St Helens Town v FC Oswestry Town by John McKiernan

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Team Line-Ups Saturday 24th September 2016, 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

FC Oswestry Town

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

Vice Chairman: Glyn Jones

Ryan Taylor

Daniel Brady

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

1st Team Joint Managers: Alan Gillespie & Nick Matthews

George Austin

Brendon Price Oliver Jones

Nathan Ogden

Josh Parker

Eddie Pegler

Alun Morris Callum Graybrook

Lewis Jarmin

Andy Gillespie

Jack Harris

Danny Greene

Tommy Lewis

Phil Williams

Liam Molloy

1st Team Coach Lee Jenkinson

Alex Gillespie

Richard Litchfield

Tom Bradley

1st Team Physiotherapists Ellie Hayes & Paige Marcus

Jackson Hassanyeh

Shaun Brady

Tom Halton

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

Adam Donohue

George Durrell

Lee Novak

Ryan Mondiwa

Managers: Alan Gillespie and Nick Matthews

Gls Y R

Elliot Howes

Jacob Ball

Andy Presho

Trustee: John McKiernan

Ste Rigby

Sam Sheen

Hospitality: Margaret Wood and Paul Wood

Green & White Shirts Green & White Shorts & Socks

Manager: Dan Stevens Assistant: Graham Dyke

Referee: Mr J Morgan (Wigan) Assist: Mr J Jackson (Liverpool) & Mr D Wood (Lowton)

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

Match Sponsor

Club Email: sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk

Toast Coffee House & CafĂŠ

Main Club Sponsor: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

149 Dentons Green Lane, St Helens WA10 6RG

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

Match Ball Sponsors

Live Wire Electrical Unit 20 Lords Fold, Rainford St Helens WA11 8HP

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

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Next Home Game: Town v AFC Darwen

The Macron Cup 1st Round Sat 1st October 2016 Volair Park, Prescot Cables FC

Cover Photograph: Danny Greene and Jake Ball

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 against FC Oswestry Town. May I open by welcoming our visitors I hope they enjoy the short time they will spend with us and have a safe journey home after the game. It just over a week since we were last here hosting local rivals Widnes in what turned out to be an evenly matched contest. Despite good chances for both sides in the opening exchanges it took until the 28th minute for the deadlock to be broken when a set piece was swung into the box which Jason McShane beat Town stopper Ryan Taylor to and headed the ball into the unguarded net. Parity was quickly restored when in form Phil Williams collected a through ball before muscling his way past a defender and slotting home. Both sides had chances to win the contest but Widnes failed to test Taylor in the Town goal and the woodwork denied the hosts on a couple of occasions and both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils. Attention then turned to New Sirs as Town visited Daisy Hill the following Saturday afternoon. The visitors took the lead midway through the half when skipper Andy Gillespie was first to react to a driven free kick into the hosts box and he was on hand to turn the ball home. Town then gifted the hosts a leveller when a weak back pass was scuffed clear only as far as Jon Stephenson who returned the ball with interest past Taylor to send the sides in level at the break. The restart saw an energised Town line up create a couple good openings and this culminated in them retaking the lead as Gillespie latched onto a slide-rule pass from Danny Greene and lobed the ball over the onrushing home stopper to take his tally for the season to 7 goals. The lead again was short lived as a pull back in the box was punished with a spot kick which Stott converted and a handful of minutes later a second penalty was awarded to the hosts after a foul on Stott but he could not repeat his earlier success as Taylor was able to keep out his effort from 12 yards to keep the scores level and earn Town a second consecutive share of the spoils in three days. Attention now turns to this afternoon’s contest and another “New Boy” visiting us for the first time as we welcome the reigning Mercian Regional Football League, Premier Division Champions to Volair Park. The league newcomers have settled in relatively well to life in the Hallmark Security Football League having amassed 13 points from their first ten contests at this level, three wins, four draws and three losses prior to their midweek trip to Stockport Town which saw them secure a fine 3-2 victory after racing into an early two goal lead the visitors saw Stockport pull one back just before the half hour mark and a goal nine minutes from time looked to have gained a point for the hosts but an 88th minute goal from Oswestry secured a maximum return for the men from Shropshire. It’s important for us the get back to winning ways as soon as possible and hopefully if we can shore things up at bit at the back we can go on a bit of a run and propel ourselves up the table towards the play off places as we have plenty going forward to worry most teams in the league on our day. 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 FC Oswestry Town were formed in 2012-13 season and took the place of Oswestry Lions in the Mercian Regional Football League Division 1. In their first season they finished in a mid-table position and followed that up in the 2013-14 season with a third placed finish and gained promotion to the Premier Division. During the 2014-15 season Town finished a disappointing 5th but won their first silverware by defeating Whitchurh Alport in the Commander Ethelstone cup. Club Information Legal Entity: Limited Company: FC Oswestry Town Ltd: C/N: 08495772 Ground: The Venue Address: Burma Road, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 4AS Telephone: 01691 684840 Website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/ fcoswestrytown

Twitter: @FCOswestryTown Registered Colours: Blue & white shirts, shorts & stockings Goalkeeper Colours: Pink shirt, shorts & stockings Alternative Colours: Green & white shirts, shorts & stockings Alternative Goalkeeper Colours: Orange shirt, shorts & stockings Secretary: Andrew Burnett Chairman: Ian Jones Manager: Dan Stevens Programme Editor: John Matthew Williams County Affiliation: Shropshire Year Formed: 2013 Record Attendance: 300 Shropshire County FA Cup 7th May 2016 Previous Leagues: Shropshire County League: Mercian Premier League

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The 2015-16 season saw Oswestry introduce a Reserve team to develop players and applied for promotion into the North West Counties Football League. The season turned out to be a very successful one as they completed the quadruple.

The Commander Ethelstone Cup was retained with a hard fought 1-0 win over Cheshire League outfit Malpas and winning The Mercian Regional League, Premier Division with a couple of games to spare securing promotion to the NWCFL. Oswestry rounded the season off in style first securing the Mercian League, Premier Division Cup with an emphatic 5-1 win over league runners-up Allscott at Bucks Head, home of AFC Telford and rounded off the successful season with a 40 win over Rock Rovers in the Shropshire FA Challenge Cup final at Greenhaus Meadow home of Shrewsbury Town. Town play at the Venue, Park Hall on the outskirts of Oswestry (England) and ground share with Welsh Premier League Champions TNS and are very much look forward to their new adventure in the NWCFL visiting new grounds and hopefully making new friends on the way. The ambition of the club is to climb the English FA leagues and provide FA Cup football for local people and continue the fine tradition of football in Oswestry.

