Billinge v barnton programme

A VIEW FROM THE HILL BILLINGE FC PROGRAMME 2013/14 SEASON £2 (including admission)

SATURDAY 5 APRIL 2014: 3PM KO BILLINGE FC versus BARNTON FC CHESHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

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FROM THE BOARDROOM: STEVE DICKSON – CHAIRMAN OF BILLINGE FC Following on from two tremendous victories last week with the first team getting a great result away at Crewe we fell back to earth with a bang losing 5-1 at home to Garswood.

The result flattered The Wooders and I felt after we went one-up - through an excellent goal against his old club – from Jonny Clark I thought we might get something from the game but it wasn’t to be.

Garswood United showed what a very good team and I’m pleased for Cosh and Andy Clough and praise must go out to the Garswood committee who stuck with Cosh when things weren’t going as well as they could have done.

It shows that you have to be patient in football and although we are in a results business it takes time to get things right.

What Garswood do very well is ‘get things right off the pitch’ and as a committee we are striving to do the same with Billinge FC. The committee is putting in a huge amount of work to get things right off the pitch and we feel that all those hours of hard work are beginning to pay off.

We are definitely getting there and if you look at the same hard work that Fletch, Geoff Parr and Dave Wood are putting in managing our senior sides it is safe to say we can begin to look forward to next season with confidence.

But before that we have games to play and I’d like to welcome the management, players and supporters of Barnton FC to Barrows Farm.

They have had a superb season and are both challenging for the title and looking forward to entering the North West Counties next season. All at Billinge wish them well – after these next two games obviously.

Don’t forget to visit the Boot Room Café to sample Jayne’s legendary Finally may I congratulate Geoff and his reserve lads for getting through to the Northern Cup semi-final. Today they are at Egerton and still have a chance for the title. Here’s hoping…

BEST WISHES STEVE

WORD FROM THE GAFFER After weeks of injuries, lads being unavailable due to work commitments and poor second-half displays costing us dearly, everything came together away to second in the league Crewe FC two weeks ago.

Unfortunately last week I had lads missing through suspension, work and injury and again it showed as we lost to a very good Garswood team.

We have the potential at the club. We just need to get the commitment from everybody. If we do that – along with some new additions that we have already identified – then we will have a good season next year.

However we need to finish this season strongly. Last week we went in at halftime all square and apart from a couple of quibbles I was pleased with how the lads played. Unfortunately they ran away with it late in the game when their superior fitness told. Again this is something we have to work on in preseason and more importantly throughout the season.

I also felt we were undone by a few strange decisions by the officials but that is over with and we look forward to taking on an excellent Barnton side at Barrows Farm today.

If we play as I know we can then we will give them a real game and myself and all the lads are really looking forward to the game.

Meanwhile I’d like to congratulate Geoff Parr and all his reserve lads for getting through to the Northern Cup semi-final. We have won this trophy for the last two seasons and we have no intention of giving it up!

Geoff and myself will be working very closely as the season nears the end as we have a large number of games to get through between us and both squads will be stretched to the limit. This is a great opportunity for some of the reserve lads to step up to the first team where we can have a look at what they can do and a chance for some of my young lads to help Geoff out, There is still a lot of football to go. We’ll then have two weeks off and then get our football heads on again and start planning for next season.

Finally as this is the last programme before Adam Clare plays at Wembley in the Budweiser Open trials may I – on behalf of all the players at the club – wish him all the very best.

COYS Yours Gareth Fletcher

A VIEW FROM THE TERRACES: The charity shop is the new boutique: The days of getting excited when going in to clothes shops are (sadly) few and far between for me now. It’s an age thing I’m aware of that but if you add in the fact you can order “stuff” off the internet, everybody is wearing the same shoes etc etc my interest has fallen dramatically. For sure (to quote Harry Redknapp) I still like my clobber but that frisson of walking into a shop picking up the goods, the smell of leather shoes, the quality workmanship of a jacket just doesn’t happen anymore.

That doesn’t mean I’ve stopped looking. A trip into the West End or (now) the hipster East End is still high on my agenda and it’s a pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon. There is some fantastic stuff around, the prices are reasonable when you compare them to how much a pint of beer has risen. And to use another beer analogy all the menswear shops are a bit Wetherspoons. Same menu, same bevvies. And, and… It’s a young man’s game.

As I say the buzz has gone. It’s all a bit too easy. But what do you do when you’ve spent a lifetime rummaging in boutiques and ‘happening’ shops? It was difficult to give up on but I’ve managed it and the reason for that is I’ve found a new passion. I now spend – what seems like - every waking hour of leisure time in charity shops and vintage shops.

That’s the buzz. In a strange town and the first thing I head for are the charity shops. Of course on the outside they all seem the same. Same crockery, same James Cameron paperbacks, same smell! But once in them you do not know what you’ll find. Records, clothes, books, nick-nacks (now there was a good shop but I digress) and general crap.

In fact 99% of the shops’ produce is crap but it’s that one per cent that is pure gold. It helps having a good eye so you can get in and out as it is an arduous task. You can go for weeks without spotting anything and then all of a sudden you’ll spot ten gems in a week.

Patience is a virtue. In fact it is one of the golden rules. I won’t list them all because if you are a kindred spirit you’ll know what to do but if I had just two tips to give you they would be: a) Do your homework. Know your clothes. Know the labels but don’t be blinded by them. Check where the garment was made, check the quality oh… and if it looks like it might be a fake it will be one! b) Never leave something in the shop if you want it. If it’s a quality item then it’ll be gone when you come back!

REALITY ON MERSEYSIDE?

Vauxhall Motors will leave the Skrill North at the end of the season after they tendered their resignation to the Football Conference.

Motors, 15th in the league and 11 points clear of relegation, are hoping a drop in leagues will ease their financial worries.

