Eccleshall FC vs New Mills FC

on as Se /22 0 21 2 20 e : u Iss

1971

www.eccleshallfc.co.uk

Eccleshall FC vs

New Mills FC Saturday 19th March 2022 3:00 pm Kickoff

Admission Adults - £6.00 Concession - £4.00

1971

Eccleshall Football Club - Season 2021/22 Pershall Park, Chester Road, Eccleshall, Staffordshire. ST21 6NE

Telephone 01785 851351 (match days only) 1971

Legal Entity: Company limited by shares - Eccleshall Football Club Limited (c/n 13365015). Subsidiary of Eccleshall FC Sports Foundation Limited (c/n 13359263) - company limited by guarantee.

Club Officials:

Chairman: Neil Washington Vice-Chairman: Antony Johnson Secretary: Jim Tunney Treasurer: David Heelis Programme Editor: Shaun Rogers Clubhouse Management: Bill Grinham Club Welfare Officer: Jim Tunney Commercial Manager: Media Officer: Shaun Rogers

Directors

Neil Washington, Antony Johnson, Paul Cox, David Heelis, Bill Grinham, Richard Marsh, Jim Tunney.

Committee

John Martin, Colin Leese, Sid Kelly, Ernie Jackson, Diane Washington, Harvey Collins, Liz Leese, Andy Gough, Ben Gamble, Liz Leese Fundraising Sub-Committee Neil Washington, Antony Johnson, John Martin, Jim Tunney, Colin Leese First Team Management: Liam Kelly, Nathan Wilkes, Russell Rowley, Evans Ofori, Phil Bruce, Harry Pickering Junior Section Chairman: Andy Gough Secretary: Gareth Davies Under 15s Team Manager : Paul Heler Under 13s Team Manager: Dave Hislop Under 13s Team Manager: Jon Edensor Under 12s Team Manager: Andre Parcian Under 9s Team Manager: Kieran Healey Members of the North West Counties League, Midland Junior Premier League, North Staffs Junior Youth League, Mid Staffs Junior League.

Affiliated to Staffordshire FA Eccleshall FC is an England Accredited Club

VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT Good afternoon and welcome to all players, management staff, committee members, and supporters of New Mills FC. This is the first of three “Cup Finals” for our team as we look to finish the job and ensure our league safety. Since Christmas, my team couldn’t have given me any more, and to only lose games to the top 4 in the league (3 of those games by a 1 goal margin) shows how far we have come. Today is another tough game and one which we will be written off in, but we’ve shown time and time again we can go toe to toe with the best sides in this division.

Although we are still looking over our shoulders at Alsager and Rocester, I have one eye on the teams above us and know that a couple of positive results can see us climb the league. As I keep insisting to the lads though, it’s important we focus on ourselves and finish the job that we came into do. Our form since Christmas has left us in a position that our fate is in our own hands.

Thank you for your continued support and I’m sure you’ll be treated to yet another exciting game this afternoon.

Liam Kelly

Eccleshall FC There has been football in the town of Eccleshall for over 100 years but very little archive material is available from those early years. However, we do know that Eccleshall Football Club was reformed in 1971 with the team being made up of locals and staff from the Eccleshall Secondary School which also provided training and playing facilities. At that time, the club was called Eccleshall Old Boys Football Club.

In 1974, the team won their first trophies; the Mid-Staffs 3rd Division Cup and were also runners-up in that division, gaining promotion to Division 2.

Old Boys was dropped from the club’s name and in 1979 the first team joined the Staffordshire County League (North) and a third team was formed.

In 1981, with the help of grants, fund raising and a loan, a four-acre field was purchased at Pershall. Then manager, Ted Dickinson, was the driving force behind the fund raising. In the same year, the first team moved into the Premier Division of the Staffordshire County League (North). Work began converting the field into a football ground. In 1982, a building was purchased from British Telecom and, with a lot of hard work over the next couple of years on the building, car park and pitch, Pershall Park, as it was christened, was ready.

In the 1983-84 season, the first team won the Staffordshire County League Premier Division Championship, the Premier Division Cup and the May Bank Cup. During the 1989-90 season, the first team won the Staffordshire Senior League title and the 1990-91 season saw the club entering the FA Vase for the first time.

In 1991-92, the club reached the FA Vase 2nd round having gone through all the preliminary stages but lost at home to Wisbech Town 2-0 in front of a then record crowd of 368.

The first team fared well in the league in the mid to late 90’s, finishing 3rd (97-98), 6th (98-99), 2nd (99-00) and 3rd (00-01). Eccleshall reserves won the Staffordshire County League (North) in 1999-2000 moving to the West Midlands (Regional) League Division One (North) for the start of the following season. In the 2001-2002 season, the first team won the Springbank Vending Midland League Championship.