Honours Commander Ethelstone Cup Winners 2014-15, 2015-16 Mercian Regional League, Premier Division Champions 2015-16 Mercian Regional League, Premier Division Cup Winners 2015-16 Shropshire FA, Challenge Cup Winners 2015-16

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Chairman’s Notes Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to Volair Park for this Hallmark Security League First Division encounter with our first time opponents FC Oswestry Town. Let’s hope their players, officials and supporters have enjoyed a safe journey north and that everyone is treated to an entertaining fixture. We welcome to today’s match sponsors Toast Coffee House and Café who are also our training kit partners for season 2016-17 and are based just around the corner from our new home at Ruskin Drive. We also welcome our first time match ball sponsors Live Wire Electrical who are based in Ranford. Thank you both for your continued support. Two successive draws have brightened the mood somewhat in the last week or so - we could have won (and lost) both games - once again missing a number gilt edge chances in both games against Widnes and Daisy Hill; while in the latter game we twice threw away the lead before a Ryan Taylor penalty saved some blushes. Last weekend saw wins for our U18s who recorded a 1-3 score line away at Witton Albion U18s in the North West Youth Alliance League. It was Liverpool County FA Sunday Junior Cup action for the U21s who hit back from 3-1 down at half time to win 4-7 at BRNESC. The Sunday team were also in Cup action but bowed out of the Liverpool County FA Intermediate Cup at Birkdale United - 3-0 down at one point Dave Platt’s charges recovered to level at 3-3 before succumbing to a late winner. The U18s were also in midweek action with a trip to Chadderton Youth in the FA Youth Cup and put in a fine performance to recover from an early set back before eventually winning 1-2 with goals from Alex Kinsella and Reece Hughes. This is the club’s first entry into the FA Youth Club and Wednesday night’s win adds to the earlier win away at AFC Blackpool U18s and sees the youngsters in the 2nd Qualifying Round. The lads are in action tomorrow when they travel to Prescot Cables U18s in the Liverpool County FA Sunday Youth Cup. The club are still seeking new sponsors - if you can help with a match or match ball sponsorship, programme advert, player sponsor - with packages from just £50 it ‘s a great way to support the club. Don’t forget we also have new club pin badges and mugs on sale and our Freestart UK sponsored home and away shirts are available to purchase on-line from Macron Store Cheshire. We are back in cup action next Saturday when AFC Darwen are our visitors in the Macron Cup 1st Round before two away fixtures with trips to Alsager (8th October) and AFC Blackpool (11th October). Enjoy the game . . . . And let’s cheer the lads on to a much needed three points. John McKiernan Chairman St Helens Town AFC

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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League News Barnton FC have announced a new partnership with Barnton Community Nursery and Primary School. The new partnership is the start of a campaign by the club to extend their involvement with local groups in the community, and builds on the existing links already in place with Mid-Cheshire College. The partnership was established after Chris Appleton, a coach at Barnton, contacted the school to explore ways in which the club and school could work together. Chris explained: “When I approached the school directly, they were extremely keen on the move. We'll be hosting coaching events, attending Carnivals and open days organised by the school and running competitions for students, such as designing a kit, interviews for players etc. The link will also see students participate in match day events, with students acting as mascots, ball boys and girls, and the school will also be receiving season tickets for each pupil and their parents. Plans are also in place to see club and school host community events together.

“It is hugely important to progress the clubs community relationships, and this link with the school is priceless. The enthusiasm of the school during negotiations was fantastic and we can’t wait to progress this link. We are also excited to get the kids involved in the clubs progression, and we hope to see them at games. Grassroots sports is about involvement, and for this community, this is a big step. Ryan Jones, PE Coordinator at Barnton Community Nursery and Primary School, said: “We are excited at the prospect of working with Barnton FC as one of our sporting and community partners. The school has a strong sporting ethos, shared by our children and families, and such a partnership can only benefit everyone involved”. Prestwich Heys have been announced as a nominee for Club of the Year, in the annual Bury Sports Awards. The Bury Sports Awards provides an opportunity for members of the community to gain recognition and reward for their outstanding contribution to sport in the Bury area. The awards are also designed to celebrate and highlight individual sporting achievements over the last twelve months. There are ten categories which individuals, schools or clubs can be entered for through the nomination process, with the winners of each category going forward to represent Bury at the Greater Manchester Sports Awards in November. Heys’ nomination comes on the back of a hugely successful 2015-16 season, when the 1st team completed a treble. They firstly won the Manchester League Premier Division by 13 points and then won the League’s Gilgryst Cup to complete a double. On top of that, they then won the Bolton Hospital Cup, beating Atherton Collieries 1-0 in the Final at the Macron Stadium. The most successful season in the club’s history was then crowned by their promotion to the Hallmark Security League bringing semiprofessional football back to the town after a 30 year absence.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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The world this week I take a trip down memory and discover what events happened in the history of St Helens Town, sport in general and provide a reminder of any historical world events that occurred in this week in history. The week of 18th September – 25th September Last Season: St Helens Town – 19th September 2015 Town draw 2-2 away from home against Cheadle Town, with Andy Gillespie grabbing a brace. Sport – 19th September 2015 Japan beats South Africa 34-32 in Brighton, England in the biggest upset in Rugby World Cup history. World – 22nd September 2015 Volkswagen admits that 11 million cars have been wrongly programmed to appear to emit lesser emissions than they are.

10 Years Ago: St Helens Town – 20th and 23rd September 2006 St Helens face 2 away games in 3 days, defeating Stone Dominoes 4-2 before losing against Abbey Hey 4-3. Sport – 24th September 2006 36th Ryder Cup: Europe wins 18.5-9.5 at The K Club, Ireland. World – 22nd September 2006 Hezbollah claims "Divine Victory" over Israel in a massive demonstration in Beirut. 20 Years Ago: St Helens Town: - 18th and 21st September 1996 – Town cannot upset Conference side Gateshead, as they are beaten 5-1 in the First Qualifying Round Replay. Sport –22nd September 1996 4th Solheim Cup: US beat Europe 17 -11 at St Pierre Wales World – 24th September 1996 U.S. President Bill Clinton signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty at the United Nations. The Vase Year – 1987: St Helens Town – 21st September 1987 – Town finally progress in the FA Cup, beating Ilkeston Town 4-1 in the 1st Qualifying Round Second Replay. Sport – 20th September 1987 Alain Prost wins record 28th Formula one auto race. World – 24th September 1987 US performs nuclear test at Nevada Test Site

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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How We Compare? at St Helens Previous Meet- at FC Oswestry Town ings Town NWC-D1 2001-02 N/A

St Helens Town - last 6 matches All Competitions Home

Most recent

NWC-D1

2002-03

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NWC-D1

2003-04

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NWC-D1

2004-05

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NWC-D1

2005-06

N/A

NWC-D1

2006-07

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NWC-D1

2007-08

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NWC-PD

2008-09

N/A

Away

Collated

FC Oswestry Town - last 6 matches All Competitions

Most recent

Home

NWC-PD

2009-10

N/A

Away

17/9

NWC-PD

2010-11

N/A

NWC-PD

2011-12

N/A

NWC-PD

2012-13

MRL-D1

NWC-PD

2013-14

MRL-D1

NWC-PD

2014-15

MRL-PD

NWC-D1

2015-16

MRL-PD

24/09/2016

2016-17

18/10/2016

Collated

St Helens Town games since...

