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 FA Cup 1st Round Proper 1966-67, 1968-69, 1971-72, 2020-21 European Amateur Cup Winners 1971-72 North West Counties League Cup Winners 1999-2000
Welcome to the 3rd installment of the “Skem United Review”, giving a look back on significant period’s in the clubs history plus a few football related articles to browse through. Without the likes of William Lyon, there wouldn’t be a Skem Utd, he died in 1940, we have the details from the Ormskirk Advertiser, plus from World War 1, the sad tale of Sam Ashcroft, very moving, both should be remembered this month. Earlier this month we also learned of the passing of Liverpool legend Ian St John, what many will not realize he played an important part in our clubs history. We have a quick look back at his time at Skem. Someone who will have been coached by St John was Micky Worswick, an article appeared on the blog “The Cold End” in July 2016, which tells of his time at the club and in non league football From 2006 to 2019 United played in the Northern Premier League, it all started so brightly and ended with a club in turmoil, we take a quick look at those years and for the stats amongst you, the complete NPL records. Skelmersdale United Internationals, bet you didn’t think you would hear them words spoken in the same sentence, have a look who donned “the blue”and represented their country, ypou might be surprised. And finally we caught up with John Ericson, a United player in the mid 70’s, this article should have been in the first league programme of last season, we didn’t get a league game at the JMO. Plus a few other bits to keep you occupied whilst once again the league’s have been cancelled. Hopefully we can get playing again come the summer, here’s keeping our fingers crossed
North West Counties League Cup runners-up 1982-1983, 2004-05
Cheers Kev
North West Counties Division Two runners up. 1997-1998
Enjoy the “looking back” feature on the club website. Im part way through two more magazines, that will be with you in April then that will be it from me.
Northern Premier League (North) Champions 2012-13 Liverpool Senior Cup Winners 2014-15
Thanks to Nev Berkley (cover), Danny Jackson, Matty Wright, John Driscoll for all the excellent photo’s
Ian St John: 'An iconic Liverpool figure who went on to illuminate TV screens' Ian St John, who died recently aged 82, was an iconic figure in Liverpool's history as part of manager Bill Shankly's construction of a football superpower, before enjoying a hugely successful post-playing career in television and punditry. St John arrived at Anfield in May 1961, a then club record £37,500 signing from Motherwell, with Liverpool in the old Second Division at the time. He helped Liverpool win promotion to the top tier, went on to win two league titles and scored 118 goals in 425 appearances After his playing career finished he went into management at Motherwell and Portsmouth but in later years was best known as one half of the massively popular 'Saint And Greavsie' partnership, alongside former England striker Jimmy Greaves on ITV Sport, their Saturday lunchtime programme illuminating football coverage in the 1980s and early 90s with its mix of humour and sharp insight. But what most people don’t know and you wont find in any of obituaries, is that St John played an important part in Skelmersdale United’s history, brought in at the start of the FA Amateur Cup campaign by Bernie Banks in December 1966, foremost as a fitness coach, coming in twice at week at White Moss Park but to add a steely professionalism to the side. Qualities that stood the side in good stead St John was at all the Amateur Cup games, at Slough he commented “tremendous!! I have never been so nervous, the lads are such good listeners and they were going all the time”. Ian St John was back in January 1969 to officially switch on the new floodlights. To mark the great step forward in the club’s history a friendly match was played against Fourth Division club Wrexham. Turning on the lights on January 3 rd, St John described the installation as a great step forward for the club. St John made his name as a youngster at Motherwell, scoring 80 goals in 113 league games as well as a hat-trick in only two minutes 30 seconds in a Scottish League Cup tie against Hibernian in 1959. He was hot property - and when Liverpool's directors initially told Shankly they could not afford the transfer fee, they were informed in no uncertain terms by the manager: "We can't afford not to buy him." He is best remembered for the trademark jack-knife header that gave Liverpool a 2-1 victory in the 1965 FA Cup final against Leeds and brought the trophy to Anfield for the first time. Ian should be remembered not just by the Liverpool fans but those of Skelmersdale United
Thursday, 28 July 2016 FROM THE BLOG http://thecoldend.blogspot.com/
A QUICK WORD WITH.....MICKY WORSWICK Micky Worswick was just twenty years old in 1967 when he helped Skelmersdale United shock the Amateur game by winning through to the final as a Lancashire Combination League Premier Division side. He went on to become a club legend at Wigan Athletic where he helped them become football league members. That famous season the average age of the Skem side was just twenty years of age with outsideright Norman Whitehead just eighteen years of age. With Enfield Town travelling North to play Skelmersdale United on Saturday in a special match to celebrate and mark fifty years since the famous games TheColdEnd was very pleased to speak to winger/inside-right Micky about his memories of that famous cup run. He was described in the pen-pictures of the cup final programme as a 'strong player with limitless energy' with a 'clever style'. HOW DID YOU GET STARTED IN FOOTBALL At the age of 14 a Blackburn Rovers scout saw me playing for my school team, Preston Catholic College, and invited me to Ewood Park for trials. I played there for three seasons as an amateur but unfortunately was not offered a professional contract. I then had trials at Bury and Queen of the South but they both came to nothing so I then finished up playing for my home town club Preston North End as an amateur. During my two seasons there I played mainly in the youth team but also played around half a dozen games for the reserves in a side that contained Alan Kelly, Alex Dawson and George Ross, who all went on to become North End legends. A pro contract was not forthcoming so I decided to try my luck in non league football and joined Burscough. The following season Mickey Burns who I had grown up with in the Moor Nook area of Preston asked me to join him playing at Skelmersdale Utd. He had signed for them the previous season whilst studying at Liverpool University. WHAT WERE THE EXPECTATIONS FOR THE TEAM THAT SEASON? I joined 'Skem' in the Summer of 1966 from their near neighbours Burscough FC. Being drawn against the mighty Bishop Auckland in the first round was really a boost for players and fans alike to be playing them on our tight little ground with the crowd
very close to the pitch. After beating them 3-0 we really thought that we were capable of putting a little cup run together but could never have imagined what it would eventually lead to! WHAT ARE YOUR MEMORIES OF THE FAMOUS CUP RUN? Leyton and then Wealdstone came to us and went without us conceding a goal and then we beat Slough Town in Round Four after a replay at White Moss Park. Then came the epic semi final against Hendon - First drawing 0-0 at Derby County then 2-2 at Birmingham City before finally winning 3-1 at The Hawthorns, West Brom to win through to Wembley. Oh what joy, and the celebrations were epic. Who would have thought little old Skem were going to Wembley! * Hendon were giants of the Amateur game at the time having been runner's up to Wealdstone in the 1966 final and winners of the 1965 final v Whitby Town
Mickey Worswick scores to put United 2-1 up against Hendon at St Andrews WHAT WAS THE AMATEUR CUP FINAL DAY LIKE? We travelled down to London on the day before the match and visited the stadium that afternoon to get a feel for it. We shall never forget coming down Wembley Way the following day with our magnificent fans lining the route (it was estimated that 30,000 people travelled down from Lancashire to support us on that balmy afternoon). We were very pleased to have been allocated the changing room that England used when winning the World Cup twelve months before. Then came the tunnel experience when we were summoned out of the changing room by the referee at approximately 2.45pm and lining up for the first time ever alongside the mighty Enfield Football Club. You never forget that feeling as you enter the arena with the sun beating down and the sound of 75,000 fans clapping and singing themselves hoarse. We really loved the whole experience but we all felt for our full back Alan Bermingham who saw his penalty saved by Ian Wolstenholme in the last minute of extra time. No doubting that Enfield deserved to win the replay at Maine Road the week after which ended a wonderful season for us. * Note - Had it not been of Bermingham's goal in the quarter-final replay victory versus Slough Town Skem may never have even got to Wembley in 1967.
