St Helens Town v Whitchurch Alport 2017-18 by John McKiernan

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Talk of the Town Good afternoon and welcome to Ruskin Drive. May I open by welcoming our visitors from Whitchurch Alport. I hope they enjoy the short time they will spend with us and have a safe journey home after the game. A warm welcome to today’s match sponsors St Helens Mind, ball sponsors Dave Watkins and Whiston Beer Festival 2018 our programme sponsors. It has been a frustrating fortnight since we were last here hosting Nelson with the recent bad weather to blame for the frustrations with last Saturday’s scheduled trip to Holker Old Boys falling foul of the wet weather and as I write we don’t have a confirmed date of the rearrangement for this game but no doubt it will be another long midweek trip North for the lads. In our last outing both here and in general we hosted Nelson who started the game at the foot of the league table but this position belied their form coming into the game as they came into the contest on a decent run of form. I have to say that the Town performance on the day was a dominant one. Having the lions share of possession in the contest and looking threatening every time we went forward but being thwarted time and again by the visiting stopper Marcel Wusiewuicz who we were reliably informed is on loan from Burnley FC. Salt was rubbed into the Town wounds when a counter attack from the visitors was stopped by foul means and Chris Turner’s resultant free kick took two deflections to evade Carl Williams in the home goal and find the bottom right hand corner of the net sending Nelson into the break 1-0 up after the most one sided half of football I can remember in recent years!

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The second half started in a similar vein with Town knocking on the door only to be denied by Wusiewuicz until the hour mark when a first time shot from distance by Luke Edwards appeared to catch the keeper on his heels and the powerful effort found the bottom left hand corner of the net. Town took the lead for the first time twelve minutes later when a well weighted free kick tempted the visiting stopper off his line but he was beaten to the ball by Andy Presho who flicked the ball past him and home for his first goal of the season. Town looked assured and appeared to be on their way to a maximum return only for disaster to strike when a free kick was carelessly given away and Turner stepped up again this time the wall jumped as he struck the set-piece hard and low and this error on behalf of the defensive barrier gave Williams no chance in the home goal and the spoils were destined to be shared. Onto this afternoon’s contest and it looks to be a difficult task as we host the team at the top of the form table having won their last ten matches scoring 26 and conceding 5 goals in the process! In that run Town went down 5-1 at Yockings Park on 30th December but it was another game where we were thinking what could have been as we missed a couple of great chances at 1-1 including one where the hosts went up the other end and made it 2-1! Whitchurch have come a long way since their first season in the league when they fell to a 5-0 home defeat and a record 10-0 Town win in the reverse game and must be a motivational blue-print for teams at the wrong end of the table that their really is hope and the ability to turn things around if you are struggling at the foot of the table. Off the field Alport have also gained a fine following now just in terms of attendance but also generosity including a wonderful donation to the Melissa Smile Fund last term when the two sides met at Volair Park and I for one wish them all the best for the season after 5pm this afternoon of course! 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 For the third season in succession, St. Helens saw their Saturday trip to Holker Old Boys cancelled, this time due to a waterlogged pitch in Cumbria – their third away game in a row to be called off – leaving them kicking their heels with nothing to do. Not only that, but the match will no doubt be re-arranged for a midweek slot and a near200 mile round-trip, with lads and clubofficials having to lose time off work and university commitments, fielding a weakened team in a bottom-of-the-table scrap and not getting home until gone midnight. It’s a situation which they’ve had to endure already this season in a hastilyrearranged First Division Cup-tie, postponed one night and re-scheduled the following evening, when a scratch side managed against all the odds to snatch a terrific 2-1 last-gasp victory. It will also be the third season in a row they’ve had to travel midweek to Barrow at the end of the season. Considering they’ve already had to go to Carlisle on a Tuesday night in early

September, the weather – and the fixture secretary - certainly do not look kindly on St. Helens Town these days! Town will be hoping next season for a change in luck when the fixtures for the First Division North are drawn up and, assuming we get a place in the new division and there are no more than 20 clubs in that league, chances are that midweek away fixtures will be at a premium and, when it comes to the longer-distance trips, the weather is kind. We shall wait and see! Our visitors today are going great guns in the race for promotion - currently locked in a battle with Litherland for the second automatic spot – and taught us an object lesson in the art of finishing when we met at Yockings Park on 30th December. There was nothing between the teams at half-time and although one of our defenders was hauled out of the way for their third goal, they finished very well to beat us 5-1. They have come a long way indeed from their first season in the League when Town ran up a club-record 10-0 win when the clubs met at Ashton Athletic in April 2016. Not only have they made tremendous strides on the field, but their facilities at Yockings Park have improved beyond measure and their plans for the future continue to progress. Whatever happens after today, we won’t play them again next season, unless we’re drawn together in cup football, so we wish them well. As for ourselves, games against the teams at the top end of the table tend to bring out the best in our players and what better opportunity than today to measure the improvement we have shown over the last few months? It was a great pity that the last three away games were postponed, as Town have been in better form and we ran Sandbach close in the away game, having beaten them at home and we should have beaten Nelson, having dominated the game. Postponements really break up a team’s preparation and rhythm and the recent wet weather has affected the majority of clubs. At least we have fared better than most, having the advantage of the artificial surface, but today will be a good test, especially with the trip to Chadderton coming up next week and the chance to record a rare “double” victory. We really do need to convert all this promise into points. What about it lads! Glyn Jones

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

A H A A

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

A H H H A

Luke Edwards Luke Edwards Kieran Yong Shaun Brady Danny Lomax

January Sat 06 Alsager Town Sat 13 Sandbach Utd Sat 27 Nelson

H Shaun Brady A Kieron Yong H

February Sat 10 Whitchurch A Sat 17 Chadderton

H A

March Sat 03 Tue 06 Sat 10

Silsden Cammell Laird New Mills

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A A H

Neil Weaver Shaun Brady Shaun Brady Andy Webster Andy Webster

The Prabhu Ventures Ltd Man of the Match v Carlisle City- Kieron Yong with manager Lee Jenkinson and Stuart Pyke

The Prabhu Ventures Ltd Player of the Month - December 2017 - Shaun Brady pictured with manager Lee Jenkinson and Stuart Pyke

The Prabhu Ventures Ltd Player of the Month - November 2017 - Danny Lomax pictured with manager Andy Langley and Stuart Pyke

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

Manager’s Notes Good afternoon and welcome to Ruskin Drive for today's Hallmark Security League First Division clash against Whitchurch Alport.

Interim Chairman: Glyn Jones Hon. Secretary/Treasurer: Jeff Voller (07843 692695) Hospitality: Margaret Wood and Paul Wood

May I wish the committee, players and supporters of Whitchurch a very warm welcome to our new facilities here in St Helens and I hope they enjoy their trip.

