Eccleshall vs Barnton AFC | Groundhop UK by Wayupna Media

The Eagles 1971

Eccleshall vs Barnton AFC

Eccleshall FC Matchday Programme 2022/23 NWCFL Division One South Fixture

SATURDAY 4TH MARCH 2023 KICKOFF 7:45 PM Issue 22

Eccleshall Football Club - Season 2022/23 Pershall Park, Chester Road, Eccleshall, Staffordshire. ST21 6NE

Telephone 01785 851351 (match days only) 1971

Legal Entity: Company limited by shares - Eccleshall Football Club Limited (c/n 13365015). Subsidiary of Eccleshall FC Sports Foundation Limited (c/n 13359263) - company limited by guarantee.

Club Officials:

Chairman: Neil Washington Vice-Chairman: Antony Johnson Secretary: Jim Tunney Treasurer: David Heelis Programme Editor: Shaun Rogers Clubhouse Management: Bill Grinham Club Welfare Officer: Jim Tunney Commercial Manager: Media Officer: Shaun Rogers

Directors

Neil Washington, Antony Johnson, Paul Cox, David Heelis, Bill Grinham, Richard Marsh, Jim Tunney.

Committee

John Martin, Colin Leese, Sid Kelly, Ernie Jackson, Diane Washington, Harvey Collins, Liz Leese, Andy Gough, Ben Gamble, Julie Clews, Barry Blenheim, Laura Sharratt, Tony Woolrich Fundraising Sub-Committee Neil Washington, Antony Johnson, John Martin, Jim Tunney, Colin Leese First Team Management: Liam Kelly, Nathan Wilkes, Colin Carruthers, Harry Pickering, Laura Machin Junior Section Chairman: Andy Gough Secretary: Gareth Davies U10s Kieron Healey U13s Dave Hislop, Gaz Davis U14s John Edensor, Nick Mobley U16s Paul Heler, Mark Croxton, Henry Taylor Members of the North West Counties League, Midland Junior Premier League, North Staffs Junior Youth League, Mid Staffs Junior League.

Affiliated to Staffordshire FA Eccleshall FC is an England Accredited Club

Chairman's Welcome Everyone at Eccleshall FC would like to welcome Chris Berezai and his Groundhop UK team, our travelling groundhop visitors and, of course, the players, officials and supporters of Barnton FC for today’s final Saturday match of the NWCFL tour. We hope that you all enjoy your short visit to Pershall Park and will be able to make the most of the facilities we have to offer, as well as the match. Please make time to visit the club refreshments bar this evening as our catering ladies Diane and Julie, assisted by other members of the team, have varied the usually available menu for this game. Hopefully, you will have a decent appetite as they have prepared the following to tickle your taste buds: Meatball marinara subs Chicken kebabs on homemade flatbread Vegetable soup with a slice of baguette Vegetable curry with rice or chips Cheese and onion pasties Oatcakes (local to Staffordshire) Brownies Other homemade cakes In the bar this evening we have also arranged with the local Izaak Walton Brewery to have the following bottled beers available: Largemouth Bass Rainbow Trout Doobry Pale Lager King Salmon

Hopefully, one of them will be to your taste! We feel we are a friendly club, and we hope that you will think so too after your visit this evening. Enjoy tonight’s match and the rest of your groundhop weekend! Neil Washington

Neil Washington

Chairman – Eccleshall FC

Eccleshall FC Club History

There has been football in the town of Eccleshall for over 100 years but very little archive material is available from those early years. However, we do know that Eccleshall Football Club was reformed in 1971 with the team being made up of locals and staff from the Eccleshall Secondary School which also provided training and playing facilities. At that time the club was called Eccleshall Old Boys Football Club. In 1974, the team won their first trophies; the Mid-Staffs 3rd Division Cup and were also runners-up in that division, gaining promotion to Division 2. Old Boys was dropped from the club’s name and in 1979 the first team joined the Staffordshire County League (North) and a third team was formed. In 1981, with the help of grants, fund raising and a loan, a four-acre field was purchased at Pershall. Manager Ted Dickinson was the driving force behind the fund raising. In the same year, the first team moved into the Premier Division of the Staffordshire County League (North). Work began converting the field into a football ground. In 1982, a building was purchased from British Telecom and, with a lot of hard work over the next couple of years on the building, car park and pitch, Pershall Park, as it was christened, was ready. In the 1983-84 season, the first team won the Staffordshire County League Premier Division Championship, the Premier Division Cup and the May Bank Cup. During the 1989-90 season, the first team won the Staffordshire Senior League title and the 1990-91 season saw the club entering the FA Vase for the first time. In 1991-92, the club reached the FA Vase 2nd round having gone through all the preliminary stages but lost at home to Wisbech Town 2-0 in front of a then record crowd of 368. The first team fared well in the league in the mid to late 90’s, finishing 3rd (97-98), 6th (98-99), 2nd (99-00) and 3rd (00-01). Eccleshall reserves won the Staffordshire County League (North) in 1999-2000 moving to the West Midlands (Regional) League Division One (North) for the start of the following season. In the 2001-2002 season, the first team won the Springbank Vending Midland League Championship.

