St Helens Town v Widnes 2016-17 by John McKiernan

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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

Thursday 15th September 2016, kick off 7.45pm The Hallmark Security League, First Division St Helens Town

Widnes

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

Vice Chairman: Glyn Jones

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

Mathew Hodge

Trustee: John McKiernan

Joshua Kavanagh Joseph Fielding James McShane Michael Burke

Phil Williams

Kevin Towey

Sam Sheen

Jason McShane

Andy Gillespie

Darrhyl Mason George Webster

Ste Rigby

Jack Graham

1st Team Coach Lee Jenkinson

Danny Greene

Ryan Malone

1st Team Physiotherapists Ellie Hayes & Paige Marcus

George Lomax

Chris Lomax Jacob Ball

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

Adam Donohue Managers: Alan Gillespie and Nick Matthews

Daniel Laverty Dale Korie-Butler Thomas Mitchell Daniel Salt Joint Managers: Brian Pritchard & Danny Meadowcroft

Referee: Mr S Holden (Penwortham) Assist: Mr R Craven (Shevington) & Mr A Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien (Skelmersdale)

Sunday Team Manager: David Platt

Match Sponsor

Club Email: sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk

Thatto Heath Tech Shop

Main Club Sponsor: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

9 Nutgrove Road, Thatto Heath, St Helens

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

Gls Y R

Kevin Pollard

Cole Ashton

Eddie Pegler

1st Team Joint Managers: Alan Gillespie & Nick Matthews

Kristofer Leigh

Daniel Brady

Andy Webster

Hospitality: Margaret Wood and Paul Wood

Andy Presho Hamish Falconer

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

White Shirts Black Shorts & White Socks

Match Ball Sponsors

Beer Engin

9 Greenes Road, Whiston Micropub 07496 616 132

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

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Next Home Game: Town v FC Oswestry

Hallmark Security League Sat 24th September 2016 Volair Park, Prescot Cables FC

Cover Photograph: Andy Gillespie and Phil Williams

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Talk of the Town Good evening and welcome to Volair Park for this Hallmark Security League, First Division against Widnes. May I open by welcoming our visitors I hope they enjoy the short time they will spend with us and have a safe journey home after the game. It been a quick turnaround for us as we are back here at Volair Park after Saturday’s FA Vase First Qualifying Round exit at the hands of Chadderton. A great early start saw Skipper Andy Gillespie net with 12 seconds on the clock colleting a slide-rule pass from Sam Sheen and firing home. He then doubled the lead on 12 minutes when he broke away from the Chadderton backline before powering a low shot home. Town were on top but failed to capitalise on their openings as chances came and went for Ste Rigby and there was no one on hand to turn an excellent cross from Danny Greene home with a goal gaping and with the half drawing to a conclusion the visitors halved the deficit when Devante Jacobs was on hand to turn a rebound home. Another small spell this time of less than ten minutes was to cost Town dear, the hosts had started the second period sluggishly and on 63 minutes the visitors levelled when Scott Foster controlled the ball on his chest before firing home via the inside of the upright. Town thought they went back in front when they had the ball in the back of the net but the referee disallowed for a push on the visiting stopper which baffled most of those in attendance and Greene spurned the easiest chance of the contest when the stopper cleared the ball directly to him and with an open goal begging he somehow fired wide of the target. Salt was rubbed into the Town wounds when James Curley took advantage of a defensive mix up to walk the ball into the empty net and as Town pushed forward with nothing to lose they conceded a fourth through Foster on a counter attack. The hosts responded quickly as Phil Williams pulled one back but Chadderton restored their two goal lead almost instantly with Jack Tuohy rounding off the scoring and securing a trip to this evenings visitors Widnes in the 2nd Qualifying Round. So onto this evening’s contest against one of the sides many have selected to be promoted this season with the combination of last season’s play-off winning management team at Barnton and several of their playing squad providing course and distance experience knowing what it takes to get out of this division. They have had an interesting start to the season having excellent away form but they aren’t enjoying home comforts too much as they have struggled to come to terms with their new surroundings and have not performed to the levels they would have expected at the moment. Town know they need to improve at the back as we look to get back winning ways as we look to climb up the table and this evenings contest will not prove an easy start especially with the form of the visitors away from home at the moment! Let’s get behind Town this evening and hopefully cheer them on to victory! Enjoy the game . . . Jeff Voller

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In Town Today Established in 2003 as a junior football club under the name The Dragons AFC with the aim of making football fun, teach new skills and self confidence, Widnes FC have a brief but growing history.

Select Security Stadium Lower House Lane, Widnes, Cheshire WA8 7DZ www.widnesfootballclub.co.uk Twitter: @Widnes_FC

The Dragons AFC, later to become known as Widnes Dragons, built a fantastic reputation locally for their contribution towards the development of grassroots football in Halton whilst providing opportunities for over 200 junior players to play football from the age of 6 to 18. The club put in a great amount of effort to run the club according to the best practices laid down by the FA. To that end, the club achieved the FA Charter Standard award in December 2003, less than a year after being established. The club is recognised as the first to achieve this award in Halton. Over the years, the club continued to expand encouraging players of all abilities to participate. The club’s sustained success on and off the pitch led to tours to Spain (twice), Belfast and Devon. In 2008, the club was awarded the FA Charter Standard Development award for their development of grassroots football. To celebrate this achievement the club staged their annual presentation at Goodison Park, the home of Everton Football Club, later that year. Further presentations followed at prestigious venues thereafter, namely the Stobart Stadium (now Select Security Stadium) and the Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City Football Club, to give the players an increased sense of achievement. In March 2012, Widnes Dragons began a consultation process with Widnes Vikings RLFC to become part of the Vikings Sports Brand. This proposed partnership was established to enhance the club’s community status whilst lending a hand to the continued growth of the club in the process. In July 2012 at the club’s AGM, members voted in favour of becoming part of the Vikings Sports Brand, agreeing on a 12 month transitional period over that course of the 201213 season, becoming known as Widnes Vikings FC in the process. Also involved in the agreement was the formation of a senior side that was placed into the West Cheshire League Division Three for the forthcoming season. Later that month, the club received the FA Charter Standard Community Club award, enhancing the growth of a club who became official school boy recruitment partners with Everton Football Club later that year. The club’s first season in the West Cheshire Football League Division Three proved to be a successful one, as the team finished 4th in the table. After a mixed start to the season, Paul Pennington resigned as manager and was replaced by Steve Hill, who has given the task of overseeing the team’s development as they applied to join the North West Counties Football League, beginning in the upcoming

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Widnes FC 2013/14 season.

