St Helens Town v AFC Blackpool by John McKiernan

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

Executive Executive Programme Programme Sponsor Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners Programme Year Five Time Winners of of Programme of of thethe Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Team News CLUB INFORMATION Honorary Life President: Alan Wellens Vice President: Jim Barrett Chairman: John McKiernan (07713 339682) Vice Chairman: Glyn Jones

Hon. Secretary/Treasurer: Jeff Voller (07843 692695) Full Committee: John McKiernan, Jeff Voller, Jim Barrett, Ste Ball, Chris Ford and Glyn Jones. Trustees: John McKiernan and Eric Bond Club Manager: Ian Price Assistant Manager: Paul Jones Coach: Nick Matthews Physiotherapist: Nicole Garner U21 Team Manager Alan Gillespie U21 Asst Manager: J ohn Whelan

Tuesday 5th August 2014, 7.45pm North West Counties League, Premier Division St Helens Town Red & White Shirts White Shorts, Red & White Socks

AFC Blackpool Tangerine Shirts White Shorts & Tangerine Socks

Gls

St Helens Town

Chris Brinksman Chris Cottington Lewis Saunders Hamish Falconer Aaron Morris Jack McKay Tom Lightbody Neil Hulme Chad Whyte James Rushton-Woods Marcus Perry Sam Pullinger Alex Gillespie Karl Bergqvist Paul Cook-Hannah Rory Crowther

Gls

AFC Blackpool

Adam Caunce Steve Betteridge Luke Bulmer Paul Carroll Chris Days Grant Dell Ben Jakes Pedro Monteiro Mitchell Newsham Peter Taberner Marc Taylor James Daly Daniel Green Gareth Moore Mitchell White Ben Singleton

U18 Team Manager: Steve Wallis U17 Team Manager: Nick Matthews Veterans Team Manager: David Platt

Manager: Ian Price Assistant: Paul Jones

Manager: Stuart Parker Assistant: Ian McGarry

Referee: Mr N Greenhalgh (Bury)

Email: sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk

Assist: Mr B Moosa (Bolton) & Mr A Hussain (Bolton)

Main Club Sponsor: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Executive Match Sponsor:

Main Shirt Sponsor: Eciguk St Helens Legal: St Helens Town Limited Private Limited Company Company No. 04392840 Date of Incorporation 12.03.2002 Company Directors: Jim Barrett & Gordon McDonald Parent Company: A wholly owned subsidiary of Sporting Club St Helens Limited

Cover: Karl Bergqvist, Chris Brinksman & Marcus Perry

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Talk of the Town Good evening and welcome to Brocstedes Park for this our first home North West Counties Football League, Premier Division contest of the 2014-15 season against our friends from AFC Blackpool. 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 seems to have been a very short summer indeed with lots of off the field activity “behind the scenes” with both myself, our ever hard working Chairman John McKiernan and the coaching and playing staff with our noses to the grindstone to get us to this point to start the season off at home this evening. Whilst many of you were watching the World Cup over the summer the “quiet” unrecognised work continued unabated with meetings to attend, sponsorship agreements sorted, players sourced and signed on and arrangements made for pre-season training and games. All the above lead us to Saturday’s opener at Maine Road’s Brantingham Road, ironically where we ended the 2013-14 season with a 6-0 reverse. We made amends in what was a game of two halves with Town dominating the first period and getting their just reward after 23 minutes when the centre half duo linked with Hamish Falconer battling well to win a loose ball from a free kick and send it back into the box for Aaron Morris to head home off the right hand upright.

The lead was doubled just after the half hour when Chad Whyte turned the home defence inside out to with a fine run into the area and he finished well to net a fine individual goal. Morris almost made it 3-0 on the hour mark when another free kick caused chaos in the Road box and the ball broke to him with time and space and he looked certain to score but could only steer his effort wide of the left hand post. Town were nearly made to pay as Road had an effort which cannoned back off the left hand upright and then netted with 12 minutes to play as Sam McLennan headed home a cross from the left but the visitors managed to hold on for the victory and continued their recent excellent form on the opening day of the season seeing us not lose the opener for the last four seasons and only losing once on the opening day of the season in the previous seven terms. This evening sees us set our sights on AFC Blackpool who started their season on Saturday by hosting 1874 Northwich in front of a bumper crowd of 352. The hosts managed to keep the much fancied top flight new boys out in the opening period but the pressure in the second half proved too much as they went down 3-0 and will be looking to bounce back this evening. It’s not too long ago that these two sides met at the back end of last season as both the league ties took place in April with first the game at Blackpool taking place on 8th April with a scratch Town side going 4-0 down but fighting back to end the contest losing 4-2. This was followed 9 days later with the game at Brocstedes Park ending 1-1. Town will be looking to make it two from two but will know that they will need to be at the top of their game to ensure the maximum return against an industrious AFC Blackpool side who have been a thorn in Town’s side over the past few seasons. Let’s get behind Town this evening and hopefully cheer them onto victory. Enjoy the game . . . Jeff Voller

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

In Town Today AFC Blackpool was formed in 1947 under the name of Blackpool Metal Mechanics and played at Stanley Park for two years before moving to the current Jepson Way ground. They played in local leagues before taking the step up to join the West Lancashire League. During this period in local league football they won many awards, taking the Division Two title of the Fylde District League in 1950/51 and in Division One were champions twice and runners-up three times in five consecutive years between 1953/54 and 1957/58. Numerous local cup competitions were also won, including the Lancashire Junior Shield in 1957/58, a competition they were to win again in 1960/61. As the 50's drew to a close, Blackpool Mechanics decided to take the next step up and join the West Lancashire League. They were an almost immediate success, being runners-up in 1959/60 and champions for the next two seasons. Various cups and trophies from local competitions still regularly found their way to Jepson Way. The club then took another step up the football ladder by joining the Lancashire Combination. The jump in standard meant the cups and honours that had poured into the trophy room dried up and it was not until the turn of the decade before many more honours were to come their way. In 1972/73 they won the Lancashire Combination Bridge Shield and in 1974/75 they finished runners-up in the league, just one point behind champions Darwen. They remained a strong team throughout the 70's although towards the end they suffered some poor results. With the advent of the North West Counties League, Blackpool Mechanics were placed in Division Three and in 1985/86 were promoted to Division Two. At the end on 1991/92 they were promoted to Division One, but it was not a happy experience and the club returned to Division Two. After a few seasons of struggle, the club is now financially stable and looking forward to developing the club's potential both on and off the pitch. In the summer of 2005 Blackpool Mechanics FC merged with Lytham St. Annes FC who had just won the West Lancashire League Division One title. Lytham St. Annes resigned from their own league and brought their resources and manpower to Jepson Way in a bid to launch the new look Mechanics in their push up the non-league football pyramid. The club was re-named AFC Blackpool in May 2008 when Blackpool Mechanics FC and Squires Gate Junior FC got together to form one club. It was decided to mark the start of a new era by re-naming the club and the name 'AFC Blackpool' was chosen. The club leased a further piece of land adjacent to the ground in Jepson Way to accommodate the enlarged club and investment to improve the facilities was begun. The club ground in Jepson Way retains its name 'The Mechanics' to maintain a link with the past. Season 2010/11 saw the club have probably its best season ever. The first team were promoted to the Premier Division as Division 1 champions with a record breaking 28 wins and three draws in 34 league matches. They also reached the semi finals in both the 1st Division Trophy and the League Cup. There were notable successes in the Junior section too with the under 16s doing the league and cup double, the under 10's and 11's winning their respective Divisions and the under 14s also

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

AFC Blackpool winning promotion. With the club now providing football from under 6 through to open age the future is looking secure. The 2011/12 season the clubs first back in North West Counties League top flight and club acquitted themselves well being in the half of the table for the vast majority of season and finishing in 9th position.

