Skelmersdale United v Runcorn Town 8th feb 2022 by btinternet299

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TODAY’S TEAM LINE UPS @ JMO SKELMERSDALE UNITED

RUNCORN TOWN

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Ben Barnes Callum Lees Callum Preston Alex Griffiths Shaun Holden Joe Herbert Michael Grogan Kenny Strickland James Salkeld Sam Sheen Danny Mitchley Ibrahim Conteh Tom Croughan Michael Howard Edvard Servuts Kevin Towey Elliott Morris Emini Adegbenro Joe Nicholson

Adam Reid Kyle Smith Thomas Randall Liam Turner Anthony Davies Drew Lowe Joe Holt Joe Brown Francois Antoine Reece Dwyer Ellis Jones Thomas Ruffer Sam Hughes John Hill Richard Foulkes

MANAGER NIALL MCGUINNESS

MANAGER PAUL MCNALLY

Today’s officials

Referee - David Cooper Assistants – Peter Burns, Giuseppe Fara TODAY’S MATCH SPONSORS

Runcorn Town WHO ARE YA

Runcorn Town are celebrating their 50th season in football in 2017/18, and have come a long way from that very first season when the club were one of the founder members of the Runcorn Sunday League. They were formed as CKD, The club changed name to Mond in 1970, Ahead of the 2005/06 season, the club changed their name to Runcorn Town. Off field developments enabled the club to be elected to the North West Counties League at the start of the 2010/11 season, with the club also entering the FA Vase and the Cheshire Senior Cup for the first time in their history.

Club Information Ground: Viridor Community Stadium Address: Sandy Lane, Weston Point, Runcorn Postcode: WA7 4ET Telephone: 07808737773

Registered Colours: Sky & Navy Blue Shirts, Navy Blue Shorts, Alternative Colours: Red Shirts, Red Shorts,

County Affiliation: Cheshire Year Formed: 1968

Record Attendance: 803 v Runcorn Linnets, NWCFL Prem Div, December 2014

Previous Leagues: West Cheshire League Warrington & District League Runcorn Sunday League

Honours: West Cheshire League Two Winners 2006/07 West Cheshire League Two Runners Up 2004/05, 1994/95 Cheshire Amateur Cup Runners Up 1994/95 Pyke Cup Runners Up 2007/08 NWCFL Division 1 Runners Up 2010/11 NWCFL Premier Division Runners Up 2011/12

It is fair to say that the first season in the league exceeded all expectations under Simon Burton's leadership, with the team losing just two league matches as they secured promotion to the Premier Division as runners-up,.The Quarter Final of the Division One Trophy was also reached as well as the Semi Final of the Challenge Cup. In the clubs' FA Vase debut season, the club also wrote headlines as they progressed through four successive away ties before bowing out in the in the Last 32 stage against Dunston UTS, the last remaining North West Counties League side in the competition. The first season in the Premier Division saw Town continue in the same vein that they left Division One, with the team losing out on the title on the last day of the season to Ramsbottom United. James McShane once again topped the league scoring charts with Town scoring over 120 goals in all competitions. The 2012/13 season saw Town finish fourth in the league, with the main highlight of the season coming in the FA Vase. This saw the club reach the Last 16 for the first time, losing in extra time to Walsall Wood. Another good scalp came in the Cheshire Senior Cup with a 5-0 away win at Warrington which earned the "Team of the Round" award. The 2013/14 season saw Town finish fifth, and they disappointingly lost at holders Whitley Bay in the Second Round of the FA Vase, but the club had its first decent FA Cup run. Wins against Bootle, Goole and Witton Albion set up a tie at Conference North leaders Barrow, 83 places above them in the pyramid. Town shocked their hosts with a 1-0 win thanks to Andy Potter's stunning goal, with Town losing in the Third Qualifying Round to Norton United. Two poor seasons followed finishing 13th, with Town parting company with Simon Burton by mutual consent. Chris Herbert was appointed manager and he started the 2016/17 season with a brand new squad with not one player retained. There were no real cup runs this year, but Town bounced back in the league to finish third, level on points with runners-up Bootle.