In 2002-2003 Eccleshall’s first team joined the North West Counties Football League after securing both the Springbank Vending Midland League title and Staffordshire FA Vase. In probably the most successful season in the club’s history, our second team were also Staffordshire County League champions and our Under 18s won the Sentinel Cup. For good measure, our Under 16s won the Staffordshire FA County Cup, the Mid-Staffordshire League Cup and the Sentinel Shield. Regarding the Sentinel competitions, the last time a club had won both trophies in the same season had been some twenty five years previously – a great achievement. The 2012-13 season marked the completion of 10 years in the North West Counties League and saw the club achieve its highest ever placing of sixth in Division 1. In the 2017- 18 season our Under17s had a very successful season, winning the Potteries Junior Youth League Cup, Staffordshire FA Youth Cup and finishing runners up in the league. Over the years since 1981-82, significant work has been undertaken to develop both the ground and the facilities to the standard which the club now enjoys. This includes enclosing the ground, the installation of floodlights, building a covered seated stand and pitch levelling. In 2017/18, the clubhouse was refurbished and upgraded with the addition of a treatment room and a security system. Prior to the 2018/19 season, a new kitchen and refreshments bar was added. In 2019, a new toilet block was installed and, prior to the 2021/22 season, the team dugouts were replaced and more spectator improvements made. In readiness for the 2022/23 season and thanks to grant funding, all the existing 78 seats have been replaced with new ones in blue which compliment the club colours. Further developments are planned for the future. All of this has been achieved by a strong committee management team behind the scenes, a number of which have given many years of service to Eccleshall FC together with the addition of new members who are helping to take the club forward. The club has now added a number of junior teams as we look to develop a junior section. Our second pitch has been upgraded and improved to accommodate this. Again, thanks to grant funding, land behind the ground has been developed to allow for a further junior pitch to be added to our facilities. 2021 saw Eccleshall Football Club celebrate its 50th anniversary and, as can be seen from the above, much has been achieved over that time. We look forward to seeing what the future brings. We consider Eccleshall FC to be a friendly club and we look forward to welcoming you to Pershall Park in the future and hope you will enjoy the facilities and the football.

Eccleshall FC Club Honours

1973-74 Mid Staffs Div.3 Cup Winners 1973-74 Mid Staffs Div.3 Runners-up 1975-76 Mid Staffs Div.2 Cup Winners 1980-81 Staffs County (N) League Div.2 Champions 1981-82 Staffs County League (N) Premier Division Champions 1981-82 May Bank Cup Finalists 1982-82 May Bank Cup Winners 1982-83 Mid Staffs Div.2 Cup Winners 1983-84 Staffs County League (N) Premier Division Champions 1983-84 May Bank Cup Winners 1983-84 Staffs FA Vase Finalists 1984-85 Staffs FA Vase Finalists 1986-87 May Bank Cup Finalists 1987-88 Mid Staffs Borough Cup Finalists 1989-90 Staffs Senior League Champions 1999-00 Springbank Vending Midland League Runners-up 1999-00 Staffs County League Champions 2001-02 Springbank Vending Midland League Champions 2002-03 Springbank Vending Midland League Champions 2002-03 Staffs FA Vase Winners 2002-03 Staffs County League Champions 2002-03 Sentinel Cup Winners (under 18s) 2002-03 Sentinel Shield Winners (u/16’s) 2002-03 Leek Cup Finalists 2005-06 Staffs FA Vase Finalists 2017-18 Staffs FA Youth Cup Winners (Under 18s) 2017-18 Potteries Junior Youth Cup Winners (under 18s)

1971

Reformed 1971 Nickname The Eagles Ground Pershall Park Chester Road Eccleshall ST21 6NE Telephone 01785 851351 (Matchdays Only)

Record Attendances: League - 2,011 vs FC United 5.11.05 Cup - 475 vs Stoke City - Staffs FA Senior Cup 16/10/2019 Previous Leagues Mid Staffs League Staffs County League (N) North Staffs Alliance Midland League (formerly known as Staffs Senior league, Refuge Assurance Springbank Vending)

Proud members of

THE DUGOUT VIEW Good evening and welcome to tonight’s fixture against Barnton FC. A massive hello to all groundhoppers attending this game, we hope you enjoy your visit to Pershall Park and that we see your faces again sometime in the near future. Our last game away at Barnton was a real battle earlier in the season and finished 1-1. We are expecting more of the same tonight. Both teams will no doubt now be aiming to finish the season strong and have hopes of a top-10 finish. We’ve had a mixed bag of results in recent weeks but this is down to a few new ideas being implicated on the pitch. This season was always about cementing ourselves away from any relegation worries and putting together the foundations of a squad that can consistently compete at this level. Thank you to our loyal supporters who continue to support us. It hasn’t gone unnoticed this season by management staff or players.

