AMATEUR CUP WINNERS
HONOURS BOARD Amateur Cup Winners 1970-71 Amateur Cup Runners up 1966-67 Amateur Cup Semi Finalist 1968-1969, 1969-70 Liverpool County Combination League Winners 10 Occasions Liverpool Challenge Cup Winners 8 Occasions Lancashire Junior Cup Winners 1914-15 Lancashire Combination Division Two Winners 1955-56 Cheshire League Champions 1968-1969, 1969-70 Lancashire Challenge Cup Winners 1969-1970, 1970-1971, 2008-09 Lancashire Floodlite Cup Winners 1969-70
Welcome to issue 4 of the Skelmersdale United Review, its great to be able to say we have football on the horizon, with the club being invited to the inaugural St Luke’s Cup, organized by Winsford United, the Tournament features, the hosts, ourselves, Runcorn Town and Sandbach United, with games scheduled to start on April 17th, you can keep up to date on the club’s website regarding further details. In this issue we take a look at “Forgotten Grounds” White Moss Park, taken from the Non League Traveller magazine and the fitting farewell to our spiritual home. 2012-13 season saw United beat all before them and were crowned NPL North winners by some considerable margin, we take a look back at the events throughout the historic season. Including the night when mighty Boston United came to “Stormy Corner” and left with their reputation in tatters. Mickey Burns will be a very familiar name to all Skemmers, a member of the 67 Amateur Cup final side, Mickey went on to play for Blackpool, Newcastle United and Cardiff, Mickey looks back at “The Match of His Day” The Anglo-Italian Cup Final in Bologna.
European Amateur Cup Winners 1971-72
Another face who maybe not so well know is Frank Ryan, prolific goal scorer in the late 90’s, Frank now resides in Australia but we caught up with him a couple of years ago, just to see how he was doing.
North West Counties League Cup Winners 1999-2000
Plus much more to get your teeth into, I hope you enjoy your read
North West Counties League Cup runners-up 1982-1983, 2004-05
Cheers
FA Cup 1st Round Proper 1966-67, 1968-69, 1971-72, 2020-21
North West Counties Division Two runners up. 1997-1998
Kev
Northern Premier League (North) Champions 2012-13 Liverpool Senior Cup Winners 2014-15
Thanks to all those who have contributed, I apologize if I have not given you credit
The West Lancashire town of Skelmersdale, situated about 15 miles south-south west of Preston, has seen great change over the years, being predomi-nantly a coal mining town with up to 20 collieries in the area until closing in the 1920's and 30's. Since being designated a new town in 1961 though, new industries have set up to only magnify its sometimes-bleak backdrop and also new housing estates are a major feature of this town known locally as "Skem". The town's football team also represent change as well since their formation back in 1882 and started off in local leagues such as Lanes Combination and Liverpool County. The club have had its ups and downs over the years and probably their best years were in the late 1960's and early 1970's when reaching two FA Amateur Cup Finals with their 1971 success being the highlight. Crowds used to flock to Skelmersdale in those days, regularly reaching four figures and White Moss Park used to be packed to the rafters especially for big cup ties. The ground had, through years of neglect and lack of cash, started to take its toll by the late 1990's but it was one of those grounds that still had character. The centre-piece of the stadium was the large stand along one side of the ground with its angled roof and 5 steel girders supporting the roof at the front. There were half a dozen steps of concrete terracing which went all along that side including the front of the main stand with a white wall half way up which separated the seating area from the covered terrace. Several rows of seats at the back of the stand were accessed by a set of steps towards the middle of the structure with the dugouts immediately in front of the stand. Entrance was gained from the corner of the ground where a car park was situated and the turnstile blocks proudly displayed the club name above them. The far end of the ground was just flat grass beyond which were trees.
It was in October 2002 when a major development announcement was made which would eventually see them relocate to their current site in Selby Place within the Stanley Industrial Estate, about 1.5 miles from White Moss Park. A period of ground sharing was necessary at Burscough until the new stadium was ready. In September 2003 planning permission was finally granted for the relocation with plans to bulldoze White Moss Park to be turned into a luxury housing development although developers Elite Homes did face strong local opposition on traffic congestion charges. The club played at White Moss Park for 45 years and the cost of the new stadium was in excess of £1 million. The move was forced on the club because of the high cost of ground improvements to White Moss Park where £50,000 was needed for major repairs and another £22,000 to replace floodlights. Although other sites were considered including Blaguegate and Chequers Lane it was the Stanley site which won the day where United purchased the land from English Estates. One of their most famous ever players was, of course, Steve Heighway, the former Liverpool winger and he even won a full Republic Of Ireland cap while playing for Skem. The new 1,500 capacity stadium and the crowds nowadays may seem modest by previous standards, but at least the club's future is secure as they try to recapture past glories. ------------------------------------------
A New Stadium for United There had been talk of a new stadium for United and in late May 1993 the following appeared in the local press, it would be another 10 years before the move would be confirmed but not to Blaguegate but to Stormy Corner. In late May 1993, Skelmersdale United unveiled a blue print for the future, a move away from White Moss Park to a new stadium. They want to build it just a few hundred yards away on the council owned shale playing fields at Blaguegate. The move has been prompted by two reasons. The club is around £50,000 in debt, incurred from previous regimes and the need for a modern ground to carry the club into a higher standard of football in the years ahead. writes Geoff Howard. The move will only take place if the finance to build a new ground is raised through the sale of White Moss Park for housing development. The plan is to develop the site over several phases, the first to provide a basic stadium to seat around 600, eventually it would hope to accommodate 10,000 all seated. Dave Tomlinson said “We have not gone as far as obtaining planning permission because the cost is exorbitant, we have already spent £1,300 on a feasibility study but if the move does get the all clear, my hope would be to clear our debts, finance the new stadium and still finish up with money in hand.
In February the Skelmersdale Champion announced that United would ground share with Burscough for the 200304 season, with White Moss Park being sold off for housing development. Arthur Gore said “we are looking at three sites to move to. There is one preferred plot of land and the plans are at an advanced stage, and not to far away from White Moss Park”. A month later it was officially announced that the preferred new site would be land on Stanley Industrial Estate “First of all we prefer this site because it is near the fan base and is not far from where we are now “said Arthur Gore. “Skelmersdale United departed White Moss Park with a fanfare, six goals and a resounding send off from the Skem Prize Band. Fittingly, leading scorer Stuart Rudd signed off with a hat trick, including the very last goal to be scored on the famous old ground. Best known Skelmersdale fan of all 69 year old Billy Croft, now wheelchair bound made a sentimental first return in more than 12 months to watch a 6-1 farewell victory over Salford. Ritchie Wade was among the familiar faces of yesteryear who attended for one last look at the White Moss turf”.
