St Helens Town v Sandbach United 2017-18 by John McKiernan

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Talk of the Town

the game.

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

Football doesn’t get much crueller than the closing few minutes of the game here last Saturday afternoon against Carlisle City. The game had started off well and Town were in front as early as the 5th minute when Luke Edwards saw his cross cut out for a corner and Edwards delivered the set piece into the 6 yard box where the dangerous centre was met on the front post by a City defender but his attempted clearance sliced into the net to put the hosts in front. Town were on top and looked to add to their lead, Shaun Brady taking up a wider role with the inclusion of new signing Liam Diggle up front took up his new position with relish and was giving the visiting left back all sorts of problems. So often as appears to be the story of our season we got into great positions but failed to capitalise on these by putting the ball away and extending our lead. The aforementioned Brady had an effort pushed onto the crossbar by the excellent visiting stopper and a well struck half volley from Tom Grimshaw sailed just over the bar with the keeper well beaten as the single goal lead was taken into the break by the hosts but it could and possibly should have been more.

The second half started with a spell of pressure from the visitors as they looked to get back level and this culminated when a corner was punched half clear by debutant

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Kieron Yong in the Town goal only to be turned back goalwards by one of the massed ranks of Carlisle players in the box and Robert McCartney was able to flick the ball home from close range. The Town ranks feared the worst as we have tended to concede goals in batches at points this season but the hosts responded well Edwards sent a hard and low cross into the box which just evaded Diggle before a through ball from found the front man and he eased past a defender before snatching at the ball but luck was on his side as the ball spooned up into the air for him to head past the onrushing stopper to put the hosts back in the lead with just under a quarter of an hour to play. Town were on top now and looked likely to add a third. Brady had an one on one saved by Adam Coward in the City goal before drifting past his marker and firing into the side netting when he probably should have squared to Edwards at the far post. As the game ticked into added on time the visitors were awarded a free kick which was sent deep into the box, Edwards rose to head clear but was pushed under the ball and everyone in the ground awaited the whistle for a Town free kick as any contact previously in these kind of challenges had drawn a free kick the whistle never came and manager James Tose headed the Cumbrian’s level. Worse was to come as with almost the last kick of the game McCartney fired home to see Carlisle snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and send Town off into the night wondering about what could have been. We must bounce back for this visit of Sandbach United this afternoon, the visitors have seen four of their last five matches called off with the recent bad weather with their last outing being on 29th November as they came back from 2-0 down after 60 minutes when hosting Alsager Town to snatch a 2-2 draw with a 90th minute leveller. Let’s get behind Town this afternoon and hopefully cheer them on to a much needed victory! Enjoy the game . . . Jeff Voller

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From the Chair Welcome to our visitors from Sandbach United for today’s game. They were one of the new influx of six clubs into the Hallmark Securities First Division last season and only just missed out on promotion at the first attempt. They also pushed City of Liverpool very close in the First Division Cup Final, going down to the only goal of the game at Runcorn Linnets’ Millbank Stadium last May. We had two very close games with Sandbach last season and our clubs have yet to meet this campaign, although we cross swords again in the reverse clash in just three weeks’ time. Whether or not they are promoted this term, we are unlikely to play them in league football next season as we seem destined to be consigned to different divisions following the end of season shake-up. Last Saturday’s game against Carlisle City marked the half-way point in Town’s league season and what a strange season it has been so far. Of the 21 matches played to date, 12 have been at home, only one of which has been won, yet of the nine away fixtures, we

have quite a decent record with three wins, a draw and five defeats. Of those five losses, only one was by three goals. Ironically, one away win – 3-0 at Oswestry – was on a 3G surface, as was the draw, at high-flying Stockport Town, so why has the team found it so difficult to win on the artificial surface at Ruskin Drive? It’s not only the league games: losses have been recorded in the FA Vase and the Liverpool Senior Cup and although we went out of the First Division Cup to Daisy Hill, that was on penalties after a 3-3 draw. Closer examination reveals that, of the ten home league defeats, St. Helens have lost games from winning positions on seven occasions and only the floodlight switch-off saved us from a possible last-minute penalty loss to Abbey Hulton! The four points from two away games surely cannot mean our team cannot play on the artificial surface, so it has to be a confidence or pressure issue, but with eight home games left after today’s match, the lowest-placed team yet to visit Ruskin Drive – New Mills – currently stand in 16th place in the table and we need a big turnaround in fortunes. It will surely be a big relief to start playing on grass again and Boxing Day at Cammell Laird cannot come quickly enough! Every season, at least one club has an inexplicable campaign where it has a terrible home record and a much better away return and it may be just Town’s turn for such an enigmatic year. Who knows: a few weeks away from the place and a run of matches where the pressure is off might just do the trick. Town have yet to face Sandbach, Cammell Laird, Whitchurch and Alsager and whilst they are all tough games on paper, reverse psychology sometimes means that expectations are lowered and fortunes change. Stranger things have happened before: mark my words! Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year to all of you. Glyn Jones Message from Paul and Margaret Wood. We would like to thank everyone at St Helens Town who have sent their good luck for the operation to have some cancerous cells removed. ‘’ ‘Don’t worry we’ll be back sheering on Town and will bring some home made cakes for the half time hospitality.’

