St Helens Town v Daisy Hill (League) 2016-17 by John McKiernan

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Team Line-Ups Saturday 4th February 2017, kick off 3pm The Hallmark Security League, First Division

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

St Helens Town

Gls Y R

Vice Chairman: Glyn Jones

1st Team Coach: Nick Robinson 1st Team Physiotherapists Lisa Phillipson U21s Team Manager: John McLaughlan

Matthew Knowles Daniel Gregory Ashley Stott Darrell Gavin

Wade Muscart

Richard Coley

Alex Gillespie

Hensley Mills

Dom Whelan

Joshua Fairhurst Mohamad Samha Lee Green Managers: Craig Thomas, Marc Thomas & Brain Hart

Referee: Mr M McQuillan (Wigan) Assist: Mr G Burke (Westhoughton) & Mr D Simm (Bolton)

Match Sponsor

Sunday Team Manager: David Platt

FREESTART SEO

Andrew House, Lord Street, Wigan WN1 2BN

Shirt Sponsor: Freestart plc

Company Director: Jim Barrett

Matthew Davidson

Luke Edwards

Manager: Alan Gillespie Assistant: Lee Jenkinson

U18s Assistant Manager: Terry Smith

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

Ellis Worrall

Adam Donohue

U18s Team Manager: David McNabb

Jordan Hussey Craig Naylor

Daniel Hennigan

Gls Y R

Kyle Hynes

Ant Whelan

Dale Korie-Butler

Interim 1st Team Manager Lee Jenkinson

Craig Haynes

David Parker

Andy Gillespie

1st Team Manager: Alan Gillespie

Eddie Pegler

Paul Carney

Trustee: John McKiernan

Red Shirts Red Shorts & Socks

Andy Webster

Danny Greene

Hospitality: Margaret Wood and Paul Wood

Main Club Sponsor: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Ste Rigby

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

Club Email: sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk

Adam Fairchild Andy Presho

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

U21s Assistant Manager: Lee Jenkinson

Daisy Hill

Blue Shirts Blue Shorts, Blue & White Socks

Match Ball Sponsors

Next Home Game:

Dave Wiggins

Hallmark Security League Saturday 11th Feb 2016, 3pm

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

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Town v Silsden

Edge Green Street, Ashton Town

Cover Photograph: Luke Edwards and Andy Gillespie

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 Daisy Hill. 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’s been a frustrating few weeks since we were last in action in a home game at Edge Green Street taking on Eccleshall this game looked easier on paper than it turned out to be in practice as Town hosted 21st placed Eccleshall but Town did enough to secure a second win of 2017 and move up into 9th position after the contest. The conditions did not help the game as a contest with the pitch being heavy after several days dominated by wet weather before the contest and both sides struggled to get to grips and retain the ball with Town’s usual passing game breaking down on several occasions and even those with the most assured touch in both sides showing less than their usual secure control. As such the opening period was not the most entertaining 45 minutes of the season but in spite of all the above the hosts managed to secure an interval lead. Paul Carney linked up with Dale Korie-Butler on the left wing and he drove towards goal before cutting inside and trying his luck the effort was on target but was parried by the visiting stopper with Luke Edwards latching on to the loose ball and he was able to take advantage of the prostrate keeper slotting home into the unguarded net sending Town into the break a goal to the good and taking his tally for the season into double figures. Edwards almost doubled the lead shortly after the restart when his assured touch saw him collect a corner, turn and unleash an effort on target which the visiting stopper was able to thwart him and Moorhead was also on hand to deny Carney who had plenty of time and space to collect the ball, turn and shoot. Eccleshall who are a much improved outfit from the previous meeting between the two sides in November huffed and puffed but could not assert any real pressure on the Town backline who saw the game out securing their first clean sheet since 10th December against Bacup at Volair Park. Since then we have been stymied by the weather twice with the scheduled game against AFC Blackpool here at Volair Park being postponed due to a frozen pitch and last Saturday’s game at Edge Green Street falling foul of a waterlogged pitch. Attentions turn to this afternoons contest as we take on a Daisy Hill side who have been struggling for form of late having last recorded a victory with a 4-3 at Stockport Town on 3rd December. Since then they have secured just one league point with a 2-2 draw at Chadderton three weeks ago. We have already met twice this season with the sides playing out a 2-2 draw at New Sirs in September and Town coming out on top 2-0 here in a Reusch First Division Cup tie at the start of November. Daisy Hill recorded their first win over Town in this fixture least season at Brocstedes Park with a resounding 6-2 victory and will be looking to replicate this form and get back to winning ways. Town will be looking to continue their (somewhat weather interrupted) winning start to 2017 as we try to push on towards the 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 Situated one and a half miles south of Westhoughton town centre, four miles from Bolton and five miles from the Macron Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers, the village of Daisy Hill first saw football in season 1894-95 although it is possible that football was being played in the area for some years prior to that date. The first known honours for the club came in 1896-97 when the Wigan and District League Championship and the Westhoughton Cup were won without losing a match. The location of the clubs ground in those days is unknown but the present ground was used during the first world war period when the club played in the Leigh and District Senior Sunday School League. The club then joined the Westhoughton League and during the 1920's and 1930's won many honours in what was one of the strongest local leagues at the time. Little is known of the period leading up to the second world war but the club re-formed in 1951 playing in the Westhoughton League on the St. James Street Recreation Ground/Cricket Ground until the landowner made an offer to the club to return to New Sirs in 1957. The acquisition of the lease was a major step forward and gave aspiration to move into the Bolton Combination and develop into one of the most formidable clubs in the area. Dressing rooms were erected at the ground for the start of the 1968/69 season whilst on the field the club won the Bolton Combination Premier Division on four occasions, the Bolton Combination Cup on four occasions and the Lancashire Amateur Shield twice during the 60's and 70's.

In 1978 the Club was accepted into the Lancashire Football Combination and with the advent of the Non-League football pyramid and the subsequent amalgamation of the Lancashire Football Combination and the Cheshire County League the Club became a founder member of the North West Counties League giving them the opportunity to play in and bring national competition to the village. With the National League System requiring clubs to meet new standards for facilities, new dressing rooms and a clubhouse for social activities were erected at New Sirs in 1982. Since then improvement of the clubs facilities has been ongoing and for the 2005-2006 season a floodlighting system has been installed which has allowed the club to remain in the National League System and return to National and County competitions. The club also comprises an U/18's Youth Team playing in the North West Youth Alliance and a thriving junior section playing in the Bolton, Bury and District Junior Football League. Notable players include: Dick Pollard and Billy Farrimond, both of whom went on to play cricket for Lancashire and England, Alf Watkinson, grandfather of the former Lancashire Cricket Club Captain Mike Watkinson went on to sign for Blackpool. ( Mike himself had the odd game for the club). Sam Marsh

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Daisy Hill FC (Bolton Wanderers and Bury), Alf Gray (Torquay United and Lincoln City), Greg Strong (Motherwell) and Danny Williams (Inverness Caledonian Thistle) began their careers in senior or junior football at Daisy Hill Football Club. Other notable people / sportspersons born in Westhoughton who may or may not have been associated with the club: Ethel Johnson (Great Britain Olympic Athlete), Joe Bromilow (American Olympic Athlete), Jack Bruton (Blackburn Rovers, Burnley, Bournemouth and England). Joe Clare (Accrington Stanley, Norwich City and Lincoln City). Tommy Woodward (Bolton Wanderers and Middlesborough), Francis Lee (Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City, Derby County and England) and Robert Shaw (Actor). Season

League

Pts

Position

2001-02

NWC-2

114

-65

20/21

2002-03

NWC-2

-51

16/18

2003-04

NWC-2

-49

19/20

2004-05

NWC-2

-7

8/19

2005-06

NWC-2

-37

18/19

2006-07

NWC-2

-40

15/18

2007-08

NWC-2

-58

18/18

2008-09

NWC-1

101

-62

17/18

2009-10

NWC-1

-5

11/17

2010-11

NWC-1

-43

14/18

2011-12

NWC-1

-8

12/18

2012-13

NWC-1

-26

16/18

2013-14

NWC-1

103

-60

18/19

2014-15

NWC-1

-11

8/19

2015-16

NWC-1

-16

12/18

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Chairman’s Notes Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to Volair Park, home of Prescot Cables for this Hallmark Security League First Division game against visitors Daisy Hill. Let’s hope their players, officials and supporters along with our own following have had a safe journey and are treated to an entertaining encounter. Many thanks to this afternoon’s match sponsors Freestart SEO who are also this season’s home and away shirt sponsors. I also extend a warm thanks to Dave Wiggins who is today’s match ball sponsor.

