Colne F.C. v Clitheroe | Boxing Day 2022

A WORD WITH THE GAFFER

todays game a typical encounter, lots endeavour & commitment from both Everyone has looking forward playing against well team. Our sit handily we know ahead of us. as we’ve this season, no one, you to look at fixture against Macclesfield to see for your support, we can you with 3

GEOFF MCDOUGLE

Good Afternoon and welcome to Holt house for this Christmas local derby game v Clitheroe, I would also like to welcome the Directors, Management, players & supporters from Clitheroe.

On behalf of the Directors, Management, players I would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas & prosperous New Year

Today we welcome back to Holt House a number of former players in Charlie Russell, Lee Pugh, Reece Webb Foster & Sefton Gonzales along with Manager Billy Priestly & Goalkeeping Coach Steve Petty.

Today will be our last home game of the year having lost our last 3 games due to the weather all of which have to be rearranged. During the recent bad weather this has also made training very difficult although we have managed to get in a couple of sessions that included one indoor session at Marsden heights School.

Following his recent loan period from Fleetwood Town Jake Wallace has returned to his parent club, whilst I would like to place on record our thanks for his contribution and wish him well with his future career The other Fleetwood lad Tom Hoyle has extended his loan for another month.

Our form in recent games has been very good hopefully we can continue this form in this festive local derby game. As with any derby games and despite league positions form tends to slip out of the window. Hopefully today's game will be a very good competitive game.

On the injury front Jack Doherty knee injury has been confirmed as a

ACL injury therefore he will miss the rest of the season and will have his operation in early January.

Luke Stowe is making good progress from his hamstring injury, whilst he is back in training today maybe a week to early for him to be available for selection. The only other injury at the present time is Hakan who is making really good progress and will hopefully be available in the near future

The ladies, U21 & U18 teams now have a break over the Christmas festivities and will resume their fixtures in the New year. During this month the juniors had their Christmas party and from all accounts the had an excellent afternoon Thank you to all the volunteers who helped put on the Junior party

All to often the number of volunteers who give up their own time & work extremely hard behind the scenes at the club often get forgotten, however, without the number of volunteers it would be impossible for the club to function, therefore on behalf of the Directors, Management & players we would like to express our appreciation and thanks for all the effort your all put in behind the scenes. May I also take this opportunity to thank all the supporters who have supported the team through the season to date your support has been outstanding and have on occasions outshouted the opposition supporter on their own ground make no mistake the Management & players really appreciate the support.

Thank you & best wishes for 2023

Up the reds

Geoff

THE HISTORY OF

CLITHEROE FC

and dropped Central from their name. Aside from breaks during the First and Second World Wars, the club continued to play in the Combination until the end of the 1981/82 season, when it combined with the Cheshire League to become the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL).

The club starts its 19th season in the Northern Premier League at Step 4 of the non-league pyramid, having narrowly missed out last season on its goal of reaching the Play-offs for the first time. That drive is even stronger this season as the club looks to build on its extensive ground developments, league crowds of over 600 and its accolade as the best Step 4 club nationally for away fans.

The club was formed as Clitheroe Central in 1877 at the Swan Hotel in Castle Street by local businessmen. After playing in local leagues, the club joined the Lancashire Combination in 1903

For the first 100 years of Clitheroe FC’s existence, a Lancashire Junior Cup win in 1893, the Lancashire Combination Cup in 1934/35 and the League Championship in 1979/80 was all that the club had to show for its efforts. That was soon to change. Although Clitheroe were put into the Third Division of the NWCFL at its inception due to the state of the ground, there followed the most successful period in the club’s long history under the stewardship of Eric Whalley, subsequently manager and Chairman of Accrington Stanley FC. He assembled one of the best non-league sides in the North of England and won back to back Championships in the Third,

Second and First Division’s, as well as securing the Lancashire Cup for the first time in 50 years, thanks to a solitary strike from local lad Eric Geldard. This was all the more impressive when one considers that the Division One was effectively Step 3 in the non-league pyramid. Captained by Mick Ashcroft and containing extravagant talents such as John Taylor and Steve Mullen, possibly the best player ever to play for the Blues, Clitheroe regularly attracted bumper gates, with the championship winning season seeing three crowds over 1,000. Cracks started to appear when Whalley took over the manager’s seat at Accrington To compound matters, the new Northern Premier League (NPL) Division One was formed, but a lack of floodlights meant the Blues could not take their rightful place and they found teams effectively leapfrogging them.

