Billinge v Denton Town Programme

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

SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2013 BILLINGE FC versus DENTON TOWN FC CHESHIRE LEAGUE – DIVISION ONE

HONOURED TO SPONSOR THE ‘TOP GOAL SCORER AT THE CLUB’ AWARD

MOULD TOOLS – MEDICAL – MOTORSPORT Mechlam Precision Tooling Ltd Unit 3 Cross 580 Haydock Cross Industrial Estate Kilbuck Lane Haydock WA11 9WG Tel: 01942 721766 Fax: 01942 723839 Email: sales@mechlam.co.uk

PROUD TO SPONSOR BILLINGE FOOTBALL CLUB

Suppliers of quality sporting trophies & engraving

Also shoe repairs, key cutting, leather goods, fashion jewellery & accessories 33 New Market Hall, The Concourse, Skelmersdale, WN8 6LJ

Free engraving on orders over ÂŁ200 or more on production of this programme

Call now: 01744 892655

Personal Injury Solicitors Wigan Personal Injury Solicitors Wigan Accident Solicitors Leigh Personal Injury Claims Lancashire

Williams & Co Wigan www.personalinjurysolicitorswigan.co.uk

For all you Fire, Security and Healthcare requirements • • • •

Fire Alarms • Fire Extinguishers • CCTV Systems • Door Access Systems •

tel: 08456 12 13 14 15

Nurse Call Systems Electrical Services 24hr Emergency Call Out Nationwide Coverage

www.attivotechnology.co.uk

A WORD FROM THE GAFFER First off, well done to Billinge FC's reserve team who managed to beat a strong Garswood FC team in their own backyard! Never an easy feat, especially after going 2-1 down and sustaining heavy pressure in the first 20 minutes! Let’s hope the reserves now carry this form into another tough away fixture at Grappenhall Sports! Good luck gents!

My first team welcome Denton to Barrows Farm this Saturday. A team who have struggled of late but still possess a threat in different areas!

As a squad we have to be aware of this but I'm sure after recent success (won three in three) my lads now possess not only the ability but confidence to claim all three points!

My lads new found belief and work ethic was there for all too see last weekend, with a well-deserved victory over an inform Linotype Cheadle. This was a victory where my lads displayed a fantastic attitude; great football and a togetherness to come from one-nil down to comfortably take all three points!

My assistant 'Martin Seddon' and myself have worked hard with the lads in training putting to bed the simple errors we keep making, and now have a strong belief and confidence in the lads, that not only can we take all three points this weekend but beat anyone on our day!

WELL DONE LAST WEEKEND GENTS AND LONG MAY IT CONTINUE!

Lino floored‌ Billinge made it three wins in three games when they came from behind to defeat Linotyoe Cheadle HN in a Cheshire League fixture at Barrows Farm on Saturday.

With manager Paul Oakes stepping down during the week - due to increasing work commitments - this was new manager Gareth Fletcher's first official game in charge and the Billinge stalwart will be pleased with the response he got from his charges.

The first half finished goalless with both teams cancelling out each other as the weather deteriorated into a hailstorm.

For Billinge debutant John Cullen went close on 13 minutes before Vinnie Braine - for the visitors - blasted the ball over the bar from 18 yards.

On 20 minutes Cullen again went close when his hooked shot from the penalty spot was wellsaved. James Webb went close with a free-kick on 30 minutes as The Storks began to get a foothold in the game. Two minutes later Elliot Bradshaw produced a great run and fierce leftfooted shot that was deflected wide from the corner. From the resultant corner Bobby Jones glanced his header just wide.

On 37 minutes more excellent work from Bradshaw led to Fletcher glancing his header wide from five yards out.

If Billinge finished the half in the ascendancy they were rocked a minute after half-time when a routine clearance deflected into the path of Kayle Power who gleefully fired the visitors ahead.

The response from Billinge was instant as Bradshaw attacked the right flank and crossed for Jones. His shot was well saved but the clearance fell to Fletcher who superbly side-footed the ball home to draw The Storks level.

From then on Billinge sensed they could go on and win the game and began dominating possession and passing the ball well on the wet surface.