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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May I also extend a warm welcome to today’s match sponsors St Helens Mind, our ball sponsor Dave Watkins and Whiston Beer Festival 2018 who are today’s programme sponsors. Whitchurch are a very well organised club who have definitely stepped up in the last couple of years both on and off the pitch. Their stadium has improved and with their excellent volunteers are still looking at ways to get them to that next level. On the playing front they have definitely put together a squad that is ready for promotion and with Simon Everall in the team they have a player who I really enjoy watching and a player who should be playing a lot higher and I mean that without sounding disrespectful to Whitchurch. Only the one game I have to report on because all our away fixtures have been hit by the weather. A couple of weeks ago we hosted Nelson in a game which was billed as a big 6 pointer! Once again it was a game we dominated from start to finish and only came away with a point; e need to be killing games off by taking our chances but there is no better way than getting a response from the lads by getting a result today against a quality side that are ten games unbeaten. Thanks for your continued support Enjoy the game . . . Lee Jenkinson

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Blast from the Past Action from Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home fixture v Whitchurch Alport in April 2016 at Brocstedes Park (home of Ashton Athletic)

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Half Time Quiz Q1. Which Israeli player played against Liverpool in an FA Cup Final, scored a Champions League hat-trick for Liverpool and secured a Europa League winners medal with Chelsea? Q2. Which player last season became the first to play for four British clubs in the Champions League? Q3. Who was the first German to win the Premier League Player of the Month award? Q4. Who is the only goalkeeper in the Premier League era to have scored a goal, had an assist and won a penalty?

time (prior to this season) that they faced Brighton & Hove Albion in a league match? Q10. Which country will host the 2022 World Cup Finals? Q11. Which current Premier League player scored a hat-trick in the 2014 World Cup Finals tournament? Q12. Who was the only non-European to feature in the 1989 FA Cup Final between Liverpool & Everton? Q13. Which Scottish club did Roberto Martinez play for during his career? Q14. Which player did Liverpool sell to Chelsea for £12m in August 2011? Q15. Who is the only Finnish player to have scored a Premier League hat-trick?

Q5. Who was the first Brazilian to score a Premier League hat-trick? Q6. Which Premier League player became the first to play for seven clubs in the Champions League in November 2017?

Q8. Who was Everton’s manager the last time (prior to this season) that they faced Huddersfield Town in a league match? Q9. Who was Liverpool’s manager the last

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1) Yossi Benayoun 2) Kolo Toure 3) Jurgen Klinsmann 4) Paul Robinson 5) Alfonso Alves 6) Zlatan Ibrahimovic 7) Sunderland 8) Harry Catterick 9) Bob Paisley 10) Qatar 11) Xherdan Shaquiri 12) Bruce Grobelaar 13) Motherwell 14) Raul Meireles 15) Mikael Forsell

Q7. Who team recently became the first league team to fail to win 20 consecutive matches in all competitions?

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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

The Boar’s Head

St Helens Mind ODs Menswear

Atherton LR Bacup Borough

Britannia Taxis

Johnsons Toyota

Cammel Laird

Unite The Union

Britannia Taxis Unite , St Helens

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 Beer EnGin

FC Oswestry

Johnsons Toyota

A180 Darts

Holker Old Boys

Unite, St Helens

Arcframe

Litherland

CWU Mersey & SW Lanc

Dave Wiggins

Nelson

Dave Ashby Plastering

New Mills

Ste Lingard

Flat Back Four

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 Transport

Boar’s Head

Unite the Union

Whitchurch Alport

St Helens Mind

Dave Watkins

#sthelens150

Hemsworth MW

Dave Wiggins

Johnsons Toyota

Unite, St Helens

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St Helens 150 St Helens – 150 years in the making 2018 promises to be a very special year in St Helens as the town gears up to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the formation of the borough of St Helens. To mark the occasion, and the 70th anniversary of the towns twinning with the

German city of Stuttgart, a year-long cultural programme has been created to celebrate 150 years of heritage and innovation. The celebrations will see a variety of events and activities taking place across St Helens, some of which are new to the events calendar such as an International Food and Drink Festival, a heritage weekend and projections of light on to landmark sites around the borough, among other activities. Some of our most popular established events will also be included, such as Westfield Music Festival, Summer Streets, Armed Forces Day and Spark in the Park. In addition, a series of artistic commissions and events will take place throughout the year, led by the Heart of Glass and other local art and cultural partners and supported by St Helens Council. Together these will form a programme of art, culture and community events and activities called St Helens 150. As the emphasis of the programme is ‘people and place driven’, local organisations, associations and communities are encouraged to get involved. If you are hosting an event in St Helens in 2018 and would like to link to the borough’s 150th anniversary plans, or are interested in volunteering, you can find out more by visiting www.sthelens150.co.uk

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St Helens Mind What happens when someone makes a donation to St. Helens Mind? We all like to know that we are spending our money wisely. Below is a list of ways in which donations to our local charity could be spent to support those in St. Helens who need it most. Donations help us to: Maintain & develop our projects * Help us to start new activities; Maintain good standards of training and support for volunteers; Train more volunteers to help us fundraise & attend events * Support more people. Below are just some of the ways money that is donated to us is spent to help local, vulnerable people. As you can see, any donation you make, big or small, will make such a big difference to the lives of the people who use our services. £5 £10 £15 £20 £30 £40 £50

to provide volunteer expenses for each one-to-one Befriending Session to process a police check to have invaluable Volunteer Supervisions every 6 weeks to process a referral to enable a person to access our services towards games and activities equipment at the Social Groups to make a person ‘Volunteer Ready’ for a social group weekly session

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£60

a month to maintain the toilet/ hygiene facilities at the Allotment/Garden £100 per year for catering and hygiene items at sessions and meetings £200 for production of leaflets £300 to provide an Induction session for up to 15 new volunteers £400 for art and craft materials £420 to make our second office internet -ready £450 to enable our vital internet use £500 to keep our volunteers up to date with training sessions £600 to ensure all our police checks are kept up to date each year £1000 to sustain the Allotment / Garden Project for one year £1000 to keep the Ladies Craft Group running for one year £2000 for a Volunteer Befriender to support someone for a year £10,000 for a year's tenancy with an office, groups space and meeting room provision And this one is priceless! Our ‘Match Meetings’ are the most exciting and rewarding events! This is when a volunteer meets the person they aim to support, for the very first time. It is where the magic happens! It is the springboard for recovery for many people who access our Befriending Service and always an inspiring and exciting time for the team as well. Telephone No. 01744 647089 Email. admin@sthelensmind.org.uk www.sthelensmind.org.uk

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Photographs: Action from Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home fixture v Nelson in the Hallmark Security League 1st Division which finished 2-2 last month..

