St Helens Town v Bacup Borough

NWCFL Premier Division Season 20112011-12 Programme of the Year

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NWCFL Premier Division Season 20112011-12 Programme of the Year

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Honorary Presidents: Bert Trautmann OBE and Bill Foulkes Honorary Vice President: Jim Barrett Chairman: John McKiernan (07713 339 682) Vice Chairman: Glyn Jones Secretary/Treasurer: Jeff Voller (07843 692 695) Full Committee: John McKiernan, Jeff Voller, Jim Barrett, Gordon McDonald, Ste Ball, Steve Leather, Chris Ford and Glyn Jones.

Co-opted Members: Ian Granite, John Wilkie and Stephen Edwards Limited Company Directors: Jim Barrett and Gordon McDonald Trustees: John McKiernan and Eric Bond Programme Editorial Team: Jeff Voller, Glyn Jones and John McKiernan Club Manager: Ian Granite

Tuesday 5th March 2013, kick off 7.45pm NWCFL, Premier Division St Helens Town V Bacup Borough Red/White Shirts Tangerine Shirts White Shorts, Red/White Socks Claret Shorts & Tangerine Socks No Gls St Helens Town Lee Novak Andy Mawdsley Mike Sykes-Wright Chris Williams Lee Crompton Mark Pye Phil Williams Cole Ashton Ste Edwards Charlie Stoker Greg Harrison Daniel Wright Jordan Dunne Lewis Walker Shaun Judge Craig Fitzjohn

No Gls Bacup Borough Ryan Jones Gareth Wager Matthew Bryan Artjoms Butorins Luke Morgan Darren Evans Karl Stanley David Gray Tommy Turner Arron Kirk Paul Nelson Martin Cosgrave David Limabrooke Paul Arrowsmith Otis Gorman Shane Birtles

Assistant Managers: John Wilkie and Stephen Edwards Player/Coach: Carl Osman Coach: Ian Price Paul Jones Reserve Team Managers Steve Leather (07788 762336) Nick Robinson Youth Team Managers: Rob Walker and Anthony Dunne

Manager: Ian Granite Assistants: Stephen Edwards and John Wilkie

Manager: Brent Peters Coach: Karl Stringer

Referee: Mr D Croft (Birkenhead) Assistants: Mr A Telford (New Ferry) and Mr R Abson (Chester)

Today’s Match Sponsor: Website: www.sthelenstownafc.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/sthelenstownfc Facebook: www.facebook.com/sthelenstownafc

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Cover photograph: Jordan Dunne in action against for Town against Squires Gate.

Executive Programme Sponsors Season 20122012-13

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Talk of the Town . . .

Good evening and welcome to Edge Green Street for this North West Counties League, Premier Division contest against our friends from Bacup Borough. May I open by welcoming our visitors I hope they have had a pleasant trip to visit us here at Edge Green Street, enjoy their short stay and have a safe journey home after the contest.

It is just a week since we were last here at Edge Green Street to take on league form side Runcorn Linnets. In reality there would not have been many that would have given us a chance on the night and indeed some who were waiting for us to get put to the sword by an outfit that had scored 25 goals in their previous six outings. To say they were frustrated would be an understatement as we worked hard all over the pitch and prior to what turned out to be their winner on 75 minutes we had the better of the play and had created the better chances. With a little bit better composure in front of goal we would have been celebrating three points but as it was the performance was encouraging and we looked forward to the Saturday trip to Blackpool to take on relegation rivals Squires Gate.

The omens were not good as we became embroiled in a traffic jam on the M6 en route to Blackpool and the late winter blue skies gave way to an overcast grey day as we headed further north. We again managed to dominate the early exchanges without netting and with only an effort from Charlie Stoker save by the home stopper to show for our first half efforts the sides went in level at the break.

The second half saw Gate come into the game more and they took the lead when Lee Novak parried an effort back into play and we did not react fast enough with the home striker turning the loose ball home. Matters got worse as from a great chance by Town which saw the home stopper touch lucky as a header hit him and the rebound fell next to him allowing him to smoother the ball. From this a swift counter attack saw the home side net a second and matters got worse as they added a third. The day was summed up when Town were awarded a penalty for a blatant push and the Shaun Judge saw his effort save by the home stopper.

It was the worst time for Town to turn in what must be up there with the worst performances of the season it saw Squires Gate leap frog us into 20th place and us sink back into the relegation zone this was compounded as Stone Dominoes defeated Silsden 3-2 and this evening’s visitors won 2-1 against Maine Road. We must quickly bounce back and replicate the performances we put in against Runcorn Town, Linnets and Padiham in order to negate as much as possible Saturday’s disappointment . We have 15 massive matches left and we need more of the good performances that Saturday’s showing if we are to preserve our Premier Division status.

Lets get behind Town this evening and hopefully cheer them on to victory.

Enjoy the game . . . Jeff Voller NWCFL Premier Division Season 20112011-12 Programme of the Year

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In Town Today . . .

Bacup Borough have the honour, along with Darwen, of being the oldest club in the North West Counties League, having been formed in 1875. In the mid 1870’s Robert Rankin and his brother John came to Bacup from Scotland, bringing with them enough soccer ability and enthusiasm to form a football team. Robert was the manager of the textile dying process at Irwell Springs Printing Company Ltd, hence the team they formed being known as Irwell Springs.

On September 2nd 1889, Irwell Springs moved into their new ground at West View in Bacup, which has been their home ever since. The first game on their new ground was against Football League founding members Accrington Stanley. A crowd of over 1,000 saw the match abandoned with five minutes remaining after a heavy downpour. Accrington had been leading 7-1 at the time. Just a year later Irwell Springs changed their name to Bacup Borough. In 1911 Bacup won the Lancashire Junior Cup for the only time (although they were runners up in 1923 and 1975) and a year later were hosts to one of the most famous names in football when Manchester United travelled to West View for a Lancashire Senior Cup tie.

For the record, United won the game 5-1. In 1930 Bacup won the East Lancs Shield, however, their proudest moment came in 1946/47 when they won the Lancashire Combination and were runners up to Marine in the League Cup Final.

This period of success also saw Bacups record attendance when an amazing 4,980 people turned up to watch them play Nelson - a total which is unlikely to be beaten in the near future!

Bacup continued in the Lancashire Combination, becoming runners up in 1972/73 on goal average, despite scoring 101 goals. In 1974/75 they reached the final of the Lancashire Junior Cup (now known as the Lancashire Challenge Trophy) after victories over Formby, Wigan Athletic, South Liverpool and Morecambe, before going down 1-0 to Lancaster City in the final.

