ANDYSMANCLUB
WHAT IS ANDYSMANCLUB?
ANDYSMANCLUB is a free peer-to-peer group that provides a place for men to come together in a safe and open environment to talk about the issues or problems that they have faced or are currently facing.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The process is about bringing men together who have been in similar situations, to help each other on a peer to peer basis, sharing how they have dealt with various situations through lived experiences. No matter how big or small your problem feels, we are here to support each other. The 5 questions that are asked each week are designed not only to encourage men to talk, but to start to focus on the positives and on strategies to keep moving forward. There is no pressure to answer any of the questions and it is not uncommon for men to just listen for the first few sessions.
The clubs all run on the same format and adhere to the same guidelines. A key principle of ANDYSMANCLUB is anything that is said in the club, stays within the club.
WHO IS IT FOR?
The club is open to any man 18 or over, who is going through a storm, been through a storm or just wants to meet a good group of people with the aim of improving one another.
WHEN IS IT?
ANDYSMANCLUBs meet every Monday at 7pm (excluding Bank Holiday Mondays).
WHERE IS IT?
ANDYSMANCLUB has over 100 locations across the UK. Check our website below for a full list.
HOW DO I JOIN?
Just turn up on the night. No registration or referral is required, all we ask is that you arrive before 7pm. The full list of our locations available on our website.
Chairman: IAN ROSS
Directors:
DAVID DAY
JOHN McKEOWN
GARETH HARTLEY
ADRIAN BEVAN
VICTORIA ROSS
Club Secretary:
ADRIAN BEVAN
Match Day Secretary:
BILL MORLEY
Treasurer:
VICTORIA ROSS
Media Officer:
CALLUM CHADWICK
Assistant Media Officer:
CHARLIE ROSS
Photographer:
PAUL WATSON of www.fja-photography.co.uk
Club Ambassadors:
PAUL PENNINGTON
Match Day Sales:
JANET MORLEY
Club Development Officer: BILL MORLEY
Manager:
MICHAEL ELLISON
Assistant Manager:
CHRIS LAWTON
Coach:
PAUL BOWES
Goalkeeper Coach:
RYAN BROOKFIELD
Kit Man:
CRAIG PATTERSON
Widnes Football Club Information
Home Ground: HALTON STADIUM, LOWERHOUSE LANE, WIDNES, WA8 7DZ
Year Formed: 2003
Record Attendance: 630 v Macclesfield (NPL West Division) - 02.01.2023
Previous Leagues:
West Cheshire League North West Counties League
Honours:
The Reusch First Division Winners 2016/17
The Hallmark Security League Premier Division Runner Up 2017/18
The Macron Challenge Cup Winners 2017/18 The Hallmark Security League Champions Cup Winners 2017/18
Website: www.widnesfootballclub.co.uk
Twitter: @Widnes_FC
Main Sponsor: www.nplfa.co.uk
Kit Manufacturer: MACRON
Online Club Shop: http:// macronstorecheshire.co.uk/widnesfc
League Rule 2.13 Ownership:
In accordance with the Football Association Rule 2.13 Publication of ownership in relation to Step 1 to Step 6 Clubs within the Football pyramid, we hereby confirm that the Legal Status of WIDNES FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED identified by Company Number 08960635, takes the ‘Form’ of a Private Company limited by Shares (incorporated 26th March 2014).
Shareholder David Day holds a significant interest in the club as defined by the Football Association with 45.4% of the total company shares.
Afternoon everyone, we go into today’s game on the back of a hard fought 3 points on the road against Wythenshaw Town.
It was certainly a game of two halves, the fist half we where really comfortable and probably should have gone in more than 2 up. We made things a lot more difficult than they needed to be in the second. Them going down to ten men changed the game and dare I say it give them a lift. It shouldn’t but they had nothing too loose and the game became scrappy, I was disappointed with their goal and we turned over possession far too easy. It’s something we’ve spoke about over the last couple of weeks and something we’re working on every week.
