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.
From the Manager - Michael Ellison
Afternoon everyone, we go into today’s game on the back of a fantastic result against Newcastle Town.
It certainly was a game of two half’s, the first half we were dominant moved the ball really well and I thought we made a really good side look ordinary. The only disappointment with the first half was that we didn’t go in more than one goal up and probably should have put the game to bed. The second half we were nowhere near our best, and to be honestly looked a little disjointed. You have to give credit to Newcastle Town who despite going down to 10 men were probably the better side. Having said that, I don’t think they troubled our goal too much, if at all and I was really disappointed with the goal we conceded which was from a second phase from a long throw, which is something we spoke about at half time.
The lads done what they’ve done all season and found a way to win a 93rd minute winner, I don’t think there’s a better way to win a football match they deserve massive credit for showing character and getting what could turn out to be a massive three points.
Today we face a Chase town side who are in really good form, I watched them on Tuesday night and was really impressed in the way they beat an inform colls side. They will come here confident knowing that a win will put them right in the mix.
We know that we will have to be at our best today to get anything from the game. As always thanks for your support.
Ello
Chasetown Club History
Chasetown Football Club started life in 1954 as Chase Terrace Old Scholars Youth Club, when Brian Baker and schoolmaster Ray Derry formed a soccer section from the Chase Terrace Secondary Modern School.
The side played their first competitive games in the Cannock Youth League, remaining there until 1958-59 when they were accepted into the Lichfield and District League. An impressive debut season saw them finish third. During their three-year stay in the League, the Old Scholars were runners-up in the League and Challenge Cup competition.
1961-62 saw them enter the Staffs County League, while a reserve team stayed on in the former League. First-team success followed with the Lichfield and Rugeley Charity Cups, before the club were admitted to the West Midlands (Regional) League Division One and changed to their current title to that of Chasetown FC in 1972-73.
Larry Percival was the first manager of the renamed Chasetown FC and wrote his name permanently in the history of the club as the first manager ever to win a League title.
Under Percival and later Bill Murray, Chasetown established themselves as one of the leading clubs in the division. In 11 seasons they won the title in 1977-78, finished second five times, third twice and fourth twice to earn a much-respected record.
However, despite the clubs on the field success, Chasetown were prevented from promotion because they were playing on a park’s pitch at Burntwood Recreation Centre.
A breakthrough came in 1983 when they re-homed with a move to their current ground, The Scholars Ground, which coincided with a move up into the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division. Bryne Scorey was now the manager as Chasetown made Church Street their permanent home.
The club took their time to adapt to life at the top, finishing in the lower reaches of the table in their first three seasons.
Things changed though from 1986. Paul Darby arrived with assistant Mervyn Rowe, who took the helm when Darby joined Wolverhampton Wanderers as a physiotherapist. Rowe brought about an improvement in the playing squad, with mid-table finishes in the late 1980s followed by a trophy in 1989-90 when Chasetown lifted the
League Cup with a 5-2 win over Halesowen Harriers in the Final.
This catapulted Chasetown into a successful period during the early 1990s. The Scholars scooped a West Midlands League Cup and Walsall Senior Cup ‘double’ in 1990-91, with a second Walsall Senior Cup win in 1992-93 at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium.
Mervyn Rowe stepped down as manager at the start of the 1993-94 season part way through an astonishing run of 36 league games unbeaten – a complete calendar year without defeat.
However, success progressively slid away and a succession of managers (Graham Smith, Benny Brown and Cliff Painter) could not recapture any of Rowe’s successes, resulting in three seasons in the bottom three or four of the newly formed Midland Football Alliance, of which Chasetown was a founder member.
Rowe returned to the helm in 1997-98 and remained as manager for four years, as Chasetown regained mid-table status with the likes of former Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Shaun Bradbury leading the way in the goal scoring stakes winning two MFA Golden Boot awards in three seasons.
