Issue #11 - v Garstang (26/12/2025)

RAKESMOOR LANE 26TH DECEMBER 2025

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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 DRESSING ROOM

P6

THE DUGOUT P4

GARSTANG P12

4

The Dugout

16

Snap of the Week

6

The Dressing Room

20

Holker History

11

The Interview

30 Squads

12

The Opponent

MATCHDAY SPONSORS

MAIN MATCH

MATCH BALL

Holker Old Boys AFC (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

PUT RECENT RESULTS BEHIND US Good afternoon and welcome to Rakesmoor Lane for today’s North West Counties Football League fixture against Garstang.

Boxing Day is always a big fixture, and today feels like a huge one for us. Our recent form hasn’t been good enough and we know that, but there’s still belief and positivity in the group. The lads are desperate to put things right and we’ve got the perfect chance to do that in front of a home crowd.

We’ve been hit with a massive blow losing Mitch, who suffered a broken collarbone in our last game at Nelson. He’s been a key part of our back line and we all feel for him – but the group has to rally and step up in his absence.

It’s important now that we put recent results behind us. We can’t carry frustration into today – we’ve got to play with intensity, be aggressive, and start fast. We’re back at home, and that has to count for something. Garstang are struggling for results, but that makes them dangerous – if we give them time or let them settle, they’ll grow into the game. So our mindset has to be right from the first whistle.

We’re expecting a good turnout today and the atmosphere should take care of itself. We want to give the fans something to get behind, especially after the last few weeks. When we’re on the front foot and play our game, we know we’re capable of causing teams problems.

If we do that today – and use the home advantage properly – I’m confident we’ll get the result we need and start climbing the table again.

KEVIN WATKIN 4 / HOBAFC.CO.UK

BIG ONE TODAY Our recent performances haven’t been good enough over 90 minutes – we’ve played well in spells, but that doesn’t get you far in this league.

At Bacup, Darwen and Nelson, we were the better team for an hour, especially at Darwen where we led 2-0 and looked comfortable, but let it slip. Credit to the lads for digging in and rescuing a point.

We looked fatigued at Nelson late on, and it’s something we need to address. The stop-start fixture list hasn’t helped, but we need to get back to the levels we hit last season.

Today’s a big one – Garstang always give us a game. We welcome Brad back, but Mitch is a big miss. The lads know we need to start a run.

DAVE ROUND HOBAFC.CO.UK / 5

A WORD FROM THE DRESSING ROOM JOSH WOODEND

Time to Respond.

Firstly, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and managed to enjoy some time with family. It’s always a busy time of year, and now the focus turns fully back to football as we head into a big month.

The last couple of weeks have been disappointing, especially in terms of results. Darwen and Nelson are two of the strongest sides in the division, but we’ve come away from both games feeling like we could have taken more. The fine margins in those matches didn’t go our way, but we’ve only got ourselves to look at.

We know we have to do better, starting today. Garstang will be another tough test, and with a busy January ahead, this is the time to get ourselves going again and put a run of form together. The squad is capable, it’s now about showing it.

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CALLUM FAWCETT Set the Standard.

It’s always a bit of a challenge this time of year with the games coming thick and fast, but we’ve got to be ready to go again now.

The last two results have been frustrating.

Against strong sides like Darwen and Nelson, you know you have to be at it for the full 90, and we just fell short in key moments. The feeling in the group is that we let both games slip, and we’ve got to learn from that quickly.

January gives us a real chance to put things right. We’ve got to bring more intensity, take our chances, and be a bit smarter in the big moments. It starts today against Garstang — we need to put in a proper shift and get ourselves back

BRADLEY HUBBOLD No Excuses.

Hope everyone had a good Christmas with family and a bit of a break from it all. It’s a long season, and now we’re into the new year, it’s about getting back to work and putting things right.

on track.

The last couple of games haven’t gone the way we wanted. We were in both matches against Darwen and Nelson but didn’t do enough to come away with anything. Against teams like that, you get punished if you switch off for even five minutes.

We’re capable of much better, and with a busy month ahead, we’ve got to show that now. It’s about consistency, starting fast, and not giving teams any easy way into the game. If we want to push up the table, the time to start doing it is today.