They should have taken the lead on 57 minutes when Cullen chased a through ball from Andy Goulding; his first touch was poor but he rescued the ball and laid it back to Adam Clare but the winger blasted his shot high over the bar with just the keeper to beat.

Five minutes later Billinge were ahead when Bradshaw produced a superb run to the bye-line and rather than take the easier option of crossing the ball into the six-yard box he played a beautifu reverse pass for Dave Quigley who finished superbly into the bottom corner.

On 76 minutes two of the Billinge substitutes Tim Lees and Graeme Green combined brilliantly to make it 3-1. Lees picked up the ball in the centre-circle, advanced and threaded a perfectlyweighted pass to striker Green who took the ball in his stride and blasted it past the advancing Linotype keeper.

The remaining quarter-of-an hour saw The Storks midfield keep the ball and despite a couple of long-range attempts on goal that home keeper Aaron Cameron - who was outstanding all afternoon in the wet conditions - comfortably dealt with saw out the victory.

Billinge supporters named Dave Quigley the man-of-the-match for his gutsy display in midfield but manager Fletcher rightly praised all 14 players saying: "We played with a fabulous attitude in atrocious weather, every single player was excellent and the team spirit among the lads and with everybody at the club is outstanding.

"It was great to see my predecessor Paul Oakes - in the dugout - and it sums up what this club is all about.

"I'm a very proud manager but more importantly a proud Billinger."

FROM THE BOARDROOM: STEVE DICKSON – CHAIRMAN OF BILLINGE FC Two great results to report from last Saturday, with the Reserves coming out with a well-deserved 4-2 win in the local derby with near neighbours Garswood United; that’s the double sorted for this season so Fizzer and Squash have got the local bragging rights for the season.

Saturday was Gaz Fletcher’s first home game in charge of the team and he led the team to a very well-deserved 3-1 win against Cheadle Linotype; Cheadle are no mugs and it always takes a good performance to get anything off them.

So congratulations go to Fletch and the lads and long may the good form continue.

This week Billinge welcome Denton who are travelling some distance to Carr Mill Road and although Denton are currently propping up the League we have no doubts that they will soon turn the corner and become a force to be reckoned with. We feel for Denton who have lost players as we have also suffered this kind of setback in the past, we can only say keep working and the results will soon change. The Reserves travel to face Grappenhall and I am confident that in the current rich vein of form the Reserves are showing with the mix of young and experienced players that they will have too much for the opposition so I am looking for another league double for the Saturday sides.

Sadly we have lost one of the Boot Room Staff, Ann-Marie who ran the kitchen with Jayne now has to work Saturdays so won’t be down as much keeping everyone fed and watered, I would like to thank Ann-Marie on behalf of the club for all of her help and hard work. We are now looking for volunteers to help Jayne and Hannah on match days, anyone interested have a word with Jayne or anyone on the club committee.

Finally thanks to our loyal supporters and sponsors for their continued backing for Billinge Football Club.

CHEERS STEVE

A HISTORY OF BRADFORDPARISH/DENTON TOWN The club was formed in 1920 by the Reverend JT Canton, the rector of Christ Church, Bradford, Manchester. At the time Bradford was an heavily industrialised area of East Manchester.

During their inaugural season of 1920-1921, Bradford Parish played in the Manchester YMCA League and were fortunate enough to be able to call on the services of two Lancashire Schoolboy players, who had also played at England Schoolboy level.

The team with an average age of just 17 became League Champions and Shield Winners in that first year.

All their home games were played at the David Lewis Recreation Ground or Donkey Common as it was known. Most playing surfaces in those days were not grass but shale and cuts and scrapes were common due to the harsh surface.

The following season 1921-1922, saw the club enter the Openshaw and District League. It is a matter of conjecture as to why the club left the Manchester YMCA League but if it was to find sterner competition they still had some way to go.

The team went undefeated in the league, scoring 76 goals for, with 19 against. The record of cup goals for and against is not known but by winning the cup they were undefeated during the season. Double winners and undefeated, a great achievement in any level of competition.