WHAT IS THE MOST CHERISHED MEMORY OF YOUR PLAYING CAREER, THE BEST GROUND AND TOUGHEST PLAYER YOU EVER PLAYED AGAINST? Shortly after the 1967 final I was proud to have been selected to play for England Amateurs against Italy at Enfield and the day before lined up on the same pitch to play a warm up match against the full England team, Bobby Moore and all. A fabulous experience. The best ground that I have played on (after Wembley of course) would be Anfield when I played for Blackburn Rovers youth team against Liverpool, whose team included a certain Tommy Smith which leads me nicely on to your question about my toughest opponent (yes you guessed it). * Note - Defender Tommy Smith played 467 games for Liverpool between 1962 and 1978. The final at Wembley was drawn 0-0 with Ian Wolstenholme saving the last minute penalty from Alan Bermingham in the final minute (a little known piece of football trivia is that they were both Physical Education teachers). The E's travelled North a week later with history not on their side as the two previous occasions when Southern based teams had travelled North for a replay each time the Northern side had won the replay. Bishop Auckland won 4-1 against Corinthian Casuals in 1956 and Crook Town best Houndslow Town 4-0 in 1962 - Both games were played at Middlesborugh's Ayresome Park ground. Enfield famously won 3-0 at Maine Road on Saturday 29th April 1967 through goals from John Connell and Raymond Hill (2) in front of 55.388 people. It was the first time they lifted the famous trophy after finishing runner's up to Crook Town in 1964. It was a busy day for football in Manchester as United played Aston Villa in a Division One game across town at Old Trafford in front of 55,782. The first game at Wembley was described by The Observer "A brilliant save by Wolstenholme as he dived across to reach Bermingham's low hard penalty prevented a disastrous ending to this enthralling game in which both teams fought with boundless enthusiasm and spirit, without quarter or advantage. It would of been outrageous for Skelmersdale to have won this way (from the penalty). At least they had already made a host of friends by the verve of their soccer and helped to make a goalless draw as exciting as any other Amateur Cup Final I have ever seen..." Skem got through to the Semi-Final in 1969 losing to North Shields (at Southport in a replay) before facing losing to The E's in 1970 at the same stage at The Baseball Ground. They finally lifted the famous trophy in 1971 comfortably beating Dagenham 4-1 under The Twin Towers of Wembley Stadium.
WHY DO WE FOLLOW NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL The country is now dominated by the Premier League with all its football celebrities earning money some of us can only dream about. Thanks to Sky TV & BT Sport you can now almost pick which game you want to watch in the comfort of your home. A match ticket to go & watch a professional game can cost far upwards of £30 then there is the programme, food & drink to add on, more if the family want to go. Is this what the true football fan wants or can afford? The Premier League boast capacity crowds at the majority of games & one can only assume that if the working man has purchased a season ticket at say Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur or Chelsea he must have taken out a loan.
Depending on what level of non league football you watch, entrance can be as little as £5 or maybe less. The cost of a pint won’t set you back as much as they charge at professional grounds which is around £4 or more. Burgers, pies & chips will be a fraction of the cost what it is at a League ground. The non league fan can pay his entrance fee at the turnstile & not have to book online or phone the ticket office to be greeted by you are in a queue & listen to some boring music for 10 minutes, then find out that the phone call has cost you a few pounds because it was a premium rate number. The non league fan can have a pint in the club house & exchange friendly banter with opposing fans & any trouble if any at all is few & far between on the terraces, rarely is there any segregation. Oh yes we have terracing in non league not all seater grounds where stewards are constantly telling you to sit down at league grounds. Unlike the majority of league clubs non league clubs take the FA Cup seriously & for some the road to Wembley begins in August with the hope of eventually getting to the 3rd round proper in January & drawing a plum tie against a Premier League side. Here at Nostell MW we didn’t qualify for the FA Cup but a trip to Wembley was still to be had in the FA Vase. In the 1st qualifying round it was a trip to the seaside to AFC Blackpool saucy postcards, kiss me quick hats, dads with handkerchief on head sat in deckchairs. Well it was like that in the 50s and 60s. As soon as the draw was made hoteliers in Blackpool were inundated with calls from Nostell or was it Crofton or maybe Barnsley? about available rooms for the weekend.