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

A H A A

Neil Weaver Shaun Brady Shaun Brady Andy Webster Andy Webster

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

H A A A H A

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

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

H H A H

Paul Cliff Alex Ashby Shaun Brady Paul Cliff Liam Dodd

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

H H H H

Paul Cliff Paul Cliff Danny Lomax Shaun Brady Danny Lomax

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

A Luke Edwards H Luke Edwards H Kieran Yong H A A

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The Prabhu Ventures Ltd Man of the Match v Holker Old Boys - Paul Cliff with manager Lee Jenkinson

The Prabhu Ventures Ltd Man of the Match v Daisy Hill - Luke Edwards pictured with manager Lee Jenkinson

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Club Information Honorary Life President: Alan Wellens Vice Presidents: Jim Barrett and Steve Ball Interim Chairman: Glyn Jones Hon. Secretary/Treasurer: Jeff Voller (07843 692695) Hospitality: Margaret Wood and Paul Wood

Managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Notes Good afternoon and welcome to Ruskin Drive for today's clash with Sandbach United. May I take this opportunity to welcome Sandbach to our new facilities here in St Helens and hope they have a safe journey back down the M6 after the game. One result to report on and yet again another three points taken away from us in the dying minutes of the game. A game in which we were leading 2-1 going into the 90th minute and with 2 very poor refereeing decisions we went on to lose 2-3.

Other Committee: Andy Langley and Kieran Ford 1st Team Manager: Lee Jenkinson 1st Team Assistant Manager Nick Robinson 1st Team Physiotherapist Lisa Phillipson Reserve Team Manager: Keith Griffiths U21s Team Manager: Jay Campbell U21s Assistant Manager: Joe McCann

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

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I normally stay quiet over referees because it's not a job I would like to do but to see three very young officials take charge of a semi professional match really needs the league to look at because these decisions certainly cost us a certain three points. Three debutants last week came from our under 21s keeper Kieran Yong who really did well and made some excellent saves. Midfielder Mick Furlong comes from Rainhill and I spoke about him in last week's notes and again he had a very good start and another two or three games under his belt he will be an excellent addition to the squad. Finally, young striker Liam Diggle was signed from Burscough on the Friday night and came straight into the starting eleven. Liam is a player I've been after for a while and was pleased to see him come away with our second goal. Today I'm expecting a very good footballing game has Sandbach have always played that way in the games we played in last season but I expect nothing more than three points from the lads today. All that leaves me to do is to wish all our supporters a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy the game Lee Jenkinson

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Back ow, third from the left is Alan Wellens (FA Vase winning Manager) and third right on the back row is Barry Lowe who played in the FA Vase winning team

St Helens Town 1979 pictured at Hoghton Road, Sutton

Blast from the Past

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Half Time Quiz Q1. Which player is the most capped Brazilian international having appeared 142 times for the national team? Q2. At which ground did Coventry City play for 106 years from 1899 to 2005? Q3. Who was the first Norwegian to score a Premier League hat-trick? Q4. Which player broke Ryan Giggsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Premier League appearance record this season? Q5. Which big money Everton signing this summer had just one first team appearance for Manchester United in his four year spell at the club?

Q9. Who is the oldest of the current Premier League managers? Q10. Which player won the top-flight with Liverpool in 1988 & 1990 before winning the second tier title with Newcastle United in 1993? Q11. Which player holds the record for being the most capped Dutch international with 133 appearances? Q12. Which venue, known more in the cricketing world hosted the first FA Cup Final in March 1872? Q13. How many teams compete in the group stages of the Europa League? Q14. Who was the first Englishman to score a Champions League hat-trick? Q15. Which player did Everton sign from Burnley for ÂŁ325,000 in 1983?

Q6. Who was the last Swedish player to win the Champions League?

Q8. Which Sheffield Wednesday striker scored 19 Premier League goals during the 1993/4 season?

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1) Cafu 2) Highfield Road 3) Jan Age Fjortoft for Swindon in 1994 4) Gareth Barry 5) Michael Keane 6) Henrik Larsson 7) Paul Koncheskey 8) Mark Bright 9) Roy Hodgson 10) Barry Venison 11) Wesley Sneijder 12) Kennington Oval 13) 48 14) Mike Newell for Blackburn in Dec 1995 15) Trevor Steven

Q7. Which former Liverpool player has more recently been turning out for non-league Billericy Town?

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Match Day Sponsors

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

Opponents

Match Sponsor

Match Ball Sponsor

Programme Sponsor

AFC Blackpool

Johnsons Toyota

Macron Cheshire

Lanes Trophies

Abbey Hulton

David O’Keefe

Johnsons Toyota

Beer EnGin

Unite, St Helens

The Boar’s Head

Johnsons Toyota

Bacup Borough

Britannia Taxis

Johnsons Toyota

ODs Menswear

Cammel Laird

Johnsons Toyota

The Boar’s Head Unite , St Helens

Alsager Town Atherton LR

Carlisle City

Iddon Transport

Chadderton

Johnsons Toyota

Cheadle Town

Johnsons Toyota

Iddon Transport

Beer EnGin

A180 Darts

Daisy Hill

Unite, St Helens

Dave Wiggins

Johnsons Toyota

Eccleshall

Johnsons Toyota

Beer EnGin

Toast Cafe

FC Oswestry

Johnsons Toyota

A180 Darts

Beer EnGin

Holker Old Boys

Litherland

Stuart Pyke

Unite, St Helens

Britannia Taxis

Nelson

Dave Ashby

New Mills

Johnsons Toyota

Airborne Bathrooms

Johnsons Toyota

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

The Boar’s Head

Johnsons Toyota

Whitchurch Alport

Johnsons Toyota

Hemsworth MW

Dave Wiggins

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Johnsons Toyota

Unite, St Helens

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Blast from the Past Town manager Mick Holgate receiving his Carling Manager of the Month for November 1992

