THE MARKSMAN Official match day programme of St Helens Town AFC
Saturday 28th August 2021, KO 3.00pm Charity Partner 2017-18
St Helens Town v Daisy Hill
TALK OF THE TOWN Good Afternoon and welcome to Ruskin Drive for this North West Counties League, First Division North contest. I would like to open by welcoming our friends and visitors from Daisy Hill, I hope they enjoy the short time they will spend with us and have a safe journey home after the game. It’s been 10 days since we last convened here at Ruskin Drive to take on AFC Blackpool as we looked to bounce back from the defeat at Cleator Moor Celtic. As it was whilst the result was not a positive one for Town the performance was much improved. Several of the players who were unavailable for various reasons from the 300+ mile round trip on the previous Saturday were back involved and as such the squad was strengthened for the visit of the team who had lead the league after the weekends round of games. Town started a game off slowly and again found themselves going a goal behind in the early stages of a contest and a second for Jacob Gregory just before the half hour mark gave the hosts a mountain to climb. Matters took a turn for the worse when the visitors added a third shortly after the restart but an encouraging period of play saw Neil Weaver pull on back with around 20 minutes to play and had Town taken one of a couple of golden chances to add a second AFC could have been rocked but as it was the score stayed the same and we had to draw on positives from the performance rather than the certainty of points on the board. We then took another of the longer trips in the division (albeit the round trip was less than a one way trip to Cleator Moor) as we ventured to a new venue, Marley Park to take on Steeton. This time Town were fast out of the blocks and
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took the lead for the first time this season when Tega Okeregha, put the ghost of his miss against Blackpool to bed firing past the home stopper and shortly afterwards he was denied in a similar situation by a good save. Town had plenty of possession for the remainder of the half but shy of the hosts nearly putting a dangerous left wing cross into their own net they couldn’t carve out good enough openings in the final third to add to their lead. The hosts came out after the interval with a flea in their collective ears and put together a spell of pressure that culminated with them levelling the contest and Town who had two days less to recover from their midweek match than the hosts looked a little tired as the second period wore on. Having said that with just over five minutes to play a quick counter attack saw Jamie Apperley sweep the ball into the net only to be denied a winner for Town by an offside flag which VAR would have had a field day with and both sides had to be content with a share of the spoils. Whilst it was nice to get another point on the board results elsewhere saw Town drop to the bottom of the table at this embryonic stage of the season. Daisy Hill have been inactive since last midweek when they hosted our visitors on Bank Holiday Monday, South Liverpool on Monday evening at New Sirs and fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat. Prior to that “The Cutters” had recorded a 2-1 win at AFC Darwen and a 33 draw here against Pilkington after being 3-1 down either side of losses at Garstang anf an opening day home defeat against Chadderton. Both sides will be looking to get a win on the board this afternoon prior to the quick turnaround with a full fixture list on Monday afternoon. Let’s get behind Town this afternoon and hopefully cheer them on to victory! Enjoy the game . . . Jeff Voller
GOLDLINE LOTTERY
CLUB INFORMATION
As you may be aware a few years ago St Helens Town Football Club joined forces with Bolton Wanderers Football Club as a Goldline lottery partner and throughout that time we have had great success with both our members winning prizes and raising monies for the Club.
Honorary Life President: Alan Wellens
Now as we start to get back to some kind of normality we are asking for supporters, family and friends to become Goldline members which will provide the club with a valuable source of income which will help us to achieve a bright future for the players, staff and supporters of the club. In addition, you will have the chance to win up to £1000 weekly, so we could all be winners! As a lottery partner, St Helens Town Football Club receives 70p of your £1 weekly subscription. Therefore if we could get 100 members that’s £70 per week or £3640 per year which would be fantastic for us! As a Goldline member you will receive your membership card which includes your membership number, 10 sets of Goldline draw numbers. Your 10 sets of Goldline draw numbers will be entered into the Goldline draw every weekday for your chance of winning. 1x £1000, 1 x £500, 3 X £250 and 25 X £25 every week! That’s a £2875 prize pot 52 weeks of the year! Goldline pays out over £149,500 in prizes every year to members. No claim is necessary. Prizes will be sent automatically by post. Club Representative John McKiernan said, “In the current climate as all sports look to recover from the impact of Covid-19 and it’s repercussions, this income raised through the Goldline Lottery is crucial to the our club. If people are able to give up £1 a week to enter then we think this is a 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 download the Goldline form from the club’s website, complete and return or email sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk for further details.
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Vice Presidents: Jim Barrett, Steve Ball and David Watkins Hon. Secretary: Jeff Voller (07843 692695) Treasurer: Debra Voller Committee: John McKiernan, Jeff Voller, James Barrett, Steve Ball, Andy Langley, David O`Keefe, Stephen Lingard, Ashish Prabhu, David Watkins, Debbie Voller, Stacey Savage, David Morris, William Bowman and David Platt. Playing Staff: 1st Team Manager: David W Platt 1st Team Assistant Manager: David Potter Cheshire League Reserve Team Manager: TBC Liverpool County Prem Reserves: Darren Peers Sunday Team Manager: David J Platt U21s Team Manager: Luke Diggle U18s Team Manager: David Morris U18s Development Team Manager: James Kelly U16s Manager: Ian Woods U15s Manager: Dave Morris U11s Manager: Ashley Stone Main Club Sponsor: Prabhu Ventures Limited 1st Team Kit Sponsor: Unite the Union, St Helens Charity Partner: St Helens Mind Legal: St Helens Town Limited Private Limited Company Company No. 04392840 Date of Incorporation 12.03.2002 Parent Company: A wholly owned subsidiary of Sporting Club St Helens Limited Company Director: Jim Barrett Ground: Ruskin Sports Village, Ruskin Drive, Denton’s Green, St Helens WA10 6RP Website: sthelenstownafc.com Twitter: @sthelenstownfc Facebook: facebook.com/StHelensTownAFC Instagram: sthelenstownafc
Reusch Cup St Helens Town 2-0 Daisy Hill Brocstedes Park, Ashton Athletic Saturday 5th November 2016
FROM THE MANAGER
one draw.
Hello and welcome to Ruskin Sports Village for our fourth home game of the month in what has been an extremely busy period for the club. Daisy Hill at the time of writing these notes sit 15th with one win and
Whilst we want to put in a good first half to the season and be looking up not down come the end of the season we also know that games like this are massive at this stage of the season whilst the table takes shape. Daisy made some decent signings in the summer with Jordan Cover signing having played a lot of football higher up the pyramid for Atherton Collieries. The last few weeks have saw us down to the bare bones within the squad due to injuries, holidays and suspensions but today see's a coupe return including midfielder Charlie McMahon who, sending off aside, has made a good start to life at St Helens Town.
