And so to the final Saturday of the season and a 12.30 kick off to fit in with the Mancunian FA Cup Final 🙄 Fittingly it's Manchester Road in Knutsford for the 2023/24 season's swansong and a Cheshire League Division One fixture between Knutsford FC and Billinge New Street FC.
Knutsford FC, the Robins, was formed in 1888, playing on the Heath. The first known record is of a 14-0 drubbing of Manchester 'Aberdeen' Club on 29 December 1888. Subsequent organised friendlies, local leagues and cup ties prefaced the Reds joining the Manchester Federation League in 1898, winning the title in their first season. Thereafter Knutsford Athletic played in the Altrincham & District Amateur League prior to World War II.
The current Knutsford FC was formed on 22 February 1946, joining the Mid Cheshire League, subsequently rebranded as the Cheshire League. Relegated to Division Two in 1977, The Robins moved back up to the Premier tier in 1983 as Division Two was disbanded.
Knutsford was crowned as top level champions in 1995, 2012, 2013, 2016 and most recently in 2018. Indeed I was at the Reds' last game of that season on Whit Bank Holiday Monday against Malpas FC at Manchester Road, paying my £2 to park at the near end next to the clubhouse and changing rooms. Opposite side dugouts with the ground bounded by the A50 on one side, trees on t'other 🙄
And what a game 😊 Six goals in the first half (3-3) and eventually a 4-4 draw, with Alex Hughes scoring all four for the visitors 😃 It was Knutsford's only draw of a season that produced 24 wins and 3 defeats... That point elevated Malpas to the runners-up position on goal difference, but still 21 points adrift...
However the Robins were relegated in 2022, after a post season 9 point deduction, to Division One - 12th of 14 last time, and they will finish 5th of 16 this term after a late surge of form (one game left - away at Malpas !) - but winners last month of the Cheshire Amateur Cup 1-0 against Premier Division champions Poynton.
Billinge Football Club was founded in 1988 by Phil Middlehurst, originally playing in the St Helens Combination at Eddleston Fields. The club joined the Mid Cheshire League (now Cheshire League) in 2004 and moved from Eddleston Fields to purpose built facilities at Barrows Farm in 2008.
That same year The Storks achieved promotion to Division One, which became the Premier Division in 2014, before suffering relegation during the following year in 2015. Two years on the club went up once more before demotion back to Division One in 2022.
The club merged with New Street FC of Rainhill, formerly of the South Lancashire Counties Football League, last summer to become Billinge New Street FC - the Storks & The Street. 10th of 14 last time, this term they end 13th of 16.
Sadly Manchester Road where the Robins would have been in red, black and white and the Storks in claret and blue does not happen this time. A journey past Tim Burgess Chainsaw Sculptor, Gauntlet Birds of Prey Eagle & Vulture Park, Fryer's Garden Centre and Cottons Hotel & Spa also does not occur 😒
At a very late stage the fixture is postponed due to a failure to fulfil - New Street unable to raise a side... So instead a rapid dart to Manor Farm on Ridgeway Road in Timperley, with numberplates 11 CRY, BRA55Y and OH10 MRS on the way 😊
And a very entertaining Manchester League Division Four clash, in front of a crowd of 7 - including other spectators who were en route to Knutsford.... The game kicks off 15 minutes early at 11.30, between Baguley Athletic Reserves and Walshaw Sports Reserves, and sees the visitors and champions, edge home 4-3 😀