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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 4th-11th February

Last Season: World – 6th February 2017 Qatar Airways achieves the longest-ever commercial flight in service when its B777 aircraft lands in Auckland after a 16 hour and 23 minutes flight from Doha. Sport – 5th February 2017 African Cup of Nations: Cameroon defeat Egypt 2-1 in Libreville. St Helens Town – 4th & 11th February 2017 A couple of high scoring home fixtures for Town this week, as a 4-2 win over Daisy Hill is followed by a 6-2 loss to Silsden.

10 Years Ago World – 10th February 2008 50th Grammy Awards: Rehab, Amy Winehouse wins. Sport – 6th February 2008 England beat Switzerland 2–1 in a home friendly in Fabio Capello's first game in charge. St Helens Town – Town’s fixture Is postponed this week, as they are next in action on February 12th.

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20 Years Ago World – 4th February 1998 Bill Gates gets a pie thrown in his face in Brussels, Belgium. Sport – 5th February 1998 Author Tom Clancy confirms he signed agreement to purchase Minnesota Vikings for slightly more than $200 million, an NFL franchise record. St Helens Town – 4th & 7th February 1998 2 home matches in 3 days sees Town beat Warrington Town 3-1 but lose to Nantwich Town 3-2. 30 Years Ago World – 5th February 1988 The first BBC Red Nose Day raises £15,000,000 for charity. Sport – 5th February 1988 The 1st primetime wrestling match in 30 years is contested as Andre the Giant defeats Hulk Hogan. St Helens Town – 6th February 1988 Town make it successive wins with a 2-0 win over Kirkby Town at Houghton Road. 50 Years Ago World – 4th February 1968 96 Indians and Pakistanis arrive in Britain from Kenya. Some 1,500 Asians have now arrived in Britain from Kenya, where they were forced out by increasingly draconian immigration laws. Sport – 6th February 1968 The 10th Olympic Winter Games opens in Grenoble, France. St Helens Town – 10th February 1968 Town play yet another home match in this week, this time progressing in the Lancashire Junior Cup by beating Northern Nomads 4-3.

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Match Report Town edged out in scrappy affair Sandbach United 1-0 St Helens Town Town travelled to Sandbach United looking for a much needed three points against a side they had defeated at Ruskin Drive just before Christmas. On that occasion Town had recovered from a two goal deficit to record a superb 3-2 victory. The visitors arrived at a very cold Hind Heath Road ground without the services of front man Liam Diggle who was serving a one game suspension and he was replaced by Ben Bolton who was making his first start since early November following injury. The game started at a frantic pace and the first chance fell to Town when Andy Presho’s through ball set Shaun Brady in on goal but his right foot drive was saved well by the home ‘keeper Ryan Moss. The ball broke outside the six yard box and as Town’s Matty Smith looked to force the ball home he was tumbled to the ground but the referee waved play on for the first of a number of strange decisions which littered the ninety minutes.

of the contest and Town were in a game of attack versus defence for the next half hour. While there was little goal mouth action the constant Sandbach pressure stifled any opportunities at the other end until two minutes before the break; another route one pass from Tom Grimshaw found Bolton but his early strike went wide of the Sandbach goal. The second half was a much more even affair but again lacked real quality as well as any clear goal chances; with the referee’s whistle a constant interruption throughout. Both sides picked up three second half cautions with Town also seeing substitute Paul Cliff dismissed following a clash with Pearson in stoppage time.

There was some injury time drama as Alex Ashby’s 25 yard free kick almost caught out the home stopper Moss who took the ball high under the cross bar before stumbling backwards leading to claims from the visitors that the ball had been carried well over the line. The referee, who wasn’t helped by his assistant who had taken up a poor position, waved away the claims and shortly afterwards brought the game to an end. John McKiernan

The only goal of the game arrived after just 11 minutes and it came from a floated free kick which found Sandbach defender Matthew Pearson unmarked and he headed past Yong in the Town goal. It was a catalyst for the home side to take control

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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 30 Whitchurch Alport JAN 06 ALSAGER TOWN Jan 13 Sandbach United JAN 27 NELSON FEB 10 WHITCHURCH ALPORT Feb 17 Chadderton Mar 03 Silsden Mar 06 Cammell Laird MAR 10 NEW MILLS Mar 13 AFC Blackpool Mar 17 Prestwich Heys 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 TBC Holker Old Boys

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 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 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

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

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6 Dodd Presh Loma Loma Smith A.Whel Loma A.Whel McHug Loma Lomax Loma Loma Loma Smith Loma Loma Loma Loma Loma Lomax Baine Baine Baine Loma Furlon Furlon Furlon Furlon 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 ng1 ng ng 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 Brady1 Brady Brady Brady 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 McHugh McHugh Smith Grimshaw Smith

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 Norris9 Edzes Brady Dodd Moody Kelly11 McHugh6 Douglas1 Smith Potter Brady7 Heron Brady1 Weaver1 Smith Norris7 H-O’Connor11 Douglas Weaver Brady Norris Heron11 Douglas Brady Presho Norris2 Heron Brady2 Cliff1 Edwards Norris7 Heron Brady1 Cliff Edwards Bolton9 Heron Bolton Cliff Smith Heron5 Hoult10 Brady1 Cliff Edwards Bolton9 Heron Brady Murray Edwards Cliff8 Onhu10 Brady1 Cliff Edwards Murray10 Heron Brady Cliff Edwards Young Heron9 Brady2 Cliff Edwards Smith8 Murray2 Edwards3 Brady Cliff Potter Murray8 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 Riley7 D.Whelan

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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 Dursley11 Smith8 Cliff10 Presho6 Smith Lawrence Heron Bolton81 Ashby7 Heron McHugh Lawrence Ashby9 Bolton10

Match Report St Helens Town 2-2 Nelson Town Pay for Set Plays Against Nelson By Kieran Ford A huge clash at the bottom of the Hallmark Security Division First Division table was contested at Ruskin Drive as 3rd bottom St Helens Town hosted bottom of the table Nelson. Town were looking use their 2-1 win at Nelson less than 2 months ago as motivation, while the away side’s encouraging form of collecting 7 points out of a possible 12 may have gave them

confidence in reducing the gap to St Helens to 3 points. The game started as expected in a bottom of the table 6 pointer, with both teams looking cagey and assured, not wanting to take too much of a risk. St Helens had the majority of the possession, which I’m sure was something reminiscent of Jimmy McBride’s tenure as manager, with the man himself in attendance along with some of his former players during his two spells as Town boss. The blues had the first chance on 7 minutes, with Nelson’s Alexander Grice giving the ball to Liam Diggle in a costly area, 1 on 1, the goalkeeper made a good save from the striker’s effort, with Luke Edwards firing the resulting rebound over the bar. Town created another good chance soon after, a hopeful ball down the right allowed Shaun Brady to stretch his legs. He beat the goalkeeper to the ball who sprinted out of his area to claim, his shot was blocked by a defender which fell to Diggle, who’s shot went wide. St Helens fashioned yet another chance,

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once again through the tenacious work of Matty Smith in midfield. He intercepted a Nelson pass before threading through Diggle, but his well struck effort was smartly saved by the Nelson keeper and captain Marcel Wusiewicz. Just as Town’s luck has played out this season, their inability to be clinical with chances presented to them cost them just after the half hour mark. St Helens’ Thomas Grimshaw brought down a Nelson man just outside the area resulting in a free kick. Christopher Turner stepped up and fired the ball under the wall, and a slight deflection took the ball away from the Town keeper. A sign of the times for the Blues at the moment is their next chance. Luke Edwards produced brilliant driving run down the left and crossed on a plate for Liam Diggle to head in from 2 yards, however the ball skimmed off his head and hit the bar, to the dismay of the Ruskin Drive crowd.

