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SATURDAY 26 OCOTBER 2024

NWCFL First Division North vs AFC BLACKPOOL KO 3:00PM

“WE KNOW WE NEED TO MAINTAIN OUR STANDARDS”

THOUGHTS FROM THE DUGOUT

Good afternoon and welcome back to Rakesmoor Lane for today’s North West Counties Football League fixture against AFC Blackpool.

It’s been quite a spell since our last league match, and we’re all eager to be back in action this Saturday against AFC Blackpool. Having a break can be nice to reset, but when you’re on a good run of form like we are, you just want to keep playing. The lads are keen, and they’re ready to go again - that’s what Saturdays are all about. The preparations have remained consistent, and the lads have made sure to stay sharp, whether it’s through training or picking up valuable minutes in the reserves. We’re one club, and it’s been great to see everyone pulling together to keep the momentum alive. The break also allowed us to freshen up some legs and recover from any knocks and niggles, which will hopefully benefit us going forward.

Coming into this game, we’re still top of the league, and that’s down to the hard work and commitment from everyone involved. Staying at the top isn’t easy, but it gives us that extra drive to keep pushing ourselves. We know we need to maintain our standards, and that means being ready for every challenge. The away result against Blackpool earlier in the season wasn’t what we wanted - it was a tough 5-1 defeat - and the lads haven’t forgotten that. It was a hard pill to swallow, but it’s given us a clear target for Saturday. We’re looking to show that it was just a blip and that we’re a much stronger side now. It’s about restoring pride and proving ourselves, and the lads are determined to do just that.

We’ve got nearly a full squad to choose from, and that brings healthy competition for places. Players are fighting for their spot in the starting eleven, and that competition only makes us stronger as a team. Some of the lads who haven’t had as much game time recently have been involved with the reserves, picking up valuable minutes and sharing their experience with the younger players. It’s all part of our one-club mentality, and it’s been fantastic to see everyone contributing across all levels.

We’re also hoping for a strong turnout from the supporters. With Barrow AFC away, it’s a great opportunity for the local football community to come down and back the lads. We’ve seen increasing crowds over the last couple of years, and it’s a reflection of the consistency and quality of football we’re delivering. We’ve been strong contenders at the top for three consecutive seasons now, and I think people are recognising the level of football on display here. The lads feed off that support, and it makes a massive difference.

KEVIN WATKIN

GOLD PARTNERS

SILVER PARTNERS

FACTSHEET

COLOURS

Orange & White

NICKNAME

The Mechanics

GROUND NAME

The Mechanics

CAPACITY

2,000

RECORD ATTENDANCE

503 (vs Bootle - March 2015)

LEAGUE POSITION 9th

EYES ON OPPONENT

ON THE OPPONENT

THEIR HISTORY

AFC Blackpool was formed in 1947 under the name of Blackpool Metal Mechanics and played at Stanley Park for two years before moving to the current Jepson Way ground.

They played in local leagues before joining the West Lancashire League. During this period in local league football, they won many awards, taking the Division Two title of the Fylde District League in 1950/51. In Division One, they were champions twice and runners-up three times in five consecutive years between 1953/54 and 1957/58. Numerous local cup competitions were also won, including the Lancashire Junior Shield in 1957/58, a competition they were to win again in 1960/61.

As the ‘50s drew to a close, Blackpool Mechanics decided to take the next step up and join the West Lancashire League. They were an almost immediate success, being runnersup in 1959/60 and champions for the next two seasons. Various cups and trophies from local competitions still regularly found their way to Jepson Way.

The club then took another step up the football ladder by joining the Lancashire Combination. The jump in standard meant the cups and honours that had poured into the trophy room dried up, and it was not until the turn of the decade that many more honours came their way.

They won the Lancashire Combination Bridge Shield in 1972/73 and finished runners-up in the league in 1974/75, just one point behind champions Darwen.

They remained a strong team throughout the 70’s, but they suffered some poor results towards the end.

With the advent of the North West Counties League, Blackpool Mechanics were placed in Division Three and, in 1985/86, promoted to Division Two. At the end of 1991/92, they were promoted to Division One, but it was not a happy experience, and the club returned to Division Two.

After a few seasons of struggle, the club is now financially stable and looking forward to developing its potential both on and off the pitch.

In the summer of 2005, Blackpool Mechanics FC merged with Lytham St. Annes FC, which had just won the West Lancashire League Division One title. Lytham St. Annes resigned from their own league and brought their resources and manpower to Jepson Way in a bid to launch the new-look Mechanics in their push up the non-league football pyramid.

The club was renamed AFC Blackpool in May 2008 when Blackpool Mechanics FC and Squires Gate Junior FC got together to form one club. It was decided to mark the start of a new era by renaming the club, and the name ‘AFC Blackpool’ was chosen. The club leased a further piece of land adjacent to the ground in Jepson Way to accommodate the enlarged club, and investment to improve the facilities was begun. The club ground in Jepson Way retains its name, ‘The Mechanics’, to maintain a link with the past.

The club probably had its best season ever in 2010/11. The first team was promoted to the Premier Divison as Div.1 champions with a record-breaking 28 wins and three draws in 34 league matches. They also reached the semi-finals in both the 1st Divison Trophy and the League Cup.

There were notable successes in the Junior section, too, with the under 16s doing the league and cup double, the under 10s and 11s winning their respective Divisions, and the under 14s also winning promotion.

The future is looking secure with the club now providing football from under 6 through to the open age.