17/9

FC Oswestry Town games since...

All Competitions Clean sheet

Goal Scored

Loss

No score draw

No score draw Score draw

Score draw

Win

St Helens Town Scores First Games Played

St Helens Town Wins

Draws

FC Oswestry Town Wins

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FC Oswestry Town Goals

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Ruskin Update

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Tea Break Teasers Q1. Which Bundesliga is older the Austrian or German version?

Q2. Which one of the teams currently not playing in the English top flight have won the most Premier League games? Q3. What is the middle name of Manchester City striker Kelechi Ihenanacho? Q4. Who are the only British professional team whose name contains the letter “J”? Q5. Against which team did the infamous Ali Dia (who convinced the Saints he was George Weah’s cousin) play his one and only game for Southampton in the Premier League in November 1996? Q6.

What makes Michel Platini’s jointly held record nine goals scored in European Championship Finals more significant than Christiano Ronaldo’s? Q7. Who has won more Scottish Cups, Celtic or Rangers? Q8. In which year did Gianluigi Buffon make his professional debut for Parma? Q9. Which is the oldest professional football ground in Spain? Q10. Which former Portsmouth & Fulham midfielder scored the first goal in the 2002 World Cup Finals? Q11. Which Football League club plays their home games at the Memorial Stadium? Q12. Which two teams have been in the most Football League Trophy Finals without winning one? Q13. Which English team were the first to win a League & Cup double? Q14. Which English player was part of the Portland Timbers MLS Cup winning side in 2015? Q15. Which three nations have had a club appear in a European Cup/ Champions League Final but have never had a winner?

1) Germany 2) Blackburn Rovers 3) Promise 4) St Johnstone 5) Leeds United 6) All scored at Euro 84 7) Celtic (36) 8) 1995 9) El Molinon (Sporting Gijon) 10) Papa Bouba Diop 11) Bristol Rovers 12) Brentford & Southend (3) 13) Preston North End (1888/9) 14) Liam Ridgewell 15) Greece (Panathinaikos 71), Belgium (Club Brugge 78) & Sweden (Malmo 79)

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Bill Foulkes Bill Foulkes, one of our two former Honorary Presidents - the other being Bert Trautmann joined the club from Whiston Boys Club and played a number of games for Town during the 1949/50 season, under the captaincy of Harry McCann and alongside Billy Twist in the defence. He signed for Manchester United in March 1950 for the princely sum of ÂŁ10. Born at Clock Face on 5th January 1932, William Anthony Foulkes began in junior football at Whiston. He was a right back of obvious talent, big and strong, due in no small part to his job as a miner at Lea Green Colliery. Sport was in his blood, as both his grandfather and father had played rugby for Saints. Indeed, his grandfather had captained Saints and became an England international and Bill proudly followed later in his footsteps, although in a different code. Although he signed professional at Old Trafford under Matt Busby in August 1951, Bill did not play in Uniteds Championship season, but made his debut against Liverpool on 13th December 1952. Remarkably, he continued to work full-time at Lea Green Colliery, catching the train from the nearby station to Manchester after the end of his shift to attend evening training sessions and he only finished at the pit after he won his one and only England cap against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park, Belfast, on 2nd October 1954. He also appeared twice for England Under-23s the same season. As one of the legendary Busby Babes, Bill won back to back Championship medals with United in 1955/56 and 1956/57, he was an FA Cup winner in the 1963 Wembley final against Leicester City and he went on to win further Championship medals in 1964/65 and 1966/67 and played in the 1968 European Cup triumph over Benfica at Wembley. In all, he played in 563 league games and a total of 685 matches for United, then a club record only recently beaten by Bobby Charlton and Ryan Giggs. Bill was a survivor of the Munich air crash in February 1958. Along with Harry Gregg, he helped a number of the injured to safety from the burning plane. Eight of his team-mates lost their lives, together with club officials and a number of other passengers, including journalists who had flown with the team to cover the European Cup tie in Belgrade. Bill took over the captaincy of the team from that point, a position he held until 1966. He also switched successfully to centre-half. Remarkably, he played in every match in that fateful 1957/58 season, a feat he repeated in 1959/60, 1963/64 and the Championship season 1964/65. Bills final game was against Southampton on 16th August 1969.

After his playing days were over, Bill was a youth team coach at Old Trafford between 1970 and 1975. He briefly managed Witney Town, before his career took him to the USA, Norway and Japan. As a coach for the Manchester FA, he particularly enjoyed conducting Japanese visitors around the Old Trafford ground, being fluent in the Japanese language, having learned it during his four years in the Far East. Sadly Bill passed away in November 2013 aged 81 years. At the end of the 2013-14 season the club named the Player's Player of the Year Award 'The Bill Foules Trophy'.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Club News

Congratulations to Phil Williams (pictured below with joint manager Nick Matthews) who collected the Kiera’s Occasions Man of the Match Award v Widnes. Have you spotted our Johnsons Toyota Liverpool sponsored Aygo around St Helens? It will be on the road to promote our return to St Helens and our community partnership with our main club sponsors. If you spot it please let us know or let us know via social media (Twitter). Our new club pin badges are available at all home games - just £3.00 raising funds for the club. We also have official club mugs on sale at £5.00. Our Freestart UK sponsored home and away shirts are on sale from Macron Store Cheshire (online) Juniors £30 and Adult £35.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Andy Presho in action at Daisy Hill on Saturday 17th 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)

Sat 15/10/16

Carlisle City

Michael Allison

Conor McGinn

Sat 22/10/16

Chadderton

Beechley Stables, RDA

Thu 10/11/16

Cheadle Town

Invisible Heroes

Thu 17/11/16

Ashton Town

Sat 19/11/16

Eccleshall

Danny’s Window Cleaning

Thu 01/12/16

Alsager Town

The Track King

Sat 10/12/16

Bacup Borough

Mon 26/12/16 Litherland REMYCA

Stillia

Kiera’s Occasions

Action Coach NW

Kiera’s Occasions Britannia Taxis

Sat 07/01/17

Holker Old Boys

LM Travel

Sat 21/01/17

AFC Blackpool

Action Coach NW

Sat 28/01/17

Whitchurch Alport

Invisible Heroes

Sat 11/02/17

Silsden

North West Dog Rescue

Sat 18/03/17

Daisy Hill

Invisible Heroes

Sat 25/03/17

Stockport Town

Stuart Pyke

Sat 01/04/17

Atherton LR

John Cahill

Sun 16/04/17

City of Liverpool FC

The Boar’s Head

Sat 29/04/17

Charnock Richard

Toast Café

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Team Fixtures St Helens Town Sunday Liverpool &District Sunday League Results 08/09/16 18:30 Hunting Lodge 3-0 Town 11/09/16 11:00 Fulwood Arms 2-0 Town 18/09/16 11:00 Birkdale United 4-3 Town Fixtures 25/09/16 13:00 Fazakerley Athletic v Town