Rowe stepped aside again, but unsuccessful tenures with Kevin Foster and Paul Darby as manager (his second spell) saw the Scholars struggling again, until November 2002 when Michael Rowe, Mervyn’s son, took over as boss, with Charlie Blakemore as his assistant. An excellent end to the 2002-03 season saw the club finish 9th, after languishing near to the relegation zone for most of the campaign.
Rowe Junior left The Scholars Ground in February 2004 due to work commitments but, now under Blakemore’s leadership, the Scholars improved again, finishing 6th, and in Blakemore’s first full season in charge of the first team, 2004-05, Chasetown lifted the Walsall Senior Cup for the third time beating Tividale 2-1 at Walsall FC and finished second to Rushall Olympic in the Midland Football Alliance.
That disappointment of missing out on promotion spurred Chasetown into an incredible season in 2005-06. The club was thrust into the national spotlight in November 2005 upsetting all the odds by reaching the First Round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history, overcoming famous non-league side Blyth Spartans in front of a thenrecord Chasetown attendance of 2,134.
The BBC were quick to bring this feat to a Sunday lunch-time audience of 3.2 million on “Match of the Day Live” as they broadcast the First-Round Proper tie against Oldham Athletic. In front of 1,997 supporters, Chasetown took the lead through Nicky Harrison, only for the Latics to level the scores a few minutes later and send the game into a replay. Over 2,300 supporters followed Blakemore’s men up to Boundary Park –the highest away following at Oldham Athletic all season – but the romance was over as the home side won 4-0.
During that record-breaking season, the Scholars notched a record eight consecutive victories in the League, went 22 games unbeaten in League and Cup, and regularly smashed their record League attendance, ending the season with 839 for the visit of Romulus in the game which clinched Chasetown the League title.
At the time of the FA Cup run, Chasetown lay in 14th place and 20 points adrift of league leaders Malvern Town, before beginning an astonishing run of victories. By April 2006 Chasetown topped the League table for the first time in the season. The final day saw Chasetown in pole position Chasetown lifted the Midland Alliance trophy and gained promotion to the Southern League Division 1 Midlands. The BBC cameras were at the Scholars Ground again, featuring both goals in their FA Cup Final programme.
Season 2006-07 saw the club finish third in the Southern Midland Division One but suffered the heartbreak of losing 1-0 to local rivals Willenhall Town in the Play-off Semi-Finals.
2007-08 saw Chasetown become even more firmly embedded in FA Cup folklore when they defeated Football League Division One side Port Vale in a Second Round Replay to become the lowest ranked side to ever make the Third Round of the World’s most famous domestic cup competition.
Their reward was a home tie against Championship side Cardiff City who boasted multi-millionaire players like Robbie Fowler, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Trevor Sinclair amongst their highly rated squad.
In front of a record-breaking home attendance of 2,420 the Scholars dared to take the dream one step further as they took the lead against Dave Jones’ Bluebirds side via a Kevin McNaughton own goal in the 17th minute.
The class of a team six leagues and some 136 places higher than Chasetown did tell and a first
half injury time equaliser from former Aston Villa man Peter Whittingham enabled Cardiff to regroup at the interval and further goals from 17-year-old debutant Aaron Ramsey (his stepping stone to a great career at Arsenal) and Paul Parry finally ended Chasetown’s marathon ten game cup run.
Season 2008-09 saw Chasetown amongst the front runners and a fourth-place finish ensured that they would contest the Play-offs. In the Semi-Final the Scholars demolished third placed Atherstone Town at Sheepy Road 5-0 to take their place in the Play-off Final. A record crowd of 3,111 at Nuneaton Town’s Liberty Way stadium witnessed a tight, tense game, but a solitary strike from Ben Foster ended the Scholars dream of promotion for another season at least.
The club made history again in 2009, when on Friday July 10th they became the first team to play a match in front of a paying crowd at the Bluebirds’ new multi million pound home – the Cardiff City Stadium – in front of 5,270 spectators.