In 1980/81 Bacup reached the final of the Lancashire Combination League Cup, only to lose 3-1 on aggregate in a two-legged final against Caernarfon. In 1982/83 Bacup Borough became founding members of the North West Counties League. Initial placings were decided on playing performance and the clubs facilities and Bacup found themselves in Division Three. The team acquitted themselves well, finishing mid-table each season until 1987/88 when, following the exodus of a number of clubs to the Northern Premier League, the NWCL was reorganized and Bacup found themselves in the new Division Two. Unfortunately, the club suffered the embarrassment of finishing bottom of the League and having to apply to re-election. The first few weeks of 1988/89 saw Bacup again struggling, but the transformation came in October 1988 with the arrival of Gary Warburton as manager. Bacup lost only a handful of games over the following 18 months and at the end of 1989/90 finished as runners up in Division Two to gain promotion to Division One for the first time. They also reached the quarter finals of the League Cup and were runners up in the first ever Division Two Trophy final in a thrilling game against Great Harwood. Along the way Gary picked up two Manager of the Month awards while Jimmy Clarke and Gerry Keenan won Player of the Month awards, while Clarke ended as the leading goalscorer in Division Two. The club held its own in Division One until 1994/95 when disaster struck and they finished bottom of Division One, failing to win away from home all season and suffering some heavy defeats. There was no respite the following season as they ended 1995/96 propping up the table for the second time.

However, since those dark years in the mid 90’s, Bacup have slowly but surely improved. In September of the 1997/98 season with no points on the board and following a humiliating 0-10 defeat by Tetley Walker, the committee were prompted to part company with their then manager. This made way for the appointment of Brent Peters as team manager. It was a masterstroke for the club and in 2000/01 they reached the final of the Division Two Trophy again, this time losing out to Squires Gate. Slowly but surely Brent built up a strong team and in 2002/03 they won the Division Two title, the first major success for the club in 56 years, a feat made even more remarkable by the fact that they played all their games for the first few months of the season away from home as major work was carried out on NWCFL Premier Division Season 20112011-12 Programme of the Year

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. . . Bacup Borough Football Club their pitch and ground. Bacup Boroughs first season back in Division One saw a solid mid-table position in the League being secured but to add to that Bacup Borough ran out winners in their first ever appearance in the League Challenge Cup Final, defeating Newcastle Town 3-0. Secretary Frank Manning also celebrated 50 years in the game he was given a Gold Award on behalf of the Football Association.

The 2004/5 season saw Bacup improve their standing within the league and a 9th place finish was their reward in their second season in Division One. Borough managed to finish the 2005/6 in 17th pace after struggling for much of the season. Last term saw Bacup have a bright start to the season but they were blighted by pitch problems and entered 2007 with a backlog of matches to play and ended up finishing in 15th position. The 2007/8 saw Bacup again blighted by pitch problems and they had a large number of matches to fit in when March came. The club finished in 18th position playing three games at week at the close of the season. The 2008/9 season saw the club earn 58 points after recording sixteen victories and finishing in 8th position their highest finish since returning to the top flight in 2003.Season 2009/10 saw Bacup finished in 12th position and became the first team to defeat eventual Champions Newcastle Town securing a 4-1 victory following a remarkable 27 game unbeaten run. This was followed in 2010/11 with Bacup occupying a position in the middle of the table for the majority of the season and they finished in the middle of the pile in 11th position.

Last season saw more silverware arrive at the club as the NWCFL Challenge Cup returned to the Bacup trophy cabinet as Maine Road were comprehensively beaten 5-0 in a match at the Tameside Stadium. This cup run, combined with a good FA Carlsberg Vase run, saw the club struggling to catch up with its fixtures after the run of terrible weather conditions across the region. Having to play so many games in a short period of time took its toll and the season ended with the club in 17th place.

Season 1997-98 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

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

P 40 36 34 38 40 34 42 42 42 42 38 42 42 42 41

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W 13 11 15 13 13 25 15 19 13 11 5 16 15 17 15

D 8 14 11 9 13 2 8 8 8 13 11 10 12 10 7

L 19 11 8 16 14 7 19 15 21 18 22 16 15 15 19

F 57 47 68 59 52 91 68 52 44 50 35 71 63 69 59

A 83 61 42 60 66 32 72 47 62 65 69 71 75 56 77

GD -26 -14 26 -1 -14 59 -4 5 -18 -15 -34 0 -12 13 -18

Pts 47 47 56 48 52 77 53 65 47 46 26 58 57 61 52

Position 14/21 11/19 5/18 14/20 12/21 1/18 14/22 9/22 17/22 15/22 18/20 8/22 12/22 11/22 17/22

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A Word from the Dugout . . .

Good afternoon and welcome to Edge Green Street for today's league challenge cup second round game against AFC Blackpool.

Today's game is our 3third home game in seven days! Last sat we drew 2-2 against Alsager Town; a game which saw us leading 2-0 until we conceded two late goals. It was again a bitter pill to swallow after playing so well in the second half.

We then moved on to Tuesday and an away game (at Edge Green Street) against Ashton Town in the Liverpool Senior Cup. The game finished 0-0 and we bowed out 4-3 on penalties. Again, I thought we controlled most of the game and were unlucky not to win the game in normal time but we need to start converting our chances if we are to progress in these sort of games.

As a team we are looking organised and hard to break down, which is something we have been working really hard on. Now we have to push on and start scoring some goals and winning games.

I am a firm believer in if we work hard results will start to go our way and also you need that little bit of luck along the way which at the minute we aren't getting.

Today's game will be a tough encounter Blackpool will be looking to bounce back from a 5-0 league defeat at Colne last weekend.

I hope everyone enjoys today's game and has a safe journey home.

Ian Granite

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A welcome from the Chairman . . .

Good evening and a very warm welcome to Edge Green Street for this North West Counties Football League Premier Division game against our visitors from Bacup Borough FC. Let’s hope their players, officials and supporters have had a safe journey and along with our own supporters are treated to an entertaining game.

After a run of good performances against some of the title contenders Town failed to get out of the starting blocks last Saturday when they travelled to Squires Gate. While the 3-0 score line may have flattered our hosts the reality was the lads failed to perform all over the park and the defeat meant the two teams swapped league places and Town now find themselves back in the drop zone!

I’m sure Ian and his staff will be looking for a response from the players this evening as we welcome Brent Peters’ Bacup Borough who no doubt will provide another tough test. Saturday saw Bacup come from behind to record a fine 2-1 win over championship hopefuls Maine Road with late goals from David Limabrooke and Shane Birtles. Congratulations must also go to Bacup on reaching the final of the Co-op Lancashire Trophy where they will meet AFC Fylde next Monday evening - we of course wish good luck in their quest for silverware.

Saturday’s game at School Road saw the debut of two 16 year olds - Youth team players Jordan Dunne and Lewis Walker who have made the bench a couple of times recently but were ‘bloodied’ for the first time. 24 hours later Jordan was on the score sheet for the Youth side as they went down 2-3 to league leaders Atherton Town at Bobbies Lane. The Reserves recorded our only success of the weekend with a 2-1 away win at Bold Rangers on Saturday with Vaughton and Perry getting the goals.