Green Street pitch saturated.

We’ve had a couple of postponements over recent weeks with our home game with AFC Blackpool here at Cables falling foul of an overnight frost and this has now been re-arranged for Thursday 16th February. Last Saturday saw our planned home fixture with league leaders Whitchurch Alport postponed due to persistent rain which left Ashton Town’s Edge

I must thank Mark Hayes and our friends at Ashton Town for coming to our rescue once again as we will host Silsden at Edge Green Street for next Saturday’s ‘home’ game with Silsden as the fixture clashed with a home game for our landlords Prescot Cables. I managed to watch our U21s last Sunday at Ruskin Drive as they entertained West Kirby U21s in the Cheshire FA U21s Premier Division. Having taken a 3-0 lead with goals from Shaun Brady, Danny Greene and Jake Ball the visitors hit back with two second half strikes to set up a tense finish.

On the subject of Ruskin Drive Sports Ground we are still awaiting a completion date but I can assure you everyone involved is working hard to ensure we are on-site and playing as soon as possible. As with all projects of this size (Ruskin is not just the new football stadium) there are inevitable delays. We are still looking for new sponsors and in particular pitch-side advertising boards for the new stadium at Ruskin Drive Sports Ground. The full year package (from the date of installation) is just £200 and includes the design, manufacture and installation along with a programme advert and lots of website and social media coverage during the sponsorship period. If you can help please let me know at today’s game or give me a call on the mobile number below. Are you a Goldline Lottery member? Just £1 per week helps support the club and gives you the chance to win £500 every weekday plus an extra draw jackpot of up to £5000. 70p from every pound is returned to the club meaning if we have 100 members paying just £1 per week we would raised over £3600 each year

Enjoy the game and cheer the lads on to three points. John McKiernan Chairman, St Helens Town AFC 07713 339 682

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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 29th January – 5th February Last Season: St Helens Town –30th January 2016 Town grab a 3rd win on the bounce with a 2-1 victory at Cheadle Town, with debutant George Lomax getting on the scoresheet. Sport – 30th January 2016 104th Men's Australian Open: Novak Djokovic beats Andy Murray 6-1 7-5 7-6 (7-3) World – 5th February 2016 Computer hackers try to steal 1 billion from Federal Reserve Bank of New York using Bangladesh banking codes, steal 81 million before a typo alerts authorities

10 Years Ago: St Helens Town – Town have no game this week, playing next on 10th February. Sport – 1st February 2007 Stuart Pearce is appointed England U21’s manager, replacing Peter Taylor. World – 31st January 2007 Suspects are arrested in Birmingham in the UK, accused of plotting the kidnap, holding and eventual beheading of a serving Muslim British soldier in Iraq. 20 Years Ago: St Helens Town - 1st and 5th February 1997 St Helens lose 4-1 at Nantwich Town before getting their first win of 1997 at the 4th attempt with a 2-0 home win over Burscough. Sport - 4th February 1997 Manchester United lose their defence of the FA Cup with a 1–0 fourth round replay defeat to Wimbledon at Selhurst Park. Marcus Gayle gave Wimbledon the lead, and Peter Schmeichel looked to have saved United with a last-minute goal, but it was ruled offside. This means that United will not be playing in the FA Cup final for the first time since 1993. World – 5th February 1997 O.J. Simpson found liable in the deaths of Ron Goldman & Nicole Simpson in a civil court action. The Vase Year (+1!): 1988 St Helens Town – 30th January 1988 Town defeat present landlords Prescot Cables 3-1 away from home, ironically where will be playing our home match today! Sport – 30th January 1988 FA Cup holders Coventry City are knocked out by Watford in the fourth round. Last year's defeated finalists Tottenham Hotspur are also eliminated, losing 2-1 at Third Division Port Vale. World – 3rd February 1988 Nurses across the UK strike over pay and funding for the NHS

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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

Most recent

Home

Away

W L

Collated

Daisy Hill - last 6 matches

All Competitions

Most recent

Home

Away

Collated

St Helens Town games since... All Competitions

Daisy Hill games since... All Competitions

Clean sheet

Goal Scored

Loss

No score draw

100

No score draw

Score draw

Win

Home League Away League Home Cup Away Cup Collated

P 1 2 1 1 5

W 0 1 1 1 3

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at St Helens Previous at Town Meetings Daisy Hill NWC-D1 2001-02 NWC-D2 NWC-D1 2002-03 NWC-D2 NWC-D1 2003-04 NWC-D2 NWC-D1 2004-05 NWC-D2 NWC-D1 2005-06 NWC-D2 NWC-D1 2006-07 NWC-D2 NWC-D1 2007-08 NWC-D2 NWC-PD 2008-09 NWC-D1 NWC-PD 2009-10 NWC-D1 NWC-PD 2010-11 NWC-D1 NWC-PD 2011-12 NWC-D1 NWC-PD 2012-13 NWC-D1 NWC-PD 2013-14 NWC-D1 NWC-PD 2014-15 NWC-D1 21/11; 2-6 2015-16 31/10; 2-1 18/03/2017 2016-17 17/09; 2-2 St Helens Town Scores First Games Played 3 St Helens Town Wins 1 Draws 1 Daisy Hill Wins 1 St Helens Town Goals 6 Daisy Hill Goals 9 Percentage Town Wins 33.33

Previous Meetings D L 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1

F 2 4 2 5 13

A 6 3 0 0 9

GD -4 1 2 5 4

Win % 0.00 50.00 100.00 100.00 60.00

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Ruskin Update

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Tea Break Teasers Q1. Which team knocked Everton out of the FA Cup last season?

Q2. Which former Liverpool player was Blackburn Rovers manager in 2008? Q3. Which team has conceded the most Premier League goals? Q4. Who was the first Spanish player to win a Premier League medal? Q5. Which was the only FA Cup final to have been contested by the top two teams in the top flight?

Q6. Which player was on the field for every minute of Manchester Unitedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Premier League victory in 1992/3? Q7. Gary Lineker made 41 league appearances in his single season for Everton (1985/6) but how many league goals did he score?

Q8. Who was the only member of Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2014 World Cup Final squad who was not playing in England at the time? Q9. Which current Premier League manager scored the winning goal in the 1992 European Cup Final? Q10. Who is the only player to have scored for six different teams in the Champions League? Q11. Which club has appeared in the most FA Cup Semi-Finals without ever having lifted the trophy? Q12. Which manager gave James Milner his Leeds United debut at the age 16 in 2002? Q13. With which club did Sol Campbell end his career?

Q14. Who knocked holders Everton out of the FA Cup in January 1996? Q15. Who is the oldest player to have scored in the Champions League?