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St Helens Mind Volunteer and make a real difference Sally volunteers at our social groups, introducing people to arts and crafts and encouraging them to have a go and explore their creativity. Like all our volunteers, she plays a very important role in the delivery of our services. As well as preparing and facilitating craft sessions, Sally also helps at fundraising and awareness-raising events. Sally says: “I love being a volunteer. It gives my life purpose, something I've missed while not being well enough to work. I love doing crafts and creative projects, and helping others achieve things they didn't think they could do, gives me such a great boost. Some days I find it hard to motivate myself because of my health, but going to the social group always makes me feel better; having a chat and a laugh really is good for me. And if I go home knowing someone's smiled, feels better or has got something off their chest, because of me, it's the best feeling in the world.” Jim has been a volunteer supporting people at various social groups, has facilitated successful fund raising evenings and has been invaluable at our Family Fun Day and other public events. Jim tells us: “I volunteered because I wanted to help people and to give something back. It

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dawned on me after a few weeks that I was enjoying it so much, I was being helped as much as I was helping!” Rob joined us recently with a view to using his sound engineering skills. The group he has established is slowly evolving, as people who use our services come along with their poems, songs and even musical instruments to have their work recorded. Rob says: “I applied for volunteering, purely to put back into the community, using my knowledge and experience, and to help others that have the same interest and abilities.“ Dolly has been a Befriender, a group’s volunteer, and a helping hand at many events, providing information to the public, and helping us to raise funds.

Already an incredibly busy lady, Dolly tells us why she finds time to volunteer: “I get a lot of satisfaction by helping others and it takes away my focus from my own health and other problems. I love the feeling of being with other people with whom I have things in common & the mutual respect & friendship. Most of all, laughter is the best medicine and there's loads going about in St. Helens Mind! " Gill Ellison

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Photographs: Action from Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s away trip to Sandbach United last season. Our hosts ran out 2-1 winners

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The world This week Kieran Ford takes a trip down memory lane and discovers events that happened this calendar week in the history of St Helens Town, sport in general and world news. The week of 17th-24th December Last Season: World – 22nd December 2016 The NHS announces that 10 blind patients will receive "bionic eyes" to help treat an inherited form of blindness. Sport – 23rd December 2016 Sam Allardyce makes his return to football after just under three months, taking over at Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace, who sacked Alan Pardew a day beforehand. St Helens Town – 17th December 2016 Town succumb to a 3-0 defeat at Whitchurch Alport in heavy fog at Yockings Park.

10 Years Ago World – 18th December 2007 Nick Clegg won the Liberal Democrats leadership election. Sport – 21st December 2007 Premier League strugglers Fulham sack manager Lawrie Sanchez after eight months in charge. St Helens Town – 22nd December 2007 Town draw 2-2 with Flixton at Knowsley

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Road. 20 Years Ago World – 24th December 1997 Will Straw, son of Cabinet minister Jack Straw, is arrested on suspicion of supplying cannabis. Sport – 19th December 1997 Liverpool sign USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel from Columbus Crew for £1million. St Helens Town – 20th December 1997 Town draw 1-1 with Chadderton to end 1997 7 games unbeaten. The Vase Year – 1987 World – 17th December 1987 A year that has seen an excellent performance for the British economy ends with unemployment reported to have fallen below 2.7 million, having started the year in excess of 3 million. Sport – 20th December 1987 Fatima Whitbread wins Sports Personality of the Year St Helens Town – 19th December 1987 St Helens beat Atherton LR 1-0 away from home, their 6th game without defeat. 50 Years Ago World – 22nd December 1967 BBC Radio 4 panel game Just a Minute, chaired by Nicholas Parsons, was first transmitted. It would still be running under the same Chairman fifty years later. Sport – 17th December 1967 Harold Holt, Prime Minister of Australia, vanishes in mysterious circumstances while swimming near Melbourne. St Helens Town – 22nd December 1967 Town’s last game before Christmas sees them draw 1-1 at Kirkby Town.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Goals in a Season

Career Appearances (Qualification 250 games)

216 Steve Pennington

47 Phil Stainton 1963/64

448 Alan Wellens (inc. 207 estimated)

118 Terry Garner

46 Steve Pennington 1997/98

359 John Critchley (16 estimated)

108 Gary Laird

45 Jackie Kendrick 1973/74

352 Steve Pennington

105 Lee Cooper

45 Steve Pennington 1993/94

346 Gary Lowe (1 estimated)

101 Glenn Walker

40 Bob Potter 1952/53

345 Glenn Walker

94 Iain Dyson

38 Terry Fearns 2000/01

327 Jackie Atherton (122 estimated)

83 Harry McCann

36 Albert Leadbetter 1950/51

300 Jackie Cooke (1 estimated)

81 Ray Fairweather

35 Arthur Tyrer 1957/58

287 Gary Laird

72 Arthur Tyrer

34 Lee Cooper 2001/02

280 Kevin Grice (147 estimated)

68 Phil Stainton

33 Ronnie Rigby 1952/53

278 Jimmy Woodyer (67 estimated)

63 Mervyn Bull

32 Harry McCann 1950/51

276 Iain Dyson

31 Terry Garner 1950/51

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

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

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

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

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

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6 Dodd Presh Loma Loma Smit A.Whe Loma A.Whe McHu Loma Loma Loma Loma Loma Smit Loma Loma Loma Loma Loma Loma Baine Baine Baine Loma Furlon