It was not until the mid-nineties that the Club recovered from this setback and started to fulfil its potential It became a force in the NWCFL Division One again and also made itself known on the national FA Vase stage. Having been pipped to the title in 1994/95 by Bradford PA in controversial circumstances, the following season saw possibly the

highlight of the club’s history when the Blues reached the Vase Final under the joint managership of Dennis Underwood and Gary Butcher after an epic two legged Semi-Final win against Mangotsfield United of Bristol. 2,000 people attended Shawbridge for the second leg when a deflected goal saw the Blues home with seven minutes of extra-time remaining. The Final pitted the Blues against a powerful Brigg side and a 3-0 reverse in front of 7,500 fans was a fair reflection of the play. In the close season, Clitheroe also received their record transfer fee, £45,000, from Crystal Palace for goalkeeper Carlo Nash.

The Wembley experience turned the Blues into a Vase side and a Quarter-Final defeat against Tiverton in 1998/99 and a two leg reverse against Taunton in the 2000/01 semi-final gave the Blues national prominence. The Taunton season saw Clitheroe beat pretournament favourites Chippenham in the Quarter-Final on their own patch before a two-legged SemiFinal against Taunton Town, which would never be forgotten. With the first leg away and the game only just surviving an absolute deluge, the Blues

went in at half time 5-0 down and reduced to 10 men. There was not much good humour amongst the 150 travelling Blues over that cup of Bovril. No further goals followed, but with manager Dave Burgess throwing caution to the wind in the home second leg, the fans dared to dream with 3 goals for the home side in the first 15 minutes (including hitting the post) and the Taunton keeper being stretchered off, but in the end Clitheroe went down 8-4 on aggregate.

Dave Burgess stood down at the end of the season and central defender Lee Sculpher took over as player manager. In 2002/3, Clitheroe again finished as league runners-up and lost to Mossley at Gigg Lane in the League Cup Final. Early cup exits the following season enabled the Blues to concentrate on the league and superb away form saw the Blues capture the 2003/04 league title on the final day of the season at Nantwich where Blues legend Neil Reynolds sparked bedlam when he thumped a 25 yarder into the top corner with six minutes of the season remaining High hopes accompanied Clitheroe’s first foray into the Unibond (NPL) League in 2004/05, but the club never fully recovered

from manager Lee Sculpher resigning after a handful of games into the new season. He was succeeded by Paul Byrom who then quit in the close season.

Tommy Lawson was appointed manager for the 2005/06 season, but he was relieved of his duties in early 2006, to be replaced on a temporary basis by Mark Smitheringale He too left before the 2006/07 season started and his assistant Chris Stammers stepped up to the plate before resigning after a 10-1 thumping away to Conference North Kettering in the FA Trophy in November 2006. The then Chairman Carl Garner offered the job to Neil Reynolds and Pete Smith at the turn of 2007, before the latter took on the role in his own right at the end of the 2008/09 season 2009/10 and 2010/11 saw Clitheroe finishing in eighth and sixth respectively, the highest league placings in the club’s history. The end of the ‘10/11 season also had a unique twist with Carl Garner stepping down as Chairman after four years to replace Pete Smith as manager, in the process going unbeaten throughout April and taking the Manager of the Month prize. Garner was replaced in the role of chair by his long-standing deputy Anne Barker.

Despite the great end to the previous campaign, the 2011/12 season under Garner’s leadership was ultimately disappointing, although it had started so brightly with another Manager of the Month award. Form quickly tailed off and huge player turnover ensued, before Garner resigned and the managerial Vase duo of Burgess and Sculpher ensured survival on a temporary basis, having taken over with less than 10 games to go. Paul Moore, the ex-Leek Town and Warrington Town manager, took over the reins in 2012/13 and led Clitheroe to their record points total in Division One in finishing eighth, with the Play-off push only ending over the final games of the season However, the loss of key players in the close season led to a woeful start in 2013/14 and to an early exit from the FA Cup and Trophy, and the committee replaced Moore midseason with ex-Blue Simon Garner.