the the top the

2012/13 saw the club win more matches and gained more points in the top flight of the NWCFL than the previous year but finished one place worse off in 10th position. They were never in any danger of being dragged into the relegation battle and had a second comfortable mid-table finish since their return to the top tier of the League. Last term saw the club establish themselves as mid-table topflight outfit with a 14th place finish their worst since their return to the top division but again they did not flirt with the bottom of the table and never looked in danger of going down at any point during the season. In the cup competitions AFC Blackpool suffered some early heartbreak with an FA Cup EPR away loss at Worksop Parramore 0-2 and an FA Vase exit at home to Norton United in the 1st Round after a 2-1 win at Winterton Rangers in the 2nd Qualifying Round. In the Lancashire Challenge Trophy they fell at the first hurdle to higher league opposition as Burscough came away from the Mechanics ground with a 3-2 victory. Blackpool had more success in the League Challenge Cup with victories at Wigan Robin Park & AFC Liverpool in the 2nd and 3rd rounds before exiting at the hands of eventual beaten finalists Maine Road at the Quarter Final stage. Season 1999-00 2000-01 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

League NWC-2 NWC-2 NWC-2 NWC-2 NWC-2 NWC-2 NWC-2 NWC-2 NWC-2 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P

P 34 38 40 34 38 36 36 34 34 34 32 34 42 42 42

W 9 21 18 9 13 12 13 10 11 7 9 28 17 19 14

D 6 6 9 10 7 9 10 6 12 8 5 3 10 9 7

L 19 11 13 15 18 15 13 18 11 19 18 3 15 14 21

F 48 85 69 39 45 49 48 39 47 34 50 94 67 60 60

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

A 74 47 48 52 59 67 51 48 45 59 64 30 64 58 87

GD -26 38 21 -13 -14 -18 -3 -9 2 -25 -14 64 3 2 -27

Pts 33 69 63 37 46 42 49 30 45 29 32 87 61 66 49

Position 15/18 6/20 8/21 14/18 14/20 10/19 9/19 13/18 9/18 15/18 15/17 1/18 9/22 10/22 13/22

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

How We Compare at St Helens Town NWC-D1

Previous Meetings 1999-00

at AFC Blackpool NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2000-01

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2001-02

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2002-03

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2003-04

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2004-05

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2005-06

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2006-07

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2007-08

NWC-D2

NWC-PD

2008-09

NWC-D1

NWC-PD

2009-10

NWC-D1

NWC-PD

2010-11

NWC-D1

22/10; 3-2

2011-12

21/01; 2-2

09/04; 1-2

2012-13

09/03; 0-0

17/04; 1-1

2013-14

08/04; 2-4

05/08/2014

2014-15

21/10/2014

St Helens Town - last 6 matches All Competitions Home

Most recent

Away

Collated

AFC Blackpool - last 6 matches All Competitions

Most recent

Home

Away

Collated

St Helens Town games since...

AFC Blackpool games since...

All Competitions

Clean sheet

Goal Scored

Loss

No score draw

St Helens Town Scores First

Score draw

Win

Games Played

St Helens Town Wins

Draws

AFC Blackpool Wins

St Helens Town Goals

AFC Blackpool Goals

Percentage Town Wins

16.67

Previous Meetings Since 1949/50 All Competitions P

Win %

Home

33.33

Away

33.33

Collated

33.33

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

From the Chair Good evening and a warm welcome to Brocstedes Park for this our first home game of the 2014-15 NWCFL season. We welcome the players, officials and supporters of AFC Blackpool and hopefully they’ve had a safe journey and enjoy our hospitality. Our opening encounter with Maine Road on Saturday proved to be a real cracker as Town put on a great first half performance which saw them take a justified two goal lead through Aaron Morris and Chad Whyte. The second half proved to be a real test for the lads but they dug deep and despite lots of pressure a Maine Road goal 12 minutes from time three points were eventually secured to the delight of the Town faithful in attendance. Saturday’s goal scorers we among a large number of players who have been recruited over the summer following the departure of much of last season’s squad. To those players who have sought pastures new we thank them for their efforts on behalf of the club and we say a warm welcome to the new lads as well as those who have stuck with us. If Saturday’s performance was a measure of things to come we’re in for a good season. Future match programmes will feature player profiles! While we were picking up maximum points on Saturday tonight’s visitors were on the wrong end of a 0-3 defeat to Premier Division newcomers 1874 Northwich in front of a bumper seaside crowd of over 350. I am delighted to announce a very successful pre-season on the commercial and sponsorship front - we welcome back Johnsons Toyota Liverpool as our Main Club Sponsor while Eciguk St Helens are the club’s new Executive Shirt Sponsor. We will be featuring all our new sponsors in forthcoming programme editions. Town will also be supporting the NWCF League official charity partner ‘Prostate Cancer UK’ The club has seen some considerable growth over the summer with a new U21s team operating in the Cheshire FA U21 League, an U17s team playing in the South Lancashire Counties League Youth Division and a Veterans team in the Liverpool Business Houses League Veterans League. The new teams are in addition to the U18s side which continue in the prestigious North West Youth Alliance League. We will be featuring all our teams once their respective league campaigns start later this month. Tonight will see Club Vice President Jim Barratt honoured by the Liverpool County FA for almost 35 years service to St Helens. A presentation will take place prior to kick off and ‘Jim’s story’ is available in tonight’s programme. Saturday will see us back at Brocstedes Park when Alsager Town are the visitors while next mid week we travel to Bacup and Rossendale Borough on Wednesday evening. Don’t forget we are also looking for new members for our Goldline Lottery - further details are in tonight’s programme or please see any committee member. John McKiernan Chairman, St Helens Town AFC

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

Pre-season Action

Pre-season Friendly 2014-15 At Edge Hill University Action from Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 5-4 against Fleetwood Hesketh

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

New Shirt Sponsor St Helens Town Football Club is delighted to announce and welcome on board our new sponsors Eciguk St Helens. In what is fantastic news for the club, the St Helens town centre based specialist supplier of electronic cigarettes, e-liquids and accessories have become the club’s 2014-15 playing kit sponsors. The sponsorship deal will see the Eciguk St Helens company logo adorning the front of the new Town playing kit and the new sponsor will have a significant presence on the club’s website and in the award winning match day programme.

An Eciguk St Helens spokesman commented on the deal, stating "We’re delighted to sponsor St Helens Town and are looking forward to working with them over the next year. ‘Our store was opened in October 2012 and was the first of its kind in St Helens and we have built a strong customer base. We are focused on providing high quality service and customer satisfaction.’ John McKiernan, Chairman of St Helens Town Football Club couldn't hide his delight when speaking about the deal and said ‘It's fantastic for the club to attract a sponsorship deal from a local company of the calibre of Eciguk St Helens. This is a record-breaking sponsorship deal and the partnership continues to raise the profile of the club. ‘So once again we would like to offer our thanks and gratitude to everyone at Eciguk St Helens for their kind sponsorship of St Helens Town and we look forward to developing our partnership throughout the season on a variety of projects and sponsorship opportunities. ‘Remember to visit them at their retail store in George Street, close to St Helens Central railway station or on-line at www.ecigsthelens.vpweb.co.uk. The company believe that the customer’s needs are of the utmost importance and while product information is available on-line Eciguk St Helens prefer to meet the customer to give them the opportunity to try out products before deciding to make a purchase. As a result, a high percentage of the company’s business comes from repeat customers and referrals. ‘The new home and away shirts will be on display in the next few weeks and will be launched at the start of the North West Counties Football League season in August Eciguk St Helens 32 George Street St Helens WA10 1BU Telephone: 01744 750800 Mobile: 07773 007731 Freephone: 0800 2707331 www.ecigsthelens.vpweb.co.uk