Rudd’s fitting tribute to White Moss Park Skelmersdale Utd 6 Salford City 1 21st April 2003 “Stuart Rudd’s target of 50 goals for the season remained tantalising out of reach, despite a hat trick in his final appearance of the season. writes Geoff Howard. But with 46, 43 in the league and 3 in the cup he finished the leading scorer in the North West Counties league by a country mile. It was somehow fitting that Rudd should score the first and last goals in the last ever competitive fixture to be staged at White Moss Park. The first after only 11 minutes was typical Rudd, a cross from the right by Mark Ashton which was converted at the far post with an acrobatic “bicycle kick”. 16 minutes after opening the scoring Rudd registered the best goal of the game as he leaned into a Horrigan cross to power a header from 12 yards, up and out of the reach of McVeys despairing reach.
Two minutes before the interval it was all over bar the shouting when Peter Holcroft’s free kick cannoned down off the underside of the bar and Billy Knowles still moving those old legs with purpose, made ground to head the loose ball home from close range. And as if to emphasise that there is still plenty of mileage left for next season, veteran Knowles latched onto Rudd’s cross eight minutes after the break to head home from four yards out. Mike Heverin a half time replacement for Ashton, then linked up with another sub Jay McKane to make it a nap hand after 71 minutes. Salford did pull one back after converting a penalty after 78 minutes. But there was to be no stopping Rudd with a hat trick in sight. As he broke down clear on the left, no way were the two supporting players in the middle going to see the sight of a pass. Rudd cut in and from 15 yards drilled his shot past McVey. United team; Robbie Holcroft, Ian Price, Dave Standley, Neil Hanson, John Brownrigg, Ian Horrigan, Billy Knowles, Peter Holcroft, Dave Barton, Mark Ashton and Stuart Rudd; Subs Mike Heverin, Jay McKane and Phil Cooney.
The ground had seen the club rise up from the Liverpool Combination to Amateur Cup triumphs, The Northern Premier League, games 1 division below the Football League, then back down through the ranks to the North West Counties Division Two, seen record attendances over 7,500 to regular gates of less than 100. The supporters had witnessed the emergence of Steve Heighway, Micky Burns and the formidable side of 1965. The bulldozers moved in and White Moss Park was no more”.
John Sewell, Mick Bouey, Nick Rudd, Mabel Shacklady, Paul Gallagher, Peter McGee, Arthur Gore, Norman Fenney, Mike Sewell, Bryn Jones, Tommy Garner close the gates of White Moss Park for the very last time
As White Moss Park closed its gates for the final time, Stuart Rudd had amassed 119 goals from 171 appearances; Ian Price had played 195 games with one goal, John Brownrigg having 278 games under his belt, scoring 14 goals and Robbie Holcroft having reached 332 games, with 314 consecutive and a new name was appearing on the substitutes bench Carl Osman.
If the headlines of 1971, “THIS WAS WHAT THE SKEM FANS HAVE WAITED FOR” when United beat Tow Law in in the Amateur Cup, then “This was the season that the fans had been waiting for since 1970”, when United last clinched a League title, they had gone close previously runners up in the North West Counties Division Two in 1997, after 26 years in the wilderness brought some comfort to long standing fans of the club and runners up in the North West Counties behind Cammell Lairds in 2006 that saw them promoted to the Northern Premier League. In with a shout for 4 successive seasons United eventually fell at the Play-off stage on all occasions but Tommy Lawson, his Assistant Brian Richardson and coaches Andy Paxton and Dom Finnigan, the shrewd operators, made some astute signings after only finishing in 6th in 2011-12 Anthony Hickey and Warren Bellew to give some outlet on the wings, Gary Burnett a youngster with an eye for goal, prolific marksman Josh Hine (pictured) and centre forward Mark Jackson, who would prove pivotal all season, despite some reservation’s early doors.
United were quickly out of the block winning the first 7 games, including Formby 3-1 (Hine, Strickland, Hickey) and Clitheroe in the FA Cup, it was this competition that saw the first defeat, travelling up to North East Counties side Tadcaster Albion, it should have been a walk in the park for a rampant United but they were well and truly undone, going down 41, as Tom Hardwick later said “it was the best result of the season” as coming home on the coach, the team showed no dejection and sang “Were going to win the league” and no one was to doubt them. After 8 games United had not dropped a point, they faced second placed New Mills on Tuesday Oct 23rd The crowd at the West Lancashire College Stadium were treated to a six goal thriller The winning record was gone but Skelmersdale manager Tommy Lawson was still very bullish after the game, when he said; “If someone had told me we would win eight and draw one of our opening nine games, I would have snatched their hand off, it’s a great start.” United’s goals coming from Hine, Hickey and Strickland.
Bouncing back from the dropped point Clitheroe were on the end of a 7-0 thrashing as United registered 7 different goal scorers at Shawbridge, Such was the team ethic of Skelmersdale that only one player in the starting line-up had failed to score this season, so it just emphasised the point when the seven goals came from seven different marksmen.(Hardwick, Hine, Morning, McIntosh, Burnett, Corrigan) After the game United manager Tommy Lawson said; “Magnificent, what a performance, do I need say anymore, I am going for a pint to celebrate.” Approaching Christmas and United extended their record with another 5 straight wins, there was also the FA Trophy, a tough away trip to Witton was successfully navigated 3-2, New Mills beaten at “Stormy” 3-1 and Boston, after their supporters made comments on their social media sites regarding Skem as “All flat caps and whippets” and expecting an avalanche win, the United supporters on mass all took to the head wear as they drew 2-2 in Lincolnshire, despite going down to 10 men, (For the replay see later) and Guiseley, second in the Conference North were also sent packing 2-0. Leading Tommy Lawson to say “It was up there among the best in my time at the club,” he said. “Our discipline was absolutely superb, against a very good side. We were patient, we defended well, and when we introduced a bit of pace later in the game, we had enough about us to go and get the win. It couldn’t have gone much better.”
