St Helens Town v Alsager Town by John McKiernan

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

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Today’s Teams . . . CLUB INFORMATION Honorary Life Presidents: Bert Trautmann OBE and Bill Foulkes Vice President: Jim Barrett Chairman: John McKiernan (07713 339682) Vice Chairman: Glyn Jones Hon. Secretary/Treasurer: Jeff Voller (07843 692695) Commercial Manager Darryl Picton (07908 833554) Full Committee: John McKiernan, Jeff Voller, Jim Barrett, Darryl Picton, Ste Ball, Chris Ford and Glyn Jones. Trustees: John McKiernan and Eric Bond Club Manager: Ian Granite Assistant Manager: Ian Price Coaches: Paul Jones and Nick Matthews Physiotherapist: Nicole Garner

Sat 29th October 2013, kick off 7.45pm North West Counties League, Premier Division St Helens Town Red & White Shirts White Shorts, Red & White Socks No

Gls

St Helens Town

Ciaran Gibson Chris Tingay Shaun Judge Andy Mawdsley Lewis Coyle Cole Ashton Mike Sykes-Wright Danny Owens Adam Storey Andy Gillespie Connor Sanderson Nathan Parish Lee Crompton Neil Weaver Sam Pullinger Stephen Milne

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

Gls Alsager Town

Steve Dryden Aaron Best Liam Prince Angleo Errico Chris Lunn Nathan McDonald Reiss Lee Jordan Flattley Adam Bettley Daniel Brown Jed Davies Michael Kennedy Jordan Stafford Kyle Wilding Chris Smith Alex Hedley

Reserve Team Manager Nick Robinson Assistant Manager: Paul Piert Youth Team Managers: Vacant

Manager: Ian Granite Assistant: Ian Price

Manager: Andy Turner Assistant: Mick Hathaway

Referee: Mr J Dowd (Ellesmere Port)

Email: sthelenstownfc@hotmail.co.uk

Assist: Mr D Jones (West Kirby) & Mr K Johnson (Ormskirk)

Main Club Sponsor: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool

Today’s Match & Match Ball Sponsor:

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: Michael Sykes-Wright in action v Silsden last Saturday

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

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Talk of the Town . . . Good afternoon and welcome to Brocstedes Park for this North West Counties Football League, Challenge Cup 2nd Round tie 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. As we continue this mammoth run of home matches we come into this afternoon on the back of a hard fought 1-1 draw with League form side Congleton Town here on Tuesday evening. The visitors set their stall out in the first half and played some excellent football but were mainly restricted to trying their luck from distance and failed to cause too much trouble for Ciaran Gibson in the home goal. We took the lead not long after the half hour mark when good play saw Nathan Parish released by a through ball and he made no mistake to notch his first goal in the red & white stripes of St Helens Town. We became a bit disjointed as two substitutions, one either side of half time saw scorer Parish and Connor Sanderson leave the field with injuries and the visitors had a bright start to the second period finally levelling when Griffith Jones headed home an excellent left wing cross 10 minutes after the restart. Both teams had chances to secure all three points the best of them falling to the St Helens strikers as neither Andy Gillespie or Adam Storey could turn the loose ball home after visiting stopper Martin Pearson had been beaten to a set piece by Lewis Coyle. The draw for the First Round of the Liverpool Senior Cup has taken place this week with Town give a difficult task as we host Evo-Stik Division One North outfit Cammell Lairds with a date for the tie yet to be agreed but must be played before the end of November. Keep an eye on the usual media avenues for the date when agreed. We also have a date in the clubs social calendar this evening when we hold a Race Night at Windleshaw and there are still a few tickets available should you be able to attend tonight, please see either Darryl Picton or John McKiernan this afternoon for more details. We take a break from league action today as we start on the League Challenge Cup trail by hosting an Alsager Town side who have already recorded a 3-0 victory here at Brocstedes Park in the league encounter at the end of August and Ian Granite and the squad will be looking to continue their fine form and avenge that reverse this afternoon. If this afternoonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tie is level at the end of 90 minutes then two 15 minute periods of extra time will be played and if the sides can still not be separated then the tie will be replayed on a date to be decided by the North West Counties Football League. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get behind Town this afternoon and hopefully cheer them onto a victory and a place in the hat for the third round. Enjoy the game . . . Jeff Voller

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In Town Today . . . No previous history can be found at present about the club before the 1971/72 season when Alsager FC joined the Mid Cheshire League and they finished 12th in their first two seasons. Following the 1972/73 season the club changed their name to Alsager Town and thirteen years later they were still members of the Mid Cheshire League and for most of that time had competed in Division One. For the start of the 1986/87 season they changed their name again, this time to Alsager United. They finished runners up in their second season under the United banner but for some reason they disbanded. Twelve months elapsed before the club re-formed for the 1989/90 season as Alsager United joining the Crewe League Premier Division. After two seasons the club moved back to the Mid Cheshire League Division 2 back under the Alsager FC banner, for the start of the 1991/92 season, They remained there until the end of the 1997/98 season when they moved to the Springbank Vending Midland League. Alsager finished runners up in their first season and were promoted to the North West Counties League Division 2 for the start of the 1999/2000 season. After just two seasons they again decided to change their name back to Alsager Town. The name change proved to be lucky for them as they finished in the runners-up spot with promotion to Division One. They remained in that league until the end of the 2005/06 season when they finished in third place. Due to changes being made by the FA to the nonleague pyramid system Alsager were invited to step up to the Northern Premier League Division One which they did, finishing their first season in a creditable 14th place. Further changes were to be made by the FA to the non league system which saw Alsager Town move side ways 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 they were relegated back to the North West Counties League Premier Division. Due this set back the top management of the club walked out. Former chairman Peter Clegg stepped in taking control of the club . Clegg appointed former Witton Albion reserves coach, Neil Gill as manager. For two seasons Neil Gill did a good job in keeping Alsager Town in the N.W.C.F.L Premier Division and then in early 2011 with finances tight the players expenses budget had to be 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 had to act quickly and Alsagerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remaining committee voted for change. Terry Greer the former Chairman of Biddulph Victoria was elected to be the new Chairman. A new management team and playing staff had to be found. Stepping into the fray were Damian Grocott and Andy Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor they began the job of keeping Alsager Town in the N.W.C.F.L. Premier Divison. They worked hard to keep the status of the club secure which they did with three games in hand. For the 2011/12 season the club looked to move forward with a new committee which was installed at the AGM in May their aim being to improve the club in all aspects on and off the pitch.

