St Helens Town v Alsager Town 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

Today’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

Saturday 9th August 2014, 3.00pm North West Counties League, Premier Division St Helens Town Red & White Shirts White Shorts, Red & White Socks No

Gls

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

Alsager Town Black & White Shirts Black Shorts & White Socks No

Gls

Alsager Town Steve Dryden Joe Evans Ryan Connor Matthew Haddrell Reiss Lee Liam Prince Peter Heler Ryan Wintle Chris Smith Michael Blundell Shane Reaney Joshua Rowley Luke Goddard Craig Dove Danny Griggs Jordan Elcock

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

Manager: Ian Price Assistant: Paul Jones

Managers: Danny Griggs and Craig Dove

Referee: Mr R Aspinall (Blackpool)

Email: sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk

Assist: Mr A Sykes (Lytham) & Mr E Swallow (Blackpool)

Main Club Sponsor: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Today’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: Chris Cottington in action at Maine Road last Saturday

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 afternoon and welcome to Brocstedes Park for this North West Counties Football League, Premier Division contest against our friends from Alsager Town. 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 has been an excellent start to the new season for Town as we backed up our opening day victory at Maine Road with an emphatic 3-0 home success here against AFC Blackpool on Tuesday evening. We got off to a quick start as centre back Aaron Morris netted to make it 1-0 after only 9 minutes taking his tally to two for the season before further pressure saw the lead doubled prior to the half hour mark when Paul Cook-Hannah flicked the ball on for Tom Lightbody who took the ball on and finished well further chances came and went before the interval but the hosts went into the break two goals to the good. The start of the second half was similar to the opening game as Blackpool came at the hosts more as they looked to reduce the arrears. The Town defence held firm and it was the hosts who were creating the better chances but again similar to the end of the first half they were unable to net again and put the result beyond doubt. It took until the closing stages for the third goal to come as Youth Team graduate Marcus Perry repaid the faith which has been shown in him by the First Team management netting his first for the “senior” side with a well taken finish after being fed by Lightbody after a well time counter attack. The result took Town to the heady heights of 4th position in the league table although it must be noted we are still in the very early stages of the season it still makes nice reading! Tuesday evening was also memorable for another reason with “Mr St Helens Town”, Jim Barrett being honoured by Liverpool County FA for his 30+ years service and dedication to the club with a presentation prior to kick off. Jim has taken on every role and task imaginable for the club during his tenure from programme editor to groundsman, turnstile operator, match reporter and everything in between! Both our club and every other in the country could do with a few more like Jim! So onto this afternoons contest as we welcome an Alsager Town outfit who have suffered back to back defeats at the start of the campaign having lost an opening day encounter at home to AFC Liverpool by a single goal to nil and then had a quick turnaround as they visited Runcorn Town on Monday evening and lead twice at 1-0 and 2-1 but ended up losing 3-2 to one of last seasons high flyers. Alsager have got an excellent away record at Town having won eight of the thirteen encounters to take place so far including twice last season, once in the League and once in the League Challenge Cup 2nd Round so they will be looking forward to the trip this afternoon as they look to turn their fortunes around. Following on from this afternoons trip we visit Bacup & Rossendale Borough on Wednesday night (13th August) with an 8pm kick off before we are back here at Brocstedes Park next Saturday (16th August) for an FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round Tie against Atherton Collieries. Finally, let’s get behind Town this afternoon and hopefully cheer them onto victory you support is vital to the cause! 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 The merger of Alsager Institute and Alsager United formed Alsager AFC in 1965. The merger came about due to lack of pitches in the village. They acquired Wood Park in 1967 that was then seeded ready for the following season and it was first played on in 1968/69. Alsager AFC were playing in the Crewe League at this stage. In the early 70’s the club decided they would like to try for the Mid-Cheshire League which they were successful in doing by bringing the ground up to a higher standard. They remained in this league and in 1985/86 they were Runners Up. The club folded due to the lack of funds and support. They then re-formed with just a youth team playing in the Crewe Premier League for two seasons. In 1991/92 they managed to regain entry in to the Mid Cheshire League Division Two where they remained until 1998/99 when the committee decided to try for the Springbank Vending League, where most of the Potteries teams were based. Steve Booth built a strong squad which was able to challenge for the title in their first season, but unfortunately Alsager were pipped at the post by Norton FC. The team were doing well enough and the committee decided to apply for the North West Counties Football League and after a lot of hard work by the committee Alsager AFC successfully passed the criteria necessary to gain entry, and a second place finish in the Staffs County Senior League was enough to gain promotion. Bad form after Christmas 1999 and the decision by Steve Booth to leave the club saw a new management team step in to the fold. Greg Clowes and his assistant Dorian Garner were welcomed to the club. They were in charge for the remaining 10 games of the season and managed to finish in a creditable 12th position. Their first full season in charge saw them achieve 7th place in the league and along with Warrington Town they kept the most clean sheets. Floodlighting was erected in August 2001 and then the addition of a new stand by the end of the season saw Alsager in prime position to challenge for promotion. During the summer of 2001 it was decided to change the name of the club back to Alsager Town and to run a side in the Springbank Vending League under the name of Alsager AFC A runners up spot in the 2001/02 season was enough to see Alsager Town FC promoted to the NWCFL Division 1. During the close season resurfacing of the pitch, decoration of the club house and changing rooms and a new toilet block and tea bar gave Alsager Town an air of aristocracy as they aimed for success in the NWCFL. They remained in N.W.C.F.L. until the end of the 2005/06 season when they finished in third place. Due to THE changes being made by the FA to the non-league pyramid system Alsager were invited to step up to the Northern Premier League Division One which they did, they finished their first season in a creditable 14th place. Further changes were to be made by. With further changes to the Northern Premier League, Alsager Town were placed in to the Unibond League Division One South. Another 14th place finish was the outcome but the club fell foul to the ground grading regulations and with required work not completed in the required time given by the League they were relegated back to the North West Counties League Premier Division. Due this set back the management walked out. Former chairman Peter Clegg stepped in to take control of the club . Former Witton Albion reserves coach Neil Gill was appointed as manager and for two seasons kept Alsager Town in the Premier Division and then in early 2011 with finances tight the players expenses budget was cut and then later stopped completely. This was followed by the news that there were to be major changes at the club at the end of the season. Neil Gill, his assistant, the players and the committee walked away. Acting Chairman Mike Cross acted very quickly and the remaining committee members voted for change. Terry Greer the former Chairman of Biddulph Victoria was elected to become the new Chairman of Alsager Town F.C. Terry’s first job was to appoint a new management team. Damian Grocott and Andy O’Connor stepped into the position, they signed a new squad of players and began the job of securing Alsager Town’s place in the N.W.C.F.L. Premier Division. They worked hard to keep the status of the club securing it with three games in hand.