The club’s application to join the NWCFL was accepted in 2013 with the club playing its first fixture in the league in August of that year as the side lost 3-1 to Cheadle Town in their inaugural fixture in the division. The side’s first victory followed at the third time of asking with a comfortable 5-1 victory over Northwich Flixton Villa. Widnes’ debut season in the NWCFL saw them finish 14th in the table. In March 2014, the club's committee called an EGM for its members to decide on the future of the club. A unanimous vote was made that the club was to move away from the Vikings brand and to restructure the club to secure its own identity and long-term future. Subsequently, the club parted ways with the Vikings brand and became known as Widnes Football Club, which was symbolic in representing where the team and its fans came from whilst recognising that a new club needed to be built to establish confidence in the local community and support young local talent in Widnes. The 2014-15 season saw the club make significant progress in their growth. Good form in cup competitions saw Steve Hill’s side reach the quarter-final of the Liverpool Senior Cup before being narrowly beaten by Northern Premier League Premier Division outfit Skelmersdale United. The club also reached the third round of the Men United Cup before being knocked out by league champions Glossop North End. The club also made their debut in the FA Vase before falling to AFC Emley in the 2nd qualifying round. 2015 also saw manager Steve Hill take charge of his 100th game for the club and former players Connor McCarthy and Ben Tollitt sign for semi-professional and professional clubs respectively. McCarthy signed for Southport in February before signing a part-time deal prior to pre-season whilst Tollitt signed a one-year deal with SkyBet League Two side Portsmouth in July. Tollitt became the first ever former Widnes player to play in the Football League when he made his Portsmouth debut in a 21 home League Cup win against Derby County and netted his first professional goal in November in a 6-0 win against York City. Last season saw Widnes record their highest ever league finish as they finished the term in 13th position. The off-season saw plenty of changes both on and off the pitch as former Barnton Chairman Ian Ross took the same position at his local club and there was more faces familiar with promotion from the division as Barnton’s play-off winning management team of Brian Pritchard and Danny Meadowcroft have taken the reigns at the club and will be looking to repeat the feat this term with Barnton having recruited several players who have course and distance experience from last term. Season 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16

League W CHES-3 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1

P 28 36 36 34

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W 15 9 10 10

D 3 9 5 5

L 10 18 21 19

F 76 58 62 67

A 45 84 101 77

GD 31 -26 -39 -10

Pts 48 35 35 35

Position 4/15 14/19 16/19 13/18

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Chairman’s Notes Good evening and a very warm welcome to Volair Par for this Hallmark Security League First Division game as we entertain neighbours Widnes FC. Let’s hope their players, officials and supporters along with tonight’s match officials and our own home support are treated to an entertaining encounter. I’d like to say a warm welcome and many thanks to tonight’s match sponsors Thatto Heath Tech Shop and our match ball sponsors Beer Engin Micropub Whiston, your continued support is greatly appreciated. There’s lots going on at the club at present as we look forward to our return to St Helens and the Ruskin Drive Sports ground development we understand that the stadium has been signed off today and we are now awaiting the completion of the two 150 space car parks and the completion of the dressing room facilities. It’s likely our U18s, U21s and Sunday teams will be on site very soon (as they can make use of the existing changing facilities). However, our first team will have to wait a little longer as the new building will be a key part of our ground grading for the Hallmark Security League. I will endeavour to keep you updated on progress as news is made available to us. Unfortunately we have lost the services of U18s Manager Colin Hamlet who has stepped down - we will be working with the players to ensure a smooth transition once a decision is made on a new appointment. It’s always difficult losing a manager during the playing season but will work hard to ensure the impact on the squad and results is minimised. We are in the midst of a number of disappointing results with defeats against LR, City of Liverpool and Chadderton in the last week or two. The FA Vase loss to Chadderton continued our series of frustrating performances which have seen the lads dominate for large periods, take the lead, faill to take further chances before going on to defend poorly and gift goals. I am sure the management team and the lads will be looking to build some consistency as when we are good we are superb . . . but! We cannot let the ‘Holy Grail’ of our return to St Helens to detract from the need to be challenging at the top end of the table - the period from Christmas through to the end of the last campaign saw the team in great form and while we’ve had a few personnel changes we are certainly under performing. As was mentioned in our last programme we’ve disappointingly lost the services of George and Chris Lomax who showed their loyalties lay away from St Helens Town. Thursday night games mean a quick turn around and we travel to Daisy Hill on Saturday afternoon. We’ve had a new home game slotted in on Saturday 24th when FC Oswestry Town are our visitors.

Enjoy the game John McKiernan Chairman

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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The world this week I take a trip down memory and discover what events happened in the history of St Helens Town, sport in general and provide a reminder of any historical world events that occurred in this week in history. The week of 11th September – 18th September Last Season: St Helens Town – 12th and 15th September 2015 Town rescue a 3-3 draw against eventual promoted side Barnton due to 2 Marcus Perry goals in 2 minutes. They then succumb to a 3-1 defeat against Rochdale Town with Andy Gillespie grabbing the only goal. Sport – 13th September 2015 Lydia Ko of New Zealand becomes the youngest winner of a golf major winning the Evian Championship in France aged 18yrs, 142 days World – 12th September 2015 Jeremy Corbyn is elected leader of the UK Labour party 10 Years Ago: St Helens Town – 12th and 16th September 2006 St Helens Town suffer successive home 4-0 defeats to Maine Road and Nantwich Town respectively.

Rochdale Town 3-1 Town NWCFL Division One

Sport – 18th September 2006 Bryan Robson is sacked after less than two years as manager of West Bromwich Albion

World – 18th September 2006 Right wing protesters riot the building of the Hungarian Television in Budapest, Hungary, one day after an audio tape was made public, in which Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány admitted he and his party lied during the 2006 general elections. 20 Years Ago: St Helens Town: - 14th and 18th September 1996 – Town manage a very credible result against Conference Premier side Gateshead as they draw 0-0 at Houghton Road before crashing out of the FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round by losing 5-1 four days later.