1) Manchester United 2) Paul Ince 3) Tottenham Hotspur 4) Jose Antonio Reyes 5) Liverpool Vs Everton in 1986 6) Gary Pallister 7) 30 8) Fraser Forster (Celtic) 9) Ronald Koeman 10) Zlatan Ibrahimovic 11) Birmingham City (9 Semis) 12) Terry Venables 13) Newcastle United 14) Stockport County 15) Francesco Totti (38 years and 59 days)

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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 recently 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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Ste Rigby in action v Bacup Borough on Saturday 22nd October 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

Toast Café, St Helens

Britannia Taxis

Mon 26/12/16 Litherland REMYCA Sat 07/01/17

Holker Old Boys

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Connor McGinn

Sat 14/01/17

Eccleshall

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

LM Travel

Sat 04/02/17

Daisy Hill

Freestart SEO

Dave Wiggins

Sat 11/02/17

Silsden

North West Dog Rescue

Thur 16/02/17

AFC Blackpool

The Track King

Sat 25/02/17

Ashton Town

Thur 09/03/17

Alsager Town

Sat 25/03/17

Stockport Town

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

Whitchurch Alport

The Track King

TBC

Chadderton

Action Coach NW

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Stillia

Action Coach NW

Michael Allison

Stuart Pyke

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Town History While the history of St. Helens Town, since its re-formation in 1946, is reasonably well documented and with more than one or two supporters and ex-players still around to re-tell tales and give first hand accounts it’s been easy to maintain a degree of accuracy. However, the same cannot be said about the history of the original club which was formed at the start of the twentieth century and lasted until the mid-1920s. Tentative steps were taken in the summer of 2009 in a bid to unearth a little bit more about the club’s origins by Town historian and Vice Chairman Glyn Jones. An avid sports fan as well as rugby league and football programme collector, Glyn has set about gathering information relating to the club’s rise and fall over the twenty years prior to the great depression of the 1920s and he’s already been able to add some clarity to the club’s records. Club Vice President Jim Barrett said, ‘For as long as I can remember our brief club history, which is sent out to opponents for use in their matchday programme, made reference to the ‘original club’ being formed in 1903. Glyn has unearthed evidence that the club was in fact founded two years earlier in 1901 when they entered the Lancashire League Second Division playing alongside Barrow, Workington, Earlestown, Haydock, Chorley and Prescot.’

Glyn’s research has discovered the rationale behind the original club’s formation was to rival the St. Helens Recreation Club, which had a few years earlier changed from rugby to football under the patronage of glass company, Pilkington Brothers. Glyn has been able to detail the first meeting between the two clubs in February 1902 when over 5000 witnessed the 2-2 draw at Pilkington’s City Road ground. Other information revealed includes the club’s ambitions to join the Football League and their unsuccessful application to join the newly formed Third Division in 1911. Glyn has utilised a variety of information sources, some of which include pre-First World War match programmes. One example is the publication from the Chester v St. Helens Town Lancashire Combination encounter on 13 September 1913 which referred to the reverse fixture the previous week, which Town won 2-1. The editor said, ‘St. Helens Town have a very strong side and, if their Saturday’s form is kept up, other teams will go the same way home from there.’ For the record, Town were represented by: Talbott, Hall, Kelly, Platt, Hosker, Hunter, Ryder, Kelly, Jones, Benyon and Barton. Glyn said, ‘There’s obviously a lot of information out there about the current and original St. Helens Town clubs and it would be nice to try and fill in a few gaps, especially in the club’s early history.’ He added, ‘I have been loaned a ‘Cash Book’ from the original club covering a period of approximately four seasons up to 1916 and this details Town teams, opposition, venues, dates as well as the monies paid to players as ‘wages’ and expenses to cover ‘loss of earnings’. It’s proved to be a real insight into the economy of the club at the time and is part of the club and the Town’s social history. More importantly it has proved the club played during the First World War when it had previously been assumed their activities has been suspended.’ Anyone with information about the history of St. Helens Town, photographs, match programmes, family connections and stories to tell, etc should email Glyn Jones at glynjones1@sky.com or call him on 07764 655460.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Results Grid Hallmark Security League First Division Results Grid Up to and including Sat 28th January 2017