LEAGUE HISTORY 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20

NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P NWC-P

42 42 44 38 31

15 29 29 19 14

7 5 6 3 9

20 8 9 16 8

70 112 107 68 55

76 52 65 65 41

52 92 93 60 51

13/22 3/22 3/23 7/20 ABAND

Saturday 17th October 2020

SKEM TOPPLE TOWN IN LEAGUE OPENER Runcorn T 0 Skelmersdale Utd 3 Runcorn Town - Reid, Turner, Roxburgh, McGivern, James, Tierney, Holt (Webster 81), Jennings, Buckley, Cox (Exell 62), Holsgrove (Antoine 62). Subs not used- Ward, Dursley. Skelmersdale United - Barnes, Herbert, Preston, Murphy. Grogan (Glennon 80), Peet, J.Grimshaw (T.Grimshaw 80), Ellams, Mitchley, Griffiths, Croughan (Jones 87). Subs not used- Webb, Wainwright. Mitchley 2 Att-126. Pictured right- Niall McGuinness Runcorn’s 30 year old Manager

LAST 5 GAMES Sat 15/01/22

Longridge Town

L 1-4

Sat 22/01/22

Squires Gate

D 1-1

Tue 25/01/22

Prestwich Heys

D 1-1

Sat 29/01/22

Wythenshawe Town

L 0-7

Tue 01/02/22

Irlam

Goals, Preston,

KEV LEADBETTER

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, 202021 European Amateur Cup Winners 1971-72 North West Counties League Cup Winners 1999-2000 North West Counties League Cup runners-up 1982-1983, 200405

Managers Notes Good evening and welcome to tonight’s visitors from Runcorn Town, and to their management, supporters and players, not forgetting our bunch of home supporters which seems to be growing week on week. Which brings me to the support at Macclesfield, I am led to believe that it was the largest away following for the club since Luton in 2013, which is some going. The support was tremendous throughout the 90 minutes, we are just sorry we couldn’t get the win for you that your enthusiasm deserved. I know there was a few complaints about the organisation and the behaviour of some of the home support last week, I am urging the supporters not to go down that route, we are a family friendly club and we welcome anyone, that includes away supporters, sing your hearts out whilst we are playing but please have respect for those that follow the opposition, make coming to Skem a welcoming experience, we will win more fans over and get more down watching if we do, which is all good for the club. The Macclesfield game was a “Cup Final” to them, if they had lost then I’m sure there would have been heads that rolled, they have spent big money and should be walking away with this league but at the moment they are not, ourselves and Wyrthenshawe are breathing down their necks which will put pressure on them in the coming weeks, the league is far from over, we have to be on our toes in every game and that is where your support comes in. It has been tremendous, the players all love it and they love you all joining in with the celebrations, they can hear your encouragement and that in turn gives them a boost, so keep it up, keep supporting and keep making all that noise We as a squad will do the best for you, you can be guaranteed of that. Forza Skem Macca

North West Counties Division Two runners up. 1997-1998 Northern Premier League (North)

PLAYER PROFILES MANAGER PAUL MCNALLY Paul joined Skelmersdale United in November 2018 after a short break since leaving Litherland Remyca in May. Paul started his Managerial career at Cammell Lairds 1907 in October 2014 guiding them to second spot and promotion in the NWCounties Division 1 in his first season, losing just 3 games. He moved over to North Merseyside, Litherland as Coach in June 2016, gaining his second promotion from the NWCounties as REMY finished behind Silsden Aside from management, Paul works at youth levels with positions at Educ8 Group and Liverpool FC International Academy