Sport –14th September 1996 Dean Headley takes 3rd cricket hat-trick of season, Kent v Hampshire World – 14th September 1996 Tara Dawn Holland (Kansas), 23, crowned 70th Miss America 1997 The Vase Year – 1987: St Helens Town – 12th and 15th September 1987 – Town draw 1-1 against Ilkeston Town in the FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round before drawing the replay by the same score line 3 days later at Houghton Road to force a 2nd replay. Sport – 13th September 1987 Paul Lynch of Great Britain does 32,573 push-ups in 24 hours World – 18th September 1987 US & USSR sign accord to remove mid range missiles.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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How We Compare? at St Helens Town NWC-D1

Previous Meetings 2001-02

NWC-D1

2002-03

N/A

NWC-D1

2003-04

N/A

NWC-D1

2004-05

N/A

NWC-D1

2005-06

N/A

NWC-D1

2006-07

N/A

NWC-D1

2007-08

N/A

NWC-PD

2008-09

N/A

St Helens Town - last 6 matches All Competitions Home

Most recent

Away

Collated

Widnes- last 6 matches All Competitions

Most recent

at Widnes N/A

Home

NWC-PD

2009-10

N/A

Away

NWC-PD

2010-11

N/A

Collated

NWC-PD

2011-12

N/A

NWC-PD

2012-13

W CHES-D3

NWC-PD

2013-14

NWC-D1

St Helens Town games since...

Widnes games since...

All Competitions

Clean sheet

Goal Scored

Loss

No score draw

149

Score draw

Win

NWC-PD

2014-15

NWC-D1

13/10; 3-2

2015-16

12/03; 2-1

15/09/2016

2016-17

08/04/2017

St Helens Town Scores First Games Played

St Helens Town Wins

Draws

Widnes Wins

St Helens Town Goals

Widnes Goals

Percentage Town Wins

100.00

Previous Meetings All Competitions P

Win %

Home

100.00

Away

50.00

Collated

66.67

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Ruskin Update

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Tea Break Teasers Q1. Which city hosted the 2002 World Cup Final?

Q2. Which Scottish League team are nicknamed “The Loons”? Q3. Which Sheffield outfit has won more FA Cup Finals Wednesday or United? Q4. Which English Football League team was founded in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance? Q5. Which team has won the most Football League titles in the Premier League era?

Q6. Who has been promoted to the Premier League the most times as a manager? Q7. Which four players born outside of the Republic of Ireland started in the 2nd leg of their Euro 2016 play off second leg against BosniaHerzegovina?

Q8. Who has won more full England caps Bobby Charlton or Ashley Cole? Q9. Which team has won the most English League Cups? Q10. Who is the only player to have won the European Cup/Champions League with three different clubs? Q11. With which two English League clubs was Eric Cantona’s brother Joel on the books? Q12. With which two clubs did Michael Carrick go out on loan whilst playing at West Ham? Q13. Which Serie A outfit play at the Stadio San Paolo? Q14. Which player coming off the bench for Liverpool in their February 2016 6-0 win at Aston Villa became Liverpool’s 200th Premier League player? Q15. Which country produced the most Intertoto Cup winners?

1) Yokohama 2) Forfar Athletic 3) United 4 Wednesday 3 4) Birmingham City 5) Sunderland (4) 6) Steve Bruce (Birmingham 01-2 & 06-7 & Hull 12-13 & 15-16) 7) Ciaran Clark, Richard Keogh, James McCartghy & Jonathan Walters 8) Cole 107 to Charlton 106 9) Liverpool (8) 10) Clarence Seedorf (Ajax, Real Madrid & Milan) 11) Peterborough & Stockport County 12) Swindon Town & Birmingham City 13) Napoli 14) Kevin Stewart 15) France (16)

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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The Town Crest Following local government reorganisation in 1974, it was decided to apply to the College of Heralds for a new Coat of Arms, to incorporate those areas joining together to form the new Borough of St Helens. A design brief was prepared by Councillor G R Parr, a Councillor for East Sutton who had training in graphic design. This was accepted and highly commended by the College of Heralds, with only a small amount of alteration. The silver shield contains:

The black cross of Haydock and Eccleston and the two blue bars of Parr In the top left hand corner is the red diagonal cross of the Gerards,

representing Ashton and Seneley Green. right hand corner is the black griffin of Bold, representing Rainhill, Bold and also Whiston RDC. (These were displayed on the previous County Borough of St Helens Coat of Arms issued in 1876). In the bottom left hand corner is the red cross of Pilkingtons, representing Windle.

In the top

In the bottom right hand corner is the red crosslet of Billinge. The crest above the helmet is that of Lord Newton, representing Newton UDC and Haydock UDC. There is also the addition of two red fleur de lys on the body of the Ram. The supporters, a golden lion and a black griffin are differenced by seven red fleur de lys on the lion

and seven black bars on the wing of the griffin, to denote the seven authorities which make up the Borough. The motto "PROSPERITAS IN EXCELSIS" is taken from the Rainford Council badge of office and means "Flourishing Well". In recent times, and particularly since the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics, some local people had advocated that the motto on the St Helens Coat of Arms be changed from 'Prosperitas in Excelsis' (Flourishing Well), to 'Ex Terra Lucem' (Out of the Earth Light).

The Ex Terra Lucem motto had been particularly prominent in 2012 due to the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. The writer of the Opening Ceremony was Frank Cottrell Boyce, born locally in Rainhill, who attended local schools. Frank Cottrell Boyce had made it clear that Ex Terra Lucem was a significant influence on the development of the Opening Ceremony. It appeared to be particularly relevant to the development of the cauldron idea from which the Olympic Flame was lit. The Opening Ceremony captured the imagination of people worldwide, but had also led many people locally to question whether we should adopt Ex Terra Lucem as the motto on our Coat of Arms in place of Prosperitas in Excelsis. It was felt that it was more appropriate to the town's history and had more meaning for local people, representing hope for the future. A number of people had raised this and requested that the Council consider replacing the motto.

