• West Lancashire League Champions: 1986/87
• Lancashire FA Amateur Shield Winners: 1988/89, 1990/91
Chairman Maurice Watkin
Vice-Chairman David Smith
Treasurer Paul Muspratt
Club Secretary John Squire
Matchday Secretary Gary Fawcett
Manager Kevin Watkin
Manager Dave Round
Safeguarding Officer Steve Thomas
Head of Digital Glen Ritchie
Groundskeepers Alan Wilson & Ian Littlehales
Bar Manager Sam Trewin
Good evening and welcome to Rakesmoor Lane for today’s FA Vase fixture against Route One Rovers.
Frustration is the one word that sums up last weekend’s result. We had a lot of the ball, got into some good areas, but didn’t do enough to turn that possession into chances. In the end, I thought a draw would’ve been a fair reflection of the game, but we didn’t quite do enough in the final third and were left disappointed.
That said, we move on quickly. What’s done is done, and our focus now turns to the next match – a cup tie in the FA Vase. These games always bring a different kind of challenge, and it’s a great chance for us to respond, reset, and try to put ourselves into the next round of a national competition. For a club like ours, the Vase is important – it gives us something to aim for and brings a different type of excitement to the group.
The message to the players this week has been simple – learn from it, refocus, and be ready to show the quality we know is in the squad. We’ve already seen signs of what this group is capable of when everything clicks, and now it’s about delivering that more consistently. We’ve worked well in training this week, and I’ve no doubt the lads are ready to react in the right way.
We want to build momentum, and that starts with the right attitude and a performance that reflects who we are.
KEVIN WATKIN
I’m still a bit frustrated after last Saturday. The referee didn’t help us, but we can’t blame it all on him. I felt for Matt and the back four – they had to soak up pressure all game, and I thought we struggled in midfield against a strong, experienced Ashton side who controlled it for me.
Brad’s red card summed it up – poor decision, but the reaction from their player didn’t help. That said, Ashton deserved the points.
We need a big reaction today. We’ve not looked a threat going forward recently and things have gone a bit stale, but training’s been sharp this week. Route One Rovers are a good side, so we’ll need to be at it from the start.
DAVE ROUND
After last week’s game, there was a mix of frustration and disappointment. Frustration with how certain moments played out, but more than anything, disappointment because we just weren’t quite at the races. We know we’ve got more to give, and in the end, we were punished for not hitting our usual standards.
This FA Vase game comes at a good time. Like the Ryton fixture in the last round, it gives us a break from the league and a chance to reset — but also a big opportunity to progress in a national competition.
We’ve faced Route One Rovers before, so we’ve got a good idea of what to expect. They’re a very technical side who move the ball well, so we’ll need to be switched on and organised out of possession. But with the options we’ve got in the squad, we know we can hurt teams — it’s just about applying ourselves in the right way from the first whistle.
Last weekend wasn’t up to our usual standards, and we came away knowing we’d let ourselves down. The game just got away from us, and at this level, you get punished for that. This week has been about putting that right.
The FA Vase is a great chance to reset and shift the focus. A good cup run can do a lot for momentum, and we’re all keen to get back on track.
We know Route One Rovers well — they’re a technical side who move the ball well. But we’ve got quality too, and if we apply ourselves properly, there’s no reason we can’t progress.
We were all disappointed with last week. We didn’t start well and struggled to get a foothold in the game, which is always frustrating. It felt like we let ourselves down a bit, and we know we’re capable of much better.
The FA Vase gives us a great chance to bounce back. It’s a big competition and one we’re all excited to be part of. Getting a result this weekend would give the whole group a lift and hopefully set us off on a bit of a run.
We’ve played Route One Rovers before, so we know what they’re about. They’re a good footballing side with technical players, and we’ll need to be organised out of possession. But if we turn up with the right attitude and play to our strengths, there’s no reason we can’t get the job done.
Route One Rovers Football Club, founded in 2013, are based in Bradford and play their home matches at Marley Stadium in Keighley. Their colours are grey shirts and shorts (primary) with a red & white alternate strip. After dominating local amateur leagues, in 2022–23 they won the Yorkshire Amateur League Supreme Division while going unbeaten, earned promotion to the North West Counties League, and secured cup success in the Keighley District.
• Founded 2013 – The club was started by Sameel Mahmood.
• “Route One” Name – Chosen as a playful reference to direct playing style.
• Groundshare Move 2023 – Moved from Zara Sports Centre to Marley Stadium, Keighley.
• Promotions – Joined DRCAL, then moved through West Riding County Amateur League → Yorkshire Amateur League → NWCFL Division One North after 2022‑23 title.
• Unbeaten League Title – Went through 2022‑23 Yorkshire Amateur League Supreme Division without defeat.