Graham Hastings - Assistant Manager - According to Graham, he has had more clubs than he cares to remember, amongst them Coaching at Wigan Ath, Rochdale & Bury, also worked with the youth teams at Skem for a number of years, combines his United duties with coaching youngsters at Preston North End. Alex Marr – Football CoachJoined Paul McNally’s coaching staff at the start of the 20-21 season, previously with AFC Fylde and has worked with the Ladies teams at Fylde and Chorley, according to Alex he is the brains of the operation and model face of the Franchise !! Heather Vearncombe – Physio United’s longest serving backroom staff member having joined in October 2016. Has passed her Masters Degree in Physiotherapy, also works for Manchester City when not attending United’s games Emini AdegbenroEmini joined in October 2019 from Congleton Town after spells with AFC Liverpool, Formby, Bootle & Runcorn Town. He excelled in his debut season with 10 goals in 20 games and was a huge factor in the recent FA Cup success with six goals in the eight ties including winners against Congleton Town & Longridge Town. Ben Barnes-CAPTAIN Ben began his United career with a debut clean sheet and went on to have spells at Marine & Prescot Cables, winning the 2017/18 Liverpool Senior Cup with Cables. He began his second spell in July 2019 and in the shortened season became joint JDP Player of the Year before starring in the FA Cup run last season and will reach a milestone 50th appearance in his first of the 2021/22 season. Callum PrestonCallum joined the club in Feb 2020 from IFK Holmsund (Sweden) having previously spent time with Atherton LR and Garswood. He instantly made the left-back spot his own.

Alex GriffithsAlex begins his fourth season at the club with the milestone 100th appearance in sight, after opening with 50 consecutive appearances for the club. He won the JDP Player of the Year in his debut season and jointly in 2019-20. He joined the club after a two-year spell at Vauxhall Motors having joined the Motormen after a stint with AFC Liverpool. Tom CroughanAfter debuting back in 2019, Tom begins his third season at the club and he has experience after spells in the Tranmere Rovers youth setup & Widnes FC.& Rylands Tom made his debut in 2019-20 season away at Northwich Victoria. Kenny Strickland Kenny began at youth level with both Manchester United and Chelsea, Where he made 7 reserve appearances for the latter, scoring 1 goal, a screamer v Aston Villa He re-joined the club in July from Marine for whom he excelled across four seasons and was part of the Marine side that tasted FA Cup glory in 2020-21. He reached legendary status for United with 311 appearances and scored 31 goals between 2010-17 which placed him ninth overall in United’s history. Was a regular in the side that won the NPL (North) title in 13-14 Elliott Morris, Signed initially for United on Dual registration in July 2021 Part of the Rylands side that won last seasons FA Vase. The wide midfielder is blessed with blistering pace. A delight to Skem fans when he signed permanently in November. Joe Nicholson – Product of the Skem Youth Academy Joe made his debut back in November 2013, before spells with Prescot Cables and Ashton Athletic, Returning to the club in November 2021 Callum Lees – Defender joined the club from Rylands in October 2021, on the bench in the 2021 FA Vase final at Wembley, started his career at Everton. Mike GroganMichael re-joined the club from Burscough in February 2020, Michael has played at Marine and Widnes since his first spell with the club back in 2006, where he made 14 appearances scoring 5 goals. Alex DaviesAfter an initial spell in 2016, Alex had spells with both Marine & Warrirgton Town before rejoining the club in 2019 from Rylands. Baba Conteh- Baba joined the club in July after leaving Prescot Cables in May, he was a key player in Cables' second Liverpool Senior Cup title and despite suffering a number of injuries appeared over 50 times, scoring five goals.