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

Alsager Town For the 2011/12 season the club looked to move forward run by a new committee which was installed at the AGM in the May their aim being to improve the club in all aspects both on and off the pitch. The changing rooms and showers were upgraded, some of the club house had been redecorated and the ground in general had been given a face lift when on the night of the Monday 11th July a catastrophic fire destroyed the office and part of the dressing rooms and club house. The whole building had to be demolished due its asbestos construction and the electricity was cut off due to the damage caused to the switch boxes. Following the disaster the committee worked very hard to get things in to place so that football could return to The Town ground. The league committee helped where they could switching fixtures for The Bullets and 99% of their games were played away from home until the November. A rebuilding programme immediately got underway and things went well, both on and off the pitch. Massive help from BAE Systems and their contractors followed and they had helped to rebuild the changing rooms so that football could return. A new manager in former coach John Brown was installed as manager At the end of the season John Brown, resigned and Chairman Terry Greer soon had replacements with former Tottenham Hotspur player Andy Turner taking over the reigns of the first team. Terry’s gang (The workers) set about completing work around the new changing room complex, planning permission was sort to build a new club house and virtually 12 months to the day that permission was granted. In October 2012 the club received the news that they had been granted a massive £85,860 from the Football Foundation. Work was commenced on building a new car park and clubhouse. The modular building was delivered just 9 days before Christmas 2012, the contractors and Alsager’s committee worked, tirelessly to get the club open for the Boxing Day game of 2012. The season went quite well for the new management, the team finishing in 15th place with 50 points. Their first season with the club gave them the necessary experience of the league which they got and everyone at the club was looking to the new season. There were many new signings with some of last years squad having decided to stay. Things didn't go well for the first X1 and they spent most of their time in the lower reaches of the league and then unexpectedly Andy Turner resigned in the new year. Phil Parkinson stepped into the breach bringing in his own team. They avoided relegation by winning the last three games of the season. Just before the start of pre-season training Phil tendered his resignation after getting a promotion at work. He was succeeded by the his two assistants Craig Dove and Danny Griggs. They were given the task to continue with the improvements started by Phil Parkinson. 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-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NWC-1 NPL-1 NPL-1S NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P