Eccleshall FC In 2002-2003 Eccleshall’s first team joined the North West Counties Football League after securing both the Springbank Vending Midland League title and Staffordshire FA Vase. In probably the most successful season in the club’s history, our second team were also Staffordshire County League champions and our Under 18s won the Sentinel Cup. For good measure, our Under 16s won the Staffordshire FA County Cup, the Mid-Staffordshire League Cup and the Sentinel Shield. Regarding the Sentinel competitions, the last time a club had won both trophies in the same season had been some twenty five years previously – a great achievement.

The 2012-13 season marked the completion of 10 years in the North West Counties League and saw the club achieve its highest ever placing of sixth in Division 1.

In 2017-18, our Under 17s had a very successful season, winning the Potteries Junior Youth League Cup, Staffordshire FA Youth Cup and finishing runners up in the league.

Over the years since 1981-82, significant work has been undertaken to develop both the ground and the facilities to the required standard of the National League Pyramid which the club now enjoys. This includes enclosing the ground, the installation of floodlights, building a covered seated stand and pitch levelling. In 2019, a new toilet block was installed and previously the clubhouse was refurbished and upgraded with the addition of a treatment room and a security system. Prior to the 2018/19 season, a new kitchen and refreshments bar was added. For the 2021-22 season the team dugouts have been replaced and more spectator improvements made. Further developments to the ground are planned for the future. All of this has been achieved by a strong committee management team behind the scenes, a number of which have given many years of service to Eccleshall FC together with the addition of new members who are helping to take the club forward.

The club has now added a number of junior teams as we look to develop a junior section. Our second pitch has been upgraded and improved to accommodate this.

2021 sees Eccleshall Football Club celebrate its 50th anniversary and, as can be seen from the above, much has been achieved over that time. We look forward to seeing what the future brings. We consider ourselves a friendly club and look forward to welcoming you to Pershall Park in the future and hope you will enjoy the facilities and the football.

When you were appointed as the manager what were your initial first thoughts on the job that was in front of you?

I knew it would be a tough job ahead and that it would take a lot of work on and off the pitch to ensure league safety. With previously managing a few members of the playing squad, I knew we had enough quality to be a lot more competitive than the performances and results at the time were showing under previous managers. I knew we’d need to make additions and strengthen the squad but more importantly I wanted to give the team a clear identity on the pitch. It was important for them to all buy into what myself and the rest of the management team wanted to do and for many it was a fresh start.

It's fair to say there have been a few players who have been in and out of the squad this season. Was it the aim to get players in the group who would buy into what the management wanted in the style of play? How did you go about identifying those players?

It was something we spoke about as a management team from day one that every player had to buy into our philosophy and beliefs, whether that be training sessions, matchday standards or doing things we asked of them in there own time. The lads who I had worked in previously new what was to be expected of them and credit to other lads who maybe took a few weeks to adjust but over time have really proven themselves to us. We made sure new additions to the squad were players we were already familiar with or had worked with before so we knew what we were getting with them. We’ve also been lucky to loan players from clubs higher in the pyramid. These players have come in with high standards of there own and instantly bought into our ideas.

Looking at where the side was when you took over to where you are now, the change is there for all to see. What, if anything, have you found to be the hardest part of the role since you came in? With just a handful of fixtures left, how confident are you of maintaining League status this season?

Q&A with

THE GAFFER

The hardest part initially was having the chance to look at everyone who was already signed and part of the first team squad. We had to sacrifice a couple of the early games to give everyone a run out so we could figure out who would be part of our plans. It was like having a pre season 12 games into a season. As the season progressed it became easier as we trimmed the squad down to exactly who we wanted to be around the club. With just a few remaining games I’ve been cautious to be complacent and sent that same message to my players. Our form since Christmas has been unbelievable but until we are mathematically safe, I won’t let us take our foot off the gas. With us gaining points on teams above us also, we have the chance to finish strong and higher up the league. This would be a great season considering the position we were in when we first arrived.

You have now had time to assess the league structure and, obviously, much can change between now and next season. Are you and the club already looking to work out a plan and strategy about recruitment and aims for next season?

As much as it isn’t job done yet this season, myself and Nathan have already got an eye on next season. We will be sitting with the club committee and working a plan to ensure we don’t get caught in another relegation battle next season. We’ve already got ideas in place such as a potential development team coming into the club which will offer us the chance to bring in the best young players in the area. We are going to continue to build links with clubs higher in the pyramid to allow us to bring in that extra bit of quality on loan. Moving forward we want to establish ourselves next season as a mid table club. We have proven in recent weeks that we can go toe to toe with the top sides in this division, so the long term goal has to be to challenge for the play offs. We know it won’t be a quick fix and will work hard over the summer to give ourselves the best platform to improve further on this seasons hardwork.