St Helens Town U21s Cheshire FA U21s League Premier Division Results Lge 24/08/16 Manchester Central Reserves 0-4 Town Cup 21/08/16 Atherton Town 2-2 Town (Town won 1-3 on pens) Lge 18/08/16 Southport 2-2 Town Cup 11/09/16 11:00 Glossop North End 1-9 Town Cup 18/09/16 11:00 BRNESC Reserves 4-7 Town Fixtures Lge 25/09/16 14:00 Atherton Town v Town Cup 02/10/16 12:30 Abbey Hey v Town

Lge 09/10/16 12:45 Town v Irlam Lge 16/10/16 12:30 Abbey Hey v Town Lge 23/10/16 12:45 Town v Stockport Town Lge 30/10/16 11:00 Malvern v Town Lge 06/11/16 12:45 Town v Atherton Town Lge 13/11/16 12:45 Town v Southport Lge 17/11/16 19:45 Irlam v Town Lge 20/11/16 12:45 Town v Manchester Central Lge 27/11/16 12:45 Town v Malvern Lge 04/12/16 12:45 Town v West Kirby Lge 11/12/16 12:30 Stockport Town v Town St Helens Town U18s North West Youth Alliance League Results Lge 21/08/16 14:30 Town 3-5 Chester Colts Lge 04/09/16 14:30 Chester Colts 1-3 Town Cup 08/09/16 19:45 AFC Blackpool 3-4 Town Lge 11/09/16 14:30 Town 2-8 Marine Lge 18/09/16 14:30 Witton Albion 1-3 Town Cup 21/09/17 19:30 Chadderton 1-2 Town Fixtures Cup 25/09/16 11:00 Prescot Cables v Town Lge 02/10/16 14:30 West Kirby & Wasps v Town Lge 09/10/16 14:30 Town v Heswall Lge 16/10/16 14:30 Town v Vauxhall Motors Cup 23/10/16 14:00 Chester FC v Town Lge 30/10/16 14:30 Tranmere Rovers v Town

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Lily Parr Back in 2002 St Helens born Lily Parr became the first female footballer to be inducted into the inaugural National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame. Ray Gent wrote the following article which celebrates her achievements at a time when women's football threatened the establishment . It wasn’t just the Northern Rugby Football Union and later Rugby League that faced groundless and appalling treatment. Back in the late 19th century, women’s football was gathering momentum, though riling the Gentlemen presiding over the Football Association. Up in Scotland in 1892, the first women’s football match taking place under SFA guidelines was condemned by the Scottish Sport: “It was the most degrading spectacle we have ever witnessed in connection with football.” Pressing on regardless, Crouch End Athletics Ground hosted the first-ever “official” women’s match on 23 March 1895, in a contest between North and South London. Incidentally, the year the Northern Rugby Football Union was founded. Organised by middle-class activist Mary Hutson (pseudonym Nettie Honeyball and founder of the British Ladies’ Football Club), a rather nettled female journalist working for the Manchester Guardian wasn’t too praiseworthy in her reporting: “Their costumes came in for a great deal of attention…. one or two added short skirts over their knickerbockers…. when the novelty has worn off, I don’t think women’s football will attract the crowds.” and despite 10,000 turning up. Commenting in the Daily Sketch on 6 February 1895, Honeyball explained at length why women’s football should be taken seriously, rather than women being considered ‘ornamental dolls’ and ‘useless creatures’ men portrayed them as. Of course, there were also grumblings in Victorian society. “Novelty” women’s matches had no place in a man’s game, it was suggested. The medical profession weren’t too impressed either, saying it could be a health hazard to women and actually called for a total ban in 1894. Of the match, it was an unequivocal success for the enigmatic Miss Honeyball. Through her high principles and stubborn stance, she became an inspiration to her fellow dissenters. It was a period where educated women fought for equality through force of argumentative challenge. Following the baptism at Crouch End, the game spread to such places as Preston Park, Brighton and which attracted 5,000 spectators on a wet and blustery afternoon. The Green Man public house in Wigan offered its facilities for a match at Coppull Lane. Summing up, the Wigan Observer thought their attire “less than becoming”. The weather that day was appalling, the rain coming down in torrents, and the potential spectators waited outside the ground unwilling to hand over their money until they were sure the ladies would turn out. When they did, just after 3pm, there was a sudden rush to gain entry. Elsewhere, the crusade continued with games at Valley Parade in Manningham, Hendon in Sunderland, Falcon Cliff on the Isle of Man, Taff Vale Park over in Pontypridd as well as Aberdeen’s Victoria Bridge Grounds. Horrified and appalled at the grotesque antics, the Football Association forewarned in 1902: “That charitable matches against ladies’ teams wouldn’t be tolerated.” The idea of women’s football challenged male domination in the sport. There was to be a brief revival during and after the First World War. With men sent marching to the frontline and dug in the trenches, the ladies shed their apron strings to work the farms, drive buses, employed in munitions factories and other occupations to help the war effort. Understandably, this huge influx of women workers created problems for the factory bosses. Trying best to cater for the women, they provided recreational huts where they could darn or knit. However, those women with a tougher upbringing wanted to let off steam – and what better way than a kick-about. This was the start of something remarkable as women’s football spread to many factories across the country. In particular, the Dick Kerr’s Ladies team formed in 1917 set extremely high standards and success along the way. Dick and John Kerr manufactured tramways and railway equipment in Preston, Lancashire, but were requisitioned by the War Office to manufacture munitions