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. . . Alsager Town With things going well off the pitch, new showers had been installed, the dressing rooms and some of the club house re-decorated. 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 clubhouse, the whole building had to be demolished due the asbestos construction. The electricity was cut off due to the damage caused with the switch boxes etc. Following the disaster the committee have worked tirelessly to get things in to place so that football could return to The Town ground. The committee of the N.W.C.F.L. were superb in the way they switched fixtures for The Bullets due to their problems, 99% of their games were played away from home until the November. A rebuilding programme got underway and things went well both on and off the pitch for the 2011-12 season due to the massive help from BAE Systems and their contractors, who helped in rebuilding the changing rooms so that football could return to the Town ground. At the end of the season John Brown, manager of the first team resigned as did the manager of the reserves. Chairman Terry Greer soon had replacements with former Tottenham Hotspur player and Kidsgrove coach Andy Turner taking over the reigns of the first team and Andy Ratcliffe Congleton Towns former Reserves Manager taking over the reserves who had just been promoted by invitation to the Staffs County Senior League Premier Division. Andyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s retained the previous seasons backroom staff and the majority of the players with the addition of some new faces the squad was strong enough to be in no danger of the drop and finished the campaign in a comfortable 15th place. Season 1998-99 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

League MIDL 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

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

W 28 11 19 24 15 16 19 27 18 12 18 11 10 16 14

D 6 8 8 9 11 15 11 7 7 7 5 7 8 9 8

L 4 15 11 7 16 11 12 8 21 23 19 24 24 17 20

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

F 94 48 48 77 61 54 65 87 72 58 66 60 57 63 66

A 18 64 42 31 67 47 47 43 75 88 72 79 94 65 78

GD 76 -16 6 46 -6 7 18 44 -3 -30 -6 -19 -37 -2 -12

Pts 90 41 65 81 56 63 68 88 61 43 59 40 38 57 50

Position 2/20 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

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How We Compare . . . St Helens Town - last 6 matches All Competitions Home

at St Helens Town

Most recent

NWC-D1

1998-99

MIDL

1999-00

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2000-01

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2001-02

NWC-D2

22/03; 1-1

2002-03

19/10; 1-0

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

Collated

Alsager Town - last 6 matches

Home Away Collated

Most recent

St Helens Town games since...

L D

Alsager Town games since...

All Competitions

Clean sheet

Goal Scored

Loss

No score draw

Score draw

Win

at Alsager Town

NWC-D1

Away

All Competitions

Previous Meetings

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

01/02/2014

St Helens Town Scores First Games Played

St Helens Town Wins

Draws

Alsager Town Wins

St Helens Town Goals

Alsager Town Goals

Percentage Town Wins

31.58

Previous Meetings Since 1949/50 All Competitions P

Win %

Home

-11

8.33

Away

66.67

Collated

-6

33.33

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

Chairman’s Notes . . . Good afternoon and a very warm welcome to Brocstedes Park, for this NWCFL League Cup 2nd Round encounter with our friends and rivals Alsager Town. Let’s hope their players, officials and supporters along with our own followers are treated to an entertaining game. Many thanks to today’s match and match ball sponsors Freebets.co.uk who are also our home and away short sponsors this season. It’s only a few weeks since our two teams last met here at Brocstedes Park, on that occasion our visitors ran out 0-3 winner and I am sure Ian Granite and the players will want to put that right this afternoon. Tuesday’s evening’s 11 draw with Congleton saw Town extend their unbeaten run to 9 games and despite being under plenty of pressure the point earned was fully warranted. While our form has been excellent since we were defeated by the ‘Bullets’ our visitors have suffered a huge dip in form and are without a win in nine games which has seen them suffer five league defeats, bow out of the FA Vase and collect just three league points from draws with Bacup, Winsford and West Didsbury. One player missing from Tuesday’s game was Cole Ashton who has left the club to join fellow NWCFL outfit Runcorn Linnets. While disappointed, I can understand Cole’s reasons for the move and we wish him well with the exception of when our two sides meet. I am sure he will be a hit with the Linnets faithful. Plans for the Bert Trautmann game are progressing well and this week WA12 Radio have agreed to cover the event. There will be a feature in the build-up and live coverage and interviews on the day. We are also delighted that The One Glove Company are the latest sponsor of the event and they will be supplying four pairs of specially designed commemorative gloves which will be auctioned after the event. Tonight is the club’s Race Night at Windleshaw Sports Club, please try to get along for what should be a great night. Admission is £2 and includes a hotpot supper. There’s also some great raffle prizes on offer courtesy of our main sponsors Johnsons Toyota Liverpool. Enjoy the game. John McKiernan Chairman, St Helens Town AFC

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Town v Congleton Town . . . Draw stretches Town’s unbeaten run (Photo courtesy of Pete Barton) St Helens Town 1-1 Congleton Town A 1-1 draw at home to Congleton Town on Tuesday extended St. Helens Town’s unbeaten run to nine games, assuming they are granted the win over Silsden in the recent abandoned game and they were full value for a share of the points in a thrilling game. Congleton have a good record against Town in recent years, so a home draw is a good measure of the progress the team has made over the last month. The game began slowly, with no clear cut chances for either side in the first half hour. If anything, Congleton were the better side, exerting pressure on the St. Helens defence, which held firm. Keeper Ciaran Gibson did well to keep the score-sheet blank with a good reaction save following a Congleton attack on 30 minutes. Suddenly, however, Town seized the advantage and, from that point onwards, they stretched the visitors’ defence with a series of raids, the first of which brought the opening goal. St. Helens surged forward and Nathan Parish was fouled from behind by Congleton centrehalf George Whiteoak, who escaped a booking for his misdemeanour. A few moments later, Parish exacted his own revenge, when a defence-splitting pass found him unopposed on the edge of the box and he drilled in a low shot which went under keeper Martin Pearson’s dive to put Town one up on 33 minutes. Connor Sanderson had a good chance a few minutes later, which Pearson saved and, the stopper was called into action again just afterwards to deny Adam Storey twice, then Lewis Coyle, in the lead up to half-time. Sanderson pulled a hamstring in the closing stages of the half and was replaced by Sam Pullinger, with Shaun Judge moving from full-back to midfield. Congleton again started the stronger in the second half and went close on 50 minutes, Gibson seeing a shot go just past his right post. He was not so lucky a few minutes later, when Griff Jones was allowed to score from a free header. Town hit back and Judge hit a powerful shot, which Pearson could only parry, but neither of the Town forwards following up could get in a touch before the keeper re-gathered. Another Congleton effort was just wide on the hour, but St. Helens came forward again, this time Storey breaking from 30 yards out before crossing into the box, where the ball hit a defender’s hand, but the referee turned down the appeal for a penalty. Storey had another chance on 70 minutes, but Congleton’s luck held and the Town striker could not get in the decisive touch. With 15 minutes remaining, St. Helens surged forward again. Coyle hit a great shot against the Congleton bar, but neither of the forwards following up could connect with the rebound and, once again, Pearson was grateful to smother the chance. The final chance of the game fell to Andy Gillespie, but his drive was deflected behind by the defence, but no corner was given. All in all, another good performance, and with the young Town side fearing nobody at this stage of the season, the only question is how long the unbeaten run can continue. Glyn Jones