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 ng

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

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

9 Lacey Brady Brady1 Brady Brady Brady Douglas1 Brady1 Douglas Douglas Brady2 Brady1 Bolton Brady1 Brady Brady1 Brady Brady2 Brady Brady Brady Brady Brady1 Brady Brady1 Diggle1

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

11 12 14 Smith McHugh9 Young11 Douglas Kwofie7 Heron Kwofie101 Moody Edzes6 Moody Edwards11 Edzes2 Young Norris9 Edzes Moody Kelly11 McHugh6 Potter Brady7 Heron Smith Norris7 H-O’Connor11 Brady Norris Heron11 Presho Norris2 Heron Edwards Norris7 Heron Edwards Bolton9 Heron Smith Heron5 Hoult10 Edwards Bolton9 Heron Edwards Cliff8 Onhu10 Edwards Murray10 Heron Edwards Young Heron9 Edwards Smith8 Murray2 Edwards3 Potter Murray8 Edwards Lawrence Smith8 Edwards Lawrence4 McHugh Edwards1 Cliff8 Weaver9 Edwards Young11 Cliff Edwards Dodd9 Lawrence Edwards H-O’Connor6 Presho2 Edwards1 Cliff9 Dursley

15 16 17 Heron8 Parkinson Fairchild Moody9 McHugh Young Young7 Weaver Bradley Smith Young7 Bradley Forrester10 McHugh11 Fairchild Forrester3 Hatton Bradley Weaver11 Kwofie Edzes6 Forrester Young McHugh6 Forrester9 Young2 Onhu Forrester D.Whelan4 Edwards7 Murray10 D.Whelan Bolton9 Murray101 Norris Young8 Onhu8 Murray10 Potter2 McHugh Hoult9 Dodd Lomax Potter3 Young7 Murray10 McHugh8 Walsh Heron Young7 Fairchild Smith Bolton10 Young4 Bolton10 Potter3 Fairchild H-O’Connor Potter10 Hoult Potter Heron H-O’Connor Dodd3 McHugh6 H-O’Connor McHugh H-O’Connor2 Weaver Cliff McHugh Salah7 Smith6 Lawrence10 H-O’Connor

Match Report More Late Heartache For Town by Kieran Ford Carlisle snatch the 3 points in late drama at Ruskin. The game barely had time to get going when the home side added to their habit of scoring early goals. A Luke Edwards corner from the right-hand side bounced off the damp synthetic pitch before hitting a helpless Darren Addison who skewed the ball into his own net. Carlisle looked for an immediate response and had seem to ditch the long ball tactic that they used in the opening 5 minutes. The ball broke to Aaron Bradbury from a throw in

but his powerful half volley was well stopped by Town debutant in between the stick Kieron Yong. Carlisle continued to threaten, Town failed to clear their lines from a corner and Robert McCartney was free at the back post, he directed his header back the way it came but it just evaded the post. Town showed some of their attacking flair when Danny Lomax, looking more than accomplished at centre half, won the ball and played it to Michael Furlong. He played a terrific through ball to Shaun Brady on the right-hand side. He cut inside but his effort was helped onto the crossbar by the Carlisle keeper, sparking applause from the Town fans at Ruskin. The hosts continued their positive football soon after, a good link up between Liam Diggle and Tom Grimshaw at the edge of the area allowed Grimshaw with time to pick his spot on the half volley, but his effort went over the bar in a golden opportunity for St Helens.

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Carlisle looked at their most dangerous when running at the St Helens defence, this was proven again just after the half hour mark, the ball was threaded through to David Renyard but his close range shot was well saved by Yong, parrying for a corner. HT: St Helens Town (Own Goal, 5) 1 – 0 Carlisle City Carlisle looked for a way back into the game as the 2nd half began, a dangerous cross from the right flashed across goal yet no one was there to capitalise as the away side pressed for an equaliser. Carlisle added their equaliser just after the hour mark. A corner from the right was met by a man in sky blue, his goal ward header was turned in by Robert McCartney to reward Carlisle after their 2nd half pressure. The away side now had their tails up and looked to capitalise on the Town’s nervousness. Danny Lomax’s lapse in concentration allowed a Carlisle man in on goal but he dragged his shot wide. Town went down the other end and created a good chance of their own, Luke Edwards fizzed a low cross into the area but Diggle was unable to turn his shot in at the near post, producing a fine save by the goalkeeper. Town reinstated their lead with 15 minutes to play. A long ball over the top was miscontrolled by Liam Diggle originally, but he met the bouncing ball before the Carlisle keeper to nod home and give the home crowd something to cheer about. Town had further chances through Brady towards the end of the match to wrap the game up, but both were just wide.

This came back to haunt St Helens as the visitors found a 2nd equaliser in stoppage time. A free kick was floated into the area which was met by a Carlisle head which was saved by Kieron Yong, however substitute James Tose was on hand to tap in the rebound to give his side something from the game. The Town players and supporters were furious with the referee who failed to see a blatant push on Luke Edwards, but despite the protests the goal stood and Edwards found himself with a caution.

However, the drama wasn’t over as minutes later Robert McCartney was played through to complete an unlikely turnaround for the sky blues, he slotted the ball around the goal keeper sparking wild scenes of celebration from the travelling players and fans. This was as Town were left to rue their luck as they remain 3rd bottom. FT: St Helens Town (Own Goal, 5) (Diggle, 76) 2 – 3 Carlisle City (McCartney, 64, 90+4) (Tose, 90+1)

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On this day In history As you might expect there have been slightly fewer games on this date (23rd December) but Town have still had seen encounters spread across a 67 year period with one game taking place in each of the decades.