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Local Hero equipment. Managed by Alfred Frankland, the side attracted huge crowds wherever they played, in an effort to raise money for Wartime Charities and ‘good causes’. One such match held at Everton’s Goodison Park in December 1920 attracted 54,000, and rumour has it that a further14,000 were stuck outside trying to get in. The opposition that day were the St Helens Ladies, the second best team at the time, with the match going to Dick Kerr’s Ladies 4-0. Out of interest, the crowd dwarfed that of what the top Football League sides attracted. Prior to this game, Frankland had taken a shine to 14-year-old Lily Parr and her fellow St Helens teammate Alice Woods on the conclusion of a match. For whatever reason, young Parr had left early and so Frankland asked Woods to contact her with a view to signing for his club and not a bad offer at ten-bob a game (worth £100 today), expenses and job. Born on 26 April 1905, Parr was born in Union Street, Gerrard's Bridge and brought up in Pocket Nook, St Helens, and an unforgiving and tough district in the town. Pickpockets, rough sleepers and drunkards made everyday life miserable. Parr eventually preferred football to rugby league and would spend untold hours kicking a football against a lamppost. A fourth child of seven, her dad George earned his keep working at the local glass factory, as well as the family taking in lodgers and renting out backyard storage space. The wider world seemed a million miles away until one crisp November evening when Alice Woods caught up with her team-mate to give her some sensational news. Alice could hardly contain her excitement that Alfred Frankland wanted to sign them on. “Tha’d best ask me mam, then,” replied Lily, somewhat gruffly. “Come on! Watch out fer’t pigs, and mind you don’t step in t’ shit.” (forever mindful of the family’s pigs) Lily’s mother shuffled in wearing her usual neat, clean pinafore. Lily tentatively asked if she could leave home for hopefully a better future. Mum smiled before nodding her approval. Now established in the Dick Kerr’s Ladies team, Lily Parr returned the faith Frankland saw in her. Standing almost six feet tall and with silky jet black hair, she eventually demonstrated her repertoire of skills at home and on tour in France. Previously, Dick Kerr’s Ladies entertained the French Ladies at Deepdale, Preston NE (25,000 att.), Stockport (12,000 att.) and Stanford Bridge, Chelsea (10,000 att.). She is reputedly to have had a harder shot than men. In her first season alone, she knocked in 43 goals. A local newspaper reported: “There is probably no greater prodigy in the whole country. Not only has she excellent speed and ball control, but her admirable physique enables her to brush of challenges from defenders who tackle her. She amazes the crowds wherever she goes by the way she swings the ball clean across the goalmouth to the opposite wing.” Scoring over 900 goals in her career is an outstanding achievement and she is the only female footballer to date to be inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame. Sadly, the English FA eventually banned women in 1921 from playing on their affiliated grounds and lasting for 50 years. “…the game of football is quite unsuitable for females and ought not be encouraged.” The fighting spirit though could not be diminished. In strong defiance, Frankland took his team on tour to Canada and the US. On arriving in Canada, the extraordinary prolific Dick Kerr’s Ladies found out that the FA, having snorted at their unsanctioned stardom, had asked that the association boycott them, in which they agreed. The US was more welcoming, but, to the ladies surprise, their opponents were men. Of the nine matches, they won three, drew three and with three defeats. The enforced ban eventually took its toll on women’s football to decline from its heady days, although they still played football on village greens and non-affiliated grounds. As for Lily Parr, it seems that the town has never got round to acknowledging her amazing achievements! Lily died in 1973 of breast Cancer and buried in St Helens Cemetery.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Match Statistics 201 Date

Opponents

Comp

Result

Aug 06

Carlisle City

NWCFL

3.00

4-3L

Novak D.Brady Williams Rawsthorne

Aug 13

Cheadle Town

NWCFL

3.00

3-3D

Novak

AUG 18

SANDBACH UNITED

NWCFL

7.45

L2-4

Novak Greene

Rigby

Presho

Aug 20

Litherland REMYCA

NWCFL

3.00

W1-2 Novak Greene

Rigby

Webster

Falconer

Presho

Aug 27

Charnock Richard

NWCFL

3.00

W1-3 Novak Greene

Rigby

Webster

Falconer

Presho

SEP 01

PRESTWICH HEYS

NWCFL

7.45

2-2D Hodge Greene

Rigby

Webster

Falconer

Presho

Sep 03

Atherton LR

NWCFL

3.00

4-2L

Hodge Greene1

Rigby

Falconer

Webster

Presho

Sep 06

City of Liverpool

NWCFL

7.45

5-1L

Hodge D.Brady

Presho

Falconer

Webster

Ashton

SEP 10

CHADDERTON

SEP 15

WIDNES

FAV 1QR 3.00 NWCFL

Presho A.Whelan

Falconer

Presho

Rigby

Sheen

Andy Gillespie Pegler D

3-5L

Taylor D.Brady

Presho

Webster

Donohue

Davies

7.45

1-1D

Taylor D.Brady

Rigby

Pegler

Webster

Donohue

2-2D

Taylor D.Brady

Rigby

Ball

Ogden

Pegler

Sep 17

Daisy Hill

NWCFL

3.00

SEP24

FC OSWESTRY TOWN

NWCFL

3.00

OCT 01

AFC DARWEN

TMC 1R 3.00

Oct 08

Alsager Town

NWCFL

Oct 11

AFC Blackpool

NWCFL

7.45

OCT 15

CARLISLE CITY

NWCFL

3.00

Oct 18

FC Oswestry Town

NWCFL

7.45

OCT 22

CHADDERTON

NWCFL

3.00

NOV 10

CHEADLE TOWN

NWCFL

7.45

Nov12

Silsden

NWCFL

3.00

NOV 17

ASHTON TOWN

NWCFL

7.45

NOV 19

ECCLESHALL

NWCFL

3.00

DEC 01

ALSAGER TOWN

NWCFL

7.45

Dec 03

Ashton Town

NWCFL

3.00

DEC 10

BACUP BOROUGH

NWCFL

3.00

Dec 17

Whitchurch Alport

NWCFL

3.00

DEC 26

LITHERLAND REMCYA

NWCFL

3.00

Dec 31

Prestwich Heys

NWCFL

3.00

JAN 07

HOLKER OLD BOYS

NWCFL

3.00

Jan 14

Eccleshall

NWCFL

3.00

JAN 21

AFC BLACKPOOL

NWCFL

3.00

JAN 28 WHITCHURCH ALPORT

NWCFL

3.00

Feb 04

Bacup Borough

NWCFL

3.00

FEB 11

SILSDEN

NWCFL

3.00

Feb 18

Sandbach United

NWCFL

3.00

Mar 04

Chadderton

NWCFL

3.00

Mar 11

Holker Old Boys

NWCFL

3.00

MAR 18

DAISY HILL

NWCFL

3.00

MAR 25

STOCKPORT TOWN

NWCFL

3.00

APR 01

ATHERTON LR

NWCFL

7.45

Apr 08

Widnes

NWCFL

3.00

APR 16

CITY OF LIVERPOOL

NWCFL

TBC

Apr 22

Stockport Town

NWCFL

3.00

APR 29

CHARNOCK RICHARD

NWCFL

3.00

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16-17 7

Ashton

Greene1

Name1

Player name and CAUTION

Name

Player name and DISMISSAL FOR 2 CAUTIONS

Name

Player name and DISMISSAL

Name10

Player name and number of replaced player

Pegler1 Andy Gillespie1

Pegler

D.Whelan Sheen1

Player name and number of goals scored

Name

C.Lomax

G.Lomax1

Greene10

Alex Gillespie6

Threlkeld3

D.Whelan

C.Lomax

Williams10

C.Banasko

Al Gillespie

D.Whelan2

G.Lomax1

C.Lomax

Threlkeld

Alex Gillespie

Tingay

C.Banasko

G.Lomax

Williams

Threlkeld10

Alex Gillespie

D.Whelan

Tingay11

Davidson

Mavers9

S.Brady

Ball2

Hodge1

Ball

Mavers

D.Brady

S.Brady

Al Gillespie

Pegler7

Ball

Dutton

G.Lomax61

Ball4

Donohue Hodge

Andy Gillespie1 G.Lomax1 Williams

Sheen

Pegler1 Andy Gillespie1

Sheen

Ashton

C.Lomax

G.Lomax1 Williams2

Sheen

Ashton

C.Lomax1

G.Lomax

Williams1

Ashton

Sheen

G.Lomax1

C.Lomax

Williams

Sheen

Andy Gillespie

Pegler

Rigby

Pegler

Sheen

Andy Gillespie2

Greene

Sheen

Davies

Andy Gillespie

Presho

Sheen

Presho

Andy Gillespie2

Greene

Williams

D.Brady6 Andy Gillespie11

Greene7

C.Lomax

Rigby

Ball

Williams71

Rowe5

Rawsthorne10

Williams1

Greene10

Rowe2

S.Brady11

Mavers

Al Gillespie

Bradley11

S.Brady4

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Threlkeld11

Novak

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early years The First St. Helens Town 1901-1928