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Town v Alsager Photos . . .

Action from our last game v Alsager Town on Saturday 31st August which saw the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Bulletsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; run out 0-3 winners

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Town v Congleton Photos

North West Counties Premier Division action from St Helens Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1-1 draw with Congleton Town on Tuesday 22nd October 2013 Photographs courtesy of Pete Barton (Ashton Athletic Photographer)

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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 in 1955/56, 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 the only club to feature in the top division of that league throughout its existence although, after a very good start, they very nearly lost that proud record last season. The club’s major achievement was victory in 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

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. . . of St Helens Town AFC

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. Other future stars, groomed at St. Helens Town, included John Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday), Geoff Nulty (Burnley, Newcastle United and Everton) and, most recently, ace goal scorer 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. 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 in 2010/11 next to bottom, 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 1978 St Helens Hospital Cup Winners 1979 St Helens Comb Division 1 Runners Up 1979 St Helens Hospital Cup Runners Up 1980 St Helens Comb Division 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 Record Appearances: Allan Wellens Record Goal Scorer: Steve Pennington Record Attendances: 4000 at Hoghton Road v Manchester City 1723 at Knowsley Road v FC Utd Manchester 9000 at Prescot Cables v Runcorn (1949) Programme Awards 1993-94 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1995-96 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1997-98 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1998-99 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1999-00 NWCFL Programme of the Year 2000-01 NWCFL Programme of the Year 2009-10 NWCFL Premier Division 2010-11 NWCFL Premier Division 2011-12 NWCFL Premier Division 2012-13 NWCFL Premier Division Wirral Programme Club National Survey 1996-97 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1997-98 NWCFL Programme of the Year 1998-99 NWCFL Programme of the Year Programme Monthly 2007-08 NWCFL Programme of the Year Soccer Club Swap Shop National Awards 2010-11 Placed 28th 2011-12 Placed 8th 2012-13 Placed 7th

Town began the 2012-13 season under new manager Ian Granite, who brought in a new team and coaching set-up who battled well to avoid relegation. Though the club have the benefit of an 80-year ground-sharing agreement with Saints, they have been unable to re-locate to the new stadium at Langtree Park and having spent over two seasons sharing Ashton Town’s ground at Edge Green Street a new ground share agreement has been brokered with fellow Premier Division side Ashton Athletic to cover their immediate future as plans for a return to St Helens continue.

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Hearts and Goals . . . St Helens Town has a new high-profile national charity partner for the 2013/14 season after joining up with Hearts & Goals, a lifesaving campaign for which Fabrice Muamba is ambassador. The club has forged a new partnership with Arrhythmia Alliance, the charity behind Hearts & Goals,a national campaign to tackle the UK’s biggest killer sudden cardiac arrest, by helping communities place lifesaving public-access AEDs (automated external defibrillators). The campaign’s ambassador, former Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest on the football pitch in March 2012 and went on to make a remarkable recovery thanks to prompt treatment with CPR and an AED. Everyone at the club was so moved by his experiences and the work he and the charity has done through Hearts & Goals, Town want to raise as much money as possible for the campaign by holding a series of fundraising events throughout the season and beyond, as well as dedicating a percentage of all incoming sponsorship deals to the charity. Sudden cardiac arrest claims 100,000 lives in the UK every year and AEDs, like the one used on Fabrice on the pitch at White Hart Lane, increase a person’s chance of surviving from just 5% to 50% if they suffer a sudden cardiac arrest. The devices do not require training and can be used by anyone to shock a person’s heart back into its normal rhythm in the event of someone suffering a sudden cardiac arrest. Arrhythmia Alliance has already helped communities up and down the UK place publicaccess AEDs as part of Hearts & Goals. The devices are placed in secure cabinets which are logged with local ambulance services and available to anyone in the community 24/7. In the event of an emergency anyone who phones 999 is then given immediate access to the lifesaving defibrillator. St Helens Town Commercial Manager, Darryl Picton, said: “The idea to forge this partnership came from Fabrice’s story. “Never before have I witnessed such an event that has brought football fans, clubs and

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. . . Our Charity Partner players together in support of one man as what happened on that horrific day at White Hart Lane. The story touched the hearts of everyone and transcended sport. Those events really hit home to everyone at St Helens Town how quickly and unexpectedly tragedy can strike in a community and having access to this essential equipment will save hundreds of lives. “We are proud to be associated with Hearts and Goals and with Fabrice, and we will work tirelessly throughout the year to raise every penny possible for the campaign.” Trudie Lobban MBE, Founder and CEO of Arrhythmia Alliance, said: “We are absolutely delighted St Helens Town AFC have chosen our Hearts & Goals campaign as their official charity campaign. “Hearts & Goals focuses on tackling the UK’s biggest killer, sudden cardiac arrest, which kills 100,000 people in the UK every year. We have already been able to help communities up and down the country place lifesaving AEDs (automated external defibrillators) and with partners like St Helens we can continue this work. “It is clear all involved at the club are very passionate about the campaign and we are delighted to welcome them on board.” A host of fundraising events are already planned throughout the year, including a a Race Night on Saturday 26th October and Comedy & Curry Night on Saturday 7th December. For full details of events or to make a donation to the campaign contact Darryl Picton on 07908 833 554 or by email at sthelenstownafc@gmail.com Visit www.heartsandgoals.org for more information.

