St Helens Town v AFC Blackpool 2017-18 by John McKiernan

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Talk of the Town Good afternoon and welcome back to Ruskin Drive! May I open by welcoming our visitors from AFC Blackpool. I hope they enjoy the short time they will spend with us and have a safe journey home after the game.

It has been an action packed week since we were last here at Ruskin Drive last Saturday when we hosted Chadderton in atrocious weather conditions. The pitch being an all weather 3G surface played well in the torrential down pour but the first half was an affair with limited chances in front of goal but with Town dominating possession and looking the better of the two sides. We were to fall behind against the run of play just before half time when Chadderton’s Gareth Hill fired home but the half time team talk did wonders for the hosts as they quickly levelled through Shaun Brady 90 seconds after the restart taking his tally to five for the season and Alex Ashby opened his Town account five minutes later to put Town in front. The hosts looked comfortable on their advantage and it seemed like Town’s quick fire double salvo had taken the wind out of Chadderton’s sails. With the visitors pressing forward looking to level matters they left space in behind which the hosts exploited to full effect in the closing stages when a quick counter attack saw Ashby through on goal, he lofted an effort over the keeper but the shot was cleared only to Beck Murray who looked certain to net but his effort was tipped around the post by a visiting defender who saw red and Murray converted from 12 yards to earn Town their first home win of the season.

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We then turned our attentions to the midweek First Division Cup tie at Holker Old Boys which was scheduled for Wednesday evening. The original date fell foul of the weather with a waterlogged pitch being the outcome but the cup rules indicate that any postponed tie should take place on or before the Thursday so the game was hastily rearranged for the following evening. The second game was again subject to a pitch inspection but this time the outcome was positive and we took the not so short trip to Barrow. The quick rearrangement had taken its toll on the Town squad with several players being unavailable from the previous nights squad due to understandable work commitments and we were even left without a recognised goalkeeper for the game. The game got off to the worst possible start are we fell behind on 11 minutes when Bradley Hubbold netted but Hal McHugh restored parity on 20 minutes and as the game reached it’s latter stages it looked like the tie would be decided on penalties. Town were awarded a free kick as the game went into added on tie and skipper Liam Dodd was sent forward into the Holker box when the set piece was sent in the skipper was able to met it and send the ball into the back of the net and Town into the next round where they will host Daisy Hill on Thursday 2nd November. On to this afternoon and we host an AFC Blackpool side who are on the fringes of the play off places currently sitting in 8th position. They have been in decent recent for having won three and lost three of their previous six matches but Town are also in a good vein of form having secured victory in their last three outings and this should hopefully set us up for an intriguing contest this afternoon! Let’s get behind Town this afternoon and hopefully cheer them on to victory! Enjoy the game . . . Jeff Voller

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Chairman’s Welcome Welcome to our visitors from AFC Blackpool this afternoon. They have begun well this season and currently sit in eighth place in the table with six wins from their 11 games so far. Take away two defeats to table-toppers Silsden, this represents solid form, especially four away wins, so St. Helens Town will have to go all out to record a win today, despite our own good run of results. Last week’s win against Chadderton in appalling weather conditions was a particularly good performance and to do it coming back from a goal down was most satisfying. There was a good crowd too, with the 200-seater stand more than halffull on a very wet afternoon. Lee Jenkinson and his staff have really got the lads enjoying their football and with new players wanting to join the club, it all bodes well for the immediate future. Quite where we’ll finish the season is anybody’s guess, of course, but the news out of the Hallmark Security League this week was very exciting in relation to next season’s structure. Whilst the plans for the

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two divisions at Step 6 are by no means finalised, the FA have announced that the North West Counties League will administer the North and South Divisions in the North West area next season and, assuming we don’t get promoted back to the Premier Division, it seems a good bet we’ll be playing in Division 1 (North) along with our visitors today, AFC Blackpool, our midweek cup opponents Holker Old Boys, Carlisle City and other Northern clubs, while we’ll miss out on league trips to Alsager, Eccleshall and Oswestry. The FA will invite applications from clubs currently playing at Step 7 to make up the numbers in the new divisions, along with teams relegated from the Premier Division at the end of this season and there may even be some lateral geographical movement from Step 6 leagues East of the current NW Counties boundaries. Numbers in each division have yet to be decided and the FA will have the final say as to which new clubs will be selected. Depending on the overall numbers and geographical distribution, a North-South boundary will then be drawn and clubs either side will be allocated to the respective leagues for next season. Presumably, there may be some adjustment of that line in future years, dependent upon which clubs are promoted or relegated, or find themselves shunted North or South of the line to make up the numbers. It all remains to be seen what advantages there are likely to be, but one big downside is we’ll have to miss out on Eccleshall’s famous oatcakes with cheese, unless we’re drawn away to them in a cup-tie. Glyn Jones

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Player Awards August Sat 12 Thu 8 Sat 26 Tue 29

New Mills Abbey Hulton Eccleshall Atherton LR

A H A A

Player of the Month September Sat 02 Silsden Tue 05 Carlisle City Sat 16 Oswestry Town Wed 20 Litherland R Sat 23 Prestwich Heys Sat 30 Daisy Hill

Andy Webster H A A A H A

Player of the Month October Sat 07 Chadderton Sat 14 AFC Blackpool Sat 21 Stockport Town Sat 29 Cheadle Town

Neil Weaver Shaun Brady Shaun Brady Andy Webster

Luke Edwards Shaun Brady Neil Weaver Neil Weaver Joel Douglas Shaun Brady

The Prabhu Ventures Ltd Man of the Match v Silsden - Lukea Edwards pictured with Lee Jenkinson

Shaun Brady H Paul Cliff H A H

Player of the Month November Sat 04 Eccleshall Sat 11 Prestwich Heys Thu 16 Holker OB Sat 18 Bacup Borough Sat 25 Oswestry Town Player of the Month

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H A H H H

The Prabhu Ventures Ltd Player of the Month, September 2017 - Shaun Brady pictured with Lee Jenkinson

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Club Information Honorary Life President: Alan Wellens Vice Presidents: Jim Barrett and Steve Ball Interim Chairman: Glyn Jones Hon. Secretary/Treasurer: Jeff Voller (07843 692695) Hospitality: Margaret Wood and Paul Wood Other Committee: Andy Langley and Kieran Ford, 1st Team Manager: Lee Jenkinson

1st Team Assistant Manager Nick Robinson 1st Team Physiotherapist Lisa Phillipson Reserve Team Manager: Keith Griffiths U21s Team Manager: Keith Griffiths U21s Assistant Manager: Lee Jenkinson U18s Team Manager: Graham Arkle U17s Assistant Manager: Phil Fisher Sunday Team Manager: David Platt Main Club Sponsor: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool Legal: St Helens Town Limited Private Limited Company Company No. 04392840 Date of Incorporation 12.03.2002 Parent Company: A wholly owned subsidiary of Sporting Club St Helens Limited Company Director: Jim Barrett

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Managerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Notes Good afternoon and welcome to Ruskin Drive for today's clash with AFC Blackpool. I would like to wish our visitors from the Fylde Coast a very enjoyable first visit to our excellent facilities here and hope they have a safe trip back to Blackpool.