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Opening Day Results Saturday 2nd August 2014

Saturday 2nd August 2014 First Division

Premier Division AFC Blackpool

0-3 1874 Northwich

HT: 0-0

Matthew Beadle (51) Att: 352 Ryan Stewart (55) 0-1 AFC Liverpool Ronald Morgan (3)

Ashton Athletic

1-1 Congleton Town

Adam Howard (15) Bacup & R Borough

Scott Barlow (69) 0-6 Glossop North End David Young (22)

Conor Gaul (1)

HT: 0-1 Att: 117

HT: 1-0 Att: 77 HT: 0-1 Att: 120

Edward Moran (49)

Stephen Lee (69) Atherton LR

Curtis Evans (19)

Mark Adams (73)

Dwayne Spence (50)

Thomas Darby (81)

Jamie Turner (59)

Barnton Andrew Morgan (15)

Samuel Hind (65)

Cammell Laird 1907

Thomas Bailey (72)

Joe Holt (73)

HT: 2-2

Daisy Hill

Att: 104

Stephen Barlow (62)

Joel Melia (40)

Richard Gleave (39p) Jerome Bryson (75) Jack Sowerby (79)

Sam McLennan (75)

Aaron Morris (20)

HT: 0-0 Att: 109 HT: 0-2 Att: 120

Chad Whyte (25)

Nelson

1-1 Runcorn Town

Peter Wright (19)

Sean Breen (83)

Ben Hardcastle (19)

HT: 0-1 Att: 72

Ben Halfacre (45)

Att: 361

Levi Kennedy (26)

Samuel Pollard (66)

HT: 0-1 Att: 48

3-2 Litherland REMYCA

HT: 1-2

Connor Murphy (38)

Jordan Flattley (81) Holker Old Boys

2-3 Rochdale Town

Jordan Brough (2)

Jason Hill (15p)

Jordan Brough (32)

Jason Hill (33)

HT: 2-2 Att: 61

Nicholas Hodson (77) Adam Owens (35)

Kevin Towey (19)

Robert Flint (12)

James Gartside (63p)

Att: 145 HT: 2-0

1-2 Chadderton

Jamie Watkinson (3) Att: 73

Oldham Boro

3-2 Stockport Sports

1-2 Cheadle Town James Horan (20p)

HT: 1-2 Att: 35

N Neequaye (37p) Wigan Robin Park Joseph Newbold (10)

2-1 Widnes Joel Douglas (70)

HT: 2-0 Att: 51

Daniel Davies (43)

Micheal Burke (84) 4-1 Abbey Hey

Dale Feather (21)

Att: 113 1-2 Atherton Collieries

Ryan Greene (24)

HT: 1-0

Runcorn Linnets

Silsden

HT: 1-0

Robert Flint (88) Eccleshall

Richard Gleave (52)

1-2 St Helens Town

1-0 Ashton Town

Mark Truffas (60)

Scott Mason (8)

Maine Road

Att: 77

Joshua Melling (88)

2-4 West D & Chorlton

Emini Adegbenro (74)

HT: 1-1

Jon Stephenson (84p)

Aaron Moxam (59)

1-1 Squires Gate

5-3 Hanley Town

Mark Adams (45)

James Gill (36)

Bootle

HT: 1-0

Gareth Mooney (90) Att: 111

Ryan Steele (51p)

Ben Richardson (82)

Barnoldswick Town

4-1 Irlam

Ryan Steele (55p)

Matthew Beadle (80) Alsager Town

AFC Darwen

Jack Mason (35)

HT: 3-1 Att: 197

Joshua Brown (23)

Joshua Brown (38) Zack Dale (82) Winsford United Kyle Riley (58p)

2-0 Colne

HT: 0-0 Att: 137

Daniel Egan (66)

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Goldline Lottery We are looking for supporters to become Goldline members which will provide the club with a valuable source of income which will help us to achieve a bright future by assisting us in our goal of making a return to St Helens. In addition, you will have the chance to win up to £5,000 . . . so we could all be winners! As a lottery partner, St Helens Town Football Club will receive a massive 70p of your £1 weekly subscription. As a Goldline member you will receive your membership card which includes your membership number, 10 sets of Goldline draw numbers and 4 unique rollover draw numbers:



Your 10 sets of Goldline draw numbers will be entered into the Goldline draw every weekday for your chance of winning. Each week 5 prizes of £500 are paid out, that’s a total of £2,500 paid out every week.



  

and redrawn until a winner is found.

Your 4 rollover draw numbers will be entered into the weekly draw for your chance of winning up to £5,000. The rollover draw starts at £250 and each week rolls over and increases by £250 until won or until it reaches £5,000 at which time it will be drawn

£100s in £10 consolation prizes are paid out every week. Goldline pays out over £170,000 in prizes every year to members. In addition your Goldline membership card will entitle you to exclusive deals available at St Helens Town Football Club.

No claim is necessary. Prizes will be sent automatically and either delivered by post or by your agent. Club Chairman John McKiernan said, “Having joined forces with Bolton Wanderers in the Goldline Lottery we can ensure big cash prizes are dished out every week but the Club also wins too – with the possibility of raising thousands of pounds each year. “We hope those who have previously supported our monthly 500 Club lottery will now join our new venture. We are going to start canvassing this week with a view to entering our first draw at the start of March”

“In the current climate, this income through the Goldline Lottery will be crucial to the club. If people are able to give up £1 a week to enter then we think this is ta great way to support the club – but also give yourself a real chance of winning some cash too!” For more information on how you can join call John on 07713 339 682 or email sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk. Club officials will also have details on match days.

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

A Brief History The original Town club was in existence from 1901 to 1928, but George Fryer and a number of local businessmen decided to re-form the club in 1946. They obtained a lease on the Hoghton Road ground in Sutton, adjacent to St. Helens Junction station on the Liverpool to Manchester railway line, took over a local St. Helens Combination team, Derbyshire Hill Rovers, signing a number of players from other clubs and entered the Liverpool County Combination in the 1947/48 season, playing against Everton “A” and Liverpool “A” and several reserve sides from the leading non-league clubs in the Merseyside area. Success was first attained in May 1949 when Runcorn were defeated in the final of the George Mahon Cup, played at the Prescot Cables ground. The following season, 1949/50, Town were elevated to the Second Division of the Lancashire Combination and they were promoted as Champions in only their second season to the First Division, where they ran up against teams such as Ashton United, Nelson and New Brighton, newly relegated from the Football League. Sadly, Town were themselves relegated in their first season and although promoted briefly again for the 1955/56 season, they spent most of their early years in the Second Division. Improvements were quickly made to the facilities at Hoghton Road in the early years, but in November 1952 the decision was taken to re-locate to the former St. Helens Recs’ rugby league ground at City Road in order to further their ambitions of reaching the Football League. Initially, the move resulted in some encouraging crowds, but the club had a change of heart and returned to Sutton in the October 1953. The ground was purchased and further developed and a social club and floodlights were added in later years. Town were Champions of the Lancashire Combination in 1971/72 season, losing only one game, finishing 6 points clear of Accrington Stanley. 1975 brought a switch to the Cheshire League, where they remained until the formation of the North West Counties League in 1982 and St. Helens Town is still the only club to feature in the top division of that league throughout its existence. The club’s major achievement was to win the FA Vase at Wembley in 1987. After a stuttering start in the Preliminary Round with a 5-4 extra-time win over Colne Dynamoes, further home successes over General Chemicals, Wren Rovers, Guisborough Town and Wythenshawe Amateurs, led to wins at Wisbech Town, at home to Rainworth Miners Welfare, away to Falmouth Town (after a replay) and in the away leg at Emley when, following a 1-0 home defeat in the first-leg, a 2-0 win in Yorkshire secured a Wembley Final against local rivals Warrington Town, who were dispatched 3-2 with goals from Phil Layhe (2) and Brian Rigby.