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2013-14 Fixtures, Facts and Fig Date Aug 3 Aug 6 Aug 10 Aug 13 Aug 17 Aug 17 Aug 24 Aug 27 Aug 31 Sep 7 Sep 12 Sep 21 Sep 24 Sep 28 Oct 1 Oct 5 Oct 8 Oct 12 Oct 19 Oct 22 Oct 26 Oct 29 Nov 2 Nov 9 Nov 12 Nov 23 Nov 26 Nov 30 Dec 3 Dec 7 Dec 14 Dec 21 Dec 26 Jan 4 Jan 11 Jan 18 Jan 25 Feb 1 Feb 8 Feb 15 Mar 1 Mar 29 Apr 12 Apr 19 Apr 21 Apr 26

Opponents Comp NORTON UNITED NWCFL Squires Gate NWCFL Winsford United NWCFL WIGAN ROBIN PARK NWCFL ASHTON ATHLETIC FAC EPR Ashton Athletic FAC Rep MAINE ROAD NWCFL Barnoldswick Town NWCFL ALSAGER TOWN NWCFL Pontefract Collieries FAV 1QR AFC Liverpool NWCFL Abbey Hey NWCFL Bootle NWCFL BACUP & ROSS BORO NWCFL Runcorn Linnets NWCFL Glossop North End NWCFL SQUIRES GATE NWCFL W DIDS & CHORLTON NWCFL SILSDEN NWCFL CONGLETON TOWN NWCFL ALSAGER TOWN Lge Cup 2 BARNOLDSWICK TOWN NWCFL Bacup & Ross Borough NWCFL AFC BLACKPOOL NWCFL WINSFORD UNITED NWCFL STOCKPORT SPORTS NWCFL BOOTLE NWCFL West Didsbury & Chorlton NWCFL Wigan Robin Park NWCFL COLNE NWCFL Silsden NWCFL TBA NWCFL Ashton Athletic NWCFL RUNCORN TOWN NWCFL Norton United NWCFL ABBEY HEY NWCFL Runcorn Town NWCFL Alsager Town NWCFL RUNCORN LINNETS NWCFL Stockport Sports NWCFL Colne NWCFL AFC LIVERPOOL NWCFL AFC Blackpool NWCFL GLOSSOP NORTH END NWCFL ASHTON ATHLETIC NWCFL Maine Road NWCFL

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KO Result GK 2 3 4 5 6 3.00 3-3D Clark Mawdsley Harrison Williams(C)1 Coyle Cooper 7.45 3-0L Clark Mawdsley Harrison Wright Crompton(C) Williams 3.00 2-1L Clark Mawdsley Judge Williams(C) Coyle Ashton 7.45 4-1W Taylor Mawdsley1 Harrison Williams(C) Coyle Chesworth 3.00 2-2D Taylor Mawdsley Harrison1 Williams(C) Coyle Ashton 7.45 1-0L Taylor Mawdsley Harrison Williams Crompton(C) Ashton 3.00 0-5L Taylor Mawdsley Harrison Crompton(C) Williams Ashton 7.45 1-2W Taylor Mawdsley Judge1 Crompton(C) Coyle Wright 3.00 0-3L Taylor Tingay Judge C.Williams Coyle Sykes-Wright 3.00 2-0L Taylor Tingay Judge Barber Coyle Chesworth(C) 7.45 3-0L Gibson Pullinger Judge(C) Curzon Coyle Ashton 3.00 1-1D Gibson Pullinger Harrison Coyle Curzon Ashton 7.45 1-2W Gibson Pullinger Harrison Coyle Crompton(C) Parish 3.00 1-1D Gibson Sykes-Wright Harrison Mawdsley(C) Coyle Parish 7.45 1-1D Gibson Tingay Judge Mawdsley(C) Coyle Ashton S 3.00 2-3W Gibson Judge1 Mawdsley(C) S Tingay Coyle Ashton 7.45 5-0W Gibson Judge1 Mawdsley(C) Tingay Coyle Ashton S 3.00 3-0W Gibson Tingay Judge Mawdsley(C) Coyle Ashton S 3.00 2-0A Gibson Tingay Judge Mawdsley(C) Coyle Parish S 7.45 1-1D Gibson Parish1 Tingay Judge Mawdsley(C) Coyle S 3.00 7.45 3.00 3.00 7.45 3.00 7.45 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 Name1 Player name and number of goals scored 3.00 Name Player name and CAUTION 3.00 Name Player name and DISMISSAL FOR 2 CAUTIONS 3.00 Name Player name and DISMISSAL 3.00 Name10 Player name and number of replaced player 3.00

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

gures . . . 7

Weaver Wright Milne Sanderson Ashton Judge Edwards Milne Cooper1 Wright Milne Sanderson Ashton Judge Cook-Hannah Sanderson1 Cooper Judge Milne Cook-Hannah Weaver Judge Cook-Hannah Sanderson Weaver Judge Cook-Hannah Sanderson Weaver Parish Bergqvist Cook-Hannah1 Weaver Parish Bergqvist Cook-Hannah(C) Weaver Parish Bergqvist Cook-Hannah Sanderson Parish Storey Wright Milne1 Sanderson Wright Cook-Hannah Judge1 D.Owens Milne Cook-Hannah D.Owens1 Cook-Hannah Ashton Milne Storey1 Sykes-Wright D.Owens Gillespie Sykes-Wright1 D.Owens Gillespie1 Storey Gillespie1 Sykes-Wright D.Owens Storey Gillespie3 Sykes-Wright D.Owens Storey Gillespie2 Sykes-Wright D.Owens Storey Sykes-Wright D.Owens Storey Gillespie

Judge Sanderson Etchells Milne2 Etchells Milne Milne P.Williams P.Williams Ashton Weaver Judge(C) Ashton Judge Sanderson Sanderson Sanderson3 Sanderson Sanderson Sanderson

Pullinger Pullinger Pullinger Pullinger10 Finlay Pullinger/Ross Pullinger C.Williams4 Edwards10 Edwards9 Sykes-Wright10 Mawdsley2 Sykes-Wright Tingay Cook-Hannah Parish8 Parish6 Parish7 Milne Milne

Ross Weaver11 Bowen7 Wright Pullinger Cooper/Wright Edwards Edwards Chesworth6 Sanderson10 Cook-Hannah Sykes-Wright7 Wright C.Williams Curzon Wright7 Pullinger Weaver11 Pullinger Wright6