garner steadied the ship and Clitheroe finished the season in 17th position, with Garner setting his stall out in 2014/15 to create a more east Lancashire focussed team. A 13th place finish and an appearance at the Reebok in the Lancashire Trophy against Chorley represented good progress, whilst the 7th place in 2015/16 continued the good work, and the push for the Play-offs only faltered in the final weeks. Following Garner’s resignation, the club moved quickly to appoint ex-Wales international Simon Haworth to the manager’s role. He moulded a team from scratch into genuine Play-off contenders, only faltering in the penultimate game of the season to a 90th minute goal at rivals Colne. 2017/18 could not quite recapture these heights although both Kurt Willoughby and Alex Newby featured prominently in the league goal-scoring charts. When Howarth announced he was leaving, the club appointed former Warrington Town manager, Stuart Mellish. After an unhappy, short tenure, his assistant, former Ossett Town manager Lee Ashforth was handed the role six games into the season. Unfortunately, Clitheroe endured their worst season at this level and Ashforth’s tenure was brought to an end. Former Lancaster manager

Phil Brown steadied the ship in the truncated 2019/20 season, with crowds averaging back over 350 and the Blues hovering around the play off places. He left for personal reasons at the end of the season and the club appointed former Blue David Lynch as player manager for the 2020/21 season, who in turn left after a promising truncated season.

Billy Priestley led the club in the 2021/22 season as player/manager to its joint highest placing and points total in the NPL. With a settled squad and a new assistant manager, Kyle Hall, who bedded in successfully at the end of last season, hopes are high for another stirring campaign

CLITHEROE FC THE SQUAD

Billy Priestley: Player manager. Centre Back. Started his career at Ramsbottom where he won the league before he followed Messrs Johnson and Morley to Salford, where he stayed for three years He has since played for Southport and Bradford PA, and is now looking to build on his sixth place finish in his first season of management

Chris Thompson: 31 year old stopper, with over 100 Clitheroe appearances to his name. Firm fans’ favourite and a member of the Team of the Decade.

George Bristol: young understudy for Chris Thompson. Worked his way through the under 23s and already has a number of first team appearances under his belt

Jack Burrows – 22 year old who progressed through the Blues under 23 side and won Young Player of the Year in 21-22. He is versatile across the back line and has the engine and desire to secure a place for himself this season

Lee Pugh – 30 year old left back/midfielder, returns for his second spell at the club. Already with 60 Blues appearances under his belt, the pugnacious competitor will be keen to help with Clitheroe’s play off push.

Darren Holden – 29 year old left back recently signed from Consett. Previously he had played for Hartlepool and Guiseley and was part of the Consett FA Vase winning side. With his surging runs and sweet left foot, he is already a huge hit.

Cameron Lancaster – young centre back who moved up from the u23s last season and became a fixture in defence at the end of the season. Composed operator and settling in well at this level.

Waqas Azam. Stylish right back Previously, the 26 year old had been on Burnley’s books, before signing for Chorley and then Colne. He spent two years at Colne, featuring regularly in tussles with Clitheroe, before signing for Ashton United at the start of last season.

Lewis Brown – 19 year old centre back who has recently stepped up from the under 23s. He has the physique and composure to compete at this level and he has already shown in the league why he is so well regarded

Jamie Edwards – 25 year old attacking wide man who started on Blackpool’s books. Signed from Darwen after a lengthy pursuit and will be keen to show his quality at the higher level.

Richie Baker – 34 year old midfielder signed from Ramsbottom United. Has more than 100 games on his CV with Bury in the league, as well as higher level non league experience with FC United, AFC Fylde and Stockport County.

Ross Dent – Midfielder. A Clitheroe lad. Still only 28, he already has over 200 Clitheroe appearances to his name and is another member of the Team of the Decade Having spent two seasons with former manager Simon Haworth at Stalybridge, Ross cemented his reputation as one of the hardest working and most fearless midfielders around.

Danny Wilkins – signed at the end of 2019-20 season from Droylsden and returned to the club for a second spell. Can play anywhere across the front line and midfield and offers a rare mix of talent.

Callum Leigh – 21 year old holding midfielder. Spent time at Rochdale and Oldham Academies, before spending time at Witton Albion in the NPL Premier and at Kidsgrove Athletic last season.

Charlie Russell – Tenacious 27 year old midfielder has recently returned to the club. With already over 100 appearances to his name, he is looking to complete what he started at his local club.

Ben McKenna – 29 year old Burnley based forward signed for an undisclosed fee from Farsley Celtic. Has spent most of his career in the Conference North and is looking forward to help Clitheroe move up the pyramid. Suffered a bad injury at the end of the 21-22 season and will be looking to get out on the pitch as soon as possible.