With a creditable performance last Thursday against high flying Blackpool a very tired squad went to Steeton on Saturday and ground out a very good away draw. First half we were superb and scored a goal that could grace any level of football. Second half it was clear that two games in less than 48 hours had caught up with some of the lads and Steeton pushed hard but we showed great determination to hold on for the draw. Monday's game should see a couple more come back in and then we look to our longer term absentees and start planning for their return. Off the field the club continues to work hard on securing its future and are looking for committee members, coaches and match day volunteers. So if you or anyone you know wants to help build a community minded club then please do get in touch with any of our stewards or volunteers. I hope you enjoy the game
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Dave Platt
OUR VISITORS TO RUSKIN Situated one and a half miles south of Westhoughton town centre, four miles from Bolton and five miles from the Macron Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers, the village of Daisy Hill first saw football in season 1894-95 although it is possible that football was being played in the area for some years prior to that date. The first known honours for the club came in 1896-97 when the Wigan and District League Championship and the Westhoughton Cup were won without losing a match. The location of the clubs ground in those days is unknown but the present ground was used during the first world war period when the club played in the Leigh and District Senior Sunday School League. The club then joined the Westhoughton League and during the 1920's and 1930's won many honours in what was one of the strongest local leagues at the time. Little is known of the period leading up to the second world war but the club re-formed in 1951 playing in the Westhoughton League on the St. James Street Recreation Ground/Cricket Ground until the
landowner made an offer to the club to return to New Sirs in 1957. The acquisition of the lease was a major step forward and gave aspiration to move into the Bolton Combination and develop into one of the most formidable clubs in the area. Dressing rooms were erected at the ground for the start of the 1968/69 season whilst on the field the club won the Bolton Combination Premier Division on four occasions, the Bolton Combination Cup on four occasions and the Lancashire Amateur Shield twice during the 60's and 70's. In 1978 the Club was accepted into the Lancashire Football Combination and with the advent of the Non-League football pyramid and the subsequent amalgamation of the Lancashire Football Combination and the Cheshire County League the Club became a founder member of the North West Counties League giving them the opportunity to play in and bring national competition to the village. With the National League System requiring clubs to meet new standards for facilities, new dressing rooms and a clubhouse for social activities were erected at New Sirs in 1982. Since then improvement of the clubs facilities has been ongoing and for the 2005-2006 season a floodlighting system has been installed which has allowed the club to remain in the National League System and return to National and County competitions. The club also comprises an U/18's Youth Team playing in the North West Youth Alliance and a
Action from Town v Daisy Hill Saturday 13/10/2018 Ruskin Sports Village NWCFL First Division North
thriving junior section playing in the Bolton, Bury and District Junior Football League. Notable players include: Dick Pollard and Billy Farrimond, both of whom went on to play cricket for
Lancashire and England, Alf Watkinson, grandfather of the former Lancashire Cricket Club Captain Mike Watkinson went on to sign for Blackpool. ( Mike himself had the odd game for the club). Sam Marsh (Bolton Wanderers and Bury), Alf Gray (Torquay United and Lincoln City), Greg Strong (Motherwell) and Danny Williams (Inverness Caledonian Thistle) began their careers in senior or junior football at Daisy Hill Football Club. Other notable people / sportspersons born in Westhoughton who may or may not have been associated with the club: Ethel Johnson (Great Britain Olympic Athlete), Joe Bromilow (American Olympic Athlete), Jack Bruton (Blackburn Rover, Burnley, Bournemouth and England). Joe Clare (Accrington Stanley, Norwich City and Lincoln City). Tommy Woodward (Bolton Wanderers and Middlesborough), Francis Lee (Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City, Derby County and England) and Robert Shaw (Actor).
Action from Town 2-0 Daisy Hill at Brocstedes Park (Ashton Athletic) Reusch Cup, 5th November 2016
Season League 2006-07 NWC-2 2007-08 NWC-2 2008-09 NWC-1 2009-10 NWC-1 2010-11 NWC-1 2011-12 NWC-1 2012-13 NWC-1 2013-14 NWC-1 2014-15 NWC-1 2015-16 NWC-1 2016-17 NWC-1 2017-18 NWC-1 2018-19 NWC-1N 2019-20 NWC-1N 2020-21 NWC-1N Charity Partner 2017-18
P 34 34 34 32 34 34 34 36 36 34 42 42 38 31 5
W 7 2 6 12 6 12 7 6 15 12 14 8 6 11 1
D 8 5 4 7 8 5 6 4 7 6 7 7 7 5 0
L 19 27 24 13 20 17 21 26 14 16 21 27 25 15 4
F 38 28 39 55 47 59 55 43 57 56 82 49 58 63 7
A 78 86 101 60 90 67 81 103 68 72 111 108 124 86 18
GD -40 -58 -62 -5 -43 -8 -26 -60 -11 -16 -29 -59 -66 -23 -11
Pts 29 11 22 43 26 41 27 22 52 42 49 31 25 38 3
Position 15/18 18/18 17/18 11/17 14/18 12/18 16/18 18/19 8/19 12/18 16/22 21/22 19/20 11/20 18/19
Season 2021-22
HOW DO WE COMPARE? St Helens Town - last 6 matches All Competitions
at St Helens Town
Previous Meetings
at Daisy Hill
NWC-D1
2006-07
NWC-D2
Most recent
Home
D
L
L
D
L
L
NWC-D1
2007-08
NWC-D2
Away
D
L
L
D
L
D
NWC-PD
2008-09
NWC-D1
Collated
L
L
D
L
L
D
NWC-PD
2009-10
NWC-D1
NWC-PD
2010-11
NWC-D1
NWC-PD
2011-12
NWC-D1
NWC-PD
2012-13
NWC-D1
NWC-PD
2013-14
NWC-D1
NWC-PD
2014-15
NWC-D1
21/11; 2-6
2015-16
31/10; 2-1
04/02: 4-2
2016-17
17/09; 2-2
09/12; 1-3
2017-18
30/09; 4-3
13/10; 4-2
2018-19
24/11; 5-0
25/01; 3-8
2019-20
10/08; 1-2
Daisy Hill - last 6 matches All Competitions
Most recent
Home
L
L
L
L
L
L
Away
L
L
L
W
D
W
Collated
W
L
D
L
W
L
St Helens Town games since...
Daisy Hill games since...