Yet again I'm writing these notes while we are travelling back on a very happy mini bus this time after our cup game at Holker Old Boys. Last Saturday we got our first win at Ruskin and after being 1-0 at half time we managed to turn it around with a 3-1 victory against Chadderton in which can only be described has a very special second half display from the lads. I would also like to mention the referee who for me was one of the best I've seen in this league with his decisions in keeping the game flowing. Thursday night we made the long journey to Barrow in Furness to play Holker Old Boys in a game that was cancelled only 24 hours earlier due to a waterlogged pitch. After a competitive first half and again being 1-0 down we dug in deep to win 2-1 with an injury time winner to send us into the next round where we will host Daisy Hill. It was a very strange decision to rearrange the game 24 hours later and I must admit it's asking al ot from players to get away from work commitments but we again managed to get lads there and a special mention must go to Jake Young for going in goal when both our regular keepers could not get out of work. The win means we secured a third straight win and as much as we need to keep the momentum going we also need to keep our feet firmly on the ground and keep working even harder to get this club where it's should be. Enjoy the game Lee Jenkinson

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Photograph: Action from Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s away game v FC Oswestry Town in the Hallmark Security League First Division

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Half Time Quiz Q1. Who former Arsenal player holds the record for scoring the most goals at one Premier League ground?

featured in the last full international at the old Wembley? Q11. Which former Liverpool striker was top scorer at Euro 2004? Q12. From which club did Everton sign Paul Gascoigne in 2000? Q13. Which team have had the most promotions and relegations to/from the English top flight?

Q2. Which club took just one point from their first nine Premier League games in 1999?

Q14. What was the last FA Cup Final to feature two English managers?

Q3. Which club sold Joe Hart to Manchester City for an initial £600,000 in 2006?

Q15. Who were Coventry City’s four managers in the Premier League?

Q4. Who was the first Dutch manager to win the FA Cup? Q5. What was the fee Everton paid Milwall for Tim Cahill in 2004? Q6. Who Championship team were beaten FA Cup Finalists in May 2014?

Q8. From which club did Liverpool sign Martin Skrtel in 2008?

Q9. Who aged 18 in 2004 became the youngest player to win a Premier League medal? Q10. Which current Premier League player

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1) Thierry Henry (114) 2) Sheffield Wednesday 3) Shrewsbury Town 4) Ruud Gullit 5) £1.5m 6) Hull City 7) Spain 8) Zenit St Petersburg 9) Gael Clichy 10) Gareth Barry 11) Milan Baros 12) Middlesbrough 13) Birmingham City 14) 2008 Harry Redknapp (Portsmouth Vs Cardiff City) David Jones 15) Bobby Gould, Phil Neal, Ron Atkinson & Gordon Strachan

Q7. Which country at Euro 2016 had the most experienced squad prior to the tournament having 996 caps between the 23 players?

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Match Day Sponsors

We are looking for additional sponsors on match-days with a host of benefits for both match (£100), match ball (£50) and programme (£50) sponsors including free entry & programme; hospitality, programme and social media advertising; pre-match photos, man of the match awards. Contact Simon

Opponents

Match Sponsor

Match Ball Sponsor

Programme Sponsor

AFC Blackpool

Johnsons Toyota

Macron Cheshire

Lanes Trophies

Abbey Hulton

David O’Keefe

Johnsons Toyota

Beer EnGin

Alsager Town

Johnsons Toyota

Atherton LR

Unite, St Helens

The Boar’s Head

Johnsons Toyota

Bacup Borough Cammel Laird

Johnsons Toyota Johnsons Toyota

The Boar’s Head

Carlisle City

Iddon Transport

Chadderton

Johnsons Toyota

Anthony Hall

A180 Darts

Cheadle Town

St Helens MIND

Iddon Transport

Johnsons Toyota

Daisy Hill Eccleshall

Dave Wiggins Johnsons Toyota

FC Oswestry

Johnsons Toyota

Holker Old Boys

Stuart Pyke

Litherland

Unite, St Helens

Britannia Taxis

Johnsons Toyota

The Boar’s Head

Prestwich Heys

A180 Darts

Johnsons Toyota

Toast Cafe

Sandbach Utd

Unite, St Helens

Silsden

Top Car Detailing

Johnsons Toyota

Unite, St Helens

Nelson New Mills

Dent Dynamics Johnsons Toyota

Stockport Town

Johnsons Toyota

Whitchurch Alport

Johnsons Toyota

Hemsworth MW

Dave Wiggins

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Johnsons Toyota

Unite, St Helens

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Photograph: Action from Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s away fixture v New Mills in the Hallmark Security League First Division

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Commercial Corner We’ve just started to settle into our new Ruskin Drive home and I suppose the long held hope of playing back in the town is now a reality. There’s still some snagging to complete on and around the ground but as you can see it’s now starting to take shape and with the weather likely to start to impact on fixtures we will benefit from the artificial playing surface.

The club must now concentrate on improving it’s commercial and sponsorship base and encouraging more spectators through the turnstile. Despite last Saturday’s horrendous weather we were delighted with a good three figure crowd who were extremely vocal in their support of the team. Much of our current promotion of games has been via social media (Twitter and Facebook) along with the great coverage in the local press but we need to look at some of the ‘old fashioned’ methods and will be starting to

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produced printed match day posters to circulated in pubs, shops and any other local business willing to allow us access to a window or notice board! If you can help please get in touch. I’d like to thank today’s match sponsor Johnsons Toyota Liverpool who are long time supporters of the club and our main sponsor; Lanes Trophies who are our match programme sponsor and our kit partners Macron Cheshire who are today’s match ball sponsors. If you’d like to be one of our future match day sponsors please get in touch; packages start at just £50 and offer great coverage throughout the season as well as a great match day experience . We are always on the look out for new volunteers - if you can spare a few hours on home match days to help out on the turnstiles; sell programmes or raffle tickets; steward the ground, etc. Enjoy the game . . .

John McKiernan 07713 339 682

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Photographs: Action from Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home game v Chadderton in the Hallmark Security League First Division

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The world This week This Week in the World of... I take a trip down memory and discover what events happened in the history of St Helens Town, sport in general and provide a reminder of any historical world events that occurred in this week in history. The week of 8th—15th October Last Season: Sport – 14th October 2016 Welsh footballer Ched Evans is found not guilty of rape at Cardiff Crown Court World – 13th October 2016 A gorilla is recaptured two hours after it escapes from its enclosure at London Zoo St Helens Town – 8th, 11th and 15th October 2016 St Helens lose 3-1 at Alsager Town before bouncing back beating AFC Blackpool by the same score line in midweek. The blues then are defeated 4-3 by Carlisle City for the 2nd time that campaign.

20 Years Ago: Sport – 11th October 1997 England achieve automatic qualification for the 1998 World Cup after drawing 0–0 in Rome with Italy, who must navigate a two-leg playoff. World – 15th October 1997 Andy Green driving the ThrustSSC sets a new land speed record of 763.035 mph (1227.99 km/h), the first time the sound barrier is broken on land. St Helens Town – 11th and 14th October 1997 Town notch up 2 wins in 3 days by beating Warrington Town 3-2 at Houghton Road before battering Maine Road 5-1 in the North West Counties Floodlit Trophy 1st round. The Vase Year – 1987: Sport – 14th October 1987 England beat Turkey 8–0 in a European Championship qualifier at Wembley, repeating the score line of a match between the teams in the 1984–85 season. World – 9th October 1987 Margaret Thatcher tells the Conservative Party Conference in Blackpool that she wants to continue as Prime Minister until 1994 and the age of 69, which would make her Britain's oldest Prime Minister since Harold Macmillan in 1963. St Helens Town – 10th October 1987 St Helens bow out of the FA Cup at the 3rd Qualifying round at Northwich Victoria, losing 3-2.