Kev Towey A big hit with the United fans when he first signed for the club in January 2008, making 72 appearances over the next three seasons scoring 20 goals and was part of Tommy Lawson’s side that won the Lancashire Cup in 2009. Kev went on to play for Runcorn Linnets and Widnes, where at the latter he has spent as joint manager with Steve Akrigg. The pair took over in 2016 and guided Widnes to runners-up in the NWC Premier Divison and promotion to the NPL. Kev also left Widnes as the clubs all-time leading goalscorer with 73 in 136 games. Joe Herbert Joe began his second spell in returning from Australia, he initially joined United in December 2019, making 3 appearances before trying his luck down Under. Previously with Prescot Cables and Widnes. Danny MitchleyA hometown hero after scoring the club's 1st goal in the FA Cup 1st Round back in November v Harrogate Town, Danny is in his third spell at United after starting in the youth setup before moves to Oldham & Wigan and senior spells with Blackpool, Southport, Mansfield Town, Marine & Kendal Town. He made his senior debut in 2014 going on to score 25 goals in 43 games before moving onto Marine and rejoining United from Radcliffe last summer. Michael Howard Southport born Striker Michael joined the club in July from Marine after starring in their amazing FA Cup run. He joined Preston North End as a 11 year old, signed professional forms in 2018 and was loaned out to Cork City (IRL), Hednesford Town, and Stalybridge Celtic. Released by Preston he joined Morecambe. Scoring his only senior goal in a win over Wolves in the EFTrophy. Joined Marine on loan before joining the club full time in 2020. Sam Sheen, The tough tackling midfielder joined in November 21 from Burscough, started his career with the youth set up at Tranmere Rovers, previously with Widnes and Bootle, was part of the Rylands FA Vase winning side of 2021 James Salkeld – Attacking midfielder who joined in December 2021, previously with Burscough and City of Liverpool Shaun Holden – the speedy defender re joined the club in January 2022, after spells at Droylsden, Colwyn Bay & Widnes, a regular in Tommy Lawsons Championship winning season of 201314, racked up 130 appearances, scoring 5 goals Michael Simpson, signed from Rylands FC at the end of January 2022, having previously joined Skem in 2011, also had a long spell with Runcorn Linnets and Prescot Cables

United loose top spot but go down fighting Macclesfield 3-1 Skelmersdale United

MATCH REPORT

It was a day of reckoning for the top 2, with league leaders Skem travelling to “Big Spending” Macclesfield. A crowd of close on 4,500 the biggest in the North West Counties for a number of years were there to witness it

Macclesfield 3

It was United who took the game to the hosts with Mikey Howard causing particular damage to the defence, after just 5 minutes he made in roads with only a last gasp challenge from Laurent Mendy stopping a certain goal, and Howard again pounced after a mistake at the back, this brought out a fine save by keeper Wallis. The form the Skem winger has been in you would have bet your bottom dollar that he would have converted at least one of the chances and on 15 minutes Howard was through on goal again, his shot beat the keeper all ends up, unfortunately the shot beat the outside of the post .

Skelm Utd

Ben Barnes was called into action on the half hour, a Andy Owens header crashed against the bar which fell kindly to Maicao who’s drilled shot was punched away by the Skem keeper setting up a counter attack that saw Elliott Morris outpace his marker, advance into the opposition half and struck from all of 25 yards that left the keeper clutching at thin air, it was no more than United deserved.

Scan the code See the goal

With the game in added time Macc struck the all important equalizer, a cross from the right found James Berry-McNally who side footed past the United defence and into the goal That was the impetus the home side needed, as Neil Danns and Mark Duffy, who have made over 1,000 Football League appearances between them began to dominate and it was the former Danns who added the second for Macc on 67 minutes with a fine finish from the edge of the box. United responded brilliantly with an double effort from Danny Mitchley and Mikey Howard, again it was good defending and a top save from Wallis that kept the Home side in front. United’s hearts were broken with just 2 minutes to go, United Manager had sent his players forward to look for the leveler, a mistake at the back left them short handed and Berry set up Brandon Lonsdale to add the third. It was tough on United who had dominated the first period, on another day could have been 3-1 up McNally was not to disappointed “all the onus was on them to win today, it was their Cup Final so to speak, to us it was just 3 points, there is still a long way to go and there will be more twists and turns before the season ends, the league has not been won today” United team, Barnes, Lees, Simpson, Griffiths, Grogan, Strickland, Morris, Nicholson, Mitchley, Croughan, Howard, Subs Adegbenro, Ellams, Preston Unused, Salkeld, Holden