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Match Action

Town U18s v Marine U18s NW Youth Alliance League Sunday 11th September 2016

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Cole Ashton in action at Atherton LR on Saturday 3rd September 2016

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Match Sponsors We are looking for additional sponsors on match-days with a host of benefits for both match (£100) and match ball (£50) sponsors including free entry & programme; hospitality, programme and social media advertising; pre-match photos, man of the match awards. Contact John McKiernan on 07713 339 682 for more details. Date

Opponents

Match Sponsor

Match Ball Sponsor

Thu 18/08/16

Sandbach United

Beer EnGin, Whiston

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Thu 01/09/16

Prestwich Heys

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Cuncannon

Sat 10/09/16

Chadderton (FAV)

Top Car Detailing

Cuncannon

Thu 15/09/16

Widnes

Thatto Heath Tech Shop

Beer Engin, Whiston

Sat 01/10/16

AFC Darwen (Macron Cup)

Sat 15/10/16

Carlisle City

Michael Allison

Conor McGinn

Sat 22/10/16

Chadderton

Beechley Stables, RDA

Thu 10/11/16

Cheadle Town

Invisible Heroes

Thu 17/11/16

Ashton Town

Sat 19/11/16

Eccleshall

Sat 26/11/16

FC Oswestry Town

Thu 01/12/16

Alsager Town

Sat 10/12/16

Bacup Borough

Mon 26/12/16 Litherland REMYCA

Stillia

Action Coach NW

Danny’s Window Cleaning Toast Café

Stuart Pyke The Track King

Kiera’s Occasions

Kiera’s Occasions Britannia Taxis

Sat 07/01/17

Holker Old Boys

LM Travel

Sat 21/01/17

AFC Blackpool

Action Coach NW

Sat 28/01/17

Whitchurch Alport

Invisible Heroes

Sat 11/02/17

Silsden

North West Dog Rescue

Sat 18/03/17

Daisy Hill

Invisible Heroes

Sat 25/03/17

Stockport Town

Live Wire Electrical

Sat 01/04/17

Atherton LR

John Cahill

Sun 16/04/17

City of Liverpool FC

The Boar’s Head

Sat 29/04/17

Charnock Richard

Toast Café

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Team Fixtures St Helens Town Sunday Liverpool &District Sunday League 04/09/16 12:00 Cool IT P-P Town 08/09/16 18:30 Hunting Lodge 3-0 Town 11/09/16 11:00 Fulwood Arms 2-0 Town 18/09/16 11:00 Birkdale united v Town St Helens Town U21s Cheshire FA U21s League Premier Division Results Lge 24/08/16 Manchester Central Reserves 0-4 Town Cup 21/08/16 Atherton Town 2-2 Town (Town won 1-3 on pens) Lge 18/08/16 Southport 2-2 Town Cup 11/09/16 11:00 Glossop North End 1-9 Town Fixtures Cup 18/09/16 11:00 BRNESC Reserves v Town Lge 25/09/16 14:00 Atherton Town v Town Cup 02/10/16 12:30 Abbey Hey v Town Lge 09/10/16 12:45 Town v Irlam

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

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

History: Cashbook A recent St Helens Town news article on the club website made reference to a cash book from the original club covering season 1912-13 and some matches during the First World War. The book has been loaned to the club by Town stalwart and president of the St. Helens Football Combination, Eric Bond and according to club official Glyn Jones it makes very interesting reading. He said, The book lists the financial accounts on a match-by-match basis and bears auditors markings to verify the figures. Season 1912-13 is covered in full, but not 1913-14. Curiously, a number of matches from 1914-15 are also included, but I do not know whether they amount to a full season. Nevertheless, the information contained in the book is fascinating. In 1912-13, St. Helens Town were members of the Lancashire Combination, Division 1. They finished 14th of 18 teams, played 34, won 12, drew 5 and lost 17 games, scoring 49 goals and conceding 75. Local rivals St. Helens Recs., in their final season as a soccer club, ended the season in 8th place.

Glyn added, Results of games are not given in the cash book, but the two St. Helens clubs met at Park Road on Christmas Day, when gate receipts were £41 9s. 2d (£41.46) and a further £1 was made in the Refreshment Tent, the only occasion it appears in the accounts. The Police were paid 9s. (45p),

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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in the Attic gatemen 4s. 6d. (22p) and sawdust cost 6d. The return game took place on Good Friday, 21st March 1913. Looking at 1912-13 as a whole, a pre-season friendly was played at Barrow on 2nd September (a Monday), producing half gate receipts of £27 3s. (£27.15), which were the best receipts other than those for the Recs. derby game on Christmas Day. Over £10 was taken as a half-share of a cup-tie gate at Macclesfield and the only other gate over £10 was for the home game with Tranmere Rovers on 16th November, £16 8s 1d (£16.40). All the other home gates were significantly below £10, many around £2. The lowest was £1 18s 3d. (£1.91) against Chester on 5th April. Most players went unpaid through the season, but there were several instances of some players receiving between five shillings (25p) and twelve and sixpence (62p). There were several instances of the payment of lost time: this arose as a result of players missing a Saturday morning in work, in order to play football. The usual working week in the North of England was five and a half days. Payment of lost or broken-time money was prevalent after 1895. That date was significant in that it was the year of the split between the Rugby Football Union and the Northern Union (later the Rugby League), which came about as a direct result of Northern Union clubs wishing to compensate their players in the industrial North for time lost from work. The book shows several instances of players receiving amounts varying from 2s. 6d. (12p) to 10s. (50p), in lost time payments. Other overheads included train fares for away travel and for a few players travelling from out of town to St. Helens. The whole team travelled to Barrow for £3 12s (£3.60). Two shillings was incurred for repairing pipes at the home game with Eccles in February and rates of £5 10s. 3d. (£5.51) were paid in March. Printing of posters etc., regularly came to 10s. or 15s. The game with Haslingden on 11th January was postponed due to an ice and snow storm and it would appear that the game with Heywood on 26th October was abandoned, as it had to be played again on 7th December, when £1 18s. (£1.90) was paid out to the visitors for their expenses. The cost of running a football club was an enormous burden on the directors. There were many instances of the Chairman, Peter Phythian, and his fellow directors, dipping into their own pockets to make up the income to cover the expenditure. This was particularly prevalent during the 1914/15 season. If the cash book covers the whole season, then only 11 games were played. Fixtures appear to start on 28th November 1914 and finish on 19th April 1915. The opening game v Skelmersdale yielded just over £5 in gate receipts and the other three home games (against Everton, South Liverpool and Burscough) just exceeding £4 in total. Glyn noted, The directors subsidised the club in 8 of the matches to the tune of over £11. Perhaps optimistically, one of the last credit entries appeared as Season Tickets £9 19s. 1d. (£9.95), which I suspect might have been a bookkeeping exercise to give the directors their money back. I wonder if they ever did get their season tickets as I have yet to see what happened to the club in the 1915-16 season. Opposite Left: The oldest known photograph of St Helens Town from 1901