St. Helens Town boast an impressive “Hall of Fame”, including legendary goalkeeper and former German Prisoner-of-War Bert Trautmann, who signed for Manchester City over 60 years ago and who went on to play the game of his life in the 1956 FA Cup Final, despite breaking his neck in the latter stages. Bill Foulkes was transferred to Manchester United, where he had a glittering career, surviving the Munich Air Disaster in 1958, in which he bravely rescued some of his stricken team-mates. John Connelly, an England squad member in the victorious 1966 World Cup campaign, was sold to Burnley and he later moved to join Foulkes at Old Trafford. Sadly, all three have passed away in the last few years. Other future stars, groomed at St. Helens Town, include John Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday), Geoff Nulty (Burnley, Newcastle United and Everton) and, most recently, ace goalscorer Dave Bamber, who began and ended his league career at Blackpool and who played in all four divisions of the Football League. Captain of the FA Vase winning team was Tommy O’Neil, who began his league career playing alongside George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton at Manchester United.

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

of St Helens Town AFC

Town sold their Hoghton Road ground in 2000 to move in with St. Helens Rugby League Club at their Knowsley Road base. Their farewell appearance at Sutton produced a 1-0 win over Champions Vauxhall Motors and the initial campaign at Knowsley Road got off to a cracking start, with Town leading the table for most of the season, before finishing in a rather disappointing fourth place. Recent seasons have been more of a struggle, ninth place in 2009/10 being the best finish since. Season 2010-11 saw Town slide to 16th and next to bottom in 2011-12, when they would have been relegated, but for Flixton’s decision to resign from the league.

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 Record Appearances: Alan Wellens Record Goal Scorer: Steve Pennington Record Attendances: 4000 at Hoghton Road v Manchester City 1723 at Knowsley Rd v FC Utd Manchester 9000 at Prescot Cables v Runcorn (1949)

Town began the 2012-13 season under new manager Ian Granite, who brought in a new team and coaching set-up and they battled well to avoid relegation, their status being confirmed with a couple of games remaining. 2013-14 was a mirror-image of the previous campaign, with a 14-game unbeaten run between September and December putting the club just behind the front runners for two thirds of the campaign. Granite resigned in November 2013 due to work and family commitments and his assistant Ian Price took over the reins, assisted by Paul Jones and Nick Matthews, but the long breaks caused by the winter weather interrupted their earlier rhythm and Town finished the season once again in the lower reaches, although never in any serious danger of the drop.

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 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

Following the demolition of the Knowsley Road ground in Soccer Club Swap Shop National Awards 2010, Town have led a nomadic existence up the road in 2010-11 Placed 28th Ashton-in-Makerfield, sharing Ashton Town’s Edge Green 2011-12 Placed 8th Street ground for three seasons before moving across town 2012-13 Placed 7th to Brocstedes Park as the guests of Ashton Athletic in 2012. 2013-14 Placed 8th The current season is scheduled to be the club’s last in exile, as plans are in place for re-location back to St. Helens for the 2015-16 season at the Council-owned Ruskin Park site, currently undergoing massive redevelopment and a brand-new facility awaits. In readiness for the move, the club is undergoing a radical re-branding, adopting the town’s coat of arms as their badge once again and reverting next season to their traditional blue and white colours in preparation for a return to the town in 2015.

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Club News As St Helens Town make plans for a return to the borough in the not too distant future the club is undertaking a rebrand which will see them return to some former traditions. Between Town’s reformation in 1946 and their departure from Hoghton Road in 2000 the club’s home playing colours were always blue and white – blue shirts (sometimes stripes), white shorts and blue socks. The club’s arrival at Knowsley Road saw a change from tradition and Town adopted red and white as their preferred home colours and these have remained in place for the intervening 14 years! The club’s current badge was adapted a few years ago but was based on a merged letters ‘S’ and ‘H’ St Helens design from the early days at Knowsley Road. Prior to this the club had for many years utilised the St Helens Coat of Arms which was prominent on club kit, programmes, stationery, etc. Club officials had written to the Council’s Chief Executive Carole Hudson and permission has now been received so that we can make use of the St Helens Coat of Arms once again. Club Chairman John McKiernan said, ‘It has been our aim for some time to make the move back to St Helens and hopefully that will happen in due course. With the proposed return we feel it is important to re-establish some of our former traditions and our playing colours and use of the Town Coat of Arms are high among our priorities. ‘We don’t have a fixed date for our return and there are still some obstacles to overcome. We are delighted to have been given permission to use the Coat of Arms and we will start to integrate its use this season and then look to change kit colours in time for season 2015-16.’ He added, ‘We will retain ownership of our current badge and as the rebranding will take some time an there may be a cross-over period where both badges will be used.’ Check out the history of the St Helens Coat of Arms at: www.sthelenstownafc.com

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1st Day Firsts The opening day of the season inevitably gives the opportunity to report some ‘firsts’, and there are a number to note from the games on Saturday. Three clubs took their bow in the NWCFL – Barnton, Litherland REMYCA and Cammell Laird 1907 – although it was only Barnton who made a winning start, with a 1-0 win over Ashton Town. Andrew Morgan enters the club record books by scoring the club’s first ever goal in the League. Although the other two new clubs didn’t manage wins in their respective games, Joe Holt of Cammell Laird and Jamie Watkinson of Litherland Remyca can at least console themselves that they will go down as the men who scored the first goals in the NWCFL on their clubs’ debut day. A year ago, 1874 Northwich played in their first ever NWCFL game, and after promotion last season, Matthew Beadle scored their first ever Premier Division goal in the 51 st minute of their game at AFC Blackpool. It’s usually always close when it comes to judging the first goal of the season, and the main contenders came from the First Division. Conor Gaul of AFC Darwen won by a few seconds, with his goal in the first minute of Darwen’s 4-1 win over Irlam just edging out Jordan Brough’s second minute opener for Holker Old Boys against Rochdale Town.

Jamie Watkinson of Litherland REMYCA scored in the third minute of their game at Eccleshall, and around the same time, Ronnie Morgan was scoring the first goal of the season in the Premier Division, with his goal for AFC Liverpool turning out to be the only goal of the game at Alsager Town. With every game producing at least one goal, we have yet to see the first goalless draw of the league season, and while it’s likely there will be other instances of teams scoring six goals in a game, it may be a while before we see a repeat of Glossop North End’s performance, when six different scorers contributed their six goals in their win at Bacup & Rossendale Borough. Jason Hill of Rochdale Town was the first successful penalty taker of the season, when he converted his spot kick in the 15th minute of their game at Holker Old Boys, and the first successful penalty in the Premier Division came at Nelson with Peter Wright putting the home side ahead after 19 minutes against Runcorn Town. League Landmark The was only one landmark to report following the opening day matches. St Helens Town's impressive 2-1 victory at Maine Road not only earned them an opening day three points, but also meant they edged past the 1,700 league point mark. The three points on Saturday took Town on to 1,701 league points and also meant they became the first side in the 32 year history of The North West Counties Football League to pass this landmark.