• Cup Success 2021‑22 – Won Bradford District Cup and League Cup doubles.
• Keighley District Cup Winners – Won it in 2022‑23.
• Best FA Vase Performance – Reached the second qualifying round in 2024‑25.
• Home Colours – Primary strip is grey (shirt and shorts), with red & white as alternate.
• Growing Junior Setup – The club fields multiple junior teams and is known for youth development.
Route One Rovers FC was established in 2013 by Chairman Sameel Mahmood.
The club started competing in the Spen Valley League, followed by promotion to the West Riding County Amateur Football League. Fast forward a few years, and Route One Rovers were placed in the Yorkshire Amateur League Supreme Division.
After winning a League Cup and District double in 21/22, the vision was to be promoted to the Counties League.
After a successful double-winning 22/23 season, winning the Yorkshire Amateur League Title in an invincible run and the Keighley District Cup, Route One Rovers FC gained promotion to the North West Counties League.
A note from the editor: Yes, that really is the entire ‘club history’ officially provided by Route One Rovers...
Founded in 1936, Holker Old Boys AFC began as an under-16 side, formed by the former pupils of Holker Central Secondary School, originally located on Holker Street in Barrow-in-Furness. While the school has long been replaced by a bingo hall, the club’s legacy continues to thrive.
Founded in 1936, Holker Old Boys AFC began as an under-16 side, formed by the former pupils of Holker Central Secondary School, originally located on Holker Street in Barrowin-Furness. While the school has long been replaced by a bingo hall, the club’s legacy continues to thrive.
By 1939-40, Holker joined the North Western Open Age League, playing on local fields. Their commitment to youth football remained strong, with junior teams keeping their roots alive. The club expanded into the West Lancashire League in 1967, running teams in both leagues and later securing a permanent home at Rakesmoor Lane in 1971 - a site with a history as an isolation hospital and allotments.
The formation of the Furness Premier League in 1980 saw them enter two teams, with the Reserves progressing into the West Lancashire League Division 2. Success followed in the mid-80s, with a runner-up finish in 1985/86, before claiming the West Lancs League Division 1 title in their Golden Jubilee season (1986/87). The late 80s brought further glory, as Holker lifted the Adidas Lancashire Junior Shield twice, triumphing over Walkden Town (1988/89) and Park United (1990/91).
With ambitions to compete at a higher level, Holker faced the challenge of upgrading their Rakesmoor Lane ground. Through sheer determination and community effort, they expanded facilities, built new changing rooms, and enclosed the pitch. Their hard work paid off in 1991 when they secured a place in the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) Division Two.
Holker adapted well to the higher level, finishing third in 1993/94 and earning promotion to Division One. Their time in the top flight was mixed, peaking at 11th place in 1995/96 before a difficult spell led to relegation in 1998/99. This prompted a period of rebuilding, both financially and structurally. The club expanded its setup to include three open-age sides and a thriving junior section, covering ages six to sixteen, plus a girls’ team.
By 2002/03, Holker had regained stability, finishing fifth in Division Two. Off the pitch, significant investments followed, with £80,000 secured for stadium improvements, pitch drainage, and parking. Though the mid-2000s saw inconsistent league performances, there were standout moments: reaching the FA Cup’s Second Qualifying Round (2004/05) and hosting FC United of Manchester in 2005/06 before a record crowd of 2,303. These achievements provided vital funds for further ground improvements, including floodlight upgrades in 2006/07.
The club’s commitment to youth development was also recognised with the FA Charter Standard Development Club Award. This dedication bore fruit in 2006/07 when the U18s, featuring many future first-team players, won the LFA Furness Building Society Youth Cup. By 2008/09, the senior team had climbed to ninth in the renamed Vodkat League First Division.
Under Dave Smith and Maurice Watkin, Holker enjoyed a resurgence, finishing third in Division One in 2010/11. A managerial change in 2011/12 brought challenges, but Smith’s return helped steady the ship. The 2012/13 season was tough, with the club narrowly avoiding last place, though an FA Cup run provided a financial boost.
The 2013/14 season marked a turning point, with Gary Fawcett and Stuart Roberts leading the team to a respectable sixth-place finish and a semi-final appearance in the NWCFL Challenge Cup. Further improvements followed between 2017 and 2019, including pitch enhancements, bar refurbishments, and an extended kitchen. Chairman Maurice Watkin ensured a warm, modern club atmosphere.
Holker reached a milestone in 2018/19, playing their 1,000th NWCFL league game and receiving a commemorative trophy. Despite a challenging season, the team avoided relegation, with Kevin Watkin, Paul Southward, and Glyn Dixon taking the reins to guide the club to safety.
Through decades of highs and lows, Holker Old Boys AFC remains a club built on passion, resilience, and a deep-rooted community spirit - one that continues to shape its future with ambition and pride.