The club’s opening game on this date took place in 1950 when Great Harwood were the visitors to Hoghton Road in the Lancashire Combination Division Two. Despite goals from Byrne and a brace from McCann Town lost 3-4. The two teams met at the end of the season (5th May) as Town ran out 0-3 winners at the Showground in a fine end to the campaign which saw them win 7 from 9 games.

our visitors edging a narrow victory 0-1.. Town gained some revenge later in the campaign running out 0-3 winners at Hope Street (21st April) with goals from Williams (2) and Woods. Seventeen years later (1989) and Town were on their travels for the first time on this date, making the relatively short trip to Vauxhall GM in the North West Counties Premier Division. One again Town suffered a narrow 0 -1 defeat. The mid-1990s (1995) and Town were back in NWCFL Premier Division action with a long trip north to Penrith. A Tony Ungi goal midway through the second half ensured Town returned with the points. The two teams had met a week earlier at Hoghton Road with Town winning 4-3 with goals from Martin, Ungi, Pennington and Bickerstaffe. The start of the new millennium (2000) saw Town travel to Bacup Borough on this date. A 3-2 win saw Town make progress in the NWCFL League Challenge Cup 1st Round with goals from Terry Nestor and Robbie Cowley (plus an own goal). The win earned Town an away tie at Curzon Ashton when despite Robbie Cowley getting on the scoresheet once again the home side ran out 2-1

The start of the 1960s (1961) saw Town back at Hoghton Road and once again in the Lancashire Combination Division Two. On this occasion Netherfield Reserves were the visitors as they battled out a 00 draw. December 23rd 1972 saw Town host neighbours Prescot Town at Hoghton Road in the Lancashire Combination top flight with

winners. Last time out on this date (2006) Town were back in NWCFL top flight action as they hosted Congleton Town at Knowsley Road. A goal in each half from Iain Dyson and Andy Walker secured the points courtesy of a 2-1 win. The victory was ‘revenge’ for a 1-0 defeat at Booth Street at the end of October.

John McKiernan

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Thanks to

Dave Wiggins

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Blast from the Past: Town in action at Sandbach United last season February 2017 in the Hallmark Security League

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

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Town Archive St. Helens Town have met Manchester City on four occasions. Strictly speaking, the clubs have only met twice, the first two occasions, soon after the transfer of Bert Trautmann, City faced teams of St. Helensborn players, drawn mostly from other Football League clubs. Both those games were played at the old Town ground at Hoghton Road, in April 1950 and again in May 1951. The other games were much later, a pre-season friendly, again at Hoghton Road in July 1996 and, more recently, at the athletics stadium adjacent to the Etihad Stadium, in November 2009, that game coinciding with the 60th anniversary of Bert’s transfer, when the clubs met to play for the Trautmann Trophy.

Programmes for all four games are shown. Facsimile copies of the first two programmes were produced and given away free with the 1996 programme and the 2009 programme – produced by Town – included a facsimile copy of the programme for Trautmann’s final Town appearance, against Bangor City on 1st October 1949 in the FA Cup. The game in April 1950 was arranged as a “thank you” from City for Bert’s transfer and produced a ground record attendance of 4000 which still stands today, although the record for a Town match is 3102 for a Liverpool County Combination game against Burscough on 9th October 1948, when Trautmann played in goal. He was a former German prisoner of war, who stayed on after the Second World War and his debut for Town came in the opening match of that season, against South Liverpool, at Hoghton Road, on 28th August 1948. Bert went on to greater fame at Maine Road, playing twice for City at Wembley in FA Cup Finals, in 1955 on the losing side against Newcastle United and returning to win the Cup the following year against Birmingham City, in a game in which he broke his neck but played on nevertheless. He enjoyed a career lasting 15 seasons at City, also representing the Football League on two occasions. Alive and well and living these days in Spain, he’ll celebrate his 90th birthday next year. The 27th April 1950 programme was an eight -page publication, double the usual number of pages for a Town issue and the first held together by staples. There was an article by Jack Phillips (who had been Secretary of the original Town club, which was formed in 1901 and lasted until 1928) and another by then-Secretary George Fryer in which he outlined the club’s ambitions of election to the Football League. At that time, Town were nearing the end of their third season – their first in the Lancashire Combination – and the sky was the limit following a quite spectacular run of success at the new Hoghton Road ground. It was back to four pages for the clash on 2nd May 1951 and the programme notes

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encouraged spectators to return the following evening for the match against Lancaster City, promising to present further football occasions of similar stature should the St. Helens public respond to the club’s ambitious aims. Town were promoted as Second Division champions in 1951, but their high expectations wee dampened the following season, finishing bottom of the First Division in 1951/52. Put into perspective, however, the Lancashire Combination was among the strongest leagues in those days, possibly the equivalent of the Blue Square leagues of

today, featuring clubs such as Wigan Athletic and Morecambe among their numbers. The programme for the pre-season friendly against City’s reserve team on 24th July 1996 was a full-sized Town issue, comprising 36 pages. Programme editor in those days was current club official, John McKiernan, and there was a wonderful account by Jim Barratt, now Town’s President, of his meeting with Bert Trautmann a few years earlier when he had conducted Bert in a nostalgic tour around the district. The team line-ups on that day 19 years ago included the ever-youthful Brian Hatton, as well as Gary Bickerstaffe and Adie Reilly.