The Lancashire & Cheshire League, which the club entered in the 1922-1923 season ran two senior divisions, the 1st Division and the A Division. It was in the A Division that Parish started their long association with the league. Parish won the A Division that season finishing with 4 more points than their nearest rivals, Union Chapel, another church side. The team also reached the final of the Rhodes Cup, winning the competition, a feat that has been repeated on a further 9 occasions by the club. An incredible 17 coach loads of supporters travelled to Urmston to watch them defeat West Didsbury in the final.

Judging by the number of coaches there must have been around 800 fans supporting their local team. It was during this season that Parish, for the first time, ran two teams. The church, or was it was the football, was attracting more and more youngsters, this prompted the committee to set up another team. The 2nd team was a junior side and was entered into the Manchester YMCA League which they duly won at their first attempt.

So now it was 3 seasons, 4 league titles and 3 cup wins.

Having won the league and cup in their first season in the L & C League, it must have been the committee’s intention to consolidate in the senior division in the 1923-1924 season. They consolidated by doing the double, winning the 1st Division and for the second season running winning the Rhodes Cup, beating Werneth Amateurs in the final.

The 1935-1936 season was a major turning point in the history of Bradford Parish, they were to leave their controversial Cemetery Road ground and move to a new enclosed ground with better facilities and a good quality playing surface, at the Ashton Moss Athletic Ground. This was achieved with all the hard work of the committee and in particular Alf Cook the secretary.

The first season after the war saw another change of ground due to bomb damage at the Ashton Moss venue, when Melland Playing Fields in Gorton, Manchester became the clubs new home. As it turned out, although many of the pre-war side were past their best in playing terms, the side retained the league championship for the first two seasons after the war.

The most memorable night in the clubs history took place in April 1953 at the Accrington Stanley Peel Park Ground where Parish won the coveted Lancashire Amateur Cup with a 3-1 win over Morecambe GSOB. The mid 1950’s to mid 1960’s was a glorious time for the club with a trophy haul of 22 titles and cups. By the clubs high standards a barren period followed with only 7 trophies won up to the clubs change of name to Denton Town in 1994 and change of ground to Whittles Park in 1995.

The Denton team carried on the winning tradition with an undefeated league and cup double in season 2006-2007.

The 2008-2009 season saw a step up in standards when the club were successful in their application to join the Cheshire League. In the 2010-2011 season the first team won the Cheshire League Division 2 and were promoted to the 1st Division.

Greenalls away in the Guardian Cup

The third round of the Warrington Guardian Cup has been made and we have been drawn away to holders Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds.

Ovbviously it's a tough un but we know them well and after narrowly losing 2-1 earlier in the season we'll be looking for revenge.

It should be an absolute cracker of a game and we look forward to going there at the end of November.

Sat 30/11/13 13:30 Warrington Guardian Cup - 3rd Round Carslberg Tetley Social Club, Long Lane , Warrington WA2 8PU Directions: From Junction 9 M62, take A49 towards Warrington. Proceed to 2nd set of traffic lights and take 1st left into Long Lane. Proceed along Long Lane and take 1st left into Fisher Avenue and 1st right into the car park.

Other fixtures Beeches v Lomax Burtonwood Albion v Windmill Eagle Sports v Halebank Fife Rangers v Widnes Ball Grange v Rylands Monk Sports v Grappenhall Sports Wellington v Newton Athletic

Hair dryer treatment pays dividends Billinge Reserves went into the local derby with their local rivals Garswood United on the back of three defeats determined to put things right. Garswood came out of blocks very quick and precise putting a new look Billinge Ressies under intense early pressure. Debutants Ogden and Burrows soon realised it was a baptism of fire and after 15 minutes of The Storks not getting out of their own half, Hynes smashed a great shot past Tom Hull in the Billinge goal.

The pressure was non-stop and Tom Hull (pictured) pulled off a string of brave saves to keep Billinge in it.

