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.
Good afternoon everyone, we go into today’s game on the back of two 3-0 victories.
The first came against a Hanley side who were fighting for their lives near the foot of the table and the game had all the Hallmarks of a potential upset. The message to the lads before the game was not to be complacent and to remember the game 12 months earlier where we threw 3 points away in the 93rd minute. Right from the first whistle you could see that the lads meant business, we were dominated and probably should have went into the break more than 1 up. We tweaked a couple of things in the second half and were outstanding. With some of the best football we’ve played all season managed to put two more away and subsequently killed the game. With our game Against Witton falling foul of the weather we fielded a strong side against Runcorn Town in the Liverpool senior cup. It took us about 30 minutes to get used to the conditions, which where really tough add to that lads playing out of position and a couple making their debuts, meant we didn’t really get going. Once Matty Rain gave us the lead, we never looked back. We dominated the game second half and could have had one or two more. You can look at the both games and use them as a yard stick on how far we have come as a side since we took over. Two seasons ago after only being in the job a few weeks we went to Town and where knocked out on pens, fast forward to last year and we loose 0-1 at home to Hanley after dominating the game. What it shows to me is progression
and that is what we’ve done each season. We know we will need to build on our good start to the season if we want to progress even further this season. We face a Newcastle side today bang in form and on the back of some really good results, they will come confident and try and play led by a very experienced manager in Neil baker , we know we will have to be at our best if we are to get anything today, but it’s a game we are really looking forward to.
As always thanks for your support. Ello
Newcastle Town Club History
NewcastleTown FC emerged in its current format from a merger with Parkway Clayton in 1986.
The Stadium, deep in the Lyme Valley Parkway in Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire has a capacity of 4,000, covered accommodation for 1000, seating for 300, a clubhouse and £85,000 floodlighting system. The playing surface is surrounded by one of the few recognised cycling tracks in the north of the country which hosts many competitions and previously used by the Great British Cycling Team.
In the season immediately after the merger, Newcastle Town enjoyed much success ending runners up in the Mid Cheshire League and moving into the North West Counties League as a limited company in 1987.
After promotion from Division Two in the early 1990’s the club enjoyed a lot of success in Division One winning the Tennants Floodlit Trophy, the Walsall Senior Cup and the NWCL Floodlit Trophy although constantly just missing out on promotion at the death.
In the 96/97 season the club enjoyed a tremendous run in the FA Cup defeating Winsford United, Frickley and Bamber Town from the Unibond League on their way to the first round proper where they narrowly lost to Notts County, the oldest league club in the world, at what was to be one of the last cup ties at Stoke City’s famous Victoria Ground.
Following the turn of the century promotion continued to escape the clutches of Newcastle although playing extremely entertaining football under the likes of managers Ray Walker before his move to Crewe Alexandria and Nigel Gleghorn formerly with Stoke City.
In the season 2006/07, Town form fell away after a very promising start and management duo Greg Clowes and Dorian Garner took over the reins after a successful period with Unibond side Alsager Town. Results picked up and new players arrived with Castle only losing 4 of their last 18 games in the new duos first season in charge. Paul Ratcliffe also took over as Chairman of the club at this time.
The next couple of years saw the management continue to build a side that would challenge for promotion although both proved disappointing with Castle again narrowly missing out mainly due to key players injuries. Despite the
disappointment of no promotion Newcastle players Simon Eldershaw (Player of the Month) Jon Ritchie (Safe Hands) and Richard Minor (Division1 Player of the Season) brought success with their awards.
Finally, in Season 2009/10 Newcastle Town achieved their dream of promotion. They led the Vodkat League from day 1 and by the time they dropped their first points having won the first 28 games, the title was almost secure.
Best start, most League wins in a season and most points were three of the records that the club broke. They also lifted the Staffs Senior Cup for the first time with an amazing 6-1 victory over Port Vale at Vale Park.
Hardly had the team’s success sunk in when Newcastle Town were rocked in the close season with both Manager Greg Clowes and Assistant Dorian Garner leaving for Stafford Rangers taking the whole squad with them.