Away games for the non league follower can take them to some towns or in some cases villages that they would never visit & with the chance of going to some wonderful or in some cases not so wonderful pubs. Some pubs you find are hidden gems & then it’s a case of making a note of it & you look forward to the same away fixture next season & when you do go back the bar staff remember you. Locals will look at your football shirt asking where are you from? you tell them & the reply is “where’s that?” There will be no police escort on the way to the ground & you will be able to walk into the ground 5 minutes before kick off. You don’t need a fancy swipe card to let you through, there will be just a good old fashioned rusty turnstile with the guy operating it who has been following the club for years (and played for them) a bit rusty himself. He will then tell you when you ask for a programme that there are none left because they only printed a few. The programmes don’t cost £350 or £4 as they do at league games in fact they are a lot less than that, but due to the minimum quantity that has to be ordered from the printers not all programmes are sold & clubs make a loss but the non league groundhopper will expect his programme to be available to buy. Once through the turnstile we all know the guys who try to sneak past the poor old raffle ticket seller without wanting to buy one, I never get to know the winner is the usual cry.
Night games at non league games can be a nightmare with poor floodlights & the players numbers on back of shirts hard to distinguish, a white number on a yellow shirt isn’t ideal. Toilet facilities can be poor at some grounds, tannoy announcer hard to hear for any team changes, especially if he has an accent. The terracing can be crumbling, the roof that’s letting in rain & needed repairing for weeks still needs repairing. Think about the volunteers, cleaning the changing rooms after the game, manning (should I say personing) the turnstile, the tea bar & the club house, the guy who empty’s the waste bins & cleans around the terracing ready for the next game, the poor guy who has been manning the turnstile now has to find the balls kicked into the trees during the game and never sees the game himself.
Think about the poor referee & his assistants in a crowd of a few people, they are always to blame when something doesn’t go our way & they can hear everything aimed at them. In nonleague we don’t have multi-million-pound players diving (sorry simulation) trying to con the referee, the referee doesn’t have VAR (video assistant referee) TMO (television match official) or a Hawk Eye or whatever else they want to call it in other sports to help them with decisions. After the game at many grounds, they don’t have the protection that many league grounds provide when coming off the pitch & that goes for the players as well. This is non-league football & this is why we love it. Who knows, next season in the FA Cup your club may have the chance of meeting a Premier League club or it could even be a trip to AFC Blackpool.
ENJOY THE GAME - RALPH WAINWRIGHT - NOSTELL MWFC Matchday Secretary
ERIC MORECAMBE During the summer Les Gallop took a trip to the historic Lancashire Costal town of Morecambe, of course the town itself is slightly less well known than the Comedian Eric Bartholomew - better know to us all as Eric Morecambe and Les was there to take pictures of the statue of Eric that sits proudly on the seafront. Its not the first time Eric has been seen wearing a Skem scarf, as after the 1967 Amateur Cup final Eric appeared in the clubs changing rooms. "The despair in the changing rooms was short lived as Eric Morecambe dropped in to cheer the players up, “I’m a bit hoarse from shouting for Skem, I was very disappointed they didn’t win. I follow Morecambe in the Lancashire Combination and have seen Skem play before. But United are here representing the Combination” before getting down to scrubbing Dave Moorcroft’s back. (right) By the time Eric had fini shed joking the previously glum looking players were all smiles."
After an impressive 5 years of successful football and after winning the Amateur Cup Final, along with a whole host of other trophies United and manager Roy Rees took the giant step of joining the Northern Premier League in 1971, the league just 3 years old, pitted United against the top northern clubs of the era, Wigan Athletic, Boston Utd and our foe's from the Cheshire league days Stafford Rangers. The skies lit up for United first game in the Northern Premier League, literally, as a lightning storm engulfed the ground just prior to kick off at the Drill Field home of Northwich Victoria. A 0-0 draw ensued. For most of the season United were in the top half, the highlight a "Boxing day" a 4-1 thrashing of league leaders Wigan Athletic. At the end of the season where United finished a creditable 11th Roy Rees had gone replaced by Alan Spence. United spent 5 years and 4 Managers during their stay in the NPL Rees, Alan Spence, Harry McNally and John Morris and were at first a force to be reckoned with, but as the seasons wore on United's financial woes surfaced and although never finishing at the bottom, United resigned at the end of the 1975-76 season. There was some highs in their time in the league in February 1972 Tony Webbers goal at White Moss Park ended Boston United's incredible run of 51 games without defeat. A last day victory over Barrow in the last game of the 1974-75 season kept them out of the bottom 2 but with crowds dwindling, there were just 58 for the visit of Barrow, the writing was on the wall for United They ended their final season with a flourish as Howard Wilkinson's Boston United were again beaten in the final game at White Moss Park 3-1.
---------------------------After brief flirtations with the Lancashire Combination, The Cheshire League and the North West Counties, United finally found themselves back in the NPL at the end of the 2005-06 season as they finished runners-up to Cammell Lairds and were placed in the NPL First Division. ---------------------------Tommy Lawson was installed as Manager as United came to grips with the higher standard, it was an inconsistent season, they beat Champions elect Buxton on their own patch 1-0 but lost at home by the same score line to the same opposition a week later. It was that kind of season. In 2007-08 United had lost just three games by the middle of November before embarking on a run that saw them lose just once in 19 matches winning 17, and were leading the table with just 7 games to go but the pressure and the good form of their nearest challengers Bradford PA and FC United had to settle for 3rd Losing to FC United at Gigg Lane in the Play off Final.
What a season 2008-09 turned out to be, some fantastic highs, tempered by some downright disappointments and a finale that was bizarre as it was frustrating. Up with the leaders, United faced former league club Halifax at the Shay in October and were comprehensively beaten 3-0. It was the best thing that could have happened, going on a run of 27 games with just one defeat, With 2 games to go United were sitting pretty for a possible title but were beaten by Newcastle BS at home 2-1 The drama was however not over as the final game of the season league leaders Durham were a point in front and away at Woodley, whilst Skem visited already play-off bound Curzon. United with the title in sight threw everything at the opposition and came away with a resounding 4-0 victory, while 20 miles away the unthinkable was happening. Woodley had gone in at half time 3-1 up, the title was heading to Skem but as the seasons twists and turns was just about to turn its cruellest for the blues as Durham rallied and ran out winners 43. Three days later Curzon were the visitors in the play-off semi final and United’s tired legs just didn’t have enough and went down to a goal 5 minutes from time.