Nelson had the ball in the net, as Daniel Mort was played through as the Town defence was split open, however his composed finish past Williams was ruled out for offside by the linesman. Nelson did get their equaliser and it was a carbon copy of their first. Turner hit a free kick from 25 yards out which went under the wall and crept inside the post of the Town keeper, as the match now

HT: St Helens Town 0-1 Nelson (Turner, 33) Soon after the restart, Town hit the woodwork again through Diggle. A terrific free kick from Edwards on the left found the head of the St Helens number 9 but his welldirected effort was terrifically saved the Nelson shot stopper and tipped onto the post. Edwards supplied yet another good ball in from a free kick to find Andy Presho in space, however the right back was unable to make any connection on the ball.

St Helens got their equaliser just after the hour mark, and just as they changed to a 4-42 formation with the introduction of Ben Bolton. Luke Edwards found space on the edge of the area and shot past the Nelson keeper Wusiewicz in an effort he arguably should have claimed. Town had their leveller, and were now looking for a winner. Sub Bolton provided a brilliant through ball to his strike partner Diggle, but he was perhaps presented with too much time, and the goalkeeper arrived at his feet to smother his shot for a corner. St Helens finally took the lead, with Edwards involved again. The Town number 11 provided yet another free kick delivery to the head of Presho, who beat the keeper to the ball and nodded into an empty net.

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became a lot more open as we reached the closing stages. A back pass put the Nelson goalkeeper under pressure with Ben Bolton and Shaun Brady approaching at pace. His poor clearance found the latter and following screams of “chip him” from the Ruskin crowd he did just that but put way too much power on the effort. The game ended 2 apiece, with the gap remaining at 6 points between the 2 sides. Town travel to Holker Old Boys next Saturday before hosting high flying Whitchurch Alport on February 10th. FT: St Helens Town (Edwards, 61) (Presho, 72) 2 – 2 Nelson (Turner, 33, 81)