However a tactical switch on the half-hour saw Billinge gain a foothold in the game resulting in the excellent Tom Ashall scoring for the second week in a row. Then on HT Billinge went to sleep; a couple of slack passes resulted in Garswood’s skipper Clark smashing one into the net to make it 2-1 at HT. After the break Billinge emerged with the harsh words of Fizzer and Squash still ringing in their ears. Tea cups and hair dryers everywhere! What a response. Joe Ratcliffe was introduced and his energy and work rate soon paid off a great ball to Ant Farrell at right back resulted in a great cross and the predator that is Rob Ablewhite netted with a clever header. It was now all Billinge. Another great raid down the right hand side resulted in Ratcliffe spreading it out wide to Ashall - who was now imposing himself on the game – who put in a Beckham- like cross and - yes you’ve guessed it - Ablewhite rose like a salmon at the back stick to power his header in off the bar. Fizzer and Squash were jigging with delight on the sidelines like a pair of Morris Dancers! Young Adam Dickinson was introduced to tighten things up and he did; apart from one great save from Hull, Billinge coped with everything Garswood could throw at them it was left to young Dickinson to intercept a Garswood loose ball to play in Ablewhite to complete a memorable hat-trick FT 2-4.

After the game Fizzer said that harsh words and finger-pointing hit the lads hard at half time but they responded as expected as they knew they had not only let themselves down in the first-half but me, Keith and more importantly Billinge FC. They responded magnificently and showed great character to come from behind twice against a very good Garswood side.

Squash said it was, “A great win, great lads, great game and a big thank you to Dave Hunter and everyone at Garswood FC for their hospitality and kind words.

IT’S IN the early stages of the FA Cup that the football family comes together to prove that the greatest cup competition in the world is exactly that – and last weekend it did so quite literally.

Wherever I looked, whether live in front of my eyes at Grimsby, helping proof-read the scripts for ITV’s highlights show on Saturday night or in the BT Sport studio on Sunday afternoon for the second round draw programme, there were stories aplenty proving that the Cup is very much in the blood.

At Blundell Park, for example, my old Ware team-mate Scott Neilson was the Mariners’ star man as the Skrill Premier side bossed their game against League Two Scunthorpe for long parts. The Town winger’s granddad, Cliff Jones, was a member of Tottenham Hotspur’s league and cup doublewinning side in 1960-61, and Scott – who has already been to the fifth round twice with Crawley – is hoping the White Hart Lane legend’s magic can rub off again at Glanford Park.

I hot-footed it down to ITV’s London studios on the banks of the River Thames for a couple of hours before the highlights went on air, and there I was confronted by a wonder strike by James Marwood for Gateshead at Oxford. The Heed midfielder’s dad Brian, of course, played for the other north London giant, Arsenal, and once for England before moving into football administration, where he has been part of Manchester City’s recent Cup success. Down at Welling we had Lee Clarke, the son of former Northern Ireland international striker Colin, scoring the Wings’ first goal in a 2-1 win over fellow Skrill Premier club Luton Town.

At Corby, Chris Kinnear Jnr netted the winner for a Dover Athletic side managed by his dad, Chris Snr. While poor Joe Martin – the son of Alvin, the 1980 Cup winner with West Ham – was also on the scoresheet for a Non-League side, opening the scoring for Brackley Town despite being a Gillingham player!

On Sunday, I headed down to Stratford to appear on BT’s draw show in their state-of-the-art studio next to the Olympic Stadium. The building is actually where the media were based during London 2012, and Chris Hollins – a regular face on our screens reporting the action from that glorious summer – was presenting the show.

Having discovered that I knew his father through many chats we had during his time managing in Non-League, Chris – himself a former player with Aldershot Town in their Ryman League days – got on the phone and told John to come over to watch the show live.

The 1970 Wembley winner with Chelsea arrived half-an-hour before we went on air, and we had a great catch-up while discussing recent developments at his old clubs Crawley and Weymouth, as well as how he and ‘Cliffy’ Jones still come up against each other in their Premier League matchday hospitality roles! Both John and Chris – famous for his BBC TV work and winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2009 – are real down-to-earth, genuine football lovers who made the experience so enjoyable. To cap the family theme off, while we interviewed Connor Jenning live on the phone, it came to me that the two-goal Macclesfield hero of the 4-0 slaying of Swindon could come up against his older brother James, the Mansfield left-back, in the draw. That one didn’t transpire – but my fingers are crossed for more family affairs when the big boys enter in round three!