The Motormen famously beat QPR on penalties in the FA Cup in 2002 and boss Carl Macauley has worked wonders in recent years to keep the club at Step 2.

However, chairman Alan Bartlam says they cannot sustain playing so high in the Pyramid and that they are hoping to protect the future of the club.

He said: “This now unsustainable position has been going on for several years.

Vauxhall Motors like many other clubs are confronted with the reality of low gates and ever-increasing costs.

“It is anticipated this season will result in another sizeable financial loss eating into a legacy of finances that we were fortunate to inherit over a decade ago and to do nothing would be foolhardy.

“As a responsible committee administering a club that was founded over 50 years ago and a club that we would wish to continue for another 50, with responsibilities beyond the Football Conference, to some 30 teams, youth, junior and ladies catering for over 400 children within Ellesmere Port and beyond, it has become necessary to withdraw the senior side from the established pyramid.”

It is expected that only two teams will now be relegated from the Skrill North to Step 3 at the end of the season.

Meanwhile over in Birkenhead Cammell Laird FC have issued the following statement on their club website: Due to a long running issue surrounding the ownership of the football club (Cammell Laird FC Ltd), the committee have notified the Directors that they will no longer operate and administer the company as from the end of season 2013/14.

The Evo-Stik League have also been informed.

Any further official statements will be issued via the website.

Looking around the forums and websites nobody seems to know what this means. It appears the committee will no longer run the club next season does that mean the club will fold/leave the League? I think it’s a case of ‘watch this space’.

Barca ban!

Spanish Champions Barcelona have been handed a 14-month transfer ban after a FIFA investigation.

The club will not be allowed to sign any domestic or international players for the next two transfer windows, meaning they cannot buy players until the summer transfer window in 2015.

The charges relate to numerous foreign signings for Barca's infamous youth system, with the Spanish FA also being charged for failing to follow FIFA - regulations.

On FIFA's official website, a statement

read: "The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has sanctioned the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF) and Spanish club FC Barcelona for breaches relating to the international transfer and registration of players under the age of 18."

The sanctions follow investigations initially conducted by FIFA Transfer Matching System GmbH (FIFA TMS) over the course of last year and subsequently by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee as part of disciplinary proceedings.

The RFEF and FC Barcelona were found to have violated several provisions concerning the international transfer and first registration of non-Spanish minors with the club, as well as other relevant regulations with regard to the registration and participation of certain players in national competitions.

The investigations concerned several minor players who were registered and participated in competitions with the club over various periods between 2009 and 2013."

According to FIFA regulations, international transfers can only take place if the player in question is over 18, but there certain circumstances where an underage player can be transferred, subject to an 'evaluation by the subcommittee of the Player's Status Committee'.

Young players can be internationally - transferred should the committee find that it would not have an adverse effect on the minor's life, as a young person, ­ essentially “the interest in protecting the appropriate and healthy development of a minor as a whole must prevail over purely sporting interests.”

The statement continued: "FC Barcelona has been found to be in breach of art. 19 of the regulations in the case of ten minor players and to have committed several other concurrent infringements in the context of other players, including under Annexe 2 of the regulations."

"The Disciplinary Committee regarded the infringements as serious and decided to sanction the club with a transfer ban at both national and international level for two complete and consecutive transfer periods, together with a fine of CHF 450,000. Additionally, the club was granted a period of 90 days in which to regularise the situation of all minor players concerned."

Barcelona this week played out a 1-1 draw with title rivals Athletico Madrid in their Champions League Quarter final first leg, with Neymar, who has been subject to scandal over his transfer, scoring Barca's goal.

Premier League: Norwich players pay back fans who went to Swansea In an unusual, but welcome gesture, Norwich City's players will reimburse the admission price for all the Norwich City fans who travelled to watch Saturday's 3-0 loss at Swansea City.

The squad decided to the make the gesture as a thank you to the 899 fans who made the 612-mile round trip.

Norwich captain Russell Martin, said: "All the lads really felt for the fans at the end of Saturday's game.

"Hopefully this will help them with the cost of travelling to our next away game at Fulham."

Martin said: "These next few games are obviously vital and the support and the atmosphere at our recent win over Sunderland at Carrow Road made a massive difference.

"So hopefully they'll get right behind us again this Saturday when we play West Brom, at Fulham and in all of our remaining games, to help us finish as high up the table as possible."

Norwich are six points clear of the Premier League relegation zone with just one win from their last five matches.

They travel to bottom of the league Fulham today.

The Canaries home form has underpinned the Premier League survival and 24 of their 32 points have come at Carrow Road. Their travelling fans have had to suffer one of the worst away records in the sector with just two wins and two draws to show all season.

GET ON BOARD… A ground-breaking initiative designed to get more former professional players onto club boards, and make football’s boardrooms more diverse, was celebrated at Wembley Stadium this week.

14 former footballers including Les Ferdinand, Chris Ramsey, Ian Taylor and Nathan Blake, will graduate from a Corporate Governance course, entitled: “On Board”, which has been funded by the Professional Footballers’ Association. The initiative is the brainchild of former Blackburn Rovers and Wigan striker, Jason Roberts MBE, ex Portsmouth and West Brom defender, Darren Moore, and former Birmingham City duo Dave Barnett and Michael Johnson. The players worked together with leading corporate governance specialist Professor Karl George MBE and sports journalist, Leon Mann, to develop the course.

On Board, accredited by the Association of Corporate Governance Practitioners, has been delivered by The Governance Forum and has been warmly welcomed by the football authorities. The initiative will provide the game with a pool of former players, who are qualified and prepared to apply for boardroom positions across football, as well as also outside of the industry. On Board participant and PFA Management Committee member, Jason Roberts MBE said: "Former footballers can play a key role on the boards of football clubs, and indeed businesses.

"Traditionally footballers have been encouraged into other areas of the game, and not the boardrooms. We want to change that.