Bowen Coyle5 Ross11 Bowen Edwards10 Sykes-Wright Etchells Sanderson Sanderson11 Milne11 Bergqvist7 C.Williams Storey101 Storey9 Weaver11 Bailey Weaver Crompton Wright Pullinger11

Owens61 Cooper Chesworth Weaver11 Weaver71 Edwards9 Coyle Milne10 Milne C.Williams Milne Weaver Mawdsley5 Weaver10 Barber Weaver11 Wright8 Pullinger Weaver Weaver

Edwards71 Bowen9 Weaver9 Edwards9 Ross Coyle10 Wright9 Ashton7 Ashton Sykes-W Barber Crompton Sanderson8 Sanderson8 Wright10

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

Milne9 Milne10 Crompton Crompton

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St Helens Town AFC . . . St Helens Town Statistical History by Glyn Jones Part 16 – Season 1962/63 - LANCASHIRE COMBINATION DIVISION 2 Final League Table Crompton’s Recs. Droylsden Morecambe Reserves Barrow Reserves Great Harwood Horwich RMI Reserves Chorley Reserves Accrington Stanley Reserves Glossop St. Helens Town Blackpool Mechanics Rolls Royce Netherfield Reserves Wigan Rovers Northern Nomads Padiham Lancaster City Reserves Nelson Reserves Vulcan Institute Prescot Cables Reserves Opponents Accrington Stanley Reserves Barrow Reserves Blackpool Mechanics Chorley Reserves Crompton’s Recs. Droylsden Glossop Great Harwood Horwich RMI Reserves Lancaster City Reserves Morecambe Reserves Nelson Reserves Netherfield Reserves Northern Nomads Padiham Prescot Cables Reserves Rolls Royce Vulcan Institute Wigan Rovers

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P 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 38 Home Apr 25 Nov 3 Apr 13 Dec 1 Aug 25 May 23 May 4 May 20 Mar 16 May 2 Oct 20 Mar 30 May 9 Nov 17 Apr 12 May 16 Sep 29 Dec 15 May 18

W 29 27 23 24 22 21 21 19 15 16 14 13 11 10 10 11 9 8 9 5

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

L 4 5 9 11 9 11 12 12 14 16 14 17 17 18 20 21 23 26 28 30

F 138 124 93 91 121 100 94 99 75 59 67 82 72 73 64 70 67 47 74 40 Away Dec 26 Mar 9 Oct 13 Apr 6 Apr 17 Sep 15 May 11 May 6 Nov 10 Apr 27 Feb 22 Nov 24 Dec 8 Mar 23 Apr 15 Oct 13 Feb 16 Aug 18 May 13

A 52 31 46 52 77 58 63 66 73 58 84 101 84 98 93 109 111 114 137 143

Pts 63 60 52 51 51 48 47 45 39 38 38 34 32 30 28 28 24 20 19 13

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

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

. . . Season 1962-63 App

Goals

Barnes, R (Dickie)

Player

Berry, Eddie

Boardman, Stan

Cooke, John

Critchley, John

5 8

Farley

Formby

Forshaw, Jack

Gaskin

Gilliker, Arthur

Green

Gregson, Terry

Hawkins

Holden, Brian

Ireland, Ronnie

Lonergan

8 1

Maloney, Derek

Morrison

Payne

Pennington, Joe

Pennington, W (Bill)

Robertson, Dave

Sharples, Gerry

Slade

Smith, Ron

Thomas, Roy

Underdown, Ivan

Williams

Woods, Alan

Own goals

Sep 22 2nd Qualifying Round South Liverpool (H) Won 2-1

Oct 6 3rd Qualifying Round Altrincham (H) Lost 1-3 3 LANCASHIRE JUNIOR CUP

Jan 26 1st Round Morecambe (A) Lost 2-5 2 9

LANCASHIRE COMBINATION CUP

Sep 1 1st Round Droylsden (A) Lost 1-2

LIVERPOOL NON-LEAGUE CUP 8 9

No records available

5 1

Unknown Totals

Sep 8 1st Qualifying Round Earlestown (A) Won 3-1

Fairweather, Ray

McLaughlin, Andy

FA CUP

4 473

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

Reserve Team News . . . St Helens Town Reserves After a series of ‘top of the table clashes’ for Town Reserves which have seen them take four points from South Liverpool Res and suffer their only defeat of the campaign losing 1-3 at home to Hale Reserves it’s cup action at the moment. The Reserves travelled to St Helens Combination outfit Clock Face FC in Liverpool Junior Cup 2nd Round last Saturday running out 1-3 winners with goals from Joe McKeegan and Adam Owens (2). Saturday they host Kirkby Town Railway in the West Cheshire League Shield 1st Round. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

DIVISION THREE Hales Res South Liverpool Res St Helens Town Res Rainhill Town Capenhurst Villa Res Bootle Res Ford Motors Belfry Kirkby Town Railway Chester Nomads Res Widnes Vikings Res Neston Nomads Christleton Res *Marshalls Res Merseyside Police Upton A.A. Res

C L L L L L L L L

DATE 19/10/2013 12/10/2013 05/10/2013 28/09/2013 21/09/2013 14/09/2013 07/09/2013 04/09/2013 30/08/2013

TIME 14:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 15:00 18:15 18:15

27/08/2013

L L L

19/08/2013 16/08/2013 09/08/2013

P 10 11 12 11 12 11 11 10 9 13 11 11 11 12 10 11

W 8 8 7 6 7 7 6 6 4 5 3 2 2 3 1 1

D 2 1 4 4 1 1 3 0 4 1 2 1 0 0 0 0

L 0 2 1 1 4 3 2 4 1 7 6 8 9 9 9 10

F 32 40 26 38 29 24 31 24 33 23 18 23 13 22 11 6

A 13 16 17 10 18 17 15 16 18 31 33 38 34 43 37 37

GD 19 24 9 28 11 7 16 8 15 -8 -15 -15 -21 -21 -26 -31

Pts 26 25 25 22 22 22 21 18 16 16 11 7 6 6 3 3

HOME CLOCK FACE FC SOUTH LIVERPOOL RES ST HELENS TOWN RES ST HELENS TOWN RES NESTON NOMADS KIRKBY TOWN RAILWAY ST HELENS TOWN RES MARSHALLS RES ST HELENS TOWN RES