Having said that we seen the game out and backed up up two really good wins against Bootle and Clitheroe and find ourselves on a decent little run.
Today we face a Ganley side who are bottom of the table but that’s something that will not factor into how we approach the game. We need to continue doing the things we’ve done over the hart few weeks and we certainly won’t be overlooking Hanley who have got a lot of experience and will be fighting to stay in the division, which makes them really dangerous. We will certainly have to shuffle the pack due to injuries and suspensions.
If we stick to the game plan we will have a decent chance of getting 3 points.
As always thanks for your support. Ello
Hanley Town Club History
Based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England, has a rich and storied history that reflects its deep roots in the local community and the broader football landscape.
Early Years and Formation Hanley Town Football Club was founded in 1966, initially competing in local leagues. The club’s formation was driven by a passion for football in the Hanley area and a desire to provide a platform for local talent to showcase their skills. Local Leagues and Growth In its early years, Hanley Town played in various local leagues, gradually building a reputation for competitive play and fostering local talent. The club’s dedication to the sport and its community helped it grow steadily, both in terms of its supporter base and its performance on the pitch.
Entrance into the North West Counties League
A significant milestone in Hanley Town’s history came when the club joined the North West Counties Football League. This move marked a step up in competition and provided greater exposure and opportunities for the club. Competing in this league allowed Hanley Town to test itself against stronger opponents and develop its players and facilities further.
Recent Developments and Achievements In recent years, Hanley Town FC has continued to progress, achieving notable successes and consolidating its status in the football hierarchy. The club has focused on building a strong team, improving its infrastructure, and engaging more deeply with its supporters and the local community. One of the club’s key achievements includes its promotion to higher divisions within the non-league football system, showcasing its growth and ambition. Hanley Town’s commitment to excellence has also been reflected in its performances in various cup competitions, where the team has often punched above its weight.
Good afternoon everyone.
Welcome back this afternoon.
We’re all looking forward to getting back out at home today and hopefully putting another good performance in and hopefully getting another vital 3 points.
Last week was a massive win even though the performance wasn’t the best especially in the second half but I think we can take a lot of pride in how we defended as a whole.
We’ve took a few injuries in last few weeks so again we will have to shuffle the pack as we only have a small squad.
Enjoy the game.
Stevie
From the Skipper - Ste Irwin
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Pex Hill Preds are an U10 team from Widnes. Forming in the Summer of 2024 as a new team they have started competing in the Halewood & Merseyside league.
They competed in and won a number of tournaments over Summer to create a special bond they are progressing in the new season with plenty of Wins.
This new team are strong, talented and have lots of respect for each other on the pitch and also off. Forming friendships along this new journey.
Tony is the head coach with over 15 years’ experience and also his son is on our team! Tony trains both boys and girls football teams within Pex Hill. He is a calm coach very fun, supportive, and respected by all the players.
Sif is Tony’s right-hand man. Being a dad of a player and also a great coach. Sif is there to listen to the boys and also teach them new skills and tactics.
Pex Hill Predators U10s are:
Marley Shone
Mason Ntshalintshali
Mohammad Perot
Caio Bispo Martinez
Finley McCann
Milo Argent
Arthur Oliveira
Landon Owens
Daniel Pugh
Jaxon Vowles
Chester Perry (GK)
Coach: Ass Coach: Sif Nntshalintshali
Match
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WWidnes Football Club History
idnes FC’s origins can be traced back to 2003 when the club was originally formed as a youth football club.
In 2012, the groundwork was laid for the club to make the set up into senior football as in March of that year, a consultation process began with Widnes Vikings RLFC to become part of the Vikings Sports brand, a partnership that would enhance the clubs community status.
A First Team was formed with the initial shortterm goal of gaining admission into the North West Counties Football League under the guise of ‘Widnes Vikings FC.’
Steve Hill was appointed First Team manager in September 2012 and steered the Club to a 4th placed finish in its inaugural and so far, only season in the West Cheshire League Third Division. During this season, the Club also submitted its application to join the North West Counties Football League for the 2013/14 campaign.