Everton has been officially certified as the healthiest football club to work for in the UK by Health at Work’s Workplace Wellbeing Charter.

The Blues are the first football club in the country to have been awarded the status to recognise its commitment to employees’ health and wellbeing by the Health at Work Workplace Wellbeing Charter, a national benchmarking scheme designed to encourage employers to make positive changes in the workplace to benefit the health and wellbeing of their staff.

Following 12 months of hard work by the Club’s Human Resources Department manager, Clare Archibald and Everton in the Community’s Health and Wellbeing Manager, Michael Salla, the Club was recently presented with a plaque by the Deputy Mayor of Liverpool and Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, Cllr Roz Gladden, to certify the Blues’ new ‘Excellence’ status – the highest level of accreditation - as a healthy and supportive place of work.

Speaking at Goodison Park, Cllr Gladden said: “I am delighted to present Everton with the Workplace Wellbeing Charter. It is fantastic to see one of the most high profile and prominent employers in the city taking the issue of workplace wellbeing very seriously.

“The positive impact that employment can have on health and wellbeing is now well documented and there is strong evidence to show how having a healthy workforce can reduce sickness, absence, lower staff turnover and boost productivity.”

The Workplace Wellbeing Charter, which is valid for two years, has accredited the Club with a status of ‘excellence’, which means that not only is health information easily accessible and well publicised, the leadership of the organisation fully engage in wellbeing and employees have a range of intervention programmes and support mechanisms available to help them prevent ill-health, and encourage a fit and healthy lifestyle Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Everton’s Deputy CEO, said: “In a city which has one of the highest cancer rates and lowest life expectancy in the country, Everton was approached by Health at Work to achieve the charter for the benefit of staff.

“The Workplace Wellbeing Charter is an extension of the work carried out by Everton in the Community, which includes strong working links with the NHS on a variety of health and wellbeing initiatives, which offer local people the chance to improve their health and ultimately, their life chances.

“The Club will continue to improve upon the high standards it has set itself by offering a range of activities within the workplace over the next 12 months to tackle specific health issues, including mental health.”

For more information about the Workplace Wellbeing Charter, visit: wellbeingcharter.org.uk

The world of football…

League Two: Bury agree stadium sponsorship deal with retailer JD Sports Bury's long time home Gigg Lane will be renamed the JD Stadium in a three year deal as the club look to ease their financial difficulties.

The Shakers have been based at Gigg Lane since their formation in 1885, and have never before renamed the ground.

Bury have had a torrid time recently, with their financial troubles seeing them relegated from League One last season, and only avoiding administration thanks to Stewart Day, who took over the club in May. Speaking to the club's website, he said, "This is an amazing deal for Bury Football Club and highlights the hard work being put in behind the scenes to secure the future of this great club."

"I hope our many loyal fans appreciate the progress being made to ensure financial security at the club."

"This is such an exciting partnership for the club and we would like to thank JD Sports Fashion PLC for their commitment to our vision, which is to take Bury Football Club back to the Championship."

Bury are currently two points above the relegation zone in League Two, and face fellow strugglers, who are two places and one point above them.

Meanwhile Derby County have revealed iPro are to be the club's first-ever stadium naming rights partner.

The new global sports drink company have entered into a 10 year agreement worth £7 million with the Rams, which will next month see Pride Park Stadium renamed as the iPro Stadium.

The deal itself is believed to be one of the biggest independent deals by a club in Football League history.

So folks what are we going for at Barrows Farm? For £7m I think we’d call t anything they wanted but being more realistic I can envisage: The Les Pilling Stadium: Amount received - Free year’s supply of Heinz Baked Beans The Andy Goulding Comedy Store: Amount received – Free year’s supply of Goulding jokes/humour. Hopefully in the changing rooms not on the pitch The James Webb Arena: Amount received – A year’s worth of moaning The Paul Oakes Emporium: Amount received – a year’s worth of clothing vouchers from… Oxfam!

Ste Dicko Training Shoe Ground: Amount received – Free year’s supply of Lotto, Umbro, Lonsdale footwear Quigley Fletcher Vaughan Hair Salon Stadium: Amount received – thin (h)air!

