton Athletic v Abbey Hey Barnton v Bootle Burscough v West D & Chorlton Charnock Richard v Widnes City of Liverpool v 1874 Northwich Hanley Town v AFC Darwen Maine Road v Barnoldswick Town Padiham v Runcorn Linnets Runcorn Town v Squires Gate Winsford United v Congleton Town Tuesday 19th December 2017 AFC Darwen v Charnock Richard Irlam v Winsford United Saturday 23rd December 2017 1874 Northwich v Maine Road Abbey Hey v Runcorn Town AFC Liverpool v Burscough Ashton Athletic v WD & Chorlton Barnoldswick Town v Irlam Bootle v Padiham Charnock R v City of Liverpool Congleton Town v Widnes Northwich Victoria v Hanley Town Runcorn Linnets v Barnton Squires Gate v Winsford United Tuesday 26th December 2017 AFC Darwen v Widnes Ashton Athletic v Charnock Richard Barnton v Northwich Victoria Burscough v Squires Gate City of Liverpool FC v Bootle Hanley Town v Congleton Town Irlam v Abbey Hey Maine Road v West D & Chorlton Padiham v Barnoldswick Town Runcorn Town v Runcorn Linnets Winsford United v 1874 Northwich Friday 29th December 2017 Runcorn Linnets v Hanley Town Saturday 30th December 2017 1874 Northwich v Irlam Abbey Hey v Maine Road Barnoldswick Tn v Ashton Athletic Bootle v Burscough Charnock Richard v AFC Liverpool Congleton Town v Barnton Northwich Victoria v Runcorn Town Squires Gate v AFC Darwen West Did & Chorlton v Padiham

First Division Table Wed 13/12/2017

First Division Fixtures

A GD Pts 14

Silsden AFC

Litherland REMYCA

53 20 33 41

Prestwich Heys

53 26 27 37

Alsager Town

44 30 14 37

AFC Blackpool

42 37

Whitchurch Alport

16 10

22 32

Sandbach United

38 32

Cammell Laird 1907

44 37

Holker Old Boys

32 50 -18 30

Stockport Town

40 32

Carlisle City

34 24 10 26

FC Oswestry Town

40 47

-7

Atherton LR

-1

Abbey Hulton Utd

27 35

-8

Cheadle Town

25 34

-9

New Mills

34 48 -14 21

Chadderton

36 44

-8 20

Bacup Borough

-8 20

Eccleshall

25 46 -21 17

St Helens Town

14 26 42 -16 14

Daisy Hill

25 53 -28 13

Nelson

16 49 -33

39 54

Saturday 16th December 2017 Abbey Hulton v Whitchurch Alport Atherton LR v Silsden AFC Bacup Borough v Stockport Town Chadderton v Daisy Hill Cheadle Town v Eccleshall Holker Old Boys v Prestwich Heys Litherland REMYCA v Nelson New Mills v Alsager Town Sandbach United v FC Oswestry T St Helens Town v Carlisle City Saturday 23rd December 2017 Abbey Hulton United v FC Oswestry Town Cammell Laird v Alsager Town Carlisle City v Prestwich Heys Chadderton v AFC Blackpool Daisy Hill v Bacup Borough Holker Old Boys v Cheadle Town Litherland REMYCA v Silsden AFC Nelson v New Mills St Helens Town v Sandbach United Stockport Town v Atherton LR Whitchurch Alport v Eccleshall Tuesday 26th December 2017 AFC Blackpool v Litherland R Alsager Town v Eccleshall Bacup Borough v Nelson Cammell Laird v St Helens Town Carlisle City v Holker Old Boys FC Oswestry T v Whitchurch Alport New Mills v Stockport Town Prestwich Heys v Cheadle Town Sandbach Utd v Abbey Hulton Utd Silsden AFC v Chadderton Wednesday 27th December 2017 Atherton LR v Daisy Hill Saturday 30th December 2017 Abbey Hulton United v Daisy Hill Alsager Town v AFC Blackpool Atherton LR v Holker Old Boys Cheadle Town v Cammell Laird Eccleshall v Litherland REMYCA FC Oswestry Town v New Mills Nelson v Chadderton Prestwich Heys v Bacup Borough Sandbach United v Silsden AFC Stockport Town v Carlisle City Whitchurch A v St Helens Town

Charity Partner 2017-18

Next up at RUSKIN DRIVE Sat 23rd Dec 2017 Kick Off 3.00pm

Today’s Team Line-up

versus Sandbach Utd Hallmark Security League Division One

Next AWAY FIXTURE Tues 26th Dec 2017 Kick Off 3.00pm

versus Cammell Laird Hallmark Security League Division One

Today’s SPONSORS Match: John Iddon Transport Specialist Match Ball: Unite the Union

Programme: Johnsons Toyota

Main Club Sponsors

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool Charity Partner 2017-18

Charity Partner 2017-18