"Players are leading this move for better representation in the boardroom - and the On Board course is a great first step."

Professor Karl George MBE, Managing Director of The Governance Forum, added: “There has never been a greater need to make an impact on boards in the private, public and voluntary sector and attracting people from diverse backgrounds is critical.

"The success of any organisation is hindered by not having competent and committed board members and although they must work together as a cohesive team, ‘group think’ is a major challenge to be avoided at all costs.”

PFA Chief Executive, Gordon Taylor OBE stressed the importance of the project: “We are fully committed to this innovative programme of development for our players.

Focusing on governance and boards across football, sport and further afield for our players and ex-players provides a real opportunity.

"We see this as one of the many areas of support that we provide for our players which will equip them with career opportunities and experiences after their playing careers.” footballtradedirectory.com

FLIGHT OF THE STORKS BARNTON AWAY –SATURDAY 12 APRIL 2014 KICK-OFF 3PM Next Saturday (12 April) Billinge FC are at away at Barnton FC in a Cheshire League Division One game. This will be our reverse fixture against Barnton this season. A week later! Seems a bit daft to me but that’s the hand we have been dealt and we look forward to going there. With Barnton applying for the NW Counties Football League next season and if you haven’t been there before maybe this is the time to tick the ground off. As ever many thanks in advance for your support.

Here are all the details you need to get you there:

Townfield Lane, Barnton, Northwich, Cheshire CW8 4LH Directions: Turn off the A533 (Northwich to Runcorn) at the Beech Tree Inn (Barnton Village) into Beech Lane. Turn right at the T-Junction with Townfield Lane – the ground is 200 yards on the left signed Memorial Hall Noting parking restrictions well signed...

LOYAL SUPPORTERS

May we thank you for your support this season at home and at away matches this season. Your support is much appreciated by the team’s management and players; especially away from home when the team may be up against it with regards to support.

At this level of football every penny is vital and your financial support at home matches is essential and your moral and (very) vocal support at home and away is invaluable to the lads on the field. Let’s hope we can reward your loyalty with a great end of season and look forward to a special season in 2014/15.

THE GAFFERS

News from our neighbours Ashton Athletic have released details of their first-ever golf day.

The club is thrilled to announce that Dean Wood has agreed to hold their very first golf day to be held on Sunday 11th May. Details on the day are as follows: 7.45-8.30 - choose from either bacon, sausage or egg barm, also tea and coffee served 8.45 - tee-off in shotgun format 1.30 - make your way into the dining room where the prizes will be announced along with raffle 2.00- dinner will be served (menu to be confirmed).

Everybody will have full use of all the facilities.

There will be a strict dress code on the day to apply with the club rules.

If anyone is interested then please do not hesitate to get in touch with any of the contacts below.

Places are limited so don't leave it too late and miss out on this great day.

Ben Kay - 07921 723047 Dougie Pitts - 07714 401042 Jay Foulds - 07952 976842 ashtonathleticfc@aol.co.uk www.deanwoodgolfclub.co.uk Last Tuesday Atherton Collieries travelled to Rochdale Town for a North West Counties Division One game, scored six goals and unbelievably still lost; 8-6!

The NWCFL website reports: Rochdale Town's amazing 8-6 win over Atherton Collieries in the Division One clash at the Mayfield Sports Centre on Tuesday was a record breaking game.

The result at Rochdale is the first time since the NWCFL began in 1982 that a score of 8-6 has arisen in either a league or cup game, although there have been four games that came close, one of them involving Rochdale in the days when they were known as Castleton Gabriels.

On the 15th November 1994, Glossop North End beat Castleton Gabriels 8-5 after extra time at Surrey Street in a League Challenge Cup 2nd round replay.

More recently, on 15th Oct 2011, Stone Dominoes and Runcorn Linnets also shared 13 goals in a Premier Division clash in Staffordshire, with Linnets emerging 8-5 winners.

Perhaps more surprisingly, Colls are the third team in NWCFL history to score six goals in a game and not win. The previous two instances were in Division Two games as follows: 6th February 1993 - Westhoughton Town 7 Burnley Bank Hall 6 15th March 2004 - Great Harwood Town 6 Holker Old Boys 7

SO, did they get you? April Fools’ Day is quickly turning into a competition to see which clubs can come up with the best tall tale to pull a prank on their own supporters.

Tuesday passed by with the usual collection of well thought-out stunts announced online, with social media providing the perfect rod to collect some bites from the unsuspecting public. Some of course will leave you wondering if, just if, they are actually real – step forward Farnborough!

Now here we have a club that announced in all seriousness let's not forget that they will be renaming their players after world greats to compete in the Skrill South.

Zinedine Zidane, Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona would all be going in to battle against the likes of Tonbridge Angels and Whitehawk – that was last August, not April.

The brainchild of PaddyPower was thankfully short circuited by the Conference after a few days of general tutting and eye-rolling. With such madness, you wonder if April Fools’ Day was a smokescreen, and their announcement on Tuesday that Farnborough would change their kit colour to the green of the bookmaker would mean fans laugh it off.... until they walk out at the start of next season in their new threads!

FC United of Manchester wanted to go even greener.

“The new pitch in Moston is set to be the greenest in the UK and glow in the dark thanks to researchers at the University of Salford, who we are teaming up with to pioneer cutting-edge biotechnology involving anecic loam worms,” the Evo-Stik Premier title chaser said in a statement.

Kettering Town meanwhile said they would be opening up a new chip shop – but refused to confirm if fish would be served. Reely strange!

Southern League St Albans City came up with a good one. An historic groundshare with Dublin-based St Patricks. “Return flights with Ryan Air are around £100 including taxes,” an official statement read.

“Fans are encouraged to book flights early to get the best deal once fixtures are released.”

In fairness, they offered supporters a lift to Luton airport on matchdays!