As you say, this season is not done and, with the remaining games, what is the aim, points wise?

To take as many points possible. The first target is to mathematically be safe. Our second target is to finish as high as possible. This should give us good momentum going into pre season and more foundations to build on. As I’ve said to the players, they’re not only playing for this season, but to be part of our plans for next season.

1971

Howsons is a firm of chartered accountants with a refreshingly forward-thinking outlook informed by our active involvement at the forefront of the profession. Our enthusiastic and dedicated teams in audit, tax, agriculture and general practice blend experience of our directors with the vitality of our trainees to deliver high levels of service that is bespoke to each and every client. As proud as we are of our history, we are true to our mission, vision and values. It is part of what makes us different.

www.howsons.com

At Total fit Therapy we help our clients resume their lifelong pursuit of health, fitness, and well-being.

www.totalfittherapy.co.uk

BITS AND PIECES Another bit of history

Our recent 5-0 home defeat on 1. March to league leaders West Didsbury and Chorlton made the League Milestones Update feature on the NWCL website a few days later. It turns out that we conceded our 500th home goal since joining the League in that game. Not sure we need reminding of hitting such a landmark – the defeat was painful enough on the evening!

Snippet from the Cheadle Town programme

It was interesting to read club secretary Stuart Crawford’s article in the match programme from last Saturday’s game at Cheadle Town. In this, he stated: “Whilst doing my usual research for today’s game, we have actually played Eccleshall every season since they joined the North West Counties Football League back in 2002/03 season. Since the split of Leagues between North and South, both Cheadle Town and Eccleshall are the only teams in the First Division South who have been playing each other every season since 2002.

Obviously not a record to be proud of as it shows neither side have managed to progress up the leagues for the past 20+ years”. He went on to say: It’s certainly a pleasure to make the trip to Staffordshire to play them as you get such a warm welcome – plus the oatcakes provided at half time are delicious”. On my arrival at the Park Road Stadium last Saturday, the first question I had from the Cheadle Town team management was - had I brought the oatcakes!

JUNIOR EAGLES 1 197

Juniors Chairman, Andy Gough, writes:

Junior results from last weekend The Under 15s had a big game against the Carl Baker Academy who are fourth in the league.

After a fantastic performance, they won 1-0 and it pushes the team up to eighth in the league – there are 60 clubs in the league.

Other results: Saturday: MJPL Under 12s – drew 0-0 MJPL Under 13s – won 3-1 Sunday: NSJL Under 9s – lost 5-3 MSJL Under 12s – won 5-0 (quarter final of the cup) Under 13s had a ‘no show’ by their opponents and this has gone down as a home win in the cup.

U9's NSJL

U12'S MJPL

U13'S MJPL

1971

U13'S NSJL

u15's mjpl

WELCOME New Mills FC

New Mills FC, based in the High Peak of Derbyshire, have continually been at the forefront of organised football in the area. The Club's home ground, regarded as one of the most picturesque in non-league football, is situated opposite the impressive St George’s Church and has a splendid backdrop of Kinder Scout, which is the highest point in the Peak District National Park. The Club’s facilities are quite considerable. Covering seven and a half acres with well over three acres of land, the Club has a floodlit playing arena, an all-weather pitch suitable for a number of sport which is used by local schools and the local community in general as well as New Mills Juniors teams.

The game of football has been played in the town of New Mills since 1886 when the Club, originally known as New Mills St George's, first played in friendlies before joining organised competitions such as The North Cheshire League and ultimately The Manchester League. After playing at several locations around the town, the Club moved to their present home of Church Lane in 1922 and this coincided with a hugely successful period in the Club's history as they recorded two Manchester League titles and four Derbyshire Divisional Cup wins. These successes led to average home crowds of around 2,000 and eventually saw no fewer than ten players transferred directly to Football League Clubs.

More great days followed in the 1960's under the leadership of Joe Martin but following a move to The Cheshire League in 1974 the club struggled in spite of being able to attract a number of household names including Wyn Davies and Vic Halom, as well as Ray Hatton whose son Ricky was famously to become a World Champion boxer. By the early 1980's the clubs struggles reached the point where they were forced to cease football activity, although they still continued to seek membership with a view to reorganising and eventually entering competitions again. Coincidentally, local amateur side Birch Vale and Thornsett FC were looking for a new ground and within twelve months, they had adopted the name of New Mills AFC and began to progress firstly via The Lancashire and Cheshire League and then The Manchester League.