All Competitions
All Competitions
2020-21 2021-22
28/08/2021
TBC
Clean sheet
27
Clean sheet
21
Goal Scored
0
Goal Scored
0
Loss
1
Loss
0
No score draw
40
No score draw
39
Daisy Hill Wins
4
St Helens Town Goals
28
Daisy Hill Goals
29
Percentage Town Wins
50.00
Score draw
0
Score draw
3
Win
20
Win
1
St Helens Town Scores First Games Played
10
St Helens Town Wins
5
Draws
1
Previous Meetings P
W
D
L
F
A
GD
Win %
Home League
5
2
0
3
14
21
-7
40.00
Away League
5
3
1
1
14
8
6
60.00
Home Cup
2
1
1
0
5
3
2
50.00
Away Cup
1
1
0
0
5
0
5
100.00
Collated
13
7
2
4
38
31
6
53.85
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BRIEF HISTORY OF TOWN The original St. Helens Town club was formed in 1901 and played at Park Road, behind the Primrose Vaults public house. Although it was known as the Primrose Ground, the players changed further down Park Road at the Black Horse pub. Playing in the Lancashire League and Lancashire Combination, the team enjoyed some early success, but struggled after the Great War and appears to have folded midway through the 1928/29 season. The club was re-formed by George Fryer and a group of local businessmen in 1946. They took out a lease of the former cricket ground at Hoghton Road, Sutton, adjacent to the St. Helens Junction railway station and, although it entered in the FA Cup in the 1946/47 season, a team could not be raised in time to fulfil its tie with Prescot Cables. Friendly games were played, then local team Derbyshire Hill Rovers were taken over in April 1947, those players forming the nucleus of the team which entered the Liverpool County Combination at the start of the 1947/48 season. St. Helens Town soon began to prosper and early results included a sensational 10-4 win over Everton “A” on 6th December 1947. Former German prisoner-of-war Bert Trautmann joined the club in the Summer of 1948, the strapping goalkeeper helping the team to win its first trophy, the George Mahon Cup, which was secured with a 2-1 win over Runcorn at Prescot on 7th May 1949. Crowds averaged over 2000
that season, peaking with a league record attendance of 3012 against Burscough in October 1948. The following season, 1949/50, Town entered the Lancashire Combination and, despite losing Trautmann to Manchester City in October 1949, they won the Second Division title in some style the following season, three players, Albert Leadbetter (36), Harry McCann (32) and Terry Garner (31) all netting over 30 goals apiece. An all-time club record attendance of “between 8000 and 9000” witnessed a friendly game against Manchester City, arranged as part of the Trautmann transfer deal, in April 1950 and another 4000 witnessed a second match with City the following season. Although relegated by a slender margin from the First Division in 1951/52, the club continued to look forward, even contemplating Football League status and, in order
to further its ambitions, moved to the former St. Helens Recs. rugby league ground at City Road. Initial crowds were encouraging but, despite success, the club decided to move back to Hoghton Road in October 1953, where they remained until April 2000. Town produced a number of fine players who joined Football League clubs, including Bill Foulkes (Manchester United), John Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday) and John Connelly who joined Burnley, later transferring to Manchester United and who played in the England 1966 World Cup winning squad. More recently, Dave Bamber scored goals in all four divisions of the league with a host of different clubs, starting and ending his league career at Blackpool and in more recent times, Karl Ledsham, who had a productive career at conference level with Southport, Lincoln City, Barrow and Stockport County before moving to the USA. Following a second relegation in 1956, St. Helens Town continued to play in the Lancashire Combination, winning the Championship in 1971/72, by nine points ahead of Accrington Stanley. However, the formation of the Northern Premier League in 1968 led to a gradual drain of stronger clubs from the Combination and St. Helens joined the Cheshire League in 1975, becoming founder members of the North West Counties League seven years later. They held the proud record of being the only club to play in the NW Counties’ top flight every season until they were relegated in April 2015, conceding an injury-time equaliser to Silsden in the last game of the season, a match they had to win to stay up. Town enjoyed a golden era in the late 1980s, just missing out on an appearance in the First Round proper of the FA Cup in 1985/86, losing to Morecambe in a Fourth Qualifying Round Replay, but they obtained ample compensation by winning the FA Vase at Wembley in 1987, beating near neighbours Warrington Town 3-2, with two goals from Phil Layhe and one from Brian Rigby. They were regular promotion candidates for many years, largely due to the scoring exploits of Steve “Pellet” Pennington, who grabbed 216
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goals in 351 games, his season’s best hauls of 45 in 1993/94 and 46 in 1997/98 just failing to beat the club record of 47 scored by Phil Stainton in 1963/64. Former club captain Andy Gillespie won the NW Counties’ golden boot with 34 goals in the 2015/16 season and netted another 24 times the following season. Town moved from Hoghton Road in 2000 and ground-shared with Saints Rugby League club pending an intended move to their new
stadium, which took many years longer than anticipated and finally moved out of Knowsley Road when it closed in September 2010. Plans for the move were shelved following a disagreement and Town went on a nomadic existence, playing out of town at Ashton Town, Ashton Athletic, Prescot Cables and odd games at Atherton Collieries, before St. Helens Council redeveloped the Ruskin Drive multi-sports complex and St. Helens Town moved back home there in August 2017, playing on an artificial 3G surface. On the playing front the 21st April 2015 saw Town’s ever-present status in the NWCFL top flight end with relegation to Division One. A 1-1 draw a home to Silsden sealed their fate in a season when all three bottom clubs were relegated. 2021-22 sees Town in their eighth season at Step 6, now the NWCFL First Division North, aiming to put behind themselves a number of seasons of inconsistent performances. Under the stewardship of manager Dave Platt and assistant Dave Potter the club will be looking towards regaining their competitive edge.