Prior to the new season, Widnes’ application was successful, and the Club began life in the North West Counties Football League Third Division with a 3-1 home defeat to Cheadle Town before winning their first game in the NWCFL with an emphatic 5-1 away win over Northwich Flixton Villa.
Hill eventually guided his side to a 14th placed finish in their inaugural season in the First Division with 36 points from 36 games.
Off the pitch, the Club would be re-named as Widnes Football Club after ending their partnership with Widnes Vikings.
The 2014/15 season saw the Club make significant progress in cup competitions. Widnes reached the last 16 of the League Cup before falling to eventual League Champions Glossop North End and reached the quarter-
final of the Liverpool Senior Cup, beating Prescot Cables before being knocked out in the last eight by eventual winners Skelmersdale United.
The season also oversaw the Club’s first foray in the FA Vase. Widnes were knocked out in the Second Qualifying Round following a 2-0 defeat at AFC Emley.
Following the season’s conclusion, winger Ben Tollitt became the first former Widnes player to play for a Football League club as he signed a one-year deal with 2008 FA Cup winners Portsmouth, after impressing on trial with Paul Cook’s side during pre-season. Tollitt’s performances earned the former Widnes man a one-year extension after scoring once in 16 games in all competitions for the EFL League Two club.
Tollitt has since gone on to achieve two promotions with Tranmere Rovers, and is now on the books at Blackpool in League One.
The following season saw the Club again reach the quarter-final of the Liverpool Senior Cup, coming up against an Everton XI managed by David Unsworth. The young Toffees excelled in the game and beat Widnes 8-0 despite an admirable performance from the home side.
After a 13th placed finish, Chairman David Day and Manager Steve Hill stepped down from their roles, allowing a new Board of Directors and management team to be appointed to bring some much-needed new stimulus to the club.
Mr Day remained on the newly established Board of Directors, headed by incoming Chairman Ian Ross that bring the necessary expertise and drive to enable the Club to progress over the coming seasons.
Danny Meadowcroft and Brian Pritchard where appointed as joint managers heading into the 2016/17 season but later left the Club by mutual
consent following an indifferent start to the season in September. Danny Salt was appointed interim manager, leading the side to a win and a draw in his two games in charge.
Former Burscough, Warrington Town and Runcorn Linnets manager Joey Dunn was appointed as new First Team Manager later that month.
Dunn’s appointment led to a massive turnaround in results, with Widnes putting together a run of just two league defeats in their final 32 league games as the Whites surged to the North West Counties First Division title.
The title and promotion was secured with a game to spare after a 5-1 win at AFC Blackpool, with Widnes winning 14 straight games to finish at the top of the pile. The Whites also performed admirably in cup competitions that season, reaching the last eight of both the League Cup and Liverpool Senior Cup, and the semi-final of the First Division Cup before losing out to eventual winners City of Liverpool.
During the season, Kevin Towey became the Club’s new record goalscorer following a brace at Skelmersdale United in November – a record that still stands to this day at 72 goals.
The summer of 2017 oversaw the Club’s attempts to re-establish a junior setup with two youth teams at Under-7s and Under-9s, and the section has thrived ever-since become a pillar of the local community.
The 2017-18 season started with Widnes’ firstever FA Cup game which ended in a heavy 5-0 defeat at home to Handsworth Parramore at the Halton Stadium.
Widnes would endure an inconsistent start to life in the North West Counties Premier Division (level 9 of the National League system) – the highest level in the Club’s short history.
Ultimately, manager Dunn would depart in early October, resigning from his position as manager. Senior players Kevin Towey and Steve Akrigg were installed as player/joint-managers and would go on to enjoy a massively successful first foray into management.
The duo began their stint with three successive 2-2 draws, with Widnes scoring late equalisers in each of those games to rescue a point. Their first win would come with an emphatic 5-1 win over Maine Road at the Halton Stadium as Sam Sheen netted twice.