P 34 38 40 42 42 42 42 46 42 42 42 42 42 42 42

W 11 19 24 15 16 19 27 18 12 18 11 10 16 14 11

D 8 8 9 11 15 11 7 7 7 5 7 8 9 8 7

L 15 11 7 16 11 12 8 21 23 19 24 24 17 20 24

F 48 48 77 61 54 65 87 72 58 66 60 57 63 66 57

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 64 42 31 67 47 47 43 75 88 72 79 94 65 78 85

GD -16 6 46 -6 7 18 44 -3 -30 -6 -19 -37 -2 -12 -28

Pts 41 65 81 56 63 68 88 61 43 59 40 38 57 50 40

Position 12/18 7/20 2/21 11/22 9/22 7/22 3/22 14/24 14/18 7/22 18/22 20/22 13/22 15/22 18/22

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 St Helens Town - last 6 matches All Competitions

Most recent

Home

Away

Collated

Home

11/11; 1-2

2003-04

15/10; 0-1

22/03; 1-1

2004-05

14/08; 2-0

16/08; 1-4

2005-06

28/02; 1-0

NWC-D1

2006-07

NPL-1

NWC-D1

2007-08

NPL-1S

22/11; 0-1

2008-09

09/08; 3-2

02/03; 1-1

2009-10

13/04; 3-1

27/04; 5-1

2010-11

07/08; 1-2

28/02; 0-3

2011-12

05/11; 2-3

20/10; 2-2

2012-13

19/03; 0-2

31/08; 0-3

2013-14

05/04; 2-1

09/08/2014

2014-15

06/12/2014

Collated

Alsager Town games since... All Competitions Clean sheet

Goal Scored

Loss

No score draw

Score draw

Win

NWC-D2 NWC-D2

NWC-D2

2000-01

19/10; 1-0

Clean sheet

1999-00

NWC-D1

2002-03

All Competitions

NWC-D1

2001-02

Away

St Helens Town games since...