10 Years Ago: Sport – 8th October 2007 Peter Taylor is sacked as manager of Crystal Palace after just 16 months in charge. World - 14th October 2007 “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” featuring Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney Kardashian premieres in the USA. St Helens Town – 9th and 13th October 2007 Town hammer Abbey Hey 5-1 but lose to Formby 3-1 4 days later.

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50 Years Ago Sport – 13th October 1967 The touring Australia rugby league side are defeated 12-6 by Wigan at Central Park. World – 11th October 1967 Prime Minister Harold Wilson won a libel action against rock band The Move in the High Court after they depicted him in the nude in promotional material for their record Flowers in the Rain. St Helens Town – 14th October 1967 Town are defeated 4-3 by Netherfield, continuing a poor run of form. Kieran Ford

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Photographs: Action from Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s away game v Daisy Hill in the Hallmark Security League First Division

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Club Honours 1949 George Mahon Trophy Winners 1951 Lancashire Comb Division 2 Champions 1972 Lancashire Combination Champions 1973 Bass Charrington Cup Winners 1974 Watson Trophy Winners 1978 St Helens Hospital Cup Winners 1979 St Helens Combination Div 1 Runners Up 1979 St Helens Hospital Cup Runners Up 1980 St Helens Combination Div 1 Champions 1985 NWCFL Reserve Division 2 Runners Up 1986 NWCFL Reserve Division 1 Runners Up 1987 FA Vase Winners (Wembley) 1994 League Challenge Cup Finalists 1994 NWCFL Reserve Division Runners Up 1995 NWCFL Reserve Division Champions 1996 NWCFL Reserve Division Runners Up 1998 Floodlit Trophy Finalists 1999 REALCO Fair Play Award Winners 2009 Bert Trautmann Trophy Winners 2014-15 South Lancs League U17s Cup Finalists 2014-15 Cheshire FA U21 League Champions 2015-16 Cheshire FA U21 Premier Cup Finalists 2016-17 Cheshire FA U21 League Cup Finalists 2016-17 Cheshire FA U21 Premier Div Runners Up

Record Attendances: 3012 at Hoghton Road v Burscough (1948) 8000 at Hoghton Road v Man City (1950) 1723 at Knowsley Rd v FC Utd Manchester (2006) 9000 at Prescot Cables v Runcorn (1949) Programme Awards NWCFL Programme of the Year 1993-94, 1995-96, 1997-998, 1998-99, 2000-1 NWCFL Premier Division 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14 NWCFL First Division 2015-16, 2016-17 Wirral Programme Club National Survey NWCFL Programme of the Year 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99 Programme Monthly NWCFL Programme of the Year 2007-08 Soccer Club Swap Shop National Awards 2010-11 28th, 2011-12 8th, 2012-13 7th, 2013-14 8th, 2014-15 5th, 2015-16 8th, 2016-17 2nd

NWCFL 2015-16 Awards Player of the Month Oct Andy Gillespie ‘Keeper of the Month Nov Matthew Hodge January 2016 Team of the Month ‘Keeper of the Month Jan Matthew Hodge

St Helens Town AFC - Player Records 1946-2016 Goals in a Career

Goals in a Season

Career Appearances (Qualification 250 games)

216 Steve Pennington

47 Phil Stainton 1963/64

448 Alan Wellens (inc. 207 estimated)

118 Terry Garner

46 Steve Pennington 1997/98

359 John Critchley (16 estimated)

108 Gary Laird

45 Jackie Kendrick 1973/74

352 Steve Pennington

105 Lee Cooper

45 Steve Pennington 1993/94

346 Gary Lowe (1 estimated)

101 Glenn Walker

40 Bob Potter 1952/53

345 Glenn Walker

94 Iain Dyson

38 Terry Fearns 2000/01

327 Jackie Atherton (122 estimated)

83 Harry McCann

36 Albert Leadbetter 1950/51

300 Jackie Cooke (1 estimated)

81 Ray Fairweather

35 Arthur Tyrer 1957/58

287 Gary Laird

72 Arthur Tyrer

34 Lee Cooper 2001/02

280 Kevin Grice (147 estimated)

68 Phil Stainton

33 Ronnie Rigby 1952/53

278 Jimmy Woodyer (67 estimated)

63 Mervyn Bull

32 Harry McCann 1950/51

276 Iain Dyson

31 Terry Garner 1950/51

272 Ray Fairweather (3 estimated) 265 Larry Redmond (134 estimated)

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2017-18 Fixtures, Facts and Figu Date Opponents Comp KO Result GK 2 3 4 Aug 12 New Mills NWCFL 3.00 2-0L Bradley Presho Whelan Edzes AUG 17 ABBEY HULTON UTD NWCFL 7.45 0-0A Fairchild D.Whelan Dursley Webster Aug 26 Eccleshall NWCFL 3.00 3-2L Fairchild D.Whelan Presho Webster Aug 29 Atherton LR NWCFL 7.45 2-0L Fairchild Presho Dursley Webster SEP 02 SILSDEN NWCFL 3.00 1-4L Bradley Presho Dursley Webster Sep 05 Carlisle City NWCFL 7.45 3-0L Fairchild Hope-O’Connor Heron Webster SEP 09 HEMSWORTH M.W. FAV 1QR 3.00 1-2L Fairchild Presho Dursley Dodd Sep 16 FC Oswestry Town NWCFL 3.00 0-3W Fairchild Presho Dursley Webster Sep 20 Litherland REMYCA NWCFL 7.45 1-0L Fairchild Presho Dursley Webster Sep 23 PRESTWICH HEYS NWCFL 3.00 0-2L Fairchild Young Dursley Webster Sep 30 Daisy Hill NWCFL 3.00 3-4W Fairchild Presho Dursley Webster OCT 07 CHADDERTON NWCFL 3.00 3-1W Fairchild Presho Dursley D.Whelan Oct 11 Holker Old Boys FDC 1RN 7.45 1-2W Young Presho H-O’Connor Dodd1 OCT 14 AFC BLACKPOOL NWCFL 3.00 Oct 17 Prestwich Heys TMC 1RN 7.45 Oct 21 Stockport Town NWCFL 3.00 OCT 28 CHEADLE TOWN NWCFL 3.00 NOV 04 ECCLESHALL NWCFL 3.00 Nov 11 Prestwich Heys NWCFL 3.00 NOV 16 HOLKER OLD BOYS NWCFL 7.45 NOV 18 BACUP BOROUGH NWCFL 3.00 NOV 25 FC OSWESTRY TOWN NWCFL 3.00 Name1 Player name and number of goals scored Dec 02 Nelson NWCFL 3.00 Name Player name and CAUTION DEC 09 DAISY HILL NWCFL 3.00 DEC 16 CARLISLE CITY NWCFL 3.00 Name Player name and DISMISSAL FOR 2 CAUTIONS DEC 23 SANDBACH UNITED NWCFL 3.00 Name Player name and DISMISSAL Dec 26 Cammell Laird NWCFL 3.00 Name10 Player name and number of replaced player Dec 30 Whitchurch Alport NWCFL 3.00 JAN 06 ALSAGER TOWN NWCFL 3.00 Jan 13 Sandbach United NWCFL 3.00 Jan 20 AFC Blackpool NWCFL 3.00 JAN 27 NELSON NWCFL 3.00 Feb 03 Holker Old Boys NWCFL 3.00 FEB 10 WHITCHURCH ALPORT NWCFL 3.00 Feb 17 Chadderton NWCFL 3.00 Mar 03 Silsden NWCFL 3.00 MAR 10 NEW MILLS NWCFL 3.00 Mar 24 Bacup Borough NWCFL 3.00 MAR 31 CAMMELL LAIRD NWCFL 3.00 Apr 02 Alsager Town NWCFL 3.00 APR 07 ATHERTON LR NWCFL 3.00 APR 14 LITHERLAND REMCYA NWCFL 3.00 Apr 21 Abbey Hulton United NWCFL 3.00 APR 28 STOCKPORT TOWN NWCFL 3.00 May 05 Cheadle Town NWCFL 3.00

