• 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 afternoon and welcome to Rakesmoor Lane for today’s North West Counties Football League fixture against Ashton Town.
It’s been an interesting week with the club getting plenty of attention following the incident at the weekend. While that can bring distractions, our focus has to stay on the football and continuing the good work we’ve seen over the last few games.
Performances have been solid, and the togetherness and work ethic across the squad have been first class. Now it’s about maintaining that level and building some momentum through this busy period.
We’re missing two key players today – Callum sits out as a precaution after a slight hamstring tweak, and Mitch is suspended after reaching five yellows. That gives others a chance, and we’re pleased to have Tyler Wood and Buzzer back in – both know the standards we expect.
The games are coming thick and fast, and this is the part of the season where a strong run can push you right up the table. We’ve talked about making the most of this spell – we’ve got players coming back fit, the squad is growing in strength, and if we stay consistent, we’ll give ourselves a real chance to be in a strong position by Christmas.
Today’s challenge is Maine Road – they’re always well organised and competitive, and we’ll need to be at our best to come out on top. But we know what we’re capable of if we hit our levels.
The lads have really started to put some strong performances together, especially last weekend against Wythenshawe. We showed great character and team spirit, and although we didn’t create loads, we dug deep and worked hard as a unit.
Today will be another tough test, made harder with both centre-halves missing – Mitch suspended and Cal injured. They’ve been massive for us this season and work so well together, but I’m confident the lads coming in can step up, both with good NWCL experience.
Maine Road are a top side with real threat going forward. Like us, they’ve got plenty of pace, but we need to be more clinical. That’s our next step – take our chances and hopefully put three more points on the board.
DAVE ROUND
We’re back into league action this week after a really positive couple of weeks on the pitch and a bit of a strange situation off it. The league games against Droylsden and Squires Gate were both gritty battles, as the scorelines suggest, and we had to work hard for every point. The resilience we showed in both matches was spot on and something we can take a lot of confidence from.
The FA Vase tie at Wythenshawe was another tough test. We were under pressure for long spells, but credit to the lads for digging in and staying in the game. Matt pulled off some unbelievable saves to keep us alive, and we got our reward with the late equaliser and the penalty shootout win. It was a proper team effort and one of those results that shows the character we’ve got in the dressing room.
What’s happened off the pitch since then is out of our hands. We can’t let it distract us. The focus now is fully on Maine Road and keeping the momentum going. We’ve built something over the past few weeks — now it’s about being consistent, staying together and continuing to push forward.
We’ve put together a solid run recently and it’s been good to see the hard work in training paying off. The wins against Droylsden and Squires Gate showed our grit — we defended well and found a way to get the job done.
The Vase tie at Wythenshawe was another example of the squad’s character. We stayed in the game, took our chance late on and came through on penalties. That kind of result gives the group a lift.
There’s been a bit going on off the pitch, but we’re focused on what we can control. The aim now is to keep standards high and keep the momentum going.
We’ve made a solid start and sitting in fourth shows we’re doing a lot of things right. The last few games have shown that even when we’re not at our best, we’re still finding ways to grind out results — and that’s a sign of a strong group.
From an attacking point of view, I still think there’s more to come. We’ve created chances, but we know we can be sharper in the final third. The quality is there, it’s just about finding that rhythm and turning good spells into goals more often.
The squad feels in a good place right now. Lads are coming back in, competition for places is high, and the energy in training has been spot on. We’ve got a good run of fixtures coming up and a real opportunity to push on.
Age: 19
Position: Goalkeeper
Sponsor: [Available for Sponsorship]
Occupation: Designer
How long have you been at Holker: 3 Years
Childhood Football Hero: Bogdan
What is the best piece of footballing advice you’ve been given: Don’t let him deliver!
What is the most memorable game you’ve played: Definitely my debut - so far there has been no feeling like it.
How do you stay motivated during injury: The desire to get back out on the pitch.
Who at Holker brings out the best in you: Paul Davey - an absolute motivational maestro.
Describe the gaffers in one word: Loud
Home or Away Games: Away
Favourite Ground to play at: Lytham
Ronaldo or Messi?: Messi
If you could play for one team in the world, who: Liverpool
Early Bird or Night Owl: Early Bird
A Night in or A Night Out: A Night Out
Favourite Film: Cars (Kachow!)
Favourite Holiday Destination: Turkey
Karakoe Song: Marvin Gaye - Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
Maine Road Football Club, founded in 1955 by Manchester City supporters and now based at Brantingham Road in Chorlton-cum-Hardy,
wear sky-blue shirts with white trim, blue shorts and blue socks. The club made its name in local leagues before becoming a member of the North West Counties League (NWCFL) in 1988. With a strong youth development ethos and deep local roots, Maine Road have built notable success in cup competitions and non-league football.
• Founded in 1955 – Originally called City Supporters Rusholme before becoming Maine Road FC.
• Brantingham Road Since 1980 – The club moved to its current home in 1980, enabling progress to higher leagues.
• NWCFL Division Two Champions – Won the title in 1989–90 to earn promotion.