Inconsistency would continue to plague the Whites in the following weeks, emphasised by a 3-3 draw at Padiham late in October that went viral after Widnes conceded twice in the last two minutes in a bizarre stoppage time period that was reported by various National Media outlets including the Guardian, the BBC and a feature on Soccer AM, while Champions League and World Cup winning goalkeeper Iker Casillas would tweet about the game on his Twitter account.
This would eventually have a positive effect on the side as Widnes never really looked back. A 3-0 home defeat to Charnock Richard in November would be the last time Widnes would taste defeat in the league until March as the Whites won 23 of their 25 remaining games to seal a second successive promotion to the Northern Premier League, beating out local rivals Runcorn Town on the final day.
In truth, Widnes’ form from November onwards was remarkable, only tasting defeat twice against Marine (Liverpool Senior Cup semi-final) and Barnoldswick Town – a run that included a 5-1 home win over Southport in the Liverpool Senior Cup, and league double over neighbours Runcorn Linnets.
The form would continue in the League Cup, as Widnes would end the season with a trophy after beating Burscough in the final at Fleetwood Town’s Highbury Stadium, with the Whites coming from behind to win with goals from Ben Hodkinson and a late Sheen winner.
The Daniel Wilkinson Foundation is a charity set up in memory of Daniel Wilkinson who died in 2016 aged 24, while playing the game he loved, from an underlying heart condition called Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC).
Dan played football from an early age and joined Hull City AFC when he was 10, earning a professional contract aged 18. Loughborough University followed where he completed a degree in Accounting and Financial Management while playing non-league football. He was an athlete who enjoyed the gym and took his health and nutrition very seriously. He lived life to the full and had so much ahead of him.
Other than feeling light-headed on a few occasions in the month before he died, he had no symptoms!
SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH IN THE YOUNG (SCD)
SCD is the leading cause of death in young athletes during sport and the majority of deaths occur with NO SYMPTOMS or family history.
Warning signs may include light-headedness, fainting, palpitations, swollen legs, breathlessness. ARVC can be found in one in every 1,000 to 5,000 young adults - IF IT IS LOOKED FOR.
Every week in the UK, 12 apparently fit and healthy young people (aged 35 and under) die from previously undiagnosed heart conditions.
In Italy, where screening is mandatory for all young people engaged in organised sport, they have reduced the incidence of young sudden cardiac death by 89%.
OUR MISSION
The Daniel Wilkinson Foundation has been set up to raise awareness of SCD and to provide funding towards heart screening, defibrillators and CPR/defibrillator training primarily for grass-roots sporting teams.
Tragedies can be prevented through cardiac screening. It is vital that young people are identified and treated.
Find out more dwfoundation5
thedanielwilkinsonfoundation thedanielwilkinsonfoundation.org contact@thedanielwilkinsonfoundation.org @dannywilks5
Widnes Football Club History (Continued)
The summer of 2018 saw Widnes’ preparation for a first-ever season in the Northern Premier League Division One West (level 8 of the National League system) disrupted by pitch problems at the Halton Stadium, which had failed its FIFA artificial pitch test. With the surface due to be relaid after the conclusion of the Rugby League season, Widnes were forced to begin the season at Barnton’s Townfield Lane.
Once again, the Club continued to make significant strides as one of Halton’s best junior football clubs. The 2018-19 season saw the junior section expand to 14 teams across eight age groups, including two girls’ teams at Under 12s and Under 14s.
Promotion to the Northern Premier League also allowed the Cub to enter a team into the NPL Football Academy, forming the Widnes FC ‘Education and Football Academy’ – an alternative to college, ideal for any 16/17 yearold who wants to gain a great education and develop as a footballer at the same time.
The Club’s first season at Step 4 proved to be an inconsistent one, with co-bosses Akrigg and Towey ultimately guiding the side to a consolidatory 12th placed finish. Widnes would again advance to the Liverpool Senior Cup semifinal, losing to Prescot Cables on penalties.
Widnes did add another trophy to the cabinet though with a 3-0 win at Runcorn Linnets to lift the North West Counties Champions Cup.
