St Helens Town v Litherland REMYCA 2017-18 by John McKiernan

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

It has been a busy week since we were last here at the AcrOframe Stadium taking on Atherton LR last Saturday. Prior to the game it was confirmed that the Stadium had passed the FA Ground Grading for the division which was a welcome start to the afternoon’s proceedings and matters improved on the pitch as we secured a 3-0 victory over the visitors too. Honours were even for most of the first half but the deadlock was broken on 40 minutes when Jake Young beat an LR defender to an incisive through-ball and slotted home past the advancing visiting stopper sending the hosts in at the break in front. Less than five minutes after the restart Shaun Brady made it 2-0 when he collected the rebound after Young had had his effort parried by the visiting goalkeeper and Town’s top scorer was able to fire the ball home from close range. The result was put beyond doubt in the closing stages when Hal McHugh was on hand to turn the ball home and the hosts were able to see out the closing stages of the contest to record their first home win of 2018 at the 6th attempt and their first home clean sheet since the opening game at Ruskin Drive on 17th August. We then started the daunting task of taking

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on the current top two in the table as we went to league leaders Silsden on Tuesday evening. To say it wasn’t a good first half might be an understatement as the visitors found themselves 2-0 down at the interval and 3-0 down shortly after the restart but bounced back well with goals from Andy Presho & Liam Diggle to reduce the arrears and rock the hosts for a handful of minutes before they managed to add a fourth to settle their nerves and added a fifth in the final minutes of the contest to secure a maximum return. Attentions turn to this afternoons contest as we welcome Litherland REMYCA for a second time this season following the two sides being paired in the Liverpool Senior Cup for the second consecutive season. REMY were the victors that evening advancing into the next round by two goals to one and are still in the competition as they will visit Prescot Cables next Thursday in the Semi-Finals. Litherland were also able to record a 1-0 victory over Town in the reverse game in September which was a scrappy affair and one which Town will have felt aggrieved not have got something out of.

The visitors are on an excellent run of form at present topping the most recent form table having won their last six matches netting thirteen in the process and conceding just once. They will be looking to cement their place in the automatic promotion positions and keep up their battle for the title with Silsden. Lee, Nick and the lads will know they will have to be on top form this afternoon to aid the battle to stay out of the bottom two places in the table as we get to the business end of the season. Let’s get behind Town this afternoon and hopefully cheer them on to victory! Enjoy the game . . . Jeff Voller

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From the Chair The big games are coming thick and fast now as the season reaches its end and having given Silsden a big fright on Tuesday night, let’s hope we can give today’s visitors Litherland REMYCA a game to remember this afternoon.

Our two meetings already this season have been close-run affairs, with Remy coming out narrow winners on both occasions. In the reverse league game in September, we dominated the first half, but could not score, whereas they had one shot and that was all they needed to win the match. Then, in the Liverpool Senior Cup tie at Ruskin Drive, we took an early lead, only for our guests to score twice and go through to the next round. They have progressed again since that night in November and visit current holders Prescot Cables on Thursday evening in the Semi-Final round. Litherland were due at Bacup on Thursday and Silsden at Nelson last night. Assuming both games went ahead, each of the top two

have 6 games each left to play. REMYCA have two games at home to AFC Blackpool and Alsager and four away games: here today, Alsager, Daisy Hill and Prestwich. Silsden face Abbey Hulton and Holker at home with 4 away games: Atherton LR, Whitchurch, Bacup and Cammell Laird. Prestwich Heys and Whitchurch Alport, the only challengers with any chance of pipping the duo to automatic promotion have to do it the hard way, by winning games in hand, with the season ebbing away fast. At the time of writing, Heys have 10 games to play and are still in the First Division Cup semifinal, so they have an unenviable task. Apart from a final day home clash against Remy, they have to take on Whitchurch, whilst Alport themselves have to go to Silsden and Prestwich. Perhaps their best option is to save themselves for the play-offs, where they appear certain to come across Sandbach and either Alsager or Cammell Laird. It all appears to be gearing up for another exciting, if frantic, end to the season for our First Division clubs. It’s just a pity that they’ll all be exhausted. A number of clubs petitioned the NW Counties League who, in turn, requested the FA for an extension to the end of the season after another nine months plagued by postponements due largely to very wet weather. All the FA could do was to extend by two days to take in the May Day bank holiday, so tight is the schedule for concluding all the promotion and relegation issues across the whole of the football pyramid. Once those issues have been resolved, adjustments can then be made to the various leagues ready for 2018/19, not least the new Midland League at Steps 3 and 4 with all the upwards and downwards movements that will entail for the various feeder leagues at Step 5 and below, then any appeals will have to be arranged and dealt with and AGMs held across the country. Before we know it, we’ll all be kicking off again on 4th August, so there really is no time for an extension to this season, we just have to knuckle down and make the best of it. Glyn Jones

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April Sat 07 Tue 10 Sat 14 Sat 21 Sat 28

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

A H A A

Neil Weaver Shaun Brady Shaun Brady Andy Webster Andy Webster

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

H A A A H A

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

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

H H A H

Paul Cliff Alex Ashby Shaun Brady Paul Cliff Liam Dodd

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

H H H H

Paul Cliff Paul Cliff Danny Lomax Shaun Brady Danny Lomax

December Sat 02 Nelson Sat 09 Daisy Hill Sat 16 Carlisle City Sat 23 Sandbach Utd Sat 30 Whitchurch A Player of the Month

A H H H A

Luke Edwards Luke Edwards Kieran Yong Shaun Brady Danny Lomax Shaun Brady

January Sat 06 Alsager Town Sat 13 Sandbach Utd Sat 27 Nelson Player f the Month

H Shaun Brady A Kieron Yong H Luke Edwards Andy Webster

February Sat 10 Whitchurch A Sat 17 Chadderton Player of the Month

H Andrew Presho A Carl Williams Matty Smith

March Tue 06 Cammell Laird Sat 10 New Mills Tue 13 AFC Blackpool Sat 17 Prestwich Heys Sat 24 Bacup Borough Wed 28 Holker Old Boys Sat 31 Cammell Laird Player of the Month

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A H A A A A H

Matty Smith Danny Lomax Shaun Brady Shaun Brady Dom Whelan Shaun Brady Dom Whelan Dom Whelan

Atherton LR Silsden Litherland R Abbey Hulton Stockport Town

May Sat 05 Cheadle Town Mon 07 Alsager Town

H Shaun Brsdy A H A H A A

The Prabhu Ventures Ltd Player of the Month - March 2018 - Dom Whelan (top) and Prabhu Ventures Ltd Man of the Match v Whitchurch Alport - Andy Presho pictured with manager Lee Jenkinson

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Club Information Honorary Life President: Alan Wellens Vice Presidents: Jim Barrett, Steve Ball and David Watkins

Manager’s Notes Good afternoon and welcome to Ruskin Drive for today's clash with Litherland REMYCA. May I welcome the committee, players and supporters of ‘Remy’ for their second visit to our new home as we played each other in the Liverpool Senior Cup earlier in the season.

Interim Chairman: Glyn Jones Hon. Secretary/Treasurer: Jeff Voller (07843 692695)

Hospitality: Margaret Wood and Paul Wood Other Committee: Andy Langley and Kieran Ford 1st Team Manager: Lee Jenkinson 1st Team Assistant Manager Nick Robinson 1st Team Physiotherapist Lisa Phillipson

Reserve Team Manager: Keith Griffiths U21s Team Manager: Jay Campbell U21s Assistant Manager: Joe McCann U18s Team Manager: Graham Arkle Sunday Team Manager: David Platt

Main Club Sponsor: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool Legal: St Helens Town Limited Private Limited Company Company No. 04392840 Date of Incorporation 12.03.2002 Parent Company: A wholly owned subsidiary of Sporting Club St Helens Limited Company Director: Jim Barrett

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Two games to report on since my last notes. The first was last Saturday's home game when we entertained Atherton LR; we came away with a very convincing 3-0 victory in a game we really didn't play our best but a game where we finally took our chances. Another pleasing aspect to the result was keeping a clean sheet which I know defenders enjoy just as much strikers enjoy scoring and it's something our defence has deserved because recent performances have been very good. The second game saw us make the long Tuesday night trip to Silsden in West Yorkshire. Silsden are a team that are sitting pretty at the top of the table and we knew it would be a hard task ahead of us. Our hosts started the game superbly and really showed what a class outfit they are and to be honest we were totally outplayed in the first half. We spoke at half time and said how critical it was to get the next goal but right at the start Silsden scored a third goal. We then decided to make personnel changes and change our formation in a move that paid off because the next 25 minutes we were dominant and scored two goals and we really put Silsden on the back foot. As the game faded out and we committed more men forward Silsden scored two late goals to run out 5-2 winners. On to today's game and I'm expecting another tough encounter against a very strong Litherland side that are pushing Silsden all the way for the league title. Remy are a team that have some class players including the experienced Colin Quirk and Colin McDonald. They also have some excellent young players including Oscar Billington who I tried to bring to our club when he left AFC Liverpool. I know the boys will be ready for today and we will be well prepared and up for the task that comes with a local derby and I believe we can pick up all three points. We still have Luke Edwards and Alex Ashby out with injuries but we were pleased to have Danny Greene back in the playing squad Tuesday night. Thanks for your support enjoy the game . . . Lee Jenkinson

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George Lomax in action v Litherland REMYCA during last seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1-2 away win (at Litherland Sport Park) in the Hallmark Security League First Division

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Q1.