LEAGUE TABLES & FIXTURES First Division North
P
W
D
L
F
A
GD
Pts
1
Golcar United
6
5
1
0
18
10
8
16
2
Bury AFC
6
4
2
0
15
8
7
14
3
AFC Blackpool
6
4
1
1
18
8
10
13
4
Pilkington
6
4
1
1
14
12
2
13
5
Chadderton
6
4
0
2
14
11
3
12
6
Holker Old Boys
5
3
1
1
8
8
0
10
7
Bacup Borough
6
2
3
1
13
10
3
9
8
Ashton Town
6
3
0
3
15
13
2
9
9
South Liverpool
6
2
2
2
13
13
0
8
10
Garstang
5
2
1
2
13
13
0
7
11
Atherton LR
5
2
0
3
13
13
0
6
12
AFC Darwen
6
2
0
4
7
15
-8
6
13
Cleator Moor Celtic
5
1
2
2
16
12
4
5
14
Nelson
6
1
2
3
13
14
-1
5
15
Daisy Hill
5
1
1
3
7
11
-4
4
16
Campion
4
1
0
3
8
9
-1
3
17
Ilkley Town
6
1
0
5
12
15
-3
3
18
Steeton
5
0
3
2
8
12
-4
3
19
St Helens Town
6
0
2
4
7
25
-18
2
League table up to and including Wednesday 25th August 2021 Saturday 28th August 2021 North West Counties Football League First Division North Fixtures AFC Darwen v Pilkington Atherton LR v Campion Golcar United v Cleator Moor Celtic Holker Old Boys v Bacup Borough Nelson v Garstang South Liverpool v Ilkley Town St Helens Town v Daisy Hill Steeton v AFC Blackpool
WEC Group Anchor Ground Crilly Park Skye Direct Stadium The Handmark Engineering Stadium Little Wembley Jericho Lane Ruskin Sports Village Marley Stadium
LEAGUE NEWS Bury moved a point clear at the top whilst Pilkington’s win took them up to fourth. Ilkley Town recorded their first win in the NWCFL which lifted them off the bottom, to be replaced by St Helens Town. AFC Blackpool lost top spot by way of a 3-2 defeat at Bacup Borough. Despite going a goal behind, Bacup took control of the game, ultimately going into a 3-1 lead, even being pulled back to 3-2 did not seem to worry them too much on the day as Brent Peters side recorded a fine win. Bury took advantage of AFC Blackpool’s defeat by taking an important point at Cleator Moor Celtic, all the more impressive given Cleator Moor’s recent good form. It was only a point but it was enough to take them to the summit. South Liverpool hosted Nelson at Jericho Lane and both sides had to be content with a point. Paul Bathgate put South ahead on six minutes with a cracking volley, however the home side were always susceptible at the back and in a good period of possession in the second half, The Admirals took the lead courtesy of goals from Sylan Meredith and Jack Holt. South grabbed a point at the death though courtesy of a late goal from Stephen Doyle. Ashton Town’s good run of recent form came to an abrupt halt yesterday as they were beaten 2-3 at home by Holker Old Boys. Chadderton also took a defeat yesterday, going down 2-1 at Pilkington. At the foot of the table, Steeton and St Helens Town cancelled each other out over at Marley. St Helens went ahead as early as five minutes courtesy of a goal from Oghenetega Okeregha, only for that lead to be cancelled out by an owngoal in the second half. The result sees St Helens Town drop to the bottom of the pile and leaves Steeton still too close to the bottom for comfort. Ilkley Town had a good day yesterday, they got their first NWCFL win in some style with a superb 6-0 win over AFC Darwen. Goals coming from James Hughes, Niccolas Hewitt, Kevin Gonzalez Mele and a hat-trick from Thomas Smith. That win lifted them off the bottom and gets them up and running. In Division One South, Sandbach United and New Mills continue to lead the way following good wins whilst the likes of West Didsbury, Abbey Hey and Wythenshawe Amateurs keep the pressure on. Stockport Town got the biggest win of the day
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putting six past Rocester without reply. It was a good day for the away sides with eight of the nine games being won by the sides on the road. The other game being drawn, that one involved the side who travelled by boat! Sandbach United remain top courtesy of their 12 win at Maine Road. They had to come from behind to secure the points though as they had been behind via a Reece Lyndon goal on 48 minutes. However, goals from Declan O’Riordan and Stephen Jones gave Sandbach the win. Abbey Hey won The Abbey Derby with a 1-3 win away at Abbey Hulton United, a couple of goals from Tom Murray helping secure the three points. New Mills kept the pressure on Sandbach by way of a solid 2-5 win at Barnton. That win was never really in doubt as an impressive performance which included a couple of goals from Joe Bevan aided by goals from Jake Pollard, Harry Norris and Ricky Tindall. West Didsbury & Chorlton clocked up a decent 03 win at Stafford Town, not an easy feat as Stafford have been decent at home this season. Brocton also put paid to a decent home record as they saw off Ellesmere Rangers by the same 0-3 score-line. Stockport Town showed what they were made of following a couple of inconsistent result of late by beating Rocester 0-6. They were in control throughout in the game which saw Max Dickov bag a brace. Cammell Laird followed up their 4-1 midweek win over St Martins with a 2-1 win at Eccleshall. Wythenshawe Amateurs were also tidy on the road, recording a 0-2 win at neighbours, Cheadle Town. Dominic Lillie and Eddie Brown netting the goals. The other game of the day saw a novelty – a non away winner! FC Isle of Man travelled to Cheadle Heath Nomads and recorded a 2-2 draw. The Ravens were quite unlucky on the day as they were 2-1 ahead until two minutes into stoppage time when Kyle Foley rescued a point – and inadvertently avoided a full house for away sides!
Season 2021-22 Fixtures, Facts and F Comp
KO
Result
GK
2
3
4
JUL 31
Date
Opponents ATHERTON LR
NWCFL
3.00
2-5L
5
Wolland
Brown
Apperley
Kamara
Keenan
Mc
Aug 04
Garstang
NWCFL
7.45
2-2D
McDaid
Brown
Cliff
Keenan
Luke Diggle
Mc
AUG 07
PILKINGTON
NWCFL
3.00
1-4L
Wolland Luke Diggle Robinson
Kamara
Keenan
Mc
Aug 14
Cleator Moor Celtic
NWCFL
3.00
10-0L
Wolland Robinson De-Andrade
Keenan
Luke Diggle
M
AUG 19
AFC BLACKPOOL
NWCFL
7.45
1-3L
McDaid
Kamara
Atkinson
M
1-1D
Wolland Robinson De-Andrade Atkinson
Colford
M
Aug 21
Steeton
NWCFL
3.00
AUG 28
DAISY HILL
NWCFL
3.00
AUG 30
SOUTH LIVERPOOL
NWCFL
3.00
Sep 04
Nelson
NWCFL
3.00
SEP 09
ASHTON TOWN
NWCFL
7.45
SEP 11
CHEALDE HEATH NOM’
FAV 1QR 3.00
Sep 18
Ilkley Town
NWCFL
3.00
SEP 25
HOLKER OLD BOYS
NWCFL
3.00
OCT 02
BACUP BOROUGH
NWCFL
3.00
Oct 09
Chadderton
NWCFL
3.00
OCT 16
BURY AFC
NWCFL
3.00
Oct 23
Campion
NWCFL
3.00
Oct 30
Golcar United
NWCFL
3.00
NOV 06
AFC DARWEN
NWCFL
3.00
Nov 20
NWCFL
3.00
NOV 27
NWCFL
3.00
Dec 04
NWCFL
3.00
Dec 11
NWCFL
3.00
DEC 18
NWCFL
3.00
Dec 28
NWCFL
3.00
Jan 08
NWCFL
3.00
JAN 22
NWCFL
3.00
Jan 29
NWCFL
3.00
FEB 05
NWCFL
3.00
FEB 12
NWCFL
3.00
Feb 19
NWCFL
3.00
FEB 26
NWCFL
3.00
MAR 05
NWCFL
3.00
Mar 12
NWCFL
3.00
MAR 19
NWCFL
3.00
Mar 26
NWCFL
3.00
Apr 02
NWCFL
3.00
Robinson
Clegg
Figures . . . 6
7
8
9
10
11
12
14
Cliff2
Colford8
15
16
17
cMahon
Clegg
Devlin
Liam Diggle1
Hughes
Douglas1
McHugh
Rugg
cMahon
Hughes1
Devlin
Liam Diggle1
Weaver
Apperley De-Andrade
McHugh3
Clegg8
Morgan10
Rugg
cMahon
Hughes
Devlin
Liam Diggle
Weaver1
Apperley De-Andrade2
Colford
Clegg10
McHugh8
Rugg
Tyrer5
Okeregha9
McHugh
Clegg
Hughes
Uppal
Weaver
Apperley
Bigoude4
Morgan
Devlin
McHugh
Okeregha
Weaver1
Apperley
Colford6
McHugh
Apperley
Clegg
Okeregha1
Weaver
Tyrer
Platt
Luke
Diggle4
De-Andrade8 Zeinalighaleh9 Holt9
Uppal11
McDaid
Name1
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