To emphasise United scoring prowess United also dumped Prescot Cables out of the Dootson Cup with a 7-1 scoreline, making his debut for the “blues” was a youngster by the name of Matty Hughes, who would go on to have an important part to play as the season unfolded, the game would also mark the first start of Mike Phenix (Hughes 3, Houghton, O’Reilly, Morning) and Tranmere Rovers were dispatched in the Liverpool Senior Cup 5-1 (Hughes 2, McIntosh, Phenix, Bellew)
United dropped another point at Home to Burscough on Boxing Day a 3-3 thriller, West Lancashire waited fifteen years for it and those that braved the rain got more than their money’s worth, six goals, two fight-backs, three penalties (plus one that was given but never taken), controversy, the result in doubt until the very last kick and two teams that deservedly were greeted by rapturous applauding at the end as they left a battered West Lancashire College Stadium pitch shattered by their efforts. The only losers on the day were those that didn’t go. Leaving one spectator to sum up the day up well at the end; “You would pay double to watch that.” United despite having played considerably less games than their rivals were very much still in the mix, sitting second behind Mossley. All eyes were on Luton on 12th January as 450 Skem supporters made their way down South, putting up an admirable display against the Conference favorites losing 2-0 Tommy Lawson, said, “I thought the score flattered them.” No one could argue with that. He continued by saying;” We worked very hard right until the death. It wasn’t a case of hanging on; we thought we could win the game. We felt we had the opportunities to have won it. . . We are very very proud of the players, what they have done up to now this season has been immense.” The effort the players put in told as they suffered their first league defeat of the season on the following Tuesday and it had to be Burscough, United going down 4-1 (Bellew).
Not put out with the result,again United bounced back in thrilling fashion, against their close challengers of the years, they destroyed Curzon Ashton 6-1.Lawson said “I trusted the lads that have got us were we are this season and told them to go and put Tuesday right and I think it says a lot about them that they did.” On 9th February Mossley the league leaders then came to Skem, in a hard fought game Burnett and Hickey made sure the points and the League leadership came Tommy Lawson’s men. They then faced 2 tough away games, against title “wanna be’s” Trafford and New Mills, dropping points in the 1-1 draw at the latter After the match Tommy Lawson was very pleased and he emphasized just how well his Skelmersdale players have responded to what could easily have been a nightmare run of games that have actually stamped his teams credentials firmly on the football map. Tommy said;
“When I looked at the fixtures and saw what we faced in back to back games, I knew we had to be thoroughly prepared and the players knew too, they have dug deep into their own personal resolve and bodies to achieve what we have in the last fortnight and I must thank them. . . . If someone had told me we would have got ten out of the twelve points available I would have been happy, but the way we have done it has absolutely delighted me.” Cammell Lairds who by this point were looking to put serious threat to United’s title hope were hammered at “Stormy” 6-1 (Hine 2, Hughes 2, Hickey, Phenix), before the game Tommy was awarded his 4th manager of the Month award. There was a slight hiccup at the beginning of March as United could only draw their Home games with Goole and Warrington, and suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of relegation bound Harrogate Railway, going down 3-2 With a mid-week victory at Ossett Albion 4-1 on March 12th, United moved 12 points clear of their nearest challengers Ramsbottom United, with the added bonus of a game in hand. The rest of the challengers now find themselves bunching up with just five points separating 2nd with 8th placed New Mills. United saw off Garforth 3-0 and Bamber Bridge 2-1 (Josh Hine 2), setting up a Home tie against 3rd place Trafford. Skelmersdale United lost their unbeaten home record for the season in a close game of not many chances that arguably saw the cards fall the visitor’s way at the West Lancashire College Stadium. Trafford proved what many have thought all season, they are probably the second-best team in the Evo-Stik Division One North. United went down 2-1, Tommy Lawson was not down cast, he said; “If somebody had told me we would only lose our third league game of the season in the last week in March I would have been delighted. We will go home have a think and let’s turn tonight into a positive on Saturday.” Tommy was true to his word and all the positives came out, the next four games saw 11 goals for, 2 against and another 12 points on the board, the last at home to Wakefield leaves Skelmersdale nineteen points clear at the top of Evo-Stik Division One North, but more significantly means that the only team who mathematically can catch them New Mills will have to win all their remaining nine games to reach the 97 point mark, Skelmersdale are already on 89 points.
TOMMY LAWSON has paid tribute to his Skelmersdale United players after they were represented heavily at the Evo-Stik awards this week. Skem, 19 points clear at the top of the First Division North, had four players – Sam Ashton, Lewis Field, Louis Corrigan and Tom Hardwick – in the Evo-Stik ‘Dream Team’, whilst striker Gary Burnett was named Young Player of the Season. Lawson said the awards were deserved recognition for the work his players have put in during what has been a fabulous season at the West Lancashire College Stadium. On Saturday 13th April, United travelled to Farsley. Skelmersdale United’s march to the EvoStik Division One North title is all over bar the shouting and there should be plenty of that on Tuesday night and next Saturday at the West Lancashire College Stadium. The way Tommy Lawson’s men over came the last obstacle in their way in West Yorkshire was clinical to say the least, grabbing the lead in the 16 th minute, Skelmersdale had the game firmly under control by the 37th minute as they netted four times in a whirlwind 21 minutes that leaves them nineteen points clear at the top of the table. They even added some cream on top of the cake when they struck their 100 th league goal of the season. Lewis Field netted his first of the season and United also had the pleasure of seeing goalkeeper Sam Ashton dispatch a penalty.
Goole put a dampener on proceeding on the following Tuesday “What I said to the lads after the game on Tuesday was that they now have the opportunity now to win the title on our home ground and in front of our home spectators,” said Lawson. “And we have the opportunity to celebrate winning the title in our own bar. 20th April 2013, was the day the title arrived. Amid scenes of great celebration Skelmersdale United confirmed themselves as the Champions of Evo-Stik Division One North. The game was won with a whirlwind four goals in sixteen minutes that spanned half-time at the West Lancashire College Stadium. Skelmersdale United will now take up a place in the Evo-Stik Premier Division next season, a position they last held back in 1976. Further it is Skelmersdale’s first league title since they won the Cheshire League back in 1970. So there was much to celebrate on Saturday evening and many tears were shed among many of the longstanding faithful.