at Alsager Town

NWC-D1

Most recent

Previous Meetings

22/03; 1-1

Alsager Town - last 6 matches All Competitions

at St Helens Town

St Helens Town Scores First Games Played

St Helens Town Wins

Draws

Alsager Town Wins

St Helens Town Goals

Percentage Town Wins

Alsager Town Goals

31 35.00

Previous Meetings Since 1949/50 All Competitions P

Win %

Home

-12

7.69

Away

70.00

Collated

-6

34.78

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 afternoon and a very warm welcome to Brocstedes Park for this NWCFL Premier Division encounter with our friends from Alsager Town. Let’s hope they’ve have a pleasant journey here and enjoy our hospitality. Ian Price and the lads have had a good start to the season winning our opening two encounters and securing six points. After last Saturday’s 1-2 win at fancied Maine Road we hosted an AFC Blackpool side who also proved to be tough opposition - goals from Aaron Morris, Tom Lightbody and Marcus Perry saw us win 3-0. Today’s visitors have been on the end of two narrow defeats with an opening day 0 -1 loss to AFC Liverpool while Monday evening the ‘Bullets’ went down 3-2 at Runcorn Town. Tuesday evening saw Club Vice President Jim Barratt honoured by the Liverpool County FA for his 35 year service to the club. Jim is pictured centre with LCFA CEO Dave Pugh (left) and Dave Watkin (right). We are still looking for individuals and businesses to sponsor the club - match & match ball sponsors, player sponsors, programme advertisers and we are also looking for sponsors for our U17s, U18s, U21 and Veterans sides. We’ve got lots of great offers starting from £50 per season. The club needs to generate funds throughout the season and we are looking for new members of our Goldline weekly lottey - it costs just £1 per entry with a chance to win £500 each weekday plus a bonus Jackpot each Friday which stood at £2000 yesterday (Friday) - see me for more information. We’re also selling lapel badge in support of Prostate Cancer UK (the League’s official charity partner) - these are from our match programme seller (or see any committee member). As you will have noticed we have a brand new kit this season, kindly sponsored by Eciguk St Helens and replica shirts (short sleeved) are available in all sizes at £27.50 - these can be ordered at today’s game. There’s been lots of news over the summer and we will continue to review this as well as all our sponsors in the next few editions of ‘The Marksman’. Next Wednesday we travel to Bacup & Rossendale Borough for a league game before entertaining Atherton Collieries in the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round next Saturday. Enjoy the game 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 Crilly Park, Atherton

Action from Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1-1 draw against Atherton LR

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.

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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Club News Lucky 13 for Town and Johnsons Toyota Liverpool. The club’s partnership with main sponsors Johnsons Toyota Liverpool continues to go from strength to strength as car sales continue! We have recently seen car sale number thirteen at the Bootle based Toyota dealership which has been attributed directly to St Helens Town’s partnership. A month-long social media campaign in support of our Main Sponsors Johnsons Toyota Liverpool back in February saw the two partners delighted with the results. Johnsons Toyota Liverpool confirmed that seven vehicles were sold as a direct result of the website, Twitter and Facebook February promotion undertaken over the four week promotional period and they reported almost 2000 hits to their website from the club’s social media outlets. Club Chairman John McKiernan said, ‘Despite our playing season finishing at the end of April we’ve continued to work very hard on behalf of all our sponsors. The news from Johnsons that we’ve reached lucky 13 in terms of direct cars sales is superb.’ Johnsons Toyota Liverpool General Manager Gareth Shone added, ‘The partnership continues to work with St Helens Town and we are both seeing the benefits. We are looking at some new ways to promote the partnership online, match days and elsewhere. He added, ‘We are always looking at ways of promoting Johnsons and the Toyota brand as well as increasing business and the direct sales from the partnership shows how successful it’s been.

New Veterans manager appointed St Helens Town are delighted to welcome on board Dave Platt who will take charge of the newly formed Veterans side. The ‘Vets’ will play in the Business Houses League (Sunday) and will be holding trials/training on Sunday 13th July at 11.00am at Bishop Road, St Helens. Players must be 35 or over on 1st August 2014. Anyone requiring more information can contact Dave on 07736 180 148 or by email: davverplatt@googlemail.com 35 year old David is a Level 2 coach and member of the licensed coaches club. At youth level he played in goal, playing League representative, District & County FA football and also had a spell playing for Bootle back when they were at their original Bucks Park ground. Dave spent most of his twenties playing 1st Division Old Boys football as an outfielder, with seven of those years as assistant manager. In more recent times he has obtained his coaching qualifications and is currently in charge of one of the youth teams at Leigh Genesis. Dave is also a keen cricketer who is involved with St. Helens Town Cricket Club where he is 02nd XI Captain and committee member.