HOBAFC.CO.UK / 7

THE INTERVIEW PLAYER PROFILE

JOSH WOODEND THE FACTS Age: 27 Position: Defender Sponsor: Abbey House Occupation: Site Engineer How long have you been at Holker: 15 Years Previous Clubs: None!

Childhood Football Hero: Stevie G What is the best piece of footballing advice you’ve been given: You can’t control the weather, but you can control your attitudes What is the most memorable game you’ve played: My first trophy in senior football and it was special to win it for groundsman and club legend Al Wilson.

How do you stay motivated during injury: The hunger to get back out onto the pitch is the main thing that keeps me going.

Who at Holker brings out the best in you: Paul Southward - he gave me lots of advice coming through at Holker as a young lad and even though most of it wasn’t great he tried his best.

Although now he’s too busy golfing or watching Barrow.

QUICKFIRE Describe the gaffers in one word: Passionate Home or Away Games: Home Favourite Ground to play at: Darwen 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: Goodfellas Favourite Holiday Destination: Las Vegas Karakoe Song: David Gray - Babylon

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THE OPPONENT GARSTANG

Garstang FC were founded in 1885 and play at The Riverside, having moved from The Beeches in the 1960s. Known for their red and black colours, they currently compete in the North West Counties Football League Division One North.

TOP TEN FACTS •

Founded in 1885 – Earliest recorded honour was the Guildhall Cup in 1927

•

Moved to The Riverside in the 60s – A long-standing home for both first and reserve teams

•

Joined West Lancs League in 1994 – Progressed from Preston & District League to a higher level

•

Lancashire Shield win in 1999/00 – Followed up a final defeat the year before with victory

•

2008 title-winning season – First Team crowned Premier Division champions in front of 250+ fans

•

Youth set-up added in 2008 – U18 side introduced to develop homegrown players

•

2017/18 double winners – First Team lifted the league and cup, reserves also won a double

•

Joined NWCFL in 2018 – First season in Step 6 football ended with a strong 7thplace finish

•

FA Vase runs and 352 attendance – Notable cup success and record crowd v Longridge Town

•

Managerial changes in 2023/24 – Guy Heffernan appointed to lead rebuild after tough campaign

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THE OPPONENT

THEIR STORY UNFILTERED Garstang Football Club was formed in 1885 and documented records show that, in 1927, the club won the Guildhall Cup as a member of the Preston and District League.

In the mid-sixties both the First and Reserve Teams moved from “The Beeches” to the club’s current home of “The Riverside”. At the time of this move the club continued to be a proud member of the Preston and District League. After much soul searching and debate during the summer of 1994 the club made the decision to advance and two steps into the West Lancashire League. Adrian Wilding returned as Chairman and off the field plans were put in place to improve the facilities as the Garstang made steady progress in the early years and club, a major part being the “Score” lottery instigated then, under the guidance of manager Keith Brindle, by Les Taylor. An Under 18 team was formed with the the first team reached the Lancashire Amateur Shield ambition to nurture our own talent and this is now final for two years in succession. The first final during starting to pay dividends. The club recorded their first the 1998/99 season, saw the team suffer defeat at the ever Reserve Divison1 title again under the leadership of hands of Fulwood. However, the following year the club Paul bail and further silverware was won in the 2017/18 bounced back and secured the trophy with a victory over season which proved to be a historic one for the club. favorites Stand Athletic.

Former players from the 2008 Championship winning side Lee Baker and Neil Beesley were now in charge In the 1999/00 season, Garstang secured the President’s and the First team won the West Lancs Premier League Cup with a thrilling sudden death penalty shootout and Cup double. In the same season the club was also victory and they also achieved promotion to the West runners up in The Lancashire Shield whilst the reserves Lancashire Premier Division as runners up. There under the followed a few ups and downs until the 2007/08 season stewardship of Hugh Sneddon and Joe Miller also did saw the Reserve the double. After much hard work it was confirmed we Team secure the Reserve Division Two title under the had been accepted into The Hallmark Security League guidance of Paul Bailey. The First Team were also and the beginning of involved in a thrilling title battle that went down to the a new chapter for Garstang Football. last game of the season and in front of over 250 of their own fans, the team secured the three points needed to win the Premier Division title.