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Match Statistics 201 Date

Opponents

Comp

Result

Aug 06

Carlisle City

NWCFL

3.00

4-3L

Novak D.Brady Williams Rawsthorne

Falconer

Presho

Rigby

Sheen

Aug 13

Cheadle Town

NWCFL

3.00

3-3D

Novak

AUG 18

SANDBACH UNITED

NWCFL

7.45

L2-4

Novak Greene

Rigby

Presho

Aug 20

Litherland REMYCA

NWCFL

3.00

W1-2 Novak Greene

Rigby

Webster

Falconer

Presho

Aug 27

Charnock Richard

NWCFL

3.00

W1-3 Novak Greene

Rigby

Webster

Falconer

Presho

SEP 01

PRESTWICH HEYS

NWCFL

7.45

2-2D Hodge Greene

Rigby

Webster

Falconer

Presho

Sep 03

Atherton LR

NWCFL

3.00

4-2L

Hodge Greene1

Rigby

Falconer

Webster

Presho

Sep 06

City of Liverpool

NWCFL

7.45

5-1L

Hodge D.Brady

Presho

Falconer

Webster

Ashton

SEP 10

CHADDERTON

FAV 1QR 3.00

3-5L

Taylor D.Brady

Presho

Webster

Donohue

Davies

SEP 15

WIDNES

NWCFL

Sep 17

Daisy Hill

NWCFL

3.00

SEP24

FC OSWESTRY TOWN

NWCFL

3.00

OCT 01

AFC DARWEN

TMC 1R 3.00

Oct 08

Alsager Town

NWCFL

Oct 11

AFC Blackpool

NWCFL

7.45

OCT 15

CARLISLE CITY

NWCFL

3.00

Falconer

Andy Gillespie Pegler D

7.45

3.00

Oct 18

FC Oswestry Town

NWCFL

7.45

OCT 22

CHADDERTON

NWCFL

3.00

NOV 10

CHEADLE TOWN

NWCFL

7.45

Nov12

Silsden

NWCFL

3.00

NOV 17

ASHTON TOWN

NWCFL

7.45

NOV 19

ECCLESHALL

NWCFL

3.00

DEC 01

ALSAGER TOWN

NWCFL

7.45

Dec 03

Ashton Town

NWCFL

3.00

DEC 10

BACUP BOROUGH

NWCFL

3.00

Dec 17

Whitchurch Alport

NWCFL

3.00

DEC 26

LITHERLAND REMCYA

NWCFL

3.00

Dec 31

Prestwich Heys

NWCFL

3.00

JAN 07

HOLKER OLD BOYS

NWCFL

3.00

Jan 14

Eccleshall

NWCFL

3.00

JAN 21

AFC BLACKPOOL

NWCFL

3.00

NWCFL

3.00

JAN 28 WHITCHURCH ALPORT

Presho A.Whelan

Feb 04

Bacup Borough

NWCFL

3.00

FEB 11

SILSDEN

NWCFL

3.00

Feb 18

Sandbach United

NWCFL

3.00

Mar 04

Chadderton

NWCFL

3.00

Mar 11

Holker Old Boys

NWCFL

3.00

MAR 18

DAISY HILL

NWCFL

3.00

MAR 25

STOCKPORT TOWN

NWCFL

3.00

APR 01

ATHERTON LR

NWCFL

7.45

Apr 08

Widnes

NWCFL

3.00

APR 16

CITY OF LIVERPOOL

NWCFL

TBC

Apr 22

Stockport Town

NWCFL

3.00

APR 29

CHARNOCK RICHARD

NWCFL

3.00

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Alex Gillespie

Andy Gillespie

And Pre

Eddie Pegler

George Lomax

Hamish Fa

Will Threlkeld

Andy Webster

Matt Ho

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16-17 7

Ashton

Greene1

Pegler

Player name and CAUTION

Name

Player name and DISMISSAL FOR 2 CAUTIONS

Name

Player name and DISMISSAL

Name10

Player name and number of replaced player

Ashton

C.Lomax

G.Lomax1

Greene10

Alex Gillespie6

Threlkeld3

D.Whelan

C.Lomax

Williams10

C.Banasko

Al Gillespie

D.Whelan2

G.Lomax1

C.Lomax

Threlkeld

Alex Gillespie

Tingay

C.Banasko

G.Lomax

Williams

Threlkeld10

Alex Gillespie

D.Whelan

Tingay11

Davidson

Mavers

S.Brady

Ball2

Hodge1

Ball

Mavers

D.Brady

S.Brady

Al Gillespie

Pegler7

Ball

Dutton

Andy Gillespie1 G.Lomax1 Williams

Pegler1 Andy Gillespie1

Sheen

Player name and number of goals scored

Name

Pegler1 Andy Gillespie1

D.Whelan Sheen1 Sheen

Name1

C.Lomax

G.Lomax1 Williams2

Threlkeld11

Sheen

Ashton

C.Lomax1

G.Lomax

Williams1

Ashton

Sheen

G.Lomax1

C.Lomax

Williams

Sheen

Andy Gillespie

Pegler

Rigby

Greene7

C.Lomax

G.Lomax61

Ball4

Donohue

Pegler

Sheen

Andy Gillespie2

Greene

Rigby

Ball

Williams71

Rowe5

Rawsthorne10

Hodge

D.Brady6 Andy Gillespie11

Anthony Whelan

Chris Lomax

Danny Greene

Dom Whelan

alconer

Sam Sheene

Lee Novak

Phil WIlliams

Ste Rigby

odge

Ellis Mavers

Matty Davidson

Jake Ball

Cole Ashton

esho

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Town Elite Seven decades have been completed since St Helens Town were re-formed immediately after the war and the following are our ‘shining lights’ throughout each one. 1990’s Steve Penningto As the century’s final decade began, Steve Pennington had been given few opportunities in a Town shirt and reverted back to local football where he regularly scored ‘hat-tricks’ for fun! It was not until Jimmy McBride took over as manager that ‘Pellet’ got his chance and over an eight year period he wrote himself into our record books and nonleague folklore. ‘Pellet’s’ first ever goal was a late tap in winner against Skelmersdale United at the ‘Moss End’ of Hoghton Road and it was into the same net that he scored the last ever goal at our old ground when we beat Vauxhall Motors 1-0 on that memory charged occasion in the year 2000. In between, Steve’s goals lit up every season and despite brief flirtations into the Vauxhall Conference with Altrincham and the Unibond League with Trafford, he always spent enough time with his home town club to top our goal scoring charts. It is fair to say that Pellet’s goals kept us a regular NWCFL top eight club and it is unlikely that his total haul will ever be bettered in Town’s cause, although ironically he never managed to beat our record for goals scored in a season. His tally of 45 in season 97-98 matched Phil Stainton’s 1965 haul but fell one short of Jackie Kendrick’s benchmark of 46 achieved in our latter Lancs. Comb. days in 1974. ‘Pellet’ was a larger than life character both on the field and off it and was well respected both by teammates and opponents alike but his ‘cavalier’ lifestyle made him ‘not suitable’ for the pro game though his goal scoring talents undeniably were. Perhaps it is fitting that Mal Thacker’s photograph of that final goal in Hoghton Road’s final game depicting ‘Pellet’ at what he does best, should be the sporting epitaph on the ground he scored ‘bag-fulls’ for St Helens Town and in local cup finals. 