RAKESMOOR LANE 22ND AUGUST 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
RESPOND THE RIGHT WAY Good afternoon and welcome Rakesmoor Lane for today’s North West Counties Football League fixture against Halewood Apollo. Reflecting on Tuesday night, it was a tough away trip and one that left us with plenty to learn from. We were a little naive in our approach at times and played into Squires Gate’s hands. Ultimately, all three goals we conceded were avoidable, and we know we have to be better in those moments. Football moves quickly though, and we now have a great opportunity with back-to-back home games to put things right. Tuesday shouldn’t take away from what has otherwise been a really positive start to the season, but we need to respond in the right way and get back to the levels we showed in those opening games. Today’s opponents are somewhat of an unknown quantity to us, but their results speak for themselves. They’ve started the season really well, so we know we have to give them total respect and be ready from the first whistle. Our focus has to be on our own performance, doing the basics properly and making sure we don’t give them anything cheaply. We’ve also been forced into changes following injuries to Woody and Tyler, which are two big losses. On a positive note, Jamie comes in to help us today and brings plenty of quality, physical presence and experience to the squad. We’re back at Rakesmoor Lane and need to make that count. Get behind the lads from the start and make some noise.
KEVIN WATKIN 4 / HOBAFC.CO.UK
FIND MORE CONSISTENCY Today will be another tough test after a poor performance away at Squires Gate. We need to up our game and find a bit more consistency. The fixture schedule is starting to take its toll, with Buzzer, Woody and Tyler Wood all picking up injuries on Tuesday. They’ll be big misses and leave us looking thin defensively, but we do welcome Patrick Allington and Brad Hubbold back into the squad. We don’t know too much about Halewood Apollo, but they’ve started the season really well, so we’ll need to be at our best to get the three points. Our home performances have been strong so far and we need to make sure that continues today.
DAVE ROUND HOBAFC.CO.UK / 5
THE OPPONENT HALEWOOD APOLLO
Halewood Apollo FC were founded in 2014 by Joseph Stocks and are based in Halewood, Knowsley. Starting in Division Five of the Warrington League, the club climbed rapidly through the local leagues before joining the Liverpool County Premier League in 2020. Playing at Halewood Leisure Centre, Apollo reached Step 6 for the first time in 2026, joining the North West Counties League.
TOP TEN FACTS •
Founded in 2014 – Joseph Stocks established the club in Halewood, on the southwest edge of Liverpool.
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Started in Division Five – Began their journey at the fifth level of the Warrington League.
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Rapid Rise – Progressed through the Warrington League before joining the Liverpool County Premier League in 2020.
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Immediate Promotion – Won promotion from Division One in their first Liverpool County Premier League season.
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Premier League Champions – Crowned Liverpool County Premier League champions in 2024.
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Cup Winners (2023) – Lifted the Zingari Premier Division Cup.
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Halewood Leisure Centre – The club’s home has undergone significant improvements to meet Step 6 requirements.
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Ground Development – New facilities include seated and covered standing accommodation for spectators.
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NWCFL Debut (2026) – Joined the North West Counties League for the first time for the 2026-27 season.
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From Division Five to Step 6 – Completed the journey from Warrington League Division Five to the National League System in just over a decade.
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HOBAFC.CO.UK / 9
THE OPPONENT
THEIR STORY UNFILTERED Halewood Apollo FC are based in Halewood, Knowsley, on the south-west edge of Liverpool, and were founded in 2014 by Joseph Stocks. The club began life in Division Five of the Warrington League, embarking on a remarkable rise through the football pyramid before joining the Liverpool County Premier League in 2020.
In their first season in the Liverpool County Premier League, Apollo secured promotion from Division One to the Premier Division. Over the next five years, the club established itself as one of the league’s leading sides, winning the Liverpool County Premier League title in 2024 and lifting the Zinger Premier Division Cup in 2023.
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Off the pitch, the club worked closely with Knowsley Council to transform its home at Halewood Leisure Centre, delivering significant ground improvements to meet Step 6 requirements. These included new seated and covered standing accommodation, additional spectator facilities, outdoor toilets and other infrastructure.
The 2026/27 season marks another historic milestone as Halewood Apollo compete in the North West Counties Football League for the very first time, completing a remarkable rise from Warrington League Division Five to the National League System in just over a decade.
HOBAFC.CO.UK / 11
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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)
HOBAFC.CO.UK / 19
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 James Atkinson Assistants Adam Duxbury & Liam Bullion
Halweood Apollo
Manager Joseph Stocks Thomas ALDRIDGE Kingston ARNASALAM Jordan BARROW Mason CORKILL Stuart CORNFOOT Louis CORRIGAN Ciaran CULLEN Kaelum CUMMINGS Jesse DOWLING Stephen DOYLE Jake ELY Joshua FRENCH Cameron GLENNON Charlie GLENNON Fidan HAJDARI Fisnik HAJDARI Owen HOUGH Steven IRWIN Daniel KENNEDY Sammy MACDIARMID William MCCARTHY Alexander MCCUMISKEY Denny MCGEE Dominic ROSS-HESKETH Nathan SALISBURY Kyle SCHORAH Jonathan STOCKS Joseph STOCKS Francis TURKINGTON Owen WHEELER Sean WRIGHT
Next at Rakesmoor Lane
Daisy Hill
Saturday 29th August | Kick-Off 3:00pm | NWCFL