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

A BOOK FOR BEDTIME If anybody is interested in the history of Billinge then there is a great book called The Billingers by Richard D Lewis.

It is available from the History Shop/Museum in Library Street in Wigan and Warsleworths in St Helens and is a great read. Basically it’s the history of the village and it shows how much it has changed over the years and how much it hasn’t changed!

Now on its third reprint it’s well worth buying for Christmas.

Here is the official BLURB: The Billingers tells the story of a little Lancashire village called Billinge. The author, Richard D. Lewis, who was born in Billinge in 1930, recounts his memories of life there and paints vivid pictures of all the main - and idiosyncratic - characters who formed the life-blood of the village.

Lewis has also written down the grammar, key vocabulary and expressions of the Billinge dialect, now almost completely extinct. The Billingers is a fascinating, eclectic perspective on bygone years in the north of England.

Richard Donald Lewis was born at Slack Farm, at the bottom of Main Street, Billinge, in 1930. Grandson of a local miner, he was educated at Ashton-in-Makerfield Grammar School, Nottingham University and the Sorbonne, Paris, from which he holds degrees in French, Spanish and Italian and the Diploma of Cultures and Civilisations. He has travelled to 125 countries, speaks 10 European and 2 Asiatic languages, as well as fluent Billinge dialect. He gives lectures around the world on intercultural issues and plays cricket, football, tennis and table tennis in his spare time. He was knighted by the President of Finland in 1997 and elevated to the rank of Commander of the Knights in 2009. Lewis still maintains strong links with Billinge and visits on a regular basis.

Keep an eye out and you might spot him at the Eagle & Child or taking in the views on top of Billinge Hill.

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

The programmes have now had over 2,300 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 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.

NEWS FROM OUR NEIGHBOURS REMINDER: St Helens Town Football Club will play host to a Manchester City Former Players XI as they commemorate the life of legendary former player and club President Bert Trautmann, who sadly passed away on July 19th this year.

The game will take place at Prescot Cables’ Hope Street ground tomorrow (Sunday 17th November 2013) with a 2pm kick off. The venue played a significant part in Town’s history as it was the scene of their 1948 George Mahon Trophy success against Runcorn, the re-formed club’s first silverware, with Bert playing his part in front of 9000 supporters. Town are delighted that the trophy will be on display at the game by kind permission of the Liverpool County Premier League.

Admission charges are £5 for adults and £2 for u16s/concessions with proceeds supporting The Trautmann Foundation, Hearts and Goals (Town’s 201314 nominated charity) and the St Helens Mayor’s charity, the Saints Community Development Foundation. A souvenir commemorative match programme, costing £2, will be on sale at the game.

Williams & Co. Solicitors backing Billinge FC Williams & Co. Solicitors, your local personal injury solicitors, have announced their continued support by sponsoring the team for the second season.

Paul Williams, of Williams & Co. Solicitors says “I’m proud to continue sponsoring Billinge F.C. ,supporting our local community is important to us and we're very pleased to be sponsoring this ambitious and successful club.”

As a business, just like the team on the pitch we give 100% when fighting for the rights of our clients to get them maximum compensation for their injuries.

If you have been involved in an accident, call us on 01942 369055 or Email info@williamsinjurylaw.co.uk for free initial advice.

Billinge chairman Steve Dickson is delighted that Williams & Co have continued their support of the club saying: "Paul and his team are great supporters of the club and it is much appreciated by everybody at the club.

"Our football club is going places and being associated with a company as prestigious as Williams & Co can only help us.

"Paul's support has been superb and has helped us progress the club both on and off the pitch

CHESHIRE LEAGUE TABLES AS AT 15 NOVEMBER 2013 CHESHIRE LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION

L

GD

Crewe Knutsford Rudheath Social Barnton Garswood United Whaley Bridge Greenalls PSO Eagle Sports Rylands Linotype Cheadle HN Gamesley Billinge FC Styal Pilkington Middlewich Town Denton Town FC