The current St. Helens Town Football Club is the second to bear the name. The first was formed in 1901, initially to rival the St. Helens Recreation club, which had only a few years earlier changed from rugby to football, under the patronage of the glass company, Pilkington Brothers. The first meeting between the clubs took place before a crowd of over 5000 at Pilkingtons ground at City Road in February 1902 and resulted in a 2-2 draw. Based at the Primrose Ground in Park Road (subsequently a dog track behind the Primrose Vaults and now the site of Mulcrow Close), Town entered the Lancashire League Second Division in 1901-02, alongside Barrow, Workington, Haydock, Earlestown, Prescot and Chorley. Promotion was attained in 1904 and the following seasons fixtures in the Lancashire Combination First Division included the Reserve sides of Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Bolton, Bury and Preston North End. Although relegated later that season, Town bounced back to their former status in 1909 and, in between times, helped out the Recs, sharing their Park Road facilities whilst the City Road ground was re-built. St. Helens Town had ambitions to join the Football League and an application was made to join the new Third Division 1911, but this was unsuccessful. The senior clubs reserve sides set up the Central League in 1912/13 and Town became one of the leading lights in the revamped Lancashire Combination. At the end of that campaign, Recs. resigned and reverted to the handling code, joining the Northern Union (later the Rugby League) as a professional club, rivalling the Saints for success throughout the 1920s. This all-consuming local rivalry was one of the reasons for the failure of St. Helens Town and the club disbanded in the late 1920's. It was to take a further 20 plus years and another World War to revive interest in the association game, by which stage St. Helens Recs. had themselves thrown in the towel, having nearly brought about the bankruptcy of Saints during the depression of the 1930s. Famous players for the first Town club included Oliver Ellaby, father of Alf, who went on to great deeds with Saints and Wigan, Jack Bamber (Liverpool) and Albert Fairclough (Manchester City, Bristol City and Derby County). The programme for the Chester v St. Helens Town game in the Lancashire Combination on 13th September 1913 referred to the reverse fixture the previous week, which Town won 2-1. The editor said: The St. Helens ground is not one of the best, the surface being very uneven and against accurate footwork. 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.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Andy Gillespie in action v Daisy Hill on Saturday 17th September 2016

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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

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of St Helens Town

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

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

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

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

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Town News Town team up with Melissa St Helens Town U18s are delighted to announce ‘Melissa’s Smile Fund’ as their 2016-17 shirt sponsors. Melissa’s Smile Fund logo will take pride of place on the front of the U18s home kit throughout 2016 -17 and the club’s match programme will feature the details of Melissa’s fundraising activities during the season. Club Chairman said, ‘We are delighted to be able to support Melissa and her bid to raise funds towards the costs of creating a sensory room. We met a year or so ago when Melissa and her family attended one of league matches at Brocstedes Park, Ashton. He added, ‘Hopefully the shirt sponsorship, programme coverage and our support through social media will further raise the profile of Angelman Syndrome and hopefully help with fundraising’ Melissa Grace is 12 years old and has a rare genetic condition called Angelman syndrome (AS). AS is a complex genetic disorder which affects every aspect of her life. She has delayed development, and intellectual disabilities. She is 12 years old but still needs help with eating and toileting and most of the everyday tasks most people take for granted. Melissa also needs 24 hour care and will do so for the rest of her life. Melissa has problems with movement and balance and also has seizures (epilepsy) and has a very poor sleep pattern and can sometimes have as little as three hours sleep each night. The most frustrating part for her is the inability to speak, and she finds her lack of communication very difficult to cope with sometimes. Melissa’s website (http:// melissassmile.weebly.com) has been set up by her brother Jacob and mum Kathryn to help to support Melissa’s SHARE THE SMILE TEAM who are fundraising to help provide her with the things she will need to help make life a little easier as she grows. And to help raise awareness of Angelman syndrome. The first thing people notice about Melissa is her smile, one of the main characteristics of Angelman syndrome is a happy demeanour, Melissa smiles all the time, even when she is hurt or upset. You can keep up to date with Melissa’s adventures on her Blog page (via the website) and if you would like to send her a message then please visit the Contact page.

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Match Report Town Get Back On Track With Worthy Point By Kieran Ford St Helens Town end their 3 match losing run with a hard earned draw against Widnes. Thursday night football was back at Volair Park this week, with a local derby between St Helens Town and Widnes proving to be a fascinating tie between 2 sides that were returning to league action after contrasting fortunes in the FA Vase on Saturday. St Helens Town fell at the first hurdle after a 5-3 defeat against fellow Hallmark Security League Division One side Chadderton, whereas Widnes progressed with a 2-0 away victory over Malty Main. Nick Matthews persisted with virtually the same side that was defeated on Saturday; he made the solitary change as Phil Williams replaced Danny Greene and played in a more central attacking role. This change meant that Town played with 2 strikers to try and hurt the Widnes defence. The work rate of Williams and Andy Gillespie up front ensured that they could help defensively as St Helens seemed to deploy a counter attacking strategy from the outset. This lead to Widnes creating the first chance of the game as a flick off from a Widnes free kick found Jason McShane he had limited time to attempt to guide his shot past Ryan Taylor in the Town goal,

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v Widnes FC and this resulted in him missing the target. Moments later, former Barton man Kevin Towey latched onto a through ball and smartly turned Town defender Adam Donohue but his shot went wide resulting in early chances spurned for Widnes. Town then started to get back into the game, with Callum Davies looking composed on the ball, continuing his impressive start from Saturday, and with the back 3 of Donohue, Pegler and Webster defending resiliently to keep Widnes at bay. However it was still the away side that were creating meaningful chances, and looked a particular threat down the right with dominant performances from Darrhyl Mason and Jack Graham making them a focal point for the Widnes attacks. The opening goal eventually came with 28 minutes on the clock. A long free kick found Jason McShane who rose higher than Town keeper Taylor to head the visitors in front. This seemed to kick start Town, as for once they had to come from behind to find something from the game instead of hanging onto a lead. 10 minutes later they equalised as a long ball from makeshift centre half Ed Pegler was flicked on by Gillespie, Phil Williams capitalised on defensive hesitation to finish beyond the goalkeeper and send the hosts into half time level. HT: St Helens Town (Williams, 38) 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1 Widnes (McShane, 28)

Town started brightly in the second half, as they looked to come from behind to claim all 3 points. A wonderful flowing move from the blues made its way to Phil Williams who was looking to add to his goal tally for the night, but his effort was straight at Kristoffer Leigh in the Widnes goal.

who rose highest but his header could only hit the woodwork.