Saturday night saw the club hold a Race Night and hotpot supper which proved to be a good night which raised over £900 for the club. Many thanks to all the race sponsors, raffle donations and those who attended.

We will be holding our February 500 Club after tonight’s fixture - last minutes entries are always welcome. Please see any committee member for a chance to win £150, £75 or £25.

Enjoy the game!

John McKiernan Chairman St Helens Town AFC

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Scuffs N Scratches Ltd Phone: 0 1 5 1 4 9 3 2 6 0 0 Fax: 0 1 5 1 4 9 3 9 3 9 6 NWCFL Premier0 Division Mobile: 7802 348096 Season 20112011-12 E-mail:ofinfo@scuffsnscratches.co.uk Programme the Year

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St Helens Town v Runcorn Linnets. . .

Tuesday 26th February 2013 North West Counties Football League Premier Division St Helens Town 0-1 Runcorn Linnets St. Helens Town produced another strong performance against high-flying Runcorn Linnets last Tuesday evening, but went down 1-0 to another late goal. Linnets had any number of chances throughout the game, but a combination of poor finishing and solid goalkeeping by Lee Novak kept the scores level until Lee Madin finally secured the win for Runcorn with ten minutes remaining.

The first half was a tight affair, played on a well-rolled pitch on a cold evening. The visitors seemed content to play possession football across the back four and await their chances on the break. Town strikers Ste Edwards and Phil Williams were kept largely at bay during the first half hour but stepped up the pressure on 31 minutes, when Edwards went close with a header from a Phil Williams corner and this, together from a couple of half chances which fell to midfielder Craig Fitzjohn, were the only opportunities produced by Town in the first half.

In contrast, the second half was played at a faster pace, both teams looking to test their opponents in the quest for the points, Town looking to move away from the bottom of the table, whereas the Linnets had eyes on the leading pack, looking to extend their unbeaten run in 2013.

Town’s best chance fell to Phil Williams on 59 minutes. He turned Michael Burke at the heart of the defence, only to see his shot drift narrowly wide of the far upright. Another opportunity fell to Williams after 78 minutes, after Edwards was brought down on the edge of the penalty area, but he hit his fierce shot straight at keeper Adam Judge. St. Helens were enjoying their best spell of pressure by this stage and within a minute, Cole Ashton was through on goal, but failed to get any power in his shot. It was at this stage, crucially, that Runcorn struck. Against the run of play, the ball was cleared to the other end of the ground and, in a mad scramble, substitute Madin, poked in the ball at the near post for a scrappy goal which ultimately proved to be the match winner.

Try as they might, Town could not recover the deficit but, once again, this was another good performance against a form team who had beaten Wigan Robin Park 6-0 on the previous Saturday. There were solid performances in particular from Fitzjohn, Chris Williams and Lee Crompton in defence and Charlie Stoker belying his 16 years, continuing to make a name for himself in attack.

GLYN JONES NWCFL Premier Division Season 20112011-12 Programme of the Year

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Last time out for Bacup . . .

BACUP BOROUGH 2 MAINE ROAD 1 It was a new look Bacup Borough side that took to the field at the Brian Boys West View Stadium yesterday for the visit of second place Maine Road. Borough boss Brent Peters had been extremely unhappy with the midweek display against Wigan Robin Park and had threatened to make changes. However, the West View faithful were stunned to see no fewer than six changes from the side that started against Wigan. Ryan Jones returned in goal for Paul Horridge, whilst at the back Luke Morgan replaced Otis Gorman. In midfield the evergreen Karl Stanley returned for his first appearance since August, whilst Paul Nelson also came in with Shane Birtles and Lee Oldham the two replaced. Up front Martin Cosgrave made way for David Gray but the biggest surprise of all was the late signing of Tommy Turner to replace Haydn Paul, the proven frontman returning for his third spell at the club after signing from Runcorn Linnets where he has scored six league goals this season. The side looked revitalised by the raft of changes and set about their business purposefully, putting their South Manchester visitors under pressure from the off.

However, the first sniff of a goal chance fell to Maine Road when Martin Hill blazed a free-kick high and wide. The first effort on target for Boro came courtesy of a Gray header, but it lacked sufficient power to trouble Gregory Hall. On 16 minutes Andrew Kilheeney came the closest we had seen so far to an opener as he fired narrowly wide of Jones goal, whilst a minute later a superb cross from Stanley was almost met by Turner. Road looked particularly dangerous at set pieces and it was a worry that Bacup were conceding so many in dangerous areas. Matty Warburton struck the latest one over the crossbar on 23 minutes from a central position. The visitors were obviously expecting an easier ride and when Matty Bryan stole in at the far post to go close with a half volley it sparked a huge disagreement between Hall and his defenders that almost saw the visiting stopper getting booked. Borough were now imposing themselves on the game, although Darren Evans low 32nd minute grubber kick did not trouble Hall. Two minutes later Gray performed great work to keep the ball in play before feeding Arron Kirk, whose cross was almost met by Bryan.

However, as had happened so often in league games this season against the top sides, Borough were then hit by a sucker punch on the counter. Warburton appeared to be heading nowhere out near the left corner flag, but showed neat footwork to sneak in and flick the ball past Jones to give Road the lead. Shortly afterwards the half-time whistle sounded and Bacup found themselves in the same position as on Wednesday night, albeit after producing a much improved display. HALF-TIME: Bacup Borough 0 Maine Road 1 The second half saw Bacup even more dominant with Stanley having the first chance of the half on 48 minutes. Two minutes later Turner burst through but his final effort was just wide of the target. However the first man to really test Hall was Evans, whose superbly struck 58th minute effort needed an excellent save at full stretch to turn it around for a corner. After forcing four corners in succession Road finally managed to clear their lines but it was not long before Hall was called into action again, this time saving well from Nelson. Despite their good approach play Peters sensed time was running out and so he shuffled his pack again, bringing on Dave Limabrooke and Shane Birtles for Stanley and Gray. It was to prove a masterstroke. The next two chances, though, both fell to Evans. His first was well blocked at his near post by Hall whilst the second went over the crossbar from a good position. Paul Arrowsmith now joined the fray against his former club, replacing Nelson, and the next to try his luck at goal was Gareth Wager, driving wide.

Just as the home fans were starting to give up on the outcome, substitute Limabrooke found the breakthrough, his shot taking a slight deflection on his way into the back of the net for his second of the season, a good double scored against the teams first and second in the league table. However, Bacup were not finished and continued to press for the winner their second half performance in particular had merited. The goal duly arrived as the game entered injury time. Another superb cross from the left by Bryan was finished to the net in style with an exquisite effort from substitute Birtles and Borough saw out the remaining seconds to hang on for a famous victory. The whistle sounded to an angry exchange between Hall and some of the spectators behind his goal, the visiting keeper allowing his emotions to get the better of him. For Borough this win lifts them up a place in the league table and with all four sides below them having played at least two more games they are now sitting far more comfortably. On Tuesday Boro travel to face one of those sides, St. Helens Town, and a win there would see Borough safely out of the scrap at the foot of the table for the time being. On this performance they should travel in confident mood. FULL-TIME: Bacup Borough 2 Maine Road 1 NWCFL Premier Division Season 20112011-12 Programme of the Year

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How We Compare . . .