Which goalkeeper became the first South American to keep 50 Premier League clean sheets this season? Q2. With which Spanish club did Gary Neville have a spell as Head Coach during the 2015/16 season? Q3. Which two players won full England caps whilst at Wimbledon FC? Q4. What did Tommy Lawton do in 1937 that only Wayne Clarke has done since for Everton? Q5. Who were the last team to win at Chelsea, Liverpool & Manchester United in the same top flight season and what season was it? Q6. Who was the first player to score 20 or more goals in four consecutive Premier League seasons? Q7. Which team holds the record for having won 13 FA Cup Finals? Q8. Who is the only striker to have made over 500 Premier League appearances? Q9. Who are the only current Championship club to have never played in the English Top-Flight? Q10. Which striker was voted Football Writersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Footballer of the Year in 2015/16? Q11. Which club holds the record for the most goals scored by a team in a season they were relegated?

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ANSWERS 1) Heurelho Gomes 2) Valencia 3) John Fashanu & Warren Barton 4) Scored a penalty at Anfield 5) Wimbledon 1986/7 6) Alan Shearer 1993/4 to 1996/7 7) Arsenal 8) Emile Heskey 9) Burton Albion 10) Jamie Vardy 11) Blackpool 12) 58 13) West Ham United 14) Derby County & Nottingham Forest 15) Lewis Cook

Half Time Quiz

Q12. How many different grounds have hosted Premier League football? Q13. Which club have used players from a record 55 nationalities in the Premier League? Q14. Which two clubs compete for the Brian Clough Trophy? Q15. Who became the first player to win a full England cap whilst playing for AFC Bournemouth?

Matty Smith the Prabhu Ventures Ltd Player f the Month for February.

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Match Day Sponsors

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

Opponents

Match Sponsor

Match Ball Sponsor

Programme Sponsor

AFC Blackpool

Johnsons Toyota

Macron Cheshire

Lanes Trophies

Abbey Hulton

David O’Keefe

Johnsons Toyota

Beer EnGin

Alsager Town

Unite, St Helens

Stuart Pyke

Johnsons Toyota

Atherton LR

Johnsons Toyota

The Boar’s Head

St Helens Mind

Bacup Borough

Britannia Taxis

Johnsons Toyota

ODs Menswear

Cammel Laird

Unite The Union

Britannia Taxis

#RoyalBeddingDay

Carlisle City

Iddon Transport

Unite , St Helens

Johnsons Toyota

Chadderton

Johnsons Toyota

Beer EnGin

A180 Darts

Cheadle Town

Johnsons Toyota

Iddon Transport

Beer EnGin

Daisy Hill

Unite, St Helens

Dave Wiggins

Johnsons Toyota

Eccleshall

Johnsons Toyota

Beer EnGin

Toast Cafe

FC Oswestry

Johnsons Toyota

A180 Darts

Beer EnGin

Holker Old Boys

Unite, St Helens

Arcframe

Johnsons Toyota

Litherland

CWU Mersey & SW Lanc

Dave Wiggins

UglyMan Records

Nelson

Dave Ashby Plastering

Ste Lingard

Flat Back Four

New Mills

Whiston Beer Festival

Airborne Bathrooms

Meadowcroft Group

Prestwich Heys

A180 Darts

Johnsons Toyota

Toast Cafe

Sandbach Utd

Unite, St Helens

Stuart Pyke

Johnsons Toyota

Silsden

Top Car Detailing

Johnsons Toyota

Unite, St Helens

Stockport Town

Iddon / Unite Union

Boar’s Head

Uglyman Records

Whitchurch Alport

St Helens Mind

Dave Watkins

#sthelens150

Hemsworth MW

Dave Wiggins

Johnsons Toyota

Unite, St Helens

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Commercial Corner Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to the Arcoframe Stadium for our penultimate home fixture of the season. For the second time this campaign we welcome Merseyside neighbours Litherland REMYCA.

Many thanks to today’s match sponsors CWU Mersey AMAL Branch who join us for the first time. Their support has extended to a pitch side sponsor board and more recently CWU have become the tracksuit sponsors of our U21s side which will extend across the 201819 season. Joining our match sponsors are Dave Wiggins who has been a great supporter of the club over recent season and today is his second Match Ball package of this season. We also thank our Programme sponsors Ugly Man Records who will be back

with us in two weeks time when Stockport Town are our final visitors of season. It’s good to see another mascot leading the Town players out this afternoon as Dominic (@PuggyAdventures). As the season draws to a close we are already planning for 2018-19 which promises to see lots of changes for the league and the club as a whole. It looks like the league’s plans to expand the First Division will proceed and we are likely to find ourselves in the North Division next season along with a number of new and existing clubs. With a maximum of 20 teams competing in both the North and South Divisions there is still some decisions about how promotion will operate . We are always on the look out for new sponsors and with packages from as little as £50 we offer an affordable way to support the club as well as promote your business. We are also looking for supporters to join our Goldline Lottery - just £1 per week for a chance to win £500 each weekday plus a weekly extra draw up to £5000. For every £1 stake the club receives 70p back in commission - 100 new members would generate the club over £3600 each year. Please see any club official for further details If you can help the club in any way - sponsorship, lottery or volunteering please see me today or give me a call on 07713 339 682. John McKiernan St Helens Town AFC

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Photographs: Action from Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mid-week trip to Silsden in the Hallmark Security League First Division. Photos courtesy of David Brett Photography

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Photographs: Action from last Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3-0 home victory over Atherton LR in the Hallmark Security League First Division

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The world This week Kieran Ford takes a trip down memory lane and discovers events that happened this calendar week in the history of St Helens Town, sport in general and world news. The week of 8th-15th April

Last Season: World – 9th April 2017 Twitter footage of passenger forcibly removed from United Airlines flight in Chicago after flight overbooked causes outrage. Sport – 9th April 2017 Spaniard Sergio Garcia wins his first golfing major by winning the 81st Masters. He defeated Justin Rose via playoff. St Helens Town – 8th, 11th & 14th April 2017 Town come off the back of an 8-0 hammering at Widnes with 2 impressive results. They first defeat Chadderton 5-2 away from home before a 2-2 home draw against eventually promoted City of Liverpool. 10 Years Ago World – 8th April 2008 The construction of the world's first building to integrate wind turbines completes, in Bahrain. Sport – 13th April 2008 72nd Masters Golf Tournament: Trevor Immelman wins, shooting a 280. St Helens Town – 8th April 2008 Town make it 5 unbeaten with a 2-0 win over Congleton Town at Knowsley Road.

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20 Years Ago World – 10th April 1998 The Good Friday Agreement, an agreement between the UK and Irish governments, and the main political parties in Northern Ireland is signed. Sport – 12th April 1998 62nd Masters Golf Tournament: Mark O'Meara wins, shooting a 279. St Helens Town – 8th, 11th & 13th April 1998 Town respond to a 2-7 defeat at Kidsgrove Athletic by battering Holker Old Boys 6-1 at Houghton Road. They then win 1-0 at Warrington Town 2 days later.

30 Years Ago World – 9th April 1988 The house price boom is reported to have boosted wealth in London and the South-East by £39,000,000,000 over the last four years, compared with an £18,000,000,000 slump in Scotland and the North-West of England. Sport – 9th April 1988 17-year-old Alan Shearer becomes the youngest hat-trick scorer in the First Division in Southampton's 4 –2 home win over Arsenal. St Helens Town – 9th & 12th April 1988 Town enjoy sheer domination in this period, with a 7-0 victory over Bootle followed by a 4-0 win over Formby. 50 Years Ago World – 11th April 1968 US President Lyndon B. Johnson signs 1968 Civil Rights Act. Sport – 14th April 1968 1st NBA game at Madison Square Garden, Knicks beat San Diego Clippers. St Helens Town – 12th, 13th & 15th April 1968 Town remarkably face 3 games in 4 days. A 3 -1 win at Burscough is followed by a 2-0 defeat at Rossendale United the next day. They end the spell with a 2-0 home victory over Burscough, playing both their league fixtures against them in the space of 3 days!