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3-1

0-1

1-3

1-1

14/04 27/02

1-3

TBC 21/04

02/04 23/02

2-1

1-0

1-2

Cammell Laird

Carlisle City

Chadderton

Cheadle Town

Daisy Hill

1-4

2-3

1-0

17/02

TBC

0-0

28/04

3-1

0-0

St Helens Town

Silsden

Stockport Town

Whitchurch A

Litherland

19/03

07/03

2-0

2-1

2-0

07/04

0-1

2-1

2-0

28/04

0-1

3-2

2-1

3-0

2-2

17/02

0-3

3-2

4-2

3-4

3-0

17/02

0-1

2-1

3-3

2-2

3-0

31/03

2-1

1-2

7-1

2-0

1-1

2-1

31/03

1-0

28/04 03/03 14/03

3-1

06/03 28/04

28/04 24/02

Sandbach Utd

0-1

2-2

4-2

4-1

24/03

New Mills

Prestwich Heys

0-0

02/04 03/03

3-3

2-1

0-1

Nelson

0-0

1-4

0-3

2-3

Holker OB

1-7

1-2

03/03 20/03

1-2

1-3

FC Oswestry

07/04 21/04

2-2

0-0

31/03

Eccleshall

1-1

10/02

3-0

1-3

2-3

24/02

02/04

2-2

2-0

2-2

2-1

0-1

3-2

2-3

24/03

3-0

17/04

24/02

4-2

6-0

3-1

4-2

3-3

4-2

2-1

2-3 1-2

2-0

2-2

5-2

2-3

1-3

24/03

3-1

3-0

0-0

07/04

5-1

3-0

2-1

05/05

3-0

1-1

1-2

0-1

2-1

3-2

17/02

24/03

3-1

2-2

4-3

5-2

0-4

0-2

4-2

5-0

2-0

0-3

2-1

3-2

4-2

3-2

14/04

2-4

6-0

5-0

7-2

28/04

2-1

5-1

1-3

2-0

3-2

6-0

1-2

02/04

21/04

5-1

2-3

1-3

5-1

1-3

02/04

0-3

1-1

4-1

2-2

2-0

2-2

24/03

07/04

1-0

2-2

24/02

1-3

21/04 TBC

2-2

0-2

1-1

31/03

21/04

2-1

2-3

1-1

TBC

3-5

05/05

2-4

5-0

6-1

2-1

1-4

2-0

27/02 02/04 10/03

0-1

3-0

0-6

3-2

1-4

0-2

0-5

2-2

2-0

2-1

13/02

0-2

0-6

2-0

31/03

1-2

0-2

2-1

1-2

0-1

2-1

2-0

1-2

TBC

0-3

3-2

3-4

3-2

1-0

3-2

05/03 19/03

05/05

2-1

14/04

3-2

5-1

1-1

03/03

1-0

02/04 17/02 17/03 0-2

10/02

17/03

2-1

21/04

1-3

1-4

3-1

3-0

0-4

2-4

13/04

1-0

17/03

0-5

0-3

12/12

10/03

1-4

1-3

3-1

2-2

0-1

0-2

14/04

05/05

2-1

1-0

3-0

24/03

0-1

1-2

28/04 10/02

1-0

4-0

14/04 03/03

4-2

0-4

10/03 07/04

1-5

24/02

05/03 31/03

07/04 05/05 31/03 04/04

0-2

0-1

03/04 06/03 05/05

10/04 27/03 27/02

07/04 10/02

10/03

3-0

1-2

20/03

1-1

1-4

07/04 10/03 05/05 17/02

0-3

3-0

17/03 21/04

05/05

2-0

27/02

1-3

3-3

10/03 12/04 21/04 24/03 24/02 22/02 17/03

2-3

13/03 06/03 31/03

24/02 31/03 17/03 14/04 13/03

28/04 03/03

24/03 12/03

17/02

2-2

20/02

5-1

10/02 09/04

21/04 24/02

4-0

1-1

14/02

5-2

10/02

05/05 01/03

2-1

0-1

1-2

10/03

03/03 10/03 11/04 28/04 24/02

4-0

8-0

1-5

26/03

1-0

5-0

0-3

10/02 07/04

27/02 27/03

11/04 17/03

14/04

2-0

2-2

31/03 17/03 0-0

1-1

21/04

1-3

3-2

10/03 07/04

19/04

17/02 02/04 10/02

0-4

2-1

10/03 28/04

2-1

10/02

03/03

0-4

3-0

4-3

1-4

1-2

03/03 28/04

05/05 24/03

1-4

1-3

17/03 13/03 14/04 21/04

2-3

3-1

2-5

14/04

21/03 31/03 14/04

17/02

1-2

TBC

Bacup Borough

Abbey Hey

AFC Blackpool

1-0

Alsager Town

24/03

Atherton LR

2-1

Bacup Borough

10/02 27/03

Cammell Laird

Atherton LR

Carlisle City

Alsager Town

Chadderton

20/02 27/03 17/02 02/04

Cheadle Town

3-2

Daisy Hill

1-1

Eccleshall

1-2

FC Oswestry Town

03/03

Holker Old Boys

5-1

Litherland Remyca

4-1

Nelson

1-6

New Mills

2-4

Prestwich

Sandbach United

3-1

Silsden

05/05 17/03

St Helens Town

Abbey Hey

Stockport Town

AFC Blackpool

Up to & including 07/02/18

Hallmark Security League 1st Div RESULTS GRID

Whitchurch Alport

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On this day In history Town’s encounters on this date (10th February) stretch back almost seventy years with the first meeting taking place at Hoghton Road in 1951. There were seven games across six competitions including the Lancashire Combination, Bass Charrington Trophy Lancashire Junior Cup, Liverpool Senior Cup and North West Counties League. Lytham were the visitors in the Lancashire Combination Division Two and Town ran out 3-2 winners courtesy of goals from Garner, Byrne and McCann. The start of the 1960s (1962) saw Town back in action on this date when Town made the short trip to Hope Street to take on Prescot Cables Reserves in the Lancashire Combination. Four goals from Smith and a fifth from Fairweather saw the blues comfortable winners. It was Lancashire Junior Cup action on this date in 1968 when Northern Nomads were dispatched 4-3 at Hoghton Road. Unfortunately the club records for this period

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are missing and the scorer details are not available. On this date in 1973 Town were back at Hoghton Road and again it was Lancashire Combination action with Kirkby Town the visitors. Town collected the points with a 4-1 victory; Williams, Hickson, Poole and Atherton were on target. Exactly a year later Kirkby Town were once again the visitors to Sutton this time in the Bass Charrington Trophy 2nd Round Replay. The clubs had met on 26th January when a 0 -0 draw ensued but Town made home advantage pay when goals from Merrill, Kendrick and Woods secured a 3-1 win. Town met Dukenfield Town in the semi-final where they recorded a comfortable 3-0 win at Hoghton Road with goals from Bull and Kendrick (2).

The final took place at Burscough FC on the 10th May 1974 when Darwen were defeated 4-3 courtesy of goas from Bull (2), Merrick and Kendrick. By the mid-1990s (1994) Town were in Liverpool Senior Cup Quarter Final action hosting Merseyside giants Liverpool at Hoghton Road. After a goalless 90 minutes Town lost 1-2 with Ste Pennington hitting the Town goal in front of a four figure crowd. The final two fixtures on this date came in 1996 and 2007 respectively. On both occasions Town made the trip to Maine Road in the North West Counties League top flight – a 2-2 draw was the result of the first encounter with Tony Ungi hitting both goals including an 89th minute equaliser. Last time out Town recorded a fine 0-2 win with very late goals – Eddie Taylor (84 mins) and Karl Robinson (92).

Thanks to

Dave Wiggins

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League Awards Reusch Player of the Month Awards Division One - January Sean Griffiths, Whitchurch Alport Since joining the Club from Market Drayton Town, Sean has become an ever present and it’s no coincidence that Alport won all of the games he played in during the month. His high energy second half display against Chadderton drove the team on to find the next gear, creating numerous chances and he had a hand in both the second and third goals. At Silsden his energy levels were outstanding, carrying the ball with confidence, relentlessly chasing the ball

down and attacking the heart of the home defence. Again, Sean played his part in both second half goals for Alport that secured a 2-1 win, forcing both comers that led to the equalising and winning goals. It was his first half display that earned the plaudits in the home fixture against Bacup, running the game from midfield, orchestrating the majority of the play and picking up a deserved goal, when he popped up at the back post, heading in from close range from another comer he had forced. He wasn’t done there though, as in the second hall his defensive qualities were on show, as Bacup tried to haul themselves back into the game, but Sean took the opportunity to demonstrate another side to his game as a real box to box midfielder. Reusch Goalkeeper of the Month Division One - January Matthew Johnson, Eccleshall Another of the club’s young players, Matt has made the number 1 position his own since coming into the side in early October. The first game of the month was a 6-0 reverse at league leaders Silsden, but despite the result Matt was awarded the opponents’ man of the match award, a reflection that the team’s second half performance when they conceded five goals was no fault of Matt’s. He then played his part in the 3-0 win over FC Oswestry Town, making some fine saves and keeping a clean sheet in the process. In the final game of the month, Matt again turned in a fine performance, this time against Cammell Laird 1907, standing firm in the second half when their late pressure in the game could have proved to have been a problem. After a losing run of games, Matt made an important contribution in the team’s back to back wins again high flying teams in good form, and is a deserving recipient of the award for the second time this season.

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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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Thanks to our Match Sponsors (Dave Ashby Plastering) and Match Ball Sponsors (Ste Lingard & Flat Back Four) who were our guests at our last home game v Nelson

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Town Archive At the Bert Trautmann Memorial game in November 2013 Town received a large number of auction items and gifts but one stands out from the crowd. One of the club’s guests that day was Tim Mantle who was representing the Trautmann Foundation as one of their UK Ambassadors. Tim brought along with him a gift for the club which has some personal connection to Bert. Bert had attended Manchester City’s Champions League away encounter with Villareal back in November 2011 and having watched his former club win comfortably 0-3 he made his way back to his friend’s car where he was spotted by City fans! Tim takes up the story, ‘Bert always had a huge amount of time for fans and he never distanced himself from those who remembered him. ‘As one person recognised him, then another, it soon became a friendly ‘mob’ of around 300 fan who besieged the car. They all wanted to get a glimpse of or a word with, the City legend.