Liam Kelly www.eccleshallfc.co.uk

#Eccy #FlyWithUs

WELCOME

C F A N O BARNT

Barnton Football Club was founded in 1946 and in 1948 became a founder member of the Mid-Cheshire League. They played in that league (renamed the Cheshire Association Football League in 2007) until 2014, and at that time were one of only two clubs to have been in the league throughout its 66-year history, the other being Knutsford. Barnton won the league on eleven occasions, including seven consecutive league titles between 1996–97 and 2002–03; a run began under the leadership of the legendary Terry Murphy. The pinnacle of the club’s success came with winning the National League Systems Cup while representing the MidCheshire League in the inaugural competition of 2003–04. They beat West Cheshire, Liverpool Combination and South Western League opposition along the way before defeating the Cambridgeshire County League 2–0 on their home soil in the final. As a result of this they went on to represent England in the UEFA Regions Cup in Slovenia and Bosnia where they won four, drew one and lost one of their games, narrowly failing to reach the final stages of the competition. The club submitted an application to join the North West Counties Football League for the start of the 2014–15 season. They were successful in their application and their place in the newly formed Division One was confirmed on 29 May. A few days later, Andy Burgess was appointed as the club’s new manager, with Ian Ross stepping down to concentrate on his role as chairman. However, Burgess left the club by mutual consent in November and forward Colin Quirk was placed in temporary charge. Within a week Allan Glover was appointed as the new manager, but he was succeeded by Leon Knight in March 2015. The club finished seventh in their inaugural season in the North West Counties Football League, just outside the Division One Play-Off places. During Barnton’s second season in the First Division, the club accepted Leon Knight’s resignation as manager in early March, and appointed Danny Meadowcroft as interim manager until the end of the season. The team then went on to lift the Reusch First Division Cup and also gained promotion to the North West Counties League Premier Division by beating Bacup Borough in the Division One Play-Off Final. In May 2016, Steve Lloyd and Mike Alcock took over as Barnton’s new management team, with Tim Burton as the new chairman. After a promising start to the campaign, the team then picked up just one point from twelve matches to find themselves firmly in the bottom three. However, some quality additions to the squad in autumn sparked a revival, and the Villagers ended 2016/17 comfortably clear of the relegation zone.

McShane left the club in October 2019 and was replaced by his former assistants Liam Page and Garry Moore who took over as joint-managers. Neil Murray was added to the management team in January 2020. The summer of 2020 saw Steve Lloyd step away from his role as chairman along with vice chair Peter Lewis and other members of the committee. David Bryning took up the role of chairman with a new committee coming in to support furthering strengthening the club's link with juniors and the senior team. Ahead of the 2021/22 season Murray left the club with Page taking up the role as sole manager. Under Page's stewardship Barnton reached the Mid Cheshire Senior Cup final losing 2-0 at Winsford United before they finished the league season strongly by finishing 13th comfortably avoiding relegation. Page left the club by mutual agreement in November 2022 with Danny Moss taking over as manager with Steve Cheyney appointed as assistant manager.

Honours Mid-Cheshire League Champions: 1980, 1983, 1989, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005

Cheshire Amateur Cup Winners: 1949, 1969, 2002, 2004

Mid-Cheshire League Challenge Cup Winners: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1995,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004

NWCFL First Division Cup Winners: 2015-16

Mid-Cheshire Saturday Challenge Cup Winners: 2013–14

Records: Attendance: 577 v West Didsbury & Chorlton, NWCFL Division One South, 23/03/22 FA Cup: First Qualifying Round: 1948-49 FA Vase: Second Round 2020-21

Mid Cheshire Senior Cup Winners: 1984

Cheshire League Division Two Champions: 2013

Today's Opponents LEAGUE SEASON SO FAR P

PTS

-2

LEAGUE POSITION

CLEAN SHEETS

14 th

TOP SCORER 11 HARVEY SAMPLE

DISTANCE FROM PERSHALL PARK : 41 MILES

Info Correct at time of sending to print 22/02

BARNTON AFC | 2022/23 PLAYER STATS Stats correct at time of sending to print 22/02/23

TEAM MATE Q&A's

With Mitch Glover and Ryan Pickup

Who from the current squad would you least like to attend an escape room with and why? MG - Cal Feeney because we’d just end up arguing RP - George Woodroffe (a.k.a the dragon). Couldn’t deal with the amount of garbage he comes out with, always seems like he’s just had 5 double espressos. Which player is the last to get a round in on a team night out and who would be first at the bar? MG - Me, then me waiting for someone to get me one RP - Me and Azza probably up there with the last. Not a player but Wilkes always buys a booth for some reason so he’s always splashing the cash. Best player this season you have played with and why? MG - Aid Blaise because he’s stepped up a level & is consistent every game RP - Jordan Flattley - Mr. Consistent. Never below a 7/10. Best player you have played against this season and why? MG - Bryan ly for Wythenshawe was a top player RP - Sam Hare from Stockport Town, couldn’t get near him. Moment of the season so far you have loved and why?