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Match Report TOWN GIVE LEAGUE LEADERS PLENTY TO THINK ABOUT Silsden 5, St. Helens Town 2 Town might have ended up on the wrong end of a comprehensive defeat at the Cobbydale Construction Stadium on Tuesday night, but they gave their Championshipchasing hosts a mighty big fright along the way.vvThe first half was pretty much all oneway traffic as St. Helens struggled to get out of their own half and they were quite fortunate to trail by only two goals at the interval. The nearest they came to challenging Callum Jakovlevs in the home

net was when Liam Diggle controlled the ball beautifully and slammed it into the net, only to be given offside moments before his heroics. Earlier, Mateusz Tomas had opened the scoring for Silsden with a crisp finish from the corner of the Town box in the seventh minute and Chris Wademan had stretched the lead with a 28th minute penalty. Profligate finishing by the home side, together with two excellent saves by Carl Williams and a goalline clearance by Andy Webster conspired to keep the half-time score down to just 2-0. Hardly had the second-half begun when a Williams’ blunder let in Wademan for a simple third and it looked like being a long, wet night for St. Helens. However, a couple of inspired substitutions from manager Lee Jenkinson shook up the game, Danny Lomax and Jake Young being replaced by Tom Grimshaw and Tom Potter. The game sprung into life and, from nowhere, Town secured a first corner. From the set piece, Andy Presho lofted an overhead kick which fooled Jakovlevs and ended up in the home net on 64 minutes and a few minutes later, a long pass found Diggle who, full of confidence on the break, took on the keeper and slammed the ball gleefully into the net. Town were back in the game and Silsden’s backs were on the ropes. Order was restored with 13 minutes remaining when substitute Niall Sultan netted Silsden’s fourth and Town were pressing to narrow the gap in the last minute when the home side intercepted a loose ball, man-ofthe-match Aidan Kirby rounded two defenders and rode a couple of heavy challenges to finish well past Williams and put a rather undeserved gloss on the win, with the final goal in a 5-2 home triumph which did not really reflect the effort St. Helens had put into the match overall. Town go on from here to face the other promotion favourites, Litherland REMYCA, at Ruskin Sports Village on Saturday, kick-off 3pm. Glyn Jones

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Club Honours 1949 George Mahon Trophy Winners 1951 Lancashire Comb Division 2 Champions 1972 Lancashire Combination Champions 1973 Bass Charrington Cup Winners 1974 Watson Trophy Winners 1978 St Helens Hospital Cup Winners 1979 St Helens Combination Div 1 Runners Up 1979 St Helens Hospital Cup Runners Up 1980 St Helens Combination Div 1 Champions 1985 NWCFL Reserve Division 2 Runners Up 1986 NWCFL Reserve Division 1 Runners Up 1987 FA Vase Winners (at Wembley) 1994 League Challenge Cup Finalists 1994 NWCFL Reserve Division Runners Up 1995 NWCFL Reserve Division Champions 1996 NWCFL Reserve Division Runners Up 1998 Floodlit Trophy Finalists 1999 REALCO Fair Play Award Winners 2009 Bert Trautmann Trophy Winners 2014-15 South Lancs League U17s Cup Finalists 2014-15 Cheshire FA U21 League Champions 2015-16 Cheshire FA U21 Premier Cup Finalists 2016-17 Cheshire FA U21 League Cup Finalists 2016-17 Cheshire FA U21 Premier Div Runners Up

Record Attendances: 3012 at Hoghton Road v Burscough (1948) 8000 at Hoghton Road v Man City (1950) 1723 at Knowsley Rd v FC Utd Manchester (2006) 9000 at Prescot Cables v Runcorn (1949) Programme Awards NWCFL Programme of the Year 1993-94, 1995-96, 1997-998, 1998-99, 2000-1 NWCFL Premier Division 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 NWCFL First Division 2015-16, 2016-17 Wirral Programme Club National Survey NWCFL Programme of the Year 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99 Programme Monthly NWCFL Programme of the Year 2007-08 Soccer Club Swap Shop National Awards 2010-11 28th, 2011-12 8th, 2012-13 7th, 2013-14 8th, 2014-15 5th, 2015-16 8th, 2016-17 2nd

NWCFL 2015-16 Awards Player of the Month Oct Andy Gillespie ‘Keeper of the Month Nov Matthew Hodge January 2016 Team of the Month ‘Keeper of the Month Jan Matthew Hodge

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

Goals in a Season

Career Appearances (Qualification 250 games)

216 Steve Pennington

47 Phil Stainton 1963/64

448 Alan Wellens (inc. 207 estimated)

118 Terry Garner

46 Steve Pennington 1997/98

359 John Critchley (16 estimated)

108 Gary Laird

45 Jackie Kendrick 1973/74

352 Steve Pennington

105 Lee Cooper

45 Steve Pennington 1993/94

346 Gary Lowe (1 estimated)

101 Glenn Walker

40 Bob Potter 1952/53

345 Glenn Walker

94 Iain Dyson

38 Terry Fearns 2000/01

327 Jackie Atherton (122 estimated)

83 Harry McCann

36 Albert Leadbetter 1950/51

300 Jackie Cooke (1 estimated)

81 Ray Fairweather

35 Arthur Tyrer 1957/58

287 Gary Laird

72 Arthur Tyrer

34 Lee Cooper 2001/02

280 Kevin Grice (147 estimated)

68 Phil Stainton

33 Ronnie Rigby 1952/53

278 Jimmy Woodyer (67 estimated)

63 Mervyn Bull

32 Harry McCann 1950/51

276 Iain Dyson

31 Terry Garner 1950/51

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

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2017-18 Fixtures, Facts and Figu Date Opponents Aug 12 New Mills AUG 17 ABBEY HULTON UTD Aug 26 Eccleshall Aug 29 Atherton LR SEP 02 SILSDEN Sep 05 Carlisle City SEP 09 HEMSWORTH M.W. Sep 16 FC Oswestry Town Sep 20 Litherland REMYCA Sep 23 PRESTWICH HEYS Sep 30 Daisy Hill OCT 07 CHADDERTON Oct 11 Holker Old Boys OCT 14 AFC BLACKPOOL Oct 17 Prestwich Heys Oct 21 Stockport Town OCT 26 LITHERLAND REMCYA OCT 28 CHEADLE TOWN NOV 02 DAISY HILL NOV 04 ECCLESHALL NOV 16 HOLKER OLD BOYS NOV 18 BACUP BOROUGH NOV 25 FC OSWESTRY TOWN Dec 02 Nelson DEC 09 DAISY HILL DEC 16 CARLISLE CITY DEC 23 SANDBACH UNITED Dec 30 Whitchurch Alport JAN 06 ALSAGER TOWN Jan 13 Sandbach United JAN 27 NELSON FEB 10 WHITCHURCH ALPORT Feb 17 Chadderton Mar 06 Cammell Laird 1907 MAR 10 NEW MILLS Mar 13 AFC Blackpool Mar 17 Prestwich Heys Mar 24 Bacup Borough Mar 28 Holker Old Boys MAR 31 CAMMELL LAIRD 1907 APR 07 ATHERTON LR APR 10 Silsden APR 14 LITHERLAND REMCYA Apr 21 Abbey Hulton United APR 28 STOCKPORT TOWN May 05 Cheadle Town Mon 07 Alsager Town

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

KO Result GK 2 3 4 3.00 2-0L Bradley Presho Whelan Edzes 7.45 0-0A Fairchild D.Whelan Dursley Webster 3.00 3-2L Fairchild D.Whelan Presho Webster 7.45 2-0L Fairchild Presho Dursley Webster 3.00 1-4L Bradley Presho Dursley Webster 7.45 3-0L Fairchild Hope-O’Connor Heron Webster 3.00 1-2L Fairchild Presho Dursley Dodd 3.00 0-3W Fairchild Presho Dursley Webster 7.45 1-0L Fairchild Presho Dursley Webster 3.00 0-2L Fairchild Young Dursley Webster 3.00 3-4W Fairchild Presho Dursley Webster 3.00 3-1W Fairchild Presho Dursley D.Whelan 7.45 1-2W Young Presho H-O’Connor Dodd1 3.00 2-3L Fairchild Presho Dursley D.Whelan 7.45 4-0L Fairchild Young Potter Webster 3.00 1-1D Walsh Hope-O’Connor Dursley Dodd 7.30 1-2L Fairchild Hope-O’Connor Whelan Dodd1 3.00 2-3L Walsh D.Whelan Dursley Dodd TBC 3-3D# Fairchild D.Whelan Dursley Dodd 3.00 1-2L Walsh Young Dursley Heron 7.45 1-3L Fairchild Young Dursley D.Whelan 3.00 1-2L Fairchild Young Dursley Lomax 3.00 2-3L Walsh D.Whelan Dursley Lomax 3.00 1-2W Walsh Young Dursley Webster 3.00 1-3L Fairchild Young Dursley Webster 3.00 2-3L Yong Young D.Whelan Webster 3.00 3-2W Yong Young D.Whelan Lomax 3.00 5-1L Yong Young D.Whelan Webster 3.00 3-3D Yong Presho Young Webster 3.00 1-0L Yong Presho D.Whelan Webster 3.00 2-2D Williams Presho1 Dursley Webster 3.00 1-5L Williams Presho D.Whelan Webster 3.00 4-0L Williams Presho D.Whelan Webster 7.45 4-0L Williams Presho H-O’Connor Webster 3.00 0-2L Williams Presho H-O’Connor Webster 7.45 1-2W Williams Presho H-O’Connor Webster 3.00 4-0L Williams Presho H-O’Connor Webster Presho1 3.00 2-3W Williams H-O’Connor Webster1 7.45 1-0L Williams Presho Casson Webster 3.00 1-1D Walsh Presho Casson Webster 3.00 3-0W Williams Presho Cliff Webster Presho1 7.45 5-2L Williams Cliff Webster 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00