1-3 0-0 1-3 2-1 1-2 3-3 3-3 2-3 2-1

AWAY ST HELENS TOWN RES ST HELENS TOWN RES HALE RES SOUTH LIVERPOOL RES ST HELENS TOWN RES ST HELENS TOWN RES CHESTER NOMADS RES ST HELENS TOWN RES BOOTLE RES

18:15

MERSEYSIDE POLICE

1-3

ST HELENS TOWN RES

18:30 18:30 18:30

ST HELENS TOWN RES CHRISTLETON RES ST HELENS TOWN RES

2-2 0-2 3-0

WIDNES VIKINGS RES ST HELENS TOWN RES RAINHILL TOWN

DATE Cup 26/10/2013

TIME 14:00

HOME St Helens Town Res

AWAY Kirkby Town Railway

VENUE Windleshaw Sports Ground

Cup 02/11/2013 L 09/11/2013

LCFA Junior Cup Belfry

3rd Round St Helens Town Res

TBC

14:00

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

Bootle

Barnoldswick Town

Bacup & Ross Boro

Ashton Athletic

Alsager Town

AFC Liverpool

AFC Blackpool

Abbey Hey 0-1

North West Counties Football League Premier Division

Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13 0-8 2-3 2-4 1-1

Winsford United

2-0 1-3 0-0 0-1

1-2 0-2

1-2

3-1

1-1

3-2 1-1

2-1

0-2 1-3

0-2 0-3 5-5

4-0

1-1

2-1

0-3

1-0 1-3

0-2 0-0

1-1

3-1

3-2

4-0 2-0 2-1 3-1 1-0 7-0 0-0

1-1

2-1 4-1 4-2 4-1

Wigan Robin Park

West Didsbury & Chorlton

0-3 2-1

1-1

St Helens Town

Stockport Sports

1-1

3-2

2-2

4-1

3-1 4-2 1-3 4-2

Squires Gate

Silsden

Runcorn Town

Runcorn Linnets

Norton United

Maine Road

2-0

4-2 1-0

Glossop North End 3-1 0-1

3-2

2-0 2-0 0-4

Colne 0-1

2-1

Congleton Town

1-0

1-2

Bootle

0-2

1-4 0-4 0-4

1-5

2-2

0-5 3-3

1-3 1-0

4-1

0-1

2-3 1-1

1-2

2-1

4-2

0-2

0-1

3-0

1-1

1-2

1-1

3-0

5-0

2-0

4-2

2-1 2-1

3-0

2-0

6-0

3-2

1-1

2-3

2-2

2-1

3-4

5-0

0-2

1-0

1-1

1-3

1-2

5-0 3-0

3-0 4-1

1-0

3-1 5-1

5-0 5-0 0-1

1-2

2-1 2-2 4-0

1-1 2-1

2-3

2-4 1-2

4-0 1-2

1-1 3-0

0-1 3-2

0-2 4-1

2-1

2-3 0-4

1-2

Winsford United

Barnoldswick Town

0-0 1-2 1-1 0-2

1-3 0-1

Congleton Town

Bacup & Rossendale Borough

Ashton Athletic

1-1

Glossop North End

2-0

West Dids & Chorlton

Alsager Town

3-0

Colne

1-3

Wigan Robin Park

1-1

Main Road

1-0

Norton United

4-0

Runcorn Linnets

3-3

Runcorn Town

AFC Liverpool

Silsden

AFC Blackpool

Squires Gate

2-2 2-1 1-2 1-3 2-1 0-3 1-1 0-3

St Helens Town

1-4

Stockport Sports

Abbey Hey

Up to Wed 23.10.13

NW Counties Football League Premier Division RESULTS GRID

Head to Head Results . . .

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

Tea Break Teasers . . . Q1. Michael Owen won the Ballon d’Or when with Liverpool in 2001 but who was the last Liverpool player before him to win it back in 1979?

Player Profile Ciaran Gibson (Goalkeeper)

Q2. Who is the only non-Englishman to have worn the Number 8 Shirt for Liverpool in the Premier League? Q3. Who is the only non-Englishman to have worn the Number 2 Shirt for Everton in the Premier League? Q4. Which two players did Liverpool receive British record transfer fee’s for? Q5. Which is the only club to have appeared in an FA Trophy Final and played in the Premier League? Q6. Which West Ham United manager signed Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano? Q7. Who was the first Spanish player to win a Premier League Winners medal? Q8. Which club won the FA Cup three times in the 1950’s? Q9. Which two clubs supplied the most players for England’s 1970 World Cup Finals squad? Q10. Which midfielder moved from Liverpool to Chelsea for £5.5m in July 2010? Q11. Who moved from Everton to Sunderland for just over £1m in August 2003? Q12. Which four teams have won all three of UEFA’s club competitions, European Cup/Champions League, Europa League/UEFA Cup & Cup Winners Cup? Q13. What record does England’s Peter Shilton share with France’s Fabien Barthez? Q14. Who joined Liverpool from Newcastle United in July 1999 for £8m? Q15. Which player did David Beckham kick when he got sent off for England against Argentina in the 1998 World Cup? 1) Kevin Keegan 2) Oyvind Leonhardsen 3) Alec Cleland 4) Keegan £500k from Hamburg in 1977 and Ian Rush £3.2m from Juventus in 1987 5) Wigan Athletic 6) Alan Pardew 7) Jose Antonio Reyes 8) Newcastle United 51,52 & 55 9) Everton & Leeds supplied 4 each 10) Yossi Benayoun 11) Gavin McCann 12) Juventus, Ajax, Bayern Munich & Chelsea 13) Record number of clean sheets in World Cup Final Tournaments 14) Dietmar Hamann 15) Diego Simeone

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

Date of Birth: 13th July 1994 Height: 6ft 4 inches Weight: 92kg Still only 19 years old Ciaran Gibson has had an impressive football career to date. As a youth he was selected for both the England Schools u18 FA national squad and the Northern Ireland u17 national training squad. En route Ciaran disregarded Pro Club Scholarships in favour of completing his A Levels and the reason he is now a Sport Scholar at the University of Liverpool. At 16 he made his debut in nonleague football in the Northern Counties East League and was soon signed by FC Halifax Town. On moving to Liverpool he played for local rivals Prescot Cables but is currently on loan at St Helens Town as the ex Man United keeper Nick Culkin returned from injury. Ciaran has also been scouted by pro clubs and after a trial at Tranmere Rovers, in a development arrangement; they invited him to train with them

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St Helens Town AFC . . . 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 midterm. 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 Allan Wellens receiving the Lancs debut at Great Harwood in 1966. His playing career was ended by a broken leg against Hyde in Combination Championship Trophy 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 the FA Vase winning side sought pastures new. 1987-92 Alan Aspinall

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

. . . Managers 1946-Present (pictured below) took over the 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. 1992-93 Mick Holgate (pictured right) presided over just one season at Hoghton Road before moving on to Leigh RMI. 19932002 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 - present Ian Granite (pictured left) 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. Many thanks to Jim Barrett and Eric Bond for their input in compiling the information.