St Helens Town - last 6 matches All Competitions

Most recent

at St Helens Town NWC-D1

Previous Meetings 1997-98

at Bacup Borough NWC-D2

Home

L

L

L

W

L

L

NWC-D1

1998-99

NWC-D2

Away

L

L

L

W

D

L

NWC-D1

1999-00

NWC-D2

Collated

L

W

D

L

L

L

NWC-D1

2000-01

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2001-02

NWC-D2

Bacup Borough - last 6 matches

NWC-D1

2002-03

NWC-D2

All Competitions

21/02; 2-1

2003-04

27/09; 0-2

18/09; 0-0

2004-05

16/10; 0-0

21/02; 0-2

2005-06

29/04; 2-0

21/10; 0-1

2006-07

17/03; 0-0

15/09; 1-3

2007-08

16/04; 2-2

18/10; 3-4

2008-09

04/10; 0-3

20/02; 3-0

2009-10

24/04; 1-2

05/03; 1-1

2010-11

09/04; 1-7

03/03; 0-0

2011-12

16/04: 2-3

05/03/2013

2012-13

03/04/2013

Most recent

Home

W

L

W

W

L

W

Away

L

L

L

L

L

W

Collated

W

L

W

W

L

W

St Helens Town games since...

Bacup Borough games since...

All Competitions

All Competitions

Clean sheet

16

Goal Scored

2

Clean sheet

2

St Helens Town Scores First

Goal Scored

0

Loss

0

Loss

1

No score draw

16

No score draw

27

Score draw

3

Score draw

13

Win

4

Win

0

Games Played

18

St Helens Town Wins

3

Draws

6

Bacup Borough Wins

9

St Helens Town Goals

18

Bacup Borough Goals

31

Percentage Town Wins

16.67

Previous Meetings Since 1949/50 All Competitions P

W

D

L

F

A

GD

Win %

Home

14

4

5

5

16

18

-2

28.57

Away

16

6

4

6

26

30

-4

37.50

Collated

30

10

9

11

42

48

-6

33.33

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Squires Gate v St Helens Town

Saturday 2nd March 2013 Action from School Road, Blackpool Squires Gate 3-0St Helens Town

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A Brief History of St Helens Town . . .

St Helens Town Managers 1962-63 Pat Murphy 1963-64 Sam Cottingham 1964-66 Jimmy McKiernan 1966-68 Jackie Dewsnip 1968-71 Peter Jones 1971-77 Alan Hampson 1977-79 Jimmy Dewsnip 1979-80 Geoff Robinson 1980-82 Jack Prytherch 1982-84 Peter Rutherford 1984-87 Alan Wellens 1987-92 Alan Aspinall 1992-93 Mick Holgate 1993-02 Jimmy McBride 2002-03 John Davison 2003-04 Paul Lodge 2004-05 Joe Paladino 2005-06 Joe Gibiliru 2006-07 Alex Wright 2007-09 John Fletcher 2009-10 Gary Bickerstaffe 2010-11 Lee Riley 2011-12 Jimmy McBride 2012 Ian Granite

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 Photographs: Above Tommy O’Neil holding aloft the FA Vase in 1987. Opposite St Helens Town 1948 with Bert Trautmann NWCFL Premier Division Season 20112011-12 Programme of the Year

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

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. The last two seasons have seen Town slide to 16th in 2010/11 and next to bottom last season, when they would have been relegated, but for Flixton’s decision to resign from the league.

Town begin this season under new manager Ian Granite, who has brought in a new coaching set-up and several new players. Whilst on the playing front, the club looks forward to an improvement this season, Town’s ground situation remains uncertain. 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 a third season sharing Ashton Town’s ground at Edge Green Street has had to be arranged to cover their immediate future as negotiations with Saints continue.

NWCFL Premier Division Season 20112011-12 Programme of the Year

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 of 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 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

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St Helens Town Juniors FC . . .

Peter Reid recently made a visit to St Helens Cricket Club to see the St Helens Town JFC progress on their Football Pools ÂŁ50k in 90 Days Challenge which is seeing

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Town v Boro Last Season . . .

NWCFL Season 2011-12 Action from last season’s game at Edge Green Street - St Helens Town v Bacup Borough

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Executive Programme Sponsors Season 20122012-13

Date Opponents 04.08.12 Colne 07.08.12 AFC Liverpool

Venue Away Home

Comp NWCFL NWCFL

11.08.12 Abbey Hey

Result GK 2 1-2W Newbrook Mawdsley 2-1W Newbrook Mawdsley Home FAC EPR 1-5L Newbrook Mawdsley

18.08.12 Barnoldswick T

Away

NWCFL

4-2L

Newbrook Mawdsley

21.08.12 Bootle Away 28.08.12 Congleton Town Away 01.09.12 Stockport Sports Home

NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL

2-2D 2-0L 0-5L

04.09.12 Ashton Athletic

Home

NWCFL

2-2D

08.09.12 Padiham

Away

NWCFL

4-1L

Newbrook Newbrook Newbrook Newbrook Novak

Mawdsley Mawdsley Mawdsley Mawdsley Ashton

15.09.12 Daisy Hill 22.09.12 Stone Dominoes

Away Away

FAV 2QR NWCFL

0-5W 1-3W

Novak Novak

Standley G.Pye

29.09.12 Runcorn Town

Home

NWCFL

0-2L

06.10.12 Silsden 13.10.12 Parkgate 20.10.12 Alsager Town

Away Home Home

NWCFL 7-1L FAV 1R 2-4L aet NWCFL 2-2D

Novak Novak

G.Pye G.Pye

23.10.12 Ashton Town 27.10.12 AFC Blackpool

Away Home

LSC 1R LCC 2R

0-0D# 0-3L

03.11.12 Wigan Robin Park Away

NWCFL

3-0L

10.11.12 24.11.12 01.12.12 08.12.12 05.01.13

Away Away Away Away Home

NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL

3-1L 2-2D 2-1L 2-1L 1-3L

12.01.13 Norton United

Away

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5-2L

02.02.13 09.02.13 12.02.13 16.02.13

Away Away Home Home

NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL

4-2L 3-4W 1-4L 2-1W

18.02.13 Runcorn Town Away 23.02.13 Padiham Home 26.02.13 Runcorn Linnets Home

NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL

1-1D 2-4L 0-1L

02.03.13 Squires Gate 05.03.13 Bacup Borough

Away Home

NWCFL NWCFL

3-0L

09.03.13 AFC Blackpool Away 16.03.13 Congleton Town Home

NWCFL NWCFL

19.03.13 23.03.13 26.03.13 30.03.13

NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL

Winsford United Ashton Athletic Maine Road Stockport Sports Colne Runcorn Linnets Glossop NE Wigan Robin Pk Silsden

Alsager Town Squires Gate Barnoldswick T Winsford United

03.04.13 Bacup Borough

Away Home Home Home Away

06.04.13 Maine Road Home 09.04.13 AFC Blackpool Home 16.04.13 Norton United Home 20.04.13 Stone Doms Home NWCFL Premier Division 25.04.13 Glossop NE Home 2011-12 Home TBASeason Bootle2011of the Year TBAProgramme AFC Liverpool Away # Lost 3-4 on Penalties.