5 Webster Dodd Dodd D.Whelan D.Whelan Edzes Webster Dodd Dodd Dodd Dodd Dodd D.Whelan Dodd Heron Webster Webster Webster Webster D.Whelan Heron Lawrence Lawrence D.Whelan D.Whelan Lomax Webster Lomax1 Lawrence Lawrence Lomax Lomax Lomax D.Whelan D.Whelan D.Whelan D.Whelan D.Whelan D.Whelan D.Whelan D.Whelan D.Whelan

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6 Dodd Presh Loma Loma Smith A.Whe Loma A.Whe McHug Loma Lomax Loma Loma Loma Smith Loma Loma Loma Loma Loma Lomax Baine Baine Baine Loma Furlon Furlon Furlon Furlon Loma Furlon Furlon Furlon Loma Loma Loma Loma Loma Furlon Loma Loma Loma

ures

dd ho ax ax th elan ax elan ugh ax ax1 ax ax ax th ax ax ax ax ax ax1 es es es ax ong ng1 ong ong ax ong ong ong ax ax ax ax ax ong ax ax ax

7 Forrester Forrester McHugh Douglas Edwards1 Potter HO’Connor Ashby Ashby Ashby Ashby Ashby1 Ashby Ashby1 Ashby Ashby Ashby Ashby Ashby Ashby Ashby Ashby Ashby1 Ashby1 Baines Brady Brady1 Brady Brady Brady Brady Brady Ashby Furlong Furlong Smith Brady Ashby Lomax Brady Brady1 Furlong

8 Lomax Smith Smith Kwofie Kwofie Smith A.Whelan Lomax1 Lomax McHugh McHugh Smith McHugh1 Smith Presho Smith Smith McHugh McHugh McHugh Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith Presho McHugh McHugh Smith Grimshaw Smith Smith1 Smith Smith Smith Furlong1 Furlong Smith McHugh Smith Smith McHugh

9 10 11 12 14 Lacey Weaver Smith McHugh9 Young11 Brady Weaver Douglas Kwofie7 Heron Brady1 Kwofie101 Forrester Moody Edzes6 Brady Weaver Moody Edwards11 Edzes2 Brady Weaver Young Norris 9 Edzes Brady Dodd Moody Kelly11 McHugh6 Douglas1 Smith Potter Brady7 Heron Brady1 Weaver1 Smith Norris 7 H-O’Connor11 Douglas Weaver Brady Norris Heron11 Douglas Brady Presho Norris 2 Heron Brady2 Cliff1 Edwards Norris 7 Heron Brady1 Cliff Edwards Bolton9 Heron Bolton Cliff Smith Heron5 Hoult10 Brady1 Cliff Edwards Bolton9 Heron Brady Murray Edwards Cliff8 Onhu10 Brady1 Cliff Edwards Murray 10 Heron Brady Cliff Edwards Young Heron9 Brady2 Cliff Edwards Smith8 Murray 2 Edwards3 Brady Cliff Potter Murray 8 Cliff1 Brady Edwards Lawrence Smith8 Brady Cliff Edwards Lawrence4 McHugh Brady Grimshaw Edwards1 Cliff8 Weaver9 Brady1 Grimshaw Edwards Young11 Cliff Brady Grimshaw Edwards Dodd9 Lawrence Brady1 Grimshaw Edwards H-O’Connor6 Presho2 Diggle1 Grimshaw Edwards1 Cliff9 Dursley Diggle1 Grimshaw Edwards Lawrence Baines Diggle Grimshaw Dursley Ashby7 Cliff8 Grimshaw1 Dursley Diggle Cliff31 McHugh Bolton Smith Dursley Edwards11 Cliff5 Diggle Grimshaw Edwards1 Riley 7 D.Whelan Diggle Bolton Edwards Ashby7 McHugh11 Diggle Brady Edwards Dursley3 Lawrence4 Diggle Greene Edwards Brady9 Ashby7 Diggle D.Greene Edwards Young7 Lawrence Brady1 Diggle D.Greene Young3 McHugh10 Diggle D.Greene Smith Ashby9 McHugh11 Brady D.Greene McHugh Diggle7 C.Greene9 Brady D.Greene Ashby Edwards9 Diggle8 D.Greene1 Diggle Furlong Ashby10 McHugh Young1 Diggle Furlong McHugh8 Grimshaw9 Diggle1 Brady Young H-O’Connor3 Smith Name1 Name Name Name Name10

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15 Heron8 Moody9 Young7 Smith Forrester10 Forrester3 Weaver11 Forrester Forrester9 Forrester Murray 10 Murray101 Onhu8 Murray 10 Hoult9 Potter3 Murray 10 Heron Smith Bolton10 H-O’Connor Potter Dodd3 McHugh Cliff Smith6 Dursley11 Presho6 Heron Ashby7 Lawrence Young McHugh6 Lawrence Brady9 Casson Lawrence5 Ball Young1 Cliff16 Potter11 Grimshaw6

16 Parkinson McHugh Weaver Young7 McHugh11 Hatton Kwofie Young Young2 D.Whelan4 D.Whelan Norris

17 Fairchild Young Bradley Bradley Fairchild Bradley Edzes6 McHugh6 Onhu Edwards7 Bolton9 Young8

Potter2 Dodd Young7 McHugh8 Young7 Bolton10 Potter3 Potter10 Heron McHugh6 H-O’Connor2 McHugh Lawrence10 Smith8 Smith Bolton81 Heron Ashby9 Riley 6 Heron McHugh6 Ball Ashby11 Casson Salah

McHugh Lomax

Edwards9 Casson D.Greene

Walsh Fairchild Young4 Fairchild Hoult H-O’Connor H-O’Connor Weaver Salah7 H-O’Connor Cliff10 Lawrence

McHugh Bolton10 Lawrence Young Salah2 Lawrence C.Greene

Young H-O’Connor Potter11

Player name and number of goals scored Player name and CAUTION Player name and DISMISSAL FOR 2 CAUTIONS Player name and DISMISSAL Player name and number of replaced player

Match Report WONDERFUL TOWN HIT THREE AND KEEP A CLEAN SHEET by Glyn Jones St. Helens Town 3, Atherton Laburnum Rovers 0

St. Helens Town returned to winning ways with a wonderful 3-0 win over Atherton L.R. on Saturday and returned only their second

clean sheet of the season. It was a terrific performance from beginning to end and it is just a shame that the season is coming to an end in the next few weeks. The defensive display itself was worth the admission money alone. The back four worked together as a unit, following the example of Andy Webster, Andy Presho and Dom Whelan growing in confidence and Paul Cliff was a revelation at left back. LR stood no chance and were never able to deliver a blow. Carl Williams, back from injury, had an easy ride in the Town goal. Up front, St. Helens were the more eager of the two sides and much more positive than the team that took the field in the reverse fixture at Crilly Park at the end of August, in which Atherton scored at either end of the game to run out rather fortuitous 2-0 winners. This time around, they had far more appetite, despite missing the influential Danny Greene and Luke Edwards. The only surprise was that it took them 40 minutes to open the scoring, but what a goal it was when it eventually came. A defencesplitting pass over to Jake Young, playing at

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number 11, was met first time and hit classy finish managed to “nutmeg” both the last defender and goalkeeper Louis Murray at one and the same time. Hardly had the second half begun, than Town lain siege on LR’s goal and Murray was at fault again as he failed to hold the ball from Cliff’s shot and Shaun Brady was on hand to bury the rebound and effectively wrap up the game at 2-0 on 49 minutes. Town dominated the whole of the second half, but took until the third minute from time to score their third goal, which came in similar circumstances to the second, this time Brady’s shot rebounded off the keeper for Hal McHugh to net the final goal to make the end result 3-0. The win made no difference to Town’s position in the table, which kept them in 19th place, as Bacup are just below them with games in hand, but they are now just a point below Eccleshall with other clubs seemingly waiting to be caught. Had Town been in this form a few months back, they would be looking at a

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comfortable mid-table finish at this stage. The ability was always there, it was just a matter of confidence. A home game against leaders Litherland REMYCA on Saturday will give them the opportunity to see how far they’ve come in recent weeks. Two previous games this season have resulted in narrow defeats: 0-1 away in the league and 1-2 at home in the Liverpool Senior Cup. Maybe this time it will be different.