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The club started its first season in the Hallmark Security league Division 1 North in Season 2018/19 and a long campaign saw the club secure a highly creditable 7th place finish and the team had excellent cup run’s in 3 competitions including the Buildbase FA vase. During the season the club had its highest home attendance against local rivals Longridge Town with 352 spectators watching. Lee Baker left the club at the end of that season and was replaced by Richard Cookney who did an excellent job consolidating the clubs position within the league. After a number of Covid interrupted seasons Cookney left the club in November 2021 and following an interim role as Caretaker Manager, Zach Clark was appointed Player Manager.

Season 22/23 was a real Jekyll and Hyde season with the team either on a long run of wins or a long run of defeats. The team was decimated with injuries and the club has never had to contend with so many injuries in one season. This hampered the manager in being able to select a regular line up. The injury situation improved just in time towards the very end of the season, as the club secured 2 consecutive wins to close out the season and finish two places above the bottom three.

In September 2023 Zach Clark chose to leave the club to concentrate on playing and after a recruitment process Darrell Slater - Smith was appointed to the First Team managers role assisted by Ian Mountain following a successful spell running the Second Team.

After a very difficult season Darrell and his coaching staff left the club in May and was replaced by Guy Heffernan who brings with him a management team of proven operators at this level as the club looks to rebuild again for season 24/25.

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SNAP OF THE WEEK Holker’s Digital Media Team hand-picks their favourite photo this week.

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DATE 10.03.23 SNOw DAY

Snow covering every inch of Rakesmoor Lane; untouched; silent; calm.

Let’s forget it’s from March ‘23 and just pretend we’re having a white Christmas.

Photo: Ian Allington

HOBAFC.CO.UK / 17

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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HOBAFC.CO.UK / 21

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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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HOBAFC.CO.UK / 25

HOLKER OLD BOYS

JUNIOR STAGS

HOLKER OLD BOYS JUNIOR SPONSORS

SQUAD SPONSORS

2025/26 SEASON

28 / HOBAFC.CO.UK

MATT BAILEY

CALLUM BAYNES

BRANDON COLLINS

LUKE DAVEY

SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

MAX DIXON

DYLAN ELLIS

FRANKIE ELLIS

CALLUM FAWCETT

SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

FARRYL FOSTER

SAM HAYES

JAMIE HODGSON

BRADLEY HUBBOLD

SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

FINLAY MARTIN

CHARLIE MCGLADDERY

JOE MCGLADDERY

CHARLIE MCGLOWN

SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

LUKE MITCHELL

TYLER SPENCE

TYLER WOOD

JOSH WOODEND

SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

KEVIN WATKIN

DAVE ROUND

SPONSORED BY

SPONSORED BY

SPONSOR A PLAYER commercial@hobafc.co.uk

HOBAFC.CO.UK / 29

Holker Old Boys AFC

Manager Kevin Watkin & Dave Round Matthew BAILEY Callum BAYNES Brandon COLLINS Luke DAVEY Tom DAWSON Max DIXON Callum FAWCETT Farryl FOSTER Sam HAYES Jamie HODGSON Bradley HUBBOLD Freddie LAWTON Finley MARTIN Charlie MCGLADDERY Joseph MCGLADDERY Charlie MCGLOWN Luke MITCHELL Nathan REID Tyler SPENCE Sol STANWAY Kevin WATKIN Tyler WOOD Joshua WOODEND

MATCH OFFICIALS Referee William Owen Assistants Liam Oliver & Gary While

Daisy Hill FC

Manager Guy Heffernan Joe LAWTON Matty HODDS Kyle LEWIS George LEWIN Elliot BRADSHAW Ellis HANCOX Phil NAGY Steve MERCER Louis EDWARDS Ben TURTON Nathan HANKINSON Elliot GRIME Harley MATHER Jomar DA SILVA Lucas PININGTON Oliver COOPER Charlie NELSON Liam CLEGG Woody HOWARD Cobie ENTWISTLE Zach WILKES Luke DRAYSEY Andrew MURPHY Thomas DENNISON Liam BAMBER Weslie BAJRALIU Sam BURTON Harvey WHITTAKER

Next at Rakesmoor Lane

AFC Blackpool

Tuesday 6th January | Kick-Off 8:00pm | NWCFL