It was a significant season for a number of players, with Kev Pollard, Mike Burke and Chris and George Lomax reaching a century of Widnes appearances, while Accrington Stanley loanee Niall Watson would become the Whites’ youngest ever player and goalscorer in a 2-2 draw against Colwyn Bay in January aged 18 years and 211 days.
Widnes would once again consolidate their position in the NPL Division One North/West in 2019-20, sitting comfortably in mid-table when the COVID-19 pandemic curtailed the campaign early.
The Club did however reach the first qualifying round of the FA Cup for the first time following an extraordinary replay win at Mossley in the preliminary round, in which Conor Ready netted a 93rd minute winner after the nine-man hosts had come from behind to equalise in the 90th minute.
Despite the pandemic, the club have continued to grow with its burgeoning junior section now overseeing 26 teams including a new Under-17s side and the popular Wildcats initiative.
After the pandemic brought an early halt to the 2020-21 season, the Whites began the 2021-22 campaign with fresh optimism, but a poor start led to the departure of co-bosses Akrigg and Towey after a hugely successful three-and-a-halfyear spell in charge.
Dave Dempsey was appointed new manager in September 2021 and would steer the club away from relegation danger to a comfortable midtable position – a run which included a highly impressive set of results and to date, the club’s best ever run in the FA Trophy.
The Club’s junior section continued to expand, with the total number of teams now standing at over 30 ahead of the 2022-23 season.
After a poor start to the campaign, Dempsey was relieved of his position as manager and was replaced by Michael Ellison.
Despite being seven points from safety at the foot of the table with 14 games to play, Ellison led a remarkable turnaround and Widnes secured their Step 4 status on the final day of the season with Laurence Smith scoring the only goal in a win over 1874 Northwich.
Northern Premier League - West Table
League Table Season 2024/25
bring some much needed new stimulus to the club. David Day remained on the newly established Board of Directors, headed by incoming Chairman Ian Ross that brought the necessary expertise and drive to enable the Club to progress over the coming seasons.
In September 2016, former Runcorn Linnets Manager Joey Dunn was appointed the new First Team Manager.
Joey’s first season ended with an unbelievable 14 game winning streak which ended with the Division 1 title.
After an inconsistent start to the 2017 -2018 campaign, Dunn resigned his post, and players
Steve Akrigg & Kev Towey jointly took the reigns.
During their first season they guided the club to back to back promotions, and so up to the Northern Premier League, with a tremendous run of 70 points from the remaining 75 available to claim the runner up spot behind Runcorn Linnets. They then went on to claim a remarkable double, lifting the Macron Challenge Cup with a 2 -1 win over Burscough FC at Fleetwood Towns ‘Highbury Stadium to end the season on an even greater high.
Further success soon followed with a convincing 3 -0 win away at Runcorn Linnets in the NWCFL season curtain raiser, The Reusch Champions Cup.
HALLOWE’EN is over and the bonfires have put out.
Aside from being Santa’s final call, that can only mean one thing…the Isuzu FA Trophy and FA Vase are now in full swing with a dream date at Wembley becoming ever more vivid.
Last week, the Vase was whittled down to the last 64, this week it’s the turn of the Trophy to enter its final qualification round before the big boys from the National League enter the fray in the third round.
This afternoon, the 48 clubs from National League North and South join the 32 Trident League clubs that have battled their way through to the Trophy second round.
Eight Step 4 clubs remain with Coleshill Town and Hadley FC both drawn at home (against Biggleswade Town and AFC Telford United respectively) as two of 14 clubs looking to reach the last 64 for the first time ever.
Southern League Division One South leaders Yate Town also have a home game, against Step 2 side Hampton & Richmond, whilst all five other Step 4 clubs are drawn away from home. Brentwood Town, Sporting Khalsa and Felixstowe & Walton United all also trip to Step 2 opposition in Hereford, Oxford City and Boreham Wood as they bid to reach the last 64 for the first time.
Of the last 64 In the FA Vase, 11 still remain from Step 6 with three of those guaranteed a place in the fourth round, just four steps from the final under the arch.