Tunbridge Wells meanwhile went the extra mile, knocking spots off some with their attempt to get feathers flying. “The majority of the first team squad are in quarantine following a bout of chicken pox,” the club's website claimed.

Talk about putting your fans in a real flap!

Northern Cup The Semi-Final draw for 2013/2014 Northern Cup is as follows: Cuddington or Ellesmere Town v Billinge Reerves

Port

Rainford North End v Mitch FC Games to be played on the next mutually agreed date which is likely to be of an evening as the bad weather of the past winter has caused all teams to be behind with their League commitments and they will be involved with League fixtures every Saturday until the end of the season We will be in touch with Club and League Secretaries to start making the necessary arrangements.

The Final is arranged for Saturday 10th May Good Luck to all Teams Ian McDermott for Northern Cup â–Ş As can be seen Billinge Reserves made it through to the semi-final of the Northern Cup after a comfortable 3-1 victory away at local rivals Pilkington Reserves.

Goals from Rob Ablewhite, Chris Parr and Phil Burrows were enough to brush aside Pilks as The Storks look to win the cup for the third season on the bounce.

The other teams through are Mitch FC of Skelmersdale who beat Wigan Rovers on penalties during the week, Rainford North End who were given a bye as Barnton Wanderers Reserves couldn't raise a team on Saturday and either Cuddington or Ellesmere Port Town whose game on Saturday was called off because of a waterlogged pitch. â–Ş The Billinge Sunday team nicely rounded-off last weekend with a 3-2 victory over Astley & Tyldesley.

A brace from Trevor Walsh and one from Joe H saw The Storks do the double over Astley & Tyldesley.

Well done to Dave and all the lads.

This weekend they travel to Glenburn Sports Centre for a game against second-placed Digmoor Reserves. Kick-off is 11am.

THE CONCISE HISTORY OF BILLINGE FOOTBALL CLUB Billinge Football Club was founded in 1988 By Phil Middlehurst. They played then in the St Helens Combination at the Eddleston Playing Fields, Billinge.

1988-1989 to 1991-1992 Geoff Maggs was the first manager to take the reins of the newly-formed club.

1992-1993 to 1996-1997 Following Geoff Maggs' departure to pastures new, Les Pilling was installed as the club manager.

1997-1998 and 1998-1999 Billinge FC form a Reserve Team, Brian Collins is appointed First Team Manager and Les Pilling takes on the Manager's Job of the newly-created Reserve Team.

1999-2000 to 2004-2005 Manager Keith Amato, replaces Brian Collins as First Team Manager.

Les Pilling continues his sterling work with the Reserve Team. Amato enjoyed success with Billinge FC bringing silverware to the club and being the first manager to take a Billinge team into the prestigious Mid-Cheshire League.

2005-2006 Paul Farrell is appointed as First Team Manager to replace Keith Amato, long time club stalwart Les Pilling is appointed as Farrell’s Assistant Manager and Colin Betts is appointed as Reserve Team Manager.

2007-2008 Ex-Wigan Athletic legend Bryan Griffiths is appointed as First Team Manager, assisted

by Andrew Clough. Dave Knowles is appointed as the Reserve Team Manager.

Knowles is the first Billinge manager to take a team to a Mid-Cheshire Cup Final, losing narrowly to Poynton on a penalty shootout. Following the highs of the Cup Final, various on-going issues meant that Knowles was to leave the club at the end of the season.

2008-2009 Griffiths and Clough get Billinge promoted to the top division in the Cheshire League.

The club move grounds from Eddleston Fields to purpose-built facilities at Barrow Farm.

Steve Dickson is appointed as Reserve Team Manager.

2009-2010 Griffiths and Clough consolidate the First Team in the Cheshire League top division and Dickson looks to re-build the Reserves with strong links into the Billinge Youth system.

2010-2011 Ex St Helens Town Manager Jimmy McBride comes out of retirement to take over the job of First Team Manager, Bryan Griffiths steps down to become assistant to McBride and Andrew Clough takes on the position of club Chairman.

High points include Neil McDermot, Gary Jones, Scott Tickle and Andy Ledger being named in the Cheshire League Inter-League Squad. Steve Dickson continues as Reserve Team Manager. At the end of the season McBride resigns after being offered his old job back at St Helens Town, McBride comes back for Andrew Clough as his Assistant Manager at Town.

2011-2012 Steve Dickson is promoted from the Reserves to the First Team, he appoints a Management Team including Adam Lowry as Head Coach, Rob Dainty as Assistant Manager and Les Pilling as Match Day Secretary. Dickson is given the task of rebuilding the team to have a more youthful look. A new Reserve Team Management Team is appointed with Brian Mather, Chez Tideswell and Campbell Wilson coming in with a host of new players.

The First Team had a really good run of results which lead to a mid-table finish considering the disastrous start this was a great achievement, they were the first Billinge Senior Team to get to the Cheshire League's prestigious League Cup Final and the average age has been reduced to 22 years. The Reserves have equalled Dave Knowles feat of getting the Reserves to the Reserve Cup Final, they also went on to a league and cup double, beating Farnworth 3-0 in the Northern Cup Final then to be crowned as Cheshire League Reserve Division Champions.

Following the Reserve Team's success at Billinge the management accepted an approach from Daten F.C and left to form Daten's first team. Billinge moved quickly to appoint Paul Oakes as the Reserve team manager, Oakes had enjoyed success with St Helens Combination Premier outfit Greenfields FC. Dave Knowles returned to the club as Assistant Manager to Oakes, with Rob Dainty taking on an advisory/youth development role, this position is temporary as Dainty will return to First Team duties.

2012-2013 Steve Dickson steered the First Team to safety in the top division while the Reserve Team, under Paul Oakes, finished a very respectable 7th. The Reserve Team became the first club to retain the Northern Cup when they beat Quarry Bank 3-1 in the final.