In the mid-late 1980's The Millers enjoyed great success, winning a number of trophies and reaching several Deryshire Cup finals, being victorious on more than one occasion. Former player Ray Coverley was the Manager of the First Team during this time, and he was to eventually move up to become Chairman of the club. Featuring players from New Mills and the immediate surrounding area during that period, the club was already demonstrating that it could become a force at a higher level, competing against clubs with far bigger catchment areas for players and support. The Millers side of the 1980's was one of the most memorable in the clubs history, with the line up still rolling off the tongue of long time supporters.

Once Coverley stepped down as Manager the club adopted a policy of appointing from within, with former goalkeeper Andy Bowers taking over for a spell and then prolific striker Alan Peatfield overseeing several seasons in the late 1990's-early 2000's. After guiding the side to two Derbyshire Cup victories and promotion to the Manchester League Premier Division, Peatfield stepped down and was replaced by Tony Rigby who had been on the Management staff at Woodley Sports.

New Mills re-joined The North West Counties League in 2004 (they were founding members in 1982) , initially with former player Scott Moore in the managerial hotseat. Moore steadied the ship while the club adapted to the higher level, before he was replaced by Tony Hancock. Hancock already had a wealth of experience managing in the North West Counties League, having worked at the likes of Abbey Hey and Woodley Sports, and he brought a new level of professionalism to the club, as well as bringing in new players, many of whom were to become club legends. The likes of Micky Ryan, Carlos Meakin, Adam Mather, Michael Bowler and Gary Kharras were all brought to the club by Hancock as the club went on to enjoy several years of success, beginning with the North West Counties League Second Division Trophy in 2007. The following season saw the team break numerous Club records as they won the Division Two Championship by ten points. 2008/09 saw another trophy triumph,

The League Challenge Cup, but following an unprecedented twenty one game winning run, promotion to The Evostik League was only denied by a last day defeat at AFC Fylde which resulted in the team finishing runners up on goal difference. The Millers only required a point in that final game and actually played fairly well on the day, but missed opportunities and an early red card were to prove crucial as AFC Fylde came out on top and their run towards the upper reaches of non-league football started.

The 2009/10 season again saw The Millers as bridesmaids for the second successive season as this time Newcastle Town grabbed the solitary promotion place to The EvoStik League. The Club enjoyed success in The FA Vase and reached the last sixteen for the first time in its history before The Northern League’s Norton and Stockton Ancients spoilt the Wembley dream. Shortly after the FA Vase exit Tony Hancock resigned from his post, with former Woodley Sports and Mossley boss Ally Pickering taking over the reigns in a caretaker role.

The club advertised the Managers job at the end of 2009/10, and an impressive array of Managers applied and were invterviewed for the role. Caretaker Boss Pickering was successful in obtaining the post on a full time basis and 2010/11 proved to be a case of third time lucky as New Mills finally achieved their goal of promotion to The Northern Premier League when they won The North West Counties Premier Division. Winning the first seven games of the season the squad set the pace from start to finish before being presented with the Championship trophy after the game against local rivals Glossop North End on Easter Monday. The team also reached the North West Counties League Challenge Cup Final but failed to achieve the double after losing narrowly to Winsford United. It was a successful season off the field as well as the Club achieved the prestigious FA Charter Standard Adult Club status which was an excellent recognition for all the hard work that has been put in by everybody connected with the Club.

The first team’s debut season in The EvoStik Northern Premier League was tough after being placed in Division One South, the eventual position of ninth represented a respectable finish. 2012/13 proved to be another roller-coaster ten months, after the club were moved into the Evo-Stik Division One North.

After a mixed start to the campaign Pickering stepped down and was replaced as Manager by his number two Roy Soule, who had an immediate impact on the squad and brought in some new faces to add to the quality that was already in place. The Millers were defeated at Curzon Ashton on the final day of the season and that meant that they missed out on second place in the league and therefore had to face Trafford in the play-off semi-final. Trafford had already beaten the Millers home and away that season, and they were to be victorious again in front of a huge crowd at Church Lane just two days after the Curzon Ashton match.

2013/14 was an all-together more difficult season with the Club having to overcome many hurdles, none more so than contending with the wettest High Peak winter in living memory which produced the inevitable March/April fixture backlog. The first team, who endured a high turnover of playing staff, eventually ended in a mid-table position in Division One North. Soule and his Assistant Manager Paul Armstrong continued to work hard, but were finding it more and more difficult to fend off attention for their players from clubs who were able to offer financial incentives to leave Church Lane.