‘The narrow streets of the old town resonated to the raucous sound of “There’s only one Bert Trautmann.” 'And the average age of these fans, probably

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twenty five to thirty years. Yes, most of them were born more than twenty years after he played his last game for City in 1964. 'Imagine that, they were all intimately familiar with the great man, they all wanted a piece of him that night. He cried, I cried, a lovely sight to behold, an 87 year old king enshrined in warmth and adoration. A wonderful moment. Indeed there is only one Bert Trautmann. ‘Bert was handed a commemorative scarf from the game by one of the supporters which he gladly accepted and a year or so later that was passed to me and I felt it would make a nice addition to Town’s Trautmann memorabilia collection.’ Club Chairman John McKiernan added, ‘It was a lovely touch from Tim and the club is delighted with what is a unique piece of memorabilia. ‘We have a large number of items which have a connection to Bert including signed books, programmes and photographs which we are hoping will make an excellent exhibition when we eventually have a base back in St Helens.’

‘There are lots of stories out there about Bert, many of them with a St Helens connection and we’d love to try to document these. If anyone has any tales they’d like to recount or items of memorabilia relating to Bert we could loan please get in contact.’ Where you the person who gave Bert the scarf? If so get in touch and we can update this story. John McKiernan Mobile 07713 338 682

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 Whitchurch Alport Football Club was formed in 1946, being named after Alport Farm, the home of local footballer Coley Maddox, who was killed in action during World War 2. The Club initially joined the Shrewsbury & District League, winning the League in 1947/48. In the search for a higher standard of football, the Club were elected to the Birmingham League for the 1948/49 season, however during the close season, news of a proposed MidCheshire League reached the ears of a committee member and this led them to become founder members. The Club had a very successful period during the 1950’s and 60’s, reaching numerous prestigious cup finals, including a first appearance in the Welsh Amateur Cup final, against Chirk AAA at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground in front of over 5,000 spectators, eventually losing in a replay.

Alport were the first club to take the MidCheshire championship out of the county in 1969/70. This was Alport's finest season as they reached the final of the League Cup losing 4-2 to Kidsgrove Athletic and also won the Shropshire County Cup. The Town Council accorded Alport a civic reception in acknowledgement of their achievements. In the past, the Club had strong links with Crewe Alexandra FC, with a number of players having worn the colours of both clubs including; Peter Gowans, Billy McGinley, Willy Mailey, Richard Wainwright, Kevin Rafferty & Nick Longley. Local lad Stuart Mason subsequently played for Wrexham, Liverpool, Crewe and Chester. Jimmy Quinn went on to play for numerous

League clubs and became a Northern Ireland international. Alport have always been able to call on dedicated committee members, the best known probably being Bernard Painter, who served the Club in many capacities and was instrumental in the Club’s formation, remaining highly interested until his death when he was in his mid 90's. Season 1973/74 saw Alport defeat Cardiff College 2-1 to become the last English club to win the Welsh Amateur Cup. This is the highest honour achieved by the Club to date. For season 1983/84 & 1984/85 Alport’s committee took the decision to play local players only; a decision that was to have disastrous consequences, when they finished rock bottom of the League on both occasions. At the end of season 1984/85, the committee approached Peter Wainwright, then manager of Kidsgrove Athletic, to see if he would consider joining Alport. He agreed, on the condition that the local player policy was rescinded. Peter brought in ex Everton & Crewe Alex goalkeeper Willy Mailey as assistant and revived the fortunes of the Club. Since joining, Peter has served as a manager, player, groundsman, Secretary, Chairman and is the current President, in addition to serving on the Cheshire League Committee. In the 2012/13 season the Club’s committee took the decision to drop into the Shropshire based Mercian League, which brought about mixed fortunes, initially struggling for players, management and results. However, with a succession of die-hard senior players taking the reins; Gavin Brocklehurst, Phil Denson and Richard O’Keefe, things moved forward with better performances and improved results, elevating the Club to the higher reaches of the league. The Club saw an opportunity to apply to join the North West Counties Football League and set about improving their facilities, ground and playing staff, in order

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to meet the step 6 league requirements. With much appreciated guidance from the NWCFL, with much hard work, the Club achieved the requirements and were proposed by the NWCFL to the English FA League’s committee to be new members of their League. Originally, their application to join NWCFL was declined but an appeal was successfully heard at Wembley Stadium with the FA’s appeals committee overturning the original decision. There was much hard work ahead to make the dreams become reality though. The ground had to be brought up to NWCFL regulations, not to mention being able to field a team to be able to compete at Step 6. But in August 2015, Whitchurch finally stepped onto the field to compete at the highest level in their history, earning a 1-1 home draw with Rochdale Town in front of a crowd of 83, with Luke Woollam becoming the first player to score for the club as a NWCFL outfit. Initially, the Reds began brightly, losing only five of their first 15 league games. But a harsh winter saw interest wane and many of the better players decided they’d had enough. Alport limped over the line simply to complete their league fixtures, but a miserly 16 points from 34 league matches told its own story. Despite the sterling work of stand-in boss Tony Ennion, who presided over the last few months of the season.

On May 27th 2016, the club unveiled a joint management team of Luke Goddard and Carl Everall. They set about assembling a brand new youthful and energetic team, whilst appointing experienced coaching staff, in order to

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help turn around the club’s fortunes after the harshest inaugural season imaginable. On September 10th, WAFC competed in the FA Vase for the first time - losing narrowly after extra time at home to Wellington FC - and then, on Monday April 17th 2017, the club record attendance at Yockings Park was set when an incredible 670 spectators watched a vital league clash against Litherland REMYCA - 36 more than had attended a midweek home game against City of Liverpool 5 months earlier. Alport’s average gate last season was an astounding 236 with nearly 5,000 people watching the home games. Whitchurch were beaten semi-finalists in the play-offs during Goddard and Everall’s first season, and they will hope to be amongst the front runners again in 2017-18. On Saturday August 5th 2017, the club competed in the FA Cup for the first time in its 71 year history. Over a hundred fans followed the club to Walsall for an Extra Preliminary round tie and were overjoyed to see their team take the lead. Sadly, hosts Walsall Wood scored three times to advance into the next round, 3-1. Two days later, co-manager Everall announced his decision to take on the full time role as Head of Foundation at Crewe Alexandra Football Club – leaving Goddard in sole control of first team duties. Goddard was joined in the hot seat by former Market Drayton Town manager Martyn Davies at the start of November but tenure was short lived as he moved back to Drayton in the middle of December and Goddard and now able to call on the support of his backroom staff.

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150 years of St Helens It is a surprise to many of us that St. Helens Borough is 150 years old this year. Judging from the antiquity of my Dad's jokes and his frequent references to Anne Boleyn, I had always assumed it was rather older. I was wrong. In 1868, Queen Victoria granted the townships of Eccleston, Parr, Sutton and Windle (given in strict alphabetical order – she wasn’t biased) the status of 'Municipal Borough', at a stroke transforming local folk from ‘villagers’ into 'burghers'. The local government boundary changes of 1974 brought the people of Newton-le-Willows, Rainford and Billinge in on the act, though many of them would have preferred to remain village people. Who can blame them? In our first 150 years we have faced many challenges: the loss of traditional industries, the closure of Pimblett’s, and having to pretend that Prescot and Ashton are 'home' - to name but the most serious. Throughout, we have remained quick witted, welcoming and stoic. These qualities have rarely been more apparent than in the 1940s. Despite the tragedies of Second Word War both Town and the town took German goalkeeper Bert Trautmann to their hearts. His story is well known. He achieved the highest honour we can bestow upon one from far away: the status of ‘honorary Sintelliner’.

