RAKESMOOR LANE 29TH 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
FIND A WAY THROUGH Good afternoon and welcome Rakesmoor Lane for today’s North West Counties Football League fixture against Daisy Hill. We’re heading into a demanding week with three games in seven days, and there’s no hiding from the fact that the squad is stretched at the moment. It’s going to test us, but these periods are part of the season and we have to find a way through them. Injuries have hit us hard and we’ll be without Woody, Buzza and Patty for this run. Losing players of that quality is obviously a blow, but this is where the squad becomes so important. It gives others an opportunity to come in, show what they can do and stake a claim for the shirt. We’ve got confidence in the lads available and we’ll need everyone over the next seven days. With the games coming so quickly, work rate and togetherness will be massive. We need everyone digging deep, doing their job for the team and maintaining our standards even when the legs start to get heavy. It won’t always be pretty, but finding ways to pick up points during difficult spells is important over the course of a season. The support from the sidelines can play a big part during a week like this. Hopefully we can start the run with a strong performance and three points today.
KEVIN WATKIN 4 / HOBAFC.CO.UK
BE AT OUR BEST I thought last week was a very good performance, especially in the second half, and we should’ve taken all three points. Unfortunately we didn’t take our chances late on, but overall it was another solid display. We’re still unbeaten at home and we’ll need to be at our best again today. Woody and Buzzer remain injured, while Ryan Fagan and Patrick Allington are away, so a few lads may have to play out of position. I’m confident they’ll do a good job. Daisy Hill have started really well and are always strong up top, so it’ll be another tough test. Hopefully Brandon can keep his goalscoring form going and a few others can get off the mark too.
DAVE ROUND HOBAFC.CO.UK / 5
THE OPPONENT DAISY HILL FC
Daisy Hill FC trace their history to 1894 and are based near Westhoughton, Greater Manchester. Playing at New Sirs, the club have been based at their current site since 1957 and traditionally play in blue. After success in local football, Daisy Hill joined the Lancashire Combination in 1978 before becoming founder members of the North West Counties League in 1982.
TOP TEN FACTS •
Dating Back to 1894 – Football in Daisy Hill can be traced to the 1894-95 season.
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Unbeaten Double – Won the Wigan & District League and Westhoughton Cup without losing in 1896-97.
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New Sirs – Returned to their current home in 1957 after previously playing at St James Street.
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Bolton Combination Success – Won the Premier Division four times during a successful period.
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Four-Time Cup Winners – Also lifted the Bolton Combination Cup on four occasions.
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Lancashire Amateur Shield – Won the competition twice during the 1960s and 70s.
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Lancashire Combination (1978) – Stepped up to the competition before the formation of the NWCFL.
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NWCFL Founder Members – Joined the newly formed North West Counties League in 1982.
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International Cricketers – Dick Pollard and Billy Farrimond both played for Daisy Hill before representing England at cricket.
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Football League Connections – Players including Greg Strong and Danny Williams began their football careers with the club.
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THE OPPONENT
THEIR STORY UNFILTERED Situated one and a half miles south of Westhoughton town centre, four miles from Bolton and five miles from the Toughsheet Stadium, home of Bolton Wanderers, the village of Daisy Hill first saw football in season 1894-95 although it is possible that football was being played in the area for some years prior to that date. The first known honours for the club came in 1896-97 when the Wigan and District League Championship and the Westhoughton Cup were won without losing a match. The location of the club’s ground in those days is unknown but the present ground was used during the First World War period when the club played in the Leigh and District Senior Sunday School League.
The acquisition of the lease was a major step forward and gave aspiration to move into the Bolton Combination and develop into one of the most formidable clubs in the area. Dressing rooms were erected at the ground for the start of the 1968/69 season whilst on the field The club then joined the Westhoughton League, and the club won the Bolton Combination Premier Division during the 1920’s and 1930’s won many honours in what on four occasions, the Bolton Combination Cup on four was one of the strongest local leagues at the time. occasions and the Lancashire Amateur Shield twice during the 60’s and 70’s. Little is known of the period leading up to the second world war, but by 1951 the club was back playing in In 1978 the Club was accepted into the Lancashire the Westhoughton League, on the St. James Street Football Combination and with the advent of the Recreation Ground/Cricket Ground, until the landowner Non-League football pyramid and the subsequent made an offer to the club to return to the current site at amalgamation of the Lancashire Football Combination New Sirs in 1957. and the Cheshire County League the Club became a founder member of the North West Counties League giving them the opportunity to play in and bring national competition to the village.
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With the National League System requiring clubs to meet new standards for facilities, new dressing rooms and a clubhouse for social activities were erected at New Sirs in 1982. Since then improvement of the club’s facilities has been ongoing and for the 2005-2006 season a floodlighting system was installed, which allowed the club to remain in the National League System and return to National and County competitions.
Notable players include: Dick Pollard and Billy Farrimond, both of whom went on to play cricket for Lancashire and England, Alf Watkinson, grandfather of the former Lancashire Cricket Club Captain Mike Watkinson went on to sign for Blackpool. (Mike himself played a handful of games for the club). Sam Marsh (Bolton Wanderers and Bury), Alf Gray (Torquay United and Lincoln City), Greg Strong (Bolton Wanderers and Motherwell) and Danny Williams (Inverness Caledonian The club also has a thriving Under 17s squad, playing Thistle) began their careers in senior or junior football at in the Bolton, Bury and District Junior Football League. Daisy Hill Football Club. Other notable people / sportspersons born in Westhoughton who may or may not have been associated with the club: Ethel Johnson (Great Britain Olympic Athlete), Joe Bromilow (American Olympic Athlete), Jack Bruton (Blackburn Rover, Burnley, Bournemouth and England). Joe Clare (Accrington Stanley, Norwich City and Lincoln City). Tommy Woodward (Bolton Wanderers and Middlesborough), Francis Lee (Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City, Derby County and England) and Robert Shaw (Actor).
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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
Daisy Hill FC
Manager Kevin Watkin & Dave Round
Manager Nicky Hunt
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
Leon ARNASALAM Abdul AYEDE Nathan BALL Sullivan BARKER Jelanil BLAKE Joshua BROOKS Daniel FERNANDEZ IBARRA Cameron FIRTH Claudio GOMES COSTA Alex HARVEY Kristian HOLT Samuel HOWELL Jonathan HUGHES Jake KENNY Luca LATONA Gerald-Junior MCCULLION Fionn MURPHY Aaron MUZANGI Ernesson NGHOGEH Hubert NOWACKI Ayo OWOLABI Oliver PARTINGTON Kyle PREECE Jacob RIDINGS James SALKELD Patrick SANKARA William SHAWCROSS Dean SINGLETON Sam STEWART Abel TSEGAY Fred WARDLE
MATCH OFFICIALS Referee Jamie Law Assistants Freddie Gittins & Oliver Martin
Next at Rakesmoor Lane
Maine Road
Saturday 5th September | Kick-Off 3:00pm | NWCFL