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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 Visitors to Atherton Collieries this season will find that the excellent match programme now has a new title – and one that has its roots in the club’s early history. The story begins a couple of months ago when club Secretary Emil Anderson and Programme Editor Joe Gibbons decided to gather some information on the club’s history. Emil takes up the story. “In June Joe and I had ventured into Leigh Library to do a little research on the history of the club. We knew that the Leigh Journal, Leigh Reporter and a new find Leigh Chronicle were on hand to help us with match reports etc, providing our predecessors had filed copies for the papers. “We were not disappointed - there were reports galore, especially in the Journal, going back to the early days of the club. We were then pointed in the direction of a couple of books by the very helpful lady from the library’s history department. “The books were printed in the early 1920s and were comprised of reproductions of the magazine ‘Carbon’ which was seemingly published by the mine owners. We had a brief look through the books and there were pages and pages of detailed information on the football club. The magazine focused on all parts of ‘Mining Life’ and was stylishly put together. “It was indeed a find and you can be rest assured we will be going back to the library to have a more detailed look at the books. You never know, the content could be an integral part of my much threatened book”. At this point, anyone who knows Emil will be smiling while reading this, as he has been threatening to write a book on the history of Colls since Adam was a lad, but at least one immediate benefit was delivered from the guidance given by the friendly librarian. “Moving on a few weeks ,Joe was working on the cover for this season’s programme and was looking for a title”, explained Emil. “‘The Carbon’ was the logical choice – a homage to the club’s mining past!!!” Non-League Day, the campaign to promote semiprofessional and amateur football, returns for a fifth consecutive season on Saturday 6th September 2014. The event, which regularly features on SKY Sports, Soccer AM, talkSPORT, 5live and The Non-League Football Show, always coincides with a break in the Premier League and Championship calendar, giving a wide range of fans the opportunity to visit their local non-League club. The official charity partner for 2014 is Prostate Cancer UK. This will see hundreds of clubs across the country signing for Men United by raising money and awareness. In addition, Non-League Day will be working with a number of other agencies to promote important messages around anti-racism, grassroots participation and affordable local football. More information about the day and the events surrounding it can be found on the Non-League Day website www.nonleagueday.co.uk/

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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 3-0W Brinksman 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 Cottington

Saunders Saunders

Falconer Falconer

Morris1 Morris1

McKay 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

Li Lig

nd Figures 7

Lightbody ghtbody1

Hulme Hulme

Whyte1 Rushton-Woods Cook-Hannah Rushton-Woods

Name1

Perry Perry1

Pullinger Pullinger

Alex Gillespie7 Alex Gillespie

Bergqvist11 Cook-Hannah9 Crowther Houghton Bergqvist9 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

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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Statistical History ST. HELENS TOWN AFC â&#x20AC;&#x201C; A STATISTICAL HISTORY by Glyn Jones Part 30- Season 1976-77 CHESHIRE COUNTY LEAGUE Final Table Winsford United Chorley Witton Albion Leek Town Stalybridge Celtic Nantwich Town Marine Horwich RMI Formby St. Helens Town New Brighton Ashton United Prestwich Heys Burscough Rhyl Droylsden Hyde United New Mills Darwen Rossendale United Middlewich Athletic Radcliffe Borough 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

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P 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42 42

W 31 28 27 24 23 22 18 18 17 16 13 15 16 12 13 13 12 10 10 9 9 4

Home Aug 21 May 7 Jan 29 Dec 27 Sep 11 Aug 31 Apr 30 Oct 2 Apr 23 Mar 31 Mar 12 Jan 15 Mar 6 Apr 17 Oct 23 Sep 18 Mar 19 Oct 16 Sep 25 Feb 26 Nov 20

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

L 3 8 9 8 9 13 10 14 16 16 15 17 18 15 20 21 21 22 24 23 29 29

F 98 80 91 91 66 72 62 72 59 51 64 65 56 60 54 60 57 47 50 48 48 44 Away Jan 8 Apr 26 Sep 14 Apr 11 Apr 16 Jan 1 Apr 8 Feb 5 Jan 11 Aug 25 Nov 6 Mar 13 Apr 2 Apr 9 Aug 28 Oct 9 Jan 22 May 1 Mar 5 Dec 8 Mar 26

A 41 35 32 37 44 59 40 58 56 58 60 72 63 65 69 78 74 67 81 85 108 113

Pts 70 62 60 58 56 51 50 46 43 42 40 40 40 39 35 34 33 30 28 28 22 17 Result Drew 1-1 Won 3-1 Lost 0-1 Drew 2-2 Lost 1-3 Lost 0-1 Lost 0-2 Lost 1-3 Drew 1-1 Lost 0-2 Drew 0-0 Lost 0-5 Won 1-0 Won 4-0 Won 1-0 Lost 0-2 Lost 0-2 Won 2-1 Lost 1-3 Lost 3-4 Lost 0-4