Undaunted the club followed current policy and appointed from within with John Diskin, Dave Sutton and Ivan Lodge being promoted from their respective roles with both the second Team and the Youth Team. Their brief was to rebuild a First Team squad capable of confirming their position within the Evo Stik First Division. Castle achieved their immediate goal sitting mid table with notable results against teams challenging for promotion this season as well as winning performances in competitions against teams from higher divisions.
Castle ended the 2011-12 season in a respectable position but with higher hopes as there was a great deal of success from the younger players coming through at the club. Town’s Under 16s secured a Sentinel Shield win after a gap of 25 years since they last won the trophy in 1987.
Town continued to build for the future in 2012-13 in a season which saw an influx of their successful Youth Team into the First Team Squad as the season progressed. The Sentinel Cup was won for the first time since 1995 beating Alsager Town by a record 8-1 victory. During and after the season, many of Towns talented players eventually went onto play professional football with Tom Conlon signing for Peterborough United, Josh Gordon eventually going to Leicester City and Rai Simons going to Chesterfield FC.
Season 2013-14 saw Castle’s young side improve throughout the season and finish a very respectable eighth in the League. With the Young Reserve side reaching the final of the Leek Cup and the Youth Team winning the County Youth Floodlit Cup, it was good season for Town. Jeff Harrall took over as Chairman as Paul Ratcliffe stepped down.
Further improvement came in 2014-15 with Castle reaching the play-offs where they were defeated by Sutton Coldfield Town, who were promoted to the Premier Division. Town’s policy of developing youngsters looks to be paying dividends as more trophies were forthcoming. Newcastle also won awards for Fair Play and their lack of dissent as they build a reputation of playing the game in the right manner with good football.
A Sentinel Cup win against Meir KA in extra time saw our Under 17s, which included Love Island and Celebrity saw Wes Nelson play, claim the trophy with the Under 16s also claiming the Sentinel Shield, also after extra time.
The season saw Town struggle with injuries culminating with Manager Ivan Lodge suffering a stroke. Ivan decided to step down to concentrate on his recovery and at the end of the season his brother-in-law and former Norton and Witton Manager Scott Dundas was appointed to the role to take the Club forward.
The 2016 Sentinel Cup saw more competition history as Newcastle had both their Under 18s and Under 17s competing in the final, which was held at Vale Park. It was the Under 17s who eventually won the competition with a 3-2 win.
The Under 16s won the Midland Junior Premier League Trophy as well, the first in the clubs history.
A major development for the club happened in July 2016 when the Youth Section moved to a new home. The Roe Lane Playing Fields site is a 20-acre football centre, with 14 well sized changing rooms, a club shop, offices, and community room, located in Newcastle-underLyme, just 1 mile away from the 1st Teams Lyme Valley home.
Further developments following in September 2016 when Club Director Gavin Appleby set up the “Newcastle Town Football & Education Academy” allowing 16-19 year olds to study for a BTEC Sports qualification while continuing their football journey under the guidance of ex-
professional footballer Robin van der Laan.
The 1st Team had a strong season, being in contention throughout for a play-off position but narrowly missed out on the last day of the season.
The club saw plenty of success in the youth ranks with the Floodlit Under 18s team finishing second place in the Midland Floodlit League and winning the Midweek Staffordshire Floodlit Cup. The Under 17s won the Sentinel Cup and the Under 16s won the Sentinel Shield again.
At the end of the 2017-2018 season, Manager Scott Dundas resigned and was replaced by Bob Askey, and after a promising start Castle dropped down the table towards relegation danger. Striker Jordan Cole was sold to Nantwich Town and Bob Askey was replaced by Robin Van Der Laan, with Town eventually staying up on the last day of the season with a win against Belper Town FC.
The Sentinel Cup and Sentinel Shield was once again secured by the Under 18s and Under 16s, with Castle becoming a formidable force in these historic competitions.