2014/2015 proved tough for New Mills FC as the Committee cut back on the players expenses and focused on developing youth players through the Development squad successfully. The Millers finished in the relegation positions in the Evo-Stik League, but were spared relegation on a technicality due to restructuring of the league pyramid. Sadly Manager Soule tendered his resignation in the summer and was initially replaced by ex-Stalybridge Celtic Manager Keith Briggs. Briggs was never to take charge of the club in a competitive fixture as just weeks after his appointment he accepted a coaching role at Sheffield United and his Assistant Andy Fearn took over the reigns.

Fearn was to remain in post for just a few months when, after losing every game while he was in charge, he resigned from the job. Former Glossop North End Manager Garry Brown took over, bringing his assistant Paul Williams with him. Although they had enjoyed success at Wythenshawe Town the previous season they were unable to change the Millers form and New Mills AFC hit the headlines in national press for all the wrong reasons. The club were winless in their 42 league matches that season, and mustered just three draws along the way which gained national media attention.

The club found themselves back in the North West Counties League for the 2016/17 season and were keen to renew acquaintances with some old friends. Although there were signs of improvement Brown left his role early in the season, with Paul Williams taking over as Manager. Williams was unsuccessful in making the step up from Assistant Manager and he was to leave the club just before Christmas in 2016.

After considerable changes in personnel in recent times, the Committee looked to add some stability to the club and were successful in appointing Calum Sykes to the Management position. Sykes had previously worked at Glossop North End and newly formed club Stockport Town, whom he had guided to the North West Counties League Division One play-offs the previous season. Sykes was able to clinch the signings of a number of players that he had worked with at previous clubs giving the club solid foundations to build from moving forwards.

Although home form was good at the latter end of 2016/17, away form remained disappointing and the club were relegated from the Premier Division, but with many of the playing squad remaining at the club and several new committee members in place, the club remained positive going into the 2017/18 season. Unfortunately things didn't go to plan and Sykes resigned in November 2017, replaced

by Nick Dowse and Gareth Cross. The managerial duo steadied the ship for a period before Dowse stepped down 12 months later to be replaced by Anthony Trucca. After narrowly avoiding relegation from the North West Counties Football League in 2018/19 the Committee were forced to take action and appointed Paul Riley as Manager.

Riley's reign got off to a terrible start in 2019/20 as the club lost every game under his stewardship and before the end of August he was replaced by the team of Dave Birch and Mike Norton as jointManagers. Both non-league legends in the Manchester area, Birch and Norton bought an immediate improvement in results and performances, and the club began to move up the table. Indeed by the time the season was curtailed by the Covid-19 outbreak The Millers were one of the form sides in the division and supporters were left to wonder how things may have gone had their side avoided the awful start to the campaign. A fine run in the Derbyshire Senior Cup saw Norton and Birch’s side reach the semi-finals knocking out Ilkeston Town and Derby County along the way, before they were narrowly edged out by Belper Town away from home.

The Millers management team have retained the majority of their players over a challenging couple of seasons during Covid 19 with a few exciting additions and with a young vibrant squad in place it is hoped that 2021/22 will see their side challenging at the top end of the table once again.

In March 2020 New Mills AFC became New Mills Football Club, as the club changed entity to become a Company Limited by Guarantee

Players Name

0 7 0 0 8 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0 2 9 1 10 0 2 10 0 5 0 12 0 6 7 3 0

0 0 20 0 5 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 15 0 0 2 0 4 1 6 0 0 6 0 0 0 4 0 0 10 2 0

* Indicates player is no longer a member of the squad

0 1 28 0 25 2 0 25 0 3 31 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 2 31 0 33 0 3 33 0 13 23 18 0 2 13 7 21 2 14 2 6 13 31 0

Goals

# Indicates player is awaiting International Clearance

Caleb Affleck * Samuel Amankwaa Joe Bevan David Birch Elliot Cooke Paul Cooper (GK) * Luke Cotton * Mason Fallon Oliver Fannon * Michael Fish Dylan Forth (GK) Leon Grandison * Declan Hacking * James Heatley Jack Hopkins * Luke Horrocks * Faris Khan Albern Kilgour Samuel Kilner Benito Lowe Sam Lynch Darren McKnight Allen Mills Adam Muir Harry Norris Michael Norton Kyle Oakes Emmanuel Omorogbe Teddy Osipitan William Parry * Finlay Phillips Jake Pollard Benjamin Richardson Christopher Rogers Matthew Russell * Akim Samms Luke Southerington (GK) * Adam Stuart Richard Tindall Jack Wray Alex Yates *