Relocated to the Northern Premier League Division One South for 2009-10, Chasetown’s season finished on a high note as the club went on to become runners-up and, after a 3-2 play off semi-final win over Sheffield FC, a 1-0 win versus Glapwell at the Scholars Ground in front of 1,265 spectators ensured Chasetown would be playing in Step Seven of the Football League Pyramid for the first time in their history.
For much of the 2010-11 season, Chasetown were in or around the play-off positions, eventually finishing 10th in their inaugural season. Chasetown’s League campaign was distracted though by another incredible cup run. Despite being from the third tier of non-league football, Chasetown upset the odds time and time again in the FA Trophy.
After victories over Sheffield FC and Mickleover Sports, the Scholars disposed of Workington from the Conference North, Kettering Town and Grimsby Town from the Conference National and Eastleigh from the Conference South to set up a Quarter Final with Conference National side Mansfield Town. An 89th minute own goal earned Blakemore’s side a replay at Field Mill, where skipper Richard Teesdale scored a second half equaliser, before the hosts went on to win 3-1, on their way to being losing FA Trophy Finalists (just as Cardiff City had in the FA Cup in 2008).
2011-12 was the 40th season the club has been known as Chasetown FC, but unfortunately, was a
Chasetown Club History
historic season for all the wrong reasons, as they were relegated for the first time in their existence. Charlie Blakemore left the managerial role in October 2011 due to work commitments, and the appointment of Chris Brindley started well with 19 points from his first 8 games in charge. However, a run of 13 league games without a win saw The Scholars needing victory on the last day of the season at Burscough. A 4-4 draw was not enough.
Craig Harris replaced Brindley as manager and renewed Chasetown’s love affair with the Walsall Senior Cup with an emphatic 4-1 win over Rushall Olympic in the Bescot Final in 2013-14.
Harris’ tenure was short lived with the club hovering just above the relegation zone, Former Tamworth FC manager Marcus Law was appointed, giving him the sole aim of keeping Chasetown from getting relegated. An impressive run took Chasetown to 13th in the league and another Walsall Senior Cup Final, narrowly beaten 4-3 by Walsall after extra time.
Law left in the summer, replaced by former Rugby Town boss Dave Stringer. He took Chasetown to the verge of the Play-offs in his first season, finishing 7th, but the following year Chasetown struggled to 17th in the League. Chasetown did reach the Staffordshire Senior Cup Final for only the second time in their history though, losing out to Stoke City on penalties. Stringer resigned in the summer of 2017.
Former Norton United boss Scott Dundas was appointed, on the back of them having a successful FA Cup run of their own. With an almost completely new squad of players. Dundas’ men stayed in and around the top half throughout the 2017-18 season and pushed into the play offs during the final two months before narrowly losing to Bedworth in the play-offs.
Expectations were high again but a season and a half of mid-table in the league saw Dundas leave the club by mutual consent.
Former Chasetown Reserves manager Mark Swann would take the reins of the first team in February 2020, only for play to be stopped halfway through March 2020 due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, with Swann having managed just eight fixtures. A second Coronavirus hit season in 202021 saw Swan eventually take charge for his first full campaign in 2021-22.
in the Scholars Ground of 2,500 for a narrow play off final defeat to Belper Town.
Off the field, Chasetown were also in new hands – long-serving Mick Joiner with over 60 years’ service, stood aside as Chasetown were now led by a Board of Directors, headed by long-term sponsor Steve Jones. The club entered 2022-23 with a new 400-seater stand in place and throughout the season further ground improvements followed such as the introduction of the outdoor bar and the continuation of the snack shack.
The 2022-23 season on the field was a tale of two halves, with expectations high after the previous season the first half of the season was tougher than expected due to a number of factors such as injuries. However, a great second half of the season saw Chasetown miss out on the play offs by one point, a monumental effort from where the team were before Christmas.
Another new addition in the 2023-24 season was the addition of the 4G pitch meaning that every Chasetown team from the first team down to the youth teams will be able to play and train on it all year round and Chasetown Football Club will continue to become the heart of the community. The start of the 2023-24 season saw Chasetown temporarily move to host games at Boldmere St Michaels while the 4G pitch project was completed. At the same time Chasetown were laterally moved back to NPL West Division having previously been in the Midlands Division of the same league, for the previous few seasons.