The 2018-2019 season saw big changes behind the scenes with former Chairman Paul Ratcliffe returning to a restructured board, which saw youth stalwart Gavin Appleby become Vice Chairman and former Chair Jeff Harrall move to Finance Director. A major sponsorship deal was agreed, seeing the stadium renamed The Red Industries Stadium and over the course of the season, the home, away and changing rooms were completed refurbished now hosting some of the best changing facilities in the league.
Unfortunately, in March (2019) the club mourned the passing of club legend Colin Spencer, after 44 years’ service.
On the pitch, the 1st Team produced a mixed bag of results however secured their place in the league easily, with one of the youngest teams in the Division. Another Town striker, Aaron Bott was sold to neighbours Leek Town FC in September and at the end of the season, popular midfielder James Steele also left, sold to Widnes FC.
There was more success from the youth set up as the Under 18s retained the Sentinel Cup for a record breaking 5th time in a row, the Under 17s won the Staffordshire County Cup and the Under 16s achieved a 3rd in a row Sentinel Shield win.
Newcastle Town Club History
The 2019-2020 season saw even more improvements at the club, with an extensive pitch renovation supported by local contractor Campeys which saw visitors from across Europe to see the work being undertaken, and the club office was replaced also. The young team had spells of inconsistency and despite being bottom of the table for three consecutive weeks, Town pulled themselves safely away from the from the relegation area.
Town had more success with their continued youth policy with Josh Williams transferring to Crystal Palace. Sadly, the season was cut short due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The 2020-2021 season saw Town enter the season with restricted attendances due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, however Castle started the season in excellent form and as the second national lockdown hit in December, we sat 3rd in the table having lost just 1 game away against Chasetown FC.
As the national lockdown proceeded, Ryan Mclean, who had been the clubs star of the season so far, was transferred on loan to Hereford FC until May, with a view to a permanent transfer. In February the news came that the 1st Teams season would not resume.
In better news, the Under 18s won a 6th consecutive Sentinel Cup beating Abbey Hulton United in a re-run of the 2019 final by a score line of 3-1. The record sees Town continue to make history in the historic competition.
The redevelopment of the Lyme Valley and Stadium continued with a brand-new café being built, the directors lounge upgraded, and a new club shop located by the away stand installed. Ryan Mclean and James Melhado were transferred from the 1st Team to Hereford FC and Salford City respectively during the 20212022 pre season.
The youth side of the club took on a longterm lease in September for the running of The Wammy playing fields, to continue with the expansion of the clubs activities in the community.
On 28th February 2022, Town were dealt the devasting news that Chairman Paul Ratcliffe had passed away after a short illness. The club duly announced that his Wife was to become Life President of the Club in honour of Paul’s memory and on Saturday 26th March 2022, we held a Memorial Day on the national Non-League
Day. Gavin Appleby stepped up to become Chairman following a board meeting.
Further success followed for the Youth side of the club, when the Under 18s managed to win the Midweek Floodlit County Cup against Haughmond, coming out 5-4 winners on penalties.
The first team’s season saw a struggle towards the bottom of the table, a serious long term injury to star player Nathan Morley in December saw the teams form plumate, however a late run towards the end of the season saw Town safe for another season.
In July 2022, the club further honoured former Club Stalwart Colin Spencer by renaming the boardroom, The Colin Spencer Boardroom, which was officially open by his daughter Lynne and her family.
After a fine start to the season Castle started to slide down the table and following three heavy defeats Manager Robin Van Der Laan and his team were replaced by new manager Paul Moore and coach Paul McKeirnon and Reserve coaches Dean Gillick and Chris Broad for the last three games. Impressive victories against Leek Town and Trafford saw Town retain their League status.
Developments off the pitch continued with the opening of the Paul Ratcliffe Suite at the ground and by far the biggest and most important for the Club was the opening of the floodlit 4G pitch at the Roe Lane Playing Facility. With the facility being used for some games, training, the Academy, the Juniors and the Community the club is in the process of overhauling its Staff and the way in which it is run. The future is certainly looking blue.