“Saturday was an absolutely fantastic occasion for the club. To win the league in front of the fans that have followed us all season long was tremendous. Everyone connected with the club can be very proud of our achievements. “It is not just this season, either. This is a culmination of the hard work that has gone in over the past few seasons. We've been up there for a number of years, and to get out of what is a very hard league to escape is a wonderful achievement. What was different about this season? It's hard to say. Our reputation is for producing good players, and having lost Chris Almond and Shaun Tuck from last season's side, we have seen other players step up this season. “You look at Gary Burnett, Josh Hine, Mike Phenix, Matty Hughes, Shaun Holden. Young lads with big futures. They will only get better.” There were other league games to play but it didn’t really matter, United were CHAMPIONS Supporters Memories Lorraine "The presentatoin night last season when the lads promised us, they stuck to their word all through and pre season as well. What a season they've had WELL DONE LADS "
As a season finale Skelmersdale United made the long trip down to Norfolk for the Peter Swailes Trophy, they returned with a second cup, but they didn’t just win the play-off between the two champions, they took apart the team that won the southern version of their league title. King’s Lynn suffered from North-South divide at their own Lawns ground as Skelmersdale completely outplayed them for long periods. An opinion shared by a local Norfolk journalist who commented; “Skelmersdale are passing us off the park.” United winning 6-1 Josh Hine netting 4, Adam Morning and Mark Jackson a farewell goal for the club.
Date
2012-13
v
att
score
Sun Aug 19
Wakefield Lancaster C
A H
156 205
W 2-0 W 3-1
Rendell, Burnett Hine, Strickland, Evans
Ossett Alb Ramsbottom
H A
168 243
W 4-1 W 2-0
Hine 3, Hickey McIntosh, Hine
Sat Oct 13
Bamber Bridge Harrogate Rail
A H
171 185
W 2-0 W 4-0
Corrigan 2 Burnett 2, Strickland, Hickey
Tue Oct 16
Mossley
A
203
W 2-0
Hickey, Strickland
Sat Oct 20
Curzon Ashton New Mills
H H
215 195
W 3-2 D 3-3
Jackson, McIntosh, Hine Hine, Hickey, Strickland
A H
252 184
W 7-1 W 2-1
Hardwick, Hine, Hickey, McIntosh, Morning, Burnett, Corrigan
Sat Nov 3
Clitheroe Ossett Town
Sat Nov 17
Radcliffe Boro
H
196
W 2-1
Burnett, Morning
Tue Nov 20
Salford Garforth
H H
191 188
W 3-2 W 3-1
Jackson 2, Burnett Jackson 2, Morning
Lancaster C Burscough
A H
189 342
W 3-1 D 3-3
Burnett 2, Strickland Hardwick, Phenix, Woolcott
Tue Jan 29
Warrington Burscough
A A
241 266
W 1-0 L 1-4
Jackson Bellew
Sat Feb 2
Curzon Ashton
A
182
W 6-1
McIntosh, Burnett 2, Jackson, Hughes, og
Sat Feb 9
Mossley Trafford
H A
304 250
W 2-1 W 2-0
Burnett, Phenix Burnett 2
Tue Feb 19
New Mills Prescot Cables
A A
252 190
D 1-1 W 1-0
Hughes McIntosh
Sat Feb 23
Ossett Town
A
112
W 1-0
Jackson
Tue Feb 26
Cammell Laird Goole
H H
177 218
W 6-1 D 2-2
Hine 2, Hughes 2, Hickey, Phenix Hickey, Hughes
Harrogate Rail Warrington
A H
55 215
L 2-3 D 1-1
Burnett, Morning Jackson
Sat Mar 16
Ossett Alb Garforth
A A
87 137
W 4-1 W 3-0
Strickland, Jackson, Hine 2 Morning, McIntosh, Hughes
Tue Mar 19
Bamber Bridge
H
210
W 2-1
Hine 2
Tue Mar 26
Trafford Salford
H A
162 157
L 1-2 W 3-1
Hickey Hine 2, Morning
Sat Apr 6
Prescot Cables Clitheroe
H H
245 237
W 3-1 W 3-0
Hine 2, Wright Wright, Morning, Burnett
Tue Apr 9
Wakefield
H
207
W 2-0
Wright, Evans
Sat Apr 13
Farsley Goole T
A A
152 133
W 5-1 D 0-0
Morning, McIntosh, Field, Ashton (GK), Hughes
Farsley Cammell Laird
H A
368 100
W 4-0 L 2-3
Hughes 2, Jackson, Hine Wright, Phenix
Sat 4 May
Radcliffe Boro Ramsbottom Utd
A H
167 566
W 2-0 W 2-1
Hine, Woolcott Hickey, Hughes
Mon 6 May
Kings Lynn
A
321
W 6-1
Hine 4, Jackson, Morning
Sat 10 May
AFC Liverpool
H
161
L 0-3
Tue Aug 21 Sat Sept 1 Tue Sept 4 Sat Oct 6
Tue Oct 23 Tue Oct 30
Sat Dec 1 Sat 8 Dec Wd Dec 26 Sat Jan 5
Tue Feb 12 Sat Feb 16
Sat Mar 2 Tue Mar 5 Sat Mar 9 Tue Mar 12
Sat Mar 30 Mon Apr 1
Tue Apr 16 Sat Apr 20 Tue Apr 23 Sat Apr 27
Goalscorers
Morning, McIntosh
APPEARANCE & GOALS 2012-13 name ALEY ASHTON BEESLEY BELLEW BIRCHALL BURGESS BURKE BURNETT CORRIGAN CROWDER DISLEY EVANS EVANS FIELD GRIFFITHS HARDWICK HICKEY HINE HOLDEN HOUGHTON
ZAC SAM PAUL WARREN ADAM GARETH MIKE GARY LOUIE MARTIN TOM TONY JOE LEWIS ANDY TOM ANTONY JOSH SHAUN MARK
APP 1 55 1 37 2 5 3 43 32 2 1 7 9 49 5 56 46 35 14 2
GLS 1 2
17 3
1 1 1 2 14 29 0 2
name HUGHES JACKSON LAWTON MCCARTNEY MCINTOSH MCKINTY MORNING O'RIELLY PARLE PEET PHENIX RENDELL SALEH SIMPSON STOKER STRICKLAND TURNER WESTHEAD WOOLCOTT WRIGHT
MATTY MARK SHAUN ROB IAN ADAM JONAH LEE GARETH MIKE TONY JAMIL MIKE CHARLIE KENNY ARRON PAUL DALE
APP 28 47 1 3 55 1 40 3 1 4 33 8 8 2 3 56 10 2 48 29
GLS 15 14
9 1 14 1 0 7 1 0 1 9 0 3 7
Blackpool were playing in a cup final in Bologna. Yes, that is correct. It was June 1971, an afternoon kick-off and what Micky Burns remembers is the sheer heat. ‘It was so hot,’ Burns says. ‘So physically draining. Roasting. I’ve never been as tired after a game as I was that day.’ Tired, but happy and victorious. Burns scored the winner in extra time in Bologna, meaning Blackpool ended an otherwise traumatic 1970-71 season with a trophy. It was the Anglo-Italian Cup, a competition that lasted four years in its first incarnation. It was a novelty created by an Italian agent, Gigi Peronace, featuring six clubs from each country. It threw up unexpected fixtures such as Swindon Town versus Napoli in the inaugural final — Swindon winning — and Blackpool in Bologna in 1971. ‘Nobody knew anything about it, it was a new tournament,’ says Burns, ‘but there were top sides from Italy in it.’ Bologna had finished fifth in Serie A that season, having won the Italian Cup in 1970. Blackpool, too, had had a good 1970, clinching promotion from the old Second Division. The Tangerines were back in the top flight after three seasons away and had players such as Tommy Hutchison, Tony Green and Jimmy Armfield. They were joined in 1969 by a Prestonborn 22-year-old winger who had been playing for Skelmersdale United in the Cheshire League while studying at Manchester University: Micky Burns scored the extra-time winner to hand Blackpool AngloItalian Cup victory ‘My father wouldn’t let me go into football until I had got my qualifications from university,’ Burns says of his late entry into the professional game. He was training to become a teacher, which included a year on placement in Liverpool after the three years in Manchester. ‘Then a scout told me there were a number of clubs interested — Preston and Blackpool, Liverpool were mentioned. There would have been too much pressure joining Preston so I chose Blackpool, didn’t have far to travel.