AFC Blackpool Alsager Town Ashton Town Atherton LR Carlisle City

Chadderton

Chrnock Richard Cheadle Town

City of Liverpool Daisy Hill

Eccleshall

0-6 1-3

3-1

0-2

0-1 2-4

0-1 1-2

Widnes

0-5

1-2 3-1

1-3 0-1 4-2

0-2 2-1 1-1

Stocjport Town

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

Whitchurch Alport

0-1

0-4

St Helens Town

3-3 1-3

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

1-3

2-3 3-0

1-3 2-2 2-3

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

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

5-4 2-2 5-2

2-2

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

0-1

1-4

0-3 2-0 1-2

2-1

1-0 6-1 2-4

3-5 1-4

2-2

1-5

0-1 2-0 0-3

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

1-1 1-3 5-4 X

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

Silsden

X 5-4 2-5

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

1-2

1-6

1-2

1-3

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

2-2 3-0

2-1 1-2

Sandbach United

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

1-0

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

1-1

0-3 3-0

1-1

0-3 1-4

1-3

2-5

1-5 2-3

3-0 2-1

1-4

2-0 3-0 0-1

2-0

1-3

0-1 2-2

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

2-3 1-2

2-1

3-2 1-2

2-0

1-1

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

0-3 3-2

5-2 5-2

1-0

0-0

2-2

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

0-2 7-2

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

Prestwich Heys

1-2

0-5 2-1

Litherland REMYCA

3-0 2-2

0-1

Holker Old Boys

3-1

0-4 4-4 5-4

1-0

4-2 2-0

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

3-1 1-2

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

3-1 3-4

FC Oswestry Town

1-5 1-3 0-1

2-0

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

Bacup Borough

AFC Blackpool 2-3

3-1 3-1 5-0

6-1

Daisy Hill 2-2

2-3 2-1

0-3

1-1 1-0

3-0 0-4 X X

1-4 2-3

1-3

Ashton Town 0-2 2-1 4-0 4-2 3-0 0-0

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

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

3-1

Alsager Town Atherton LR Carlisle City

Bacup Borough

Chadderton Cheadle Town

Charnock Richard

Eccleshall

0-1

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

FC Oswestry

3-0 4-2

City of Liverpool

Holker Old Boys

2-2

6-0 3-2

3-0

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

Litherland REMYCA

6-0 5-0 4-0

3-1 3-2

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

2-1 1-2

5-2

0-1 1-2

Prestwich Heys Sandbach Uunited Silsden Stockport Town

7-0 1-4

St Helens Town

Widnes

Whitchurch Alport

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Photo Gallery

Town 2-0 Daisy Hill Reusch 1st Division Cup Saturday 5th November 2016

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Match Statistics 201 Date Opponents Comp KO Result GK 2 3 4 5 Aug 06 Carlisle City NWCFL 3.00 4-3L Novak D.Brady Williams Rawsthorne Falconer Aug 13 Cheadle Town NWCFL 3.00 3-3D Novak Presho A.Whelan Falconer Rigby AUG 18 SANDBACH UNITED NWCFL 7.45 L2-4 Novak Greene Rigby Presho An Gillespie Aug 20 Litherland REMYCA NWCFL 3.00 W1-2 Novak Greene Rigby Webster Falconer Aug 27 Charnock Richard NWCFL 3.00 W1-3 Novak Greene Rigby Webster Falconer SEP 01 PRESTWICH HEYS NWCFL 7.45 2-2D Hodge Greene Rigby Webster Falconer Sep 03 Atherton LR NWCFL 3.00 4-2L Hodge Greene1 Rigby Falconer Webster Sep 06 City of Liverpool NWCFL 7.45 5-1L Hodge D.Brady Presho Falconer Webster SEP 10 CHADDERTON FAV 1QR 3.00 3-5L Taylor D.Brady Presho Webster Donohue SEP 15 WIDNES NWCFL 7.45 1-1D Taylor D.Brady Rigby Pegler Webster Sep 17 Daisy Hill NWCFL 3.00 2-2D Taylor D.Brady Rigby Ball Ogden SEP24 FC OSWESTRY TOWN NWCFL 3.00 2-1W Taylor Greene1 Rigby Donohue Falconer OCT 01 AFC DARWEN TMC 1R 3.00 4-2W Walsh Presho Rigby Pegler Donohue Oct 08 Alsager Town NWCFL 3.00 3-1L Walsh Presho Rigby Pegler Donohue Oct 11 AFC Blackpool NWCFL 7.45 1-3W Walsh Presho1 Carney Pegler Webster OCT 15 CARLISLE CITY NWCFL 3.00 3-4L Walsh Pegler Carney Webster1 A.Whelan Oct 18 FC Oswestry Town NWCFL 7.45 3-2L Walsh Tserpes Carney Webster A.Whelan1 OCT 22 Bacup Borough NWCFL 3.00 1-1D Novak Presho Rigby Donohue A.Whelan Oct 29 Eccleshall TMC 2R 3.00 3-5W Hodge Presho Rigby Webster A.Whelan1 NOV 05 Daisy Hill RFDC 2R 3.00 2-0W Walsh Presho Rigby Webster Donohue NOV 10 CHEADLE TOWN NWCFL 7.45 4-2W Walsh Presho Rigby Webster Donohue Nov12 Silsden NWCFL 3.00 1-4W A.Whelan Chojnicki Rigby Donohue Webster Nov 16 Litherland REMYCA LS Cup 7.45 4-2L Brinksman Presho Rigby Donohue1 Webster Nov 19 Eccleshall NWCFL 3.00 0-4W Walsh Presho1 Rigby Donohue Webster DEC 01 CITY OF LIVEPOOL NWCFL 7.45 0-3L Walsh Presho Rigby Donohue Webster Dec 03 Ashton Town NWCFL 3.00 0-2W Walsh Chojnicki Rigby Donohue Webster Dec 06 Bootle TMC 3R 7.45 5-1L Walsh Chojnicki Rigby Donohue Webster DEC 10 BACUP BOROUGH NWCFL 3.00 2-0W Fairchild Presho Rigby Donohue Webster Dec 17 Whitchurch Alport NWCFL 3.00 3-0L Fairchild Presho Rigby Webster Donohue DEC 26 LITHERLAND REMCYA NWCFL 3.00 2-4L Fairchild Muscart Presho Webster1 Donohue Dec 30 Prestwich Heys NWCFL 7.45 3-0L Fairchild Muscart Rigby Webster Donohue JAN 07 HOLKER OLD BOYS NWCFL 3.00 4-2W Fairchild Presho Rigby Webster Pegler JAN 14 ECCLESHALL NWCFL 3.00 1-0W Fairchild Presho Rigby Webster Pegler FEB 04 DAISY HILL NWCFL 3.00 FEB 11 SILSDEN NWCFL 3.00 FEB 16 AFC BLACKPOOL NWCFL 3.00 Feb 18 Sandbach United NWCFL 3.00 FEB 25 ASHTON TOWN NWCFL 3.00 Mar 04 Chadderton NWCFL 3.00 MAR 09 ALSAGER TOWN NWCFL 7.45 Mar 11 Holker Old Boys NWCFL 3.00 MAR 25 STOCKPORT TOWN NWCFL 3.00 APR 01 ATHERTON LR NWCFL 7.45 Apr 08 Widnes NWCFL 3.00 APR 16 CITY OF LIVERPOOL NWCFL 3.00 Apr 22 Stockport Town NWCFL 3.00 APR 29 CHARNOCK RICHARD NWCFL 3.00

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

6 7 Presho Ash Sheen Gree Pegler D.Wh Presho She Presho She Presho She Presho Ash Ashton Willi Davies Peg Donohue She Pegler She Ball She Carney Gre Carney Gre Tserpes Gre Rigby Gre Pegler Gre Webster K-Bu Carney Gree A.Whelan Gre A.Whelan Gre Presho1 Gre A.Whelan Gre A.Whelan Gre Al Gillespie Gre Pegler Gre Presho Gre A.Whelan1 Gre Davies Peg Al Gillespie Gre Al Gillespie Gre A.Whelan Carn A.Whelan Gre

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16-17

7 8 hton Pegler1 ene1 Pegler helan Sheen1 een Pegler1 een Ashton een Ashton hton Sheen iams Sheen gler Sheen een Davies een Presho een1 Pegler eene Sheen eene Cliff eene Rigby eene Tserpes eene K-Butler1 utler1 Pegler ene1 Pegler eene Carney eene Carney eene Carney eene Carney eene Carney1 eene Carney eene Carney eene Al Gillespie eene Pegler gler Greene eene Threlkeld eene Presho ney1 Greene eene Carney

Name1

Player name and number of goals scored

Name

Player name and CAUTION

Name

Player name and DISMISSAL FOR 2 CAUTIONS

Name

Player name and DISMISSAL

Name10

Player name and number of replaced player

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

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

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

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12 14 15 Greene10 Alex Gillespie6 Threlkeld3 Williams10 C.Banasko Al Gillespie Threlkeld11 Alex Gillespie Tingay Threlkeld10 Alex Gillespie D.Whelan Davidson Mavers9 S.Brady Ball Mavers D.Brady D.Brady6 An Gillespie11 Pegler7 7 Greene C.Lomax G.Lomax61 Ball Williams71 Rowe5 10 2 Greene Rowe S.Brady11 Al Gillespie Bradley11 S.Brady4 10 Hoult Alex Gillespie Williams D.Brady S.Brady Rawsthorne Tserpes8 Ball5 Falconer Cliff8 Ball2 K-Butler11 Ball7 Ashton K-Butler10 Presho2 Rigby7 Donohue3 Cliff8 Alex Gillespie Cliff8 Donohue Threlkeld11 Cliff11 McDonald9 Threlkeld7 Chojnicki Ball7 Pegler Threlkeld2 Ball3 Al Gillespie9 Al Gillespie8 D.Whelan2 Pegler McDonald Chojnicki2 Threlkeld9 Chojnicki2 Pegler D.Brady A Gillespie9 Woods11 Al Gillespie6 Pegler6 Davies8 Twist Chojnicki2 Al Gillespie10 Hoult Hoult10 Worthington11 Cullen7 A Gillespie Heron7 Worthington2 Threlkeld6 D.Whelan2 Worthington Muscart10 Alex Gillespie6 Donohue6 Muscart Al Gillespie10 D.Whelan8

16 17 D.Whelan D.Whelan2 Threlkeld11 C.Banasko2 Tingay11 Ball2 Hodge1 S.Brady Al Gillespie Ball Dutton Ball4 Donohue Rawsthorne10 Hodge Mavers Novak Jones Ball Jones Al Gillespie Jones A.Whelan Novak Donohue Cliff6 Walsh An Gillespie9 Ball Ball Chojnicki Alex Gillespie Threlkeld10 D.Whelan Chojnicki D.Brady Al Gillespie D.Brady7 Twist8 Threlkeld10 Worthington Hoult Worthington11 Hoult Threlkeld11 Worthington Heron Hoult11 Hoult10 Walsh Hennigan Preston Hennigan?

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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On this day!