Terry Cummings – 25 year old is already a big hit with the Shawbridge crowd, using his strength and pace to take on defences. After an injury hit season in 21-22, he will be looking to put a run if games together and to add to his goal tally to complete the package.

Sefton Gonzales – much travelled striker who has spent much of his career at the higher level. Was a member of the Team of League when last at Clitheroe and on his day is virtually unplayable.

Max Cane – 22 year old striker returned to the club in late 2021 after starting the season with Nelson FC. With pace to burn and an eye for goal, he had a virtual goal a game ratio as he netted 16 times in the second half of the season.

Reece Webb-Foster – 24 year old started out at Bradford City, before being released in 2018 Played for a number of clubs including Colne and Lancaster City, before being signed for an undisclosed fee from Matlock Town in the close season.

IN NUMBERS

1891 2,050

The club was formed as Clitheroe Central in 1891 as a split from the existing Clitheroe Football Club,[1] at the Swan Hotel in Castle Street by local businessmen

In 1996 Clitheroe played Mangotsfield United in the FA Vase Semi-Final in front of 2500 fans.

Colne F.C. Have failed to beat Clitheroe in their last 4 games, going back to August 2019 where Hazeldine and Chippendale netted for the reds in a 2-0 win

Joint boss Gary Butcher sent the Shawbridge faithful into dreamland when he scored in the 113th minute to make the scoreline 2-1 to the Blues.

Notably, Carlo Nash was between the sticks for the Blues that day, before signing for Crystal Palace for £45.000.

Clitheroe went on to lose the final at Wembley 3-0 to Brigg town.

HOME END IN THE

Ahead this afternoon, we caught up with Red Army Regular, David Moy. Hailing from the Blackpool, David now resides between Burnley & Todmorden.

How long have you supported Colne and what made you start following them? Only since the 2019/20 season, so a relative newcomer. I first visited Holt House back in 2004 for the FA Vase semi final versus Sudbury – in those days I followed Blackpool most weekends but took in a few local non-league games (Colne, Padiham, Bacup, even (whisper it) Nelson). I believe this remains Colne FC’s highest home attendance.

In 2019 I worked in the same office as Aidan Chippendale and he talked me into coming to watch another game at Holt House At the time, I had been boycotting attending Blackpool

matches along with most Seasiders for some time for the welldocumented reasons. Holt House and the Red Army were so friendly and welcoming (we quickly became known as the “Blackpool Branch”) that we kept coming back for more and are now somewhat hooked, following Colne both home and away. I only now attend Blackpool matches when there is no Colne game on – after 45 years following Blackpool, that is some switch.

Who do you normally go to games with?

Kid1 (Dylan) is at University down south and is not a football fan (not sure how that happened on my watch) – he prefers watching ice hockey and stock cars I attend most games with Kid2 (19 year-old Connor) who is as hooked as I am –he also enjoys ice hockey but hates stock cars. Kid3 (Amy-Rose) comes to some games with us, but usually only if she knows that her pal (Oliver Fletcher) is going to attend. This season we have also been bringing our 8-month old

Cavapoochon puppy (Flash) to most games (home and away) – he seems to enjoy it and gets plenty of fuss and stray chips.

Favourite away ground ? Trafford Can’t quite put my finger on it but the place has a great vibe, is very welcoming, has decent facilities/parking, plays excellent music pre-match and is very dogfriendly.

Best thing about supporting Colne?

Without doubt it is the feeling of us all being in this together – from the management team though the players and the volunteers to the fans – a true Red Army Covid tested that togetherness to the max, but we seem to have pulled through and that feeling is now returning to the levels it was before.

Best player you’ve seen in a Colne shirt?

Obviously I don’t have much history to draw on here, at least compared to many fans. However, Jamie Cooke is the first covidshortened season was on fire and would be right up there. At the back I would go for Lee Pugh – solid, tough and would run through the proverbial brick wall. And don’t ask me why, but Connor and I really liked Eli Hey – we

always felt he just needed a break in front of goal to get off and running. Of the current squad, I’d go for Paul Dugdale – dependable and versatile – every team needs a Duggers!

Thoughts on the season so far?

If we are talking about the league campaign, it has been a bit iffy if I’m being truthful, although I feel there are signs of improvement and I am hopeful we will soon start to push up the table. The FA Trophy run was a welcome distraction and even in defeat at AFC Fylde, we put in a decent performance (especially in the second half). We now seem to have a much more settled squad, after all the changes in personnel we have seen throughout 2022 –that can only help the players and therefore I am hopeful of a decent run of league results in 2023.