P 15 14 11 13 11 13 12 10 12 13 12 12 13 15 13 13

W 11 8 8 7 7 6 7 6 6 6 5 4 3 3 1 0

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

3 3 1 4 2 3 4 2 5 6 5 6 8 11 12 13

30 20 16 25 23 17 6 9 13 6 1 -11 -13 -34 -49 -59

POINTS 34 27 26 23 23 22 22 20 19 19 17 14 11 10 3 0

RESERVE DIVISION Greenalls PSO Whaley Bridge Styal Linotype Cheadle HN Billinge Barnton Poynton Garswood United Rylands Pilkington Daten Grappenhall Sports Eagle Sports Middlewich Town Gamesley Denton Town Egerton

P 15 14 14 14 15 10 15 13 11 14 13 13 14 11 13 13 12

W 13 10 10 9 8 7 6 7 4 4 4 3 4 3 2 2 1

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

L 2 0 4 5 5 2 5 5 3 7 7 6 9 7 9 11 10

GD 44 34 32 13 8 19 6 5 6 -20 -7 -9 -15 -26 -20 -37 -33

POINTS 39 34 30 27 26 22 22 22 16 15 14 13 13 10 8 6 4

BILLINGE FOOTBALL CLUB FIRST TEAM FIXTURES 2013/14 GOING TO PRESS THE ONLY LEAGUE FIXTURES RELEASED ARE FOR AUGUST/SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2013

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 2/11/13 Sat 9/11/13 Sat 16/11/13 Sat 23/11/13 Sat 30/11/13

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 2pm 2pm

BILLINGE FC LEADING GOALSCORERS GRAEME GREEN 12 CHAD WHYTE 8 GARETH FLETCHER 3 ELLIOT BRADSHAW 2 DEREK EVANS 2 BILLINGE FC RESERVES LEADING GOALSCORERS ROB ABLEWHITE 12 JOE UNSWORTH 9 TOM ASHALL 5 ELLIOT BRADSHAW 5 TOM HULL 2 TERRY JEPSON 2

1.30pm

TODAY’S TEAMS – SATURDAY 16th NOVEMBER 2013 CHESHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION ONE BILLINGE SOCCER CENTRE BARROWS FARM KICK-OFF 2PM BILLINGE FC SQUAD

VERSUS

Aaron Cameron Andy Goulding James Webb Scott Robinson Chris Godson Dave Quigley Elliot Bradshaw Gareth Fletcher (CAPTAIN) Bobby Jones Graham Greene Charlie Bloomfield

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

DENTON TOWN SQUAD Alexander Beeley Alan Hamlett Michael Palmer Marti Bentley Luke Bottrell Mitchell Hales Simon Hardman Jordan McCann Andrew Wales Ryan Wilkinson Adam Lee

John Cullen Tim Lees Joe Unsworth Adam Clare Nathan Ogden Martin Seddon

12 14 15 16 17 18

Dean Partington Jerome Rouse Reece Stamper Lee Starkie Mike Knowles Wayne Graves

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

MANAGER: PAUL BONES ASSISTANT:

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

SHIRTS: RED SHORTS: BLACK SOCKS: BLACK

OFFICIALS: PETER WALKER ▪ ELLIOTT HOLMAN ▪ EUAN SWIFT

Match ACTION: LINOTYPE CHEADLE AT HOME Photos courtesy of Mark Parkinson

www.markparkinson.net

TODAY’S FIXTURES SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER 2013

First Division Billinge FC v Denton Town Garswood United v Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds Pilkington v Whaley Bridge Rylands v Gamesley

Second Division Egerton v Grappenhall Sports Malpas v Maine Road Reserves Lostock Gralam v Sandbach United Moore United v Tarporey Victoria Penlake v Congleton Vale Sale Town v Lostock Gralam Sandbach United v Poynton

Reserve Division Denton Town v Garswood United Eagle Sports v Pilkington Gamesley v Egerton Grappenhall Sports v Billinge Middlewich Town v Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds Poynton v Styal NEXT WEEK: SATURDAY 23 NOVEMBER 2013 KICK-OFF 2PM BILLINGE FC RESERVES v WHALEY BRIDGE RESERVES ADDRESS: BARROWS FARM KICK-OFF 2PM ADMISSION FREE BOOT ROOM CAFÉ OPEN BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE GAME YOUR SUPPORT IS MUCH APPRECIATED

KNUTSFORD LOSE AT HOME FOR 1ST TIME IN TWO YEARS Division One

With Knutsford's pitch passing a late pitch inspection, it set the scene for the current champions to entertain Crewe who sit at the top of the Cheshire League table. Knutsford started the brighter of the two sides, successfully moving the ball at a high tempo, with James Pickford impressing early on and picking the ball up in dangerous areas.