5 Webster Dodd Dodd D.Whelan D.Whelan Edzes Webster Dodd Dodd Dodd Dodd Dodd D.Whelan

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6 Dodd Presh Loma Loma Smith A.Whel Loma A.Whel McHug Loma Lomax Loma Loma

ures

d ho ax ax h elan ax elan gh ax x1 ax ax

7 Forrester Forrester McHugh Douglas Edwards1 Potter HO’Connor Ashby Ashby Ashby Ashby Ashby1 Ashby

8 Lomax Smith Smith Kwofie Kwofie Smith A.Whelan Lomax1 Lomax McHugh McHugh Smith McHugh1

9 Lacey Brady Brady1 Brady Brady Brady Douglas1 Brady1 Douglas Douglas Brady2 Brady1 Bolton

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10 Weaver Weaver Forrester Weaver Weaver Dodd Smith Weaver1 Weaver Brady Cliff1 Cliff Cliff

11 Smith Douglas Moody Moody Young Moody Potter Smith Brady Presho Edwards Edwards Smith

12 14 McHugh9 Young11 Kwofie7 Heron Kwofie101 Edzes6 Edwards11 Edzes2 Norris9 Edzes Kelly11 McHugh6 Brady7 Heron Norris7 H-O’Connor11 Norris Heron11 Norris2 Heron Norris7 Heron Bolton9 Heron Heron5 Hoult10

15 Heron8 Moody9 Young7 Smith Forrester10 Forrester3 Weaver11 Forrester Forrester9 Forrester Murray10 Murray101 Onhu8

16 Parkinson McHugh Weaver Young7 McHugh11 Hatton Kwofie Young Young2 D.Whelan4 D.Whelan Norris

17 Fairchild Young Bradley Bradley Fairchild Bradley Edzes6 McHugh6 Onhu Edwards7 Bolton9 Young8

Match Report A Brady Brace Helps Town Climb the Hill By Kieran Ford St Helens Town travelled to Bolton to face Daisy Hill in yet another bottom of the table clash. They would have taken encouragement from the last time they were in this type of position, as the Blues dispatched of FC Oswestry Town 3-0 two weeks ago. However, since then they have faced 2 difficult opponents in Litherland REMYCA and Prestwich Heys, losing narrowly Saturday’s defeat to Prestwich with Luke Edwards back in the team replacing Jake Young as Andy Presho moves into a deeper position. Lively attacker Joel Douglas’ spell at the club has come to an end as he joins Litherland REMYCA from the Blues, with the experienced Paul Cliff returning to the club in the opposite direction, as he went straight into the starting 11.

1-0 and 2-0. Daisy Hill have been in a similar run of disappointing form, losing their last 4 games in all competitions conceding 20 goals in the process.

St Helens’ habit of starting matches at a lightning pace again rang true here. A combination between Shaun Brady and Luke Edwards resulted in the latter producing an effort that tested Craig Haynes in the opening 30 seconds. Town threatened down the left, Cliff played in Danny Lomax but his cross couldn’t find a St Helens man. In the same passage of play Alex Ashby cut inside but his effort went well over.

Town made two changes from last

Paul Cliff then had a chance to score on his

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picked his spot as the ball nestled into the far corner to ensure Town now had a comfortable lead. Town could have added another minutes later as Shaun Brady’s close-range effort was well saved, the rebound fell to Alex Ashby but his shot was blocked before Luke Edwards headed over. Daisy Hill discovered some impetus towards the end of the half, with both 9 and 8 forcing very good saves from Town keeper Adam Fairchild. The away side managed to punish Daisy Hill further as a through ball from Andy Presho found Shaun Brady, who had been running the Daisy defence ragged during the half, to fire in at the near post and put Town firmly in the driving seat. The hosts managed to pull one back before half time, Gervin was left with far too much space at the edge of the area and managed to beat Fairchild with a powerful effort. 2nd Town debut, he latched onto an Andy Presho cross but his header was dealt with by Daisy Hill’s 5. Moments later, he did get on the scoresheet as he tried a long-range effort that deflected off a defender. The wet conditions were used to Cliff’s advantage as the shot skidded off the surface past the helpless Daisy Hill goalkeeper Haynes. Town added to their lead just before the half hour mark, as Danny Lomax picked the ball up 30 yards from the Daisy Hill goal. He

HT: Daisy Hill (Gerwin, 41) 1 – 3 St Helens Town (Cliff, 11) (Lomax, 27) (Brady, 39) That goal just before half time looked to prove crucial in the Daisy Hill fightback as they added another just after the restart. Right winger Adam Owens was allowed time to advance into the Town area before slotting the ball past Fairchild to give the home team increased hope. Town started to sit back and look a threat on the counter, this was duly rewarded as Alex Ashby picked the ball up down the right, he cut inside and produced goal bound shot which Shaun Brady, in true strikers fashion, helped over the line to grab his 2nd goal of the game.

Daisy Hill pushed for a route back into the game in the latter stages but were unable to provide a test for the St Helens Town stopper. Daisy Hill centre half Ellis Worrall added a goal in stoppage time to make it a nervy finish for Town but the away team held on to claim another priceless victory. FT: Daisy Hill (Gerwin, 41) (Owens, 49) (Worrall, 90+3) 3 -4 St Helens Town (Cliff, 11) (Lomax, 27) (Brady, 39, 64)

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On this day In history We look back through the club archives and find that Town have played on nine previous occasions on 14th October, a period spanning some 67 years. Town’s first encounter on this day took place just four seasons after they were reformed. 1950 saw Droylsden the visitors to Hoghton Road. Goals from Byrne, McCann and a brace from Leadbetter secured a 4-1 win in the Lancasgire Combination Division Two. This was the fourth win in a series of six successive wins for Town starting late September and running through until the end of October. Eleven years later and October 14th 1961 sees Town suffer a 0-2 home defeat again in the Lancashire Combination Division Two. Nelson Reserves were the victors at Hoghton Road. Town travelled to Netherfield in October 1967 and suffered a narrow 4-3 defeat in the Lancashire Combination Division One. There are no details of the Town scorers. It’s 1972 and Town travel to Clitheroe in the Lancashire Combination Cup 2nd Round where goals from Tuft and Woods secure a tight 1-2 victory. The win at Shawebridge saw Town progress but they eventually lost out 2-4 to Accrington Stanley in the Cup semi -finals. FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round action was on offer on this day in 1978 when Town made the short trip to Kirkby Town. A Richardson goals wasn’t enough to see Town through as they lost out 2-1. For the second time on this date Town travelled to Clitheroe and it was a stunning