RESULTS AND FIXTURES 2021-22 Tue 3 Aug Sat 7 Aug Tue 10 Au Sat 14 Au Tue 17 Aug Sat 21 Aug Sat 28 Aug Mon 31 Au Sat 4 Se Wed 8 Sep Sat 11 Sep Tue 14 Sep Sat 18 Sep Tue 22 Sep Sat 25 Sep Tue 28 Sep Sat 2 Oct Tue 5 Oct Sat 9 Oct Tue 12 Oct Sat 16 Oct Sat 23 Oct Tue 26 Oct Sat 30 Oct Sat 6 Nov Tue 9 Nov Sat 13 Nov Sat 20 Nov Tue 23 Nov Sat 27 Nov Sat 11 Dec Mon 3 Jan Sat 8 Jan Sat 15 Jan Sat 22 Jan Sat 29 Jan Sat 5 Feb Tue 8 Feb Sat 12 Feb Wed 16 Feb Sat 19 Feb Tue 22 Feb Sat 26 feb Sat 5 Mar Sat 12 Mar Tue 15 Mar Sat 19 Mar Sat 26 Mar Tue 29 Mar Sat 2 Apr

2021-22 Longridge Town Vauxhall Motors Vauxhall Motors Runcorn Town Charnock Richard Irlam Vauxhall Motors REMYCA Radcliffe Northwich Victoria Retford Squires Gate Wythenshawe Town AFC Liverpool Rossington Main Irlam Ashton Athletic Burscough Lower Breck Avro Prestwich Heys Holker Old Boys Winsford United Barnoldswick Padiham Congleton Town Macclesfield Longridge Town AFC Liverpool Vauxhall Motors Padiham Winsford United Burscough Prestwich Heys Congleton Town Macclesfield Wythenshawe Town Runcorn Town Northwich Victoria Avro Barnoldswick Ashton Athletic Irlam Squires Gate Charnock Richard ATHERTON L.R. Litherland REMYCA TBC Macron Cup 2nd Round Lower Breck

comp Lge FC FCr Lge Lge FA Lge Lge FA Lge VS Lge Lge Lge VS Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge FAV Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge Lge CUP Lge Lge CUP Lge

V H A H A A A A H A A H H H H A A H A A H H A H A A A H A A H H A H A H A A H H A H A H A H A A A H

Att 217 156 181 114 171 161 111 195 414 145 145 145 189 195 112 103 178 195 210 162 196 134 179 195 225 233 937 169 194 216 197 284 479 168 301 4347 307

Score L 1-2 D 0-0 W 2-0 W 4-2 W 3-1 W 5-1 L 0-1 W 3-1 L 0-2 W 3-1 W 9-1 W 4-0 D 2-2 W 4-1 W 3-0 L 0-1 W 3-1 D 2-2 W 2-0 D 1-1 W 2-1 L 1-3 D 2-2 D 2-2 W 2-0 W 3-1 D 0-0 W 3-1 W 2-1 W 5-1 W 3-0 L 3-2 W 4-1 W 3-2 W 3-2 L 1-3 L 1-2

Scorers Mitchley Mitchley, Morris Morris 2, Adgenbenro, Croghan Adegbenro 2, Conteh Howard 2, Croughan, Brodie, OG Conteh 2, Mitchley Morris 2, Croughan Morris 3, Howard 3, Hamilton, Ibrahim, Servuts, Howard 2, Morris, Croughan Adegbenro, Brodie Adegbenro 2, Morris, Herbert Adegbenro 2, Servuts Howard 2, Servuts Djalo, Herbert Grogan, Mitchley Howard Howard, Herbert Morris Howard, Mitchley Morris 2 Lees, Mitchley Howard 2, Djalo Croughan 2, Mitchley Howard, Djalo Sheen, Strickland, Croughan, Mitchley Howard 32 Howard, Strickland Morris 2, Howard, Mitchley Morris 2, Ellams Mitchley 2, Nicholson 90 GOALS Morris Howard

possible 1000 in NWCounties

LEAGUE TABLE - NORTH WEST COUNTIES Premier Division

PLD

Pts

Macclesfield

Wythenshawe Town

Skelmersdale United

Avro

Charnock Richard

Northwich Victoria

Burscough

Longridge Town

Irlam

-4

Congleton Town

Vauxhall Motors

-12

Lower Breck

-10

AFC Liverpool

Winsford United

-2

Prestwich Heys

-15

Barnoldswick Town

-3

Squires Gate

-6

Padiham

-12

Ashton Athletic

-31

Runcorn Town

-31

Litherland REMYCA

-42

LEADING GOALSCORERS1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Player Jordan Darr Jack Coop Carl Grimshaw Michael Howard Matthew Bryan Kyle Schorah Elliot Morris Brad Byrne

