Stags Party - Goats Cheesed Off...... !!!

And so to April the First and the Marley Stadium in Keighley for this afternoon’s clash between Steeton and Holker Old Boys in the North West Counties Division One North.

Steeton AFC was founded in 1905 as Steeton Church Lads Brigade, although some believe it could have been formed in the 1890s, playing at The Oaks in the Keighley & District League – a league they won three times. After the Second World War the team moved to the Craven & District League where they were famous for their ‘Bits of Mint’ side which tasted silverware. The club also won a solitary league championship in 1960. 

In 1969 the side relocated to the Doris Wells Memorial Field in Summerhill Lane following the construction of Airedale Hospital, and in 1985 entered the West Riding County Amateur League with a highest placing of runners up in the 2012/13 season.

Third in 2018 their application to join the North West Counties Football League proved to be successful. However the Doris Wells Memorial Field was not up to league ground grading requirements – it was still used for reserve and youth team games – so a groundshare with Keighley Cougars RLFC was agreed. Nearby neighbours the Cobbydalers of Silsden AFC came to a similar arrangement when they joined the North West Counties in 2004.

Evicted from Cougar Park in 2020, with Keighley using the stadium for ladies' rugby league matches on Saturdays (which didn't happen due to Covid...), over the summer Bradford Council redeveloped the Marley complex, with a 3G surface, just further down Aire Valley Road on Marland Road. Steeton have been consistently lower to mid table since joining the NWCFL but currently sit 6th of 18 this time around with 4 games to play - after Tuesday's 3-2 home victory over Garstang, overcoming a 2-0 half time deficit and the visitors having an injury time penalty saved......

Steeton AFC’s nickname is ‘The Chevrons’, from the French word for goat (chevre) and the club emblem features a goat’s head, with the nearby Goat’s Head pub on Skipton Road claiming to be the ‘Home of Steeton AFC’.

Holker Old Boys AFC was established in 1936 as Holker Central Old Boys, initially as an under 16 side from Old Boys of the then Holker Central Secondary School in Holker Street, Barrow-in-Furness. The school has long since closed, replaced by a Kwik Save supermarket which has also shut its doors.

 

The Cobs (Central Old Boys), also known as The Stags, joined the adult North Western League in 1939 and then entered the West Lancashire League in 1967. The club moved in 1971 to a new ground at Rakesmoor, formerly an isolation hospital and then allotments.

 

Holker won the West Lancashire League in 1987 ahead of local rivals Vickers Sports Club (now Hawcoat Park FC), and then moved to the North West Counties in 1991. The Cobs finished 3rd in 1994 behind Haslingden (now defunct) and North Trafford (now Trafford FC) but Haslingden failed the ground criteria so Holker were promoted to the top tier.

 

The Stags were relegated in 1999, after losing all 20 away games and scoring only 5 goals on their travels. They have remained at step 6 ever since, with, until recently, only a single losing play off appearance at the end of the 2014/15 season, defeated by Hanley Town. However they finished runners up last season, losing the play off final 2-1 after extra time to Golcar United, and are currently 7th, two places outside the play offs and level with the Chevrons, goal difference one less, but with two games in hand.

So a raw, grey, drizzly day peaking at 8C brings me onto Manchester Road and I come across numberplates UR 10VE X and M4RRY and Va Va Voom, plus a van advertising Pawsome Pets ☺

Beyond Style Junky and Soul Star Holistics to the M60, and Beyond (the latest incarnation of Chill Factore !) and then the M66, into Hyndburn, 'Home of Accrington Pals', and onto the M65 and signs for Shuttlewoof Hall. The end of the motorway brings me to Vivary Way and Colne. As ever the traffic is a nightmare.....

Having finally negotiated my way through I come across the Morris Dancers pub, Hedge Hogg, the Hartley Homes, Wycoller Country Park and The Atom Panopticon. Then the sprawling village of Cowling, past the football club (reserves at home to Colne United today), before arriving at the sign for Glusburn & Cross Hills (coming t'other way the sign has the names reversed), home of Funky Monkey and dominated by the Cirteq factory. There follows an interminable wait at Kildwick Level Crossing....

Past Zolsha and right at The Trawlerman onto the A629, Silsden to the left and Steeton to the right, The Doris Wells Memorial Field visible from the road. Then left into the outskirts of Keighley with Cougar Park behind the Texaco garage immediately on the left and the Marley Stadium further down. I park next to a scrap metal merchants on a rundown, litter strewn side street and wend my way into Keighley, taking in the impressive Markazi Jamia Masjid mosque, Blue Ginger, Ace of Fadezz and the Boltmakers Arms. My final destination is the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway on its first day back - 75078 on duty and £14 return for the 25 minute journey to Oxenhope.

