RAKESMOOR LANE 20TH OCTOBER 2026
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HONOURS • West Lancashire League Champions: 1986/87 • Lancashire FA Amateur Shield Winners: 1988/89, 1990/91
THE CLUB 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
THE DUGOUT
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THE OPPONENT P8
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The Dugout
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The Opponent
24 Squads
Holker History
MATCHDAY SPONSORS
MAIN MATCH
MATCH BALL
Holker Old Boys AFC Unincorporated (Community Amateur Sports Club) is an equal-opportunities club committed to upholding the principles of equality, diversity and human rights. Supporters are urged to report any incident immediately to the nearest member of staff. Doing so allows the club to immediately deal with the situation. Any incident dealt with by a member of staff will be logged and passed on to the league and/or authorities where required. Holker Old Boys AFC takes very seriously its responsibility to protect children in its care. If you have any questions regarding child safeguarding at Holker please contact us at info@hobafc.co.uk. The views in this programme are not necessarily the views of Holker Old Boys AFC. Material in this programme is copyrighted and may only be reproduced with the written permission of Holker Old Boys AFC. Holker Old Boys AFC has made every effort to trace the copyright holders of all photographs used. HOBAFC.CO.UK / 3
A WORD FROM THE DUGOUT KEV & DAVE
RAISE OUR LEVELS Good afternoon and welcome Rakesmoor Lane for today’s North West Counties Football League fixture against MSB Woolton. Looking back at Saturday, frustration is probably the best way to sum things up. There’s no hiding from the fact that we were stretched in terms of numbers, but that doesn’t excuse the way we managed the game. We were naive at times, failed to recognise how the opposition were playing and didn’t do enough to deal with their main threats. We also looked leggy for long periods and simply didn’t compete at the level we expect. It’s disappointing because we know this group is capable of much better. We’ve shown that already this season, but we have to be more consistent in how we approach games and recognise when things aren’t working. Sometimes it’s about adapting to what’s happening on the pitch, making better decisions and ensuring we’re doing the basics properly. Tonight brings another tough challenge against MSB Woolton. They’re a well-drilled side who will make us work for everything, so we know we need to be much better from the first whistle. We have to match them physically, recognise their threats early and show the kind of work rate and determination that has brought us results previously. The positive is that we have a quick opportunity to put Saturday behind us. The lads know what’s expected and there’s no better way to respond than with a performance on the pitch. We need to raise our levels and show a reaction tonight. Enjoy the match.
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KEVIN WATKIN
WE NEED A RESPONSE Saturday was disappointing. We got bullied across the pitch, looked off it fitness-wise and conceded sloppy goals. We played well in spells but never really looked like scoring. Travelling away with just 12 or 13 lads isn’t good enough, especially when we have everyone available at home. That needs to change because it’s tough on those making the effort. We’ve got some massive league games coming up with a gap opening above us, so we need to start climbing. Woolton are a quality side and tonight won’t be easy. Max and Buzzer join the injury list, but we welcome Brad, Tommy and Ryan Fagan back. We need a response tonight under the lights.
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THE OPPONENT PICKERING TOWN
MSB Woolton FC, incorporating Woolton FC, is an FA Charter Standard Community Club based in South Liverpool, playing at Simpsons Sports Ground (4G). Its community roots date to 1930 as Woolton Boys’ Club, with its modern formation dating to 1994. Youth development is central to a club offering boys’, girls’, men’s and women’s football.
TOP TEN FACTS •
**Youth football** – The club operates over 250 boys’ and girls’ teams from Under6s through to Under-18s.
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**Open-age teams** – The open-age section includes five men’s teams, two women’s teams and a men’s veterans team.
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**Women’s league** – The women’s team plays in the North West Regional League Division One South.
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**County recognition** – MSB Woolton won the LCFA Club of the Year award in 2014 and 2024.
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**League titles** – Before promotion, the men’s first team won Liverpool County Premier League titles in 2023 and 2025.
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**Cup double** – The men’s first team secured back-to-back I Zingari Premier Cup wins in 2024 and 2025.
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**Development pathway** – The club fields an NWYA Under-17 team and an Under-21 team in the NW Development League.
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**Walking football** – The club’s walking football activities attract more than 20 participants each week.
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**Disability football** – Disability football provision is in its very early stages, developed alongside the County FA.
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**FA collaboration** – The club collaborates with the FA Club Leaders Programme to improve grassroots football sustainability.
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THE OPPONENT
THEIR STORY UNFILTERED MSB Woolton FC (inc Woolton FC) is an FA Charter Standard Community Club based in South Liverpool. Woolton FC has roots in the community since 1930, operating as Woolton Boys’ Club initially, then with its modern formation going back to 1994. It has grown each year since, with a big focus on youth development and football for all, training starting at reception age to provide a learning but fun pathway into teams. The club currently operates over 250 teams from Under 6s through to Under 18s, at both boys’ and girls’ football. Our player pathway from finishing U18 football has been We have 5 men’s teams, 2 women’s teams, and a men’s developed over the past 5 years, with progression at the Vets team in the open age section. heart of our application for Step 6 football. The club is now one of the largest grassroots football club in the UK and proudly collaborates with the FA Club Leaders Programme to help improve the sustainability of grassroots football. Our women’s team proudly play in the North West Regional League Division One South and MSB Woolton FC has won LCFA Club of the Year in 2014 and 2024.