Club Charnock Richard Prestwich Heys Charnock Richard Skelmersdale United Wythenshawe Town AFC Liverpool Skelmersdale United Wythenshawe Town

Lge 23 19 16 16 16 10 13 13

Cup 9 8 5 5 5 9 5 5

Total 32 27 21 21 21 19 18 18

LAST MINUTE WONDER FOR SKEM Skelmersdale United 3-2 Congleton T

MATCH REPORT

Skelm Utd

Congleton T 2

In a script straight out of “Roy of the Rovers” Skelmersdale United beat Congleton 3-2 at the JMO Sports Park. League Leaders Macclesfield were just 10 miles away at Charnock Richard, with all the “Boys own stuff” occurred in the final minute at both games With Macc leading 1-0 and United level 2-2 with Congleton, the gap at the top was four points in favour of the men from Cheshire, as news filtered through that Charnock had levelled thanks to Jordan Darr, of all the ironies, a former Skem player, meant that the gap was now down to 2, it was the inspiration United needed and a flowing move ending with a Elliott Morris cross finding the feet of Danny Mitchley who fired home from close range to send the ground into pandemonium for the players and supporters alike. United had gone top on goal average with virtually the last kick of the game. It could have been so different for the blues, 2-0 up thanks to a first half strike from Mitchley and a 64th minute thunderbolt from 25 yards struck by United’s Man of the Match Joe Nicholson and all was going sailing for Skem.

Scan the code See the goal

But Congleton are a team full of experience and an innocuous free kick conceded on the edge of the United box just a minutes later ended with Kyle Diskin firing a low shot past the wall and out of keeper Ben Barnes reach to bring it back to 2-1, it shouldn’t have worried Skem to much as they were by far the team in the ascendency with Howard and Elliott causing problems to the visitor’s defence throughout the afternoon. The goal spurred on the visitors and they piled on the pressure looking for the equaliser and it came with a scrappy effort converted by Aaron Bott, United were now hanging on and could have gone behind as Tom Pope’s effort sailed just over the bar. But Paul McNally urged on his troops as news came through from Charnock, resulting in the last-minute winner, Mitchley was mobbed by all his team mates, including keeper Barnes who made a dash the length of the field to join in the celebrations with the youngsters behind the goal also getting in on the joyous scenes. United had gone top and next week travel to face the deposed leaders at the Moss Rose, Paul McNally said after the game, “We should have been out of sight at the interval and when Joe popped up with the second, I was already thinking ahead to next week but Congleton came back and made us work very hard, we got the rub of the green at the end and yes I was delighted” United team Barnes, Lees, Holden, Grogan, Griffiths, Strickland, Morris, Nicholson, Mitchley, Croughan, Howard Subs Ellams, Adegbenro, Salkeld, unused Preston

SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT With thanks to Judie Tingle photography (Congleton Town) These are QR codes and if you have a QR code scanner on your phone, you can scan these images and they will appear on YOUR phone, now this is an experiment that could either go very right or very wrong, would appreciate your feedback, if you actually read this and can scan then please let me know via the facebook page Many Thanks Lets see how it goes

Ahead of last Saturdays encounter with Macclesfield, Skelmersdale United signed Michael Simpson from Rylands FC. Manager Paul McNally has said of his capture, "Simmo will add more experience and depth to our squad, he is a top player at our level and a player we have had on the radar for sometime, so we are delighted to get him in our set up" Simmo is no stranger to "Blues" fans, A one-time Academy player at Football League club Bury, Simmo played in the Northern Premier League with United for two years, making his debut at Bamber Bridge in August 2011, going on to make 28 appearances, scoring the one goal against Trafford in September 2014, before joining Runcorn Linnets. He moved back to Skem in August 2014 but stayed for just one season. He is however most remembered at Runcorn Linnets, where he made over 200 appearances, with 23 goals under his belt, many from his trademark long range efforts and was a member of the Linnets NWCounties Cup winning side in 2013, before joining Rylands at the start of the 2020-21 season.