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Forthcoming Fixtures League League League League League

Town Reserves (Cheshire League Division 2) 10/03/2018 12:15 St Helens Town Res 1-2 Buxton FC Res 17/03/2018 15:00 Moore United FC 3-2 St Helens Town Res 07/04/2018 15:00 Unicorn Athletic JFC v St Helens Town Res 10/04/2018 19:45 Buxton FC Res v St Helens Town Res 14/04/2018 12:15 St Helens Town Res v Cuddington FC

League

28/04/2018

League Cup Cup

Town U18s (North West Youth Alliance League Division One) 11/03/2018 14:30 Colne FC 4-4 St Helens Town 18/03/2018 15:00 St Helens Town AFC 1-2 Altrincham AFC 15/04/2018 15:00 St Helens Town AFC v Tranmere Rovers

League League

22/04/2018 29/04/2018

League League

12:15

15:00 14:30

St Helens Town Res

St Helens Town AFC Witton Albion

v v

Grappenhall Sports

Egerton FC St Helens Town AFC

Town U21s (North West U21s Development League Premier Division) 11/03/2018 15:00 St Helens Town 2-4 Wythenshawe Town 25/03/2018 14:00 Rylands 2-3 St Helens Town

League League

08/04/2018 15/04/2018

14:00 14:00

Wythenshawe Town Daten FC

2-1 v

St Helens Town St Helens Town

League

19/04/2018

19:45

Irlam FC

St Helens Town

League League League League

Town Sunday (Liverpool Business Houses League Division One) 25/03/2018 11:30 St Helens Town 4-3 FC Waterloo 01/04/2018 10:30 West Derby Oaklands 3-4 St Helens Town 08/04/2018 11.30 Seel Arms 6-3 St Helens Town 12/04/2018 18.30 St Helens Town v Windy Arbour

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On this day In history On this date (14th April) Town have played seventeen times stretching back to the first occasion back in 1951. Padiham was the opposition as Town travelled north in the Lancashire Combination Division Two. A goal from Byrne earned Town a share of the points in a 1-1 draw. Chorley were the visitors to Hoghton Road on this date in 1952 and the Magpies ran out 0-1 winners in the Lancashire Combination top flight. Ten years later (1962) and Town were back in Lancashire Combination Division Two action as they travelled to Nelson Reserves. The home side completed a 2-0 victory. It was the eve of World Cup glory for England (1966) when Town hosted Clitheroe on this date and despite a brace from Town’s very own Hurst it was the visitors who ran out 2-3 winners in the Lancashire Combination Division One. The start of the seventies (1970) saw a fourth successive defeat this time a 1-0 loss away at Burscough in Lancashire Combination and just three years later (1973) Town travelled to Clitheroe’s Shawebridge ground where they battled out a 0-0 draw for the last time in the Lancashire Combination. The decade finished with Town in Cheshire League Division One

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action in 1979; Winsford United ran out 1-0 winners in a tight affair. A year later (1980) and Winsford United were Town’s opponents once again, this time Hoghton Road provided the venue. Despite a goal from captain Alan Wellens Town went down 1-2 in the Cheshire League top flight. It was back to Hoghton Road on this date in 1984 when Town hosted Stalybridge Celtic in the North West Counties Division One. Neither side was able to break the deadlock, the encounter finishing 0-0. Town travelled to Fleetwood Town on this date in 1985; goals from Phil Layhe and Dave Collins gave Town hope but the home side proved too strong on home soil recording a 4-2 victory in the North West Counties League. Just two weeks before Wembley glory (1987) Town hosted Leyland Motors in the North West Counties top flight. An own goal was all that separated the teams as Town took the spoils 1-0. On this date in 1990 Town travelled to North Wales where opponent Colwyn Bay earned a 1-1 draw in the North West Counties League. Gary Laird hit Town’s goal on the day. Almost a decade later (1999) a Steve Pennington penalty was enough to secure the points as Town hosted Atherton LR in the same competition. On this date in 2001 Town travelled to Rossendale United where two goals from Lee Cooper, one in each half, secured a 1-2 win for Town the NWCFL top Division. Keighly Cougars RL ground was the venue on this date in 2007 when Town met West Yorkshire opponents at their ground share home. Karl Ledsham hit a first half goal for Town which secured a share of the points in a 1-1 draw. On this date in 2005 Town suffered a 5-0 thumping at Ramsbottom United in the North West Counties League while last season (2017) an impressive battling effort from Town against promotion hopefuls City of Liverpool saw them pick up a point courtesy of a 22 draw at Prescot Cables’ Hope Street ground. Alex Gillespie and Joel Douglas (who now plays for today’s visitors) twice levelled for Town

Thanks to

Dave Wiggins

Match Ball Sponsor Charity Partner 2017-18

Sponsor News Town are delighted to announce that their partnership with St Helens Mind is to continue into season 2018-19. St. Helens Mind is an independent local charity supporting people aged 18+ who are isolated and lonely due to mental health difficulties. In a continuation of this season’s sponsorship of the club, its logo will adorn the squad tracksuits and polo shirts. St Helens Mind will also be the club’s official charity partner for next season as well featuring in our award winning match day programme. Town official John McKiernan said, ‘We are delighted to extend our partnership with St Helens Mind and thank them for their support. We look forward to continuing a fruitful and long term partnership between our two teams. ‘We will continue to provide a number of season passes for use by the charity and look forward to welcoming service users, staff and volunteers to Ruskin Sports Village throughout the 2018-19 season. We have also agreed to support the charity’s fundraising activities over the next year.’ The charity helps people living in St Helens

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regardless of their cultural, religious and lifestyle needs and the services are nonjudgemental and offer opportunities to develop self-esteem and confidence by encouraging and supporting involvement in community life. They do this by providing a befriending service, social groups and activities, volunteering opportunities and signposting to other services. They also promote meant health awareness and resilience as well as challenging stigma. St Helens Mind Manager Gill Ellison said, ‘The last several months have been interesting and colourful for St.Helens Mind. As well as becoming the Mayoral charity for 201718 we became the Charity Partner of St.Helens Town AFC. This has been a superb opportunity for us to raise our profile whilst offering support to the Club.’ ‘We encourage our members and volunteers to attend and have enjoyed our time at home games. You may see our logo in the programme and on the training kit. Calendar sales have also been in support of our charity and we are immensely grateful for all the support we have gained as a result of the partnership.’

She added, ‘The partnership will help us to support many of our service users to go out into social settings, and will help us talk about mental health issues with many new people. We look forward to working together very closely in the season ahead.’

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St Helens Mind Mayors Spring Gala Dinner Saturday 21st April We are coming to the end of our time as the Mayoral Charity for 2017 and 2018 and we would love you to join us at The Mayors Spring Gala Dinner to mark the end of this successful year. The Mayor and Mayoress of St. Helens invite you to their Spring Gala Dinner in aid of their charity of the year, St. Helens Mind. Welcome drinks begin at 7 pm, followed by a fabulous 3-course dinner, and an evening of entertainment by the accomplished pianist and singer Kimm. FAQS What is the dress code? Men: Black Tie * Ladies: Dress To Impress How Much Are Tickets? Tickets are ÂŁ35 per person How Many People Per Table? Tables seat 10 people. If you'd like to sit with particular guests please email the list of names to katherine@hightonwiseman.com What Are The Menu Options? The menu is set out below. If you have any dietary requirements please let us know and we will make sure these are accommodated.