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performance which saw the visitors run out 0 -4 winners. A Jason Stocks double plus goals from Gary Lowe and Gary Laird earned Town the spoils in the North West Counties League Division One. 1995 saw Bootle visit Hoghton Road in the North West Counties League top flight and a late Robbie Cowley goal wasn’t enough as Town as they went down 1-2. Two seasons later (1997) and Town travelled to Maine Road for a North West Counties League Floodlit Trophy 1st Round 1st leg game. A brace each for Steve Pennington and Steve O’Neill plus a Paul Gwyther strike saw the visitors progress with an impressive 1-5 win. Maine Road won the 2nd leg 1-3 but Town eventually progressed to the final with wins over Chadderton (3-0), Bootle (1-0), Vauxhall Motors (4-1 and 0-0). They lost narrowly in the final (2-1 aet) with Burscough llifting the trophy. The last time out on this day (2006) Town made the trip to Curzon Ashton and were subsequently sent packing following a 5-0 drubbing in the North West Counties League Premier Division. It was a torrid period for Town as they suffered six successive defeats without scoring a goal. The run ended with a 5-3 win away at Bacup Borough in midNovember John McKiernan

Thanks to

Dave Wiggins

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Photograph: Action from Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home game v Chadderton in the Hallmark Security League First Division

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Charity Partners Tuesday this week was ‘World Mental Health Day’. Its aim was to raise awareness of mental health issues and mobilise efforts to help people experiencing them. There were events across the country and a lot of media coverage. We did our bit by running a stand in St. Helens town centre. Staff and volunteers chatted with local people, on the theme of ‘time to change – time to talk’. The Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr. Joe and Sylvia Pearson, helped for part of the day, again showing their support for us and those we try to help.

The team met a very encouraging response. They heard some sad and some inspiring stories. People open up when given the chance to talk, provided that we actually listen and don’t judge. Talking about mental health can be especially difficult for footballers. The competitive culture makes people frightened to show anything that could be seen as weakness. Gary Speed is perhaps the most high-profile example of this (and one of the most tragic), but there are many other cases. The former Liverpool, Wigan and England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland recently gave an

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interview about his experience of depression to journalist Dave Hynter. (The resulting article was published in the Guardian on Wednesday: you can find it easily online). Chris felt so low that he couldn’t function properly: his family life and work suffered. He began to contemplate suicide. His wife reportedly said that “it was like losing her husband for four years.” Talking about his problems seemed impossible. Eventually, he contacted the Professional Footballers’ Association and got the help he needed. Over time, and with a lot of talking, he improved. He is much better now, and spent Wednesday evening here at Ruskin, coaching young goalkeepers. On Thursday Chris spoke at a conference about mental health at St. George’s Park, as part of his efforts to help other people by encouraging them to talk. As he said in the interview, “I want other people and other players to know that you’ve just got to talk. I never saw a way out of it until I started to talk about it.” Town is keen to make sure that this message reaches everyone involved in the club - playing staff, coaches, volunteers and supporters. It has asked us to deliver a mental health awareness session for all staff. We are very happy to do it, and the club deserves a lot of credit for being so positive and open about this sensitive issue. Meanwhile, let’s hope that we are all talking at ten to five today - about another Town victory.

Ste Lingard Acting Vice-Chair, St. Helens Mind

Match Report Beck and Bolton Help Blues Build Bridges By Kieran Ford St Helens Town’s Non-League Day fixture for 2017 saw them entertain Chadderton at Ruskin Drive. If any spectators had descended from Everton or Liverpool, they were not met with the kindest of weather as the rain persisted throughout the contest. Town come into the match in good spirits after a 4-3 victory over Daisy Hill in similar conditions last week. They made 2 changes from that match with Andy Webster away meaning that Dom Whelan could return to the centre of defence. Hal McHugh also dropped out of the squad making way for Matty Smith in central midfield. Shaun Brady’s rise in confidence in previous weeks was evident from the opening whistle as he picked the ball up 25 yards from goal, creating space before flashing a shot just

wide in the opening minute. After an even opening 10 minutes Chadderton started to penetrate the town back line, promising attacks from both Aaron Scholes and Leon Lluobe were met with vigilance from ever present captain Liam Dodd. Paul Cliff attempted to add to his debut wonder goal from last week with another spectacular strike yet his free kick from all of 35 out went just wide. Lluobe and Scholes linked up again for Chadderton with the former squaring for the Chadderton number 9 but Scholes couldn’t get a clean connection on the strike. Cliff was once again in the thick of the action, using the rain to his advantage by lofting a through ball to Brady. The Town centre forward bared down on goal at pace but his attempt was well dealt with by the Chadderton keeper Smith. Just as it looked like a closely fought first half was heading to a goalless conclusion, Chadderton managed to strike 1st. Number 10 Gareth Hill was allowed time and space to run at the Town defence before firing a low drive that was too powerful for Adam Fairchild in the St Helens goal to handle. Town had a huge chance to equalise right on the half time whistle as Andy Presho drove forward from right back. He laid the ball off to Alex Ashby who put in a superb cross but Shaun Brady was unable to get the required connection to send the ball home. HT: St Helens Town 0 – 1 Chadderton (Hill, 41)

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him in from the left, his shot on the swivel expertly found the far corner to complete a 5-minute turnaround for the hosts. After controlling the game, Town had the chance to wrap the game up on the counter attack. A flowing move between substitutes Beck Murray and Ben Bolton saw the ball find Alex Ashby through on goal. His shot was tame but the rebound fell to Murray who’s shot was blocked on the line by Chadderton sub Ross Murphy’s arm. Although this arguably the save of the match, Murphy was given a red card and a penalty was awarded. Murray scored the resulting penalty to surely hand Town the victory. St Helens come out for the 2nd half inspired and made the perfect start through in form front man Shaun Brady. A sweeping move from right to left saw Danny Lomax find Luke Edwards. He drilled a shot across goal that was tapped in by Brady to bring Town level. The Blues had a chance to take the lead through Alex Ashby as he drove towards the Chadderton defence but slipped over after getting his original shot off. Ashby made amends minutes later as Luke Edwards fed

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Lee Jenkinson’s substitutions proved to be inspired as they helped Town secure their 1st league victory at Ruskin Drive.