Season 2023-24 proved to be an eventful year with Manager Paul Moore losing his job after a poor run of results and being replaced by former Leek Town Manager and Crewe assistant Manager Neil Baker supported by Paul Wright and Dean Gillick. Despite a few ups and downs Neil started to put together a squad which looks to be going in the right direction. With both the Reserves and the Youth Team being promoted the club is looking forward to the coming season.
Newcastle Town Pen Pics
Joe SLINN : (GOALKEEPER)
Highly rated young keeper. Formally with Port Vale he will be looking to make a big name for himself and has a big future with the club.
George LEWIS: (DEFENDER/MIDFIELD)
Young defender who was on loan from Stoke City two seasons agoRecently returned to the club from Leek Town. Equally at home in midfield or as a defender.
Jack VAN DER LAAN : (MIDFIELD)
One of Town’s newer generation who has already become a regular in the team.. A hard-working midfielder who can pull the strings. Son of former Derby player Robin Van Der Laan so comes from a good pedigree.
Tommy VAN DER LAAN (MIDFIELD)
Captain. Made his debut at Runcorn Linnets three seasons ago and went on to make 6 appearances. Defensive midfielder with good passing ability. Has established himself in the heart of midfield and is dangerous from set pieces.
Ethan VALE : (MIDFIELD)
Another highly rated youngster signed from Burton Albion following a successful . Now signed fulltime on his release from Burton Albion. Midfield player with a good range of passing and good from dead ball situations. Will be looking to develop into one of the top midfield players in the League.
Oliver RITCHIE (MIDFIELD/DEFENDER}
Joined in the close season from Uttoxeter Town for his second stay at the club having made his debut as a youngster at left back. Equally at home anywhere down the left side. Supporters Player of the Year last season.
Kyle STUBBS (DEFENDER)
Back at the club for his third spell having recently signed from Hanley Town. Equally at home as a full back or central defender. Dangerous when going forward and at set pieces.
Jack DERBYSHIRE (DEFENDER)
Joined the club from local rivals Kidsgrove Athletic. He will be looking to establish himself in the team. Equally at home on either flank
Jack SHERRATT (MIDFIELD)
New signing last season from Witton Albion Hard working box to box player who also adds experience to the midfield. Previous club Nantwich Town.
Tom JONES (FORWARD )
Young forward on dual registration from Altrincham to gain experience at this level. Now a permanent member of the club Quick striker with an eye for goal. Looking to establish himself at this level.
Jake AVERY (FORWARD )
Signed from Leek Town Jake is a quick forward who is equally at home in the middle or out wide. Already making a big impression.
Jake TWYFORD (MIDFIELD)
Recently signed from Hanley Town Jake is an attacking midfielder who was their top scorer last season. Already making a big impression.
Nathan BARRY (FORWARD)
Big strong forward who was signed towards the end of last season from Step 7 AFC Alsager. Has made the step up look easy. Links up play well and has a real eye for goal. Big things are expected. At present on loan at Kidsgrove Athletic.
Isaac GRAHAM (MIDFIELD)
Big strong midfield player signed last season from Wythenshawe. Ball winner but also links up with the rest to get the team going. Has a big influence.
Tom THORLEY (DEFENDER)
Big strong central defender who is equally at home both in the air and on the deck. Now in his second spell with the club having signed from Uttoxeter Town in the close season having starred in both the Youth Team and Reserves.
Callum BESFORD (MIDFIELD)
Callum is another young player who can play either wide or in midfield. Previously with Port Vale Callum will be looking to establish himself in the squad.
Finley KNIGHT (GOALKEEPER)
Highly-rated Reserve team goalkeeper looking to gain experience around the the first team and establish himself in the team.
Andre ROBINSON (DEFENDER)
Experienced full-back or central defender signed from Bromsgrove sporting. Settling in well. Other clubs include Hednesford Town and Evesham United.
Carlos DOS SANTOS (MIDFIELD)
Young Portuguese midfielder already making a big impression. Tricky on the ball with an eye for a telling pass. Links up well with the rest of the team.