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Is There Parking? Yes, there is lots of free parking available at the golf club. How Can I Contact The Organiser With Questions? Please contact Katherine Wiseman on 01744 520243 or email katherine@hightonwiseman.com *** MENU *** STARTER Tomato & basil soup (Served piping hot, with fresh cream and croutons) (v) MAIN COURSE Chicken breast wrapped in bacon (Served with dauphinoise potatoes and seasonal vegetables) Vegetarian and other dietary options available on request DESSERTS A trio of miniature desserts Coffee & mints to finish DATE AND TIME Saturday 21st April 2018 7.00pmâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;23.30pm LOCATION Haydock Park Golf Club Golborne Park, Newton Lane Newton le Willows. WA12 0HX

Tickets available via Eventbrite

Photographs from our home fixture v Atherton LR (3-0) including our match sponsors St Helens Mind, match day mascots MHS Juventus U7s along with Dominic and @puggyadventures

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Town Archive A case of mistaken identity St. Helens United FC In the summer of 2009 St Helens Town received email correspondence from Oxfordshire based, Peter Long who had purchased a framed and glazed sampler (a framed tapestry image created using different types of stitches) at an auction. On removing his purchase from the frame Peter discovered it was backed by a pristine photograph of ‘St. Helens United FC’, showing the team and committee members from the early part of the twentieth century. Peter’s email to Club Secretary Jeff Voller described the photograph in detail, naming players, backroom staff and committee, outlining the player’s kit and the medals/ plaque being held by the team captain. Following a brief email conversation the photograph duly arrived in the post and Town Chairman John McKiernan set about investigating any connection with the club. ‘After a few hours on the internet it became obvious that the photograph was not a predecessor of the current St. Helens Town. The work being undertaken by club officials on

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the history of the original club (1901-1928) had me thinking another club may have been formed around the same time but it was not to be.’ ‘I’ve manage to track the photograph to the 1919 season, and the team is in fact West Auckland Town FC of the Northern League who for a solitary season changed their name to ‘St. Helens United FC’ the team being based in an area of County Durham called St. Helen Auckland.’ The club is famous for its 'World Cup' exploits which saw 'West' win the Sir Thomas Lipton trophy outright after a second trip to Italy in 1911 although this also caused them extreme financial problems and resulted in the club being disbanded in 1912 and the 'World Cup' being sold to pay off debts. John McKiernan added, ‘There appears to be at least one remaining connection between the ‘World Cup’ winning side of 1911 and the 1919 St. Helens United photograph as both teams contained player J Rewcastle.’ Town have since been in touch with West Auckland Town FC and have arranged for the photograph to make its way back to them. West Auckland’s Commercial Manager Michael Bainbridge was delighted to hear the news and said, ‘I haven’t seen many images from around this time so it will be an excellent addition to our collection. Many thanks for undertaking the research and getting in touch.’

Brief History Of Town The original St. Helens Town club was formed in 1901 and played at Park Road, behind the Primrose Vaults public house. Although it was known as the Primrose Ground, the players changed further down Park Road at the Black Horse pub. Playing in the Lancashire League and Lancashire Combination, the team enjoyed some early success, but struggled after the Great War and appears to have folded midway through the 1928/29 season. The club was re-formed by George Fryer and a group of local businessmen in 1946. They took out a lease of the former cricket ground at Hoghton Road, Sutton, adjacent to the St. Helens Junction railway station and,

although it entered in the FA Cup in the 1946/47 season, a team could not be raised in time to fulfil its tie with Prescot Cables. Friendly games were played, then local team Derbyshire Hill Rovers were taken over in April 1947, those players forming the nucleus

of the team which entered the Liverpool County Combination at the start of the 1947/48 season. St. Helens Town soon began to prosper and early results included a sensational 10-4 win over Everton “A” on 6th December 1947. Former German prisoner-of-war Bert Trautmann joined the club in the Summer of 1948, the strapping goalkeeper helping the team to win its first trophy, the George Mahon Cup, which was secured with a 2-1 win over Runcorn at Prescot on 7th May 1949. Crowds averaged over 2000 that season, peaking with a league record attendance of 3012 against Burscough in October 1948. The following season, 1949/50, Town entered the Lancashire Combination and, despite losing Trautmann to Manchester City in October 1949, they won the Second Division title in some style the following season, three players, Albert Leadbetter (36), Harry McCann (32) and Terry Garner (31) all netting over 30 goals apiece. An all-time club record attendance of “between 8000 and 9000” witnessed a friendly game against Manchester City, arranged as part of the Trautmann transfer deal, in April

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1950 and another 4000 witnessed a second match with City the following season. Although relegated by a slender margin from the First Division in 1951/52, the club continued to look forward, even contemplating Football League status and, in order to further its ambitions, moved to the former St. Helens Recs. rugby league ground at City Road. Initial crowds were encouraging but, despite success, the club decided to move back to Hoghton Road in October 1953, where they remained until April 2000. Town produced a number of fine players who joined Football League clubs, including Bill Foulkes (Manchester United), John Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday) and John Connelly who joined Burnley, later transferring to Manchester United and who played in the England 1966 World Cup winning squad. More recently, Dave Bamber scored goals in all four divisions of the league with a host of different clubs, starting and ending his league career at Blackpool and in the last few years, Karl Ledsham, who had a productive career at conference level with Southport, Lincoln City, Barrow and Stockport County before moving to the USA. Following a second relegation in 1956, St. Helens Town continued to play in the Lancashire Combination, winning the Championship in 1971/72, by nine points ahead of Accrington Stanley. However, the formation of the Northern Premier League in 1968 led to a gradual drain of stronger clubs from the Combination and St. Helens joined the Cheshire League in 1975, becoming founder members of the North West Counties League seven years later. They held the proud record of being the only club to play in the NW Counties’ top flight every season until they were relegated in April 2015, conceding an injury-time equaliser to Silsden in the last game of the season, a match they had to win to stay up. Town enjoyed a golden era in the late 1980s, just missing out on an appearance in the First Round proper of the FA Cup in 1985/86, losing to Morecambe in a Fourth Qualifying Round Replay, but they obtained ample

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compensation by winning the FA Vase at Wembley in 1987, beating near neighbours Warrington Town 3-2, with two goals from Phil Layhe and one from Brian Rigby. They were regular promotion candidates for many years, largely due to the scoring exploits of Steve “Pellet” Pennington, who grabbed 216 goals in 351 games, his season’s best hauls of 45 in 1993/94 and 46 in 1997/98 just failing to beat the club record of 47 scored by Phil Stainton in 1963/64. Current club captain Andy

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

In Town Today Litherland REMYCA Football Club started life in the Seaforth area of Liverpool as St Thomas F.C. (1959) playing in the Church of England League. Players were recruited mainly from Seaforth and Bootle and the team later became known as Bootle C.L.B. (Church Lads Brigade). The founder members of REMYCA United, Bill and Ken Edwards, acted as managers having recently given up their playing careers. The area, predominantly working class, provided an abundance of talented amateur players and links were formed with Bootle YMCA which provided a club base and facilities to train. In 1967 the team again changed its name to REM Social as a local workingman’s club offered to finance the running of the club. One year later REMYCA United F.C. came into being, the name derived from connections with both REM Social Club and Bootle YMCA. The team entered the Third Division of the I Zingari Alliance League and became Champions at the first attempt. Thereafter, successive championships followed culminating in acceptance into the I Zingari League that was regarded as a higher standard of football. The First XI made steady progress through the divisions earning a reputation for playing open and attractive football. The I Zingari Challenge Cup was claimed in the 1975/76 season as REMYCA United began to establish itself as a force within amateur football on Merseyside. The formation of a Premier League led to the club being invited to become inaugural members. This demanded improved playing facilities and the club left its spiritual home at Moss Lane, Litherland to move to Maghull High School. A former player, Steve Smith, became manager and began building a squad capable of competing with the best amateur sides in the region. REMYCA United became the I Zingari League Champions in the 1987/88 season

and in 1991 became one of the few Merseyside Teams to win the all Lancashire FA Amateur Cup. The 1990s was a significant period in the club’s history, and the most successful, as both Premier League and Cup doubles were achieved in seasons 1993/94, 1994/95 and 1995/96 followed by again winning the Challenge Cup in the 1998/99 season. This period of dominance and success resulted in REMYCA United seeking entry to the Liverpool County Combination League to test itself at a higher level again. The club returned after a while to it’s local level after a number of structural reorganisations. The club over recent years worked its way up to the upper echelons of the local leagues. Under various names and guises, REMYCA United has been established for close to over 50 years. Special mention must go to Bill and Ken Edwards, founder members who started the original aims of a platform for competitive football for local people of all ages and abilities. REMYCA United moved their base to Litherland Sports Park, which is one of the finest facilities within the region providing a wide range of activities for all ages and abilities, encouraging use by the local community and performance athletes alike. Our mid to long term aims though are to work with local councils to identify a site and build a community facility for all sides under the REMYCA banner as well as the local area. In 2013 the Management Committee of REMYCA began exploring the potential to grow and develop the club. Social and cultural changes had impacted on grass roots football with many teams, clubs and even leagues folding due to lack of support. The basis for a sustainable club was clearly a community based model offering football opportunity with good coaching to all ages from 7 years upwards. The first stage of the new development plan was to add Litherland to the club name so as to identify with the local area and enhance the community ethos of the club. A key appointment was Colin Begbie as head of youth development who’s experience and network of football contacts has proven invaluable. The longer term plan is to achieve Community Charter Standard status

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small but important financial reward by the league at the end of the season. Another first was taking part in the Liverpool Senior Cup for the first time in the 2014-15 season but ultimately disappointing going out against Skelmersdale United in the early rounds. The following season saw the REMY reach the semi final only to be beaten by Prescot Cables.

and the journey has commenced extremely well. In line with aspirations to compete at the highest level the club applied to be promoted to step 6 of the Football Pyramid and enter the North West Counties Football League. A tremendous amount of work was undertaken to finance and fabricate a 50 seater spectator stand at Litherland Sports Park. The club got the required league position for admission and last season entered the non-league football pyramid for the first time, reaching 9th in the league and a divisional cup final. An amazing year of development also witnessed the junior section grow and girls and open age women’s teams are now being introduced. There are currently 16 teams from under 7s to Veterans playing under the REMYCA banner, a fantastic achievement and testimony to the passion, commitment and hard work of a fantastic group of people.