There is a civic parallel: in 1948, the Oberbürgermeister of Stuttgart, Herr Dr. Arnluf Klett, felt that the future peace and prosperity of Europe depended on mutual understanding and cooperation. He resolved to do something about it. He invited the then Mayor of St. Helens, Alderman Walter Marshall, to visit his city and to establish a twinning arrangement. Mayor Marshall agreed, and flew to Stuttgart. He found a city in ruins. The people’s plight and their warm welcome

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moved him. He promised the help of our famous glass industry in rebuilding their city, and their lives. They were grateful. St. Helens – Stuttgart became the first post -war twinning arrangement between a British and a German town. Those friendly links have developed over the years since, through many school, cultural and business exchange visits. They help remind us that our communities have much in common, as fellow humans and citizens of nations with a common cultural heritage. Football is part of that common heritage. It has greater power to unite people than any other sporting or cultural activity. This year is the 70th anniversary of the twinning relationship, and special commemorative events are in the pipeline. How better to mark the occasion than with a friendly football match between Town and a club from Stuttgart, here at Ruskin? I discussed the idea with John McKiernan at a recent home game, across the pie and peas. Town, he said, would welcome such a match. By something less than a coincidence, I met the Deputy Mayor of Stuttgart, Herr Dr. Martin Schairer, last Friday. He was very keen and introduced me to his Deputy Director for Arranging International Friendlies. He was also keen. Officials at St. Helens Council like the idea and have offered some helpful suggestions as to when such a match might take place. Discussions are underway. Time will tell if we can make it work. We will do our best to be quick witted in exploring the options; if it happens, we will be welcoming; and if it doesn’t, we will be stoic. Happy 150th birthday, fellow Burghers. Ste Lingard / @SteLingard

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

Whitchurch Alport - last 6 matches All Competitions Most recent Home W W W W W W Away L W W W W W Collated W W W W W W St Helens Town games since... All Competitions Clean sheet 22

Whitchurch Alport games since... All Competitions Clean sheet 0

Goal Scored Loss

0 1

No score draw

Score draw Win

0 3

Goal Scored Loss No score draw Score draw Win

Home League Away League Home Cup Away Cup Collated Away Collated

P 2 3 0 0 5 3 4

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W 1 1 0 0 2 1 2

0 10

23 15 0

at St Helens NWC-D1

Previous Meetings 2002-03

at Whitchurch M CHES-D2

NWC-D1

2003-04

M CHES-D2

NWC-D1

2004-05

M CHES-D2

NWC-D1

2005-06

M CHES-D2

NWC-D1

2006-07

M CHES-D2

NWC-D1

2007-08

CHES-D2

NWC-PD

2008-09

CHES-D2

NWC-PD

2009-10

CHES-D2

NWC-PD

2010-11

CHES-D2

NWC-PD

2011-12

CHES-D2

NWC-PD

2012-13

MRL-PD

NWC-PD

2013-14

MRL-PD

NWC-PD

2014-15

MRL-PD

23/04; 10-0

2015-16

13/02; 5-0

06/04; 2-3

2016-17

17/12; 0-3

10/02/2018

2017-18

30/12; 1-5

St Helens Town Scores First Games Played

St Helens Town Wins

Draws

Whitchurch Alport Wins

St Helens Town Goals

Whitchurch Alport Goals Percentage Town Wins

11 40.00

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

F 12 6 0 0 18 3 6

A 3 8 0 0 11 7 8

GD 9 -2 0 0 7 -4 -2

Win % 50.00 33.33 0.00 0.00 40.00 33.33 50.00

League News More FA Vase success for 1874 Northwich No one could argue that the headline story from the past week was 1874 Northwich's 1-0 victory over Chichester City in the Buildbase FA Vase on Saturday. The Greens seem pretty much unstoppable at the minute, and are the latest club in an impressive list who have represented the league superbly in national competitions. Another big day awaits them on Saturday 24th February in the quarter finals and once again, they will have the full support of everyone around our league as they target the last four. Looking good for Linnets It was another good week for Runcorn Linnets, who continued their march ahead at the top of the Premier Division table with a 3-1 win at Barnton. A few defeats in various cup competitions in the past couple of months might mask the fact that Friday's win was their 11th successive league win, form that has seen them establish a ten point lead at the top of the table.

It's looking like it will take a good team to catch them. A winning feeling for Alport Another team that have well and truly got the winning habit right now are Whitchurch Alport, who continued their promotion push with a 1-0 win at Stockport Town on Saturday. Ten league wins in a row with only five goals conceded is super form by any standard, and it's a run that has propelled Luke Goddard's men to within a point of the automatic promotion positions. With memories of a minor mid-season blip now banished, the challenge for Alport now is to keep motoring at the same pace in the coming weeks. Carl just keeps on going Three weeks ago on these pages, we made mention of the tremendous run of form that Charnock Richard striker Carl Grimshaw was enjoying, and three weeks on, there's no sign of the goals drying up. He's now scored ten goals across seven consecutive games, and has hit the back of the net in 16 of Charnock's last 17 games. Thee can't be many strikers in the country that are more prolific than Carl at the moment. Bacup bounce back One of the most welcomed victories of the week will have been in the Bacup Borough dressing room last Tuesday night, after their 3-1 victory over Atherton LR at Crilly Park. The result ended a run of seven straight

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candidate, the final decision was given much thought and Stuart and Ben were chosen to lead the club forward in the second half of the season and beyond.

defeats, and nine in the last ten games, so it was a long overdue three points. Manager Brent Peters will be hoping that their season will kick on from here, now that the winning feeling has returned.

Together, both bring a wealth of coaching and managerial experience to the club. Before being assistant manager at AFC Liverpool, Stuart had successful spells on the management teams at Litherland REMYCA and Maghull Town.

AFC Liverpool have announced that Stuart Keir and Ben Williams have taken over as joint first team managers. A club statement said: "The decision has been reached following an extensive application and interview process as members of the Board met with a number of high quality applicants in recent weeks.

"Ben is extremely well respected in the region having years of experience managing at Step 7 for Old Xaverians and being selected to manage the County FA Reps team.