Ty WEBSTER (MIDFIELD)
Young player recently signed from Leek Town. Tricky player already making a big impression. Has settled in well and is full of running.
Ethan MORGAN (FORWARD)
Young forward recently signed from Stafford Rangers looking to establish himself in the squad. Previously with Newport County.
Good afternoon everyone.
Welcome this afternoon back home for 2 weeks on the bounce.
We were all disappointed with the game getting called off last weekend but I think we’ve managed to give the lads a little bit of a rest after a really busy period and other lads got some much needed game time in the cup in midweek.
We’re looking forward to getting back to league action now and hopefully getting 3 more points on the board leading us into another busy Christmas period.
Enjoy the game.
Stevie
Delivering
From the Skipper - Ste Irwin
The Widnes FC U9 Whites have been bestriding the stage of the ‘noncompetitive’ Warrington Junior League for nearly two and a half years now.
Up and down the Mersey valley - from muddy Cadishead to the grass carpets of Whiston - the Whites have been peddling their fluid football game. From epic wins to heart-breaking defeats and nailbiting draws, the Whites have ridden the footballing rollercoaster. This year has seen the team step up from the beginners’ five-a-side format to seven-a-side with its longer games and bigger pitches. And blimey, has it suited the Whites emerging style of play! The ugly long ball game is disdained; the ball is always on the floor and stroked around the pitch. These kids are looking to play ‘tika taka’. Catalonia has come to Dundalk Road. Passing is the religion the Whites practice and we are always looking in training to speed up our passing play, improve its accuracy and effectiveness, and stretch the opposition before slicing through them and putting the ball home.
There have been some big signings this year to aid the step up to seven-a-side. Mason in defence has proved an absolute rock and his reading of the game and assurance when bringing the ball out from the back reminds his (older) coaches of Alan Hansen. Another new signing, Corbin, is proving his worth in multiple positions on the pitch, reliable in defence but also dangerous up front with his intelligent passing. Last year’s Golden Boot was Teddy: how he brings the football through two or three simultaneous challenges to hit home, we still can’t fathom. But he does - again and again. Not just a Fox in the Box he can pick up the ball anywhere on the pitch and make things happen. And
his assists for his teammates show how his passing has improved and improved. Ralph H is one of our most nimble footballers with the ball at his feet, in a tight spot he can turn on a sixpence and then open up the opposition. But when duty came calling Ralph heeded that call, stepped up and is now our Guardian of the Onion Bag and doing sterling, brave work in the Number 1 shirt. The diminutive Joe is excelling in his new role as midfield maestro. Some have suggested he is developing into the Andrea Pirlo of the Whites. Now he just needs the hairstyle to match when Serie A comes calling, as it surely must. The everdependable Archie knits the team together, always effective wherever he is asked to play, the backbone of the Whites. (Before it was discontinued, Archie scored one of our team’s most memorable goals with a leaping header that reminded of Steven Gerrard’s start of the fightback in Istanbul. A Captain Fantastic in the making.) Ralph O is rapidly making himself undropable on the right wing, his new favoured position. His energy and physicality make him impossible to handle for opposition defenders and when he unleashes a shot its speed and power is the terror of goalkeepers in the U9 Warrington JFL. Ilithyia has made the central defensive duty her specialist subject and deals in bone-crunching & vital challenges, breaking up opposition attacks and clearing the ball to safety. Isaac is growing in stature and confidence putting in performances all over the pitch that make him indispensable; think Ryan Giggs in attack and Bobby Moore in defence - Isaac is all over the pitch. Cole, the Artful Dodger on the wing who can cut in and ripple the back of the net before his marker has even turned around is slotting home important goals for the team, and his passing game too is bamboozling opposition defences.
Cole’s tenacity and never-say-die attitude lifts the Whites battling spirit (if it can be lifted!) that extra notch. And last but by no means least the mercurial Arlo, who with his left foot Wonder Weapon was a key signing for the Whites in the 2023 - 24 season, snatched away from under the noses of the La Liga giants. Balancing the team, and yet another player who can play back and stifle the opposition or play up and terrorize their defence, Arlo provides vital assists or bangs home himself driving in from the left. All of them, a joy to watch.