Abbey Hulton United were rewarded for their fine 2-0 win at Step 5 Atherstone Town with a home tie against Droitwich Spa, who also recorded an away win over higher-level opposition, beating Ashby Ivanhoe 3-1.
Atherton Laburnum Rovers toppled Step 5 Abbey Hey 4-1 away and now host Ashton Town, while Vase debutants Sutton United (Birmingham), 2-0 winners at Midland Premier side Tividale, travel to fellow Step 6 club Winsford United, who were 6-1 winners over Darwen FC.
Sittingbourne’s visit of Winchester City in one of three ties where the winner will either equal or set their best run. Stockton Town v Scarborough Athletic is the only one of the three to guarantee a club reaches a firstever last 64 berth.
Three former winners are involved in this second round. Brackley Town (2017-18) and Hornchurch (2020-21) both have away trips to Hashtag United and Enfield Town respectively, whilst Kidderminster Harriers (1986-87) host Halesowen Town in a crunch West Midlands derby,
National League North high-flyers Curzon Ashton will have revenge on their minds when they host runaway Northern Premier League leaders Macclesfield at the Tameside Stadium following the Silkmen’s 2-0 win last season on route to the semi-finals.
Weston-super-Mare, however, will be looking to end a 42-year wait to avenge a 1-0 replay loss to Weymouth.
Three other Step 6 clubs produced shock victories over higher-level opposition last weekend. Okehampton Argyle beat Thornbury Town 2-0 away, Windsor & Eton walloped Hilltop 5-0 at home, and Clay Cross Town, the competition’s top scorers with 19 goals, knocked out Stourport Swifts 4-3 away to reach the third round for the first time in 15 years.
Debutants Wombwell Town and Wells City are the other Step 6 clubs left in, alongside only one former winner, in North Shields (2014-15) and two runners-up (Epsom & Ewell 1974-75) and Tunbridge Wells (2012-13).
Defending champions Romford lost 3-2 to Essex Senior League rivals Takeley in their first Vase defence, while Newport Pagnell Town, back-to-back finalists in 2021-22 and 2022-23, were also knocked out, going down 2-1 at home to Dereham Town,
Indeed, it was another weekend of thrills, spills and big scorelines. London Lions avenged their defeat by Stanway Rovers last year with a 10-2 thumping – only the third time in Vase history that score had been produced.
And Crawley Down Gatwick were also flying high, recording their biggest ever Vase win with an 8-0 thumping of Southern Combination rivals Peacehaven & Telscombe.
All the facts and figures surrounding for the FA Trophy or FA Vase can be found by following our friends at FA Trophy Factfile or FA Vase Factfile on X or other social media streams. Visit @FATrophyFacts or @ favasefactfile.
By Jon Couch
There are many different volunteer roles in non-league football and Northern Premier League football clubs need your help with them. The Trident Leagues and Pitching In’s online Volunteer Hub is the place where you can find opportunities and contact your local football club.
Please visit Pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk to find out more
The Squads
Widnes FC
Mark Halstead
Josh McGreavy
Niall Battersby
Owen Beamon
Sam Bhatti
Lewis Coulton
Louis Isherwood
Matty Rain
Jack Walls
Adam Bott
George Hassall
Steven Irwin
Sean Miller
Brendan O’Brien
Ben Rydel
Kingsley Williams
Nathan Corness
Ethan Danku
Sharif Deans
Josh High
Jack McGowan
Liam Paton
James Steele
Andy Briggs
Match Officials
Referee: Aaron Jackson
Assistant 1: Jamie Tomlinson
Assistant 2: Liam Ashcroft
Hanley Town
Adam Whitehouse
Louis Keenan
Marc Grocott
Pawel Zuk
James Askey
Jake Moult
Joel Stair
Kyle Blake
Reece Jones
Joe Edwards
Lucas Baker
Jack Bostock
Kieran Cliffe
Etan Stanton
Tom Pope
Daniel Moore
Finley Ryder
J Leitch-Smith
Sam Turner
Pawel Zuk