The following season couldnt live up to the performances of the previous year, United were always there or thereabouts and a late rally including a last day draw at champions Halifax secured their 3rd stab at the play-off lottery. Unfortunately, Lancaster City proved too good on the day and United’s heartbreak continued for another year. United again made their intentions clear in 2010-11, vying for top spot with league newcomers and former Football League side Chester, the title was supposedly all over as Chester won 1-0 at Stormy Corner, but United were made of sterner stuff and went on a run of 11 wins in 14 matches. As the last match approached. United were three points in arrears, Chester travelled to Garforth whilst United were at home to strugglers Ossett Albion. Chester lost and United even though they racked up 7, conceded 2 and the title on the merest of goal differences. Losing the Play-offs with a 89th minute goal for AFC Fylde.
Again United could not live up to expectations and for the first time in 4 years they failed to make the Play-Offs, a poor mid season with just 1 win in 14 saw United slip down the table, a late rally brought the club back on the brink but defeat in the last game at Garforth saw the hosts pip Skem to the Play-offs. United bounced back in record breaking fashion 42 games, 32 wins, 102 points 1 defeat at Home, United put all comers to the sword, including second place Cammell Lairds 6-1, the Title wrapped up at Farsley with 5 games to go. United were back in the NPL PREMIER For the first season United regularly topped the table in a 4 way battle with Chorley, FC United and AFC Fylde but poor form towards the end of the season saw United slip agonisingly out of the Play-off position.
2014-15 saw United again mount a serious challenge for promotion but as so often in the past the second half of the season was their downfall with just 5 wins United again fell just short of the Play-offs, there was bright moments to savour, doing the double over League Champions FC United. 2015-16 was the beginning of the end for United as they failed to trouble the top half of the table finishing 16th, although never in serious doubt about relegation the team struggled to find the form of previous seasons. United did have the pleasure of defeating big spendinghigh flying Salford City 3-1 at "Stormy Corner" thanks to a Max Hazeldine hat-trick. Finances reared its ugly head again and long serving Manager Tommy Lawson was sacked in February with just 3 wins in the league all season, United were bottom of the pile. Alan Rogers the former Notts Forrest full back stepped up to take the reins but his task was made harder as all but 1 player from the Lawson reign left overnight. Phil Mooney staying loyal to the "Blues", a 10-1 home defeat to Ashton United more or less sealed United's fate.
Rogers ill-fated spell as United boss ended in September 2017 after three consecutive 4-1 defeats and United again at the bottom of the table, in stepped Dave Powell, with only 1 team going down Powell's side battled hard in a tussle with Goole to see who would take the dreaded drop, United's chances took a battering as in October their home ground was seized by bailiffs in a dispute with landlord Chequer Properties, Finances were at a all time low, eventually finishing 6 points above the stricken Yorkshiremen. So its down to the final season, its not been easy watching from the side lines, Paul McNally replaced Powell in November but was unable to halt the slide Finances have again played their part in United's exit from the NPL Its been a good adventure, a lot of people will have their own memories, some good some bad, its been an experience.. Have a good summer, Cheers....we will be back !!!!!!!!!!
06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 17-18 18-19
PLD 46 42 40 42 44 42 42 46 46 46 46 42 38 558
W 11 13 13 10 14 11 16 17 12 9 4 6 1 137
HOME D L 4 8 5 3 4 3 4 7 4 4 6 4 4 1 1 5 5 6 6 8 2 17 3 12 4 14 52 92
F 42 58 45 41 61 48 58 53 35 37 22 27 12 539
A 34 21 26 35 21 28 25 31 26 34 60 41 48 430
W 6 10 13 12 16 10 16 7 9 5 1 2 1 108
AWAY D L 6 11 4 7 4 3 4 5 3 3 6 5 2 3 4 12 5 9 5 13 7 15 10 9 3 15 63 110
F 30 36 51 39 56 46 52 39 23 29 18 26 12 457
A 43 25 25 21 27 32 16 48 22 48 58 43 66 475
ATTENDANCE TABLE Season 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19
Almond Donnelly Tuck Houghton Hine White
Lge Pos NPL 15th 3rd 2nd 5th 2nd 7th Champs NPL 6th 7th 16th 24th NPL 19th 20th
Chris George Shaun Mark Josh Micheal
Games NORTH 46 42 40 42 44 42 42 PREMIER 46 46 46 46 NORTH 38 37
84 64 52 49 39 37
Attendance
Ave
5482 6263 5860 5714 5786 4431 4515
238 294 293 272 263 211 215
429 Buxton 674 FC United 588 Halifax 927 Halifax 1127 Chester 296 Wakefield 566 R'sbottom
6348 6463 5129 4946
276 281 223 215
1000 FC United 1133 FC United 370 Salford 404 Marine
3013 2451
156 144
337 Sth Shields 354 Prescot C
Wade Mitchley McConville Strickland Astbury Woolcott
Biggest
Ryan Danny Sean Kenny Dean Paul
37 34 32 31 30 27
PTS 61 78 86 74 97 75 102 77 73 53 24 37 13 850
Season 2007-08 2009-10 2010-11 2012-13 2007-08 2013-14 2014-15 2013-14 2017-18 2015-16 2010-11 2017-18 2014-15 2008-09 2013-14
Date SAT 3 MAY SAT 24 APR SAT 20 NOV SAT 12 JAN SAT 16 FEB TUES 18 JAN TUES 14 OCT TUES 15 OCT SAT 10 FEB TUE 10 APR SAT 5 MAR SAT 17 FEB TUES 14 APR SAT 11 OCT SAT 22 MAR
Opponents FC UTD FC HALIFAX TOWN CHESTER LUTON TOWN FC UNITED CHORLEY FC UNITED FC UNITED SOUTH SHIELDS DARLINGTON CHESTER SCARBOROUGH FC UNITED HALIFAX TOWN FC UNITED
Comp P-off LGE LGE FAT 3 LGE Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge LGE Lge Lge LGE Lge
Att A A A A A A A A A A H A H A H
3258 2939 2714 2479 2168 1968 1843 1429 1407 1296 1171 1151 1133 1107 1000
HIGHEST HOME ATTENDANCES 2010-11 2014-14 2013-14 2009-10 2007-08 2007-08 2010-11 2007-08 2008-09 2012-13 2010-11 2006-07 2016-17
PLAYER Strickland McIntosh Hardwick Almond Turner Woolcott Akrigg Mooney McMahon White Foster
SAT MAR 5 TUES 14 OCT SAT 22 MAR SAT NOV 14 SAT SEP 29 TUE APR 01 MON MAY 2 TUE OCT 02 SAT APR 04 SAT 14 MAY TUES 1 AUG SAT 24 FEB MON 17 APR
Inc Cup Kenny Robbie Tom Chris Arron Paul Steve Phil Ryan Mike Shaun
CHESTER FC UNITED FC UNITED HALIFAX TOWN SOUTHPORT FC UNITED AFC FYLDE FC UNITED HALIFAX TOWN RAMSBOTTOM U LIVERPOOL BUXTON MARINE
APP 311 261 243 232 221 214 205 185 162 160 156
Armstrong Holden Burke Fearon Houghton Duffy Field Donnelly Rendell Burton Wylie
LGE Lge Lge LGE FAC LGE P off LGE LGE Lge LSC LGE Lge
Kyle Shaun Mike Martin Mark Mike Lewis George Tony Alan Peter