St Helens Town AFC Reserves Kit Sponsors 2021-22 Charity Partner 2017-18
Platt Wolland
NWCFL LEAGUE NEWS Emirates FA First Qualifying Round Mon 23rd August 2021 | Emirates FA Cup | By Martin Fallon Emirates FA Cup FC The draw for the First Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup have been released by the FA this lunchtime. Ties involving our sides are as follows: BARNOLDSWICK TOWN v Pontefract Collieries CHARNOCK RICHARD v Prescot Cables Radcliffe v SKELMERSDALE UNITED SQUIRES GATE v North Shields Ties to be played on Saturday, September 4. Winners receive £2,250, losers receive £750 ANALYSIS It's not a bad draw for our remaining sides in the competition. Barnoldswick Town receive a home tie for the third successive round, and after scoring eleven in their last two wins, a home tie with Pontefract Collieries won't phase them. Pontefract lost their league opener last Saturday before a midweek win at Pickering was followed by a 1-0 with at Goole on Saturday in the Cup. Similarly after knocking out Macclesfield on Saturday, Squires Gate will feel confident of a result against North Shields. The former FA Vase winners have made a good start to the season with five wins and two draws from seven games, but the majority of those have been at home. They have played just once on the road, a 3-0 win at mid table Penrith, and they won't fancy a trip to Blackpool. The other side through is Skelmersdale United who had a famous FA Cup run last season that they are looking to emulate. They travel to Radcliffe who have had a bye in the last round of the FA Cup, but they haven't got off to the best of starts with two losses and a draw from their opening three league games. Its a repeat of the 2006 meeting in the same round, which Skelmersdale won 2-1.
And finally Charnock Richard entertain Prescot Cables having beat Eccleshill United in their replay. Prescot hit a late winner to beat Campion 3-2 on Saturday in the FA Cup, and that was their first win of the season after losing their opening two matches in the Northern Premier League. Atherton LR are looking to recruit a Club Secretary Mon 23rd August 2021 | Atherton LR | By Gary Langley Atherton LR FC Division One North club Atherton Laburnum Rovers are looking to recruit a Club Secretary. The secretary is one of the most important roles in a club or league. The main point of contact for a County FA, team managers and clubs/leagues, the secretary will look after the administrative duties for the club and ideally an understanding of football in and around the Atherton area. Generally, you’d need to have excellent organisational and communication skills. The main purpose of this job is that of principal administrator for the club. The club secretary carries out or delegates all the administrative duties that enable the club and its members to function effectively. The club secretary is a pivotal role within the club, with a close involvement in the general running of the club. The secretary and their assistant provide the main point of contact for people within and outside the club on just about every aspect of the club’s activities. The Club Secretary is a vital role at any club and at a club the size of LR it is important to have a key figure at the club who has their wits about them. Experience is preferred in this role although training can be given. However, we would encourage anyone interested to research the role before expressing an interest. Anyone interested should contact lynchy63@live.co.uk for an informal chat. Division One review Sun 22nd August 2021 | Match Reviews | By Gary Langley There was a packed programme of Division One games yesterday and some significant results affecting both Divisions. In Division One North,
NWCFL LEAGUE NEWS Luke Evans wins FA Red Rose Award Sat 21st August 2021 | Squires Gate | By Gary Langley
no doubt that without Luke's massive contribution that Squires Gate would not have survived the pandemic and we are all immensely proud and grateful for his magnificent efforts over the last 12 months”.
Squires Gate manager Luke Evans wins FA Red Rose Award - reports Jay Hayden
Latest League Milestones Update Tue 24th August 2021 | Statistics | By Kevin Lawton
Squires Gate manager Luke Evans has received a ‘Red Rose Award’ from the Lancashire FA this weekend, rewarding him for all his work he has undertaken at the club over the last 18 months. Anonymously nominated, Evans was one of 16 people to win the award, and was credited to “single handily keeping Squires Gate going throughout the pandemic”. The award credits ‘ordinary people who have done extraordinary things’, and that is exactly what Evans has done at Squires Gate off the pitch over the last year and a half. As well as his demanding duties of first team manager, he has helped prepare for the return of football after the first lockdown by installing sanitising stations and other social distancing measures. Evans negotiated several sponsorship and commercial deals, giving the club much needed income in difficult Financial Times, as well as installing the sponsorship boards around the ground himself. The dressing rooms at the ground were also improved by Luke, as he installed new pods, artificial turf, canvas images of the playing squad, motivational phrases and a fresh lick of paint. He even temporarily took on the role of groundsman when Gate’s usual man in charge of maintaining the pitch had to self isolate. As well as this, Luke has been able to massively help the community by organising and running Easter and Summer football camps at the ground for local children to come in with professional coaches to learn the skills of the game. He also ran frequent one-to-one sessions with players in the off season to maintain fitness and sharpness levels. The work Luke has done at Squires Gate over the last 18 months has been huge, with the last line from the nominator putting it perfectly: “There is
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A few teams hit milestones this week. Firstly, overall stats, Abbey Hey scored their 1300th goal in their 3-1 win at Abbey Hulton, Ashton Athletic scored their 1050th in the home defeat to Vauxhall Motors, Litherland REMYC conceded their 400th goal in the home defeat to Congleton and Stockport Town scored their 400th in their win at Rocester. St Martins conceded their 100th home goal in the 2-2 Friday on night draw with Alsager Town, and a few AWAY milestones. AFC Darwen conceded their 500th goal at Ilkley Town and Eccleshall conceded their 700th in their midweek defeat at Ellesmere Rangers. Finally, Skelmersdale scored their 750th away goal in their Tuesday night win at Charnock Richard. Goal Heroes Premier Division: No hat-tricks this week Division 1 North Andrew Briggs scored all three for Steeton in their 3-3 draw at Bacup Borough, Jamie White hit three of Ashton Town’s four at home to Pilkington, Leon Creech hit all three of AFC Darwen’s in the win at Garstang and Thomas Smith got three of Ilkley Town’s six as they beat AFC Darwen last Saturday. Nine hat-tricks so far in Division One North. Division 1 South Two hat tricks in the last week: Bobbie McDonnell with three for Sandbach Utd in their win at Alsager and Sam Heathcote with three for West Didsbury & Chorlton in the home win against Barnton. Four hat-tricks in the division so far.