However, against the run of play, Crewe took the lead with their first attack of the match. Knutsford had given the ball away in their own half allowing Crewe to counter attack and Matt Pearson to sweep in a side footed effort past Knutsford keeper Mark Higgs. Knutsford responded well to this and their sustained pressure paid off when the impressive James Pickford created himself a pocket of space on the edge of the Crewe area and curled a left footed effort into the top left hand corner of the goal. With both teams level the game settled into a routine, Knutsford controlled the game and had most of the possession, but Crewe continuously looked dangerous on the counter attack.

Shortly after the break Bobby Russell’s pass to his centre half went astray, the Crewe striker Nathan Southern seized this golden opportunity to put Crewe 2-1 up and made Knutsford pay for their careless use of position. Knutsford pressed and probed against the Crewe defence, but their opponent’s organisation limited any clear cut chances. This was until Joe Woolley cut in from the left and unleashed a 20 yard strike which hit the outside of the post.

This chance lifted Knutsford and gave them some belief, moments later the newly introduced Joel Swift forced a good save from the Crewe keeper with a 25 yard strike. With Knutsford’s goalkeeper Mark Higgs a spectator for much of the second half, it appeared only a matter of time until Knutsford breached Crewe’s defence. However, as time went on Knutsford became frustrated. A Crewe set piece was unsuccessfully cleared by the Knutsford defence, the ball fell kindly to Crewe’s centre back Ian Carr who fumbled the ball into the goal to give Crewe a 3-1 victory and inflict on Knutsford their first home defeat in two years.

Kat Davey - CFL Press Officer

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 ________________________________________________________________

MARKET ∙ PRODUCT ∙ APPLICATION ∙ CUSTOMISATION ∙ LOGISTICS ∙ INFRASTRUCTURE KNOW-HOW MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

ERIKS UK Integrates Solutions Services Centre c/o H J Heinz Co Limited Engineering Stores, Goods Receiving, Spring Road, Kitt Green Wigan WN5 0JL LEE RULE Service Centre Manager Tel: 01942 224430 Mob: 07740 452824 Email: lee.rule@eriks.co.uk Web: www.eriks.co.uk

Fernland Engineering (Liverpool) Ltd

Providing a mechanical engineering breakdown service that’s fast, competitive and reliable.

Unit 16 Millers Bridge Industrial Estate, Seymour Street, Bootle, Merseyside. L20 1EE

Tel: 0151 922 8492 – Fax: 0151 922 2336 E-mail: sales@fernaland.co.uk

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

10-11 Tattenham Works Leigh Road Hindley Green Wigan WN2 4SZ carpetsandflooringwigan.co.uk

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.

Established in 1990, Wigan Tyres has built a reputation for offering exceptional levels of service to its customers and was voted No1

by Tyres & Accessories Magazine.

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

For all your dressmaking needs            

Day & Evening Wear Ball Gowns Christening Robes Confirmation Dresses Wedding Dresses Bridesmaid Dresses Mother of the Bride Wedding Ring Cushions Christening Cushions Waistcoats Bow Ties / Cummerbunds to match Name Embroidery and Much More!

Call Carolynne on 07830 181497 or email: Carolynne@englishelegance.co.uk www.englishelegance.co.uk

At CPBooks we aim to take your bookkeeping worries away from you and leave you to concentrate on growing your business.

Operating on a fixed fee basis, we were established in 2004, yet are still proud to be a small company that is big on personal service.

We can take care of your ▪ Accounting ▪ Bookkeeping ▪ VAT returns and Payroll needs whether you are self-employed, a sole trader or a medium size company.

Why not call us on 01942 418740 or email info@cpbooks.co.uk You can find us at www.cpbooks.co.uk

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