2013-2014 Paul Oakes and Steve Dickson take up the reins of the First Team management whilst Paul Farrell and Keith Amato are appointed Reserve Team managers.

New members are added to the committee with Steve Dickson installed as chairman while the club runs a Sunday Team managed by committee member Dave Wood and playing in the South Lancs League at Barrows Farm as the club celebrates it’s silver anniversary.

FIRSTS

RESERVES

SUNDAY

JUNIORS

VILLAGE

JB Parker Cup Final Garswood United were crowned league cup winners on Wednesday night as they beat Rylands 4-1 at Trafford FC. Garswood got a grip on the game early on, however their first clear chance didn’t come until the 21st minute when they hit Rylands on the counter attack but the low shot was collected easily by Rylands keeper Andy Moor. Rylands took the lead in the 33rd minute when James Daniels rose like a salmon and smashed a bullet header into the top corner from a Ryan Duffy cross.

Three minutes later and Garswood were back on level terms when a free kick awarded on the edge of the box was allowed to bounce for the Garswood striker to fire home from six yards.

Rylands started the second half brightly and were unlucky not to take the lead again when Liam Hayes’ free kick just skimmed the head of Scott Tebb and drifted wide. On the hour mark Steve Boothman made it 2-1 for Garswood when his strike flew smoothly into the top corner giving Andy Moor in goal no chance. Just one minute later and Rylands had the chance to draw level when they were awarded a penalty but Liam Hayes blasted over the bar from the spot.

Rylands reacted well and applied pressure on the Garswood defence with Kris Bell coming close and Daniels also moving well up and down the pitch.

Garswood added a third in the 75th minute and despite Rylands trying their best the game was put to bed when Garswood scored a fourth in the 89th minute to celebrate a successful night of football with a 4-1 win.

CONGRATULATIONS TO GARSWOOD UNITED FROM ALL AT BILLINGE FOOTBALL CLUB

NEW TEAMS WANTED

then please contact secretary@cheshirefl.com

The Cheshire League are currently accepting applications from new teams for season 201415. The League is also looking to expand its Reserve Division and encourages applications from existing member clubs.

If anybody is interested in joining the League Mike Quigley, League Secretary –

A brief history of today’s visitors Barnton AFC The club was founded in 1946 and in 1948 they became a founder member of the Mid-Cheshire League. They have played in that league ever since and are one of two clubs to have been in this league throughout its 60+ year history, the other being Knutsford (the league was renamed the Cheshire Association Football League in 2007). As of the mid-2000s the club has won the league on eleven occasions, including seven consecutive league titles between 1996–97 and 2002–03. The pinnacle of the club’s success came with the winning of the National League Systems Cup while representing the Mid-Cheshire League in the inaugural competition of 2003/04, beating West Cheshire, Liverpool Combination and South Western League opposition along the way before defeating the Cambridgeshire County League 2-0 on their home soil in the final. As a result of this they went on to represent England in the UEFA Regions Cup in Slovenia and Bosnia where they won four, drew one and lost one of their games, narrowly failing to reach the final stages of the competition. The club has also participated in the FA Cup on two occasions (1948/49 and 1949/50) and the FA Vase on one occasion (1985–86) failing to get past their extra preliminary round games on each occasion.

The club has submitted an application to join the North West Counties League for the start of the 2014–15 season.

Honours Mid-Cheshire League Champions: 1979–80, 1982–83, 1988–89, 1996– 97, 1997–98, 1998– 99, 1999–2000, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05 Cheshire League Division Two Champions: 2012-13 Mid-Cheshire League Challenge cup: Winners on seven occasions Cheshire Amateur Cup: Winners on four occasions Records FA Cup First qualifying round: 1948–49 FA Vase Extra Preliminary Round: 1985–86

“He’s the famous Adam Clare and he’s going to Wembley”

Billinge FC footballer Adam Clare is about to fulfil every player’s dream.

He has won through trials involving 1,200 other hopefuls throughout England to be selected to play in a showpiece match at Wembley Stadium.

Adam, who is based in Merseyside and supports Manchester United, read on BT Today that lead FA Cup sponsor Budweiser was holding trials in association with BT Sport and was inviting England’s most talented amateur players aged over-25 to bid for selection.

He applied and, from thousands of entries, was invited to take part in regional trials in Lancashire before being selected as one of the 126 players for the national trials at St George’s Park, home of the England Football team.

Under the gaze of former Tottenham and Newcastle player David Ginola, now with BT Sport, ex-Arsenal player Ray Parlour, and former managers Alex McLeish and Steve Clarke, Adam was selected as one of the final 32 players.

They will be split into two squads, one managed by David Ginola and the other by Ray Parlour, and for a full 90-minute match at Wembley on 14 April after the FA Cup semi-final weekend.

Highlights will be shown on BT Sport.

Adam, 25, said: ‘I play for Billinge in the Mid-Cheshire League so playing at Wembley is a dream come true, but I’m going to be nervous.

‘I applied simply to get the chance to play at Wembley, but there are going to be football scouts watching to spot talent, so if an opportunity comes my way afterwards I’d be delighted to grab it.’

David Ginola said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing what talent is out there and helping to mentor them through the Budweiser Open Trials in association with BT Sport. I was lucky enough to play at the old Wembley and it’s a truly magical experience for all footballers.”

Meanwhile Ray Parlour said: “The Budweiser Open Trials is the opportunity every amateur footballer dreams of – a second chance. I’ve played with some of the most gifted players ever to have graced a football pitch, but the difference is usually the desire. I based my game on this will to win, and will be looking for similar traits in the players dreaming of making it all the way to Wembley.”