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All North West Counties Football League news is available at

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2014-14 Fixtures, Facts an Date Aug 2 Aug 5 Aug 9 Aug 13 Aug 16 Aug 18 Aug 23 Aug 26 Aug 30 Sep 2 Sep 6 Sep 9 Sep 13 Sep 16 Sep 20 Sep 23 Sep 27 Oct 11 Oct 18 Oct 21 Oct 25 Oct 28 Nov 4 Nov 8 Nov 15 Nov 19 Nov 22 Dec 6 Dec 13 Dec 20 Dec 26 Jan 3 Jan 10 Jan 17 Jan 24 Feb 7 Feb 14 Feb 28 Mar 7 Mar 14 Mar 21 Apr 4 Apr 6 Apr 11 Apr 18 Apr 25

Opponents Maine Road AFC BLACKPOOL ALSAGER TOWN Bacup & Rossendale Boro’ ATHERTON COLLIERIES Runcorn Town Colne STOCKPORT SPORTS TBC 1874 Northwich Irlam ABBEY HEY AFC LIVERPOOL RUNCORN LINNETS Winsford United Bootle W DIDS & CHORLTON SQUIRES GATE Congleton Town AFC Blackpool Widnes or Barnton RUNCORN TOWN Stockport Sports COLNE Runcorn Linnets AFC Liverpool SILSDEN Alsager Town 1874 NORTHWICH Nelson ASHTON ATHLETIC Silsden BARNOLDSWICK TOWN Squires Gate West Didsbury & Chorlton BOOTLE GLOSSOP NORTH END NELSON Abbey Hey CONGLETON TOWN Glossop North End WINSFORD UNITED Ashton Athletic BACUP & ROSS’ BORO’ MAINE ROAD Barnoldswick Town

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Comp NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL FAC EPR NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL TBC NWCFL FAV 1QR NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL Lge Cup 2 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 3.00 1-2W Brinksman 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 7.45 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00

Cottington

Saunders

Falconer

Morris1

McKay

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

nd Figures 7

ghtbody

Hulme

Whyte1

Rushton-Woods

Perry

Pullinger

Alex Gillespie7

Name1

Bergqvist11 Cook-Hannah9 Crowther

Player name and number of goals scored

Name

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

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Season 1975-76 FA CUP

Opponents

Venue

Result

Score

Sep 13th 1st Qualifying Round

Rhyl

Away

Lost

2-4

KIRKBY TOWN

Home

Lost

1-2

HORWICH RMI

Home

Drew

1-1

Horwich RMI

Away

Won

2-1

Oct 18th 2nd Round

NEW BRIGHTON

Home

Won

2-1

Mar 6th 3rd Round

DARWEN

Home

Won

4-2

Apr 6th Semi Final 1st Leg

WITTON ALBION

Home

Lost

2-3

Apr 14th Semi Final 2nd Leg

Witton Albion

Away

Lost

0-2

Skelmersdale Utd

Away

Lost

2-3

FA TROPHY Sep 20th 1st Round CHESHIRE LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP

Aug 19th 1st Round

LIVERPOOL NON-LEAGUE CUP Feb 24th 1st Round

Jaycock, W (Billy)

Kinnear

McKay, Paul

Owens

Plumpton, Kenny

Quigley

Reason, R (Bobby)

Redmond, Larry

Sharrock, Tony

Threlfall

Tym, Kenny

Caine, Dave

Curran

Davies, Peter

Deitz, Mick

Doherty, A (Tony)

Donovan

Fairbanks

Flexen, Micky

Freeman

Wellens, Alan

Wright, Ken

Total

Burns, Ronnie

Apps

Brimelow, Steve

Player

Goals

Sub

Provv

Humphries, Steve

Gannon (Cannon)

Grice, Kevin

Own goals

Humphries, Ken

Totals

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1 3

367

194

574

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Statistical History ST. HELENS TOWN AFC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A STATISTICAL HISTORY by Glyn Jones Part 29 - Season 1975-76 CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE Final Table Marine Chorley Leek Town Winsford United Witton Albion Nantwich Town Middlewich Athletic Stalybridge Celtic Droylsden New Brighton Rossendale United Burscough Hyde United St. Helens Town Formby Ashton United Radcliffe Borough Horwich RMI Rhyl Darwen New Mills Prestwich Heys Opponents Ashton United Burscough Chorley Darwen Droylsden Formby Horwich RMI Hyde United Leek Town Marine Middlewich Athletic Nantwich Town New Brighton New Mills Prestwich Heys Radcliffe Borough Rhyl Rossendale United Stalybridge Celtic Winsford United Witton Albion

P 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 Home Dec 27 Nov 8 Sep 2 Apr 16 Auga 23 Oct 11 Oct 4 Nov 22 Apr 3 Mar 27 Sep 6 Apr 24 Jan 1 Nov 15 Jan 10 Feb 21 Apr 21 Dec 6 Jan 31 Apr 17 Nov 29

W 28 29 27 24 20 23 20 20 17 19 17 16 15 14 10 13 13 8 8 9 8 6

D 8 5 7 10 14 8 8 6 11 7 9 10 11 11 15 8 5 13 10 7 6 7 Result Drew 1-1 Won 5-1 Lost 1-2 Won 4-1 Lost 0-2 Drew 0-0 Lost 0-1 Won 1-0 Won 1-0 Drew 1-1 Drew 0-0 Drew 0-0 Won 4-0 Won 2-1 Won 6-3 Won 4-1 Won 4-1 Lost 0-1 Lost 0-4 Won 3-1 Lost 0-2

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L 6 8 8 8 8 11 14 16 14 16 16 16 16 17 17 21 24 21 24 26 28 29

F 94 88 74 83 71 88 61 67 66 59 69 68 73 54 44 50 56 42 46 49 47 39 Away Aug 16 Sep 10 Sep 16 Apr 19 Jan 3 Feb 14 Feb 7 Nov 1 Mar 13 Mar 31 Aug 26 Dec 20 Dec 26 Mar 20 Aug 30 Jan 17 Feb 28 Apr 10 Sep 27 Dec 13 Jan 24

A 34 33 33 44 37 54 51 47 55 57 62 73 75 57 59 63 94 90 83 89 95 103

Pts 64 63 61 58 54 54 48 46 45 45 43 42 41 39 35 34 31 29 26 25 22 19

Result Won 1-0 Lost 0-1 Drew 1-1 Lost 1-4 Drew 1-1 Won 2-1 Won 1-0 Lost 0-5 Lost 1-2 Lost 0-1 Lost 2-4 Drew 0-0 Lost 1-2 Won 2-0 Drew 1-1 Lost 0-1 Lost 1-3 Drew 0-0 Lost 1-2 Lost 1-5 Drew 0-0