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

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Luke Edwards in action v Alsager Town (Hallmark Security Lge) on Saturday 8th October 2016

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Club News

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

on sale at today’s game £5 with all proceeds going to Melissa

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

A Brief History The original St. Helens Town club was formed in 1901 and played at Park Road, behind the Primrose Vaults public house. Although it was known as the Primrose Ground, the players changed further down Park Road at the Black Horse pub. Playing in the Lancashire League and Lancashire Combination, the team enjoyed some early success, but struggled after the Great War and appears to have folded midway through the 1928/29 season. The club was re-formed by George Fryer and a group of local businessmen in 1946. They took out a lease of the former cricket ground at Hoghton Road, Sutton, adjacent to the St. Helens Junction railway station and, although it entered in the FA Cup in the 1946/47 season, a team could not be raised in time to fulfil its tie with Prescot Cables. Friendly games were played, then local team Derbyshire Hill Rovers were taken over in April 1947, those players forming the nucleus of the team which entered the Liverpool County Combination at the start of the 1947/48 season. St. Helens Town soon began to prosper and early results included a sensational 10-4 win over Everton “A” on 6th December 1947. Former German prisoner-of-war Bert Trautmann joined the club in the Summer of 1948, the strapping goalkeeper helping the team to win its first trophy, the George Mahon Cup, which was secured with a 2-1 win over Runcorn at Prescot on 7th May 1949. Crowds averaged Tommy O’Neil over 2000 that season, peaking with a league record Wembley,1987 attendance of 3012 against Burscough in October 1948. The following season, 1949/50, Town entered the Lancashire Combination and, despite losing Trautmann to Manchester City in October 1949, they won the Second Division title in some style the following season, three players, Albert Leadbetter (36), Harry McCann (32) and Terry Garner (31) all netting over 30 goals apiece. An alltime club record attendance of “between 8000 and 9000” witnessed a friendly game against Manchester City, arranged as part of the Trautmann transfer deal, in April 1950 and another 4000 witnessed a second match with City the following season. Although relegated by a slender margin from the First Division in 1951/52, the club continued to look forward, even contemplating Football League status and, in order to further its ambitions, moved to the former St. Helens Recs. rugby league ground at City Road. Initial crowds were encouraging but, despite success, the club decided to move back to Hoghton Road in October 1953, where they remained until April 2000. Town produced a number of fine players who joined Football League clubs, including Bill Foulkes (Manchester United), John Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday) and John Connelly who joined Burnley, later transferring to Manchester United and who played in the England 1966 World Cup winning squad. More recently, Dave Bamber scored goals in all four divisions of the league with a host of different clubs, starting and ending his league career at Blackpool and in the last few years, Karl Ledsham, who had a productive career at conference level with Southport, Lincoln City, Barrow and Stockport County before moving to the USA. Following a second relegation in 1956, St. Helens Town continued to play in the Lancashire Combination, winning the Championship in 1971/72, by nine points ahead of Accrington Stanley. However, the formation of the Northern Premier League in 1968 led to a gradual drain of stronger clubs from the Combination and St. Helens joined the Cheshire League in 1975, becoming founder members of the North West Counties League seven years later. They held the proud record of being the only club to play in the NW Counties’ top flight every season until they were relegated in April

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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of St Helens Town

St Helens Town 1948 2015, conceding an injury-time equaliser to Silsden in the last game of the season, a match they had to win to stay up. Town enjoyed a golden era in the late 1980s, just missing out on an appearance in the First Round proper of the FA Cup in 1985/86, losing to Morecambe in a Fourth Qualifying Round Replay, but they obtained ample compensation by winning the FA Vase at Wembley in 1987, beating near neighbours Warrington Town 3-2, with two goals from Phil Layhe and one from Brian Rigby. They were regular promotion candidates for many years, largely due to the scoring exploits of Steve “Pellet” Pennington, who grabbed 216 goals in 351 games, his season’s best hauls of 45 in 1993/94 and 46 in 1997/98 just failing to beat the club record of 47 scored by Phil Stainton in 1963/64. The 2015/16 season saw St. Helens Town in the First Division of the North West Counties League and despite some inconsistent mid-season form, they finished the season with an outside chance of making the promotion play-off places, only to fall short in the final match, losing at home to eventual champions Hanley Town in a game they needed to win thereby missing out for the first time on a place in this season’s FA Cup competition. Nevertheless, team captain Andy Gillespie landed the First Division Golden Boot Trophy with 29 league goals, 34 in all matches. At the start of the 2016/17 season, Town are looking to return to the borough and the new ground at Ruskin Drive will at last be ready in early October. In the meantime, early -season games will be played at Prescot Cables and with nearly all of last season’s squad staying on, boosted by new signings in key areas, they will be hoping to be among the front-runners for promotion in the club’s 70th year since their reformation, coincidentally, the 30 th year since their FA Vase success. The nomadic years since the loss of their Hoghton Road base in 2000 are now behind them, the return to their traditional blue and white colours herald a new beginning and the future once again looks bright.

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Club Honours: 1949 George Mahon Trophy Winners 1951 Lancs Comb Division 2 Champions 1972 Lancs Combination Champions 1973 Bass Charrington Cup Winners 1974 Watson Trophy Winners 1978 St Helens Hospital Cup Winners 1979 St Helens Comb Div 1 Runners Up 1979 St Helens Hospital Cup Runners Up 1980 St Helens Comb Div 1 Champions 1985 NWCFL Reserve Div 2 Runners Up 1986 NWCFL Reserve Div 1 Runners Up 1987 FA Vase Winners (Wembley) 1994 League Challenge Cup Finalists 1994 NWCFL Reserve Division Runners Up 1995 NWCFL Reserve Division Champions 1996 NWCFL Reserve Division Runners Up 1998 Floodlit Trophy Finalists 1999 REALCO Fair Play Award Winners 2009 Bert Trautmann Trophy Winners 2014-15 South Lancs League U17s Cup Finalists 2014-15 Cheshire FA U21 League Champions Record Appearances: Alan Wellens (448) Record Goal Scorer: Steve Pennington (216) Record Attendances: 3012 at Hoghton Road v Burscough (1948) 8000 at Hoghton Road v Man City (1950) 1723 at Knowsley Rd v FC Utd Manchester (2006) 9000 at Prescot Cables v Runcorn (1949)

Programme Awards 1993-94 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1995-96 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1997-98 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1998-99 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1999-00 NWCFL Programme of the Year 2000-01 NWCFL Programme of the Year 2009-10 NWCFL Premier Division 2010-11 NWCFL Premier Division 2011-12 NWCFL Premier Division 2012-13 NWCFL Premier Division 2013-14 NWCFL Premier Division 2014-15 NWCFL Premier Division 2015-16 NWCFL First Division Wirral Programme Club National Survey 1996-97 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1997-98 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1998-99 NWCFL Programme of the Year

Programme Monthly 2007-08 NWCFL Programme of the Year Soccer Club Swap Shop National Awards 2010-11 Placed 28th 2011-12 Placed 8th 2012-13 Placed 7th 2013-14 Placed 8th 2014-15 Placed 5th 2015-16 Placed 8th NWCFL 2015-16 Awards Player of the Month Oct Andy Gillespie ‘Keeper of the Month Nov Matthew Hodge January 2016 Team of the Month ‘Keeper of the Month Jan Matthew Hodge