And on top of all this the Whites like to play the beautiful game the way it should be played - with exhilaration, passion, and a smile. Fair play & sportsmanship; resilience & determination; effort, attitude & teamwork.
A fantastic set of parents & relatives and a fantastic set of kids. Always positive, always playing up and playing the game, always leaving the field of play with handshakes all round.
It’s onwards and upwards - Come On You Whites!
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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.
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.
ARTIFICIAL
Intelligence (AI) is getting everywhere these days – even now in football it seems.
This week, The NLP ran an article on former NonLeague and Football League player turned sports agent, Guy Branston, who has launched a new AI venture that he says will revolutionise the way clubs engage with their supporters.
The ex-centre-half has launched an AI bot named Mai that he says can help clubs speak to thousands more fans - and even reach a global audience.
One of Branston’s former clubs, Rotherham United, as well as Premiership Rugby side Leicester Tigers have already signed up to the service - named Sports AI Consultants - and Branston says talks are underway with several other sports clubs.
Branston, 45, made over 400 career appearances for a variety of clubs through the EFL including Hull City, Sheffield Wednesday and Peterborough United.
engagement and optimize team performance.”
Speaking our sister paper, The Football League Paper, for whom he also doubles up as a columnist, Branston continued: “In the simplest terms, it’s an AI bot that will have a conversation directly with the fan or customer over the phone,
“So, imagine you’re a football club or a rugby club and you’re offering a half-season ticket for sale.
“Traditionally, that would be advertised via email or a social media post, but those things are very cold and impersonal. A social media post can be missed. Emails can drop into junk folders or not get opened.
He also turned out for a number of now NonLeague clubs, such as Oldham Athletic, Aldershot Town, Rochdale and Torquay United and had a season-long spell at Kettering Town in the Conference National back in 2008-09.
After retiring in 2014. he subsequently worked as chief scout at Notts County, operations manager at Nuneaton Town and director of football at Chesterfield before becoming a licensed agent in 2023.
Explaining how AI can revolutionise sports consultancy, Branston explains: “he advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed numerous sectors, and the realm of sports consulting is no exception” Branston explains on his LinkedIn page.
“AI-powered sports consultants are at the forefront of this transformation, utilizing advanced algorithms and data analytics to enhance fan
“And there’s a good reason why things are done this way. At most clubs - particularly lower league clubs - there simply aren’t enough arms and legs in the building to call fans individually.
“The secretary is doing multiple jobs. The marketing people are flat out. Even if you could afford to hire a telemarketer, how many people would they reach in a day? Maybe 100. It’s not worth it.
“What Mai can do is call 2,000 people a day, and have a conversation in any language. It can take the ‘temperature’ of the conversation to work out whether someone is annoyed or unhappy or eager to hear more, and respond accordingly.
“Then, at the end of that day, the club gets a report saying how many people engaged with the call, how many people have requested a text message with a link to the landing page that sells the season ticket, and how many people bought one.
“And this is just one application. Right now, we’re looking at how clubs could use AI to address mental health issues - engaging with lonely explayers, getting kids back into football who’ve had a hard time after being released.
“This really does have the potential to revolutionise the way clubs communicate.”
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
Newcastle Town
Harry Lutakome Played Played Scored Scored
Joe Slinn
Tom Thorley
Jack Derbyshire
Oliver Ritchie
Carlos Dos Santos
Ty Webster
Kyle Stubbs
Tommy Van Der Laan
Jack Van Der Laan
Jack Sherratt
Tim Grice
Jake Twyford
Ethan Vale
Nathan Barry
Jake Avery
Tom Jones
Ethan Morgan
Andre Robinson
Oliver Armstrong
John Dunlop
Diego McCann
Match Officials
Referee: Paul Roots
Assistant 1: Gennaro Contursi
Assistant 2: Michael Dermody