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This season we have a team in the NWYA U17 competition Prior to being promoted, the men’s first team won the and an under 21 team in the NW Development league, Liverpool County Premier League title twice in three which further enhances our pathway progression seasons, in 2023 & again in 2025. This was complemented with back-to-back I Zingari Premier cup wins in the 2024 This year has seen us develop our walking football and 2025 seasons. activities, with over 20 people participating each week, which has been a fantastic achievement by all involved. We are now in the very early stages of providing disability football, working closely on both fronts with our County FA to make this a long term commitment.
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HOLKER HISTORY
FOUNDING & EARLY YEARS 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
The formation of the Furness Premier
as an under-16 side, formed by the former
League in 1980 saw them enter two teams,
pupils of Holker Central Secondary School,
with the Reserves progressing into the
originally located on Holker Street in Barrow-
West Lancashire League Division 2. Success
in-Furness. While the school has long been
followed in the mid-80s, with a runner-up
replaced by a bingo hall, the club’s legacy
finish in 1985/86, before claiming the
continues to thrive.
West Lancs League Division 1 title in their Golden Jubilee season (1986/87). The late
By 1939-40, Holker joined the North Western
80s brought further glory, as Holker lifted
Open Age League, playing on local fields. Their
the Adidas Lancashire Junior Shield twice,
commitment to youth football remained strong,
triumphing over Walkden Town (1988/89)
with junior teams keeping their roots alive.
and Park United (1990/91).
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.
Holker Street School (n.d.)
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HOLKER HISTORY
LEAGUE CLIMB & STRUGGLES
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
With ambitions to compete at a higher level,
Cup’s Second Qualifying Round (2004/05)
Holker faced the challenge of upgrading their
and hosting FC United of Manchester in
Rakesmoor Lane ground. Through sheer
2005/06 before a record crowd of 2,303. These
determination and community effort, they
achievements provided vital funds for further
expanded facilities, built new changing rooms,
ground improvements, including floodlight
and enclosed the pitch. Their hard work paid
upgrades in 2006/07.
off in 1991 when they secured a place in the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL)
The club’s commitment to youth development
Division Two.
was also recognised with the FA Charter Standard Development Club Award. This
Holker adapted well to the higher level,
dedication bore fruit in 2006/07 when the
finishing third in 1993/94 and earning
U18s, featuring many future first-team players,
promotion to Division One. Their time in the
won the LFA Furness Building Society Youth
top flight was mixed, peaking at 11th place
Cup. By 2008/09, the senior team had climbed
in 1995/96 before a difficult spell led to
to ninth in the renamed Vodkat League First
relegation in 1998/99. This prompted a period
Division.
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.
Holker Club House (2023)
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HOLKER HISTORY
RECENT SUCCESS
& THE FUTURE
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.
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HOLKER OLD BOYS
JUNIOR STAGS
HOLKER OLD BOYS JUNIOR SPONSORS
Holker Old Boys AFC
Manager Kevin Watkin & Dave Round Patrick ALLINGTON Callum BAYNES Tyler CHESTER Brandon COLLINS Reece CRESSWELL Luke DAVEY Tom DAWSON Max DIXON Frankie ELLIS Ryan FAGAN Farryl FOSTER Jamie HODGSON Bradley HUBBOLD Finley MARTIN Jamie MELLEN Jordan MCGARRY Joe MCGLADDERY Charlie MCGLOWN Luke MITCHELL Nathan REID David ROUND Harrison ROUND Gareth SMITH Tyler SPENCE Sol STANWAY Kevin WATKIN Noah WILLIAMS Tyler WOOD Josh WOODEND
MATCH OFFICIALS Referee Reiss Ford Assistants Gary While & Daniel Myles
MSB Woolton
Manager Mike Harvey Mohammed **ALSAQQA** Sancho **AYODEJI-ANSELL** Jacob **BARRATT** Ben **BERRY** Harry **JOSEPH CAMPBELL** Reece **CLARKE** Ethan **CROSS** Shea **CURREY** Ethan **DANKU** Ben **GLOVER** Luc **HARALAMBOUS** Daniel **HARVEY** Joe **HARVEY** Cameron **HILL** Kieran **HUGHES** Daniel **JENNINGS** Charlie **JONES** Sean **KENNEDY** Josh **LARKIN** Ashton **LARMOUR-MCQUAID** Jonathan **LIDDLE** Dan **MEIR** Chris **MORAN** Michael **NGUEMALE** Oghenetega **OKEREGHA** James **PYPER** Matthew **ROBINSON** Adam **SCREGG** Sean **SMALLWOOD** Joe **TUMMINO** Mark **VAUGHAN** Daniel **VENTRE** Josh **WHEWELL** Lucas **WILSON** James **WOLFE** Managers: Mike Harvey Matthew RUSSELL
Next at Rakesmoor Lane
Nelson
Saturday 24th October | Kick-Off 3:00pm | Macron Cup