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League News Barnoldswick Town have announced the appointment of Danny Craig as manager. He takes over the managerial reins from Stewart Airdrie, who will remain at the club in a new role. In a statement the club said: "The Committee of Barnoldswick Town Football Club would like to thank outgoing Manager Stewart Airdrie who has stood down from the Manager's role to concentrate on moving the club forward. Since being at the club as player and Manager Stewart has seen us improve from mid-table West Lancashire League to the Hallmark Security League Premier division and seen the playing staff improve beyond all recognition. The Club would like to welcome Danny Craig who will step up in to Stewart's shoes. He has previously been Assistant Manager at Padiham FC, head of youth development at Colne and at Burnley FC Academy. He has spent time in Holland studying their methods and is currently working towards UEFA A Licence. This does not affect the position of Paul Cruz who will continue to work with Danny, alongside goal keeping coach Steven Petty". Congleton Town have announced that work will begin shortly to carry out much needed repairs work to their clubhouse building. The work will be funded by a grant from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund, along with donations from other benefactors and organisations. Town Secretary Ken Mead explained: "Last winter the clubhouse was damaged by the continual wet weather, causing water ingress in the clubhouse rooms including the main room, bar, secretaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office and toilets. "Structural surveyors advised that significant enhancement was needed to the building to protect it from bad weather. The pitched element of the roof needs to be re-tiled and the flat roof area requires a new skin together with new guttering and downspouts. The electrical wiring needs to be updated and a new central heating boiler should be installed. The total cost of the refurbishment is in excess of ÂŁ35,000 and the club is now in a position to commence the work and has appointed roofing and electrical contractors. "The money has been raised as a result of a successful application, made with assistance from Cheshire FA, to the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF) which is funded by the Premier League, funds raised by the club supporters, further grant aid provided by local trusts, Congleton Town Council and Cheshire East Council. "It is hoped that the work will be completed before the end of the current football season. The clubhouse activities including the hosting of matches will not be affected whilst the contractors are on site. Work is scheduled to start this month. Club officials are most grateful for the help given by the FSIF and the other benefactors, who have made it possible for the vital work to be carried out and preserve an important club facility that benefits all visitors to the Richborough Estates Stadium".

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Match Report v 3 Points Assured But Blues Ride Their Luke by Kieran Ford Luke Edwards’ goal is enough to see off Eccleshall. St Helens Town skipper Andy Gillespie has been joined in a double figure goal tally for the season as attacking midfielder Luke Edwards netted his 10th of the season to add to his brace against Holker Old Boys last week. His goal gave Town the victory and saw them move up to 9th in the table in a scrappy game at Ashton Town’s Edge Green Street.

After getting back to winnings ways over Holker, Town would have been grateful that the fixture list saw them face second bottom Eccleshall on Saturday, a side that they had already beaten twice this season. St Helens fielded a stable and consistent side, with the recent return of Ant Whelan and Paul Carney surely playing some part in the sides return to form. Another consistent member of the side is the teams longest serving player Andy Gillespie, who had the first chance of the game as he was found by a Danny Greene long ball, but he could not get enough power on his shot as Town struggled to adapt to the boggy pitch. However, Town faced a different Eccleshall from the one in November as the away team “had a go” and created chances of their own. The first of these was through their captain Thomas

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Eccleshall FC Wakefield, who latched onto a through ball and did well to get a cross into the box, but no one in red could connect. In a game of the long ball, both sides struggled to create any meaningful chances. Luke Edwards had a couple of efforts that cleared the crossbar, and Eccleshall’s Jordan Bennion played through Wakefield but his shot went wide of the far post. It could be seen that St Helens’ long balls were causing more problems, as Andy Presho’s pass cleared the head of Callum Downie to find Andy Gillespie, but again Town’s top scorer couldn’t connect with his shot. The deadlock was broken 6 minutes before the break, as the impressive Paul Carney played in Dale Korie-Butler down the left, after bearing down on goal and pulling the trigger, his shot was saved, but Edwards was on hand to slot into an open net to give Town the upper hand going into the second half. HT: St Helens Town (Edwards, 39) 1 – 0 Eccleshall The second half was played mainly in the same vein as the first, as Ashton Town’s Edge Green Street pitch started to feel the effects of the previous night’s awful weather. Luke Edwards started the second half brightly as he collected a short corner from Danny Greene, spun his defender but his shot from the by-line was well saved by Eccleshall keeper Bradley Moorhead. The man in between the sticks also had to deal with a shot from midfielder Paul Carney, who was given too much time to shoot and his effort couldn’t go in at the near post. Eccleshall made some early subs, and their influence helped add a spark to the game, even if this was only temporary. Sub and commentators dream Thomas Elliot-Worthington found another fresh pair of legs In Tyrone Wilson but his connection was poor as the ball went wide. Towards the end of the game, Town sat off as the match looked to drift towards full time without Eccleshall causing St Helens’ defensive partnership of Andy Webster and Ed Pegler any real problems. Pegler in particular was useful in centre half, as his midfield qualities were also evident in the match with some smart distribution throughout.

Town brought on Dom Whelan and Alex Gillespie in the final 10 minutes for Edwards and Dale KorieButler respectively, which meant that Town had the rare occurrence of having two sets of brothers on the pitch: the Whelan’s (Ant and Dom) and the Gillespie’s (Andy and Alex). FT: St Helens Town (Edwards, 39) 1 – 0 Eccleshall

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Hall of Fame Derek Hennin, Tommy O'Neil and Dave Bamber Today we look at the careers of two players who began with league clubs, moving to St. Helens Town upon retirement from the senior game and a player who began at St. Helens and went on to play in all four divisions of the Football League. Derek Hennin was born in Prescot in 1932. He began his career at Bolton Wanderers in 1950, displacing England international Johnny Wheeler, who was transferred to Liverpool. He played righthalf for Wanderers in their 2-0 victory over Manchester United at Wembley in the FA Cup Final in 1958, only three months after the Munich disaster.

Among his team-mates that day were Nat Lofthouse and Dennis Stevens, who went on to win the Championship with Everton in 1962/63. Captain of the United side was ex-Town great Bill Foulkes. He had a brief spell at Wigan Athletic, but joined Town as player-manager in 1964, remaining in that position for nearly five years, featuring at right-half and inside forward. Tommy O'Neil was born in Parr in 1952 and he was one of those gifted sportsmen who had a genuine choice between careers in football and rugby league, having represented England at both codes as a schoolboy. He opted for football and signed for Manchester United. He made his debut against Manchester City in May 1971 and played for three seasons alongside the legendary Best, Law and Charlton.

However, he lost favour under new manager Tommy Docherty and was transferred to Southport and when the Sandgrounders lost their league status in 1978, O'Neil moved on to Tranmere Rovers, finishing his league career with Halifax Town in 1982. Tommy returned home to captain St. Helens Town and led the team to FA Vase success at Wembley in 1987, for what must have been one of the proudest moments of his career. He moved on to manage Skelmersdale United. Sadly, he lost his life to cancer in May 2006 at the early age of just 53. At the end of the 2013-14 season the cub named the Young Player of the Year Award 'The Tommy O'Neil Trophy'. Dave Bamber began and ended his league career at Blackpool. He was a native of St. Helens and was born on 1st February 1959. He was a prolific goal scorer, netting 147 goals in 434 league appearances. He moved from Town to Bloomfield Road in 1979, making his debut against Chester. His first goal came against Carlisle in April 1980. Coventry City, then in the First Division, signed Bamber in 1983, but before the end of that season, he had moved on to Walsall. Short spells at Portsmouth and Trelleborgs (Sweden) were unproductive and in 1985, Dave moved to Swindon Town, where he made 108 league appearances, scoring 31 goals. He was on the move again in 1988, this time to Watford, transferring to Stoke City and then to Hull City, before re-joining Blackpool in 1990, retiring in 1994. He played twice at Wembley in play-off finals, being successful on the second occasion against Scunthorpe in 1992. On retirement from the game two years later, he remained in the Blackpool area, setting himself up as a property developer. Bamber was probably best remembered for the way he dipped forward to head the ball.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Match Report v Town start the New Year on a winning note St. Helens Town 4, Holker Old Boys 2 by Glyn Jones St. Helens Town put a run of three defeats behind them as they began 2017 with a return to winning ways at the expense of Holker Old Boys at Volair Park, Prescot, on Saturday, running out 4-2 victors in the first of six consecutive home matches at the turn of the New Year. However, it was not all plain sailing and the final whistle could not come soon enough for Alan Gillespie’s boys, who had to endure a spirited fightback from their Cumbrian opponents in the second half.