A team of City legends entertained Town at the Regional Athletics Arena on Sunday, 15th November 2009, for the Trautmann Trophy and an enthusiastic gathering of just under 400 saw an entertaining game settled at 6-5 in favour of Town, the last occasion Town lifted a trophy. The programme was produced by St. Helens Town, but featured articles by various contributors at City and Maine Road FC, who still have close links with the Premier League outfit.

Glyn Jones

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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 Sandbach United Football Club was established in 2004 when Sandbach Albion and Sandbach Ramblers joined forces in their quest to improve the football facilities in Sandbach. Hence the R & A on the club badge.

In January 2004, the membership of Sandbach Albion and Sandbach Ramblers voted in favour of amalgamation, with the aim of playing as a single club from the start of the 2004/5 season. Sandbach Albion was formerly known as Hays Junior Football Club and was founded in 1994, playing on the pitches of what was then Albion Chemicals. As health and safety issues became more prevalent in the90â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, they left that site and for 5 years the senior home ground was at Sandbach Cricket Club. The younger sides played their games at junior schools throughout Sandbach. Sandbach Ramblers Youth Football Club was formed in 1995 to provide access to schoolboy football for the youth of

Sandbach. Of course there had been a Ramblers team in the town before, Sandbach Ramblers were initially formed in 1920 and played in the Cheshire County League before folding in 1975 reforming in 1979 and disbanding in the late 1980s. In 2006 Sandbach United formed the adult team, which initially competed in the Crewe and District League before moving to the Staffordshire Senior League First Division and then being promoted to the Premier Division for the 2008/9 season. In 2011, the club was awarded grants by the Football Foundation and the local council of over ÂŁ2 million to build a 3G pitch and 9 grass pitches, together with changing rooms and an education suite. The Sandbach Community Football Centre was opened early in the 2011/12 season. United switched to the Cheshire League in 2011 and won promotion to the Premier

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Division for the 2013/14 season before moving to The Hallmark Security League for the 2016/17 season. The clubs first season in the Hallmark Security League was better than they could have dreamt, winning the Macron Club of the Month in December, finishing 6th in Division 1 and being Reusch First Division Challenge Cup Runners up. Their goal keeper, Ryan Moss, also collected two Reusch Keeper of the Month awards. In another first for the club, the 2017/18 season sees the club enter The FA Vase with a home 2nd Qualifying Round fixture against AFC Emley, which Emley won 2-0. The club has over 600 players and 40+ teams that operate from its Hind Heath Road base, which is just 3 miles from junction 17 of the M6. United have teams playing in the MidCheshire Youth League, and the Cheshire Girls League among others, and the age range covers adults and veterans teams right down to Soccer School for Reception and Year 1 children. United have teams playing in the MidCheshire Youth League, and the Cheshire Girls League among others, and the age range covers adults and veterans teams right down to Soccer School for Reception and Year1 children.

Season

League

2005-06

C&DL

Information Not Available

Pts

Position ??/??

2006-07

C&DL

Information Not Available

??/??

2007-08

SCSL-1

2/15

2008-09

SCSL-P

-24

12/18

2009-10

SCSL

-19

14/18

2010-11

SCSL

12/16

2011-12

CHES-2

5/13

2012-13

CHES-2

6/14

2013-14

CHES-2

2/16

2014-15

CHES-P

-8

11/16

2015-16

CHES-P

4/16

2016-17

NWC-1

6/22

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Refereeing and Fog The climax to last Saturday’s match against Carlisle City was memorable for the wrong reasons: having entered added time 2-1 up, Town conceded twice to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The post-match debate centred around two issues: refereeing and fog. Moans about refereeing are standard at all levels of football, and I will not add to them here. Discussing the merits of fog as a defensive aid, however, was new to me: a Town source confided, privately to hundreds of Twitter followers, that the two late goals from the visitors could be fairly attributed to the lack of fog. (Just after full time, a Dickensian peasouper descended on Ruskin: had this natural wonder made its appearance ten minutes earlier, our man claimed, Town would surely have weathered the late Carlisle assault.) It seemed very dubious to me: if we are relying on fog to shore up the defence up, we may have a problem. When has poor visibility ever rescued a team in peril? It reminded me of a match I played in for Sheffield University many years ago. We were drawn against Loughborough in a national cup competition. That meant near certain elimination, as Loughborough is the country’s leading sports university and attracts many fine players with experience at professional clubs. The tie was scheduled for mid-January. It snowed – a lot. The game was postponed once, then twice. We found ourselves with a dilemma: do our best to clear the pitch and play; or put our trust in the toss of a coin. Pragmatists counselled ‘coin’ as a 50/50 chance of ‘winning’ surely a much better prospect than fulfilling the fixture. We chose to play. We were a good side, with a smattering of former apprentices of our own: one