Finally to the Marley Activities & Coaching Centre where Steeton are in very smart green and green and white pinstripe quarters, Holker in change yellow - £5 in and a crowd of 104 (862 at Keighley Cougars against Crusaders in the Challenge Cup just up the road !) and today's referee is Thomas De Prez. Inside at the top end are two shelters - the Varley Boilers covered stand, the other one unsponsored, and nearside the Keighley Kia & Mazda seating in front of the clubhouse.

The ground is sited on an industrial estate, the A650 at one end, picturesque views of the countryside, Riddlesden rising into the hills on my left and surrounded by council football pitches - 2 local games already in progress.

On 6 minutes a deep corner is headed back by Stags' Josh Woodend and a sumptuous half volley from Tom Dawson puts the visitors one up. Holker continue to dominate from set pieces, aided by a complete absence of Chevron defending, and veteran Jason Walker should have done better with a free header.

Gradually Steeton grow into the game and on 28 Andrew Briggs is played in, forcing a good save from Jay Barker. Arale Mohamed shoots wide but the closest the Chevrons come is six minutes before half time when a cross is chested onto the post by a Cobs' defender. Jake Townsend heads over just before the break, when it was easier to score, and Holker lead 1-0 at the interval.

Early in the second period Jamie Catlow, the home custodian, gets in a faff with a back pass, and the Stags nearly double their advantage. A minute later Mohamed is played through, outsprinting full back Hakan McCracken, and scores at the near post to equalise.

It doesn't last long as a soft free kick is flagged by the nearside linesman - an official I am providing Middlesbrough score updates with during the second half..... The ball is whipped in by Will McGladdery, static home defending, and Dawson claims the final touch to put the Cobs 2-1 up.

Thereafter it's all about game management as, apart from Raeece Ellington's free kick with twelve minutes to play which whistles just past the post, Holker comfortably hold on to win 2-1. The Chevrons' play off hopes surely now over....

Black Panther's Hat Trick In Vain As Chevrons Get Rovers' Goat

And so to Cougar Park in Keighley for this afternoon’s clash between Steeton and Atherton LR in the North West Counties Division One North.

Steeton AFC was founded in 1905, although some believe it could have been in the 1890s, playing at The Oaks in the Keighley & District League – a league they won three times. After the Second World War the team moved to the Craven & District League where they were famous for their ‘Bits of Mint’ side which tasted silverware. The club also won a solitary league championship in 1960.

In 1969 the club relocated to the Doris Wells Memorial Field in Summerhill Lane following the construction of Airedale Hospital, and in 1985 entered the West Riding County Amateur League with a highest placing of runners up in the 2012/13 season.

Third last term and their application to join the North West Counties Football League proved to be successful. However the Doris Wells Memorial Field was not up to league ground grading requirements – it will still be used for reserve and youth team games – so a groundshare arrangement with Keighley Cougars RLFC was agreed. Near neighbours the Cobbydalers of Silsden AFC came to a similar arrangement when they joined the North West Counties in 2004.

Steeton AFC’s nickname is ‘The Chevrons’, from the French word for goat (chevre) and the club emblem features a goat’s head, with the nearby Goat’s Head pub claiming to be the ‘Home of Steeton AFC’.

Atherton Laburnum Rovers FC was founded in 1956 as Laburnum Rovers, an U-14s side to play in the Briarcroft Junior League. 'The Laburnums' were named after the Laburnum Playing Fields where they first played; it is not clear where their other nickname, 'The Panthers', emanates from.

The club expanded to senior level, starting in the Leigh & District League, and after moving to Hagfold Playing Fields, became members of the Bolton Combination in 1961. Ground facilities prevented promotion so a farmer's field was found at Greendale and, despite a footpath criss-crossing and duck ponds on either side, a football pitch was created. The move to the new ground occurred in June 1966, and after winning the Bolton Combination Division Two, the Laburnums were promoted and new changing rooms were erected - a major improvement on the old air raid shelters previously in use !

The Panthers joined the Cheshire County League in 1980, with the league stipulating the team changed its name to include that of the town - and Atherton Laburnum Rovers was born. The ground was renamed Crilly Park in honour of chairman Jack Crilly, who had died suddenly.

LR were also founder members of the North West Counties in 1982 and, as champions in 1993 and 1995, were promoted to the Unibond Northern Premier League, the latter a stay that lasted three seasons culminating in relegation after financial problems. Thereafter there was a flurry of managers - 6 in 2 years at one point - and the intervening years saw two relegations, one promotion and two Bolton Hospital Cup successes.

2015/16 represented the nadir for Rovers, finishing next to bottom in the lower division with only 4 wins and 18 points all season – fortunately there was no relegation. 20^th and 18^th both out of 22 in the last two campaigns shows progress has been limited…..

So after overnight rain has given way to sunshine and clouds, it's onto Manchester Road and past a van with the numberplate W4SP F - naturally owned by Paul Jones Pest Control !! But the real pest is the unannounced roadworks and lane closures at the Eastway crossroads which cause gridlock.