2000’s Iain Dyson Ian Dyson’s tenure at St Helens Town began as the final season of the 1990’s was about to commence at Hoghton Road and he has gone on to the become the only player to have played competitively at all three of our significant ‘home’ grounds during the three decades he’s covered during his time with the club (Hoghton Road, Knowsley Road and Edge Green Street, Ashton). Iain made his debut at the club’s Hoghton Road home back on the 14th August 1999, when Town ran out 3-1 winners over Ramsbottom United. He went on to record his first goal at Mossley in a 1-1 draw on 11th September 1999. As a classy midfield player who could also add to the club’s goal tally he was always likely to be much in demand and a spell away from St Helens saw Iain become a firm favourite at a number of clubs including Ramsbottom and Congleton Town. Iain returned to St Helens Town midway through the decade and was virtually ever present until this season. He has had stints as club captain, acting manager and manager and has proved himself a real club-man and a model of consistency, making a considerable contribution to St Helens during a time of significant upheaval and a real change in non-league football. Having recorded his 250th appearance for Town back in September 2011 Iain is still looking to hit the 100-goal mark, requiring just six more for the century (March 2012). Iain is extremely well respected in North West non-league football circles and this is testament to his approach both on and off the field.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Phil Williams in FA Vase action v Chadderton on Saturday 10th September 2016

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Last time out!

Widnes 1-2 Town NWCFL Division One Saturday 12th March 2016

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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of St Helens Town

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

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

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

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

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Town News Town team up with Melissa St Helens Town U18s are delighted to announce ‘Melissa’s Smile Fund’ as their 2016-17 shirt sponsors. Melissa’s Smile Fund logo will take pride of place on the front of the U18s home kit throughout 2016 -17 and the club’s match programme will feature the details of Melissa’s fundraising activities during the season.

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

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Match Report Purple Raining Goals by Kieran Ford City of Liverpool move back to the top with a 5 star performance. After their surprise 4-2 defeat to Atherton LR at Crilly Park, St Helens Town proved that anyone can beat anyone in this season’s division. They couldn’t dwell on this for long, however, as they had arguably their toughest match of the season, travelling to the Delta Taxi Stadium to take on City of Liverpool FC. “The Purple Partisans” were looking to avenge a shock defeat themselves, as they suffered their first loss of the season against Daisy Hill on Saturday.

The visitors shied away from their traditional 2 striker systems of the past, as Alan Gillespie and Nick Matthews understood the potential attacking threat from City of Liverpool, with their strike force spearheaded by former Town man Daley Woods. This resulted in George and Chris Lomax’s dropping to the bench, as Andy Gillespie came back into the team as the visitors looked to line up with a 4-3-3 formation. The game started as the record 608 in attendance would have expected, with the hosts looking comfortable in possession as St Helens attempted to remain at the back. After the early cautious approach, St Helens looked more comfortable themselves, and looked dangerous on the left hand side through Ste Rigby, now in a more advanced position. Rigby had an early penalty shout turned down as he appeared to be tripped in the box, however the referee did not agree and carried on with proceedings. This was followed by a tame effort by long shot specialist Ed Pegler that was an easy catch for Longridge in the City of Liverpool goal. The hosts punished these close calls for St Helens, as they took the lead on 19 minutes. A well worked set piece routine saw Daniel Dalton chest the ball down before laying off another former St Helens player Francis Barry, who beat Matt Hodge at his far post. The away side arguably squandered the

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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v City of Liverpool best chance of the game soon after, as a Rigby pullback to Phil Williams was met with finesse rather than power, and was an easy save at Longridge’s near post. The hosts doubled their lead through Barry, as he netted his second goal of the season. A City of Liverpool effort from outside the area was spilled by Hodge, and Barry picked up the rebound to give City of Liverpool a 2-0 lead. City of Liverpool completed a 3 minute double salvo as they pulled 3 clear. A terrific cross from the right from Thomas Peterson found Daley Woods who towered above both Falconer and Hodge and headed the hosts 3 in front to score in his 5th successive game. HT: City of Liverpool (Barry, 19, 28) (Woods, 31) 3 – 0 St Helens Town The home team sat back a little more in the second period, however still looked in complete control of the game. They added a 4th as another inch perfect cross from the right found Peterson whose diving header at the back post was too powerful for Hodge. City of Liverpool continued to frustrate St Helens with assured defending at the back and confidence going forward. The away team had an effort over the bar through Pegler before finding a way back into the game. An Andy Gillespie effort was well saved by the goalkeeper before substitute George Lomax slid in to poke the rebound home. Town continued to create good chances, through Lomax, Williams and Gillespie, but couldn’t find another route back into the game. City of Liverpool made sure of the result a minute from time, as another deep corner found Dalton once again, he headed the ball to Alan Weston and his effort looped over Hodge to complete a result that perhaps didn’t reflect the pattern of the game.

