TUESDAY 01 AUGUST 2023
NWCFL First Division North vs AFC BLACKPOOL KO 7:45PM
FREE ISSUE #23 THE STAG OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME
WHAT’S INSIDE? 4 6 8 10 14 KEVIN WATKIN PARTNER FOCUS EYES ON THE OPPONENT CLUB NEWSROOM SQUADS Produced and Edited by GR.VISUALS Official Club Photography by Ian Allington and Steve Miller To advertisie in this programme please email commercial@hobafc.co.uk All editorial content within this programme is the copyright of Holker Old Boys AFC and can only be used with the club’s permission. The views in this programme don’t necessarily reflect those of Holker Old Boys AFC. 4 8 3
“WE HAVE TO PUT THE DISAPPOINTMENT OF SATURDAY BEHIND US”
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THOUGHTS FROM THE DUGOUT
Good evening and welcome back to Rakesmoor Lane for this evening’s North West Counties Football League fixture against AFC Blackpool.
It’s a quick turnaround between games, and we have to put the disappointment of Saturday behind us and try and get some points on the board tonight.
We were frustrated after Saturday, knowing that we were the team that controlled the majority of the game, creating numerous chances but not putting them away. Whilst FC St Helens offered very little threat, unfortunately, football is cruel, and one mistake cost us, so we need to regroup and improve tonight at both ends of the pitch.
Unfortunately, we have lost Frankie through a knock to his ribs he picked up Saturday, so another one to add to a long list at the moment. Still, hopefully, we will start to welcome some back now. Steedo comes straight back into our squad tonight. We’re hopeful Tommy and Frankie will also be ready for another tough test on Saturday.
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KEV WATKIN
THEIR HISTORY
The club was formed as Blackpool Metal Mechanics in 1947 before changing its name to Blackpool Mechanics.
Walter Jepson, after whom Jepson Way is named, was the founding member and long-serving club secretary.
The club started playing at the Stanley Park arena before moving to its current home in 1949.
The club started playing in the Fylde District Football League, Division Two. They won the Division Two title in the 1950-51 season and were promoted to Division One, where between 1953-54 and 1957-58, they were champions twice and runners-up three times in five consecutive seasons. The club also won several local cup competitions, including the Lancashire FA Amateur Shield in 1957-58.
In 1959, the club decided to move up the leagues and joined the West Lancashire League. In their first season, 1959-60, they were runners-up. The following season, they were champions, winning the Lancashire FA Amateur Shield again. In the next season, 1961-62, the team won the West Lancashire League Championship once again.
In 1962, the club joined the Lancashire Combination and were placed into Division Two. This division was disbanded in 1968, with the league becoming a single division.
The 1971-72 season saw a third-place finish. The following season, the team won the Lancashire Combination Bridge Shield and, in the 1974-75 season, finished runners-up in the league, just one point behind champions Darwen.
In 1982 the Lancashire Combination merged with the Cheshire League to form the North West Counties Football League. The club were placed in Division Three and finished sixth overall in their first season, 1982-83. They were promoted as champions to Division Two in 1985-86 and made a one-season visit the Division One in 1991-92 before being relegated back to Division Two.
In May 2005, Lytham St. Anne’s FC, former West Lancashire League Champions, merged with the Mechanics after resigning from the league and in May 2008, the club merged with Squires Gate Junior FC, with the club being renamed AFC Blackpool.
As First Division Champions in 2010-11, the club was promoted to the Premier Division in the club’s most successful season. With a record-breaking 28 wins, three draws and only three losses from all 34 league matches. They also reached the semi-finals of the First Division Cup and League Cup. The Junior section also saw notable successes. The under 16’s achieved the League and Cup double. The under 10’s and 11’s won their respective leagues. The under 14’s won promotion.
Long-term player Martin Baird took over from Dave Worthington, looking to push the club back towards the Premier Division. Baird led Mech’s to a playoff finish, but his side lost out on penalties to eventual winner Golcar United.
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CLUB NEWSROOM
WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Priced at just £99, the Holker Old Boys AFC 2023/24 Season Ticket offers incredible value for the upcoming football season. In addition to access to all 19 home league games and all home cup fixtures, this year’s Season Ticket package contains an array of exciting benefits.
Holker Old Boys Bobble Hat: As a token of our appreciation, each season ticket holder will receive an official Holker Old Boys bobble hat. Proudly display your support for the club and keep yourself warm during those chilly Tuesday nights!
Free Hot Drink on Night Matches: All season ticket holders will be treated to a complimentary hot drink of their choice for those fixtures under the floodlights.
We thank our loyal fans who have supported us through thick and thin. Renew your season ticket and continue to be part of the Holker Old Boys family. We also warmly welcome those new to the club or who have yet to experience the joy of grassroots football.
Get in touch to secure your Season Ticket for 2023/24.
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COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR FULL DETAILS, VISIT OUR WEBSITE WWW.HOBAFC.CO.UK 2023/24 SEASON COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES HOLKER OLD BOYS AFC
MANAGER
KEVIN WATKIN & DAVID ROUND
Joe AMISON
Jay BARKER
Callum BAYNES
Brandon COLLINS
Harry COPELAND
Luke DAVEY
Tom DAWSON
Dylan ELLIS
Frankie ELLIS
Callum FAWCETT
Farryl FOSTER
Jamie HODGSON
Samuel JOEL
Jack LITHERLAND
Finley MARTIN
Hakan McCRACKEN
Joseph McGLADDERY
William McGLADDERY
Luke MITCHELL
Nathan REID
Jackson ROUND
Gareth SMITH
Tyler SPENCE
Samuel STEPHENS
Tom STEPHENSON
Kevin WATKIN
Tyler WOOD
Joshua WOODEND
MANAGER
MARTIN BAIRD
Tosin ABIOYE
Francis BALL
Sullivan BISHOP
Lewis CAMM
Kane CARTWRIGHT
Isidro CATA
Reece CHRISTOPHER
Rayan FARUQ
Daniel HALL
Tyler HALLAN
Fergus HOTCHKISS
Blerti JACAJ
Joseph ROBINSON
Kieran SHAW
Matthew SILLETT
Samuel SMEDLEY
Ralf THRELFALL-NEWTON
Tye TURNER
Kaine TYRESE MARTIN
Sam WARDLE
Nathan WHALLEY