‘Les Shannon was the manager, he’d been a very good player himself. He was quite a character. He took Blackpool back into the First Division.’ Promotion was when Blackpool’s troubles began. Although they started season 1970-71 with two wins and a draw in the opening five games, they did not win another match until December. Their next league win came in April. There were 15 draws to add to the meagre four wins, so every Saturday was not a disappointment, but Blackpool were relegated and Shannon lost his job. ‘For the team overall, there’s a jump between the Second and First Divisions, as there is now, and while we had good players, it was difficult to get going.’ In came Bob Stokoe as manager for Shannon, and it was Stokoe in charge when Blackpool began their Italian adventure with a 3-3 home draw against Verona. They then lost at home to Roma but went to Italy for the return games and won both. Blackpool topped their English group, which included Swindon, Stoke, Huddersfield, Crystal Palace and West Bromwich. Bologna topped theirs: it included Inter Milan and Sampdoria as well as Roma.It meant a oneoff final in Bologna. The stadium was packed and Burns says ‘a lot travelled across from Blackpool’. The hosts took the lead in the first half but John Craven equalised on the hour and that led to extra time. Not long into it, Burns collected the ball on the left and cut inside, evading Italian tackles and hit a 20yard right-foot shot high into the net. He says he ‘just about had the energy left to do it’. Footage shows him sprinting away gleefully. ‘We got good gates,’ he says. ‘It gave the Blackpool public something after a strange and difficult season. There was a lot of uncertainty about facing foreign opposition but it was enlightening. Italian teams played a different style, they had a sweeper and man-marked. You always had a shadow. ‘When we got back to Blackpool there was a civic reception, an open-top bus tour. It was definitely seen as an achievement — there was the European Cup and Fairs Cup then. Stokoe considered it a big achievement.’ Stokoe left for Sunderland and FA Cup glory in late 1972 and Burns joined him in the North East with Newcastle United in 1974, but not before they went back to another Anglo-Italian Cup final in June 1972. Blackpool defeated Sampdoria and Burns got four goals in a rout of Vicenza. They met Roma in Rome’s Olympic stadium in the final in front of 75,000. Roma won 3-1. ‘We weren’t used to seeing fences and moats,’ Burns says.
If you are a little bit bored during lockdown, and fancy getting your teeth into some football reading then why not order some of these books from your local Bookstore. (Remember if you order of Amazon then please register with Easyfundraising, all purchases gain a small donation for Skelmersdale United)
JEFF STELLING – JELLYMANS THROWN A WOBBLY Jeff Stelling is a legend amongst football fans. To the millions unable to get to their teams' games on Saturday afternoons, the next best thing is undoubtedly the pleasurable company of Jeff and the Sky Sports videprinter for a cosy marathon on the sofa. If someone's got to reveal that your beloved team have just gone 3-0 down away from home and had a man sent off, it's best if it's consummate professional Jeff who breaks the news to you. Avid Hartlepool fan Jeff knows our pain and shares our joy…but mostly he knows our pain. The long-time host of SkySports' iconic Soccer Saturday show has become a cult figure, universally admired for his encyclopaedic knowledge of the game, his genuine and unlimited enthusiasm for ALL levels of football, and his wicked sense of humour which makes the six-hour long show simply whiz by. Jellyman's Thrown a Wobbly is a deliciously chaotic, hugely entertaining, anecdote-ridden, humorous taste of life in the Soccer Saturday studio. Hear what Jeff has to say about some of the show's legendary pundits over the years – ex-players such as George Best, Rodney Marsh, Chris Kamara, Charlie Nicholas and Matt Le Tissier. Be a fly on the wall of the hotel bar on Friday nights as Jeff and his guests gather for a natter and few drinks. Get the inside track on all those great one-liners: "Mansfield Town's Gareth Jellyman has been shown the red card for dissent. Looks like Jellyman's thrown a wobbly." "Darlington's equaliser has been scored by Guyain Ndumbu-Nsungu. Very much a case of local boy makes good." (He's from Congo.) "They'll be dancing in the streets of Total Network Solutions tonight." "James Brown's grabbed a second for Hartlepool. I feel good!" ___________
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CLIVE TYLDESLEY- NOT FOR ME CLIVE Football changes everything. It changes how we feel, how we think, how we behave. It turns us into someone else. You love your team first. It's tribal. Except I did love something else. I loved the idea of commentating on my team, on every team. I loved it even more than my team. I ditched the girl next door for the diva on the silver screen. Like all true romances, it was irrational and intoxicating, it was tangled and foolish, it became addictive and occasionally heart-breaking and it kept on changing. Two United goals inside two minutes changed it in 1999. A teenage Evertonian called Rooney twisted the plot in 2002. Three Liverpool goals in less than six minutes changed everything again in 2005. Hello, hello. Moments. Mere blinks of wide eyes. Football happens in heartbeats. Meeting those moments is my job. Seeing them, saying them, spelling out the difference they have just made. It's all I've ever wanted to do. Probably all I can do. Spending time in the company of the 'greats' of football like Sir Alex Ferguson, Bill Shankly, Brian Clough and Sir Kenny Dalglish has changed everything for me, and probably for you too.