Novak Novak Novak Novak Novak

Mawdsley Mawdsley Mawdsley M.Pye Taylor Taylor

Novak Novak

Taylor Mawdsley

Novak Novak Novak

4 Crompton Crompton1 Crompton(C)

Hatton

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Hatton Hatton Hatton G.Harrison G.Harrison G.Harrison1

Standley Standley Doyle Standley C.Williams

Crompton1

G.Harrison

C.Williams C.Williams

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Ashton Ashton

Howard Howard

C.Williams C.Williams

Crompton Crompton

C.Williams C.Williams C.Williams Standley C.Williams

Crompton Cromtpn Cromtpn C.Williams Crompton(C)

Ashton Ashton Hoult1

Mawdsley Howard Sykes-Wright Howard Sykes-Wright Howard G.Pye Sykes-Wright Mawdsley Standley

Novak Novak Novak Taylor Novak Novak

Novak Novak Novak

3 Hatton Hatton Hatton1

Sykes-Wright Sykes-Wright Sykes-Wright Sykes-Wright Sykes-Wright Sykes-Wright

Crompton Crompton Crompton Crompton

Fitzjohn Fitzjohn

Fitzjohn

Wallace Wallace Ashton Ashton Sykes-Wrig

Ashton Ashton Ashton Ashton

C.Williams Crompton(C) C.Williams Crompton C.Williams Crompton C.Williams Crompton(C) C.Williams1 Mawdsley(C) Crompton(C) Mawdsley

Fitzjohn Fitzjohn

Crompton(C) Crompton(C) Crompton(C)

C.Williams C.Williams Doyle

Fitzjohn Fitzjohn M. Pye

Sykes-Wright Sykes-Wright

Crompton(C) Crompton(C) Crompton(C)

C.Williams C.Williams C.Williams

M. Pye Fitzjohn M.Pye

NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL NWCFL

6 Fitzjohn1

Fitzjohn Fitzjohn M.Pye Fitzjohn Sykes-Wright C.Williams Crompton(C) Judge1 Sykes-Wright Crompton(C)2 C.Williams Fitzjohn1

Mawdsley Sykes-Wright Mawdsley Sykes-Wright Sykes-Wright G.Harrison Mawdsley Sykes-Wright1 Mawdsley Mawdsley

5 Burke Burke Burke Waugh1

Executive Programme Sponsors Season 20122012-13

n n

7 Rimmer Rimmer Rimmer

8 McNair McNair McNair

9 Edwards1 Edwards1 Edwards

10 11 Osman(C) Waugh Osman(C) Sykes-Wright Standley Sykes-Wright

n

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Osman(C) Osman(C) Rudd Osman(C) Osman(C)

McNair Doyle Harrison8 Jennings Newcombe A.Dunne9 McNair Judge8 A.Dunne11 Harrison3 Johnson A.Dunne10 Harrison11 Rimmer Sykes-Wright8 McNair Johnson Wallace Hatton McNair2 Rimmer7 Newcombe Johnson10 Rimmer1 G.Pye Johnson9 Hatton5 Wilkie 2 7 McNair1 Johnson Newcombe G.Pye11 Hatton1 Sykes-Wright Newcombe11 Johnson10 Hoult8 L.Harrison

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Judge Edwards L.Harrison1 Edwards1

L.Harrison Osman(C) Osman(C) Lomax Lomax Lomax1 P.Williams1

McNair McNair McNair P.Williams1

Jennings

A.Dunne111

L.Harrison11 Sykes-Wright7 Johnson9 Hatton Sykes-Wright2 Hpult Newcombe L.Harrison6 P.Williams7

M.Pye Ashton Storey9 Lloyd Waugh4 Price

A.Dunne110 G.Harrison Ashton10

P.Williams P.Williams P.Williams

Hoult Judge8 Dunne Hoult4 Hoult8 C.Williams9

M.Pye Lomax1

Edwards Doyle

Stoker11 Hoult8

Ashton7 Freitas

Woods2 Woods

Hoult9 G.Harrison Woods

Ashton10 Edwards Walker

Woods3 Maguire J.Dunne

Maguire Woods Price

Wright Wright2 Walker9

J.Dunne Judge J.Dunne7

Walker Hoult9 Judge6

Price Maguire Murphy

P.Williams P.Williams P.Williams1

Fitzjohn M.Pye

Lomax Edwards

Stoker Ashton1

M.Pye M.Pye Ashton

Edwards Stoker1 Edwards

Lomax P.Williams Hoult P.Williams1 Stoker

Ashton Ashton Ashton

Edwards Edwards Edwards

Stoker P.Williams P.Williams

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Harrison6

Ashton8 Storey9 L.Harrison Price G.Harrison6 M.Pye7

P.Williams P.Williams P.Williams

Freitas Stoker

Stoker Stoker

Ashton8

15 16 17 G.Pye7 Sykes-Wright8 Vaughan G.Pye Standleyt5 Vaughan 2 G.Pye Vaughan5 Ashton

Ashton8 L.Harrison Edwards9 Johnson9 Edwards19 Storey7 Rimmer10 Johnson Rimmer10 G.Harrison G.Pye8 Price Judge8 Rimmer A.Dunne10 L.Harrison Hoult L.Harrison8 Newcombe Rimmer7

Judge Judge1

Judge Judge1

14 Newcombe9 Newcombe10 Newcombe

G.Pye G.Pye Newcombe9 Edwards3 A.Dunne9

Edwards Edwards Edwards Edwards

Hoult P.Williams1

Lomax Judge1

Osman(C) Osman(C)1

12 Jennings Jennings Jennings8

G.Harrison G.Harrison G.Harrison

Name1 Name Name Name Name10

M.Pye

Murphy

Player name and number of goals scored Player name and CAUTION Player name and DISMISSAL FOR 2 CAUTIONS Player name and DISMISSAL Executive Player name and number of replaced player Programme Sponsors Season 20122012-13

St Helens Town AFC Managers . . .