HALF TIME QUIZ status, reached the Scottish Cup Final and then went into liquidation in 2008? They were reformed by their supporters trust and play in the Lowland League. Q12. Which three EFL clubs did Harry Kewell manage prior to his current role at Barnet? Q13. With which club did Newcastle manager Steve Bruce begin his managerial career? Q14. Which EFL club play their home matches at the Pirelli Stadium? Q15. Which former Premier League player and manager was the first £2m player in the world?
1) Crystal Palace (4 wins) 2) Nigel Martyn 3) Brentford Community Stadium 4) Germany (4 times) 5) James Milner 6) 22 7) Dave Jones (2003-4) Mick McCarthy (2009-12), Terry Connor (2012) & Nuno Espiritio Santo (2018-21) 8) Salford City 9) Ruud Gullit 10) Swindon, Barnsley & Blackpool 11) Gretna 12) Crawley Town, Notts County & Oldham Athletic 13) Sheffield United 14) Burton Albion 15) Mark Hughes
Q1. Which club has won the English second tier play-offs more than any other? Q2. Who became the first £1m Goalkeeper in British football in 1989 when he signed for Crystal Palace? Q3. What is Brenford’s new ground called? Q4. Which Nation has finished third the most times at World Cup Tournaments? Q5. Which active Premier League player has recorded the most assists since 1992/93? Q6. Which number did Birmingham City “retire” in honour of Jude Bellingham when he moved to Borussia Dortmund? Q7. Bruno Lage became the fifth person to manage Wolves in the Premier League this season can you name the previous four? Q8. Which League Two and former NWCL rivals has the nickname “Ammies”? Q9. Who was the first foreign manager to win the FA Cup? Q10. Prior to this term who are the only three teams to spend just one season in the Premier League? Q11. Which club joined the Scottish League in 2002 before quickly gaining Premier League
NWCFL Division One Daisy Hill 2-2 St Helens Town New Sirs Saturday 17th September 2016
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ST HELENS TOWN HONOURS 1949 George Mahon Trophy Winners 1951 Lancashire Comb Division 2 Champions 1972 Lancashire Combination Champions 1973 Bass Charrington Cup Winners 1974 Watson Trophy Winners 1978 St Helens Hospital Cup Winners 1979 St Helens Combination Div 1 Runners Up 1979 St Helens Hospital Cup Runners Up 1980 St Helens Combination Div 1 Champions 1985 NWCFL Reserve Division 2 Runners Up 1986 NWCFL Reserve Division 1 Runners Up 1987 FA Vase Winners (Wembley) 1994 League Challenge Cup Finalists 1994 NWCFL Reserve Division Runners Up 1995 NWCFL Reserve Division Champions 1996 NWCFL Reserve Division Runners Up 1998 Floodlit Trophy Finalists 1999 REALCO Fair Play Award Winners 2009 Bert Trautmann Trophy Winners 2014-15 South Lancs League U17s Cup Finalists 2014-15 Cheshire FA U21 League Champions 2015-16 Cheshire FA U21 Premier Cup Finalists 2016-17 Cheshire FA U21 League Cup Finalists 2016-17 Cheshire FA U21 Premier Div Runners Up 2017-18 NWYA U18s President’s Cup Winners 2020-21 NWYA U18s President’s Cup Winners Record Attendances: 3012 at Hoghton Road v Burscough (1948) 8000 at Hoghton Road v Man City (1950) 1723 at Knowsley Road v FC United of Man (2006) 9000 at Prescot Cables v Runcorn (1949)
Programme Awards: NWCFL Programme of the Year 1993-94, 1995-96, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-00, 2000-01 NWCFL Premier Division 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 NWCFL First Division / First Division North 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 Wirral Programme Club National Survey NWCFL Programme of the Year 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99 Programme Monthly NWCFL Programme of the Year 2007-08 Soccer Club Swap Shop National Programme Awards 2010-11 28th, 2011-12 8th, 2012-13 7th, 2013-14 8th, 2014-15 5th, 2015-16 8th, 2016-17 2nd, 2017-18 5th 2018-19 6th 2019-20 5th M60 Programmes NWCFL Division One North Programme of the Year 2019-20
St Helens Town AFC - Player Records 1946-2021 Goals in a Career
Goals in a Season
Career Appearances (250+ games)
216 Steve Pennington
47 Phil Stainton 1963/64
448 Alan Wellens (inc. 207 estimated)
118 Terry Garner
46 Steve Pennington 1997/98
359 John Critchley (16 estimated)
108 Gary Laird
45 Jackie Kendrick 1973/74
352 Steve Pennington
105 Lee Cooper
45 Steve Pennington 1993/94
346 Gary Lowe (1 estimated)
101 Glenn Walker
40 Bob Potter 1952/53
345 Glenn Walker
94 Iain Dyson
38 Terry Fearns 2000/01
327 Jackie Atherton (122 estimated)
84 Andy Gillespie
36 Albert Leadbetter 1950/51
300 Jackie Cooke (1 estimated)
83 Harry McCann
35 Arthur Tyrer 1957/58
287 Gary Laird
81 Ray Fairweather
34 Lee Cooper 2001/02
280 Kevin Grice (147 estimated)
72 Arthur Tyrer
33 Ronnie Rigby 1952/53
278 Jimmy Woodyer (67 estimated)
68 Phil Stainton
32 Harry McCann 1950/51
276 Iain Dyson
63 Mervyn Bull
31 Terry Garner 1950/51
272 Ray Fairweather (3 estimated)
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265 Larry Redmond (134 estimated)
ST HELENS MIND We aren't just there for people who are unwell
Volunteers! Help make it happen
You may think that St Helens Mind is somewhere that people access when they are unwell. That is only a part of our work. But much more it is about helping people to focus on staying well, what is important to them and their family. Of course we encourage people to think about when they are unwell, but we also help people to consider how they want to spend the rest of their lives.
Each and every one of them contributes to our success. Without them we would not have a service, an effective one at that!