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Stalwart Honoured Former Town Chairman Jim Barrett is to be honoured by the Liverpool County Football Association for 35 years’ service to the club. Jim’s ‘official’ association with St Helens Town goes back to 1979-80 when he joined the club’s committee spending much of his first decade as Press Officer and Programme Editor. Born and bred in Sutton, Jim’s dad George used to bring him to Hoghton Road as a toddler in the late forties and early fifties when his first ‘Town’ heroes were Harry McCann and Jackie McGuirk. Jim’s own football pedigree began at school starting close to Hoghton Road at Sutton C of E before moving up to Robins Lane Secondary Modern in 1958 and all during that time his Saturday’s were spent travelling up and down Lancashire on Jack Glover’s old coach, supporting the Town. Jim’s post school years saw his own playing career develop in the Saturday morning ‘church league’ of the day, and he represented both New Street Methodists and All Saints until the latter changed its name in 1963 to join the St Helens Combination, as Sutton Parish. Jim remained with them until their demise in 1969. Naturally this affected Jim’s following of Town but he watched whenever he could and particularly remembers leaving Hoghton Road on a fleet of buses for Lancashire Junior Cup at Springfield Park to meet Wigan Athletic (then of the Cheshire League). Jim’s playing days continued in the ‘Comb’ when in 1969 he joined the newly formed BICC Burndy, Parr where he stayed for the rest of his career and at Burndy he eventually became Secretary. One particular co-incidence at the time was that he found himself on the opposing side to future Town boss Alan Aspinall when the two clubs met at Hoghton Road when Alan’s Birchley St Mary’s team met Jim’s side in the 1975 Rainford Potteries Cup final on Easter Monday – Jim’s team won 4-2 in front of the biggest crowd of the decade at Hoghton Road. In March 1990 saw Jim elected the club Chairman, a position he held until he stepped down seventeen years later – the longest serving custodian in the clubs history. The ‘title’ was always regarded as a huge honour by Jim but he continued with many of his ‘duties’ at the club. – grounds-man, PA announcer, and bingo caller in club’s Hoghton Road social club, as well as resurrecting the club’s match programme and spells as treasurer and secretary. Having been part of the club’s remarkable FA Vase run and eventual Wembley victory back in 1987 Jim saw Town lose two cup finals in the 1990s – Burscough in the NWCFL Floodlit Trophy and Rossendale United at Bury’s Gigg Lane both by a single goal. There’s was an increased workload for Jim when Runcorn Highfield shared Hoghton Road meaning it was up early on Sunday morning’s to change the posts and re-mark the pitch for Rugby League. St Helens Greyhound Company came to the ground in 1993 and though Jim’s dad George who had been a long-serving Committee member saw the work in progressed he died prior to the first ‘meeting’. The club said goodbye to Hoghton Road in 2000 and in the same year Jim was delighted to be the standard bearer at Wembley Stadium in a parade of past FA Vase winners prior to the Deal Town v Chippenham Town – the last final at the ‘old’ Wembley stadium. The Knowsley Road days proved to be a lot less arduous for Jim with many of the practicalities of staging a match in the hands of others. At 60 years old in 2007, Jim retired from his main committee duties but continues to support the club. He remains a club Director and still helps out on match-days and is the club’s Honorary Life Vice President. David Pugh, CEO of the Liverpool County FA will make a presentation to Jim at this evening’s game Club Chairman John McKiernan said, ‘I took over from Jim back in 2007 and we still rely on him hugely – his knowledge of the club and its history as well as his vast experience as an administrator have proved vital as the club manages our current ‘exile’. He added, ‘Often the voice of reason as well as tradition, Jim has given his time freely in an era when arm-chair supporters of football have been in the ascendancy – we have a great deal thank Jim for - a real stalwart of St Helens Town - loyal, faithful, committed, devoted, dependable, constant, hardworking and steadfast.’

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Pre-season Action

Pre-season Friendly 2014-15 Action from Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1-1 visit to Barnton FC Scorer: Mike Houghton

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Head 2 Head Results x

Winsford Utd

2-4

WD&C

1-1

Squires Gate

1-2

St Helens Town

3-2

Stockport Sports

Silsden

Runcorn Linnets

Nelson

Maine Road

Colne

Bootle

Barnoldswick T

AFC Liverpool AFC Blackpool Abbey Hey

North West Counties Football League Premier Division 2014-15

1874 Northwich

1874 Northwich x Abbey Hey x AFC Blackpool 0-3 x AFC Liverpool x Alsager Town 0-1 x Ashton Athletic Bacup & Rossendale Barnoldswick Town Bootle Colne Congleton Town Glossop NE Maine Road Nelson Runcorn Linnets Runcorn Town 3-2 Silsden 4-1 Squires Gate St Helens Town Stockport Sports West Dids & Chrltn Winsford United

Alsager Town

Bacup & Ross Ashton Athletic

2-0

1-1

0-6

Glossop NE

Congleton Town

1-1

Runcorn Town

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Tea Break Teasers Q1. How many full England caps did Emile Heskey win? Q2. Which Japanese team did Arsene Wenger manage prior to joining Arsenal? Q3. Who won the 2007/8 Pichichi for being the La Liga top goal scorer and with which club? Q4. Which two clubs play at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadium? Q5. Who was the only English player selected in the all-star squad for the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany? Q6. Where were Eastern AA based the club which Bobby Moore left Britain to manage in 1981/2? Q7. How many times did Alan Shearer captain England? Q8. Who was the only England player to net his penalty in the 2006 World Cup Quarter Final shoot-out defeat? Q9. Who is the only Senegalese player to win the African Footballer of the Year award? Q10. Which player won his final Northern Ireland cap on his 41st Birthday in their last group game of the 1986 World Cup? Q11. Which two Premier League teams scored 100+ goals last term? Q12. On which three grounds did Eusebio score his 9 goals in the 1966 World Cup Finals? Q13. With which Italian team did Denis Law play between 1961 & 62? Q14. Which Scottish club lost two FA Cup Finals to Blackburn Rovers in the 1880â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s? Q15. Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all time top full international scorer netted 37 goals and played his last international in 1998, who is he?

1) 62 2) Nagoyua Grampus Eight 3) Dani Guiza - Mallorca 4) Strum Graz & Grazer AK 5) John Terry 6) Hong Kong 7) 34 8) Owen Hargreaves 9) El Hadji Diouf 10) Pat Jennings 11) Man City & Liverpool 12) Goodison Park, Old Trafford & Wembley 13) Torino 14) Queens Park 15) Rashidi Yekini

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Town Managers Between 1946 and 1962 the club, like many, didn’t have a ‘manager’. Town officials would liaise with first and reserve team captains over team selection. In 1962-63 ‘First Manager’ Pat Murphy came from Burscough with a nucleus of his team which won the Lancashire Combination Division One title for Burscough but the formulae didn’t work for Town despite financial backing of a brand new 200 seat supporters club opened by John Connelly in spring of 1962. 1963-64 Sam Cottingham came after success with Pilkington's in a move to rebalance the squad with more local players. 1964-66 Jimmy McKiernan became the club's first commercial manager and team boss after arriving from Earlestown via a successful playing career which included a spell on the North Wales circuit. 1966-68 Jackie Dewsnip, cousin of Town player Jimmy Dewsnip who along with the latter’s son Neil meant the Haydock based family served Town well over a couple of decades. 1968-71 Peter Jones took the reigns in the wake of the Northern Premier League being formed which reduced Town’s league (Lancs Combination) to one division. He moved on after three years to a position on the staff of Preston North End. 1971-77 Alan Hampson arrived from South Liverpool after a distinguished playing career at Holly Park and became a mini ‘Messiah’ as Town won the Lancs Combination title in 1972 along with the Bass Charrington and Watson trophy in quick succession. He also oversaw Town’s step into the Cheshire County League in 1975 as by then, the Lancashire Comb had become a pale imitation of its former self. 1977-79 The aforementioned Jimmy Dewsnip took the reigns after ‘Hampy’ had moved on and became the first ex Town player to become manager. He combined this with work for the Liverpool County FA with the latter eventually claiming his services after two years. 1979-80 Player manager Geoff Robinson hailed from the new overspill at Laffak where he also ran the increasingly successful ‘Starting Gate’ pub team in the blossoming new Sunday League. Many of his squad were ‘Town’ players but the ‘conflict’ of interests was seen as detrimental to the senior club. 1980-82 Jack Prytherch had been at Wigan Athletic and he brought in players from that area including new club skipper, his son in law, Steve Murfin. Jack’s reign saw the formation of the North West Counties League and Town’s first season was a struggle in the new league’s top flight resulting in a change in mid-term. 1982-84 Peter Rutherford. After the success of Alan Hampson a decade earlier, the Town board returned to South Liverpool again for their next appointment. Peter Rutherford was number two at Holly Park at the time but he also found it hard going in the NWCFL inaugural season and his charges only escaped relegation on a ‘technicality’. Things got a little better the following season and he bowed out just before glory arrived. 1984-87 Alan Wellens had skippered Town’s Lancs Combination title team and went on to become the club’s top appearances holder after making his debut at Great Harwood in 1966. His playing career was ended by a broken leg against Hyde in 1981 at Hoghton Road. Alan went on to Town history with the club’s historic journey to Wembley in 1987 before he and the vast majority of Allan Wellens receiving the Lancs the FA Vase winning side sought pastures new. 1987Combination Championship Trophy 92 Alan Aspinall (pictured opposite) took over the from Wesley Bridge in 1972 mantle of manager following the departure of the Vase squad and management team having been Reserve team boss and spent a successful five seasons in charge.