FT: St Helens Town (Brady, 47) (Ashby, 52) (Murray, 83) 3 – 1 Chadderton (Hill, 41)

Brief History Of Town The original St. Helens Town club was formed in 1901 and played at Park Road, behind the Primrose Vaults public house. Although it was known as the Primrose Ground, the players changed further down Park Road at the Black Horse pub. Playing in the Lancashire League and Lancashire Combination, the team enjoyed some early success, but struggled after the Great War and appears to have folded midway through the 1928/29 season. The club was re-formed by George Fryer and a group of local businessmen in 1946. They took out a lease of the former cricket ground at Hoghton Road, Sutton, adjacent to the St. Helens Junction railway station and,

although it entered in the FA Cup in the 1946/47 season, a team could not be raised in time to fulfil its tie with Prescot Cables. Friendly games were played, then local team Derbyshire Hill Rovers were taken over in April 1947, those players forming the nucleus

of the team which entered the Liverpool County Combination at the start of the 1947/48 season. St. Helens Town soon began to prosper and early results included a sensational 10-4 win over Everton “A” on 6th December 1947. Former German prisoner-of-war Bert Trautmann joined the club in the Summer of 1948, the strapping goalkeeper helping the team to win its first trophy, the George Mahon Cup, which was secured with a 2-1 win over Runcorn at Prescot on 7th May 1949. Crowds averaged over 2000 that season, peaking with a league record attendance of 3012 against Burscough in October 1948. The following season, 1949/50, Town entered the Lancashire Combination and, despite losing Trautmann to Manchester City in October 1949, they won the Second Division title in some style the following season, three players, Albert Leadbetter (36), Harry McCann (32) and Terry Garner (31) all netting over 30 goals apiece. An all-time club record attendance of “between 8000 and 9000” witnessed a friendly game against Manchester City, arranged as part of the Trautmann transfer deal, in April

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1950 and another 4000 witnessed a second match with City the following season. Although relegated by a slender margin from the First Division in 1951/52, the club continued to look forward, even contemplating Football League status and, in order to further its ambitions, moved to the former St. Helens Recs. rugby league ground at City Road. Initial crowds were encouraging but, despite success, the club decided to move back to Hoghton Road in October 1953, where they remained until April 2000. Town produced a number of fine players who joined Football League clubs, including Bill Foulkes (Manchester United), John Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday) and John Connelly who joined Burnley, later transferring to Manchester United and who played in the England 1966 World Cup winning squad. More recently, Dave Bamber scored goals in all four divisions of the league with a host of different clubs, starting and ending his league career at Blackpool and in the last few years, Karl Ledsham, who had a productive career at conference level with Southport, Lincoln City, Barrow and Stockport County before moving to the USA. Following a second relegation in 1956, St. Helens Town continued to play in the Lancashire Combination, winning the Championship in 1971/72, by nine points ahead of Accrington Stanley. However, the formation of the Northern Premier League in 1968 led to a gradual drain of stronger clubs from the Combination and St. Helens joined the Cheshire League in 1975, becoming founder members of the North West Counties League seven years later. They held the proud record of being the only club to play in the NW Counties’ top flight every season until they were relegated in April 2015, conceding an injury-time equaliser to Silsden in the last game of the season, a match they had to win to stay up. Town enjoyed a golden era in the late 1980s, just missing out on an appearance in the First Round proper of the FA Cup in 1985/86, losing to Morecambe in a Fourth Qualifying Round Replay, but they obtained ample

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compensation by winning the FA Vase at Wembley in 1987, beating near neighbours Warrington Town 3-2, with two goals from Phil Layhe and one from Brian Rigby. They were regular promotion candidates for many years, largely due to the scoring exploits of Steve “Pellet” Pennington, who grabbed 216 goals in 351 games, his season’s best hauls of 45 in 1993/94 and 46 in 1997/98 just failing to beat the club record of 47 scored by Phil Stainton in 1963/64. Current club captain Andy

Gillespie won the NW Counties’ golden boot with 34 goals in the 2015/16 season and netted another 24 times last season. This season sees Town in their third season in the Hallmark Securities League First Division, aiming to put behind themselves two seasons of inconsistent performances which have seen them finish some way short of the promotion places, despite some excellent results. New manager Lee Jenkinson, who served his time under the experienced Alan Gillespie, now has a settled first team squad and with the club having endured seven years of a nomadic existence, ground-sharing at Ashton Town, Ashton Athletic and Prescot Cables, the excellent 3G facilities at Ruskin Drive are now up and running and backed up by a strong development system, featuring Under-18s, Under-21s and Reserves managed by a top -class coaching team, St. Helens Town are looking forward once again to a great future. Glyn Jones

In Town Today 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 taking the step up to join 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 and in Division One 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 50's 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 runners-up 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 before many more honours were to come their way. In 1972/73 they won the Lancashire Combination Bridge Shield and in 1974/75 they finished runners-up in the league, just one point behind champions Darwen. They remained a strong team throughout the 70's although towards the end they

suffered some poor results. With the advent of the North West Counties League, Blackpool Mechanics were placed in Division Three and in 1985/86 were promoted to Division Two. At the end on 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 the club's potential both on and off the pitch. In the summer of 2005 Blackpool Mechanics FC merged with Lytham St. Annes FC who 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 re-named 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 re-naming 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. Season 2010/11 saw the club have probably its best season ever. The first team were promoted to the Premier Division as Division 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 10's and 11's winning their respective Divisions and the under 14s also winning promotion. With the club now providing football from under

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Winterton Rangers in the 2nd Qualifying Round. In the Lancashire Challenge Trophy they fell at the first hurdle to higher league opposition as Burscough came away from the Mechanics ground with a 3-2 victory. Blackpool had more success in the League Challenge Cup with victories at Wigan Robin Park & AFC Liverpool in the 2nd and 3rd rounds before exiting at the hands of eventual beaten finalists Maine Road at the Quarter Final stage.

6 through to open age the future is looking secure. The 2011/12 season the clubs first back in the North West Counties League top flight and the club acquitted themselves well being in the top half of the table for the vast majority of the season and finishing in 9th position. 2012/13 saw the club win more matches and gained more points in the top flight of the NWCFL than the previous year but finished one place worse off in 10th position. They were never in any danger of being dragged into the relegation battle and had a second comfortable mid-table finish since their return to the top tier of the League.

The following season saw the club fall further down the table as they flirted with relegation but eventually avoid the drop with an 18th placed finish and last term saw matters get worse as they club were in the relegation zone for the majority of the season and ended up rooted to the foot of the table seeing them drop back down to the second tier of the NWCFL for the first time since 2010/11.

2013/14 saw the club establish themselves as mid-table topflight outfit with a 13th place finish their worst since their return to the top division but again they did not flirt with the bottom of the table and never looked in danger of going down at any point during the season. In the cup competitions AFC Blackpool suffered some early heartbreak with an FA Cup EPR away loss at Worksop Parramore 0-2 and an FA Vase exit at home to Norton United in the 1st Round after a 2-1 win at

Season

League

2002-03

NWC-2

2003-04

NWC-2

2004-05

NWC-2

2005-06

NWC-2

2006-07

NWC-2

Last term saw the Mechanics struggle in their first season back at Step 6 and they eventually finished fourth bottom. Changes were made with Stuart Parker â&#x20AC;&#x153;moving upstairsâ&#x20AC;? being replaced by Dave Worthington assisted by Mark Williams and their target is to bounce back to the Premier Division at the second time of asking.