Which player(s) do you think are key for the reds? the hardest thing in football is sticking the ball in the back of the net and, in my opinion, successful teams need forwards who can threaten the opposition’s goal regularly. Therefore, in my view, Owen, Enock, and Lucas are key to the second half of the season. More power to them !

Best memory supporting Colne?

Tthe victory at Hyde earlier this season in the FA Trophy was a special day, as was the FA Cup win last season at Stalybridge Celtic. I also enjoyed running the score prediction competitions on the Red Army Forum page on Facebook when the NPL was on a (seemingly) never-ending break during the pandemic.

If you could change one thing about the club, what would it be?

I am a massive fan of 4G pitches at our level. The players seem much more comfortable on a flat/true surface, generally leading to better games, hardly any postponements,

and a facility that can be used by the community every day. Therefore, I would love to see a flat (!) 4G pitch at Holt House, complete with a covered terrace behind each goal, so the fans could then swap ends at half-time in the timehonoured non-league tradition (thus avoiding any height-related insults from Macc fans lol !). On a more personal level, veggie burgers at the food kiosk would also be a bonus !

COLNE F.C. HISTORY

1996, by a group of like-minded people under the wing of now Life President Dave Blacklock. The enthusiasts combined their strengths and knowledge of nonleague football, and arrangements were made for a new club to use the vacant Holt House Stadium, once used by the Dynamoes in the North West Counties Football League Division Two. Colne FC’s first ever competitive game was on the 17th August 1996 against Middlewich and the result ended in a 1 – 0 defeat. The team was then managed by Keith Mason, but after his resignation soon after, Denzel Hart was appointed to the hot seat. His first game was a 6 – 0 defeat away at Ashton Town, but just two games later Colne FC recorded their first ever victory thumping Bacup Borough 5 – 2. The highlight of the season, coming when the reserves won the BEP Cup at Clitheroe’s Shawbridge ground.

In the summer of 2002 James Webster took control of the club, to become the youngest chairman in the league at the age of 24.

James was a player at the club with plenty of experience and along with his father who was vice-chairman, had a strong desire to see the current side emulate the success of its predecessors.

Webster responded immediately by appointing Nigel Coates as the new manager as well as player Gary Rishton as his number two. Nigel had played for the Dynamoes, being in the FA Vase winning team and had experience of management at local rivals Nelson.

Season 2003/04 brought back the glory days to Colne with a string of successes. In the League Colne had to play catch up after a successful cup run but ended the season 10 points clear in Division two, scoring 102 goals in their 38 games. Colne completed the double by winning

The season was capped by an amazing run in the FA Vase for a North West Counties Football League Division Two club, they progressed all the way to the SemiFinals, (via an incredible 1 – 2 away win at AFC Wimbledon) before being defeated over two legs 4 – 3 on aggregate to AFC Sudbury. As the season progressed attendances started to rise as the local population realised we were no longer the whipping boys of the league, and the famous RED ARMY was formed.

In November 2013 Colne’s manager for the past 10 years Nigel Coates stepped down from the hot seat and former Colne player Steve Cunningham was appointed manager, with another former Colne favourite Ted Cockett as his No.2 and Coach.

Steve and Ted had ambitious plans for the club and wasted no time in bringing in a few new faces to boost the playing squad, consolidating for the rest of the season but with big hopes and plans for the following seasons.

Season 2014/15 proved to be a year of progress in terms of league placing, with Colne finishing a creditable fourth.

Season 2015/16 proved to be the best ever in Colne FC twenty year history. The Reds battled for the NWCFL Premier title with Runcorn Linnets and Atherton Collieries with the Reds winning the title with an 81 minute goal at 1874 Northwich securing 100 points and 100 + goals upon the way. The Reds also reached the Final of the League Cup before falling to Atherton.

2016/17 saw the club compete at Step 4 for the first time in their history and finished a more than creditable 5th and the final play-off spot which the Reds lost in the semi- final to Farsley Celtic. The Colne fans earned many accolades throughout the season for their fine and vocal support of the team.

The 2017/18 season saw Steve Cunningham lead his team for another tilt at the title. A Chairman Ryan Haigh was appointed in June 2017 and with the backing of Utility Renewals. The Reds again were competitive missing out on the final play place on goal difference.