MOTTY – JOHN MOTSON From Ronnie Radford to Wayne Rooney, John Motson's knowledge and passion for football are unrivalled. In Motty, he shares his story for the first time and guides us through a career which has spanned forty years and over 2,000 matches. From reporting on the exploits of the giant-killing Hereford team in the 1972 FA Cup that made his name on Match of the Day, to the estimated twenty-million viewers who tuned in to his commentary on England's match with Portugal at the 2006 World Cup, Motson's time in the commentary box has delivered some unforgettable anecdotes. In dozens of fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, we hear about the greatest football matches he has watched and the greatest players and managers he has been privileged to know. Many of them are football icons; Bill Shankly, Alex Ferguson, Brian Clough, Alf Ramsey, and Matt Busby, amongst countless others. Motty is essential reading for anyone who has grown up with the undisputed voice of football.
Those of a certain age will have fond memories of the Amateur Cup Legends of the 60's & 70's those a bit younger will remember the Legends in the side that won the Northern Premier North in 2012-13. Those of us who were there in the mid 90's there was another Legend that thrilled the faithful at White Moss Park. And if your wondering why the club have no money I can reveal that it was I who was sent out to Melbourne Australia, travelling First Class on Virgin Atlantic to catch up with the Legend that was Frank Ryan, Frank resides in the Australian City having moved out to Australia back in the late 90s he is married to a local girl Michelle and has step children Emily and Brad and a son Jack who is 19. Over to Frank Where did you begin your career? I played most of my games in the Liverpool Sunday League and North West Counties for South Liverpool and Mossley Hill. I played for Everton youth team in Germany at 18 finishing as leading goal scorer but due to a coaching staff change never got the call to go back for pre-season training. How did you come to sign for Skelmersdale United? Peter Smith was the reason I joined Skem in about 1991. The then manager Albie Shieils didn't really favour me thinking u was too slow and made be a bench player for my first time at Skem. I left but returned late in the season after Peter Smith became player manager. In my last two seasons with Skem I scored 30 and 34 goals respectively but there are a few which do stand out. You scored plenty of goals 30 in a season, Im sure you know exact figure Any special goals that stand out? In an FA Vase game away in Nottingham we were awarded three penalties. I took all the penalties at the time and if you ask Tommy Garner he'll tell you one step and keepers bottom left corner and scored all three to win 2-3. (The United game in question was against Nuttall, United won 5-4) The only penalty I missed was in my last game against Maghull were we gained promotion back to Division 1.
Anyone you can remember from your time at the club, any little stories to tell? There was some real characters around then, John Brownrigg, Iggy, Leon Hymas, who I am still in touch with and a young Robbie Holcroft, I do belive he went on to make a few appearances for the club. I've got fond memories of all the blondes at Skem. John Brownrigg was one of the hardest tacklers I've ever seen (including at training). John Igglesden was probably the most uncoordinated centre halfs to ever kick a ball but somehow managed to score some great goals and stop forwards who previously had run rings around defences. Tony Scott was probably the gentleman of the team. I saw him booked for a foul in one game and the look on his face was sheer shock.(tackles were never his strong point). It was known that you moved to Australia, Did you continue plying your trade? After moving to Australia I played for Darwin Olympic 12 times winning the league cup and scoring 14 goals. After 3 months I moved from Darwin to Melbourne and joined a local club in the 2nd Division but a knee ligament injury saw me play only 4 games a season for the first 2 years. I then joined Berwick City were I played for 2 years winning leading goal scorer in the second year with 45. My last season with another club I played as an attacking midfielder but found that age and weight had caught up with me and decided to call it a day. Coached my daughters football team for the past 6 years but work commitments meant I had to give it away in 2015. Skem will always hold a very special place in my heart and although there were some hard times whenever I speak of my time there it's with a smile on my face and a warmth you couldn't replace. Any message to the Skem folks back home, there are still a few of us who remember the legend that was Frank Ryan ? So far as a message to anyone that remembers me thanks to you all for making me so welcome and for all your support through good times and bad. I was part of the team which went 17 games without a win and all through that time the club and fans stood by us. Skem is a fantastic club with awesome fans and they all deserve every success which comes their way.
When I get home at the weekend I'll take a photo of a framed gift my wife made for me a long time ago using old pics and Skem programs. I still have a lot of old Skem programs a occasionally dust them off for a read. In the book "The Boys in Blue" Frank was selected in one of the teams, he played upfront with Tommy Tindsley and also included in the same side was Steve Heighway, Frank was delighted, being a Liverpool Supporter, he promised to show his friends and family and said it was a "Great Honour" to be included along with some of the great names of the past Frank made his debut in 1992-93 scoring his first goal away at Blackpool Mechanics. In 9495 Frank Ryan scored just the three goals in a handful of appearances. The following season it was much the same half a dozen goals in the season. It was the 96-97 season where Frank found the back of the net on a regular occasion, given a regular starting berth Frank bagged 20 league goals and in 1997-98 Frank was the leading scorer in the North West Counties, finding the back of the net on 33 occasions. He also chipped in with 7 FA vase goals and a FA Cup goal against Pickering Town. Frank also had a liking for the defences of Blackpool Mechanics and Middlewich, scoring Two Hattricks against both sides There were no complete Records for other Cup competitions like the Lancashire Cup/ North West Counties League Cup and the like but it is quite sure Frank would have found the net. Thanks to Frank Ryan, a true United Legend --------------------------
A CLUB ON THE BRINK Around Christmas time 2017, Liverpool University student Stephen Carson came along to watch Skelmersdale United, whilst they were playing at Prescot, to compile a video project for his University work. Stephen’s excellent documentary style project gave an in depth look at the club and their struggles both on and off field The results of this project can be found HERE it is well worth another watch
PLAYERS SPONSORS 2020-21 Would you like Your Company Logo here, Phone Norman on 07949 582262 Would you like to Sponsor one of the Players for the 2020-21 season Then for just £20 you can See Kev Panther or any committee person on Match Days with YOUR selection PLAYER Alex Davies Alex Griffiths Alex O'Neill Ben Barnes Callum Preston Cameron Glennon Daniel Murphy Danny Mitchley Gabriel Ellis Ged Traynor Harry Jones Jack Grimshaw James Webb Joe Herbert Josh Peat Lloyd Ellams Lloyd Ellams Michael Grogan Mini Adegbenro Richard Brodie Stephen Wainwright Tom Croughan Tom Grimshaw