Widnes also had chances to grab a second goal, mostly from set pieces. A corner from the right found Michael Burke

Substitutions were afoot with Town bringing on striker Shaun Brady, who had scored 5 goals in a game for the U21 side in recent weeks, as he looks to replace top scorer George Lomax who recently departed the club. St Helens then had another chance to take the lead on the counter attack, as a terrific driving run from Andy Gillespie utilised his sometimes underestimated pace. However, after skipping away from multiple Widnes defenders his shot was high and wide. Widnes then had a chance to win it in the last minute, from another corner. This time it found the head of George Webster but his header could only go over the bar as the spoils were shared. FT: St Helens Town (Williams, 38) 1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1 Widnes (McShane, 28)

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Phil Williams in action At Daisy Hill on Saturday 17th September 2016

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Match Report Steady Progress as Town Claim Another Point By Kieran Ford St Helens Town claim their second draw in 3 days against an inform Daisy Hill side. After the reassuring 1-1 draw against Widnes on Thursday night, St Helens Town wanted to ensure that a solid defence coupled with a dangerous counter attack would be their main weapon as they travelled to New Sirs to take on Daisy Hill. The home side were involved in a mini-revival to their disappointing start as they were embarking on a 3 game winning run. The first of these was handing City of Liverpool a first defeat of the season before beating Garforth Town in the FA Vase before winning at Crilly Park against Atherton LR. As has been the case so many times this season, Town started brightly and were confident on the ball. The front two of Phil Williams and Andy Gillespie were constantly pressuring the Daisy Hill defensive line which lead to some risky moments early on. The work rate of Ste Rigby and Danny Brady at wing back again proved to be useful as Town had options wide as well as central. Gillespie created the first meaningful chance of the game, as he created space in the Daisy Hill penalty area, but his shot was saved by the legs of goalkeeper Craig Haynes. However from this, the hosts went straight down to the other end and created a chance of their own, but Ashley Scottâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s effort was an easy save for Ryan Taylor.

Town managed to grab the first goal of the contest as a Sam Sheen free kick was driven low into the area that fooled the Daisy Hill defenders, Gillespie was on hand to escape his marker and fire home to give Town the lead. This lead only lasted 4 minutes as a poor back pass allowed for a rushed clearance from Taylor to find John Stephenson, the Daisy Hill number 9 composed himself, and hit an effort too powerful for the goalkeeper, which put the home team back on level terms almost immediately. Despite this setback, Town were still creating the better chances, a quick transition from defence to attack saw Andy Presho play in Gillespie, he nodded the ball down but his half volley could only hit the near post. Left wing back Ste

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v Daisy Hill Rigby then skipped inside of his man, but his effort was saved by Haynes at the expense of a corner. HT: Daisy Hill (Stephenson, 29) 1 – 1 St Helens Town (Gillespie, 25) Town started the second half as they ended the first, as they created two terrific chances to take the lead inside the opening 2 minutes of the half. The first of these was a through ball from Andy Gillespie to his strike partner Phil Williams; however his shot went wide of the far post. A minute later this combo was replicated, but Williams struck wide of the other post.

20 minutes into the second half, Town managed to retake the lead. A through ball from Danny Greene, who started the game after being benched on Thursday, found Gillespie who lofted over the onrushing goalkeeper to add his second of the game. Greene was deployed in a more central role today, a playmaker in behind the two strikers, as the wing backs proved to be more of a wide threat than they were on Thursday. Only Ed Pegler survived from the 3 centre backs that defended so resiliently against Widnes, as Jacob Ball and Nathan Ogden came in for Andy Webster and Adam Donohue. Greene came in for Callum Davies as a reshuffle in positions shows the versatility in the Town team at the moment as Nick Matthews and Lee Jenkinson rung the changes from 48 hours prior. Much like the first half, St Helens’ lead could only last a matter of minutes, as Daisy Hill sub Reece Broadhurst was pulled back which resulted in a penalty to the hosts. Ashley Scott sent Taylor the wrong way as the game was levelled again. 6 minutes later, another penalty was awarded Daisy Hill’s way, as Scott was hacked down by Nathan Ogden as he bared down on goal. He stepped up to try and grab his second goal of the game, but this time his effort from 12 yards was well saved by Ryan Taylor as the game finished level. FT: Daisy Hill (Stephenson, 29) (Scott, 70) 2-2 St Helens Town (Gillespie, 25, 65)

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Photo Gallery

Daisy Hill 2-2 St Helens Town Hallmark Security League First Division Saturday 17th September 2016

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Ruskin Update

Ruskin Drive Sports Ground A number of photographs taken last weekend which has seen more work completed as the project nears its end.

Recent work has included permanent pitch markings and the artificial pitch ‘crumb’ has been added. The initial layer of tarmac hardstanding has been completed in most areas with a final ‘finish’ due this week. We will endeavour to keep you updated at sthelenstownafc.com

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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League News Atherton Collieries staged a successful fundraising event in aid of the charity Combat Stress on Saturday 10th September, when they hosted Cammell Laird 1907. The game was designated a 'Pay What You Want' fixture, with the proceeds of the day going to the charity, which is the UK's leading veteran's mental health support organisation. The charity was founded after the First World War and has supported more than 100,000 ex-servicemen and women. Their work is as vital today as it was after the First World War, and the event was one of several fund raising events that the club will host in coming months. Colls Secretary Emil Anderson explained how the event came to fruition, and how the day unfolded. “The concept came about when our Chairman Paul Gregory mentioned to club members Kevin Blake and Ricky Brown that it was the 100th anniversary of the Battle Of The Somme this year, and that the Club should do something to commemorate the bravery of those young men killed in defending their country. Kevin and Ricky immediately took ownership of the project and decided that we would designate a Hallmark Security Premier League fixture as Armed Forces Day. They then spoke to a representative of the charity Combat Stress to see if they be our partners on the day. They readily agreed. “Kevin and Ricky spoke to their local Veteran's contacts and enlisted a number to attend the game. Colls programme editor Joseph Gibbons produced a beautiful cover which listed all those from Atherton who had been lost in the Great War. On the first 5 pages of the programme, all the Athertonians who lost their lives in service in both World Wars are listed alphabetically. The programme is a real work of art. “At the game, all military veterans and regulars gathered outside the dressing rooms about 20 minutes before kick off. Ten minutes before kick off the personnel who looked resplendent in their uniforms marched onto pitch leading the players out. When they reached the centre circle a veteran handed the match ball to the referee. What followed was a minute's silence for the fallen soldiers then a bugler played 'The Last Post'. The rendition was spine tingling and there were tears shed at The Kensite stadium. “Colls won the game 4-1, the result was satisfying but for once the day wasn't just about the football. £642 was raised for the Combat Stress charity but there will be more monies raised over the season. A bumper crowd of over 200 attended the game which is in the club's top three Saturday afternoon home gates since the start of the league in 1982. The club would like thank Atherton Royal British Legion, Wigan Royal British Legion and Hindley & District Veteran's Association for their attendance. We are also grateful to the Hallmark Security League for sanctioning the day and Cammell Laird 1907 for their participation. “A special thank you goes to Fourmar Ltd who donated spirits and wines for the half time raffle prize. A shout out to Rob Clarke for taking the photographs. Kevin and Ricky are rightly proud of the day and are already planning next year's event. They would also like to thank the committee who backed them every step of the way”