Congratulations to Michael Grogan above and Emini Adegbenro who picked up mementos after reaching 50 appearances for the club.

NORTH WEST COUNTIES ROUND UP Saturday 22nd January On an amazing day at the top Macclesfield conceded a last minute leveller at Charnock through former Skem United player Jordan Darr, whilst Skem were scored a last minute winner against Congleton to see the Lancashire men go top on goal difference. Wythenshawe Town lost ground at the top with a 1-1 draw at Prestwich Heys. Avro moved into fifth with a 2-0 win at Lower Breck, whilst Burscough chances fell by the wayside in a 2-1 defeat at Irlam. In the days other matches Barnoldswick shared the spoils with AFC Liverpool 2-2 the final score, Runcorn Town and Squires Gate also settled for a point apiece 1-1. Northwich Vics beat REMYCA 1-0 and the shock result of the day Ashton Athletic turning over Vauxhall Motors 2-0, on loan Eddie Servuts on target for The “Tics” Midweek - Charnock Richard continued their push for automatic promotion with a 3-2 win at Congleton Town, the returning talismatic front man Carl Grimshaw scoring twice. Vauxhall Motors saw of Lower Breck 2-. Whilst Ashton Athletic v Northwich Vics & Runcorn Town v Prestwich Heys both finished 1-1. Saturday 29th January Macc went back to the top of the league, 4,347 supporters witnessed their 3-1 win over Skem who drop down to second, Wythenshawe Town put pressure on the top two with a resounding 7-0 win over hapless Runcorn Town and are now just two points behind Skem. 4th placed Charnock Richard lost the chance to close the gap at the top, leading 4-2 with just 5 minutes to play against Lower Breck, the visitors came back and salvaged a 4-4 draw, Carl Grimshaw 2 for Charnock and former United man Carl Peers (left) two for “The Breckmen”. Avro in 5th were also pegged back to draw 3-3 with 6th placed Burscough. Northwich Vics 7th went down 3-1 at a vastly improving Padiham, whilst Longridge Town fell further behind after going down 2-1 at home to Winsford. In the days other games AFC Liverpool lost at home to Vauxhall Motors 2-0, Ashton Athletic remain in deep trouble, losing 1-0 at home to Congleton Town, and Squires Gate & Prestwich Heys played out a goalless draw. Midweek – It was a bad night for Ashton Athletic as they went down 5-0 at home to AFC Liverpool, former Skem Utd player Jesse Dowling on the score sheet. Avro kept up their chances of promotion with a 1-0 win at Prestwich Heys, whilst Irlam saw of Runcorn Town 2-1 and Winsford lost at home to Vauxhall Motors. Longridge Town put Northwich Vics to the sword winning 5-0. Saturday 5th February – With the league leaders called off at Padiham Skem and Wythenshawe had the chance to close the gap and it was Wythy who came out on top 2-1 to move into second spot. In the other games Burscough surrendered a 2-0 lead to go down 3-2 to AFC Liverpool. Avro drew 2-2 with Squires Gate. In the Cheshire Derby Northwich Vics came out 2-1 winners against Congleton. Winsford ran riot against Prestwich Heys running in 5 goals without reply. Irlam came out 2-1 winners at Vauxhall Motors. However the result of the day was Ashton Athletic who travelled to Lower Breck and came away with a convincing 4-1 win.

FOUND ON THE NET ?