"Due to the volume and standard of Whitchurchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent League standings Season 2001-02 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 M CHES-2 M CHES-2 M CHES-2 M CHES-2 M CHES-2 M CHES-2 CHES-2 CHES-2 CHES-2 CHES-2 CHES-2 MRL-P MRL-P MRL-P NWC-1 NWC-1

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P 30 30 24 30 30 30 32 32 30 26 24 24 26 26 34 42

W 14 12 10 6 11 11 12 13 11 17 10 6 10 15 2 26

D 9 7 3 8 7 1 13 9 6 4 4 5 10 3 10 7

L 7 11 11 16 12 18 7 10 13 5 10 13 6 8 22 9

F 75 70 39 40 55 43 44 59 36 56 40 35 45 50 31 97

A 40 51 36 64 51 54 34 46 48 38 45 55 33 42 127 45

GD 35 19 3 -24 4 -11 10 13 -12 18 -5 -20 12 8 -96 52

Pts 51 43 33 26 40 34 49 48 39 55 34 23 40 46 16 85

Position 5/16 9/16 8/13 13/16 10/16 12/16 7/17 7/17 9/16 3/14 7/13 11/13 5/14 4/14 18/18 5/22

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Premier Division Fixtures

Premier Division Table Wed 07/02/2018

GD Pts

Runcorn Linnets

28 22

Widnes

30 17

Charnock Richard

Runcorn Town

Hanley Town

Bootle

City of Liverpool

Padiham

1874 Northwich

10 Barnoldswick Town 24

10 49

12 Northwich Victoria

-11

Ashton Athletic

20 10

Winsford United

-7

15 West D & Chorlton

14 53

-23

Squires Gate

-24

Burscough

16 43

-22

Maine Road

39 69

-30 28

AFC Liverpool

-7

Irlam

-10

Abbey Hey

-17

AFC Darwen

18 24

-60

Barnton

22 46 107 -61

Congleton Town

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Saturday 10th February 2018 AFC Darwen v 1874 Northwich AFC Liverpool v West D & Chorlton Charnock Richard v Barnoldswick City of Liverpool FC v Abbey Hey Congleton Town v Padiham Irlam v Hanley Town Maine Road v Burscough Northwich Vics v Runcorn Linnets Runcorn Town v Ashton Athletic Widnes v Barnton Winsford United v Bootle Tuesday 13th February 2018 1874 Northwich v Ashton Athletic Barnton v Bootle Padiham v Runcorn Linnets Squires Gate v AFC Darwen WD & Chorlton v City of Liverpool Thursday 15th February 2018 1874 Northwich v Irlam Saturday 17th February 2018 1874 Northwich v Runcorn Town Abbey Hey v Burscough AFC Darwen v West Did & Chorlton Ashton Athletic v AFC Liverpool Barnoldswick T v Congleton Town Barnton v Irlam Bootle v Northwich Victoria Charnock Richard v Maine Road Hanley Town v Padiham Runcorn Linnets v Widnes Squires Gate v City of Liverpool FC Monday 19th February 2018 Maine Road v Barnoldswick Town Winsford United v Hanley Town Tuesday 20th February 2018 Bootle v Ashton Athletic Irlam v City of Liverpool FC Northwich Victoria v AFC Liverpool Runcorn Linnets v 1874 Northwich

Wednesday 21st February 2018 AFC Darwen v Padiham Runcorn Town v West D & Chorlton Saturday 24th February 2018 Barnoldswick T v Runcorn Linnets City of Liverpool FC v Widnes Congleton Town v Squires Gate Northwich Victoria v Ashton Ath Padiham v Charnock Richard Runcorn Town v Barnton West Did & Chorlton v Abbey Hey Winsford United v Irlam

First Division Table Thurs 08/02/2018

First Division Fixtures

A GD Pts

Silsden AFC

74 24 50 69

Litherland REMYCA

68 23 45 54

Whitchurch Alport

23 17

52 16 36 53

Prestwich Heys

66 29 37 50

Sandbach United

10 53 43

10 47

Alsager Town

56 43

13 44

Cammell Laird 1907

56 47

AFC Blackpool

50 45

Holker Old Boys

10 38 56 -18 37

Carlisle City

43 37

Stockport Town

49 48

FC Oswestry Town

45 56 -11 32

Atherton LR

39 44

New Mills

10 42 54 -12 28

Cheadle Town

35 47 -12 28

Abbey Hulton Utd

32 39

Bacup Borough

27 46 -19 23

Eccleshall

33 60 -27 23

Chadderton

38 57 -19 21

St Helens Town

17 37 58 -21 19

Daisy Hill

Nelson

16 26 57 -31 15

-5 29

-7

32 62 -30 17

Saturday 10th February 2018 AFC Blackpool v Eccleshall Alsager Town v Abbey Hulton Utd Atherton LR v Holker Old Boys Cammell Laird 1907 v Bacup Boro Chadderton v Stockport Town Daisy Hill v Carlisle City Nelson v FC Oswestry Town New Mills v Cheadle Town Silsden AFC v Prestwich Heys St Helens Town v Whitchurch A Tuesday 13th February 2018 Abbey Hulton Utd v Whitchurch A Wednesday 14th February 2018 Cheadle Town v Eccleshall Saturday 17th February 2018 Abbey Hulton United v Daisy Hill Bacup Borough v Atherton LR Chadderton v St Helens Town Cheadle Town v Holker Old Boys Litherland REMYCA v Eccleshall Nelson v Cammell Laird 1907 New Mills v Carlisle City Prestwich Heys v Sandbach United Stockport Town v AFC Blackpool Whitchurch Alport v Alsager Town

Tuesday 20th February 2018 Abbey Hulton United v Chadderton Carlisle City v Holker Old Boys Thursday 22nd February 2018 Bacup Borough v Stockport Town Friday 23rd February 2018 Daisy Hill v Atherton LR Saturday 24th February 2018 Abbey Hulton Utd v Litherland R AFC Blackpool v New Mills Bacup Borough v Silsden AFC Cammell Laird 1907 v Carlisle City Eccleshall v Stockport Town Holker Old Boys v FC Oswestry T Prestwich Heys v Alsager Town Sandbach United v Nelson Whitchurch Alport v Chadderton Tuesday 27th February 2018 Atherton LR v Silsden AFC Carlisle City v AFC Blackpool Chadderton v Daisy Hill New Mills v Sandbach United Thursday 1st March 2018 Bacup Borough v Holker Old Boys

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Next up at RUSKIN DRIVE Sat 10th March 2018 Kick Off 3.00pm

Today’s Team Line-up

versus New Mills Hallmark Security League Division One

Next AWAY FIXTURE

Sat 17th February 2018 Kick Off 3.00pm

versus Chadderton Hallmark Security League Division One

Today’s SPONSORS Match: St Helens Minds Match Ball: Dave Watkins

Programme: Whiston Beer Festival

Main Club Sponsors

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool Charity Partner 2017-18

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