In 2015, Phil Stafford was given the job as first team manager following a successful stint at Maghull. In his second season, leading the team alongside Andrew Olsen and Paul McNally, he led the club to a thrilling battle for promotion in which the club unfortunately ended up empty handed in the playoff final. The club holds the largest record attendance in NWCFL history for that game, hosting 1303 supporters. 2016-17 was a step forward for the club, reaching the semi final of the Liverpool County FA Senior Cup for the second straight season. The REMY were beaten by Southport 3-2 in a thrilling encounter. It was the previous round in which the Stafford’s side claimed the biggest scalp in the club’s history. The quarter final saw Everton travel to LSP and fall to a solid, containing REMYCA by a goal to nil. This game put the club on the map, and boosted their profile and reputation. Ultimately, at the end of the season, Stafford decided it was time to move on along with Andy Olsen, and, after a search for a new gaffer, Paul McNally was handed the task of guiding Billy and Kenny Edwards creation in 1959 from the beginning of the 2017/18 season.

In 2014-15 the Club achieved a number of firsts. Obviously, competing at Step 6 in the Non-League Pyramid immediately stands out, over the course of the season after a rocky start the club adapted well to its new surroundings and finished a respectable ninth in the NWCFL Division One table and came within a couple of points of a promotion play-off spot. In the same season we reached the semi final of the NWCFL Division One Cup Sponsored by Reusch. Sadly, we went up against the Division’s form team Atherton Colleries at the time on a mudbath of a pitch, it just was not meant to be on the day but still very much a source of pride, one recognised by a

Season 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

League LPL-CC IZL-2 IZL-1 IZL-2 LCPL-2 LCPL-1 LCPL-1 LCPL-1 LCPL-P LCPL-P LCPL-P LCPL-P NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1

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P 10 20 18 24 32 26 30 28 30 28 24 26 36 34 42

W 3 18 11 19 27 13 18 15 9 5 10 13 13 16 27

D 1 1 4 4 2 5 6 4 7 1 3 4 8 6 8

L 6 1 3 1 3 8 6 9 14 22 11 9 15 12 7

F 16 74 53 83 120 59 60 59 52 39 40 58 72 63 107

A 28 15 24 25 41 48 37 46 70 88 50 49 73 51 60

GD -12 59 29 58 79 11 23 13 -18 -49 -10 9 -1 12 47

Pts 10 55 37 61 83 44 60 49 34 16 33 43 47 54 89

Position Resigned 1/11 2/10 1/9 1/17 4/14 4/16 3/15 13/16 15/15 9/13 5/14 9/19 9/18 3/22

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100 years ago . . . Since August 2014 I have been relaying the experiences of the St. Helens Territorial Battalion – the 1/5th South Lancashires – in the First World War, using social media. (You can find the account on Twitter @fifthsouthlancs and on Facebook). The battalion was initially recruited from the town and the surrounding area, including Newton-le-Willows and Widnes. They left home in October 1914, went to the Western Front in February 1915 and stayed there until victory. More than 700 of them were killed (including two of my Great Great Grandfathers) and many more wounded or taken prisoner. One hundred years ago this week the lads played their part in defeating the German Spring offensive. (The Germans were pretty offensive back then.) From the 9th to 14th April, 35 of the men were killed in action, including Sintelliners from Mill St. (Corporal Byrom), Union St. (Rifleman Gerrard) and Merton Bank Road (Rifleman Greenall), and others from Burnley, Shropshire and even further afield. The town worthies were at the sharp end with the workers: on 11th April Major W.N. Pilkington led a successful counter-attack against the advancing Germans. His bravery and leadership skills in the action were subsequently recognised by the award of a bar to his Distinguished Service Order. Other members of the Pilkington family played a

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prominent role and many of the soldiers had been company employees. In between fighting, resting, waiting and complaining, the men played football and rugby whenever they could. The local papers (the Reporter and Newspaper & Advertiser – mercifully without online comments sections) published appeals for balls to be sent to the front and cartoons showing Tommies dreaming of scoring. There is also repeated evidence that the Fifth was a sporting force: in January 1917 they carried off the Brigade cross-country cup, ahead of the Liverpool Scottish; in July that year they won the Brigade Sports Cup, pipping the Liverpool Scottish by three points; and on 8 April 1918 – just hours before the Germans attacked their section of the front - they played in the Divisional Football final, losing (sadly) to a battalion from Lancaster. Even in their darkest periods, sport retained its power to inspire and to act as an escape from pressing realities. So it remains for us, though thankfully we have less dangerous concerns occupying us than our predecessors 100 years ago.

There is one further link with the battalion’s story: Ruskin Drive Sports Ground, now home to St. Helens Town and other local sporting clubs, was constructed by Pilkington for the use of its employees. Many of those who fought with the Fifth took part in sport here, and many of us at the game today are descended from them; at the blowing of the whistle, and in the clubhouse, We Will Remember Them. COYB Ste Lingard (@stelingard)

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

Litherland REMYCA - last 6 matches All Competitions Most recent Home W W W W W W Away W W D W W W Collated W W W W W W St Helens Town games since... All Competitions Clean sheet 1

Litherland REMYCA games since... All Competitions Clean sheet 0

Goal Scored

Loss

No score draw

Score draw Win

2 1

Loss No score draw Score draw Win

Home League Away League Home Cup Away Cup Collated Away Collated

P 2 3 1 1 7 3 4

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W 0 1 0 0 1 1 2

29 7 0

at St Helens Town NWC-D1

Previous Meetings 2002-03

at Litherland REMCYA LPL-CC

NWC-D1

2003-04

IZL-2

NWC-D1

2004-05

IZL-1

NWC-D1

2005-06

IZL-2

NWC-D1

2006-07

LCPL-D2

NWC-D1

2007-08

LCPL-D1

NWC-PD

2008-09

LCPL-D1

NWC-PD

2009-10

LCPL-D1

NWC-PD

2010-11

LCPL-PD

NWC-PD

2011-12

LCPL-PD

NWC-PD

2012-13

LCPL-PD

NWC-PD

2013-14

LCPL-PD

NWC-PD

2014-15

NWC-D1

16/02; 2-3

2015-16

09/09; 1-3

26/12; 2-4

2016-17

20/08; 2-1

14/04/2018

2017-18

20/09; 0-1

St Helens Town Scores First Games Played

St Helens Town Wins

Draws

Litherland REMYCA Wins

St Helens Town Goals

Litherland REMYCA Goals

Percentage Town Wins

20.00

Previous Meetings D L 0 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 6 0 2 0 2

F 4 3 1 2 10 3 6

A 7 5 2 4 18 7 8

GD -3 -2 -1 -2 -8 -4 -2

Win % 0.00 33.33 0.00 0.00 14.26 33.33 50.00

League News Don't rain on our football parade In the aftermath of the FA announcement to Leagues that all promotion and relegation issues must be decided by Monday May 7th, our League Chairman Paul Lawler tweeted in advance of his trip to the City of Liverpool v Burscough game on Friday: "If anyone wants a chat, can it be about anything but fixtures and the weather please!!!". At the other end of the country, Phil Hiscox, Fixtures Secretary of the South West Peninsula League issued the news of the FA decision to his clubs with the accompanying statement "Don't shoot the messenger!".

snow and waterlogging at the Brian Boys West View Stadium in the last week, produced plenty of problems to contend with, and on the field they went into Saturday's game against Stockport Town with no wins in their last seven games. At a time when they desperately needed some good cheer, a 5-2 home win was just what the doctor ordered, and at last something positive to report from what has been a difficult few weeks. They can't do anything to affect the weather on the hilltops of East Lancashire, but if the team builds on a five goal winning performance, a positive finish to a busy end of season run in will hopefully help to erase the memories of the problems encountered in the past few weeks. West looking good Memories of a bad mid-season run after a promising start are now fading into the distant past for everyone at West Didsbury & Chorlton.

The length and breadth of the country, league fixtures have been affected by the bad weather in recent months, and we are no different. But we are where are, and now we know it's a case of just fitting the games in as best we can, hope it stops raining, and look forward to a footballing bonanza in the next few weeks.