H H H H H H H H H H H H H
1171 1133 1000 927 769 674 663 619 588 566 509 429 403
148 130 122 115 113 110 109 108 107 104 100
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
Andrews Laundrette
Gibbo is a well known hopper and chose to get a “new tick” when Skelmersdale United entertained Congleton back in January, just the third game at the new JMO Stadium. Here is an extract from his full report, which can be found at his website https://gibbos92.com/ While many groundhoppers will descend on new ‘ticks’ as soon as they can, I often prefer to wait. There are usually teething problems and you don’t get a full sense of what the club is capable of as they are still learning themselves. Car parking was unavailable, with the facility overwhelmed by the number of people using the place. Entering the ground was done through the main reception of the centre, with a Skelmersdale United volunteer struggling to distinguish between paying fans and users of the other pitches. He had to bank on the honesty of those watching the match to part with their money; in years gone by I perhaps would have swerved him but I knew my money was going to good use on this occasion. The weather had been awful all week, which is what took me to Skelmersdale in the first place. It was about the only match definitely on as it was on an artificial pitch. The ground offered very little in the way of protection from the elements but they had worked hard to provide what was available. It was only their third match at their new ground, with the first arriving a couple of weeks previously when a crowd of 266 witnessed a 4-0 victory over local rivals Burscough. Despite the issues I’ve listed, it really didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. A historic club, that had been around far longer than the town itself, had fought back from the brink of extinction and they now had their own ground, of sorts. It didn’t matter that the stand had a restricted view. Nobody cared that the corner flags kept blowing over. They didn’t have their own clubhouse. So what? They had a club. They had a team and the people behind the scenes were once again able to concentrate on matters on the pitch, which they hadn’t been able to do for quite some time. With Skelmersdale and Congleton being 15th and 16th in the league respectively, it was going to be a tight match and it was the home side who came out on top with a 2-1 victory. Congleton took a slender lead into the interval when they scored from the spot on the stroke of half time. We of course were in the bar by this point as we were soaked down to our final layer; the skin. A ball to the edge of the area was chased by Dan Cope who was clattered into by Skem goalkeeper Ben Barnes. The referee had little option but to point to the spot and book the stopper, while the forward picked himself and fired the penalty home.
The second half belonged to the home side and they equalised on 69 minutes when Emini Adegbenro – who is one of my favourite all time NWCFL players – ran through the defence and finished smartly. It was a shame when fan favourite Richard Brodie departed the field, having achieved nothing other than being caught offside on numerous occasions. He didn’t look too happy to be taken off either. I just wish somebody would answer my question. I find it totally puzzling that a lad from Gateshead who had played for 21 different clubs, would suddenly find himself ‘at home’ playing for Skelmersdale United in the NWCFL. Were they holding him hostage against his will? Bringing off their talisman, however odd it seemed at the time, did the trick as the home side went on to batter the Bears. To top off the entertainment, in the final minute of the match Skelmersdale grabbed all three points. Congleton were struggling to get hold of the ball as the home side piled forward. Craig Ellison got down well to make the original save but couldn’t hold the ball and substitute, Gabriel Ellis who had replaced Brodie, fired home from close range. The Skelmersdale players charged towards the side of the pitch to celebrate with a group of 20 teenagers who had been singing songs in the shed throughout the match. I found it quite heart-warming that after everything the club had gone through, they had attracted a new generation of fans who were able to cheer on their hometown team in the driving rain with so much passion. What does the future hold for the club? Well, they will most likely never scale to the heights that they had done previously. Would they want to? Perhaps not. I think they’re just grateful that they’ve got their club and can be proud of the work they’ve put in to ensure it is here not just for those young lads but the old guard who have witnessed so many twists and turns over the years. From a neutral’s perspective, the JMO Sports Park really is mind-numbingly dull. As dull as the town’s most notable product, Leon Osman (who went to my college actually). It’s one of those grounds you want to “get out of the way midweek” as you wouldn’t want to ‘waste’ a Saturday afternoon on it. Then again, I’m led to believe that the bus ride from Wigan is rather scenic and could indeed spice your matchday experience up a little bit. YOU CAN WATCH THE MATCH HIGHLIGHTS ON THE SKELMERSDALE UNITED YOUTUBE CHANNEL
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) ------------------
BUDGIE – JOHN BURRIDGE John 'Budgie' Burridge is a true journeyman pro and a hero to football fans up and down the country. In a unique career spanning 30 years, Budgie played 771 league games for 29 teams and became the oldest player ever to appear in the Premier League. Highly respected as a goalkepper, but denounced by many as an 'oddball', Budgie was famous for the madcap antics. And the Burridge story was far from over when he finally retired in 1997, at the age of 47. He lapsed into depression and spent months in the Priory Clinic as he struggled badly to cope with the void in his life. He then became player-manager at non-league Blyth Spartans - only to be convicted for dealing in counterfeit leisurewear. Together with his wife of more than 30 years. Budgie moved to Oman to take up a coaching post with the national team. He sustained serious injuries when he was knocked down by a car in 1999, but is back in rude health and is now a TV pundit and newspaper columnist. Burridge is still fascinating and funny to this day, and this tell-all autobiography reveals the truth behind his astonishing football career .