2018/19 saw a new era for the club with the formation of the NPL West Division. Again Colne suffered playoff heartache losing to a last minute extra-time goal in the Semi-Final at Leek Town.

2019/20 saw the season null and voided due to the Covid epidemic with Colne in a mid-table position. At the end of the season long time manager Steve Cunningham stepped down and was replaced by Nathan Rooney.

2020/21 With a new manager and back room staff in place Colne were looking forward to being a challenger in a very strong league. Colne ended the curtailed season sitting in first place after nine games.

2021/2022 This season was our 25th anniversary since the demise of Colne Dynamoes and had the challenge of a new league to play in with several new signings and Lee Pugh taking over as captain from long time servant Alex Coleman. After 13 games and with the squad blighted by injuries to key players, the record was - Played 13, won 5 drawn 3, lost 5. In the FA Cup we played our old friends Trafford away and took them back to Harrison Drive to win the replay 2-1. Next up were Stalybridge Celtic away who we beat 1-0 before losing at home to Guiseley AFC 1-0. In the FA Trophy we drew City of Liverpool FC away winning 1-0.

The next round took us to Buxton beating them 2-1 to progress to the First Round proper. The draw then paired us with a Step 3 team from the Southern League Central Division, Tamworth FC. In a hard fought game which ended 1-1 Colne bowed out 4-3 on penalties. The First Round is our best progress so far in the completion.

Nathan Rooney resigned in December stating personal reasons He was replaced by Jonathon Macken who brought in Steve Atkinson as his assistant for our New Year’s Day game against Kendal Town - a scrappy 1-0 defeat. January 2022 was a month of comings and goings with six players in and an equal number being moved on and saw just 1 point from the last 6 games. February was no better with another four defeats but signs of improvement. March saw three wins and a draw with no goals conceded which effectively ensured safety for the season at this level. The club finished the campaign in 14th place with a record of: Played 38, won 12, drawn 8, lost 18, 44 points.

2022/23 The campaign starts with a new manager, Macken having moved to Witton, Phil Brown comes in with experience in the league at Lancaster City and Clitheroe.

MANAGEMENT

Manager – Phil is a former Lancaster City player who moved into coaching as assistant Manager to Tony Hesketh at Lancaster City where they won the NPL title. Phil has coached at Preston North End Academy along with Managing Clitheroe prior to the lock down.

Player/Coach – Craig is a technical creative midfield player, composed in possession who will combine his playing role with coaching the side. Former clubs include Warrington Town, Bamber Bridge Lancaster City and FC United of Manchester.

Player /Assistant Manager – Glenn is a vastly experienced defender who has previously played for Bamber Bridge, Fylde, and Lancaster City.

GK Coach – Mike is a 36 year old who recently left his position as player/coach at Squires Gate to join Phil at Colne FC.

Hakan started his career at Liverpool and Shrewsbury. A summer 2017 signing from Conference North team Curzon Ashton where he starred for three years. Big commanding keeper that has added quality and experience to the Reds defence. Had an outstanding season last year looking to progress again this time.

Andre joined the reds on loan until December from Morecambe FC.

The Portuguese youngster, signed his first professional contract with Morecambe in May 2021

The shot stopper spent two years with the SL Benfica academy as a 13-year-old before travelling to England for a new opportunity.

Oliver joined the reds following his release from Preston North End. He signed a professional contract in the summer of 21’, and spent time out on loan to Kendal Town.

Harry is a 19 year old central defender good aerial ability solid and confident. Has a wicked cross and bags of stamina. Previously with Blackpool.

Paul - current first team captain. At 34 with vast experience, signing from Ramsbottom last season spent some time in the Australian League outstanding in defence

Tom had been trialling in the Welsh Premier League, following his departure from Kendal Town. Tom is a player that our Manager has been tracking for a while, an attacking full back that includes Kendal Town, Lancaster City and Southport among his former clubs.

19 year old Matty has recently joined from Accrington Stanley where he has spent the last ten years, although Matty was born in Poland he has lived in the local area for 10 years. Matty will combine his football with studying to be a physiotherapist.

Ellis is a former Academy player with Preston North End and following his release he has been playing for Fulwood Amateurs where he became a regular in the side that won the Lancashire Football Association Amateur Cup.

Jake joined the reds in October to help ease Phil Browns injury worry's. Currently on loan from Fleetwood where he is undergoing a scholarship following a long term knee injury.