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

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Alsager Town Stats . . . Date

Opposition

H/A

KO/Score

Goalscorers

Sat 03/08/13

Silsden

L 1-2

Leigh Skellern (2)

Tue 06/08/13

West Didsbury & Chorlton

W 2-0

James Hampson (43) Leigh Skellern (89p) Chris Lunn (22) Sat 10/08/13

Wigan Robin Park

W 3-2

Chris Lunn (65) Reiss Lee (88) Own Goal (7)

Tue 13/08/13

Norton United

L 2-4 Chris Lunn (44)

Sat 17/08/13

Atherton Collieries (FA Challenge Cup EP)

L 1-3

Tue 20/08/13

Ashton Athletic

Postp

Sat 24/08/13

Bootle

L 1-4

Tue 27/08/13

Runcorn Linnets

L 2-4

Joel Mill (75)

Ryan Connor (8) Ryan Connor (40) Leigh Skellern (90p) Nathan McDonald (42)

Sat 31/08/13

St Helens Town

W 3-0

Leigh Skellern (71p) Cameron Mitchell (89)

Sat 07/09/13

Bacup & Rossendale Boro

D 1-1

Leigh Skellern (52)

Sat 14/09/13

Abbey Hey

L 1-3

Tom Parkes (12)

Sat 21/09/13

Chadderton (FA Carlsberg Vase 2Q)

L 0-1

Sat 28/09/13

Stockport Sports

L 1-2

Nathan McDonald (63)

Tue 01/10/13

Winsford United

D 1-1

Reiss Lee (86)

Sat 05/10/13

AFC Blackpool

L 0-1

Tue 08/10/13

West Didsbury & Chorlton

D 0-0

Sat 12/10/13

Silsden

L 2-3

Jordan Flattley (15) Own Goal (80) Sat 19/10/13

Colne

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

L 0-4

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

NWCFL News . . . NWCFL resident blogger and Atherton Collieries Secretary Emil Anderson takes a nostalgic look back to a famous footballing institution . . . I was at home bored. I was sat on my trusty settee watching Sky Sports News. Natalie Sawyer was on, I am sure you will agree she is always good viewing but the News was on its usual loop. I could act the various interviews and news clips. I flicked the internet on and Googled The Bolton Football Combination. As a kid of the ‘70s, my first interaction with The Bolton Comb was when my dad briefly managed Eagley Mills before going back to his life long love Atherton Collieries FC. I also voraciously read the back page reports of the day’s games in the much missed Buff (the Saturday evening sports paper produced by the Bolton Evening News). The reports only lasted 20/30 words and were only up to half time but then there were the final scores in the stop press. Seminal reading for amateur players and supporters around the Bolton conurbation. Where did it all go wrong for the Bolton Combination? I have the 1996/97 Handbook in my mitt and there were 37 teams listed over 3 divisions, plus 13 Reserve Teams in the North West Alliance Division. Big non league names like Altrincham and Chorley are amongst the number. I don’t have the answer. I appreciate clubs like Colls, LR, Daisy Hill, Ramsbottom United and Eagley jumped ship to play in other leagues which stretched beyond the Bolton area but to see the league disappear all together was not on the agenda in 1996/97. In fact, in the Chairman’s Handbook notes, he states he is justly proud of the league which goes from strength to strength and the endeavour was to recapture the glories of the past. From 191213 when Turton were the first Comb team to win the prestigious Lancashire Amateur Shield to 1989/90 when Walkden Town fetched the silverware home, the Comb won it 24 times. Fourteen different sides from the league won the competition including the evocatively named Back Street Rovers. That will be the name of my next fantasy football outfit. In the 20’s and 30’s, the league won the competition 6 times in each decade. The league was feared all over the North West. As I said I don’t have the answers to the demise of The Comb and various other leagues. This is more of a small celebration of the Bolton and District Amateur Football Combination, to give it the full title. To finish I take it back to the top, my Google search basically came up blank. As far as the worldwide web is concerned, The Bolton Comb is virtually invisible. In a world where you can find anything and everything on your computer/tablet/phone within seconds, the lack of info on a once mighty league is astounding and very sad. Maybe one day somebody will write a definitive history of the competition, but where to find the info would be a conundrum. Emil

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

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North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

We’ve Met Before . . .

Action from last season’s home fixture (Edge Green Street, Ashton) v Alsager Town

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

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Back to Business . . . It’s been another eventful week on and off the pitch at St Helens Town and it is often said in football that cup games come as a welcome distraction from the league campaign. But with our recent rich run of form, in many ways breaking away from league action is a real shame. But the League Challenge Cup is a great competition and one that in our current vein of form we can realistically progress, and that’s exactly what I hope we can do today. First, I would like to welcome our visitors from Alsager to Brocstedes for the second time already this season. Our last meeting was a disappointing 03 defeat for us at a time when we were struggling to gain any momentum and I would hope we can put that right today with a strong performance and a reversal of the last result. Confidence is high and credit must go to our manager Ian Granite. Ian has endured some difficult periods during his time as manager but he has always dug in and fought to improve the clubs fortunes when many may have walked away and he richly deserves the plaudits for our current form. Unbeaten in nine games with some stunning victories he must surely be a candidate for October’s Manager of the Month award for the NWCFL Premier Division. Last Saturday saw some very surreal scenes at Brocstedes as Town took on our visitors from Silsden. With just 5 minutes remaining and Town 2-0 to the good and well on top, a torrential thunderstorm caused the match to be abandoned. After the rain passed over the pitch was in no state to continue and the officials had no choice but to call off the game with the result in the balance. We must now wait to see if the leagues panel will award us the result. Tuesday night however was a different affair altogether. A very physical and well drilled Congleton side came to Brocstedes and gave us a real fight. Our visitors played some slick football and dominated possession for significant periods but Town soaked up pressure resolutely and always looked a threat in the final third. In the end a 1-1 draw was a satisfactory point in the bag. Away from the pitch the club has a number of events in the pipeline starting this very evening with our annual Race Night back home in St Helens. Then on Sunday the 17th November we will be taking part in The Bert Trautmann Memorial Game against a Manchester City Former Players XI at Hope Street, Prescot. This game will be a great occasion to mark the passing of our legendary Club President and we invite supporters and officials of all our NWCFL friends to join us to celebrate the contribution to English football of this iconic man. This past week would have been Bert’s 90th birthday and he and his family remain in our thoughts. Enjoy todays game and have a safe journey home. Darryl Picton Commercial Manager