Between 1946 and 1962 the club, like many, didn’t have a ‘manager’. Town officials would liaise with first and reserve team captains over team selection. In 1962-63 ‘First Manager’ Pat Murphy came from Burscough with a nucleus of his team which won the Lancashire Combination Division One title for Burscough but the formulae didn’t work for Town despite financial backing of a brand new 200 seat supporters club opened by John Connelly in spring of 1962. 1963-64 Sam Cottingham came after success with Pilkington's in a move to rebalance the squad with more local players. 1964-66 Jimmy McKiernan became the club's first commercial manager and team boss after arriving from Earlestown via a successful playing career which included a spell on the North Wales circuit. 1966-68 Jackie Dewsnip, cousin of Town player Jimmy Dewsnip who along with the latter’s son Neil meant the Haydock based family served Town well over a couple of decades. 1968-71 Peter Jones took the reigns in the wake of the Northern Premier League being formed which reduced Town’s league (Lancs Combination) to one division. He moved on after three years to a position on the staff of Preston North End. 1971-77 Alan Hampson arrived from South Liverpool after a distinguished playing career at Holly Park and became a mini ‘Messiah’ as Town won the Lancs Combination title in 1972 along with the Bass Charrington and Watson trophy in quick succession. He also oversaw Town’s step into the Cheshire County League in 1975 as by then, the Lancashire Comb had become a pale imitation of its former self. 1977-79 The aforementioned Jimmy Dewsnip took the reigns after ‘Hampy’ had moved on and became the first ex Town player to become manager. He combined this with work for the Liverpool County FA with the latter eventually claiming his services after two years. 1979-80 Player manager Geoff Robinson hailed from the new overspill at Laffak where he also ran the increasingly successful ‘Starting Gate’ pub team in the blossoming new Sunday League. Many of his squad were ‘Town’ players but the ‘conflict’ of interests was seen as detrimental to the senior club.

1980-82 Jack Prytherch had been at Wigan Athletic and he brought in players from that area including new club skipper, his son in law, Steve Murfin. Jack’s reign saw the formation of the North West Counties League and Town’s first season was a struggle in the new league’s top flight resulting in a change in 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 debut at Allan Wellens receiving the Lancs Combination Great Harwood in 1966. His playing career was ended by a broken leg against Hyde in 1981 at Hoghton Road. Alan went on to Town history with the club’s historic journey to Wembley in 1987 before he and the vast majority of the FA Vase winning side NWCFL Premier Division Season 20112011-12 Programme of the Year

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sought pastures new. 1987-92 Alan Aspinall (pictured left) 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. 1993-2002 Having previously been the manager of highly successful local league side ’Furnacemen’s Arms FC’ 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, the club decided it could not wait for a repeat and an upsurge in results as the final few weeks of the 2008-09 season unfolded and Town remained rooted in a relegation spot. 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 of the season.

Bickerstaffe’s fine form as manager continued throughout 2009-10 eventually finishing in 9th place. 2010 – 2011 Lee Riley (pictured left) steps up from assistant manager when Gary Bickerstaffe steps down at the end of the 200910. 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 sees Jimmy McBride makes a return to Town following a brief spell in the Cheshire League with Billinge FC but it proved a difficult season and Town parted company with him as we narrowly avoided relegation. 2012 - present Ian Granite is appointed following success with neighbours Wigan Robin Park FC. Many thanks to Jim Barrett and Eric Bond for their input in compiling the information.

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Squires Gate v St Helens Town . . .

Saturday 2nd March 2013 NWCFL Premier Division Squires Gate 3-0 St Helens Town

St. Helens Town lost again on Saturday, going down 30 to next-to-bottom Squires Gate, in a disappointing defeat which meant the two clubs changed places in the table, putting Town back in the relegation zone.

Following a series of encouraging displays, St. Helens had been favourites to win this battle and, with the two clubs due to meet again at Edge Green Street a fortnight on Saturday, Town have put themselves under pressure at a crucial stage of the season.

The game started well for Town and they must have thought the result was theirs for the taking, but Squires Gate, fresh from a 2-2 draw at high-flying Bootle and the appointment of a new manager, had other ideas.

Phil Williams and Ste Edwards were lively in the opening exchanges, both having early chances, before the Blackpool outfit laid siege to the St. Helens goal.

The best chances of the half fell to the visitors and, on 27 minutes, Town should have gone ahead through Charlie Stoker, who turned the defence and hit a great shot, which goalkeeper Rogerson just saved. Lee Crompton then had a header saved on the half hour, following Phil Williams’ free kick and with the game approaching half-time, with the score-sheet blank, Squires Gate failed narrowly with a shot from Bamba, which should have been a wake-up call for Town.

The second half performance from St. Helens was NWCFL Premier Division Season 20112011-12 Programme of the Year

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. . . Match Report and Photos poor. Crompton got his head to a corner, only for Chris Williams to hit the rebound directly at the keeper on 48 minutes but, within 4 minutes, Gate took the lead, Bamba putting the ball into an empty net after Lee Novak had come out to close down substitute Walker.

Town’s Harrison saw his shot saved by Rogerson two minutes later and as time wore on, Town failed frustratingly to capitalise on a number of errors from the home keeper, before Walker scored a second for the home side on 70 minutes. Nine minutes later, the game was snatched out of Town’s reach, when Rothwell lobbed Novak from 20 yards.

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Recent Results . . .

Monday 25th February 2013 Premier Division 6-1 Alsager Town Maine Road Matthew Warburton (2) Sam Aspinwall (86) Neil Chappell (24) Thomas Bentham (27) Thomas Bentham (49) Neil Chappell (60) Matthew Warburton (80) First Division 1-2 Nelson Oldham Boro James Curley (77) lan Robinson (42) Ashley Higgins (57p) Tuesday 26th February 2013 Premier Division 0-3 Bootle Ashton Athletic Own Goal (25) Thomas Foley (39) Kevin Townson (51) 2-0 Silsden Barnoldswick Town Shaun Airey (17) Mark Threlfall (34) 0-0 Norton United Congleton Town Glossop North End

St Helens Town First Division AFC Darwen Bobby Langford (32) Formby Francis Smith (52) Jason Carey (68) West Didsbury & C’on Own Goal (63) Scott Jones (72) Scott Jones (86)

HT: 3-0 Att: 55

HT: 0-1 Att: 25

HT: 0-2 Att: 39

HT: 2-0 Att: 138

HT: 0-0 Att: 82 0-3 Winsford United HT: 0-1 Brian Matthews (43) Att: 78 Danny Egan (60) Brian Matthews (90) 0-1 Runcorn Linnets HT: 0-0 Lee Madin (75) Att: 178

1-1 Atherton Collieries Danny Smith (55) 2-1 Ashton Town Sean Robinson (44)

HT: 1-0 Att: 72 HT: 0-1 Att: 63

3-1 Eccleshall Dan Jones (76)