Tom joined the reds in October on loan from Fleetwood Town. He arrived at Fleetwood from Bury at U’16 level and had worked his way through the Academy, being a pivotal member of the Under-18s squad throughout his two years at the club.

Aaron is a 19 year old Bolton born defender. Highly mobile with a good pass strong tackler signed from Blackpool previous clubs Bolton Wanderers and Manchester City.

19 year old Luke who was recently released from Accy after spending 9 years with the club having come through the schoolboy section then completing the scholarship, whilst also being a member of the U23 side. Luke can play in the AM role, or in a wide position.

Oli, returns to Holt House following a short spell away. Originally brought to the club from Trafford FC, where he captained them prior to Covid.

A talented midfielder who is a great addition to the squad, and remains a firm fans favourite

Brad is another returning midfielder for the reds.

Knox was a graduate of Accrington Stanley’s academy system before being bought by Wolverhampton Wanderers at the age of 15.

Tom was another summer signing for the reds, and someone who had caught the eye of the recruitment team prior to joining. The 19 year old joined up with Browny from Garstang FC.

IN ATTACK

21 year old Owen joined during pre-season from Marine where he played his part in helping Marine win promotion, A former scholar at Blackpool FC he also played for Phil Brown at Clitheroe then previously he played for Curzon Ashton and Lancaster City.

19 year old Jack has joined from Accrington Stanley where he spent the previous 12 years, a local lad from Higham Jack has an eye for goal links play. Accrington have allowed Jack to continue to train with them on a daily basis. The club have to thank John Coleman and Jimmy Bell for allowing this young striker to join Colne FC.

Kian is an 18 year old Burnley lad graduated from our Under 18 squad. Has impressed to be offered terms.

Enock signed on loan from Accrington Stanley. Massive physical presence and a keen eye for goal. Signed pro with Stanley this summer.

Colne improved their league position with a well earned point against Witton Albion at Holt House on Tuesday night. The Reds fought back from a goal behind and should have made more of the chances they created.

The visitors started strongly with Connor Hughes looking the danger man up front. And it was Hughes who provided a cross after eight minutes for Joe Duckworth to head home at the far post and give his side the lead.

Colne looked for a reply with Lucas Weaver and Owen Watkinson finding gaps in the visitors’ defence. And an Oli Roberts’ free kick after 15 minutes was headed over the bar by Enock Lusiama at the far post.

After 24 minutes, some good possession play on the left wing led to Colne’s equaliser as Roberts’ through ball sent Lusiama into the penalty area and he held off the defender before seeing his shot deflected off the keeper and bouncing over the line at the far post despite the desperate efforts of a defender on the line.

Three minutes later, Colne might have increased their lead when Weaver broke clear but shot straight at the keeper. And in the end-to-end play, the Reds defence did well to clear a Witton Albion attack when Hughes’ shot was blocked on the line by a great save by Andre Mendes before Harry Winstanley cleared the ball off the goal-line.

With half time approaching, Jake Wallace laid on a great chance with his cross from the right wing but Weaver fired over the bar with the goal at his mercy. And in a subsequent attack, Watkinson forced a good save from the keeper with his shot on the turn inside the penalty area.

Early in the second half, Colne pushed forward with Roberts supplying a series of good diagonal balls into the visitors’ penalty area. And on the hour, Weaver’s hard cross just eluded Lusiama at the far post while at the other end Hughes continued to torment the Colne defence with some good runs.

Colne came close after 70 minutes from a corner kick when Craig Carney’s header was cleared off the goal-line and Weaver’s follow-up shot was blocked in a crowded area. With ten minutes left, Prince Haywood was sent off for his second yellow card reducing Witton to ten men. And Roberts’ free kick was pushed onto the bar by the fingertips of keeper Oliver Martin with a flying save to deny the Reds once again.

THIS TIME LAST YEAR

This Time last year, the reds were embarrassed with a 5-1 defeat away at todays visitors Clitheroe FC in what should go down as a game to forget for the red army faithful, but things went downhill, and quickly from then on in.

Shortly after being humiliated at Clitheroe, Head Coach at the time, Nathan Rooney resigned from his position at Colne F.C.

Following on from Rooney's departure, the following 4 months were extremely difficult to watch as a Colne Fan.

First of all, Jon Macken was appointed manager of the football club, and what followed was a defeat at home to now relegated Kendal Town (their only away win of the season). Things got worse.