Prior to the win over Congleton on 24th March, West had won just one in seven, and were starting to flirt with the edges of the relegation zone. However, Friday's night 2-1 win at Abbey Hey, after going behind early on, now means it's three wins on the bounce for Steve Settle's men. There's plenty of football still to be played, but with West now sitting in 12th place, it's looking like a comfortable run in to the end of the season is on the cards.

A plus point at last for Bacup It's not been an easy time for everyone at Bacup Borough recently. Storm damage at the ground, followed by having to cope with

A tough nut to crack at Widnes Widnes recorded a 2-0 win at home to AFC Liverpool at the Select Security Stadium on Saturday, a result that maintained their

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fine defensive record at home in recent months. In 12 home games since the end of November, Widnes have conceded just seven goals, never conceding more than one in any game. Impressive by any standards, and a statistic that plays no small part in understanding why they sit in second place in the Premier Division table.

The FA Charter Standard scheme scrutinises all elements of running a large community Football Club such as coaching, development, safeguarding and strategic planning and is demanding in terms of meeting the required criteria. The process has taken over 12 months to achieve but has always been a priority for the management board at the Club, and the award will hopefully provide confidence and reassurance for parents who allow their sons and daughters to be part of a great club set up.

The club announced recently that they won't be playing home games at the same venue next season, but home advantage certainly seems to have worked in their favour during this campaign.

Speaking on the upgraded status of the club, chairman Don Rimmer said, "From the outset as we worked to develop the club we have sought to set high standards on and off the pitch.

Stags coming up on the rails Holker Old Boys moved to within four points of a play off place with their 4-3 win over Whitchurch Alport at Rakesmoor Lane on Saturday.

"This highest award from National FA recognises our good work and our standing as a large community club with over 30 teams constantly looking to grow and improve.

It's the latest in a good run of results for Guy Heffernan's men, and they are one of the form teams in the league at the moment with just one defeat in the last seven games.

"A special mention must go to Liverpool County FA who have supported us throughout this process, as well as our Head of Youth Development Colin Begbie and Coach Neil Antrobus who have worked tirelessly to deliver this award.

With a slightly less congested fixture schedule than some in the coming weeks, the Stags seem to be running into form at exactly the right time.

"It provides a platform to take the Club further forward and assist in developing our own Community Football facility."

Litherland REMYCA have announced that they have been awarded Community Chartered Standard status by the FA.

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Premier Division Fixtures

Premier Division Table Thurs 12/04/2018

Runcorn Linnets

37 26

107 31

Widnes

38 24

Runcorn Town

35 22

Hanley Town

36 21

84 46

City of Liverpool

35 18

84 50

Charnock Richard

34 19

86 54

Bootle

34 18

1874 Northwich

30 17

60 37

Squires Gate

36 16

15 69

-8

Padiham

11 West Did & Chorlton 36 15

76 100 -24

12 Barnoldswick Town 31

13 69 59

15 68 65

14 Northwich Victoria

34 14

16 57

-17

Ashton Athletic

Irlam

34 13

52 60

-8

Winsford United

-11

Abbey Hey

20 56

-16

Burscough

36 10

60 88

-28

AFC Liverpool

-18

Maine Road

36 10

24 50 100 -50 32

AFC Darwen

24 35 109 -74

Barnton (R)

30 55 152 -97

Congleton Town

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GD Pts

Saturday 14th April 2018 1874 Northwich v Widnes AFC Darwen v Abbey Hey Ashton Athletic v Squires Gate Barnoldswick Town v City of Liverpool Charnock Richard v Runcorn Linnets Maine Road v Winsford United Northwich Victoria v West D & Chorlton Padiham v Congleton Town Runcorn Town v AFC Liverpool Monday 16th April 2018 Winsford United P-P 1874 Northwich Tuesday 17th April 2018 AFC Liverpool v West Did & Chorlton Ashton Athletic v Charnock Richard Barnoldswick Town v Abbey Hey City of Liverpool FC v Hanley Town Irlam v Bootle Northwich Victoria v AFC Darwen Squires Gate v Maine Road Wednesday 18th April 2018 Padiham v 1874 Northwich Thursday 19th April 2018 Bootle v Barnoldswick Town Burscough v Ashton Athletic Runcorn Town v 1874 Northwich Winsford United v Irlam Friday 20th April 2018 Barnton v AFC Liverpool Widnes v Northwich Victoria Saturday 21st April 2018 Abbey Hey v Barnoldswick Town Ashton Athletic v Maine Road Charnock Richard v Runcorn Town City of Liverpool FC v AFC Darwen Congleton Town v Bootle Squires Gate v Hanley Town West Did & Chorlton v 1874 Northwich Winsford United v Padiham Monday 23rd April 2018 1874 Northwich v Bootle Hanley Town v Runcorn Town Tuesday 24th April 2018 Ashton Athletic v Burscough City of Liverpool FC v Abbey Hey Congleton Town v 1874 Northwich Irlam v Maine Road Northwich Victoria v Runcorn Linnets Padiham v Barnoldswick Town Squires Gate v AFC Darwen West Did & Chorlton v Charnock Richard Wednesday 25th April 2018 AFC Liverpool v Hanley Town

First Division Table Thurs 12/04/2018 1 2

35 28

93 31 62 87

Litherland REMYCA 35 27

98 30 68 85

34 24

78 28 50 75

92 40 52 72

33 20

68 49 19 62

Silsden AFC

First Division Fixtures

A GD Pts

Whitchurch Alport

Prestwich Heys

Sandbach United

Alsager Town

72 56 16 58

Cammell Laird 1907

72 52 20 56

AFC Blackpool

34 16

14 66 61

Holker Old Boys

56 69 -13 51

Stockport Town

63 64

-1

Carlisle City

56 53

New Mills

Abbey Hulton Utd

44 51

Cheadle Town

32 10

51 65 -14 38

Atherton LR

19 50 68 -18 37

FC Oswestry Town

Chadderton

61 80 -19 32

Eccleshall

43 86 -43 30

St Helens Town

24 49 87 -38 29

Bacup Borough

43 67 -24 28

Nelson

40 76 -36 23

Daisy Hill

36 83 -47 22

71 -16 43 -7

71 -19 35

Saturday 14th April 2018 AFC Blackpool v Sandbach United Atherton LR v Alsager Town Carlisle City v Abbey Hulton United Chadderton v Cammell Laird 1907 Daisy Hill v Cheadle Town Eccleshall v Bacup Borough FC Oswestry Town v Holker Old Boys New Mills v Whitchurch Alport Prestwich Heys v Stockport Town St Helens Town v Litherland REMYCA Monday 16th April 2018 Bacup Borough v Holker Old Boys Cheadle Town v Eccleshall New Mills v Sandbach United Tuesday 17th April 2018 Abbey Hulton Utd v Whitchurch Alport Alsager Town v Litherland REMYCA Atherton LR v Silsden AFC Chadderton v Daisy Hill Stockport Town v Nelson Wednesday 18th April 2018 Prestwich Heys v Carlisle City Sandbach United v FC Oswestry Town Thursday 19th April 2018 Bacup Borough v Cheadle Town Chadderton v Alsager Town Saturday 21st April 2018 Abbey Hulton United v St Helens Town Alsager Town v Daisy Hill Bacup Borough v Sandbach United Cammell Laird 1907 v New Mills Chadderton v Carlisle City Cheadle Town v Atherton LR Holker Old Boys v Eccleshall Litherland REMYCA v AFC Blackpool Nelson v Prestwich Heys Stockport Town v FC Oswestry Town Whitchurch Alport v Silsden AFC Monday 23rd April 2018 Bacup Borough v Whitchurch Alport Daisy Hill v Stockport Town Nelson v FC Oswestry Town Tuesday 24th April 2018 Abbey Hulton Utd v Cammell Laird 1907 Atherton LR v Holker Old Boys Carlisle City v AFC Blackpool New Mills v Cheadle Town Prestwich Heys v Alsager Town Wednesday 25th April 2018 Sandbach United v Eccleshall Thursday 26th April 2018 Bacup Borough v Abbey Hulton United Cammell Laird 1907 v Cheadle Town New Mills v Carlisle City Friday 27th April 2018 Prestwich Heys v Atherton LR

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Next up at RUSKIN DRIVE Sat 28h April 2018 Kick Off 3.00pm

Today’s Team Line-up

versus STOCKPORT T Hallmark Security League Division One

Next AWAY FIXTURE Sat 21st April 2018 Kick Off 3.00pm

versus Abbey Hulton Hallmark Security League Division One

Today’s SPONSORS Match: CWU Greater Mersey AMAL Branch Match Ball: Candy Opera

Programme: Ugly Man Records

Main Club Sponsors

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool Charity Partner 2017-18

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