Pts

Position

-13

14/18

-14

14/20

-18

10/19

-3

9/19

-9

13/18

2007-08

NWC-2

9/18

2008-09

NWC-1

-25

15/18

2009-10

NWC-1

-14

15/17

2010-11

NWC-1

1/18

2011-12

NWC-P

9/22

2012-13

NWC-P

10/22

2013-14

NWC-P

-27

13/22

2014-15

NWC-P

-44

18/21

2015-16

NWC-P

104

-39

22/22

2016-17

NWC-1

114

-66

19/22

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Balancing The Books St. Helens Town Vice-President Jim Barrett unearthed a copy of the club’s accounts and balance sheet for the year ended 31st May 1963. They provide a fascinating insight into the financial side of the club going back over 50 years ago and were of added significance, given that this marked the first full operating year of the long lamented Social Club at the Town Ground in Hoghton Road, Sutton. The football club had been re-formed in 1946, when a lease was taken out of the former Sutton Cricket Club near St. Helens Junction railway station and had begun playing in the Liverpool County Combination at the beginning of the 1947/48 season. Fifteen seasons later, the social club, which was the place to be seen in downtown Sutton. At its height, the main room seated over 800 and the bingo sessions and Friday and Saturday concerts were legendary, pulling in far bigger crowds than watched the football. At the end of its first full year of operation, the social club donated a net sum of £1120, which dwarfed the football profit of just over £381. Town played in the Second Division of the well-regarded Lancashire Combination in 1962/63 and finished the season half way up the table in 10th place, winning 16, drawing 6 and losing 16 of their 38 fixtures. They had won through to the third qualifying round of the FA Cup, winning at Earlestown and beating South Liverpool at home before going out at Hoghton Road to Altrincham, a leading light in the equally prestigious Cheshire League, which included Macclesfield and Wigan Athletic and that season’s champions Runcorn among its membership. Back in those days, there was no sponsorship of the competitions and gate receipts for 19 home league games amounted to barely £72, whereas the three FA Cup ties brought in £125. Donations, other than from the social

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club, amounted to nearly £3,300, the Christmas raffle netted £23 and programme sales contributed just £8. On the expenditure side, match expenses for the first team were £1347 and £360 for the reserves, referees and linesmen cost £90, the manager, trainer and groundsman cost £386, ground repairs £155 and travelling expenses amounted to £177. Playing kit cost £136, printing and advertising £36 and telephone expenses worked out at nearly £52. The secretary was awarded an honorarium in the princely sum of £50. Looking at the Balance Sheet, the value of the ground was stated to be £905, building (presumably the social club) £6,435 and the grandstand £1100, with fittings £150 and cash in hand and at the bank amounting to £283. Among the club’s creditors were Burtonwood Brewery £3,040, Forward Trust Ltd. £435 and the curiously named Trinidad Lake Asphalt Co. £80. The Notes to the Balance Sheet stated that the loans to Burtonwood and Trinidad Lake had been taken over by the social club. Put into context, today’s players are not paid, whereas over 50 years ago, the club paid out £1,700 over the season. These were momentous times, as the Football League had only just abolished the maximum wage of £20 per week to leading clubs’ players, season tickets at Everton were available in the “best seats” for £9, admission to Goodison and Anfield in the standing enclosures was 20p or 25p a game and programmes cost 4d at Liverpool and 6d at Everton. Liverpool had just been promoted back to the First Division and Everton won the Championship. Littlewoods Pools were offering total payouts of £500,000 every Saturday and men over 5’8” between the ages of 19 and 29 could join Liverpool City Police and earn £1,000 per year. They were the days! Glyn Jones

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How do we Compare? St Helens Town - last 6 matches 7/10 All Competitions Most recent Home L D L L L W Away L L W L W W Collated W L L W W W

AFC Blackpool - last 6 matches All Competitions Most recent Home L L L L W W Away W W W L W L Collated L L W W L W St Helens Town games since... All Competitions Clean sheet 5

AFC Blackpool games since... All Competitions Clean sheet 6

Goal Scored

Loss

No score draw

Score draw Win

16 0

Loss No score draw Score draw Win

Home League Away League Home Cup Away Cup Collated Away Collated

P 16 16 2 1 35 3 4

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W 8 7 1 0 16 1 2

at St Helens Town NWC-D1

Previous Meetings 2002-03

at AFC Blackpool NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2003-04

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2004-05

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2005-06

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2006-07

NWC-D2

NWC-D1

2007-08

NWC-D2

NWC-PD

2008-09

NWC-D1

NWC-PD

2009-10

NWC-D1

NWC-PD

2010-11

NWC-D1

22/10; 3-2

2011-12

21/01; 2-2

09/04; 1-2

2012-13

09/03; 0-0

17/04; 1-1

2013-14

08/04; 2-4

05/08; 3-0

2014-15

21/10; 1-2

NWC-D1

2015-16

NWC-PD

21/01; 2-2

2016-17

11/10; 3-1

14/10/2017

2017-18

20/01/2018

St Helens Town Scores First Games Played

St Helens Town Wins

Draws

AFC Blackpool Wins

St Helens Town Goals

16 0

AFC Blackpool Goals

Percentage Town Wins

30.00

Previous Meetings D L 3 5 3 6 0 1 0 1 6 13 0 2 0 2

F 32 32 3 1 68 3 6

A 19 20 4 5 48 7 8

GD 13 12 -1 -4 20 -4 -2

Win % 50.00 43.75 50.00 0.00 45.71 33.33 50.00

League News The National League System structural review took another stride forward this week as the FA’s Leagues Committee formally ratified the decision to award the ownership and control to the two new Step 6 divisions which launch from next season. A new division in the North West area will be managed by the North West Counties League (Hallmark Security League) and the Essex/East Anglian area division will come under the Eastern Counties banner. Work between the FA and the leagues will continue over the coming months in order to determine membership within the divisions. The North West Counties are expected to operate with North and South divisions whilst the Eastern Counties offer, as part of a joint venture with the Essex Senior League, includes the introduction of Senior League officials to their Management Committee structure.

Ray Lewis, FA League Committee Chair, said: “Both of the applications that were ratified on Tuesday (3 October) were very thorough and of a high standard. The Leagues Committee decided to implement a similar process as to the one utilised for the new

Step 3 & 4 divisions, as this had previously served us well. The need for an extra division in the North West was apparent due to the amount of Step 7 leagues in the area and for the Essex area not to have a Step 6 division was also a long-term concern of the Committee.” Paul Lawler, Chairman of the Hallmark Security League, said: "We are delighted to have been successful in our application to run the new Step 6 division in the North West, which will enable us to run two First Division competitions on a North and South basis, and reduce the amount of travelling within that level of the game. There is a lot of work to be done on the logistics for launching the new structure for 2018/19, and we will be working with the FA on this and announcements will be made in due course."

Daisy Hill have announced the appointment of Phil Roberts as their new first team manager. Phil has previously managed Eagley and CMB in the West Lancashire League, and will bring in Danny Swales and Moray Boyd as his backroom team. He takes over from Craig Thomas, who stepped down from the role a couple of weeks ago. Daisy Hill Secretary Bob Naylor said: "We had a good response to the vacancy, and interviewed four applicants, but Phil is a local lad and impressed us with his enthusiasm, and his desire to manage at North West Counties level. "We are very pleased to have him on board, and are looking forward to working with him".

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the opening day, when they lost 1-0 at current Division One table toppers Silsden. The welcome mat should be laid down with some trepidation when United come calling at Division One grounds in the coming months.