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

Season 1976-77 FA CUP Sep 4 Preliminary Round FA TROPHY Oct 30 1st Round Nov 27 2nd Round Dec 18 3rd Round CHESHIRE LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP Sep 7 1st Round LIVERPOOL NON-LEAGUE CUP Nov 21 1st Round Feb 12 Semi Final May 10 Final Player Ball Caine, Dave Culley, Carl Doherty, A (Tony) Doherty, W (Billy) Doyle Duffy, A (Tony) Flexen, Micky Grice, Kevin Hughes, Tommy Jaycock, W (Billy) Lacey, Tony Ledsham, Colin Lowe, Barry Nicholson Pascoe, Bobby Prescott Quigley Reason, R (Bobby) Redmond, Larry Satchwell Saunders Sharrock, Tony Tickle, Steve Tym, Kenny Wheeldon, Tommy Own goals Totals

Opponents Prescot Town

Venue Away

Lost

Score 1-4

Radcliffe Borough Ashton United Witton Albion

Away Away Away

Won Won Lost

1-0 2-0 0-1

BURSCOUGH

Home

Lost

1-4

Skelmersdale United NEW BRIGHTON Marine

Away Home Away

Won Won Lost

3-2 1-0 2-3

App 2 13 17 22 5 7 37 39 27 24 21 2 1 21 2 1 1 23 22 1 41 1 31 8

Prov 4 2 2 19 3 2 11 9 18 15 10 20 17 21 8 16 4

Pld Sub 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 -

Total 6 16 19 42 8 10 48 48 45 39 32 2 1 41 1 2 1 2 40 46 1 1 49 1 47 12

369

181

560

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

Goals 2 9 4

17 15 1 5 1

1 1 1 62

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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

Club News St Helens Town team up with Bizspace St Helens Town are delighted to announce Bizspace as new shirt sponsors for the Under 18’s and U21’s teams. The Under 18’s team will be operating in the prestigious North West Youth Alliance League and the newly formed U21’s will play in the Cheshire League U21s League during season 2014-15. The sponsorship deal will see the Bizspace branding adorn the front of both playing kits and will also see the company receive advertising space in the club’s award winning match programme and on the official Town website. Bizspace offer a comprehensive range of business accommodation – from industrial units, workshops and storage units to studios and offices. Recognising that not all businesses need a permanent physical space, they also provide co-working space, meeting rooms, mailboxes and virtual offices. And for property owners looking to outsource management and maintenance, Bizspace also offer property management services. Bizspace have been providing business space for over 10 years, growing from one site in 2000 to over 100 sites nationwide. These are a mixture of business centres, industrial estates and business parks. Most locations benefit from a dedicated centre manager and team of staff; a reception area open 9am – 5pm; extended/24 hour customer access; security and CCTV; free, secure parking. Club Chairman John McKiernan said, ‘I am delighted to welcome Bizspace to the club and their valuable sponsorship and support is another welcome boost as we continue to develop our provision across a number of age ranges. ‘Bizspace are a national company with a local presence at Bold Business Centre, St Helens and Millfield Business Park, Haydock as well as a facilities in Warrington, Liverpool and Manchester.’

He added, ‘We look forward to working with Bizspace throughout next season and beyond.’

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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Pre-season Action

Pre-season Friendly 2014-15 Action from St Helens Town v Onside Academy

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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

Head 2 Head Results

0-4

1-2

Runcorn Linnets

Nelson

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

Bootle

Colne

2-0

1-1

Congleton Town

0-6

Glossop NE

x 2-0 x

Maine Road

1-1

Runcorn Town

3-0

Silsden

1-1

Squires Gate

1-2

St Helens Town

3-2

2-3

Stockport Sports

2-4

WD&C

x 3-0 x

Winsford Utd

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

Tea Break Teasers Q1. Who is La Liga’s all time top goal scorer? Q2. Which five nations is Manchester United’s Adnan Januzaj eligible for? Q3. In which year were Wigan Athletic founded?