Meanwhile closer to home Adam’s manager, Gaz Fletcher, said ‘Adam has been a regular down at Billinge FC for some time now, flitting between reserve and first team football. This year was somewhat of a slow start in terms of football for Adam, with his time and efforts being somewhat distracted by new work commitments. But since November, which saw Adam installed as first team left back; his focus, determination and natural ability to play football comfortably at MidCheshire level, have impressed not only myself but many others around the club; a club Adam holds close to his heart.

Adam is a born and bred Billinger, who is well known for his outgoing; heart worn on the sleeve mannerism's. He is a well-respected part of Billinge FC and the local community, and you will often find Adam supporting local events, even if some are being run in his local boozer, 'The Billinge Arms'.

His teammates and myself would like to congratulate Adam on a fantastic achievement in reaching this final stage, and wish him all the very best come 14th April. We're all expecting nothing less than a final victory. Well done and good luck Adam.

P.s. we all know the real reason Adam was selected, the FA are short on funds and as soon as they realised Adam doesn't take showers anywhere except back home in his folks house, it was in the final 32 for Adam!

Mummy's boy!’

THE BILLINGE SHOP IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS The ties - in claret and blue with the club crest and Billinge FC embroidered on them are superb quality as well as looking great.

Furthermore they are priced at just £7.50. You can look long and hard to find any sporting club tie priced so competitively. We will put some proper photographs up later this week but until then attached are some taken by phone. The ties are the first in a series of club merchandise for sale. Coming soon: Enamel badges, scarves and mugs. All purchases put much-needed funds into the club and are available at all home matches at Barrows Farm.

SPORTSMAN'S EVENING - RAZOR'S COMING TO BILLINGE Billinge are pleased to announce that Neil 'Razor' Ruddock will be our special guest speaker at our Sportsman's Evening in May. The event - that will also encompass our presentation evening - will take place on Friday 23 May 2014 at Birchley St Mary's Club in Billinge.

We have 'The A Team' on board as in addition to Razor we have the best comic on the circuit - Jimmy Bright along with the great MC for the evening Jerry Earl.

With top catering and excellent raffles and other events this is going to be a tremendous evening that will undoubtedly sell out fast!

TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE PRICED AT £35 AND AVAILABLE IN TABLES OF TEN. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN SPONSORING THE EVENT? FOR NOT MUCH EXTRA WE CAN OFFER VIP TABLES AND MENTIONS ON ALL OUR ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL ALONG WITH AN ADVERT IN OUR PROGRAMME FOR THE REMAINDER - JUST GET IN TOUCH.

PLEASE CONTACT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING FOR TICKETS OR SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

STEVE BROOKES: 07415 376794 STEVE DICKSON: 07539 452688 ANDY VAUGHAN: 07934 887713

STRAIGHT FROM THE MOUTHS OF THE STORKS For those that all computer savvy and “have no time for all that paper stuff” then pleased be advised that you can read all our programmes online.

All you have to do is go to the following links and take a gander:

http://issuu.com/vaughanie/docs/gamesley_programme http://issuu.com/vaughanie/docs/billinge_v_whaley_bridge_programme http://issuu.com/vaughanie/docs/billinge_fc_v_rylands_fc_programme http://issuu.com/vaughanie/docs/billinge_v_hale_programme http://issuu.com/vaughanie/docs/billinge_v_styal_programme http://issuu.com/vaughanie/docs/billinge_v_page_celtic_programme http://issuu.com/vaughanie/docs/billinge_v_denton_town_programme http://issuu.com/vaughanie/docs/billinge_v_knutsford_programme http://issuu.com/vaughanie/docs/billinge_v_garswood_uniited_programme The e-programmes have now had way over 6,000 hits as we go to press so it’s good news for all at Billinge as we continue to expand the club. Personally I’d sooner have the paper version but I’m an old fart nowadays so no surprise there.

This programme will be online Monday or Tuesday next week We also have a sponsorship brochure online that you can find at: http://issuu.com/vaughanie/docs/sponsorship_brochure Here however are a few of our sponsorship opportunities: KIT SPONSORSHIP TRACKSUIT SPONSORSHIP MATCH BALL SPONSORSHIP MATCH SPONSORSHIP HOSPITALITY PACKAGE

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMME ADVERTISING SPORTSMAN’S EVENING SPONSORSHIP NEXT SEASON: We have packages to suit all pockets. If you are interested then just see one of our committee at the game today.

Meanwhile may we give a massive thanks to all our sponsors and spectators that put money behind the bar/admission/programmes etc.

THE STORKS LINK UP WITH TOP PHYSIOTHERAPIST Billinge Football Club are delighted to announce that they have agreed a partnership with Chartered Physiotherapist Mike Stabler.

Mike qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1975.

Since then he has worked in the NHS, with rugby clubs - both league and union - at county and national level including the Great Britain Rugby League team and is currently in Private Practice.

Mike specialises in sports injury rehab, Ling Muscle Tape and sports massage.

He deals with musculoskeletal problems such as RTA, neck and back pain, sport injuries and general aches and pains.

Treatment modalities that he uses are Interferential, Pulsed Electromagnatism, Ultrasound, Laser, Exercises and advice and self-help for home.

Mike is based in Newton Le Willows but also has a clinic one day a week in Rainford.

We have managed to secure excellent rates for all our players, officials and associates while Mike will be looking to help us progress the physiotherapy side of the club.

Anybody requiring Physiotherapy Consultation & Treatment can contact Mike Stabler directly on: Tel: 01925 225547 Mobile: 07885584365 Mike Stabler MCSP. Ling Physiotherapy, 28 Crow Lane West, Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire WA12 9YG Or speak to any managers or officials of Billinge Football Club.

Check out Mike's website: http://www.lingphysio.co.uk/ Please note this is the first of many exciting new partnerships we are forging as we take the club to the next level.

We will inform you when details and agreements of each are tied-up but rest assured there are some very exciting things happening at the moment behind the scenes.