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THE GLOVES ARE OFF – PADDY KENNY He is the larger-than-life figure who bounced back from rejection at 16 and graduated from parks pitches to become a Premier League goalkeeper, and later represent his country. Paddy Kenny's career was certainly not straightforward... just like his life. In his autobiography, Kenny lifts the lid on his time on and off the football field - including dressing-room rucks, being beaten for the Premier League's most famous goal and having his eyebrow bitten off in a curry house. This is Kenny's story... and the gloves are well and truly off
.BERT
TRAUTMANN –
TRAUTMANN’S JOURNEY How did one man go from Nazi Youth indoctrination to English footballing icon? Bert Trautmann is a football legend. He is famed as the Manchester City goalkeeper who broke his neck in the 1956 FA Cup final and played on. But his early life was no less extraordinary. He grew up in Nazi Germany, where first he was indoctrinated by the Hitler Youth, before fighting in World War Two in France and on the Eastern Front. In 1945 he was captured and sent to a British POW camp where, for the first time, he understood that there could be a better way of life. He embraced England as his new home and before long became an English football hero. This is his story. 'A gripping story of an unlikely redemption through football' Sunday Times 'He was the best goalkeeper I ever played against. We always said, don't look into the goal when you're trying to score against Bert. Because if you do, he'll see your eyes and read your thoughts.' Bobby Charlton
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ALAN ROUGH – MY STORY Alan Rough is the best-loved Scottish goalkeeper of all time not just for his shot-stopping skills, but also for his ability to laugh at himself when some of those shots did manage to sneak past his trademark perm into the net. In a career that spanned three decades he kept goal for Partick Thistle, Celtic and Hibs as well as earning 53 caps for Scotland. Alan Rough will tell outrageous stories of the extra-curricular activities of his fellow players, all told with the wit and intelligence that have made him so popular.With his 6-days-a-week football phone-in, Alan Rough s profile has never been higher. Now is the time for him to tell his story.
The script for this league cup semi-final could’ve been written for the Roy of the Rovers comic, albeit the underground version with fighting and swearing, rather than the more traditional one with the speech bubbles coming out of the crowd saying Yessssssss and Come on Skelmersdale, you can do it, boys! The Skem keeper turned out to be the unlikely hero as he kicked the penalty that put them in the Final against Eastwood Town. This was after having a shouting match with Gateshead fans in the first half and a full-blown fight with one such fan in the second. As it wasn’t a player he mauled, he wasn’t booked by the ref. The police might want to book him, though! I’d never been to Skelmersdale before. I’d imagined it to be a quaint Lancashire village with a steep and twisting cobbled high street with the smell of fish & chips, lots of poky real ale houses, an unusually high preponderance of cheese shops and a jolly butcher stood outside his shop in a striped apron, shouting about his sausages. I was quite spectacularly wrong. My doubts about my idyllic Lancashire town first surfaced after posting a question on Tony’s non-league forum about the best Real Ale pub to visit in Skelmersdale. The first two replies (bizarrely,I thought) suggested going to other towns, with the third kind of explaining the first two replies in saying he believed Skelmersdale (or Skem as the locals call it) to be the biggest town in England without a real ale pub! Setting my sights lower I asked again, this time just for a pub anywhere near the ground – the one reply suggested the town of Parbold! The game was a humdinger of a cup tie and was well worth the £7 entrance. I was an honorary Gateshead fan for the day, joining Shaun Smith and the ‘Heed Army’ for the day. They brought a fair number with them and I’d say comprised about half of the 259 crowd. It was a great atmosphere standing with them, and it seemed like it was a much bigger crowd. The first half of the game was a quiet affair (compared with what was to follow) conditions didn’t help as the rain went from spitting-heavy-torrential as the first half progressed, Skem took the lead in the 6th minute, a ball over the top caught the Gateshead defence square leaving Chris Almond room to pick his spot and lob the ball over the keeper’s head, the only key moment in the first half apart from an Armstrong effort just before half time.
The match reflected the weather, the second half was greeted with bright sunshine and a brighter start from the Heed forcing some fine saves from keeper McMahon, the introduction of Davy Southern on the hour gave Gateshead the edge and it was his superb cross which found Graeme Armstrong at the far post, with a sublime glancing header into the corner of the net. The game was end to end stuff with both teams looking to win the game in normal time, good saves from both goalies kept the score at 1-1 on the full time whistle.
During the second half a few Gateshead supporters gave the Skem no.1 a bit stick, which is usually taking as a bit harmless fun and it’s something you’ll find at any football ground in the country, but this keeper took exception to the taunts by reacting with verbal’s and hand gestures and even went crying to the referee about it. The situation then got out of hand when 2 minutes into extra-time Gateshead took the lead, again Southern was the provider and Jamie Harwood slid home after just coming on as a sub, a ‘fan’ then jumped on to the field to ridicule the keeper on conceded the goal, which lead to a bit of WWE action, as Ryan McMahon wrestled the lad to the ground before being taking away by security. The incident didn’t just mar the game, it marred the reputation of the Heed Army, the rest of the supporters were saddened by the incident, along with the chairman and officials from the club, but the actions of one individual shouldn’t mean we should all be tarred with the same brush, but an official from the FA who was present didn’t agree, his comment was, and I paraphrase; “ your all the same, you have the same accent don‘t you” If that wasn’t enough, tempers flared 10 minutes before the end of extra-time, a cross into the box was met with an attempted clearance from the Tynesiders centre-half Jamie Curtis, but the moment before he was about to volley the ball away, Skelmersdale striker Prescott went to chest the ball which resulted in Curtis catching ball and player together, after a loud scream from the striker, the referee paused before pointing to the spot after a nod from the linesman. Donnelly made no mistake with the spot kick, but as he walked past Curtis celebrating the goal, Jamie made a remark and Donnelly gave him a dry slap in the face, which lead to flared uproar on both sides with the offending player giving the red card.
The final whistle and a score of 2-2, after both teams gave their all over 2 hours of football, what happened next? Well that was obvious to everyone in the crowd even before the penalty shoot-out began, who was going to be the hero?