Q4. In which season were Premier League clubs first allowed to name seven substitutes? Q5. Singer Julio Iglesias played in goal for which club before his took up music on a full time basis? Q6. Which Premier League player’s full name is Jose Paulo Bezerra Maciel Junior? Q7. Which team play their home matches at Highbury Stadium? (Clue I have watched St Helens Town win there!) Q8. With which club did Ian Rush make his Football League debut as a 17 year old? Q9. Who scored the 10,000th Premier League goal? Q10. Who was the first player in history to win 100 full international caps for his country? Q11. Which Serie A team are nicknamed the “Flying Donkeys”?

Q12. Which club had Frank Lampard played against the most times in all competitions without ever scoring against them? Q13. Who scored both AC Milan’s goals in the 2007 Champions League Final against Liverpool? Q14. What World Cup record was set and still stands from the Peru Vs Romania game in 1930? Q15. Craig Brown is Scotland’s longest serving manager. How many games was he in charge of the national team for?

1) Telmo Zarra (252) 2) Albania, Belgium, Kosovo, Serbia & Turkey 3) 1932 4) 2008/9 5) Real Madrid 6) Paulinho 7) Fleetwood Town 8) Chester City 9) Les Ferdinand 10) Billy Wright (England) 11) Chievo 12) Chelsea (10) 13) Filippo Inzaghi 14) Lowest Attendance, officially 2459 but thought to be as low as 300) 15) 71

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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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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

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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Grow the Game Funding helps St Helens Town Football Club Grow the Game Grassroots football in St Helens has been given a helping hand following a £3,000 Grow the Game grant, from thea Football Foundation, the country’s largest sports charity. The grant will allow St Helens Town Football Club to expand the number of senior teams competing over the next two seasons, by supporting some of the operating costs as well as providing FA coaching courses for club staff. The Premier League and The FA fund the Grow the Game scheme with £1.5m, which is delivered by the Football Foundation, the nation’s largest sports charity. The scheme is designed to increase participation in our national game by helping clubs to meet the essential costs of starting new teams.

The key strength of Grow the Game is that its participation increases are sustainable rather than transient. Its grants create a solid infrastructure of teams and newly-trained coaches in which new people can start playing the sport, rather than simply providing temporary activity sessions, which are then vulnerable to drops in participation once the programme ends.

This year sees a particular emphasis placed on increasing the number of teams and players from the Under-15 age bracket and above, to address the decline in participation that has traditionally occurred as young people leave school and college. The other key focus is on growing the numbers of girls’, women’s and disability teams. John McKiernan, Club Chairman, said: “We’re delighted to be awarded the Grow the Game funding and it will ensure the club is able to provide additional opportunities for player participation. Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “Grow the Game has become one of the Foundation’s most popular schemes. This additional funding provided by the Premier League and The FA is excellent news for grassroots clubs seeking to start new teams and get their volunteer coaches qualified with FA coaching badges. “Congratulations to St Helens Town Football Club for working with the Liverpool County FA to secure their £3,000 Grow the Game grant which will increase participation in the region as well as support football development in the area.”

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

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

Match Report Another win for Town Tuesday 5th August 2014 St Helens Town 3-0 AFC Blackpool St. Helens Town won their second game of the season on Tuesday night with a comfortable 3-0 home victory over AFC Blackpool, fielding virtually the same team which had won at Maine Road, with Paul Cook-Hannah coming in at centreforward in place of Chad Whyte, who was on holiday. The first half performance was every bit as good as it had been on Saturday, with Town going 2 -0 up before 30 minutes had elapsed. They were dominant in the opening half, the young forwards Tom Lightbody, Marcus Parry and James Rushton-Woods running the Blackpool defence ragged. The opening goal came after 10 minutes, Cook-Hannah surging forward towards the goal-line, before passing back to the young midfield play-maker Jack McKay who found Aaron Morris unmarked on the left post and the former Ashton United centre back scored off the far post for his second goal in as many games. Rushton-Woods burst forward in the 25th minute and just beat ‘keeper Caunce to the high ball, before laying it across the open goal but Cook-Hannah just failed to connect with the goal at his mercy. The second goal was not long coming as, within four minutes, CookHannah jumped for the ball and headed on to Lightbody who drew the goalkeeper and finished well. AFC Blackpool tried to make a fight of it and Chris Brinksman pulled off two fine saves from long-distance efforts to preserve the two goal cushion but Town could have gone three up before half-time as CookHannah and Lightbody again combined, only for Lightbody’s effort to sail over the visitors’ bar. Lewis Saunders was narrowly wide with a wellhit shot and as the interval whistle blew, Morris headed just wide from Rushton-Woods’ cross. The second half saw the visitors in the ascendency and Town’s midfield struggled for long spells to control the Blackpool passing. Singleton should have scored after the big forward went through Morris, but he pulled his shot across the open goal on 55 minutes, but despite wave after wave of attacks, the home back four remained impregnable. With 15 minutes left, Town moved forward for the killer goal. Lightbody beat Caunce to a poor defensive backpass but Morris could not find the target, then Cook-Hannah narrowly missed from a quick pass across goal before leaving the field to be replaced by Karl Bergqvist. The victory was made safe in some style when Lightbody broke from inside his own half, surging forward before placing a ball across keeper Caunce for Parry to slot home comfortably. With a little more luck, McKay could have added a fourth just before the final whistle. Two wins from as many games will have instilled much confidence in the young Town side, who take on Alsager at home on Saturday and last season’s leading scorer Andy Gillespie will be looking to return from serious head injuries sustained on Easter Monday in Wednesday’s trip to Bacup. Glyn Jones