CHESHIRE LEAGUE TABLES AS AT 5 APRIL 2014 CHESHIRE LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION

P

W

D

L

GD

POINTS

1 Garswood United 2 Barnton 3 Knutsford 4 Crewe 5 Whaley Bridge 6 Rylands 7 Rudheath Social 8 Eagle Sports 9 Greenalls PSO 10 Linotype Cheadle HN 11 Gamesley 12 Billinge FC 13 Styal 14 Pilkington 15 Denton Town FC 16 Middlewich Town

25 23 26 26 23 25 20 19 21 23 22 24 21 29 25 26

17 15 14 15 14 13 12 11 11 11 10 6 5 3 3 3

3 3 6 2 4 3 3 4 4 2 3 3 3 5 3 1

5 5 6 9 5 9 5 4 6 10 9 15 13 21 19 22

41 44 28 27 31 19 16 15 10 15 4 -29 -23 -55 -69 -74

54 48 48 47 46 42 39 37 37 35 33 21 18 14 12 10

RESERVE DIVISION 1 Greenalls PSO Reserves 2 Whaley Bridge Reserves 3 Linotype Cheadle HN Res 4 Garswood United Reserves 5 Billinge Reserves 6 Barnton Reserves 7 Styal Reserves 8 Poynton Reserves 9 Rylands Reserves 10 Grappenhall Sports Res 11 Gamesley Reserves 12 Daten Reserves 13 Eagle Sports Reserves 14 Middlewich Town Res 15 Pilkington Reserves 16 Denton Town Reserves 17 Egerton Reserves

P 27 23 25 25 22 20 21 26 22 25 27 24 24 23 23 20 25

W 20 16 14 14 13 14 13 8 9 7 8 7 8 6 4 4 2

D 2 5 6 2 4 1 1 9 5 8 5 5 1 3 6 2 3

L 5 2 5 9 5 5 7 9 8 10 14 12 15 14 13 14 20

GD 58 42 31 7 27 27 39 7 -6 -11 -23 -14 -15 -33 -44 -42 -50

Don’t forget to

POINTS 62 53 48 44 43 43 40 33 32 29 29 26 25 21 18 14 9

@BillingeFC

BILLINGE FOOTBALL CLUB FIRST TEAM FIXTURES 2013/14 AUGUST 2013 Sat 10/08/13 Tue 13/08/13 Sat 17/08/13 Tue 20/08/13 Sat 24/08/13 Tue 27/08/13 Sat 31/08/13 SEPTEMBER 2013 Sat 07/09/13 Sat 14/09/13 Sat 21/09/13 Sat 28/09/13 OCTOBER 2013 Sat 05/10/13 Sat 12/10/13 Sat 19/10/13 Sat 26/10/13 NOVEMBER 2013 Sat 02/11/13 Sat 09/11/13 Sat 16/11/13 Sat 23/11/13 Sat 30/11/13 DECEMBER 2013 Sat 07/12/13 Sat 14/12/13 Sat 28/12/13 JANUARY 2014 Sat 04/01/14 Sat 18/01/14 MARCH 2014 Sat 01/03/14 Sat 08/03/14 Sat 15/03/14 Sat 22/03/14 Sat 29/03/14 APRIL 2014 Sat 05/04/14 Sat 12/04/14 Sat 19/04/14 Sat 26/04/14 Tue29/04/14 MAY 2014 Sat 03/05/14

OPPONENTS

RES/KO

Knutsford (A) Greenalls PSO (A) GAMESLEY (H) Pilkington (A) WHALEY BRIDGE (H) Garswood United (A) Eagle Sports (A)

L 4-0 L 2-1 D 1-1 L 3-1 D 0-0 L 6-1 W 1-0

RYLANDS Vulcan (WARRINGTON CUP) (A) HALE (LCFA CHALLENGE CUP) Linotype Cheadle HN (JB PARKER CUP ) (A)

L 0-4 W 7-3 W 3-2 L 3-2

STYAL (H) PAGE CELTIC (H) (LCFA CHALLENGE CUP) Whaley Bridge (A) Winwick Athletic (WARRINGTON CUP) (A)

W 2-1 L 8-2 L 3-2 W 5-1

Middlewich Town (A) LINOTYPE CHEADLE (H) DENTON TOWN (H) Denton Town (A) Greenalls PSO (WARRINGTON CUP) (A)

W 4-2 W 3-1 L 1-0 L 2-0 L 2-0

KNUTSFORD (H) Rylands (A) GREENALLS PSO (H)

L 3-1 L3-1 L 2-4

PILKINGTON (H) MIDDLEWICH TOWN (H)

D 1-1 W 4-2

RUDHEATH SOCIAL (H) Gamesley (A) Linotype Cheadle HN (A) Crewe (A) GARSWOOD UNITED (H)

L 3-0 L 2-0 L 5-1 W 3-1 L 5-1

BARNTON (H) Barnton (A) Styal (A) Rudheath Social (A) EAGLE SPORTS (H)

KO: 3PM KO: 3PM KO: 3PM KO: 3PM KO: 6.45PM

CREWE (H)

KO: 3PM

TODAY’S TEAMS – SATURDAY 5 APRIL 2014 CHESHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION ONE BILLINGE SOCCER CENTRE BARROWS FARM KICK-OFF 3PM BILLINGE FC SQUAD

VERSUS

Tom Hull Elliot Bradshaw Tom Darkes Aaron Morris Chris Godson (CAPTAIN) Nathan Odgen Jonny Clark Andy Goulding Chad Whyte Graham Greene John Cullen

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

BARNTON FC SQUAD (ALPHA) Jack Burbidge Jordan Dwyer Robert Gorry James Edwards Christopher Hough Joseph Jennings Adam Judge Stephen Latham Ryan Malone Andrew Morgan Liam Page