FT: City of Liverpool (Barry, 19, 28) (Woods, 31) (Peterson, 58) (Weston, 89) 5 – 1 St Helens Town (George Lomax, 70)

City of Liverpool 5-1 Town Photographs courtesy of Philip Costello

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Andy Gillespie in action at Carlisle City on Saturday 6th August 2016

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

Match Report St Helens Town let another lead slip as Chadderton progress in the FA Vase. A match in the FA Vase was a welcome break for St Helens Town, who had endured a 3 game winless run and two successive defeats against Atherton LR and City of Liverpool. They had endured good recent success at this stage, progressing in the past 2 years against Irlam and Winterton Rangers respectively. However, it would be a tough ask to keep up this record, as they faced a Chadderton side who sat just outside the playoffs in this all First Division tie, and had come off the back of a 5-1 victory against Ashton Town. The form book suggested a victory for the away side; but the first half was anything but… The departure of both George and Chris Lomax from the club in midweek meant that the burden was back on Andy Gillespie to spearhead the St Helens Town attack on his own, as he looked to recapture last season’s form that had saw him do this with aplomb. Gillespie seemed to have no problem in doing this as he collected Sam Sheens pass to fire past the goalkeeper and give Town the lead after only 12 seconds! The blues looked confident, and played with the freedom and fluidity that we have saw many times already this season, which if stretched over the full 90 minutes should see Town much further up the table. Gillespie added his second on 12 minutes as he broke through the Chadderton back line, and had time to look for a pass, none was forthcoming so drilled the ball into the far corner, doubling Town’s lead. Town had further chances to extend their lead through 2 efforts in quick succession from Ste Rigby, but he could not capitalise. Neither could any Town forward on a superb Danny Greene cross, as killing the game off was necessary. Ryan Taylor came into the team as goalkeeper, making his first appearance in just over 3 years, incidentally in this stage of the Vase against Pontefract Collieries. He was rarely tested in the opening half, but saw a deep free kick late as it bounced off his body into the path of Devante Jacobs to tap home and give the visitors a life line heading into the second half.

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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v Chadderton HT: St Helens Town (Andy Gillespie, 1, 12) 2 – 1 Chadderton (Jacobs, 41) Town started the second half somewhat flat compared to that of the first, as Chadderton started to have the upper hand in the game. They came close through James Curley as an effort well described by his surname went wide of the far post. Alan Gillespie and Nick Matthews realised the drop in tempo and brought Phil Williams off the bench to inject some pace into the game. Town started to create meaningful chances, first through an Andy Presho driving run that saw his shot wide, and then a Sam Sheen volley that evaded the goal. However, the same frailties lie for Town as they let another lead slip, just after the hour mark. A chest down from Scott Foster was struck sweetly as his effort from 25 yards went in off the post to level the tie. Town were then disallowed a goal for a push on the goalkeeper before the chance of the match went begging. A poor clearance from Chadderton goalkeeper Dane Smith found Danny Greene with acres of space and time to slot into an open net, instead the right midfielder put his shot wide of the post, to the disbelief of Volair Park. Chadderton completed their comeback through a mix up from Ryan Taylor and debutant Adam Donohue allowed Curley to walk the ball into the net. They then added a fourth after a sweeping counter attack found Foster to grab his brace. Town pulled one back through a deflected Phil Williams shot that went in off the post but Chadderton restored their two goal advantage moments later as a pullback found Jack Tuohy to complete the scoring. FT: St Helens Town (Andy Gillespie, 1, 12) (Williams, 84) 3 – 5 Chadderton (Jacobs, 41) (Foster, 63, 79) (Curley, 72) (Tuohy, 85) Town’s 30 year anniversary season of their famous win in 1986/87 will not end in a fairytale repeat; however the league now has to be a priority as they look to climb back up the table. St Helens now face local rivals Widnes at home on Thursday night before travelling to Daisy Hill on the 17th September.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Photo Gallery

St Helens Town 3-5 Chadderton FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round Saturday 10th September 2016

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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Ruskin Update

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

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

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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League News Bootle Football Club has announced three new appointments to the club’s hierarchy. Ken Head has been appointed Vice President, while former Reserve team managers John Callaghan and Tony Ellis have agreed to join the club’s committee. Ken has been involved with the club for a number of years and is in some ways known as the club’s official voice on matchdays. But Ken is much more than the clubs official voice, having helped the club financially with the sponsoring of players and match balls over the years he has also played a huge part in helping the club achieve glowing reviews for their match day hospitality to both match officials and visiting club and league officials. While John joined the club as youth team manager back in 2013, after success in the West Cheshire youth league, John, now accompanied by Tony, made the step up to the West Cheshire senior leagues to run the reserves. Success followed at reserves team level too, with the duo winning the WCL Shield in their first season in charge. But last year John and Tony went one better by winning the West Cheshire 3rd Division. Personal reasons meant John and Tony couldn’t commit to running the Reserves this season – but they have stayed involved with the club and everyone is delighted that they have both accepted an invitation to join the club’s committee.