Starts Sub

Cheadle Town Cheadle Heath Nomads West Didsbury & Chorlton Abbey Hulton United Wythenshawe Amateurs Barnton St Martins Stockport Town Ellesmere Rangers Armthorpe Welfare (The Buildbase FA Vase 1Q) (1-1 after 90 mins, New Mills won 6-5 on pens) Eccleshall AFC Liverpool (The Buildbase FA Vase 2Q) FC Isle of Man Maine Road Abbey Hey Brocton Stafford Town Rocester Cammell Laird 1907 Alsager Town Sandbach United Cheadle Heath Nomads FC Isle of Man Rocester St Martins Abbey Hey Barnton Abbey Hulton United FC Isle of Man Cheadle Town Sandbach United Stockport Town West Didsbury & Chorlton Rocester Maine Road Ellesmere Rangers Cheadle Town Brocton Maine Road Stafford Town Ellesmere Rangers Cammell Laird 1907 Maine Road Eccleshall Rocester Wythenshawe Amateurs Cheadle Town Alsager Town Cheadle Heath Nomads (The First Division Cup 2) AFC Darwen

A H A H A A H H A H

W 3-2 W 4-0 D 2-2 W 3-2 W 1-0 W 5-2 W 4-0 W 4-2 W 3-1 WON

H H

W 3-0 L 2-5

H H A H H A A A H A A A A H H A A H A A H H A H H A A A H H A A H H H H A

D 2-2 W 2-0 L 0-1 W 2-0 W 5-1 Postp L 1-3 W 3-2 W 4-0 D 2-2 Postp W 4-1 W 11-2 D 1-1 D 2-2 W 1-0 L 1-2 Postp W 3-0 D 2-2 L 1-2 Postp Postp Postp Postp D 1-1 Postp W 3-1 W 3-1 W 4-2 D 3-3

A

Eccleshall FC Club Honours 1973-74 Mid Staffs Div.3 Cup Winners 1973-74 Mid Staffs Div.3 Runners-up 1975-76 Mid Staffs Div.2 Cup Winners 1980-81 Staffs County (N) League Div.2 Champions 1981-82 Staffs County League (N) Premier Division Champions 1981-82 May Bank Cup Finalists 1982-82 May Bank Cup Winners 1982-83 Mid Staffs Div.2 Cup Winners 1983-84 Staffs County League (N) Premier Division Champions 1983-84 May Bank Cup Winners 1983-84 Staffs FA Vase Finalists 1984-85 Staffs FA Vase Finalists 1986-87 May Bank Cup Finalists 1987-88 Mid Staffs Borough Cup Finalists 1989-90 Staffs Senior League Champions 1999-00 Springbank Vending Midland League Runners-up 1999-00 Staffs County League Champions 2001-02 Springbank Vending Midland League Champions 2002-03 Springbank Vending Midland League Champions 2002-03 Staffs FA Vase Winners 2002-03 Staffs County League Champions 2002-03 Sentinel Cup Winners (under 18s) 2002-03 Sentinel Shield Winners (u/16’s) 2002-03 Leek Cup Finalists 2005-06 Staffs FA Vase Finalists 2017-18 Staffs FA Youth Cup Winners (Under 18s) 2017-18 Potteries Junior Youth Cup Winners (under 18s)

1971

Reformed 1971 Nickname The Eagles Ground Pershall Park Chester Road Eccleshall ST21 6NE Telephone 01785 851351 (Matchdays Only)

Record Attendances: League - 2,011 vs FC United 5.11.05 Cup - 368 vs Wisbech Town FA Vase Rd2 11.91 Previous Leagues Mid Staffs League Staffs County League (N) North Staffs Alliance Midland League (formerly known as Staffs Senior league, Refuge Assurance Springbank Vending)

Proud members of

STAY UP TO DATE

for all the latest info on The Eagles visit us online at

www.eccleshallfc.co.uk

EccleshallFC

@EccleshallFC

eccleshall_fc

1971

The Old Smithy is a traditional restaurant and Free house Pub with comfortable and friendly surroundings with a relaxed look and feel. We are located in the picturesque town of Eccleshall in Staffordshire

the-old-smithy-eccleshall.co.uk

ADVERTISE WITH US Would you like to advertise with us in our 2021/22 matchday programme?

If you would like more info contact the club today.

Premier events catering specialists offering a range of bespoke catering services across Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Shropshire and the Midlands 1971

www.ridgwaycaterers.co.uk

4-3 15.03.22

LAST TIME OUT

1971

ATT : 90

EAGLES PUSH THE AMMIES CLOSE Eccleshall travelled to Manchester for their midweek fixture to meet play-off contenders Wythenshawe Amateurs after their draw at Cheadle Town on Saturday. With regular ‘keeper Aaron Woolrich unavailable through work commitments, manager Liam Kelly drafted in new signing Alex Atton for his debut.