Several departures and additions to the squad saw a new look Chasetown ready take on the new season, unfortunately again Chasetown missed out on the play offs by 7 points.
As the club’s 70th birthday approaches in 2024, the club have embarked on publishing a comprehensive book of the club’s long history.
An impressive season saw Chasetown reach the play off positions and a semi-final win over Halesowen Town saw a record official attendance
As the 2024/25 season draws ever closer again, a number of new faces have joined the squad to strengthen the team and hopefully progress with a step forward. Away from the first team there has also been the addition of a Women’s first team as well as a walking football team. Moving forward Chasetown continue to increase the number of teams within their brand as well as providing different activities at the club cementing themselves as a hub of the local community.
By Paul Mullins & Lauren Pickstone.
The Football Foundation is the Premier League, The FA and the Government’s charity.
We award grants and work with partners to deliver outstanding grassroots football facilities across England.
Search Football Foundation to find out more.
Chasetown Player Profiles
Curtis Pond - Goalkeeper
After a season away from the Scholars in the 2023/24 season playing for Hereford FC in the National League (North). Pondy has made his return at the start of pre-season for the 2024/25 season. The Pink Panther as he is known by the supporters is a great shot stopper and isn’t afraid to claim the ball in tough situations.
Matt Sargeant – Goalkeeper
Sarg rejoined the club in Summer 2023 having won promotion with Tamworth in the 2022-23 season. The stopper boasts Alvechurch and Leamington amongst his previous clubs as well as the Scholars. He has always been a very good keeper and has played at higher levels.
Bradley Clarkson - Goalkeeper
Brought in as backup for the 2023/24 season, Clarkson found himself between the sticks on a number of occasions during that season putting in impressive performances each time he was on the pitch. A young goalkeeper with bags of talent and always willing to learn from the other keepers in and around the club.
Jordan Evans – Defender
Jordan joined the Scholars in July 2020 from neighbours Lichfield City after four years at the club. An athletic, attack minded left back who has really added competition in that area for us. With his willingness to get forward Evans has added another dimension to our attacking system.
Kris Taylor – Defender
Originally brought in predominately to be part of our coaching set up Taylor has found himself as a regular at the back. With his vast footballing knowledge Tayls has been solid at the back and a clear leader within the defensive set up.
Tom Unwin – Defender
We welcomed the ex-Kettering centre half back to Church Street in Summer 2023 after a spell with us during the previous season. Tom is a commanding and uncompromising centre half who finds himself as a regular starter in the side with his aerial presence and ability to read the game well.
Joe Dunne - Defender
Joe joined the Scholars in December 2023 with his previous clubs including, Rochdale, Matlock and Stafford Rangers. Joe is a young, hungry lad who has a good pedigree despite his age. He is a game and combative defender who can play at centre back or left back. Joe is a good footballer too and is comfortable on the ball.
Mitch Clarke – Defender
Mitch re-joined the club from National League (North) Rushall Olympic in the summer of 2024 after being with the Scholars for two previous spells. He is a commanding and athletic centre half who has plenty of experience within non-league to help strengthen our back line.
Kieren Fenton - Defender
The commanding defender joins the Scholars in summer 2024. Having previously played for Coalville, Ilkeston and Basford at higher levels. Having previously captained sides who have been promoted from step 4, Fents is clearly a strong leader and great character to have within the squad.
Sam Griffiths - Defender
Griff joined Chase in July 2024 having previously played for: Stafford Rangers, Halesowen Town and two spells at neighbours Hednesford Town, whom he captained. He brings a wealth of experience and will add leadership within the impressive defensive outfit at the club.
Oli Hayward – Midfielder
Hayward joined Chase in June 2017. As well as being an accomplished midfielder he is also a fantastic right back. Oli suffered a double leg break during the first game of the 2018/2019 season. But since Swann’s arrival we have seen Hayward go from strength to strength. Hayward is a talented and dependable player picking up the ‘triple crown’ last season when he was named players, managers and supporters’ player of the season for the 2023/24 season.