Speaking on the appointments Chairman Bobby Capstick said: “I’m absolutely delighted all three have agreed to take their roles. We have been looking and working on getting new faces on board for a while and these three are perfect additions. “The appoint of Ken as vice-president is a very deserving one in my opinion. Ken is a figurehead and in many ways the perfect ambassador for this club. While John and Tony I believe, will only be positive additions to the club. I'm absolutely delighted they have agreed to come on board." Eccleshall will host a game of football this coming Friday, 16th September, to raise funds for a charity that provides support to young adults with learning difficulties. The game is being staged to raise funds for Club 101, a group run by a committee of students involved at Trinity Skills for Life, an organisation based in Stone that operates as a training provider for young people in the area with learning disabilities. Trinity provide training and development opportunities, offering assistance with work skills training and work placement, and other services such as independent living, links with the local community and social activities, and work alongside a group named Club 101, who arrange fundraisers and events to support the young people of Trinity Skills for Life, and provide extra opportunities and activities for young people with learning difficulties to get involved in.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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League News Goalden Colls It was Mark Twain who once wrote that there are "lies, damned lies and statistics" - but irrespective of how you view figures, it's hard to argue that goalscoring stats are looking good for Atherton Collieries right now. The second best goalscoring ratio in the Premier Division, the best defensive goal ratio, and a goal difference of plus 17 all add up to a decent start to the season, and once again Michael Clegg's team look like being a side to be reckoned with this season. Scott on fire One man bang in form at the minute is Scott McGowan of 1874 Northwich, whose two goals in Saturday's 4-1 win over West Didsbury & Chorlton continued a hot streak that has seen him score in each of the Greens last five games, racking up a total of eight goals in the process. The Greens were always expected to be among the promotion contenders this season, and Scott's goals will certainly help to keep them up among the chasing pack at the top. Spot on Zac Any player who got to the end of the season having converted six penalties would probably be more than happy with that as a strike rate, but when it comes to spot kick prowess, we have to flag up the penalty power of Nelson's Zac Dale, who has already scored from six spot kicks this season. On top of that, in two successive games Zac successfully converted two penalties, contributing to his total tally of eight goals in nine appearances. Zac's deadly finishing from 12 yards is a point for opposition defenders to bear in mind, when making challenges on Nelson players in and around the penalty area. Lean and mean Charnock Charnock Richard's 2-0 win at Whickham in the FA Vase continued their good defensive run of late, delivering their third clean sheet in four games. The overall stats look pretty good too - just two goals conceded in the last five games, and the best defensive goal ratio in the First Division, having concede just 12 in 11 games since the start of the season. The mean defence has played a major part in their rise to the top of the First Division table. Remy on a roll One club who are cooking with gas at the minute are Litherland REMYCA, whose 2-1 victory at City of Liverpool on Sunday was their fourth win in a row, in a run of form that has seen them lose just once since the opening day of the season. A Vase tie away to a Purples side that have themselves been in good form all season was a tough ask, but after going a goal down Remy came back to eventually win 2-1, and at the same time sent a message out that they will be a match for anyone at the moment in their current form.

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

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League Tables First Division Table as at Wednesday 14/09/2016 1

First Division

W D

City of Liverpool FC

32 11 21 22

A GD Pts

Charnock Richard

10 6

22 12 10 20

Litherland REMYCA

13 19

Alsager Town

13 18

Whitchurch Alport

22 10 12 18

Sandbach United

21 14

Prestwich Heys

26 15 11 17

Holker Old Boys

11 4

17 16

Chadderton

10 4

24 25 -1 14

7 1

18 14

Silsden

25 16

Widnes

14 12

Daisy Hill

17 25 -8 12

Carlisle City

18 17

Bacup Borough

10 3

13 15 -2 11

Atherton LR

11 3

17 30 -13 11

FC Oswestry Town

20 22 -2 10

Stockport Town

20 23 -3 10

St Helens Town

18 24 -6

Cheadle Town

14 22 -8

AFC Blackpool

22 -14 5

Ashton Town

28 -21 3

Eccleshall

12 34 -22 2

St Helens Town Player Sponsors 2016-17

Anthony Whelan Focus Windows & Doors Limited Sam Sheen Airborne Bathroom Services Andy Gillespie Arcoframe Danny Greene Danny’s Window Cleaning George Lomax Kiera’s Occasions Chris Lomax Keative Kirsty Andrew Presho Total Building Care Eddie Pegler Gibney’s Jewellers Lee Novak Howdens, Leigh Matthew Hodge Kreative Kirsty Ste Rigby Kealshore Ltd Hamish Falconer Live Wire Electrical Alex Gillespie Walton Carpets Dom Whelan Walton Carpets Will Threlkeld Beer Engin, Whiston Cole Ashton MLR Heating Supplies Phil Williams Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

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

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Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

League Tables Premier Division Table as at Wednesday 14/09/2016 P

W D

Premier Division 1874 Northwich

24 11 13 20

Atherton Collieries

27 11 16 19

West Did & Chorlton

28 14 14 19

Bootle

25 13 12 18

Runcorn Town

Runcorn Linnets

A GD Pts

20 15

10 4

20 14

Irlam

15 19 -4 15

Hanley Town

20 15

Barnoldswick Town

19 14

Abbey Hey

12 16 -4 12

AFC Liverpool

New Mills

17 15

10 3

21 23 -2 11

Squires Gate

18 18

Congleton Town

16 19 -3 10

Padiham

14 18 -4 10

Ashton Athletic

12 15 -3

AFC Darwen

22 -13 7

Barnton

26 -19 7

Maine Road

10 12 -2

Nelson

12 -3

Winsford United

Cammell Laird 1907

10 27 -17 3

-4

11 10

Friday 16th September 2016 Premier Division Irlam v Atherton Collieries Saturday 17th September 2016 FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round Ashton Athletic v FC Halifax Town

Premier Division Barnoldswick Town v Runcorn Linnets Cammell Laird 1907 v Squires Gate Congleton Town v AFC Liverpool Hanley Town v 1874 Northwich Maine Road v Nelson Padiham v Bootle Runcorn Town v AFC Darwen West Didsbury & Chorlton v Barnton Winsford United v New Mills First Division Atherton LR v Widnes Bacup Borough v FC Oswestry Town Carlisle City v Litherland REMYCA Chadderton v Cheadle Town Charnock Richard v Whitchurch Alport Daisy Hill v St Helens Town Holker Old Boys v City of Liverpool FC Prestwich Heys v Alsager Town Sandbach United v Ashton Town Silsden v AFC Blackpool Stockport Town v Eccleshall Monday 19th September 2016 Premier Division Atherton Collieries v Padiham Barnton v Hanley Town

Tuesday 20th September 2016 Premier Division 1874 Northwich v Irlam Abbey Hey v New Mills Cammell Laird 1907 v Winsford United Squires Gate v Barnoldswick Town First Division Alsager Town v Sandbach United Charnock Richard v City of Liverpool FC Holker Old Boys v Carlisle City Stockport Town v FC Oswestry Town

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016

www.sthelenstownafc.com

Celebrating 70 years, 1946-2016