There was only going to be one man to grab the headlines, Skem goalkeeper Ryan McMahon who saved penalties from Cave and Bowey, before stepping up the score the winning kick himself to book a place in the League Cup final 4-2 on pens. Skelmersdale United are currently top of Unibond North, they have a hard working side who should get promotion, if not as champions then at least through the play-offs, they’ll hold their own comfortably next season in the Unibond Premier (they must be good to match one of the best teams in that league) but before then they face Eastwood Town in the League Cup final, best of luck to them, but I honestly don’t think they’ll need it. Just prior to the end of the game a couple of police were present, but as I left the ground was amazed to find the riot-squad in attendance, who stopped us returning to the clubhouse and were here to escort us out of Skelmersdale, a bit over the top me thinks, but all part of what was a remarkable day, which will live long in the memory, but not for all the right reasons. Groundhopper Reports from Dave Poole and Shaun Smith You can find more from the Groundhog at https://thegroundhog.wordpress.com/ and http://100groundsclub.blogspot.com/
United team, Ryan McMahon, Tom Hardwick, Steve Akrigg, Mike Duffy, Phil Holland, Adam Birchall, Aaron Turner, Paul Prescott, George Donnelly, Chris Almond, substitute Lee Kelly In the Final at Curzon’s Tameside Stadium, United were out played and out muscled by Eastwood Town and lost 3-0
SAM ASHCROFT 1892-1917 Whilst trawling through the National Paper Archives, I came across the pic of Fusilier Sam Ashcroft, former goalkeeper at United, who enlisted for the Great War. Ashcroft was the keeper in the club’s finest achievement to date winning the Lancashire Junior Cup in 1915, at the time the blue riband of Lancashire non-league football, defeating Rossendale United in the final at Bolton’s Burnden Park 1-0, although there was no mention of this in the Advertiser for the period. There was no mention of any sport due to the outbreak of the Great War.(In later editions of the Advertiser the score is not only mentioned as 1-0, but also 3-2 with Tommy Sherratt scoring the winner) The game took place on March 27 th 1915 with United lining up Ashcroft in goal, Blain, Follitt, Twist, Seddon, Hunt, Wilkinson, Watkinson, Sharratt, Ainscough, Jones. Sam was badly injured in the heads hands and feet whilst fighting in France in August 1916 and was taken to Broadlands Hospital Manchester. Sam returned to the war effort in December and was killed in battle March 1917, aged 25. A true Skelmersdale legend
FUNERAL OF MR. WILLIAM LYON. The last surviving founder of the Skelmersdale United Football Club, Mr. William Lyon, died in March 1940 at his home in Ashton-in- Makerfield. He was in his 83rd year. In his early days he was associated w'ith the collieries in’ Skelmersdale. During his residence in Skelmersdale he took an active part in the affairs of the Wesleyan Church at Skeimersdale. With a number of men attached to the Bible Class of that Church he founded the football club, which has been continued ever since under the name of Skelmersdale United. He was a playing member of the team, being an accomplished outside left. He was later chairman of the Club, and he was life member in later years. He revisited Skelmersdale from time to time, and always enjoyed watching the football matches there. A true footballing visionary, without whom we would not be here today
UNITED INTERNATIONALS Yes, you read it right, Skelmersdale United internationals, well of course former manager Alan Rogers won 3 "B" International Caps for England back in 1998 and “Big” Richard Brodie, made 3 appearances for the England "C" team. Then we have Gareth Roberts, brought to the club by Rogers, made a handful of appearances for United at the start of the 2017-18 season In a career that spanned 22 years and over 600 league appearances, Gareth also played 9 times for Wales between 2000-05. Another Welshman to grace United, was Peter Sayer (right) who made a number of appearances for the "Blues" in 1990, Peter made 7 appearances for his nation, all coming in 1977 the former Cardiff, Brighton and Preston winger joined United from Southport. Undoubtedly the most famous International that has turned out for United is Steve Heighway, joining Liverpool in 1970 Steve went on to make over 300 appearances for the "Reds", having been signed by Bill Shankley, Steve went on to win 2 European Cups, 4 League Championships, FA Cup, League Cup and 2 UEFA Cups, as well as winning 34 caps for the Republic of Ireland. There were plenty of players from the Amateur Cup days who gained England Amateur International Caps, Paul Clements, Ted Dickin, Peter Hardcastle, Terry Crosbie, John Turner, Micky Burns, Peter Frankish, John Unsworth, Andy Windsor and Micky Worswick, all of those were capped whilst at the "Mighty Skem". One man made a fleeting career at Skem in 1970-71 with 6 appearances, 1 goal, Peter Withe, before moving on to Wolves, Aston Villa and later England. where he played 11 games, scoring once. Withe was recommended to United by the former Wolves hard man centre forward Derek Dougan, who saw the Liverpool born striker whilst coaching in South Africa. Ian Black, Steve Heighway and Peter Withe
In October 2017, United Manager Dave Powell brought in former Rangers & Hearts and Scotland 1 cap, Midfielder Ian Black his one appearance for United, against Ramsbottom United resulted in a 3-2 win for Skem. United Assistant Manager at the Amateur Cup in 1971 Tony Sanders recalls later that that his time at United they had Heighway, Withe and John Richards, although there were no records of Richards having played a senior game, I however was given information that he played in a Youth Cup game at Tranmere, which United lost 4-1, John scoring the United consolation. Can you imagine those three in your line up? John Richards enjoyed a very successful time with Wolves, scoring 144 goals in 385 games in a 15-year career making his only appearance for England against Northern Ireland at Goodison Park in 1973.
BUT. Who were United's first International players? From the History of Skelmersdale United there is this quote taken from the local Ormskirk Advertiser dated back in 1914 "Early days The first games were played on a ground opposite the Horseshoe Inn, Liverpool Road. It would be two years after formation that they came into prominence in the Liverpool and District League’s. Some of the leading clubs were entertained in both friendlies and Cup ties (this was before the leagues were instituted). At one time whilst playing Everton Reserves they had the assistance of Rowley, Clare and Underwood of Stoke & England, who were regarded the finest defence in English Football at the time." All turned out for Skelmersdale United probably 1891 or 1892, making them current internationals when they donned the colours Underwood stood at 6 ft tall and weighed 13 st and along with Tommy Clare, formed an imposing barricade and were often referred to as a pair rather than an individual. Underwood's balding head and sunken eyes gave him a demonic appearance. He went on to win two full England caps, appearing alongside fellow Stoke team mates Goalkeeper Bill Rowley (2 caps) and Tommy Clare who won 4 caps, after a career that spanned Port Vale, Stoke and Manchester City.