Jack Langston – Midfielder
Jack is in his second spell for the club arriving back in November 2017. He originally joined the club in March 2014. Jack is regularly among our top scorers and is an established member of the squad and will pop up with a goal or two when the team really need it.
Danny O’Callaghan – Midfielder
In July 2020 O’Callaghan agreed to once again join the Scholars. Having won everything in sight for our reserve side under Mark Swann, Docca has since gone on to forge a fantastic career in non-league. Danny lists Romulus, Sutton Coldfield Town, AFC Telford United and Stourbridge FC among his former clubs and joined us from Rushall Olympic in 2020.
Sam Wilding – Midfielder
Wilding signed during the 2022-23 season and had a great half of the season with us. After attracting interest from teams higher up in the non-league pyramid we are delighted that we have secured Sam for the upcoming season. He was instrumental in our upturn of form in 202223 and we are chuffed he has decided his future lies at Church Street. Sam finished the 2022-23 season being awarded the Players’ Player award.
Joe Thompson - Midfielder
Despite his young age Joe has had a great career so far playing for the likes of Hednesford and Telford. At the latter he made his debut at 22 years old. Thompson joined The Scholars in the summer of 2024. The pacey and commanding midfielder is another boost to our competitive midfield.
George Cater – Midfielder
Cater re-joined the team in 2024 following a few seasons away at Tamworth and Halesowen. Cater is no stranger to the Chasetown fans and is known for being a pacey player who can play as a winger or a striker. He has an eye for goal and is a handful for any defender.
Lewi Burnside - Midfielder
Burnside joined Chase from local neighbours Lichfield City in May 2024. Comfortable playing in midfield or full back, Lewi adds more depth to the squad. He is a very talented young player and was part of the Aston Villa academy for 9years.
Jonno Atherton – Midfielder
Jono is another player who left Church Street and then returned during the 2022-23 season, and we feel that with his fitness and health issues behind him we will get to see the best of him during the upcoming campaign.
Ben Lund – Midfielder/Striker
Lund joined Chasetown during 2020 and has been an asset so far to the team in both seasons that did not finish due to COVID. He is an intelligent midfielder who knows how to perform his defensive duties but is also confident supporting the attacking play and will get amongst the goals to help the team.
Luke Yates – Midfielder/ Striker
Luke joined from Sporting Khalsa in Summer 2022. He is an athletic, fast paced and creative attacking player, he will add another option to our attacking line up. He has been a great addition to the club assisting in a number of goals each season he has played for Chase, as well as scoring a few himself.
Max Chimenes - Striker
Max is an ex-Port Vale scholar and joined the Scholars in March 2024 after spells at Newcastle Town, 1874 Northwich and Northwich Victoria. He is a quick, strong athletic striker who knows where the goal is. He is a handful for any opposition defenders.
Danny Glover – Forward
Danny well be well known to the Scholars fans after spending a number of years down the road at Hednesford as both a player and manager. The front man has an eye for goal and that was highlighted with him scoring the only goal to secure the 3 points in his first match in November 2023. Fans and management alike are looking forward to seeing how Danny progresses with the team and hoping he can bag a few more goals for the Scholars.
Joey Butlin - Striker
Joey is no stranger to Chase fans having been a hugely popular figure during his previous spell at the club. Rejoining in summer 2024 Butlin is still one of the best number nines around. He will certainly strengthen our attacking options and he will enjoy the physical battles in this division.
Good afternoon everyone.
Welcome back for another huge home game.
Ther was plenty of mixed emotions last week. We were so happy to have got the win and there’s nothing better than a last minuite winner.
But when we look back at the game we know we have to do better, especially at 1-0 up and against 10 men. There’s been plenty to work on this week but the main thing was that we found a way to win the game so we must be proud and delighted with that.
Welcome to Chasetown today we know how hard this game will be having been on the wrong end of the result in the away fixture earlier in in the season.