Eagles started well and Liam Robinson brought an early save from Ammies keeper Kyle Haslam.

The game started at a fast pace and the hosts’ William Shawcross fired just wide of the post.

Wythenshawe took the lead on 13 minutes when a through pass found Shawcross and he chipped the ball over the advancing Atton to find the net. Eccleshall came back and on 23 minutes, Haslam was forced to race outside the box to head clear as Robinson advanced on goal. Two minutes later they equalised when a free kick into the box was only cleared as far as Lewis Dunn who lashed the ball home past the unsighted Haslam. The pace of Robinson and Luke Lewis was causing problems for the Ammies back line and Haslam again had to race out to clear from Robinson. With half time approaching, Eagles were knocked back when the home side regained the lead on 44 minutes, and it was Shawcross again who did the damage. He ran onto the ball on the left of the box and his rising shot found the top corner, giving Atton little chance.

HT: Wythenshawe Amateurs 2 Eccleshall 1 The second half began with Shawcross again causing problems with his pace and on 51 minutes, Wythenshawe went 3-1 up when, from a corner, Joel Aikenhead headed home off the bar. Two minutes later they had the ball in the net again, but it was flagged offside. Undeterred, Eagles came back and a superb turn in the box by Lewis left him clear, but his shot beat Haslam and hit the post. Ammies leading scorer, Saul Henderson, who had mainly been held in check by the Eagles defence, then had an effort saved by Atton. As the half progressed, Kelly brought on Ben Chesters, Sam Corbishley and Louis Downs and the latter was in early action with a header easily collected by Haslam. On 73 minutes, the game seemed over when Henderson outpaced Corbishley and he chipped the ball past the advancing Atton to give the Ammies a 4-1 lead.

However, two minutes later, referee Pycroft spotted a handball in the box by Charles Duke and pointed to the spot. Callum Feeney stepped up to make the score 4-2. Fired by this, Eagles came back again, and Lewis had one effort blocked and another just over the bar. Early in added time, Eagles were awarded another penalty for handball and, although Feeney’s spot kick was saved by Haslam, he slammed home the rebound to further reduce the deficit.

FT: Wythenshawe Amateurs 4 Eccleshall 3 This was a solid performance by Eccleshall which showed how much they have improved since the turn of the year. Indeed, home supporters were wondering how Eagles were in the bottom four. Manager Kelly was gutted by the result and Eccleshall were worth at least a share of the spoils. However, they now have to move on to face another play-off contender, New Mills, at Pershall Park on Saturday. It doesn’t get easier.

Eagles: Atton, Darlington, Dunn (Chesters), Butchart, Groom (Corbishley), Collins, Doughty (Downs), Feeney, Lewis, Robinson, Woodroffe.

Unused Sub: Flanaghan Referee: Mr Joshua Pycroft.

Attendance: 90

Counter Attack is a 2-player, 90-minute football strategy board game. Take on a friend at the kitchen table to find out who is the champion of football tactics!

In a world of computer generated football games, Counter Attack is a breath of fresh air.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

TODAY'S FIXTURES Abbey Hey v Abbey Hulton United Alsager Town v Stafford Town Brocton v Barnton Cammell Laird 1907 v Sandbach United Cheadle Heath Nomads v Ellesmere Rangers Eccleshall v New Mills Maine Road v West Didsbury & Chorlton Stockport Town v Rocester Wythenshawe Amateurs v Cheadle Town FC Isle of Man v St Martins

The definitive podcast covering the North West Counties Football League!

Rocester Brocton Stockport Town Sandbach United Ellesmere Rangers Cammell Laird 1907 Barnton Stafford Town Cheadle Heath Nomads St Martins Stafford Town

A H H A A H A H H A A

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

18/09/21 28/09/21 02/10/21 09/10/21 16/10/21 23/10/21 30/10/21 06/11/21 13/11/21 16/11/21

New Mills Wythenshawe Amateurs Abbey Hey FC Isle of Man Maine Road Abbey Hulton United Alsager Town West Didsbury & Chorlton Cheadle Town Port Vale

A H H H H H A A H H

L 0-3 W 6-4 L 2-3 L 0-4 L 0-4 L 0-1 W 1-0 L 0-5 W 3-2 WON

H A H A A H A H A H

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

A A H A H A A A

W 3-1 L 0-1 PP PP W 2-0 D 0-0 D 1-1 LOST

The Buildbase FA Trophy 1Q

Staffs Senior Cup 2 (1-1 after 90 mins, Eccleshall won 1-0 on pens)