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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League News Nathan finds his shooting boots One player on a roll at the moment is Stockport Town's Nathan Neequaye, who was in good goalscoring form for the third game in a row when he hit four goals against Eccleshall in his side's 7-1 win. A regular goalscorer last season in Town's run to the play offs, the striker looks once again like he will be near the top of the Division One goalscorers listings, which is good news for Town and bad news for opposing defenders. West on fire A few weeks back we highlighted West Didsbury & Chorlton's mean defence as a reason for their good start to the season, but it's their form at the other end of the pitch that has caught the eye more recently. With 11 goals in their two games last week, 22 in their last five games, and the best goal difference in the Premier Division, West's position in second place in the table is no surprise. Linnets keep it tight After a mixed set of results early on, Runcorn Linnets are slowly moving up the table, with Saturday's 2-0 win at Barnoldswick Town moving them into 6th place, four points off the top. In past seasons Linnets could always be relied on to hit the back of the net consistently, but with just one goal conceded in the last four games, and four clean sheets in the last six, it's their defensive displays that seem to be paying dividends at the moment with Saturday's result extending their unbeaten run to eight games. If you want goals - visit The Venue Biggest scorers in a single game during the week were FC Oswestry Town, who caught the eye with an 11-0 win over Rock Rovers in the Shropshire Cup. With each of their home games so far producing less than four goals only once, which included an incredible 6-6 draw with Silsden, Town are setting the bar high when it comes to raising expectations among supporters who turn up to watch games at The Venue. Away days agree with Alport One team who will travel more than most on the road this season are Whitchurch Alport, although long away trips don't seem to be a problem so far. Aside of a defeat at Holker Old Boys on the second Saturday of the season, the weekend's 3-2 win at Charnock Richard was their fourth in succession on the road, and they have scored 14 goals over the course of the four games. Their next away game is at high flying City of Liverpool, which has the look of a tasty encounter based on both sides' current form. Wednesday 14th September 2016 New Mills' opening goal in the 2-2 draw at home to Ashton Athletic, scored by Tunde Owolabi in the 63rd minute, was the Millers' 600th League goal. Saturday 17th September 2016 Runcorn Linnets' second goal scored by Mark Houghton against Barnoldswick Town was his sides 800th League goal. West Didsbury & Chorlton's third strike in 4-1 win over Barnton, scored by Ash Woods, was his sides 300th League goal. Despite being on the receiving end of a 7-1 defeat at Stockport Town, Eccleshall's consolation goal, scored by Tom Wakefield was their 300th away League goal. Widnes' opening goal scored in the 24th minute by Thomas Mitchell, in a 4-2 victory at Atherton LR, was their 100th away goal in the League.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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League Tables First Division Table as at Wednesday 21/09/2016 First Division

W D

City of Liverpool FC

11 8

Litherland REMYCA

10 8

Alsager Town

Charnock Richard

A GD Pts

37 16 21 25

31 15 16 25

10 7

26 10 16 24

12 7

28 18 10 23

Whitchurch Alport

10 7

25 12 13 21

Sandbach United

11 7

27 18

Prestwich Heys

10 5

27 17 10 17

Holker Old Boys

13 5

22 21

9 1

21 17

Silsden

30 18 12 16

Widnes

10 5

24 21

FC Oswestry Town

11 4

24 24

Chadderton

11 4

25 26 -1 15

Stockport Town

10 4

29 27

Daisy Hill

10 4

19 27 -8 13

Carlisle City

10 3

22 24 -2 11

Bacup Borough

11 3

13 16 -3 11

Atherton LR

12 3

19 34 -15 11

St Helens Town

10 2

21 27 -6 10

Cheadle Town

15 23 -8

AFC Blackpool

10 27 -17 5

Ashton Town

10 1

Eccleshall

10 0

13 41 -28 2

33 -25 3

St Helens Town Player Sponsors 2016-17 Anthony Whelan Focus Windows & Doors Limited Sam Sheen Airborne Bathroom Services Andy Gillespie Arcoframe Danny Greene Danny’s Window Cleaning Jake Ball Kiera’s Occasions

Andrew Presho Total Building Care Eddie Pegler Gibney’s Jewellers Lee Novak Howdens, Leigh

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

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

League Tables Premier Division Table as at Wednesday 21/09/2016 Premier Division

W D

A GD Pts

1874 Northwich

26 12 14 24

Atherton Collieries

30 13 17 23

West Dids & Chorlton 10

32 15 17 22

Bootle

28 13 15 21

Runcorn Town

23 16

Runcorn Linnets

22 14

Hanley Town

26 16 10 17

Irlam

17 21 -4 17

Barnoldswick Town

22 18

AFC Liverpool

22 18

Squires Gate

23 22

Abbey Hey

13 17 -4 13

New Mills

23 27 -4 12

Maine Road

18 12

Congleton Town

18 21 -3 11

Winsford United

12 11

Padiham

15 23 -8 10

Ashton Athletic

13 18 -5

AFC Darwen

10 31 -21 7

Barnton

36 -28 7 14 -5

6 1

11 10 8

Nelson

Cammell Laird 1907

12 34 -22 3

Saturday 24th September 2016 The Buildbase FA Vase 2nd Qualifying Round AFC Blackpool v Runcorn Town AFC Liverpool v Abbey Hey Alsager Town v Stockport Town Ashton Athletic v AFC Emley Ashton Town v Barnton Atherton LR v Cammell Laird 1907 Barnoldswick Town v Stokesley Sports Club Birtley Town v Holker Old Boys Congleton Town v Bacup Borough Hanley Town v Boldmere St Michaels Harrogate Railway Athletic v Charnock Richard Litherland REMYCA v Vauxhall Motors New Mills v Radford Penistone Church v West Didsbury & Chorlton Rossington Main v Bootle Silsden v Hall Road Rangers West Auckland Town v Padiham Westella & Willerby v Irlam Widnes v Chadderton Premier Division Maine Road v Squires Gate Nelson v 1874 Northwich Runcorn Linnets v Atherton Collieries Winsford United v AFC Darwen Sunday 25th September 2016 Bridlington Town v Daisy Hill Monday 26th September 2016 Premier Division Maine Road v Bootle Tuesday 27th September 2016 Premier Division 1874 Northwich v AFC Liverpool Abbey Hey v Barnton Ashton Athletic v Winsford United Barnoldswick Town v Irlam Cammell Laird 1907 v Congleton Town First Division Chadderton v Silsden City of Liverpool FC v Whitchurch Alport Stockport Town v Litherland REMYCA

Derbyshire Senior Cup 1st Round Shirebrook Town v New Mills Lancashire Challenge Trophy 1st Round Bamber Bridge v Charnock Richard

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

www.sthelenstownafc.com

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016