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centre half had been in the same Liverpool youth team as Robbie Fowler; the other wore a headband, so at least bore a passing resemblance to former Brighton & Hove Albion stalwart Steve Foster; and both full backs had been on Leeds United’s books. Sports science degrees are all very well, but can they do it on a freezing Wednesday afternoon in Sheffield, on a hill? (Every pitch in the city, save Hillsborough and Bramall Lane, has a degree of slope on a par with the old pitch in Nanny Goat Park.) We showed up two hours before kick-off, and set about clearing the snow from the lines marking out the pitch. By the time Loughborough’s executive coach hove into view we were near frozen. Extremities turned blue; when the opposition emerged from the changing rooms in matching quilted jump suits, sponsored by Labatt’s lager, so did the air. Even the most lithe amongst us couldn’t so much as touch our toes, let alone perform the full routine of physical jerks that would constitute a decent warm-up. We won the toss and elected to play downsnowstorm: a howling gale propelling thick snow in the face of the elite coaches and physios of tomorrow was just the ticket. At half time, we led 1-0, thanks to a fine finish and particularly strong flurry blinding all and sundry in the opposition penalty area at a key moment. Despite the best efforts of our collective willpower, however, the wind didn’t change ends with us at half time. I discovered, shivering between the sticks, that being unable to see past the half way line – and occasionally beyond my own area – and constantly wiping snow from my face was prejudicial to keeping good order at the back. I can’t remember the full details (I am experiencing flashes of psychosomatic snow blindness just typing this), but recall picking the ball from the net at least four and perhaps five times. The moral of the story is that skill, experience and teamwork do more to aid a defence than sea-fog, heat-haze or any other natural impediment to good visibility ever did. Man-made impediments – such as floodlight failure at a key moment – are an entirely different matter. COYB Ste Lingard

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

Sandbach United - last 6 matches All Competitions Most recent Home L W L W W D Away W W L D W L Collated D W W L W D St Helens Town games since... All Competitions Clean sheet 17

Sandbach United games since... All Competitions Clean sheet 7

Goal Scored

Loss

No score draw

Score draw Win

6 2

Loss No score draw Score draw Win

Home League Away League Home Cup Away Cup Collated Away Collated

P 1 1 0 0 2 3 4

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W 0 0 0 0 0 1 2

38 0 1

at St Helens NWC-D1

Previous Meetings 2002-03

at Sandbach N/A

NWC-D1

2003-04

N/A

NWC-D1

2004-05

N/A

NWC-D1

2005-06

C&DL

NWC-D1

2006-07

C&DL

NWC-D1

2007-08

SCSL-D1

NWC-PD

2008-09

SCSL-PD

NWC-PD

2009-10

SCSL

NWC-PD

2010-11

SCSL

NWC-PD

2011-12

CHES-D2

NWC-PD

2012-13

CHES-D2

NWC-PD

2013-14

CHES-D2

NWC-PD

2014-15

CHES-PD

NWC-D1

2015-16

CHES-PD

18/08; 2-4

2016-17

18/02; 1-2

23/12/2017

2017-18

13/01/2018

St Helens Town Scores First Games Played

St Helens Town Wins

Draws

Sandbach United Wins

St Helens Town Goals

Sandbach United Goals

Percentage Town Wins

0.00

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

F 2 1 0 0 3 3 6

A 4 2 0 0 6 7 8

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

Win % 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 33.33 50.00

League News Widnes bandwagon keeps on rolling When it comes to teams on form, there's no one that can touch Widnes at the moment. Two more back to back wins last week made it seven successive wins for a team whose recent form has moved them into the previously uncharted territory of second place in the Premier Division. Five successive away games will test that record in the coming weeks, but it would be a brave man who would bet against them in their current form. Last gasp City Carlisle City took the award for comeback of the day on Saturday, scoring twice in stoppage time to pinch a 3-2 win at St Helens Town. What made the win all more notable was that it was the first time this season that City have scored three goals in the second half of any game, and manager James Tose played his part on the field as well as off it. The player-boss scored his first goal of the season to level the scores at 2-2, before

Robert McCartney scored the dramatic winner. Now that City have discovered the knack of late revivals, opponents need to be aware that they might deliver more of the same, with James leading the charge. Win at last for West West Didsbury & Chorlton ended their unenviable run of ten straight defeats with a 5-4 win in an eventful game at Burscough on Saturday. For a team that had started the season well, with just one defeat in their opening seven games, their recent slump was as baffling as it was alarming, and the relief in the camp was palpable after the game, with manager Steve Settle tweeting on Saturday night "It's been a long time coming....". With the monkey finally off their backs, everyone in the camp will be hoping they have finally turned the corner and will kick on from here. Yellow goal fever Ashton Athletic continued to demonstrate the firepower they have in the ranks with Saturday's 3-0 win over Abbey Hey at Brocstedes Park. It was the 10th time in 15 home games that the Yellows have scored three or more goals in a game, and for good measure they have also won 4-0 away from home three times too. With plenty of games in hand on others above them in the league, the only way will be up for Athletic if they can keep up

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inflicting misery on opposing defences. Plucky point for the Admirals It's not been the best of seasons for Nelson so far, but they did enjoy a crumb of comfort on Saturday by picking up what would have to be termed a surprise 1-1 draw at second in the table Litherland REMYCA. The Admirals may still be adrift at the bottom of the table, but their first league point after nine successive defeats, and only their sixth of the season, is something to savour, given the disappointments of recent weeks. New manager Steve Cunningham will be hoping that the result is the first sign that there are green shoots of recovery emerging at Little Wembley.

now installed ten 1.5m boards which commemorate the club’s epic journey to FA Vase glory at Wembley thirty years ago. Board 1 tells the story of the opening game against Colne Dynamoes and how Town’s first experience of the FA Vase (having been regular FA Trophy entrants) looked like being short-lived as the visitors to Hoghton Road took a 0-3 lead early in the second half. Town battled back to win 5-4 after extra time and the rest is history. Each of Town’s twelve FA Vase games, including five ties that required extra time plus the 700 mile round trip to Falmouth in a Fifth Round Replay – the longest trip in the club’s history – are detailed, along with some archive photos from the games.

Atherton LR have announced that Shaun Lynch has left his position as manager at the club.