HT: 0-0 Att: 34

Wednesday 27th February 2013 Premier Division 0-1 Wigan Robin Park Bacup Borough Chris Bennett (44) NWCFL Premier Division Season 20112011-12 Programme of the Year

HT: 0-1 Att: 51

Padiham Ben Allen (65p) Kenny Taylor (66)

2-0 Colne

HT: 0-0 Att: 181

Saturday 2nd March 2013 First Division Trophy Semi Final 1st Leg 0-1 Abbey Hey HT: 0-1 AFC Darwen Martin Pilkington (42) Att: 114 2-0 Daisy Hill HT: 0-0 Ashton Town Phil Davies (46, 59) Att: 51 Premier Division 3-0 Alsager Town HT: 2-0 AFC Liverpool Ronald Morgan (20) Att: 112 Steven Jones (37) John Lawless (58) 2-1 Maine Road HT: 0-1 Bacup Borough David Limabrooke (85) Matthew Warburton Att: 78 (42) Shane Birtles (90) 1-1 Wigan Robin Park HT: 0-0 Barnoldswick Town Mark Threlfall (90) Joseph Hull (67) Att: 118 2-1 AFC Blackpool HT: 1-1 Bootle Kurtis Gill (10) Ben Singleton (1) Att: 107 Kevin Townson (90) 0-0 Runcorn Town HT: 0-0 Congleton Town Att: 128 1-1 Colne HT: 0-0 Glossop North End Nick Allen (59p) Krystian Evens (51) Att: 167 1-2 Padiham HT: 1-0 Norton United Mark Macdonald (23) Ben Allen (70p) Att: 83 Kieron Pickup (90) 3-0 St Helens Town HT: 0-0 Squires Gate Seydou Bamba (53) Att: 75 Luke Walker (70) Max Rothwell (78) 2-2 Runcorn Linnets HT: 2-0 Stockport Sports Ricky Anane (25) Gavin Salmon (90) Att: 98 Andrews Frempong (26) Gavin Salmon (90) 3-2 Silsden HT: 2-2 Stone Dominoes Own Goal (7) James Nanji-Ngoe Att: 20 (25) Luke Robinson (40) Kevin Ryan (35) Dwayne Spence (80) 2-0 Ashton Athletic HT: 2-0 Winsford United Own Goal (22) Att: 119 Kyle McGonigle (40) Executive Programme Sponsors Season 20122012-13

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Tea Break Teasers . . .

Q1. Which country was responsible for inflicting England’s heaviest ever defeat a 7-1 reverse in 1954?

Q2. Which two clubs compete in the Turin derby?

Q3. Which Premier League club submitted the fewest number of registered players at the start of the 2012-13 season?

Q4. Who were the last team to win the English league title having not finished in the top three the previous term?

Q5. Which side have won more games in the Champions League than any other team who have not won the competition?

Q6. Which former Manchester United manager made 115 appearances for Liverpool?

Q7. Who are the only international side to have never lost a full international against Brazil, having won twice and drawn twice with them?

Q8. Which player was the first to net 100 goals in the Premier League?

Q9. Which England Manager was in charge of the national team for the most number of matches?

Q10. How many non British players played in the Premier League on the first ever weekend in August 1992?

Q11. Which player has scored past a record 38 different Premier League teams?

Q12. Which keeper has saved the most penalties in the Premier League since the 1998/99 season?

Q13. Which British club has won the European Cup more times that the domestic title?

Q14. Ashley Cole holds the record for the most FA Cup wins but how many winners medals does he have?

Q15. Who has made the most full appearances for England without ever playing at the World Cup or European Championship finals?

1) Hungary 2) Torino & Juventus 3) Everton registered 19 out of 25 permitted 4) Leeds United 1991-2 5) Arsenal 6) Matt Busby 7) Norway 8) Alan Shearer 9) Walter Winterbottom (139 matches between 1946-63) 10) 13 11) Andy Cole 12) Thomas Sorensen 13) Nottingham Forrest 14) Seven 15) Stewart Downing NWCFL Premier Division Season 20112011-12 Programme of the Year

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NWCF League News . . .

Leading Scorers - Premier Division Player Club Chris Smith Congleton Town Ben Allen Padiham Jason Hart Colne Mark Battersby Glossop North End Matthew Warburton Maine Road Michael Garrod Silsden Andrew Hurst Winsford United Thomas Bentham Maine Road Mark Threlfall Barnoldswick Town John Lawless AFC Liverpool John Marsden Stockport Sports James McShane Runcorn Town Paul Shanley Runcorn Town Tom Bailey Maine Road Phil Howard Wigan Robin Park Michael Koral Congleton Town Ross McDowell Runcorn Linnets Brian Matthews Winsford United Leigh Skellern Alsager Town Daniel Cocks Bacup Borough Sam Aspinwall Alsager Town

Lge 21 23 23 23 20 19 16 16 15 13 21 14 18 17 16 11 12 12 12 9 12

Cup 7 3 3 2 4 3 6 6 7 9 0 7 2 2 3 5 3 2 2 5 1

Total 28 26 26 25 24 22 22 22 22 22 21 21 20 19 19 16 15 14 14 14 13

Saxons Striker Moves to Stoke City Stockport Sports striker John Marsden has joined Barclays Premier League club Stoke City after a period on trial. The striker, who was on the books of both Wigan Athletic and Celtic as a youngster, appeared for The Potters in friendly games and also in the Under 21 side during his recent trial spell at the club, and now makes the move permanently after scoring 21 goals in 31 appearances for the Saxons this season.

Saxons Chairman John Hindley said: "John has been an absolute pleasure to have at this club. He came here following his release by Celtic and has worked so hard to get back into the professional game. His attitude and effort have been first class and he deserves everything that he gets out of the game. He is an example to all our young players, a proof that with the correct attitude, application and desire then people will notice and they will get a chance to progress. That is exactly what we are looking to achieve here at Stockport Sports. “We want to give talented young players a high standard of coaching, the chance to play at a good standard in a very competitive league and an opportunity to make their way back into the professional game. John has had great support from his family, and this move just shows that the opportunity is out there for players to make their way in football if they are good enough and put in the work.

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NWCF League News . . .

Sky Sports visit Nelson Sky Sports News visited Nelson last Saturday to cover their Division One game against Irlam.

The game has been chosen for coverage as Sky want to explore the historic links between Nelson FC, Manchester United and Real Madrid, in advance of the Champions League tie at Old Trafford next week. The association dates back some 80 years, to the days when Nelson played in the Football League. In season 1922-23, after Nelson were promoted from the Third Division North of the Football League, they undertook an overseas tour to Spain in May 1923, and won two of their four games - a 2-1 success against Real Oviedo and a 4-2 victory at Real Madrid.

The following season in the Football League Division Two, Nelson's campaign ended in relegation, but they did enjoy a home victory over champions-elect Leeds United, and their first away victory came at Manchester United, meaning that they won away at both Real Madrid and Manchester United in the space of a few months.