We aim to improve the lifestyles of people living in St. Helens Borough regardless of their cultural, religious and lifestyle needs. Our services are non-judgemental and offer opportunities to develop self-esteem and confidence by encouraging and supporting involvement. We are an independent, user–focused organisation providing quality services for local people who are experiencing isolation and distress due to mental ill health. We do this by: Providing a range of services appropriate to the needs of people experiencing mental distress that enhances their self-worth as valued citizens. Promoting increased awareness and understanding of mental health issues within the community.
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Without their dedication, time, skills, experience, sense of fun, enthusiasm and willingness to represent St. Helens Mind we would not have a Befriending Service, Social Groups and the many other activities
· · · · · · · ·
Befriending Service Reading for Wellbeing Men's & Ladies’ Groups Mixed Social Groups Arts & Crafts Music & Singing Allotment Social Events
Want to find out more about our services or how to become a volunteer? Email: admin@sthelensmind.org.uk Telephone: 01744 647089
HEAVY DEFEATS, BIG WINS Last Saturday’s thumping at Cleator Moor Celtic was a dent to Town’s pride as well as to the league table goal difference. No club wants to suffer heavy defeats and I have seen on social media claims that ‘it shouldn’t happen to a club at this level’. There are many reasons behind such results – weakened teams, holidays, distance travelled, suspensions, injuries, dismissals, bad form. etc. The fact remains these score lines happen and occasionally we can be on the wrong end of such results. Looking across the history of many clubs we can always see a score line and think ‘Wow, what happened there . . . ‘ A quick review of the Town’s records sees some high scoring defeats as well as similar victories. Over 120 years ago the original club’s opening 1901-02 season saw them defeated 8-1 at Darwen in the Lancashire League, just a month earlier the two clubs had drawn 1-1 in St Helens. During that opening decade, although records are not complete, Town suffered a 6-0 reverse at neighbours Earlestown in the FA Cup while beating Rossendale United by the same score in the Lancashire Combination. Town recorded a similar win over Buxton in the FA Cup Preliminary Round in September 1914! Following Town’s reformation in 1946 and first competitive adventures at the start of the 194748 season they suffered heavy back to back defeats against local rivals Haydock C&B (6-0 on 25/10/1947) and Earlestown (1-7 on 01/11/1947) in the Liverpool Challenge Cup and Liverpool County Combination respectively. Just four weeks later (06/12/1947) Everton ‘A’ were the visitors to Hoghton Road in the Liverpool County Combination Division 1 where goals from Town’s Hughes (2), Pheasant (2), Northey (2), Burke (2) and Gregory (2) secured a 10-4 win! Into the 1950s and Town hit form at the end of November 1952 securing four impressive back to back wins 8-1, 8-0, 0-5 and 0-6 against Stoneycroft, Morecambe Reserves, Earlestown and Barnoldswick in the Lancashire Combination. Not long after they suffered an 28 home defeat to Clitheroe! The opening game of 1961 saw Town travel to Liverpool ‘A’ in the Liverpool Challenge Cup 1st Round and returned to Sutton following an 8-1 thumping at the hands of the reds. That same calendar year finished with an 8-1 win over
Great Harwood at Hoghton Road with Appleton, Underdown (3), Maloney (2) and Taylor (2) the goal scorers. Season 1965-66 saw Town suffer some heavy defeats which included nine goals in away defeats at Fleetwood (9-1) and Netherfield (92) in the Lancashire Combination top flight. Two seasons later (April 1969) Town dished out a 9-0 win against Lytham St Anne’s in the same competition. Tonight’s visitors AFC Blackpool under their former guise of Blackpool Mechanics were beaten 8-1 in the opening game of 1974 – the Town scorers were Bull (3), Kendrick (3), Payne and Merrill. Almost twenty years later Mechanics were beaten again with goals from Pennington (3), Lowe, Walker (2) and Crompton secured a 7-0 win at Hoghton Road in the NWCFL top flight. The following campaign Town hit seven past both Salford City and Penrith and conceded the same number of goals a season later to Kidsgrove Athletic! The opening game of 2001 saw Town hit 10 goals past Abbey Hey at Knowsley Road Morgan, Fearns (3) Cooper (3), Cowley, Bell and an own goal ensured a 10-2 victory. Later the same season Glossop North End were dispatched 9-2 with goals from Fearns (4), Cowley (3) and Cooper (2). Season 2010-11 saw Town win 8-1 in the FA Vase 1st Qualifying Round at home to Brodsworth MW while later the same campaign a trip to New Mills saw a then record league defeat as the Millers ran out 9-0 winners at Church Lane. AFC Liverpool inflicted a similar score on Town in September 2014 when they ran out 0-9 winners at Ashton Town’s Edge Green Street in the NWCFL Premier Division. The following season (April 2016) it was Town’s turn to take the spoils and enter the record books when they routed Whitchurch Alport 0-10 with goals from Sheen (3), Gillespie (3), Rigby, Morris, Pegler and Greene. Widnes ran riot a season later (April 2017) with a 8-0 win at Town while September 2019 Holker Old Boys were put to the sword as Town ran out 9-0 winners here at Ruskin. It shouldn’t happen . . . . but it does. John McKiernan
NWCFL First Division Daisy Hill 3-4 St Helens Town New Sirs Saturday 30th September Charity Partner 2017-18 2017
MATCH DAY SPONSORS We are looking for additional sponsors on match-days with a host of benefits for match (£75), match ball (£40) and programme (£40) sponsors including free entry & programme; programme and social media advertising; pre-match photos, man of the match awards. Opponents
Match Sponsor
Match Ball Sponsor
Programme Sponsor
AFC Blackpool
Unite the Union St Helens Branch
Prabhu Ventures Ltd
St Helens Mind
AFC Darwen
Prabhu Ventures Ltd
St Helens Mind
Willow Printing
Ashton Town Atherton LR
Prabhu Ventures Ltd
Bacup Borough
Unite the Union St Helens Branch
Bury AFC Campion Chadderton
Prabhu Ventures Ltd
Cheadle Heath Nomads FAV 1QR Cleator Moor Celtic Daisy Hill
Prabhu Ventures Ltd Prabhu Ventures Ltd
Garstang
St Helens Mind
St Helens Eats
Prabhu Ventures Ltd
Golcar United
St Helens Mind
Holker Old Boys
Prabhu Ventures Ltd
Ilkley Town Nelson Pilkington
Unite the Union St Helens Branch
Andrew, Michael and Callum O’Connor
St Helens Mind
South Liverpool
St Helens Eats
Willow Printing
St Helens Mind
Steeton
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TOWN: ON THIS DATE Today will see Town play competitively on the 28th August for the twentieth time. 73 years ago on this date Town travelled to Skelmersdale United in the Liverpool County Combination Division One where goals from Hughes and Pheasant saw Town share the spoils in a 2-2 draw.