HOME SHIRT Mikey (AFC Liverpool) ALL STAR Mal Hodkinson Kate Finch GEORGE GREEN SOLICITORS KB Andrews Laundrette Norman Fenney DnM Bargains Skem Utd Under 18's GEORGE GREEN THE SAFETY TEAM SUFC China Supporters Mike & Linda Alan McDermott P&B Landscapes Jacob O'Connor Gary Wilkins Mike Sweeney Claire O'Connor
AWAY SHIRT FUNDING SOLUTIONS Mal Hodkinson Kate Finch KB Andrews Laundrette Paul Griffiths
SOLICITORS GEORGE GREEN SOLICITORS
Boardman Alan McDermott P&B Landscapes Jacob O'Connor Mike Sweeney Claire O'Connor
Keith O'Dwyer
Paul McNally Heather Vearncombe
Rebecca Turner Kath Fenney Gordon Vearncombe
Kath Fenney Avril Panther
Graham Hastings Alex Marr
ESPFA Andrews Laundrette
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We are back with Joe Gibbo and his football travels, this time Joe takes us back to a wet and soggy late November evening as Boston United of the Conference North visited Stormy Corner for a FA trophy 1st Round replay, it was to turn out an epic night for United supporters. You can find Joe’s full blog here, where you will find a full report and a number of pictures from the night. -------------------------I was only a few days away from finally getting around to blogging about my visit to Skelmersdale United during pre season. However, when my Photography teacher informed me an assignment would be coming up in the next few weeks, I thought I would find a match to go to and get a head start. Originally, I was planning on making the trip to Trafford v Leek Town, but plans soon changed when I rang up the club, and they weren’t confident the game would go ahead. With this in mind, I decided to take a chance on Skelmersdale United after they seemed pretty confident the match would go ahead. It was going to be a long day with college and football, but I was still looking forward to it. We approached the turnstiles, and paid our admission price – £9 altogether – which was very good. On my last visit to the ground I struggled finding matchday programmes, but this time I was prepared. As soon as you enter the ground, there is a little programme hut on your right. Programmes are priced at £2. They are well presented… but could maybe do with a staple to prevent the pages from falling out all over the place! The ground had a nice feel to it as soon as I walked in. The players were warming up, on a pitch which looked superb given the weather over the past week. The floodlights were shining bright, and incredibly, the tannoy system was playing songs which weren’t sung by The Beatles.
Stormy Corner is the adopted name of the ground for the home fans. Whether that is because it was very blustery in places, I will never know. Don’t let the name put you off though. The Main Stand at Skelmersdale houses around 250 seated spectators. It is the focal point of the ground, and offers a great view of the action. The players facilities are found underneath the stand, and the smell of Deep Heat is rife. There were a few players of interest on show at the West Lancashire College Stadium on this crisp winter evening. In goal for the home side was former Bolton Wanderers player Sam Ashton. Ashton once played for Bolton Wanderers in an FA Cup match at Watford, however, there is more to the story. With 5 minutes of the match remaining, Ashton replaced Mexican striker Jared Borgetti. Sam Allardyce was in charge of Bolton at the time, and in a post match interview he gave the reason for making such a strange tactical decision: “He wears a massive tattoo with the club badge on it. He comes from the heart of Bolton and he loves the club so much and is so passionate. He just asked if he could get on for a couple of minutes. We were always ready to play him outfield as he has played at right-back and centre-back for the youth team. I thought it would be a perfect late Christmas present.” Now, if that wasn’t enough for one evening, Boston had their famous captain on show. Gareth Jellyman. Yes, that’s right. Jellyman himself had made the long trip to Skelmersdale. Now, if you don’t know who he is, where have you been? I remember watching Gillette Soccer Saturday a few years ago, when Jeff Stelling came out with one of the best lines ever: “Mansfield Town’s Gareth Jellyman has been shown a red card for dissent. Looks like Jellyman’s thrown a wobbly” That line went down so well, Jeff Stelling even named his book “Jellyman’s thrown a wobbly” The teams lined up, ready to face each other for the second time in less than a week. It ended 2-2 on Saturday when Skelmersdale travelled down to Boston in the FA Trophy First Round. The consensus is that Skelmersdale played quite well, and may have won the tie had it not been for a sending off. Having scoured Boston United forums, it was clear that many Pilgrims supporters expected to progress through to the next round. The game started off at a moderate tempo, with Skelmersdale keen to keep possession. It took just seven minutes for a breakthrough to be found, and it came for the home side. Anthony Hickey won the ball in midfield, before Gary Burnett set Mark Jackson up to fire into the bottom right hand corner.
Boston United then went on the attack. Minutes of sustained pressure followed. However, Skelmersdale had a blanket defence, and the Blue Square North side just could not find a way through. Tom Hardwick was leading the line for Skelmersdale, and he kept things organised at the back. The second half began, and Boston came out in search of a route into the next round. They put in a far better performance than in the first half, and had Skelmersdale playing in their own half for large sections of the remaining 45. Skelmersdale doubled their lead when Adam Morning found the bottom right hand corner with a low shot. He had only been on the pitch for seconds when he picked the ball up close to the halfway line. Boston players failed to pressure Morning, and he had a crack from around 25 yards out. It was a somewhat unexpected shot, and it appeared to catch Haystead off guard. 2-0.
The travelling Pilgrims finally had something to cheer about in the 85th minute when Marc Newsham pulled a goal back. A quick corner from the right caught Skelmersdale out, and after the ball was cleared only to the edge of the area, Newsham chested the ball down and fired into the bottom right hand corner. It was a nervy ending to the match for the home side, but they hung on to reach the FA Trophy Second Round Proper. The Boston fans who we spoke to after the match said it was nothing more than Skelmersdale deserved over the two matches, and they wished Skelmersdale fans the best of luck for the next round. I really enjoyed my second visit to Skelmersdale United. I was slightly disappointed with the place when I visited during pre-season, but faith has now been restored in the West Lancashire College Stadium. It is a well run, and ambitious club, which appears to draw in the local community for matches. It was also pleasing to see that many Boston fans had braved the long journey to West Lancashire, despite the weather leading up to the match! The Skelmersdale fans were very complimentary about York Street, and the way they were treated when they travelled down. So they have certainly whet my appetite to visit Boston United sometime in the near future!