Many more defeats followed Mackens men, although a cold Tuesday Night in January saw Macken get his first point after 4 straight defeats, with a creditable draw to play-off chasing Runcorn Linnets.

Hoping the reds had turned a corner, the “red army” quickly found themselves supporting a side that couldn’t buy a goal, never mind a win. Losing the next 5 games all to Nil, conceding 14 on the way, it looked bleak for the reds as they dropped into the relegation zone.

Tuesday 8th March, 69 days, 10 games and 1 point after his appointment, Jon Macken finally got his first win as the reds defeated Widnes 2-0 at Holt House, this was followed by a 5-0 win away at Market Drayton and a 1-0 win at home to Ramsbottom.

This pulled the reds up to 14th in the league, which after a mixed ending to the season is where the Reds ended the campaign.

Macken resigned in the summer and just 3 players involved in the “Clitheroe game” are still with the club, Paul Dugdale, Harry Winstanley and Oliver Roberts.

The rest? Probably at Clitheroe. (of course,wearejoking)

UNDER 21 UPDATE

With the last competitive game back at the end of November against Huyton and a victory, the young lions feel the roars of progression are halted due to the cold snap.

A home game on the 11th December against Ashton Town postponed due a frozen pitch , the lads look to take a rest over the Xmas break and then face Coppull United away at Springfield Rd on the 8th January 23.

Call ups for Rory Cormack and Cuan Bradley to 1st team training last week with Kian Ellis and Zak Hamilton, already regular attendees. saw them face a gruelling fitness test

with Phil Browns senior lads . But both showed they could contribute well as the session moved to game drills. Rory, stating “I enjoyed it very much, thanks for giving me that chance“ .

So we end the year of 2022 in a positive mood within the camp. We have new signings on the way, to be announced once the paperwork and respective approaches have been sorted . Always looking forward to strengthening the squad to aid progress for both players and the club

The Under 21 players and staff would like to thank everyone at the club for giving their full

support and backing over the last year. A special mention to Geoff Mcdougle who has been ever present and focused around the under 21’s , making sure the young apprentices get every chance at 1st team action , with young star Kian Ellis already having a contract with the club and players being called in when required . Thanks to the Under 21 staff , Pete Ellis , Josh Wall and Nick Elliott . And finally to the owners, board and volunteers who give there time up to make this club operate.

Happy New year from the Under 21’s , Red Army !!!

DIRECTIONS:

Follow M65 to Hapton Take exit 8 from M65 - 8 min (8.6 mi)

Continue to Edenfield - 10 min (9.0 mi)

Continue on M66. Take M60, M62 and M6 to A500 in Cheshire East. Take exit 16 from M6 - 54 min (53.4 mi)

Continue on A500 Take A53 to Abbey Ln in Stoke-on-Trent

LAST TIME WE MET

Phil Browns Colne F.C. hosted Hanley Town on Bank Holiday Monday at Holt House with Colne still searching for their first league win of the campaign.

Lucas Weaver gave the reds a first half lead after a great move, with Watkinson providing the assist.

The lead lasted until the final 15 minutes when Dickinson headed home the equaliser for the visitors. 2 minutes from time Glover snatched the winner for the visitors with a shot from distance that beat an unsighted Thorpe.

Colne F.C. 1-2 Hanley Town

Mazarrón are a game over half waythroughtheirregularleague season,withanextendedplayoff system to follow. They losttheir first game of the season yesterday2– 1awayatMinerva althoughtheyhavedrawnsixand sitsecondinthetable,howeverI have only managed to watch 1 game so far which I intend to remedyin2023.

Duetothedelayintheexchange ofaUKlicenceforaSpanishone andthereforetheinabilitytodrive I decided to take the Spanish driving test which included a Theorytest(inEnglish)where youhadtoachieveaminimumof 27 correct answers from 30 , drivinglessonsinalefthandcar( must be duel control ) so you cantlendafriendscarandthena Practical test lasting approx. 35 minutesallconductedinSpanish.

Quite daunting but overjoyed when I passed and could drive mycarforthefirsttimeinover6 months.

The weather here isholdingup wellwithNovemberaveraging22 and December so far 19 so not neededtoputtheheating

onyetinmyapartment,thoughit iscoolearlymorningandlaterat night.

The cost-of-living situation is similar to the UK with inflation running at over 10 % and industrialdisputesaswell.

Am coming back to the UK for ChristmasandtheNewYearand all been well I will get to the Hanleygame