MG - Mitch Glover

MG - Beating Hereford & Newent in the FA Vase the long coach home journeys home RP - Wasn’t playing in this as I was cup tied but the Newent town penalty shootout win in the FA vase. Moment of the season so far do you wish had not happened to you and why? MG - Wish we had got further in the FA Vase RP - Never good to be on the end of a thrashing so I’d say one of the very few 4/5-0ers. Or the Brocton game, where it just wouldn’t go in the net for us and should’ve got a point at the very least If Liam said you can sign anyone to play in this current Eccleshall side who would you tell him to sign and why (can be any player in the game)? MG - Has to be Haaland the number of goals he would score RP - Shearer so he can show Boasty how to take a pen. Who is the worst dressed player? MG - Has to be Stants, awful gear RP - Our very own Dominic-Calvert Lewin, Mitch Glover. Hate me for saying that as well. Which player in the squad would do well if they went on Countdown? MG - Defo, not luke or stants, probably Bento RP - Dunny has some knowledge I reckon, or maybe just the least brainless. If you could have one song to play when you score a goal what would it be and why?

RP - Ryan Pickup

MG - Aint no stopping us now, we all love it RP - What a question I’ll have to throw it back to the classic premier league intro written in the stars. If you are on a night out and miss your lift home which player would you call for a lift back home and why? MG - Blaise, he’s put me in a taxi a few times to be fair RP - Azza the keeper - in safe hands. Definitely not Wilkes unless I plan on going back to a random bloke's kitchen.

ADVERTISE WITH US Would you like to advertise with us in our 2023/24 matchday programme? If you would like more info contact the club today.

Who from the current squad would you least like to attend an escape room with and why? OH - George - Thick and between us pair would never manage to get out. CF - Close one that is. It’s either between Dragon & Oli Thickman! Anyone that has met them doesn’t need to know the why part.

Which player is the last to get a round in on a team night out and who would be first at the bar? OH - Last to get a round - Mitch, First at the bar - Wilkes CF - Last to get a round in is Mitch Glover 100%. Tightest lad I’ve ever met. Jord Flattley is always the first one at the bar! Best player this season you have played with and why? OH - All been very good but got to say Boasty, since he’s come in he’s been an absolute joke. CF - On our day, everyone in the squad is as good as each other but the most consistent this season for me has to be Aid Blaise. Wears his heart on his sleeve, and will give 110% no matter what

TEAM MATE Q&A's With Oli Hickman and Cal Feeney

Best player you have played against this season and why? OH - Scott Mcgowan from Stockport - scored 3/4 against us this season, picks up nice areas, hard to mark. Very clever player. CF - Not sure about his name but center midfielder for Stockport Town. Very tidy in possession and always on the move Moment of the season so far you have loved and why? OH - All of the FA Vase cup run. The atmosphere was class on and off the pitch. CF - The Vase win away at Newent Town. We were on the crest of a wave at that point of the season and to win on penalties is always the best feeling!

OH - Oli Hickman

Moment of the season so far you wish had not happened to you and why? OH - My recent Red card for obvious reasons. CF - I’m going to be a hypocrite here but the same game against Newent Town. Last kick of the game I mistimed the ball over my head and their lad ran through and scored to take it to pens. Ultimately we won in the end so wasn’t a problem but in that moment, I was devastated! Who is the worst dressed player? OH - Mitchell Glover CF - Mitch Glover…. By an absolute mile! Which player in the squad would do well if they went on Countdown? OH - Would have to say Feeney but it’s tough to find a bright spark in that changing room. CF - Myself. The rest of them are thick as they come. Might take bento with me if I need a partner cause he’s good with numbers If you could have one song to play when you score a goal what would it be and why? OH - Weekend in paradise - Jamie Webster. Tune. CF - Haven’t a clue. What sort of question is that haha. If you are on a night out and miss your lift home which player would you call for a lift back home and why? OH - George - sure I would be able to persuade him somehow. CF - Bento. Mr reliable and never lets you down

CF - Cal Feeney

1971

PLAYER SPONSORSHIP Aaron Woolrich

22/23 Aiden Blaise

sponsored by Tony Woolrich & Andy Withey

Alexander Atton

Luke Lewis