Liam Bowden Chris Duffy Gareth Fletcher Bobby Jones Tom Ashall Joe Unsworth

12 14 15 16 17 18

Colin Quirk Adam Rees Stephen Rothwell Joshua Smith Billy Webb Leon Williams

MANAGER: GARETH FLETCHER ASSISTANT: MARTIN SEDDON ASSISTANT: STEVE DICKSON

MANAGER: IAN ROSS ASSISTANT: ASSISTANT:

SHIRTS: CLARET & SKY BLUE SHORTS: CLARET & SKY BLUE SOCKS: CLARET & SKY BLUE

SHIRTS: BLACK & WHITE SHORTS: WHITE SOCKS: WHITE

OFFICIALS : REFEREE: NEIL BADGER + SIMON RICHMOND ▪ SAM TOWN

TODAY’S FIXTURES SATURDAY 5 APRIL 2014

First Division Billinge FC v Barnton Denton Town v Garswood United Eagle Sports v Rudheath Social Linotype Cheadle HN v Rylands Styal v Gamesley Whaley Bridge v Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds

Reserve Division Barnton Reserves v Pilkington Reserves Egerton Reserves v Billinge Reserves Gamesley Reserves v Daten Reserves Garswood United Reserves v Linotype Cheadle HN Reserves Grappenhall Sports Reserves v Middlewich Town Reserves Greenalls PSO Reserves v Whaley Bridge Reserves Poynton Reserves v Denton Town Reserves Rylands Reserves v Styal Reserves

TOMORROW: 6 APRIL 2014 KICK-OFF 11AM BILLINGE FC SUNDAY TEAM TRAVEL TO DIGMOOR RESERVES KICK-OFF AT GLENBURN SPORTS COLLEGE IS 11am YOUR SUPPORT IS MUCH APPRECIATED

Our reserve team travel to Daten Reserves this Thursday 10 April 2014. Kick-off is 6.30pm. The lads would be grateful your support. Cheers

Reserves run-in The reserves currently sit in fifth place with games in hand on those above them.

It makes for an interesting end to the season and to help Geoff and the lads across the line your support will be greatly appreciated.

Here are the fixtures:

Saturday 5 April: Egerton Reserves away 3pm Thursday 10 April: Daten Reserves away 6.30pm Saturday 12 April: Poynton Reserves home 3.05pm Thursday 17 April: Pilkington Reserves home 6.30pm Saturday 19 April: Styal Reserves home 3.00pm Monday 21 April: Rylands Reserves away 3.00pm Thursday 24 April: Eagle Sports Reserves away 6.30pm Saturday 26 April: Middlewich Town home 3.00pm Thursday 8 May: Rylands Reserves home 18.45pm Saturday 10 May: Denton Town Reserves away 3.00pm

As you can see the game on the 12 April 2014 will kick-off at 3.05pm. The first team game at Barnton will also kick-off at this time as the Cheshire League and football in general remembers the 25th anniversary of Hillsborough.

And on this anniversary and hopefully throughout the next difficult twelve months the truth – that was revealed last year – will be now backed up with justice for the 96 and their families. #JFT96

BILLINGE FOOTBALL CLUB SPORTSMAN’S EVENING

BIRCHLEY ST MARY’S CLUB FRIDAY 23 MAY 2014 PRESENTATION EVENING ▪ AUCTIONS ▪ RAFFLES TOP COMEDIAN & TOP MC THREE GREAT SPEAKERS ▪ GREAT FOOD ▪ GREAT NIGHT TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW: £35 EACH TABLES OF TEN AVAILABLE

FOR ALL YOUR TRANSPORT NEEDS

PROUD TO SUPPORT BILLINGE FOOTBALL CLUB

SUPPORTING BILLINGE FOOTBALL CLUB

Andy McDonald BA (Hons) Independent Financial Adviser Tel: 01744 895989 Email: andymcdonald@abacusadvisers.co.uk 1 Avon Road, Billinge, Near Wigan, Lancashire WN5 7QU

www.abacusadvisers.co.uk ________________________________________________________________

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Fernland Engineering (Liverpool) Ltd

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AFTER HOURS Phil Kelly – 0151 924 0756 Mobile – 07899 955300

Carpets ∙ Laminates ∙ Vinyls ∙ Beds Free Luxury Underlays ∙ New Carpet Binding Service Tel/Fax: 01942 522007 Neil: 07515 252324 Jason: 07956 373610 Email: carpetsandflooring@rocketmail.com

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WIGAN TYRES Unit 5 Whinfield Close, Miry Lane, Wigan WN6 7TL Tel: 01942 824742 Web: www.wigantyresltd.co.uk Wigan Tyres Ltd is a family run business based in Miry Lane, Wigan.

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Specialist in car, motorcycle and truck tyres

MARDEC Decorators

Painters & Decorators Martin McDonald (Advanced Craft, City & Guilds Painting and Decorating 1985) 38 AVON ROAD, BILLINGE, NEAR WIGAN WN5 7QU Email: martinmardec@yahoo.co.uk Web: www.mardecdecorators.co.uk Tel: 07931 282 896 Tel: 01744 894 431

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BIRCHLEY ST MARY’S CLUB

Trent Road, Billinge WN5 7QT Tel: 01744 892836 (After 7pm) 01744 603160 (Daytime)

Function room for hire (Friday/Saturday/Sunday) Seating for up to 200 Weddings ∙ Birthdays ∙ Anniversaries ∙ Christenings etc

All welcome Comfortable lounge for smaller parties (Up to 60) Christenings ∙ Funerals ∙ Birthdays etc

Self-catering or catering provided Resident DJ plus large screen Sky TV Large games room with two f EVERYBODY IS WELCOME TO JOIN THE PLAYERS, MANAGEMENT AND COMMITTEE FOR A PIE AND A PINT AFTER THE GAME