Town managed to secure ten board sponsors, each paying £40 to cover the production costs. In return supporters are named on their sponsored board as well as in the club’s match day programme.

A club statement said: "The chairman and board of Atherton LR would like to place on record their thanks to Shaun and his team for their services for the club, but believe a change is necessary at this point.

Club official John McKiernan said: ‘Our Hall of Fame boards have provided a great taking point for visitors to the ground over recent weeks, and we are hopeful that the newly installed Road to Wembley boards will do the same.

Shaun was appointed during the 2016/17 season and the board believes he leaves the club in a better state than it was before, with that said, the board also believes it is the right time to make a change at the helm of the club.

‘We are delighted with the final product which have been produced by St Helens based Vinyline and I am really grateful to the sponsors who have funded the costs. 'As with our Hall of Fame boards it gives the club a great opportunity to celebrate its history as well as adding to the overall match-day experience for home and visiting fans.’

The club will now search for an interim manager from the current management team to take control of the club until the search for a new permanent manager is done. An announcement regarding the club’s interim manager will be made over the next few days". Last Saturday saw St Helens Town install the second in a series of Heritage boards at their new Ruskin Drive Sports Ground home. Following on from a set of boards depicting the club’s Hall of Fame Players, Town have

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'We have a few ideas for a third series. Like many clubs in the Hallmark Security League we’ve had our highs and lows but there’s always a story to retell whether that’s famous players, a great season, an epic cup run or title victory.’

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Premier Division Fixtures

Premier Division Table Tue 19/12/2017

GD Pts

Runcorn Town

Widnes

Runcorn Linnets

Hanley Town

Charnock Richard

Bootle

Padiham

Winsford United

36 38

-2

City of Liverpool

Ashton Athletic

11 Barnoldswick Town 20

12 Northwich Victoria

10 35

-12

-22

14 West Did & Chorlton 19

-11

Abbey Hey

-8

Congleton Town

1874 Northwich

AFC Liverpool

46 49

-3

Irlam

10 30 36

-6

Burscough

-23

Maine Road

14 26

-30

AFC Darwen

-43

Barnton

40 84

-44

Squires Gate

Charity Partner 2017-18

Saturday 23rd December 2017 1874 Northwich v Maine Road Abbey Hey v Runcorn Town AFC Liverpool v Burscough Ashton Athletic v WD & Chorlton Barnoldswick Town v Irlam Bootle v Padiham Charnock R v City of Liverpool Congleton Town v Widnes Northwich Victoria v Hanley Town Runcorn Linnets v Barnton Squires Gate v Winsford United

Tuesday 26th December 2017 AFC Darwen v Widnes Ashton Athletic v Charnock Richard Barnton v Northwich Victoria Burscough v Squires Gate City of Liverpool FC v Bootle Hanley Town v Congleton Town Irlam v Abbey Hey Maine Road v West D & Chorlton Padiham v Barnoldswick Town Runcorn Town v Runcorn Linnets Winsford United v 1874 Northwich Friday 29th December 2017 Runcorn Linnets v Hanley Town Saturday 30th December 2017 1874 Northwich v Irlam Abbey Hey v Maine Road Barnoldswick Tn v Ashton Athletic Bootle v Burscough Charnock Richard v AFC Liverpool Congleton Town v Barnton Northwich Victoria v Runcorn Town Squires Gate v AFC Darwen West Did & Chorlton v Padiham Saturday 6th January 2018 Abbey Hey v Charnock Richard AFC Darwen v Northwich Victoria AFC Liverpool v Squires Gate Ashton Athletic v Padiham Burscough v Widnes City of Liverpool v WD & Chorlton Hanley Town v Bootle Maine Road v Irlam Runcorn Town v Barnoldswick T Winsford United v Runcorn Linnets

First Division Table Sat 16/12/2017

First Division Fixtures

A GD Pts

Silsden AFC

39 54

Litherland REMYCA

54 21

33 42

Prestwich Heys

54 27

27 38

Alsager Town

44 30 14 37

AFC Blackpool

42 37

Whitchurch Alport

22 32

Sandbach United

19 10

38 32

Cammell Laird 1907

44 37

Holker Old Boys

Carlisle City

37 26

Stockport Town

40 32

FC Oswestry Town

40 47

-7

Atherton LR

-1

Abbey Hulton Utd

27 35

-8

Cheadle Town

25 34

-9

New Mills

34 48 -14 21

Chadderton

36 44

-8 20

Bacup Borough

-8 20

Eccleshall

25 46 -21 17

St Helens Town

15 28 45 -17 14

Daisy Hill

25 53 -28 13

Nelson

17 50 -33 6

51 -18 31

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

Saturday 6th January 2018 Abbey Hulton v Cheadle Town AFC Blackpool v Daisy Hill Bacup Boro v Litherland REMYCA Cammell Laird 1907 v Nelson Carlisle City v Atherton LR Chadderton v FC Oswestry Town New Mills v Prestwich Heys Silsden AFC v Eccleshall St Helens Town v Alsager Town Stockport Town v Holker Old Boys Whitchurch Alport v Sandbach Utd

Charity Partner 2017-18

Next up at RUSKIN DRIVE

Sat 6th January 20178 Kick Off 3.00pm

Today’s Team Line-up

versus Alsager Town Hallmark Security League Division One

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

versus Cammell Laird Hallmark Security League Division One

Today’s SPONSORS Match: Unite the Union St Helens Match Ball: Stuart Pyke

Programme: Johnsons Toyota

Main Club Sponsors

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool Charity Partner 2017-18

Charity Partner 2017-18