Beyond the ELCTRICAL TOILETORIES shuttered shop, with the malaise extending to several businesses either side, although Noisy Neighbour Soundproofing has opened across the way, to the M60. Some moronic driving and another strange numberplate - PO15ON G whatever that is supposed to signify....

And then the M66, where my earlier traffic delays make it perfect timing to see Flying Scotsman roaring over the bridge on the East Lancs Railway ! Into Hyndburn, 'Home of Accrington Pals', then onto the M65 and the signs for Shuttlewoof Hall.

The end of the motorway brings me to Vivary Way and Colne. Difficult to know what, if any, effect The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival being held in the town has on traffic because it's always a nightmare, but today is particularly horrific.

Having finally negotiated my way through I come across Wycoller Country Park and The Atom Panopticon. Then the sprawling village of Cowling, past the football club (home to Airedale today), before arriving at the sign Glusburn & Cross Hills (coming t'other way the sign has the names reversed), home of Funky Monkey. There follows an interminable wait at Kildwick Level Crossing - the lengthy delay before the Bradford Forster Square train arrives allowing me to eat my entire lunch.....

Right at The Trawlerman onto the A629, Silsden to the left and Steeton to the right, The Doris Wells Memorial Field visible from the road. Then left into the outskirts of Keighley with Cougar Park behind the Texaco garage immediately on the left. I park next to a scrap metal merchants on a rundown, litter strewn side street.

The main entrance to Cougar Park features a fine set of wrought iron gates as I pay my fiver and early impressions are favourable. Last week's first home match for the Chevrons saw the second biggest crowd at this level - 177 - but the stadium has a 7,800 capacity. Today's attendance is 102, but this is nowhere near as ridiculous as the 72 at Widnes's 13,350 all seater earlier this year….

Not surprisingly only one stand is open - the main Danny Jones Stand named in honour of the Keighley Cougars player who died at the age of 29 from heart failure in a match against London Skolars in 2015. The covered stand comprises wooden benches rather than seats, and there's a rather quiet bar towards the end.

Two uncovered terraces are to my right and opposite, the covered terraced Terry Hollindrake Stand to the left. Once again there are some fabulous rural views with the ground seemingly nestled in the foot of the hills.

Those views are even better from the walkway behind the Danny Jones Stand which abuts Keighley Cricket Club. A match is in progress with the fielding side obviously short of players - eight in whites, two in jeans and T shirts, and a rather rotund man in shorts....

The Chevrons are in all green and obviously going up in the world, being sponsored by Acorn Stairlifts. In fact there is advertising for two stairlift companies and another for mobility aids - not sure what that says about Keighley.... Atherton are in yellow and blue and their shirt sponsor is illegible. I discern, from two away fans' hoodies, that it is myDelayedFlight.com, a compensation and claims company from Milton Keynes. Not sure what that says about Atherton....

The first fifteen minutes are instantly forgettable; a swirling wind, bumpy pitch, some awful control and passing and a flat ball that everyone in the crowd can see but apparently no one on the pitch. Then a cross from the left finds debutant Liam Blades in acres of space, his touch is dreadful and the chance is blocked but when the ball drops Ben Clarkson nods it through a defender's legs to put Steeton ahead.

The Laburnums have been marginally the better side up to this point and they are soon on level terms. Alistair Morgan's woeful back pass lets in the lanky Henoc Mukendi and the black Panther pounces to equalise. Two minutes later he is left unmarked to head home a cross and Rovers lead. Five minutes before the break a lovely through ball plays in Aaron Hollindrake and he thumps the chance home to restore parity for the Chevrons.

On half time Clarkson chases down a ball and Atherton's goalkeeper Louis Murray handles outside the box. A red card, realisation that the Laburnums don't have a substitute keeper, and his shirt is passed to a team mate revealing a ‘panoply’ of multicoloured tattoos - not a pleasant sight !!

Half time brings something I have never seen before – the steward unlocks the back gate to allow two fans to nip over the road to McDonalds and bring their meals back into the ground. This becomes a recurrent theme during the second period……

Surprisingly the Panthers look the brighter team at the start of the second half despite being down to 10 men, but all they can produce are long range efforts, as the Chevrons struggle to create chances. On 58 minutes a long ball reaches Blades who gets a lucky ricochet then exquisitely lobs the ball into the net to put Steeton ahead.

Five minutes afterward his game is over. A second yellow card, this time for smashing the ball thirty yards away in a fit of pique over an offside call - utterly stupid and completely unnecessary. Nonetheless the Laburnums wilt as Steeton score twice more. Clarkson gets his second, thrashing home from close range after the replacement keeper tips shot onto the post, and then Andy Briggs strokes the ball into the corner for 5-2.

Mukendi then completes his perfect hat trick (one left foot, one right foot and a header) for the Panthers in the closing moments after captain Martyn Parkinson's header is spilled.

So 5-3 to the Chevrons at the death and the man in the middle again the villain of the piece according to the away fans 'Get back in that cracker where you came from'......