With that feat in mind, and with the Champions League tie between Manchester United and Real Madrid set to take place next week, Sky have decided to pay a visit to Nelson to shoot some footage as part of their build-up to the game on Tuesday, and film the current Nelson squad in action. Nelson Secretary Abdul Khan says everyone is looking forward to seeing the Sky crew at the game.

"The Admirals were the first English side to beat Real Madrid, and Sky got in touch because of the historic link the club has to both Manchester United and Real Madrid", he said. "We would like to encourage supporters to come to the ground early, especially if they have any memorabilia from the game or anecdotes passed on through family or friends".

FA Vase Semi-Final Draw The draw for the Semi-Final of The FA Vase will be live on talkSPORT on Monday at 3pm as the road to Wembley comes towards a close. The FA will shortly be sending details to Clubs and leagues across the country on arrangements for the Vase Final. The FA's aim is to get all clubs more involved in buying tickets to support the Final, to ensure that the final can remain at Wembley, and to try and attract more spectators to attend from all Vase Clubs as well as all football supporters in general. The ticket prices for this year's final have been reduced to £15 for adults and £5 for under 16’s with all tickets now able to be purchased direct from The FA.com and not solely through the finalists as in previous seasons.

NWCFL Premier Division Season 20112011-12 Programme of the Year

Executive Programme Sponsors Season 20122012-13

NWCFL Premier Division Season 20112011-12 Programme of the Year

Executive Programme Sponsors Season 20122012-13

League Standings . . .

North West Counties League, Premier Division Table 02/03/2013 Monday 4th March 2013

Pos Team

P W D L

F

A GD Pts Premier Division

1

Padiham

28 19 7

2 65 28 37 64

2

Maine Road

31 19 3

9 73 46 27 60

3

Runcorn Town

28 17 7

4 66 30 36 58

4

Bootle

26 18 3

5 50 25 25 57

5

Runcorn Linnets

30 16 6

8 62 45 17 54

6

Barnoldswick Town 28 15 8

5 56 29 27 53

7

Winsford United

27 15 5

7 55 30 25 50

8

Congleton Town

28 13 7

8 63 39 24 46

9

Colne

30 13 7 10 65 42 23 46

10 Glossop North End 30 12 8 10 60 52 8 44 11 Stockport Sports(-3) 31 12 9 10 59 44 15 42 12 Alsager Town

32 11 7 14 52 57 -5 40

13 Wigan Robin Park

28 11 4 13 40 52 -12 37

14 AFC Blackpool

28 10 6 12 36 44 -8 36

15 Norton United(-3)

28 11 3 14 44 63 -19 33

16 AFC Liverpool

23 9

2 12 41 46 -5 29

17 Silsden

28 8

3 17 43 64 -21 27

18 Bacup Borough

25 8

1 16 29 44 -15 25

19 Ashton Athletic

30 7

2 21 36 69 -33 23

20 Squires Gate

30 6

3 21 38 67 -29 21

21 St Helens Town

27 5

5 17 37 74 -37 20

22 Stone Dominoes

29 3

4 22 24 104 -80 13

NWCFL Premier Division Season 20112011-12 Programme of the Year

Maine Road v Barnoldswick Town Runcorn Town v Stockport Sports First Division Atherton Collieries v Atherton LR Formby v West Didsbury Tuesday 5th March 2013 Premier Division Bootle v Ashton Athletic St Helens Town v Bacup Borough Wigan Robin Park v AFC Liverpool Winsford United v Stone Dominoes First Division Leek CSOB v Ashton Town Cheshire Senior Cup Quarter Finals Stalybridge Celtic v Runcorn Linnets Wednesday 6th March 2013 Premier Division Silsden v Padiham First Division Abbey Hey v Northwich Villa Nelson v Formby Saturday 9th March 2013 League Challenge Cup, Quarter Finals Bacup Borough v Formby Cheadle Town v AFC Liverpool Runcorn Linnets v Bootle Premier Division AFC Blackpool v St Helens Town Ashton Athletic v Alsager Town Barnoldswick Town v Runcorn Town Colne v Stone Dominoes Glossop North End v Congleton Town Norton United v Squires Gate Padiham v Maine Road Stockport Sports v Winsford United Wigan Robin Park v Silsden Executive Programme Sponsors Season 20122012-13

League Standings . . .

North West Counties League Division One Table 02/03/2013 Pos Team

P W D L

F

A GD Pts

1

Formby

17 16 0

1 64 26 38 48

2

AFC Darwen

23 15 2

6 60 38 22 47

3

Abbey Hey

20 15 1

4 57 16 41 46

4

Ashton Town

21 13 3

5 59 24 35 42

5

Atherton Collieries 21 13 3

5 53 33 20 42

6

West Didsbury

22 12 4

6 46 31 15 40

7

Cheadle Town

23 11 5

7 40 37 3 38

8

Oldham Boro (-3)

26 11 4 11 46 39 7 34

9

Nelson

22 8

4 10 40 48 -8 28

10 Chadderton

22 7

6

11 Leek CSOB

23 7

5 11 37 50 -13 26

12 Rochdale Town

20 6

6

13 Atherton LR

22 5

6 11 23 37 -14 21

14 Irlam

24 5

6 13 33 53 -20 21

15 Northwich Villa

22 6

3 13 28 57 -29 21

16 Eccleshall

23 4

5 14 32 63 -31 17

17 Daisy Hill

22 4

4 14 31 52 -21 16

18 Holker Old Boys

19 4

1 14 18 47 -29 13

NWCFL Premier Division Season 20112011-12 Programme of the Year

9 38 46 -8 27

8 29 37 -8 24

Saturday 9th March 2013 First Division AFC Darwen v Rochdale Town Ashton Town v Chadderton Atherton Collieries v Leek CSOB Daisy Hill v Eccleshall Holker Old Boys v Oldham Boro Irlam v Abbey Hey Northwich Villa v Atherton LR West Didsbury v Nelson Monday 11th March 2013 AFC Fylde v Bacup Borough To be played at Bolton Wanderers Tuesday 12th March 2013 Premier Division AFC Liverpool v Stone Dominoes Bootle v Norton United Congleton Town v Stockport Sports Wigan Robin Park v Winsford United First Division Abbey Hey v Eccleshall Ashton Town v Formby Atherton LR v Nelson Daisy Hill v Holker Old Boys Leek CSOB v Northwich Villa West Didsbury v Irlam Wednesday 13th March 2013 Premier Division Padiham v Runcorn Linnets Silsden v Colne First Division Cheadle Town v Atherton Collieries

Executive Programme Sponsors Season 20122012-13

NWCFL Premier Division Season 20112011-12 Programme of the Year

Executive Programme Sponsors Season 20122012-13

NWCFL Premier Division Season 20112011-12 Programme of the Year

Executive Programme Sponsors Season 20122012-13