• Challenge Cup Winners – Lifted the NWCFL Challenge Cup in 2007–08.
• Best FA Vase Run – Reached the Fourth Round of the FA Vase in 1994–95.
• Regular FA Cup Campaigns – Reached the Second Qualifying Round six times between 1989 and 2002.
• Club Loyalty – Only 12 managers in 65+ years, eight of them former players.
• Top Appearances – Ian Walker (637), Chris Simms (556), Gordon Woods (465) among the longest-serving.
• Manchester Cup Success – Winners of the Manchester Premier Cup three times and finalists twice more.
• Youth Excellence – Under-19s have won the Umbro International Tournament six times in eleven seasons.
HISTORY OF MAINE ROAD FC - 1955-2022.
The Club takes its name from Maine Road Social Club in Moss Side, Manchester, where it was formerly Headquartered and has become one of South Manchester’s most exciting Semi Professional Teams. Our philosophy has consistently promoted great youth development, attained a culture of outstanding club loyalty (with top 13 players making over 350 appearances ,of which the top 5 players have also gone on to run the first or reserve teams, and in our 67 year history we have had only 12 managers of which 8 have been ex-players) nurtured local talent (providing a platform for many players semi-professional careers or some professional careers such as Wayne Collins, Colin Little, James, Tarkowski) linked to success on the pitch. Highlights have been in the: North West Counties League (members since 1988, Division Two champions 1989–90 & Challenge Cup winners 2007–08); FA Vase reaching the Fourth round (1994–95) ; FA Cup reaching the Second qualifying round, (1989–90, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1994–95, 1997–98 & 2001–02) ; and great success in Manchester Premier trophies (winning all five county Cups - the Manchester Premier Cup (3) in 1975–76, 1976–77, 1987–88 ( & been runners up (2) 1999-00 & 2003-04) , and Amateur Cup (5), Sunday Amateur Cup (1), Intermediate Cup (2), Challenge Cup (4)
Originally a Sunday league side - The Club was formed in 1955 as by our past Chairman Frank Thompson and friends as ‘City Supporters Rusholme’ in the Rusholme Sunday League, moving in the late sixties to the Manchester Amateur Sunday League and to the newly built Maine Road Social Club. Ronnie Meredith was now running the club and he changed the whole future of the club by moving to Saturday football in the Manchester League. Success followed success on the field and after several years of moving grounds we settled on our present home at Brantingham Road in 1980. In Season 1983-84 when we won our first Manchester League Premier Division. In fact, we then won the league four years running.
Derek Barber took over the managerial reins in 1986 and the clubs progress continued so much that, when the Manchester County FA’s new complex at Brantingham Road was built, achieved, entry to the Bass North West Counties League. The next 12 years saw the winning the Division Two to be promoted to the then 4th Step of the Non-League Pyramid, Winning the Premier Cup beating Irlam Town 1-0 at Maine Road (home of Manchester City), some of the best FA cup runs and the best run to date in the FA Vase. Graham Whittingham took over the reins and another FA cup run plus a further Manchester Premier Cup Final appearance followed.
A short blip at the end of Season 2001-02, Maine Road were relegated to the 2nd division. but under the guidance of Chris Simms when our very young side finished 3rd and runners up, we returned to the top division, (2004) and the club has another appearance in the Premier Cup Final.
The arrival of Ian Walker as manager (2006) saw Maine Roads improvement continue with 3 top 6 finishes in 4 seasons and the winning of the prestigious League Challenge Cup (2008).
in 2012-13 John Morrey/Chris Thomas took over the managerial reins and in 2 seasons continued the improvement with a magnificent runners up spot (2013), followed by a 4th position (2014).
Chris Hirst took over in November 2014 & ran the club until Oct 2017 and took a very young inexperienced side and finished mid table. Matt Barnes took over until the end of the season when the club was relegated to the 1st Division South. At the start of the 2018-19 season Calum Sykes took over the reins but at Christmas he left the club.
We then went back to our normal policy of promoting from within & promoted Ray Barnett from the Reserves along with Jeff Newman and from being down in the relegation zone ended up finishing in 14th position and winning the club of the month in January. 19/20 was quite an extraordinary season ended early by the COVID-19 pandemic which saw Maine Road finish a respectable 9th position and win the Fair Play award along with the best program award for the 1st Division South. Season 21/22 started with an early managerial change following the appointment of Rees Welsh and Guy Heffernan who steered the club to a respectable 6th position.
Maine Road has a long and proud reputation for attracting young players. This success in spotting and nurturing the best young talent has continued over the past decades with Maine Road’s domination of the Umbro International Tournament at Under 19 level. Over 11 seasons our Under 19’s have taken on and regularly outplayed talented youngsters from around the world. They have won the competition an amazing 6 times and been runners up 3 times.
Holker’s Digital Media Team hand-picks their favourite photo this week.
DATE 08.03.25
ATHERTON LR
Matt Bailey – vocal, commanding, right in the thick of it as always. Snapped just before a free-kick, barking out the orders. This shot even made the local press this week after the Wythenshawe drama, so I couldn’t not select it!
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.