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Past & Present 1992-93 Mick Holgate presided over just one season at Hoghton Road before moving on to Leigh RMI. 1993-2002 Jimmy McBride stepped up from his position as Reserve team boss to take the reigns of the first team for almost a decade which saw the club’s move from Hoghton Road to Saints. Took the club to its first cup final since the visit to Wembley but lost out in the League Cup and Floodlit Trophy finals in the mid 1990s. 2002-2003 John Davison and Peter King arrived from Burscough having presided over a very successful period in the ‘Linnets’ history. After a disappointing first campaign despite significant financial backing the club’s need to tighten the purse strings led to the pair’s departure at the start of the 2003 campaign, along with most of the squad. 2003-04 Ex-Everton professional Paul Lodge became Town manager as the club reeled from financial cuts but unfortunately his youthful side struggled at the bottom of the league and he was replaced in January 2004. 2004-05 Former Town ‘keeper Joe Paladino took over the reigns from Lodge and secured the club’s safety from relegation before going to challenge for the title during most of 2004-05. Joe resigned in March 2005. 2005-06 Assistant to Paladino, Joe Gibiliru took over the manager’s position and presided over a period of on the field stability for the club before resigning in September 2006. 2006-07 Alex Wright, who had previously been assistant manager to Paul Lodge returned to the club as manager but his tenure was short-lived as family commitments led to him stepping down in September 2007. 2007-08 John Fletcher, Wright’s assistant, was given managerial responsibility and he steered the club away from the relegation battle with a 19th place finish at the end of 2006-7. Despite the club’s off the field problems and financial difficulties the following season saw Fletcher’s charges finish fourteenth after only one defeat in the last nine games. However Town remained rooted in a relegation spot for most of the following season and Fletcher departed with weeks of the season remaining. 2009 – 2010 Gary Bickerstaffe was appointed in March 2009 and secured the club ’s safety with some ease recording six victories from the final eight games. Bickerstaffe’s fine form as manager continued throughout 2009-10 eventually finishing in 9th place. 2010 – 2011 Lee Riley steps up from assistant manager when Gary Bickerstaffe steps down at the end of the 2009-10. Lee resigned in March 2011 due to work commitments and Iain Dyson took over the managerial reigns before he too stepped down at the end of the season. 2011-12 season saw Jimmy McBride make a return to Town but it proved a difficult season and Town parted company with him as we narrowly avoided relegation. 2012 - 2013 Ian Granite became manager following success with neighbours Wigan Robin Park FC. A challenging 2012-13 season saw Town eventually steer clear of relegation, in doing so maintaining their unique 30 year stay in the North West Counties League top division. Despite an excellent start to the 2013-14 season Ian stepped down at the end of November due to business and family commitments and Ian Price (left) took over the managerial reigns with Paul Jones as his assistant. Many thanks to Jim Barrett and Eric Bond for their input in compiling the information.

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Remembering Bert Just over a year has passed since the club lost its President Bert Trautmann aged 89 years. Saturday 19th July 2014 marked the first anniversary of Bert’s death. Bert's association with Town spanned over sixty years making his debut against South Liverpool in the Liverpool County Combination on 21st August 1948 and playing his last game for Town in the FA Cup defeat by Bangor City on 8th October 1949. He played 37 games in 1948-49 and 9 in 1949-50, a total of 46 matches in Town colours before signing for Manchester City in October 1949. 1948-49 appearances Liverpool County Combination Division One – 26 FA Cup – 4 Lancashire Junior Cup – 1 Liverpool County FA Challenge Cup – 2 George Mahon Cup – 4 1949-50 appearances Lancashire Combination Division Two – 5 Lancashire Combination League Cup – 2 FA Cup - 2 During his time at Hoghton Road the club saw bumper crowds including a record 9000 gate in George Mahon Cup final which saw Town defeat Runcorn. The George Mahon Cup was the first silverware for the fledgling club following its post war reformation and the Cup final day on the 7th May 1948 saw the Town team play twice in a matter of hours! The morning Cup final kick off at Prescot’s Hope Street saw Town lift the cup with a 2-1 win, goals from Twist (pen) and S Thompson before virtually the same team including Bert travelled to Orrell for their final Liverpool County Combination fixture of the season. At a time of no substitutes the only change saw club ‘manager’ George Fryer replace the injured J Hughes! Goals from Gregory, Webster and Fryer (2) secured a 2-4 victory.

George Mahon Cup Final team Trautmann, S Webster, G Langley, W Pheasant, W Twist, P Ashton, J Hughes, S Thompson, R Welding, H McCann, J Gregory Liverpool County Combination Division 1 team Trautmann, S Webster, G Langley, W Pheasant, W Twist, P Ashton, R Welding, G Fryer, S Thompson, H McCann, J Gregory Bert returned to Hoghton Road to take part in a couple of friendly fixtures as part of the Manchester City transfer deal and many years later club Vice President Jim Barrett recalls a visit from Bert following the launch of the Alan Rowlands biography. Bert had accepted the honorary position of Club President back in 2009 and he had shown a great interest in our progress. He supported our fundraising efforts, regularly donating items for the club to auction. His affinity with St Helens, its people and the football club was always evident when Bert spoke about his post-war life and football career. At the end of last season the club renamed the club’s Player of the Year award ‘The Bert Trautmann Trophy’ and Bert will be forever an integral part of the history of St Helens Town AFC.

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

NWCFL News Prostate Cancer UK will be the first Official Charity Partner of The North West Counties Football League from the beginning of the 2014/15 season. The League, which covers the north west of England, from as far north as Barrow, east into Yorkshire and south into Staffordshire, will link up with the charity for the forthcoming campaign with all 41 member clubs pledging their allegiance to Men United. The new campaign kicks-off on Saturday, August 2nd, and clubs in the Premier Division and Division 1 – steps five and six of the non-league pyramid - will play their part. The partnership will see captains of both teams take on the traditional pre-game coin toss wearing Prostate Cancer UK T-shirts, and clubs will be encouraged to host special match days, in which they will collect money and raise awareness for the charity, and supporters will be encouraged to sign for Men United. In a busy summer of grass roots activity, Prostate Cancer UK has launched a charity partnership with Football Conference Premier side Kidderminster Harriers and will also be partnering Non-League Day on Saturday, September 6th. The continued success of the ‘Men United v Prostate Cancer’ campaign has seen the charity build an important relationship with The Football League and its member clubs. Indeed, from the beginning of the 2014/15 campaign, Prostate Cancer UK’s distinctive Man of Men symbol will be included on every single Football League player’s kit as part of his individual squad number – the first time ever that a charity’s logo has been included by a domestic league on every player’s strip. Paul Lawler, Development Officer for The North West Counties Football League, said: "The North West Counties Football League is delighted that Prostate Cancer UK has accepted our invitation to become our first ever Official Charity Partner for the forthcoming season. “The charity’s Men United v Prostate Cancer campaign has really helped drive awareness of the serious issue of prostate cancer with men of all ages. The League wanted to support the campaign to help raise awareness on a local level throughout the North West and we are looking forward to working closely with Prostate Cancer UK to promote the Men United campaign through our member clubs and supporters and fund raise for a worthwhile cause."