Town were back to full strength for this fixture, welcoming back long-term absentee Paul Carney from injury, Ant Whelan from suspension and Dale Korie-Butler, all missing from midfield in recent weeks. The positive effect on the whole team was immediately noticeable, although the visitors were the first to score on 12 minutes, John Paul Stanway firing home from 30 yards, giving Adam Fairchild no chance in the Town goal. However, Town gradually asserted control and Luke Edwards, in another man-of-the-match performance hit the first of two goals just before the half-hour, a superb “daisy cutter” just inside the right-hand post and out of Holker keeper Harry Copeland’s reach to level the scores. Soon afterwards, Andy Webster nearly added a second goal as the ball fizzed across the open Holker goal-line, but the central defender could not get a crucial touch on to the ball. Town did not have to wait long to take the lead as from a corner in the 33rd minute, Edwards had an easy job to touch the ball home unopposed on the line. At the other end, as Holker stormed back, Fairchild saved at close range from Jamie Pattinson and Andy Presho got in a crucial tackle on Sam Lightfoot in the six-yard box as the Holker player prepared to pull the trigger. A goal from either effort could have levelled the scores but, with four minutes remaining to the interval, Town had two chances and, crucially, took both of them, to take the game away from their opponents and seal the win. On 41 minutes, a move down the right saw Andy Gillespie and Edwards both have shots blocked before Carney rifle a rebound in from the corner of the penalty box and, right on half-

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Holker Old Boys time, a long ball found Gillespie on the break with only keeper Copeland and midfielder Kevin Watkin ahead of him. Copeland took a chance and ran out to intercept the ball, but failed and Gillespie rounded Watkin on the deck and netted easily to send his team in 4-1 ahead at the break. There had not been that much between the teams in the first half, but the difference was that Town had taken their chances at the critical times. Holker had evidently received a rocket from their manager during the interval and consequently looked a different side at the start of the second half. Town looked a little complacent and, as the half wore on, appeared a little tired. Whether due to the heavy pitch, or the strenuous training session a few days earlier, or maybe the injured players returning to the side short of match fitness, three or four looked a bit jaded. Holker had nothing to lose and, ten minutes into the second period, Edwards was rashly brought down in the visitors’ box as he was moving away from goal. Taking the penalty kick himself, Edwards fired straight at Copeland, who did well to parry the ball, but three Town players tried, but failed, to get to the rebound before the keeper was able to regather to deny St. Helens a fifth goal. Soon afterwards, Stanway appeared to pull back a goal for the visitors, but a flag was raised to disallow the score and, as Holker increased the pressure, Ste Rigby headed a shot off the line which slipped through Fairchild’s hands. There was little doubt St. Helens were wobbling at this point and there was still half an hour left. They had to rouse themselves and find extra reserves of strength to get themselves back into the game and avoid a repeat of early season slips which had lost leads against Cheadle, Carlisle and Chadderton. Suddenly, on the attack, Edwards found an opening from distance and the goalkeeper stranded. From 30 yards, the wingman hit a superb ball which, agonisingly, missed the far post – and the onrushing Andy Gillespie – by inches.

In what must have been a thrilling game for the neutral spectator, Holker came roaring back at the other end and Stanway smashed in another 30-yard shot past Fairchild on 74 minutes, to cut Town’s lead to two goals and the momentum was very much with the Cumbrians. They stepped up the pressure again and in a packed St. Helens penalty area, Alex Gillespie somehow managed to turn a certain goal-bound shot around the post and out for a corner with 10 minutes remaining. Hero Edwards, clearly struggling to run, seized possession midway into Holker’s half and surged forward, beating several defenders and looked for all the world a scorer until going down in the six-yard box shoulder to shoulder and, once again, Holker took possession and went the full length of the pitch, only for Fairchild to pluck the ball off the feet of Ben Rebello as he appeared certain to score the Old Boys’ third goal. In a game which gave full value all round, including seven minutes of added time, Fairchild tipped another spectacular shot on to his crossbar just before the final whistle.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Match Action

Town v Holker Old Boys (Hallmark Security League) on Saturday 7th January 2017

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Notes I would like to welcome everybody to Volair Park for today's game with Daisy Hill. Hopefully we have beaten the weather and we get back to playing football. In the reverse League fixture earlier in the season the teams played out a 2-2 draw with the game being a close affair with Town taking the twice through Andy Gillespie only for Daisy Hill to come back to grab the draw and miss a late penalty. In the Reusch Division 1 Cup game in November Town it was a different story Town coming out with a 2-0 win despite the Daisy Hill GK making some outstanding saves. I'm sure today's fixture will be a closely fought affair . With last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s game against Whitchurch Alport postponed our last game still remains Eccleshall three weeks ago on the 14th January! This was a tough close fought encounter in very difficult playing conditions which definitely impeded our attacking style of play. I thought we had the upper hand 1st half but failed to capitalise on a number of early chances but credit to the visitors they never gave up and made us work hard for the 1-0 victory and the three points. I think our midfield duo Ant Whelan and Paul Carney deserve special mention both making significant contributions to the victory. Defensively we were generally solid with both centre backs Andy Webster and Eddie Pegler both turning in good displays. Hopefully we will have a full squad available today with the exception of Michael Chojnicki who remains side-lined with illness we are well placed to continue our steady progress up the table. We are always looking to strengthen our squad and are very pleased to bring in Liam Dodd from NWCFL Premiership outfit Cammell Laird 1907. Liam has also played at both Prescot Cables and Bootle and I'm sure he will prove a good addition. We are currently also finalising the signatures of two other players but no further details available yet at this point in time as both players still require international clearance from FAW. We are back Training twice weekly on our new Ruskin Drive pitch so we should be well adjusted to the 4G surface for when we start playing our league games there hopefully in the near future. Our u21s Development side have certainly adapted extremely well to the new pitch recording another win (3-2) v West Kirby last Sunday. Enjoy the game Alan Gillespie

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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League News The Gate life of Brian It was great to see that Squires Gate have honoured their long serving groundsman Brian Addison by renaming their ground the Brian Addison Stadium. It's a fitting tribute to a man for whom the term "club stalwart" doesn't even begin to do justice, as he approaches his 60th year - yes, his 60th year - of continuous involvement at the Club. For many years Brian combined playing for the club alongside groundsman duties, and made his last appearance on the field for Gate at the age of 55. Since then, his work on the playing surface and around the club has been recognised nationally in FA awards, as well as appreciated for many years by the thousands of players who have played on the pitch. His tireless efforts on behalf of the club over such a long period of time are an example to us all. Winning with dignity 1874 Northwich's 2-0 win against Northwich Victoria in the Cheshire Cup turned out to be a satisfactory night in more ways than one for everyone associated with the Greens. It was the first ever meeting between the two clubs, and although there was no obvious reason for concern prior to the game, given the past history there was always a niggling concern about the possibility of unwelcome outside interference affecting events on the night. Happily, a good competitive cup tie was watched by a healthy crowd, and 1874 progressed into the next round at the end of an evening that passed off without incident. It was gratifying to see that despite differences, people can still turn up to a game and stand side by side supporting their respective clubs in a civilised manner, and in the case of 1874, enjoy their win with good grace and dignity. Well done to everyone involved. Young blood keeps flowing through for Road Once again, Maine Road's policy of bringing youngsters through the ranks is proving to be a successful one, with the 1-1 draw against promotion chasing 1874 Northwich on Saturday the latest impressive showing from Chris Hirst's young side this season. Ironically, it was a point gained against a team containing several experienced former Road players, and the youthful flavour to the Road line up was notable, with only two players aged over 24, and playing alongside two 16 year olds, a 17 year old and several 18 year olds.

