Issue #05 - v Maghull FC (26/08/2024) by hobafc

MONDAY 26 AUGUST 2024

NWCFL First Division North vs MAGHULL FC

KO 3:00PM

“WE ANTICIPATE A GREAT GAME OF FOOTBALL”

THOUGHTS FROM THE DUGOUT

Good evening and welcome back to Rakesmoor Lane for today’s North West Counties Football League fixture against Maghull.

I was thrilled with our recent win against Daisy Hill, especially given the challenges we faced with a depleted squad due to injuries and absences. Securing those three points felt like a significant achievement under the circumstances. The team’s solidity and dedication were outstanding, with everyone contributing right up until the final whistle.

It was a solid team performance, highlighted by Tyler Wood’s crucial header that broke the deadlock. Having Matt Bailey back from suspension added to a strong defensive presence, and his contribution was capped off with a well-deserved clean sheet.

We’re eagerly looking forward to the upcoming match against Maghull FC at the Handmark Stadium. Both teams have started the season strongly, making this an exciting fixture. We anticipate a great game of football, one which any neutrals will thoroughly enjoy.

Thank you for your support as we aim to build on our recent success!

DAVE ROUND

GOLD PARTNERS

SILVER PARTNERS

FACTSHEET

COLOURS

Blue

NICKNAME

Blues

GROUND NAME

DT Hughes Community Stadium

CAPACITY

200 RECORD ATTENDANCE Not Listed

LEAGUE POSITION

6th

EYES ON OPPONENT

ON THE OPPONENT

THEIR HISTORY

Maghull Football Club was formed in the winter of 1921, where they played many friendly games before becoming affiliated to the Liverpool I Zingari Alliance League, Division 1 Section B for the 1922/23 Season. They did not have a permanent ground, and the games were played at different places around the Maghull area.

However, it did not take long for the Club to win their first trophy when, in 1924/25, they became Champions of the Liverpool I Zingari Alliance, Division 1 Section B. They also went on to win the Alliance Championship Cup Promotion, which resulted in the Club joining Liverpool I Zingari League, Division 3

Maghull finished the 1925/26 season in the runners-up position and were promoted to the Second Division of the Zingari League.

In 1927, a local entrepreneur purchased a piece of land from a local farmer and created a Recreation Ground to be used for the Maghull Cricket and Football teams, and that is where Maghull played their games for the next 27 years. A Pavilion was built that housed Dressing Rooms and a Tea Bar.

In the 1928/29 Season, Maghull were Champions of the Second Division and were duly promoted to the I Zingari First Division. Unfortunately, in the next season, they finished bottom and were relegated back down to the

Second Division. It was not until the 1933/34 season that they were again Second Division Champions and promoted back into the First Division.

The 1934/35 Season was a good period where the team finished in the runners-up spot in the League and were winners of the I Zingari and Liverpool County FA Amateur Cups. The venue for the Liverpool Cup game was played at Everton’s Goodison Park.

In October of 1935, a fund-raising event was started, and in one year, enough money was raised for a stand housing eighty people to be built. The stand was officially opened on 10 October 1936. Spectators were charged 3 pence for admission into the ground and 4 pence for a seat in the stand.

The team lost in the 1937/38 Lancashire Amateur Cup final when the game was played at Preston North Ends Deepdale ground. They did, however, win the Cup in 1948/49 when the game was played at Everton’s Goodison Park. In 1956/57, they were runners-up in the same Cup, and in 1957/58, they were winners. Both these games were played at Southport’s Haigh Avenue, a Football League Club at the time.

After thirty-eight years in the I Zingari Football League, the Club joined the Liverpool County Combination League. In the twelve years the Club spent in this League, they were League Champions once, Liverpool County FA Challenge Cup winners twice, and Lancashire Amateur Cup runnersup once.

In 1972/73, the Club applied for and received membership in the Lancashire Combination League. They were runnersup twice in the Lancashire County FA Bridge Shield. They did win the Lancashire Combination Challenge Cup in 1977/78.

In 1978/79, Maghull became a member of the Cheshire County League, but after only four years, the Cheshire County League merged with the Lancashire Combination to form the new North West Counties League.

In 1989, the Club received a devastating blow when the Pavilion, Dressing Rooms and Clubhouse were the target of a vicious arson attack. Everything had been destroyed. Irreplaceable records and photographs charting the history of the Club were all lost. It was a difficult period in the Club’s history, but the effort put in by the Club Officials and the support received from so many was incredibly helpful. Within one year, the Club became the proud owners of a new Clubhouse and Dressing Rooms.

In the 1992/93 season, the Club were Champions of the North West Counties League Division 2. The Club won the Liverpool County FA Challenge Cup in 1979/80, 1980/81, 1985/86 and 1993/94. They were runners-up three times in the Lamont Pils Trophy.

Seventeen years of North West Counties League membership was brought to a close when Maghull resigned in 1999 because it could not meet the League’s ground requirements.

The Club joined the West Cheshire League and has been a member for the last 25 years. They have won the West Cheshire League once and the Pyke Cup twice.

EYES ON OPPONENT

Several years ago, the Club embarked on a junior section, which has proved a real success, with several junior players stepping up to the first team.

We run a mini-kickers session for children aged 4 to 6, and circa 50 kids are involved. There are 14 girls’ teams aged between 7 and 16 and one Ladies’ team. We also have 23 boys’ teams aged between 7 and 16.

Our 17-year and 18-year-old youth teams have performed well, and the opportunity is there for them to continue their football at our Second and Third Senior teams and eventually the First team.