Welcome know of we can play to the strengths we have then we have a good chance of 3 points.
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Enjoy the game Stevie
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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.
AND then there were two.
A total of 653 clubs from the National League System entered the 2024-25 Emirates FA Cup, at various stages, from the extra preliminary round back in early August.
Now it’s just Dagenham & Redbridge and Tamworth flying the flag in the third round proper from outside the 92 – and they’ve both got tasty ties to look forward to!
Tamworth, in particular, got the best possible reward for knocking out League One neighbours Burton Albion by landing a plum home tie with Premier League giants, and eight-time winners, Tottenham Hotspur.
Yes, Big Ange and his men will be gracing The Lamb on the weekend of January 11 for what promises to be a humdinger of a clash, evoking memories of when Spurs, with Jose Mourinho, Gareth Bale et al, famously visited Marine during the Covid-hit 2020-21 campaign.
Tamworth were the headline act of Sunday’s second round ties after holding rivals Burton to a 1-1 draw at the Pirelli Stadium after extra time before popular goalkeeper Jas Singh made two crucial saves in the penalty shootout to see his side through.
side Harborough Town raced into a 2-0 lead at Reading, only to be pegged back to 3-3 at the end of the 90 minutes.
But despite being down to ten men, the Royals found a way through thanks to two extra-time goals from Chem Campbell.
Harborough’s defeat naturally re-opened the ‘FA Cup replay’ debate with the new ruling denying the Bees the chance of taking Reading back to Bowden Park for a lucrative second crack of the whip, undoubtedly in front of the TV cameras.
Solihull Moors’ 2-1 defeat by last season’s play-off final conquerors Bromley rounded off a memorable second-round weekend for Non-League clubs with the likes of Gainsborough Trinity, Oldham Athletic, Brackley Town and Wealdstone all coming mighty close to securing a place in round three and a potential Premier League big gun.
That prize this year belongs to Tamworth – and I’m sure the Non-League family will be behind them every step of the way.
Elsewhere, something pretty cool happened to us at Non-League Paper towers this week.
We are very proud and delighted to have won the Football Supporters’ Association award, in the Non-League category, for the first time.
That came under 24 hours after Dagenham & Redbridge had become the first Non-League side to take their place in the hat for the third round tie after knocking out London rivals AFC Wimbledon 2-1 on Saturday – their second successive away victory over League Two opposition.
Next up for Ben Strevens’ men is a crunch London derby with Championship side Millwall – a tie which is bound to whet the appetite of a partisan area east of the capital.
There were a few near misses too, as far as NonLeague progression went.
Kettering Town led Doncaster Rovers for long spells of their Sunday lunchtime kick-off, only for two late goals from former Sheffield United striker Billy Sharp to turn the tables and break Poppies hearts. Then, a couple of hours later, fellow Step 3
It was particularly humbling given the list of such deserving nominees we were up against; Dunstable Town, for the incredible community work they carry out, the Torquay United Supporters’ Trust for their efforts in saving the club during a tough year, and Worthing owner George Dowell for his incredible tale, turned into a fly-onthe-wall documentary.
Naturally, we are unbelievably proud to have claimed this award but we simply couldn’t have done it without the amazing support of so many people; the football clubs, managers, chairmen, contributors, writers and photographers, sponsors, and most of all you, the readers.
It really is a huge team effort and we thank each and every one of you.
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: Mark Hanson
Assistant 1: Philip Brennan
Scored Scored
Assistant 2: Christopher Lawson
Chasetown
Curtis Pond
Matt Sargeant
Bradley Clarkson
Jordan Evans
Kris Taylor
Tom Unwin
Joe Dunne
Mitch Clarke
Kieren Fenton
Sam Griffiths
Oli Hayward
gth. Hayward
Jack Langston
Danny O’Callaghan
Sam Wilding
Joe Thompson
George Cater
Lewi Burnside
Ben Lund
Joey Butlin Played
Jonno Atherton
Luke Yates
Max Chimenes
Danny Glover