It was NWCFL top flight action two seasons later (1984) when Formby were the visitors to Sutton. Despite a Nolan goal from Town the Squirrels left Hoghton Road with the points following a 1-2 win.
Four seasons later (1952) Bacup Borough where the visitors to Hoghton Road in a 1-1 draw. Bailey hit Town’s goal in the Lancashire Combination Division Two encounter.
Five seasons later (1995) and the Lyme Valley Stadium was the location for Town’s trip to take on Newcastle Town in the NWCFL Division One encounter. Despite the two teams flying high the inevitable 0-0 draw ensued.
It was a local derby on this date in 1954 as Town made the short trip to Hope Street, home of Prescot Cables. It proved to be a disappointing afternoon for Town as the home side ran out 4-1 winners in the Lancashire Combination Division Two. Shawebridge was the destination for Town on this date in 1965. Clitheroe played hosts to Town in the Lancashire Combination top flight and the home side edged a tight encounter 1-0. 1971 saw Town travel to Atherton Collieries for a Lancashire Combination League Cup group stage encounter. Although no goal scorer details are available Town ran out 1-2 winners. The following season (1972) it was more Lancashire Combination action as Town hosted Leyland Motors at Hoghton Road. Goals from Atherton and Bull saw the blues send home fans away happy following a 2-0 win.
A trip to Darwen took place on this date in 1989 and it was disappointment for Town as the home side won 2-0 in a NWCFL Division One fixture. The start of the new decade (1990) saw Town make the trip to Nantwich Town where a Jason Stocks goal earned his side a point in the NWCFL top flight following a 1-1 draw with the Dabbers.
On this date in 1999 goals from O’Neill, Pennington and Cunningham saw Town edge out Salford City in a five goal thriller at Moor Lane in the NWCFL Division One. The following season (2000) the same competition saw Town take a point in a high scoring 4-4 draw away at Flixton. Nestor, Ashton, Hennigan and Fearns were on the score sheet for Town. For the second time on this date Town travelled to Atherton Collieries (2006, some thirty five years after the first visit). On this occasion, NWCFL Division One, the home side ran out 1-0 winners. The following season it was a trip to Winsford United on this date. Goals from Carroll and Mahama earned Town the points in the NWCFL top flight encounter following a 1-2 victory.
By the mid-1970s it was Cheshire League action for Town as they travelled to Prestwich Heys on this date in 1976. A Flexon goal was all that separated the two sides as Town took the spoils with a 0-1 victory.
It was FA Cup Preliminary Round action on this date in 2010 – a Garnell goal helped earn Town a replay following a 1-1 draw. Three days later the Hillmen ran out 3-1 winners at Surrey Street with Luke Faulkner on target for Town.
On this date in 1982 Town were in North West Counties League Division One action and made their first visit to Glossop in the new formed competition. A 0-1 away victory for Town was a excellent reward in a tight encounter.
The last time Town played on this date saw a trip to Congleton Town in the NWCFL Premier Division. It proved to be a disappointing afternoon for Town as the Bears ran out 2-0 winners
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BACK IN TIME THE FIRST ST HELENS TOWN 1901-1928 The current St. Helens Town Football Club is the second to bear the name. The first was formed in 1901, initially to rival the St. Helens Recreation club, which had only a few years earlier changed from rugby to football, under the patronage of the glass company, Pilkington Brothers. The first meeting between the clubs took place before a crowd of over 5000 at Pilkingtons ground at City Road in February 1902 and resulted in a 2-2 draw. Based at the Primrose Ground in Park Road (subsequently a dog track behind the Primrose Vaults and now the site of Mulcrow Close), Town entered the Lancashire League Second Division in 1901-02, alongside Barrow, Workington, Haydock, Earlestown, Prescot and Chorley. Promotion was attained in 1904 and the following seasons fixtures in the Lancashire Combination First Division included the Reserve sides of Everton, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Bolton, Bury and Preston North End. Although relegated later that season, Town bounced back to their former status in 1909 and, in between times, helped out the Recs, sharing their Park Road facilities whilst the City Road ground was re-built. Opposite: Earliest known photograph of St Helens Town circa 1901 St. Helens Town had ambitions to join the Football League and an application was made to join the new Third Division 1911, but this was unsuccessful. The senior clubs reserve sides set up the Central League in 1912/13 and Town became one of the leading lights in the revamped Lancashire Combination. At the end of that campaign, Recs. resigned and reverted to the
handling code, joining the Northern Union (later the Rugby League) as a professional club, rivalling the Saints for success throughout the 1920s. This all-consuming local rivalry was one of the reasons for the failure of St. Helens Town and the club disbanded in the late 1920's. It was to take a further 20 plus years and another World War to revive interest in the association game, by which stage St. Helens Recs. had themselves thrown in the towel, having nearly brought about the bankruptcy of Saints during the depression of the 1930s. Famous players for the first Town club included Oliver Ellaby, father of Alf, who went on to great deeds with Saints and Wigan, Jack Bamber (Liverpool) and Albert Fairclough (Manchester City, Bristol City and Derby County). The programme for the Chester v St. Helens Town game in the Lancashire Combination on 13th September 1913 referred to the reverse fixture the previous week, which Town won 21. The editor said: The St. Helens ground is not one of the best, the surface being very uneven and against accurate footwork. St. Helens Town have a very strong side and, if their Saturday's form is kept up, other teams will go the same way home from there. For the record, Town were represented by: Talbott, Hall, Kelly, Platt, Hosker, Hunter, Ryder, Kelly, Jones, Benyon and Barton.
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THE TEAMS St Helens Town
Daisy Hill
Blue Shirts Blue Shorts, Blue Socks
Red and White Shirts Red Shorts, Red Socks
From: Nathan Wolland Jesse Robinson Rhoss De-Andrade George Atkinson Luke Colford Hal McHugh Jamie Apperley Josh Clegg Tega Okeregha Neil Weaver James Tyrer
From: Connor Stone Matthew Davison Riche Makelele Jake Foster Dean Singleton Oliver Turner Hensley Mills Bruno De Almeida Severino Jordon Cover Jake O’Brien Connor Hughes
Christian Holt Raj Uppal Ali Zeinalighaleh Christy Devlin Ruairi McDaid
Danny Warburton Jordyn Fitton Harrison Masuamba Karl Farrell Jonathan Mafolo
Manager: Dave Platt Assistant: David Potter Coach: Callum Davison Coach: Sean Robertson
Manager: Leighton Mills Assistant: Lee Hill
Referee: Mr M Knight Assistant: Mr B Wiseman Assistant: Mr D Wolfenden Match Sponsors: Prabhu Ventures Limited Match Ball Sponsors: St Helens Mind Programme Sponsors: St Helens Eats