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

League Standings . . . Premier Division Table as at Wednesday 23rd October 2013 Premier Division

W D

A GD Pts

Maine Road

17 11 4

2 37 16 21 37

AFC Liverpool

17 11 2

4 42 16 26 35

Runcorn Town

16 11 1

4 38 19 19 34

Norton United

15 9

3 37 19 18 30

Runcorn Linnets

13 9

3 25 20 5 28

Bootle

17 8

6 38 25 13 27

Colne

15 8

7 27 23 4 24

Congleton Town

14 7

5 26 22 4 23

St Helens Town

16 6

5 27 28 -1 23

AFC Blackpool

17 6

8 23 29 -6 21

11 Glossop North End 12 6

4 25 12 13 20

16 6

8 25 31 -6 20

13 Barnoldswick Town 17 6

9 25 34 -9 20

Stockport Sports

17 4

6 26 29 -3 19

Silsden

15 5

6 21 25 -4 19

Ashton Athletic

14 5

6 22 18 4 18

Winsford United

14 5

7 15 28 -13 17

Abbey Hey

17 4

8 21 36 -15 17

9 15 28 -13 15

7 13 21 -8 14 9 20 31 -11 12

Squires Gate

West Didsbury & 19 16 4 Chorlton Bacup & Rossendale 20 15 3 Borough 21

Alsager Town

15 3

Wigan Robin Park

19 3

2 14 21 59 -38 11

* points deducted for a breach of league rules

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

Monday 21st October 2013 Premier Division Runcorn Town 2-0 Squires Gate Tuesday 22nd October 2013 Premier Division AFC Blackpool 1-3 Barnoldswick Tn Alsager Town P-P Ashton Athletic Bootle 0-1 Winsford United Norton United 0-2 Runcorn Linnets St Helens Town 1-1 Congleton Town Stockport Sports 1-1 Silsden West Didsbury & C 1-2 Glossop NE First Division Atherton LR 2-3 Nelson Cheshire Senior Cup First Round Hyde FC 5-0 Cheadle Town Wednesday 23rd October 2013 Premier Division AFC Liverpool 6-0 Wigan Robin Park Bacup & Ross B P-P Maine Road Colne 2-0 Abbey Hey First Division Formby 7-1 Daisy Hill Saturday 26th October 2013 League Challenge Cup Second Round Abbey Hey v Eccleshall AFC Darwen v Colne Atherton Collieries v Bacup & Ross B Bootle v Norton United Chadderton v Ashton Athletic Congleton Town v Ashton Town Glossop North End v Maine Road Irlam v Runcorn Town Rochdale Town v Holker Old Boys Runcorn Linnets v Barnoldswick Tn Silsden v Formby Squires Gate v 1874 Northwich St Helens Town v Alsager Town West Didsbury & C v AFC Liverpool Wigan Robin Park v AFC Blackpool Winsford United v Stockport Sports First Division Cheadle Town v Daisy Hill Leek CSOB v Atherton LR Nelson v Hanley Town Widnes Vikings v Oldham Boro

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League Standings . . . Division One Table as at Wednesday 23rd October 2013

Division One 1

W D

1874 Northwich 16 10

A GD Pts

31 15 16 34

Hanley Town

15 10

35 18 17 33

Nelson

15 10

51 28 23 32

Atherton Colls

43 23 20 31

Formby

34 17 17 24

Irlam

22 22

Ashton Town

30 28

Widnes Vikings 16

28 30 -2

28 34 -6

10 Cheadle Town * 13

25 20

Chadderton

22 31 -9

Daisy Hill

13 Holker Old Boys 10

22 20

AFC Darwen

23 25 -2

Oldham Boro

25 37 -12 13

Leek CSOB

18 16

Northwich Flixton Villa

10 24 54 -30

Rochdale Town 11

13 20 -7

19 Eccleshall 13 2 1 10 12 29 -17 * points deducted for a breach of league rules

8 9

Atherton LR

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11 27 46 -19 16

Monday 28th October 2013 Premier Division Runcorn Town v Congleton Town First Division Oldham Boro v Atherton LR Tuesday 29th October 2013 Premier Division Abbey Hey v Winsford United AFC Blackpool v Bootle Alsager Town v Runcorn Linnets Glossop North End v Stockport Sports Norton United v Maine Road St Helens Town v Barnoldswick Tn West Dids & Ch v Ashton Athletic Wigan Robin Park v Colne First Division Ashton Town v Atherton Collis Holker Old Boys v AFC Darwen Irlam v Cheadle Town Leek CSOB v Eccleshall Wednesday 30th October 2013 Premier Division Silsden v Bacup & R Boro Saturday 2nd November 2013 First Division Trophy First Round Daisy Hill v Nelson Eccleshall v Hanley Town Formby v Atherton Colls Premier Division AFC Blackpool v Stockport Sports Alsager Town v AFC Liverpool Ashton Athletic v Glossop NE Bacup & R Borough v St Helens Town Barnoldswick Town v Abbey Hey Bootle v Silsden Colne v West Dids & Ch Congleton Town v Runcorn Linnets Maine Road v Squires Gate Norton United v Wigan Robin Pk Runcorn Town v Winsford United First Division Atherton LR v Cheadle Town Chadderton v AFC Darwen Holker Old Boys v Ashton Town Oldham Boro v Northwich F Villa Rochdale Town v 1874 Northwich Widnes Vikings v Leek CSOB

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13

Executive Programme Sponsor

North West Counties Football League Premier Division Programme of the Year 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 & 2012-13