5 artists you didn't know had made football songs Doc Brown’s nifty Crystal Palace rap aside, there hasn’t really been a decent football single since the mid-90s. Current attempts by the Manic Street Preachers and Shaun Ryder’s Four Lions to revive this lost art are valiant but ultimately flawed (which is no doubt what we’ll also be saying about our teams when they exit Euro 2016 on penalties). There are good reasons why bands have become reluctant to tackle the subject of the beautiful game in song: you end up looking naff and the team loses anyway. Here are some unlikely authors of football songs who learned that lesson the hard way. By Sam Richards taken from the BBC Sports website Slade - Give Us a Goal (1978) The late-70s was a dark time for former glam rock hitmachine Slade. Dave Hill had lost his hair, Noddy had lost his joie de vivre and Jim Lea had lost his songwriting mojo. They decided that writing a song about football would be the best way to endear themselves to the masses. When filming the video at Brighton & Hove Albion’s Goldstone Ground, it apparently took numerous efforts before the cameras managed to capture one of the band hitting the back of the net - a potent metaphor for the single’s failure to dent the charts. In hindsight, Give Us a Goal exudes a certain oafish charm, even if its celebration of hard tackles and long-ball tactics - “Stop your fancy footwork now!” - provides a clue as to why English football was stuck in the dark ages for 40 years. Echo & The Bunnymen and the Spice Girls - (How Does It Feel To Be) On Top Of The World (1998) Proof that even the greats can be flummoxed when it comes to trying to write a footy song. Echo & The Bunnymen’s Ian McCulloch may be responsible for all-time classics like The Killing Moon, Bring On the Dancing Horses and Nothing Lasts Forever but he made a dog’s dinner of England’s Official 1998 World Cup anthem, credited to England United, a supergroup consisting of Echo & the Bunnymen, Space, the Spice Girls and Ocean Colour Scene. Widely regarded as one of the worst football songs ever, it was booed by fans at Wembley and rubbished by the players - except David Beckham, who had a vested interest. Needless to say, it was Beckham’s petulant kick-out at a tumbling Argentine defender that hastened England’s premature exit from the tournament.
Genesis - Match of the Day (1977) Formed at the prestigious Charterhouse school, prog-rockers Genesis would have presumably been more familiar with rugger or fencing than the people’s game. Accordingly it was working-class interloper Phil Collins who took the lead on 1977 single Match of the Day, although the lyrics still display a certain amount of cynicism, portraying football as a muddy slog between the “reds” and the “greens” (Plymouth Argyle?) defined by “obstruction, body checking, heavy tackles” and verbal abuse from the stands. Hearing Collins warble, “We’ll kick you to death, ref!” is a strange feeling indeed. It’s no surprise that Genesis subsequently disowned this song; a video apparently filmed on the terraces of QPR’s Loftus Road has been conveniently lost to the annals of time. 10cc - Boys In Blue / Funky City (1972) Before 10cc hit the charts with Donna, they established themselves as songwriters and producers for hire, making records for “TV producers’ girlfriends and ventriloquists”. One of their clients was Manchester City FC, who wanted a song to mark their rise to the top of the league in 1972. 10cc gave them functional beery singalong Boys In Blue, which is still occasionally played over the tannoy at their stadium today. However, the real treat is the B-side - a delicious slice of ersatz Meters groove called Funky City. It didn’t help: Man City threw away a fourpoint lead and ended up finishing fourth. Joe Strummer (with Black Grape and Keith Allen) - England’s Irie (1996) Despite their material’s obvious terrace-chant appeal, The Clash never recorded a football song. Gripped by Euro 96 fever, Chelsea fan Joe Strummer chose to right this wrong by teaming up with Black Grape and Keith Allen (who also had a hand in New Order’s World In Motion and, less nobly, Fat Les’s Vindaloo) to pen this joyously bonkers ode to the beautiful game. “My wife’s lactating, I’m spectating - it’s a football thing,” they slurred, bafflingly. Strangely, this was overlooked as the England team’s official Euro 96 song in favour of a little ditty called Three Lions… CLICK ON THE SONG TITLES TO HEAR THE SONGS
'Steve Heighway on the wing...' Liverpool to-day emerged as clear favourites to sign sign Skelmersdale United's highly rated forward, Steve Heighway. Everton. Liverpool’s big rivals tor the amateurs signature, have already made their interest in the youngster known Liverpool, I understand. are expressing a keen interest in the player who has done so much to get Skelmersdale within sight of another Amateur Cup final appearance Liverpool had Heighway watched by coach Ronnie Moran in Skem’s quarter final lie with Slough on Saturday. and will have another look to. night. when Heighway lines up in a Cheshire League match aginst Frickley Colliery at White Moss Park There could be development. after the game but if Heighway does decide to turn professional he may well wait until Skem’s Amateur Cup run is over It will not be the first offer to turn professional, he was on Manchester City’s books and made a number of Central league appearances as Joe Mercer tried to persuade him to turn professional. As a front striker wearing the No 11 shirt, he is one of Skem’s leading scorers, in this his first full season, with 20 goals.
Taken from the Liverpool Echo Tuesday 24th February 1970
CHART ATTACK ! TOP 10 SINGLES
4TH
MAY 2013
SKELMERSDALE UNITED
LOTTERY
JACKPOT TO BE WON
1 Get Lucky – DAFT PUNK 2 Waiting all night -RUDIMENTAL 3 That Power – Will I Am 4 I need your love – CALVIN HARRIS 5 Cant hold us – MACKLEMORE 6 Need u – DUKE DUMONT 7 Just give me a reason – PINK 8 Hey Porsche – NELLY 9 What a night – LOVABLE ROGUES 10 Feel this moment – PITBULL No 1 ALBUM TO BE LOVED – MICHAEL BUBLE TOP 10 SINGLES 24TH APRIL 2003
1 Make Love – ROOM 2 American Life – MADONNA 3 In Da Club – 50 CENTS 4 Come undone – ROBBIE WILLIAMS 5 Out of time – BLUR 6 Move your feet – Junior Senior 7 Cry – KIM MARSH 8 Spirit in the Sky- GARETH GATES 9 Speechless – D SIDE 10 All I have – JENNIFER LOPEZ No 1 ALBUM ELEPHANT – WHITE STRIPES
It will test your head... and your mind... and your brain, too. SKELMERSDALE UNITED FC President: Mike Boardman Chairman: Paul Griffiths Secretary: Danny Roberts Committee / Directors: Paul Griffiths (Chair) Norman Fenney, Kath Fenney, Linda Boardman, Danny Roberts, Mal Hodkinson, Les Gallop, Tommy Garner, John Sewell, Mike Sewell, Kev Panther CLUB NAME – SKELMERSDALE UNITED ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB ENTITY – LIMITED BY GUARANTEE Company Number is 3859401