Millers get the winning habit There's an old saying in football that a result can kick start a season, and it could be that New Mills will look back and highlight their 10-1 win over AFC Kilburn in midweek as a landmark moment. After putting ten past their lower league opponents in the Derbyshire Senior Cup, the Millers then travelled to face a Litherland REMYCA side that had won their last eight games in a row and hadn't lost a league game all season, but two goals from Dennis Sheriff clinched a 2-1 win for the Millers, their first away win in over a year. The challenge now for Calum Sykes's men is to keep the winning run going. All looking bright at Abbey Hulton United ....or at least it certainly was for the first time on Tuesday evening, when the Staffordshire side played under floodlights at Birches Head Road for the first time ever, when they hosted Sandbach United. The switching on of the new lights was another milestone in the history of the club, and the development of the facilities at the ground in such a short space of time is a credit to all at the club. We look forward to some memorable nights under the lights in the coming years. Away days no problem for Sandbach Continuing on the subject of the game at Abbey Hulton on Tuesday evening, Sandbach United's 3-1 win was the latest in a good run of away form, which continued with a 4-1 win at Atherton LR on Saturday. It's now four straight wins on the road for Andy Hockenhull's men, and in fact their only defeat on the road all season was on

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First up for Town History was made at Ruskin Drive on Saturday, when St Helens Town finally recorded a win in a competitive game at their new home for the first time. The 3-1 win over Chadderton is another landmark in the club's long and notable history, and after a slow start to this season's campaign, everyone at the club will be hoping it's the start of better times.

West games mean goals West Didsbury & Chorlton continued a remarkable run of high scoring games on Saturday, when they beat Squires Gate 4-2 at the Recreation Ground. The game was West's seventh in succession that has delivered at least six goals, although the supporters who turned up on Saturday might have felt a bit short changes, as the previous three games had seven, nine and seven goals respectively! The Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy tie against Nelson in midweek offer the next opportunity of a goal fest for the West faithful. League Landmarks Tuesday 3rd October 2017 West Didsbury & Chorlton's second goal in the 4-3 win against Burscough, scored by Nic Evangelinos in the 14th minute, was Westâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 400th League goal. Cammell Laird 1907's second goal in the 3-2 defeat at Alsager Town, scored by Joshua Maldon in the 90th minute, was Lairds' 250th League goal. Sandbach United reached 100 League points exactly with their 3-1 win at Abbey Hulton United. Saturday 7th October 2017 Nelson marked their 1100th League game by winning 2-0 at Cheadle Town.

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Premier Division Fixtures

Premier Division Table Wed 11/10/2017

GD Pts

Runcorn Town

Runcorn Linnets

Bootle

Winsford United

Hanley Town

Charnock Richard

West D & Chorlton 10

8 City of Liverpool FC 11

Padiham

Irlam

Widnes

Congleton Town

Ashton Athletic

Maine Road

-14

AFC Liverpool

16 Barnoldswick Town 11

-4

AFC Darwen

-14

1874 Northwich

Abbey Hey

-6

20 Northwich Victoria 10

-14

Barnton

-25

Burscough

-21

Squires Gate

-26

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Saturday 14th October 2017 Abbey Hey v Ashton Athletic AFC Darwen v Bootle Barnton v Barnoldswick Town Burscough v Runcorn Linnets City of Liverpool v Congleton Town Irlam v Northwich Victoria Maine Road v Charnock Richard Padiham v Hanley Town Squires Gate v AFC Liverpool Widnes v 1874 Northwich Winsford Utd v West D & Chorlton

Tuesday 17th October 2017 Abbey Hey v 1874 Northwich Wednesday 18th October 2017 West D & Chorlton v Barnoldswick Saturday 21st October 2017 1874 Northwich v Squires Gate AFC Liverpool v Padiham Barnoldswick Town v Abbey Hey Northwich Victoria v Congleton T Widnes v Maine Road Winsford United v Squires Gate Tuesday 24th October 2017 1874 Northwich v Ashton Athletic Irlam v Winsford United Wednesday 25th October 2017 AFC Darwen v Charnock Richard Saturday 28th October 2017 Abbey Hey v Northwich Victoria AFC Darwen v Hanley Town Barnton v Runcorn Town Bootle v 1874 Northwich Burscough v City of Liverpool FC Charnock Richard v Irlam Maine Road v Ashton Athletic Padiham v Widnes Runcorn Linnets v Barnoldswick T Squires Gate v Congleton Town Winsford United v AFC Liverpool Monday 30th October 2017 Widnes v Abbey Hey Wednesday 1st November 2017 AFC Liverpool v Northwich Victoria Barnton v 1874 Northwich Runcorn Town v Hanley Town

First Division Table Sat 07/10/2017

First Division Fixtures Friday 13th October 2017 Prestwich Heys v Chadderton

A GD Pts 7

Silsden AFC

Prestwich Heys

38 16 22 25

Litherland REMYCA

Alsager Town

Sandbach United

Whitchurch Alport

17 20

Stockport Town

26 20

AFC Blackpool

21 19

Carlisle City

New Mills

23 26 -3

26 24

12 Abbey Hulton United 12

-2

Cheadle Town

-4

Holker Old Boys

33 -16 14

Bacup Borough

-2

Chadderton

20 23

-3

Atherton LR

-4

St Helens Town

13 21 -8 10

Eccleshall

31 -15

Nelson

23 -16

Daisy Hill

31 -20

FC Oswestry Town

33 -20

11 Cammell Laird 1907

19 33

Saturday 14th October 2017 Abbey Hulton v Bacup Borough Alsager Town v Stockport Town Daisy Hill v Cammell Laird 1907 Eccleshall v Silsden Litherland REMYCA v Holker OlB Nelson v Sandbach United New Mills v FC Oswestry Town St Helens Town v AFC Blackpool Whitchurch Alport v Atherton LR Saturday 21st October 2017 AFC Blackpool v Atherton LR Bacup Borough v New Mills Cammell Laird v Abbey Hulton Chadderton v Nelson Eccleshall v Sandbach United FC Oswestry Town v Daisy Hill Holker Old Boys v Cheadle Town Silsden AFC v Carlisle City Stockport Town v St Helens Town Whitchurch Alport v Prestwich H Saturday 28th October 2017 Abbey Hulton U v Holker Old Boys Alsager Town v Bacup Borough Carlisle City v Whitchurch Alport Chadderton v Atherton LR Eccleshall v AFC Blackpool Litherland REMYCA v Daisy Hill New Mills v Cammell Laird 1907 Prestwich Heys v Nelson Sandbach United v Stockport Town Silsden AFC v FC Oswestry Town St Helens Town v Cheadle Town Saturday 4th November 2017 Atherton LR v Abbey Hulton United Bacup Borough v Chadderton Cammell Laird v AFC Blackpool Carlisle City v Stockport Town Daisy Hill v FC Oswestry Town Holker Old Boys v Alsager Town Nelson v Litherland REMYCA New Mills v Silsden AFC Sandbach United v Prestwich Heys St Helens Town v Eccleshall Whitchurch Alport v Cheadle Town

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Next up at RUSKIN DRIVE Sat 28th Oct 2017 Kick Off 3.00pm

Today’s Team Line-up

versus CHEADLE TOWN Hallmark Security League Division One

Next AWAY FIXTURE Tues 17th Oct 2017 Kick Off 7.45pm

versus PRESTWICH H The Macron Cup 1st Round

Today’s SPONSORS Match: Johnsons Toyota Liverpool Match Ball: Macron Cheshire

Programme: Lanes Trophies

Main Club Sponsors

Johnsons Toyota Liverpool Charity Partner 2017-18

Charity Partner 2017-18