Strange one this as not actually found on any Social Media, it was infact given to our Kitman Les Gallop, whilst out walking his dog, he was approached by a fellow dog walker, noticing Les’s jacket he said I have something for you and produced this picture from 1947 The United line up in the photo 1947-48 Back Row- Fairclough, Ericson, Roughsedge, Lowe, Dowle Front Row- Powell, Colclough, Pheasant, McDermott, Pownall, Bond. During the season in question,Everton “A” where beaten 2-1 at Sandy Lane in October, but the game had to be replayed as it transpired that the referee only played 40 minutes each way. The rescheduled game resulted in an increased win for Skelmersdale by 3-0, Holt 2 and McDermott the scorers. United’s league form took a dip as they could only finish in 4th behind surprise champions Earlestown. They did reach the their third consecutive Liverpool Challenge Cup Final, staged at Southport, 8,500 supporters converged on Haig Avenue to see Burscough triumph 4-1, Wesley Bridge scoring a hat-trick for the “Linnets” United team; Roughsedge, Ericson, McDermott, Fairfoul, Dowle, Pownall, Harris, Powell, Colclough, Holt and Williams. Thanks to the person who donated the pic,, if you have any pictures of old or not so old, we and other supporters would like to see them, give us a shout

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.

PLAYER Alex Davies Alex Griffiths Baba Conteh Ben Barnes Callum Lees Callum Preston Danny Mitchley Edvard Servuts Elliott Morris James Salkeld Joe Herbert Joe Nicholson Kenny Strickland Kev Towey Lloyd Ellams Michael Grogan Michael Howard Michael Simpson Mini Adegbenro Sam Sheen Tom Croughan Shaun Holden Paul McNally Heather Vearncombe Graham Hastings Alex Marr

HOME SHIRT Luke Hunter Allan Dowell Jay Malone Kate Finch Ruby Heywood Olivia Hatchard D & M Bargains All Star Funding Solutions Alfie Catt

AWAY SHIRT D & M Bargains Paul Griffiths O'Hara Family Kate Finch Ruby Heywood Olivia Hatchard Paul Griffiths All Star Funding Solutions Alfie Catt

Ben Carr Derek Hunt Ian Lewis Paxton Tony Brown Karen Brookes Gary Wilkins All Star Funding Solutions Joseph & Ryan Powling Mike Sweeney Mal Hodkinson ANDREWS LAUNDRETTE Connor Boden

Ben Carr Derek Hunt Ian Lucie Paxton Tony Brown Paul Brookes Kurt All Star Funding Solutions Nev Berkley Mike Sweeney Mal Hodkinson ANDREWS LAUNDRETTE Nev Berkley

Kath & Norman Fenney Dave Southwell Linda Boardman Kurt

Kath & Norman Fenney SUFC (China Branch) Mike Boardman Avril Panther

WE HAVE A FULL HOUSE, THANKS TO ALL THE PLAYER SPONSORS AND OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS

ON THE ROAD TUESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY AVRO Ground- Vestacare Stadium Address Whitebank Road, Oldham. Postcode OL8 3JH Directions: M60 J22 then A62 towards Manchester/Failsworth. First left onto Hollins Rd – signposted Oldham South and Hollinwood. Follow Hollins Rd to junction with Oak Rd – just before petrol station – then Oak Rd to Whitebank Rd. Stadium is directly in front of you.

TUESDAY 22ND FEBRUARY ASHTON ATHLETIC Ground: Brocstedes Park Address: Downall Green, Ashton in Makerfield Postcode: WN4 0NR Directions: From South: M6 to junction 25, turn right onto A49, after 1/2 mile turn right into Soughers Lane, at T junction turn right into Downall Green Road, pass over M6 and turn 2nd right into Boothbrow Road, turn 2nd right in Brocstedes Road. DISTANCE 7 miles, TIME 17 minutes

SKELMERSDALE UNITED

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JACKPOT TO BE WON Come on have a go, just pick 6 numbers from 1 to 20 on each card, (it gets less as the game goes on) for just £1, two goes per card Match all 6 numbers on one go AND you never know your luck, see Malcolm on Matchdays Your support is vital and you never know you just might end up with a fist full of dollars

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SKELMERSDALE UNITED FC President: Mike Boardman Chairman: Paul Griffiths Secretary: Committee / Directors: Paul Griffiths (Chair) Norman Fenney, Kath Fenney, Linda Boardman, Danny Roberts, Mal Hodkinson, Les Gallop, Tommy Garner, John Sewell, Mike Sewell, Programme Editor -Kev Panther CLUB NAME – SKELMERSDALE UNITED ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB ENTITY – LIMITED BY GUARANTEE Company Number is 3859401