Issue #03 - v Euxton Villa FC (06/08/2024)

TUESDAY 6 AUGUST 2024

NWCFL First Division North vs EUXTON VILLA FC KO 7:45PM

“WE HAVE STARTED WELL”

THOUGHTS FROM THE DUGOUT

Good evening and welcome back to Rakesmoor Lane for tonight’s North West Counties Football League fixture against Euxton Villa.

It was only a couple of days ago, but let’s hope the quick turnaround can help the lads gain momentum as we welcome Euxton Villa to Rakesmoor Lane this evening. We are fully prepared and ready for the challenge.

We have started well and are pleased with the return of seven points from a possible nine on offer, and we’re looking to add to that this evening.

Euxton Villa have proven that they are a very well-drilled team over the last two years since joining the NWCFL. They fight for everything and make themselves difficult to beat, so we are fully aware of how tough this will be tonight. We are ready, and we welcome Josh and Jason back into the squad. However, we lost Tyler to injury.

Our performance on Saturday was another step forward in getting to the level we want to be at. We can see the match sharpness increasing, and as a result, the lads have more composure, control, and decision-making in key moments. This came together on Saturday for what turned out to be a commanding home performance and win against tough opposition in Droylsden.

KEV WATKIN

GOLD PARTNERS

SILVER PARTNERS

FACTSHEET

COLOURS

Orange & Black

NICKNAME

Villa

GROUND NAME

Jim Fowler Memorial Ground

CAPACITY

500

RECORD ATTENDANCE 619

LEAGUE POSITION 12th

EYES ON OPPONENT

ON THE OPPONENT

THEIR HISTORY

Euxton Villa FC can trace their roots back to 1907. Playing simply under the name Euxton, the club led a nomadic existence, playing at various venues around the village. Before finally buying three farmer’s fields in 1985, thanks partly to a generous long-term loan from Jim Fowler, hence the ground name, though sadly, Jim did not live to see the investment blossom.

Some thirty-five years ago, they merged with junior teams from the village. The club continued organic growth to the present day, which sees a Euxton Villa of some forty-five teams of boys, girls and open age on a much-developed site, able to offer a route from early junior football right through into adult for boys and girls alike.

In 2002 we became the Community Club, proud to be one of the first in the country to attain this status. With the first team stepping up from the Preston and District League to the West Lancashire League, it was clear that further development was needed. A fundraising drive coupled a Football Foundation grant resulted in the opening of the current clubhouse in 2008 by Chorley MP and Speaker of the House Lindsay Hoyle.

In 2012 Villa were voted Community Club of the Year, and the year after were awarded LFA Charter Standard Development Club of the Year and, subsequently, FA North West Region Club of the Year. The club have since been awarded Tier 2 Status and have been selected as one of 150 Clubs nationwide for the FA Community Pilot Scheme. As is the case with most clubs, all of this has only been possible thanks to an army of selfless and enthusiastic volunteers.

On the playing side, as previously mentioned, Euxton Villa joined the West Lancashire League from The Preston District League, a huge step at the time. Still, under the stewardship of manager Mark McDonnell, back-to-back promotions were achieved in the first two seasons. Villa remained a prominent member of the Prem for twenty years or so, winning the Richardson Cup, The Bolton Wanderers Goldline Trophy, and the prestigious Lancashire Amateur Shield along the way.

Mark held the manager role for over 25 years before moving upstairs to oversee the next chapter in the club’s development. Matt Atherton, a product of Villa’s youth system and with extensive knowledge of the semi-pro game, returned as Player Coach, and the push for the next step began in earnest. Although the pandemic somewhat stymied plans, a vast and ongoing investment of time and capital sees Euxton Villa embark on a new adventure in another massive step up to the NWCFL.

Runshaw Hall Lane