20/11/21 27/11/21 04/12/21 11/12/21 18/12/21 08/01/22 15/01/22 22/01/22 29/01/22 01/02/22

Ellesmere Rangers Maine Road Rocester Brocton Cheadle Heath Nomads Alsager Town Stafford Town St Martins Abbey Hey Stoke City Staffs Senior Cup QF

05/02/22 13/02/22 15/02/22 19/02/22 26/02/22 05/03/22 12/03/22 15/03/22

Abbey Hulton United FC Isle of Man West Didsbury & Chorlton Wythenshawe Amateurs Barnton Stockport Town Cheadle Town Stafford Town Macron Cup 1

19/03/22 26/03/22 02/04/22

New Mills Cammell Laird 1907 Sandbach United

H A H

Eccleshall FC | 2021/22 Fixtures and Results

Date 31/07/21 03/08/21 07/08/21 14/08/21 17/08/21 21/08/21 27/08/21 30/08/21 04/09/21 07/09/21 11/09/21

Eccleshall FC | Player Apperances & Goals Sub

Goals

Alexander Atton (GK) Samir Azam * Tyler Barnes * Jordan Benton Conrad Betton (GK) * Ryan Brown (GK) Niall Butchart Bradley Carr Benjamin Chesters Morgan Chilton (GK) Ashley Colclough Jordan Cole Harvey Collins Callum Collinson * Samuel Corbishley Jordan Darlington Conor Docherty * Andrew Dodd * Lewis Doughty Louis Downs Taylor Draper Jack Dundas * Lewis Dunn Callum Feeney Scott Finon * Jack Flanaghan Christopher Gilpin * Kyle Goodwin * Lucas Green-Birch Mark Groom Jordan Hall * Joshua Hall * Oliver Hickman Ashley Hodkinson * Calum Huxley Eden Johnson (GK) Kyle Johnson Ali Khral Jake Langdridge Luke Lewis James Lindop Jay Lovatt * Samuel Marsh * Kobe McWilliams Eric Merner (GK) * Joel Mills * Peter Murphy * Zak Noble (GK) * Callum Parker * James Redford * Thomas Riley * Liam Robinson Ryan Rowe Lewis Rowley Louis Sherwin * Daniel Taylor Logan Taylor * Troy Taylor (GK) * Liam Tomlin Thomas Wakefield * Andrew Walklate (GK) George Woodroffe Aaron Woolrich (GK) Owen Yewdall *

1 6 0 31 1 3 6 7 3 3 0 0 31 1 3 6 1 3 7 21 7 11 22 27 0 10 0 3 5 7 6 0 4 2 6 1 3 0 16 29 3 7 5 0 9 3 4 6 1 2 5 13 5 1 1 12 0 0 16 0 0 18 14 0

0 3 0 1 0 0 0 3 5 0 0 2 0 2 1 0 1 2 4 5 2 6 3 1 0 5 0 3 4 1 8 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 6 3 0 0 0 2 2 0 0 5 4 2 1 2 2 2 0 0 3 3 0 5 0 0

0 2 0 4 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 8 1 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 6 0 1 1 0 0 0 4 0 0 1 0 0

* Indicates player is no longer a member of the squad

Starts

# Indicates player is awaiting International Clearance

Players Name

Libra FMC Ltd is an industry leading supplier situated in Stokeon-Trent, equipping individuals and businesses with the products and services they need.

1971

AARON WOLLRICH HARVEY COLLINS CALLUM FEENEY JAKE LANGDRIDGE LIAM TOMLIN DAN TAYLOR JAMES LINDOP OLIVER HICKMAN JORDAN BENTON KYLE JOHNSON RYAN ROWE BRAD CARR JACK FLANAGHAN LOUIS DOWNS LUKE LEWIS LEWIS DOUGHTY GEORGE WOODROFFE LEWIS DUNN CALUM HUXLEY LUCAS GREEN - BIRCH LIAM ROBINSON TAYLOR DRAPER LEWIS ROWLEY

Manager : Liam Kelly

DYLAN FORTH ELLIOT COOKE MASON FALLON DARREN MCKNIGHT HARRY NORRIS CHRISTOPHER ROGERS JACK WRAY BENITO LOWE JOE BEVAN AKIM SAMMS KYLE OAKS EMMANUEL OMOROGBE FINALY PHILLIPS ADAM MUIR TEDDY OSIPITAN JAKE POLLARD

Manager : Mike Norton & Chris Birch

Today's Match Officials Ref: Sam Orritt Asst A: Wayne Atherton | Asst B: David Smith

Both Managers will select from the following players

1971