Prostate Cancer UK’s Director of Fundraising, Mark Bishop said: “Up and down the country our work within football is really gathering momentum and hot on the heels of announcing a partnership with Non-League Day and Kidderminster, this is a great opportunity to work with a close regional network of clubs. “Through our ever-expanding work in grass roots football, it’s inspiring to see clubs rooted in their community striving to make a difference to men’s health, not just on behalf of their own fans but actually on behalf of all men across the country. “This partnership with The North West Counties Football League will allow us to further galvanise our efforts in the region. And as more clubs at all levels come together under the banner of Men United we can truly make a lasting difference to men’s health.”

Prostate Cancer UK are targeting football fans across the terraces up and down the country, raising awareness of the disease which affects 1 in 8 men sometime in their life and kills over 10,000 men a year. More than 180,000 people have signed for Men United by doing a simple online test. If you have concerns about prostate cancer please call Prostate Cancer UK's confidential Helpline on 0800 074 8383 or visit www.prostatecanceruk.org. The helpline is free to landlines, staffed by specialist nurses, and open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday with late opening until 8pm on Wednesdays.

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Match Report North West Counties League Premier Division Saturday 2nd August 2014 Maine Road 1-2 St Helens Town St. Helens Town began the new season with an unexpected, but well-deserved victory over Maine Road at Brantingham Road on Saturday. Having conceded eleven goals to the Manchester side in two heavy defeats last season, including a final day 6-0 reverse, the club had looked ahead to the opening game with some trepidation, but they need not have worried so much, as Town gained a 2-1 victory. Having said that, St. Helens have come up with the goods against strong sides such as Ramsbottom (won 3-2) and Norton United (3-3) in the last two openers and both opponents went on to secure promotion, so perhaps it was not that much of a surprise. Both teams fielded vastly different sides to those that turned out in the corresponding fixture 14 weeks ago. Maine Road had lost their manager and nine squad players to Glossop North End, but Town began with only one of last seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regulars, Tom Lightbody, although goalkeeper Chris Brinksman had been regular stopper a couple of years ago. The visitors looked much the sharper of the teams in the opening half and built up a 2 -0 lead after 28 minutes. They looked very strong at the back, where exGrimsby Town centre half Hamish Falconer and former Ashton United defender Aaron Morris were a revelation. In fact, both players combined to give Town the lead on 22 minutes, after Falconer mugged a Maine Road player out on the wing and crossed a pinpoint ball to Morris who nodded in off the far post. Centre forward Chad Whyte (pictured above), who scored a hat-full of goals last season at youth level with Leigh Genesis, looked very sharp and, having gone close with a shot on the 14 th minute and a header three minutes later, took on three defenders in the home box before calmly drawing the keeper and picking his spot with consummate ease to double the Town lead. The second half was a different affair altogether and Town had to weather the storm for long periods. Although Maine Road hit the woodwork three times, St. Helens would have counted themselves unlucky to concede before Williams pulled one back, scoring from a glancing header after a free-kick out on the left. St. Helens had chances of their own and it was perhaps due to over-enthusiasm that they did not score a third on the hour when three players all arrived together in a packed home box and Whyte could not guide his shot through the crowded melee. Whyte again went close with ten minutes left after the impressive Tom McKay won the ball on the edge of the box, but the centre forward snatched at the chance and his attempt went wide. At this early stage of the season, it is difficult to know where either of these sides will finish the season, but the enthusiasm and skill levels shown by Town will surely stand them in good stead for the struggles ahead. Essentially a youthful and untried combination, this was an impressive start and hopefully the side can stick together and keep out of relegation trouble as the club look forward to a return to the town in twelve monthsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time. One footnote to the result was that, commencing their 33rd consecutive season in the NW Counties top flight, the only club with an unbroken tenure at this level became the first member club to go past the 1700 league points landmark at the top of the overall league table, quite an achievement.

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

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Maine Road v Town

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Saturday 2nd August 2014 Action from Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1-2 victory at Maine Road on the opening day of the season

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Match Photos

Maine Road 1-2 St Helens Town Scorers: Aaron Morris & Chad Whyte

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Premier Division Premier Division Table as at Monday 4th August 2014 Premier Division 1

Runcorn Town

P W D

A GD Pts

Glossop North End

Silsden

1874 Northwich

West Didsbury & Chorlton

Winsford United

Runcorn Linnets

St Helens Town

AFC Liverpool

Tuesday 5th August 2014 Premier Division 1874 Northwich

v Bootle

Abbey Hey

v Stockport Sports

Barnoldswick Town v Silsden Colne

v Bacup & R Boro

Congleton Town

v Runcorn Linnets

Glossop North E

v Maine Road

Squires Gate

v Nelson

St Helens Town

v AFC Blackpool

v Winsford Utd

West Didsbury & Chorlton First Division

Ashton Town

v Holker Old Boys

Atherton LR

v AFC Darwen

Chadderton

v Rochdale Town

Irlam

v Cammell Laird

Ashton Athletic

Bootle

Congleton Town

Nelson

Squires Gate

AFC Liverpool

Stockport Sports

-1

First Division

Maine Road

-1

Alsager Town

-2

Saturday 9th August 2014

18 Barnoldswick Town

-2

Premier Division

Colne

-2

Abbey Hey

-3

AFC Blackpool

22 Bacup & R Borough

-3

-6

* points deducted for a breach of league rules

Wednesday 6th August 2014 Premier Division

Hanley Town

v Ashton Athletic v Barnton

1874 Northwich

v Barnoldswick T

Abbey Hey

v Runcorn Linnets

AFC Liverpool

v Nelson

Colne

v Bootle

Congleton Town

v Silsden

Glossop North End v AFC Blackpool Runcorn Town

v Bacup & R Boro

Squires Gate

v Maine Road

St Helens Town

v Alsager Town

Stockport Sports

v Winsford United

West Didsbury & Chorlton

v Ashton Athletic

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

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League Division 1 Division One Table as at Monday 4th August 2014 Division One

A GD Pts

Atherton Collieries

AFC Darwen

Atherton LR

Eccleshall

Rochdale Town

Chadderton

Cheadle Town

Barnton

9 Wigan Robin Park

-3

Northwich Flixton 10 Villa

Holker Old Boys

-1

12 Litherland REMYCA

-1

13 Cammell Laird 1907

-1

Daisy Hill

-1

Oldham Boro

-1

Widnes

-1

Ashton Town

-1

Hanley Town

-2

Irlam

-3

* points deducted for a breach of league rules

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Saturday 9th August 2014 First Division Ashton Town v Rochdale Town Atherton Colls v Litherland REMYCA Barnton v Atherton LR Chadderton v Wigan Robin Park Eccleshall v AFC Darwen Hanley Town v Cammell Laird Holker Old Boys v Cheadle Town Irlam v Daisy Hill Widnes v Oldham Boro Monday 11th August 2014 Premier Division Maine Road v AFC Liverpool First Division Daisy Hill v Atherton LR Tuesday 12th August 2014 Premier Division AFC Blackpool v Colne Alsager Town v 1874 Northwich Ashton Athletic v Glossop North E Nelson v Barnoldswick T Runcorn Linnets v Bootle Stockport Sports v Congleton Town West Didsbury v Runcorn Town & Chorlton Winsford United v Abbey Hey First Division Oldham Boro v Ashton Town Wednesday 13th August 2014 Premier Division Bacup & R Boro v St Helens Town Silsden v Squires Gate First Division Lithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; REMYCA v Widnes Northwich F Villa v Cheadle Town

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Five Time Winners of Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14