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

Town v AFC Blackpool

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

Match Photos

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Tuesday 5th August 2014 Action from Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 3-0 victory over AFC Blackpool last Tuesday evening

St Helens Town 3-0 AFC Blackpool Scorers: Aaron Morris, Tom Lightbody & 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

Premier Division Premier Division Table as at Wednesday 6th August 2014 Premier Division 1 2

Glossop North End Silsden

P W D

A GD Pts

2 2

0 0

8 7

6 6

Tuesday 5th August 2014 Premier Division 1874 Northwich

A-A Bootle

Abbey Hey

2-3 Stockport Sports

Barnoldswick T

0-4 Silsden

Colne

1-0 Bacup & R Boro

West Didsbury & Chorlton

St Helens Town

Runcorn Linnets

Squires Gate

Runcorn Town

AFC Liverpool

West Didsbury & 3-0 Winsford Utd Chorlton First Division

1874 Northwich

Ashton Town

4-2 Holker Old Boys

Atherton LR

2-2 AFC Darwen

Chadderton

1-4 Rochdale Town

Irlam

1-1 Cammell Laird

Congleton Town 1-2 Runcorn Linnets Glossop North E 2-0 Maine Road Squires Gate

3-0 Nelson

St Helens Town 3-0 AFC Blackpool

Stockport Sports

Winsford United

-1

Colne

-1

Ashton Athletic

Bootle

Congleton Town

-1

Nelson

-3

Alsager Town

-2

Saturday 9th August 2014

Maine Road

-3

Premier Division

Abbey Hey

-4

Barnoldswick Town

-6

AFC Blackpool

-6

Bacup & Rossendale Borough

* points deducted for a breach of league rules

-7

Wednesday 6th August 2014 Premier Division AFC Liverpool

1-1 Ashton Athletic

First Division Hanley Town

3-1 Barnton

1874 Northwich

Barnoldswick T

Abbey Hey

Runcorn Linnets

AFC Liverpool

Nelson

Colne

Bootle

Congleton Town v

Silsden

Glossop North E v

AFC Blackpool

Runcorn Town

Bacup & R Boro

Squires Gate

Maine Road

St Helens Town v

Alsager Town

Stockport Sports v

Winsford United

West Didsbury & v Chorlton

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

Executive Programme Sponsor

League Division 1 Division One Table as at Wednesday 6th August 2014 Division One

A GD Pts

Atherton Collieries

Rochdale Town

AFC Darwen

Atherton LR

Ashton Town

Eccleshall

Cheadle Town

Hanley Town

Barnton

-1

Chadderton

-2

11 Wigan Robin Park

-3

12 Cammell Laird 1907

-1

Irlam

-3

Northwich Flixton Villa

15 Litherland REMYCA

-1

Daisy Hill

-1

Oldham Boro

-1

Widnes

-1

Holker Old Boys

-3

* points deducted for a breach of league rules

Executive Programme Sponsor

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