Stoke City 1890. left to right T Clare,W Rowley, A Underwood
So there you have it, Internationals who have played for the famous Skelmersdale United, I bet you didnt know that there were that many !
In April 2020, thanks to facebook, we manged to contact and have a chat with John Ericson, John had played in the Northern Premier League days under Alan Spence and Harry McNally. The team photo from the era, John managed to account for some of the players and by a strange twist of fate in March this year, I had a telephone engineer out to mine. Noticing that I had a “United sign” in the garden, mentioned that both his and his mates father-in-law both played for Skem, then produced the picture opposite on his phone. He was able to pinpoint a further two names to the pic, that of Ronnie Burns and Denis Eastwood, both who had previously played for Marine. The engineer called Kevin also listed a few of the names that he played with Steve Dee, the tricky winger from the late noughties and Marc Borland a defender from the 90s, a bit of work did get down but it passed the time quite interestingly.
John, how did you get involved with Skem United ? As a football daft kid, I used to go to White Moss Park on a Saturday. Then came the run to the final, I saw every League game and Amateur Cup Bishop Auckland, Wealdstone, three trips to the Hendon Semi Final games all except for the Slough game away, I had my ticket but Ormskirk Schoolboys had a cup game that day at home at Burscough’s ground. Your Dad also played for United ? Yes Jack Ericson, he didn’t talk about it much, he played after the war and into the 50’s, I knew he won quite a few medals and made over 200 appearances for the club. There was quite a few supporters who remembered him in his playing days, they all said he was a good footballer. It was great when I signed for the Youth team, following in his footsteps. (Jack won 3 Liverpool County Combination Titles, 2 Challenge Cups and 2 George Mahon Cups) You Joined the fledgling Youth team ? My first game for the club was a Youth Cup tie against Stockport. We had hurriedly had trials one Sunday and the following week went to Stockport and funnily we won. Our Next game we were drawn at home to Wrexham unfortunately we had to go to The Racecourse because Skem at the time didn’t have floodlights. We drew and for the replay had to go back to Wales, we were the better side and won the game. In the next round we had a bit of a following as we went to Stoke, we were well beaten 5-0 Did you stay on at Skem ? I would have liked to have done but after that game I was invited to play for Norris Green Boys Club in The Liverpool Boys Association, I was 16 at the time and hadn’t started work. While I was there a scout from funnily enough Wrexham, and was asked to go to Wales. This was 1968 and I spent a couple seasons as an amateur. I had a cartlidge operation in 1970 and didn’t play for quite a while. I was travelling to Wrexham for treatment, but found it too much and asked for my release. Jimmy Gore the Skem trainer, who I already knew said why don’t I go up to Skem to play
Do you remember your First team debut for United ? Yes I do, but maybe for the wrong reasons, It was early in the season and I was delighted when Alan Spence told me I would be playing, we had a long trip to Scarborough. I was up against a Geordie bloke, who I think had played in the league, he gave me a torrid time, we lost 3-1 and the journey back seemed to take forever, no motorway them days, we must have got back well after midnight. Alan Spence the Manager had previously played League football How did you get on with him ? I found Alan to be very approachable, he was a good manager, he gave me my debut and obviously having played league football he made training different. A real genuine guy. Do you recall any memorable games ? Yes, we played Boston in 73, who were top of the league, they were a good side. I think they had gone a year unbeaten and they came to Skem, there was a big crowd at White Moss Park and we sent them packing. (This was February 73 and Boston had gone 51 games without defeat, going back to January 72, when Skem won 1-0 at White Moss Park)
Back row Keith Barlow, ?.?, Bill Molyneux, ? John Ericson, Jimmy Wilson Front row , ?, Les Lunt, Denis Eastwood, Ronnie Burns, Ray Donovan, Just a few more names to the faces, anyone know then please contact myself
You didnt score many goals in a United shirt can you remember anything about your first ? I would love to say it was a 30 yard rocket but it was nothing like that, We were at Home to Barrow, I found myself in the box, the ball was loose and just put my foot through it. I probably only scored about half a dozen goals but you sort of remember your first. I have no idea about any of the others but the first one is special.
You played in Harry McNallys first game in charge, How did it go with him ? I was sorry to see Alan Spence go, we finished mid table in 1972-73 and I thought we made a decent start. Harry was the Assistant and he was given the job, We won at Morecambe in his first game, and I was in and out the side, I didn’t rate him and I think the feelings were mutual. He went on to be quite successful. Who were the characters in the team back then ? We had a good set of lads at the time, no back biting or Ill feeling. I remember Brian Soo borrowing an eight track stereo for me from a discount warehouse in Kirby. We also had Billy Morrey, a decent player but his claim to fame now is he is the Uncle of Wayne Rooney. Alan McDermott was still there from the Amateur Cup days, It was a bit strange at first playing alongside one of your hero’s. Robin Poole also played a few games. I played alongside Tony Kaye, the ex Everton player, he was jailed for match fixing whilst at Sheffield Wednesday, he was a great player, in my opinion should have been in the 1966 World Cup Squad Where did you go when you left Skem. ? I got married and moved to Burtonwood and it was another Former Skem player Dave Berry who had me go down to Newtown, I had a couple of years there before retiring and taking up Cricket. Our thanks to John for his time, very much appreciated. --------------
The above photo also surfaced quite recently, and we need some help to fill in the missing players, we have second from right on the back row Alan McDermott and far right front row, Eddie Moss but can anyone shed some light on the other players on show in this pic, probably from the 1975-76 season, the last season United spent in the Northern Premier League
SKELMERSDALE UNITED
LOTTERY
ALBUM CHARTS APRIL 24TH 1971
JACKPOT TO BE WON
1 MOTOWN CHARTBUSTERS VOL 5 Various Artists 2 BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER Simon & Garfunkel
“He always beat me at Subbuteo Cos he flicked the kick And I didn't know”
3 HOME LOVING MAN Andy Williams 4 SONGS OF LOVE AND HATE Leonard Cohen 5 SPLIT Groundhogs 6 AQUALUNG Jethro Tull
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
7 CRY OF LOVE Jimi Hendrix 8 THE YES ALBUM Yes
9 GREATEST HITS Andy Williams 10 IN ROCK Deep Purple