Early Yellow goal fever strikes again One side that have demonstrated their ability to hit the ground running quickly this season are Ashton Athletic . Earlier in the season, the Yellows rattled in five goals without replay in the opening 40 minutes of the game against Nelson, and they turned in another first half goal fest on Saturday, scoring four times in the opening 20 minutes against Barnton and were eventually leading 5-1 when the referee's whistle brought the first half to a close. To score five times in the first half of a game is an unusual feat at any level, but there can't be many teams who have done it twice in the space of three months. A welcome first for 'Pool AFC Blackpool achieved a notable first on Saturday - their 2-1 win over Sandbach United was their first home league win of the season. It's not been the easiest of campaigns for Stuart Parker's men after relegation at the end of last season, and although they have managed four wins on the road, success on their own patch had eluded them until Saturday. Having broken the duck, as well home being where the heart is, it may also yield a few more points in the weeks ahead for the Seasiders.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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League News Colls should have no regrets Our last remaining representatives in the Buildbase FA Vase, Atherton Collieries, may have gone out of the competition at Cleethorpes Town on Saturday, but there are still plenty of positives to take from their run in the competition. Playing some fine attacking football, Colls achieved some outstanding results away from home, had tremendous backing from a vocal and exuberant travelling support that has grown in numbers as the months have unfolded, and club officials have been overwhelmed by the messages of support they have received on social media and elsewhere from other clubs around the league, as they progressed in the competition. Every now and again, players go into games knowing that whatever the outcome, memories of the day will live with them for a long time afterwards. Victory will deliver a memorable moment in their footballing lives that will never completely disappear, defeat will leave a feeling of disappointment that will take time to heal and fade. The pain of Saturday's defeat may still be raw for everyone at Colls, but the way that the players and supporters have represented the club and the league in a national competition is something to be savoured and remembered, and should not be forgotten or clouded with negative emotions of what might have been. Chadderton this season. They may sitting in mid-table in Division One, but they haven't half had some fun away from home at times. Their first away game of the season ended in a 4-3 win at Stockport Town, and since then there have been results such as a 5-4 defeat at Cheadle Town, a 5-3 win at St Helens Town, a 4-1 win at Widnes and 4-1 and 6-3 victories at Holker Old Boys. However they topped all that with Saturday's 7-1 win at Eccleshall, their biggest league win for many a long day and the first time since 1st December 2007 that they have scored seven goals in a game, on that occasion beating Daisy Hill in the Division Two Trophy. With 11 away games still to come, there could still be plenty more fireworks yet when Chaddy come to town. Remy on a roll Litherland REMYCA continue to be the form side in Division One at the moment, following their 4-0 win at FC Oswestry Town on Friday night. Six straight wins, nine games undefeated and just one loss in 14 games make impressive statistics and it's form that has moved Remy into second place in the table, the first time they have occupied an automatic promotion position. The race at the top of the Division is a fascinating one, and it certainly looks like Phil Stafford's men will be involved in the shake up at the end of the season. Seven up for Widnes Widnes continued their good run of form with an emphatic 7-0 win over AFC Blackpool on Saturday, a result that rewrote the club record books as it's the first time they have ever scored seven goals in a game since they joined the league. A good all round team performance was underlined by the fact that six different players got on the scoresheet on Saturday. It's now 13 games without defeat for Joey Dunn's men, with the latest win taking them to within touching distance of the play offs, and having scored 17 goals in their last four games - with those goals being shared around ten different players - they certainly don't lack firepower in the ranks as they mount their promotion challenge.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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League Tables First Division Table as at Saturday 28/01/2017

Player Sponsors 2016-17

First Division

W D

Whitchurch Alport

29 19 4

66 32 34 61

Litherland REMYCA

28 18 6

76 44 32 60

City of Liverpool FC

28 17 4

79 37 42 55

Alsager Town

26 17 4

70 32 38 55

Charnock Richard

25 17 3

70 33 37 54

Sandbach United

26 16 3

55 33 22 51

Widnes

23 14 4

61 37 24 46

FC Oswestry Town

28 12 5

11 49 54 -5 41

Stockport Town

28 11 6

11 63 69 -6 39

23 12 2

Prestwich Heys

St Helens Town

12 13

A GD Pts

57 34 23 38

26 11 5 10 56 55

Chadderton

24 10 6

Carlisle City

26 11 3

12 50 55 -5 36

Cheadle Town

29 10 6

13 62 68 -6 36

Holker Old Boys

25 10 4

11 44 51 -7 34

Silsden

25 10 1

14 55 56 -1 31

56 49

Daisy Hill

25 9

4 12 53 65 -12 31

Bacup Borough

27 6

16 29 55 -26 23

AFC Blackpool

28 5

17 33 75 -42 21

Atherton LR

28 5

20 29 67 -38 18

Eccleshall

27 3

20 38 95 -57 13

Ashton Town

24 1

21 24 79 -55 5

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

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

We are still looking for a number of additional Player sponsors. Contact John McKiernan on 07713 339 682 for further details

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

League Tables Premier Division Table as at Saturday 28/01/2017 W D

Premier Division Bootle

27 20 1

89 38 51 61

Atherton Collieries

26 19 4

73 28 45 61

1874 Northwich

27 18 5

54 30 24 59

Runcorn Town

26 18 3

74 31 43 57

Runcorn Linnets

28 17 6

67 33 34 57

Padiham

25 14 3

57 42 15 45

AFC Liverpool *

29 13 5

11 59 53

Hanley Town

29 11 7

11 59 51

West Dids & Chorlton 28 12 4

12 67 61

A GD Pts

Maine Road

26 10 8

51 43

Abbey Hey

26 12 2

12 47 47

Ashton Athletic

27 10 6

11 58 52

Irlam

Winsford United

Squires Gate

Barnton

37 47 -10 35

24 10 4

10 46 50 -4 34

14 59 70 -11 33

30 10 3

17 41 77 -36 33

Congleton Town

13 49 61 -12 31

Barnoldswick Town

11 40 37

AFC Darwen

13 30 65 -35 26

Nelson *

15 36 58 -22 15

New Mills

18 41 70 -29 15

Cammell Laird 1907

24 22 112 -90 6

Saturday 4th February 2017 Premier Division 1874 Northwich v Barnoldswick Town AFC Liverpool v Padiham Ashton Athletic v Cammell Laird 1907 Atherton Collieries v Barnton Bootle v AFC Darwen Congleton Town v Maine Road Nelson v Winsford United New Mills v Runcorn Linnets Runcorn Town v Irlam Squires Gate v Abbey Hey West Didsbury & Chorlton v Hanley Town First Division Carlisle City v City of Liverpool FC Chadderton v FC Oswestry Town Cheadle Town v Holker Old Boys Eccleshall v Atherton LR Litherland REMYCA v Ashton Town Sandbach United v AFC Blackpool Silsden v Alsager Town St Helens Town v Daisy Hill Whitchurch Alport v Prestwich Heys Widnes v Stockport Town Tuesday 7th February 2017 First Division Ashton Town v Daisy Hill Widnes v FC Oswestry Town Manchester Premier Cup Semi Finals FC United of Manch v West Dids & Chorlton Wednesday 8th February 2017 First Division Bacup Borough v Prestwich Heys First Division AFC Blackpool v Litherland REMYCA Alsager Town v Chadderton Atherton LR v City of Liverpool FC Cheadle Town v Carlisle City Daisy Hill v Eccleshall Holker Old Boys v Prestwich Heys Sandbach United v Charnock Richard St Helens Town v Silsden Stockport Town v Ashton Town

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016