Town Get The Lowe Down - Shakers Benefit From 'Home' Advantage !!!!

And so to the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Road and a tie between Uttoxeter Town FC against Bury FC. But not to the Oldfields Sports and Social Club in Uttoxeter - and its charming three dugouts with cushioned benches carrying the names of some family members of 'Deano'. Instead the FA have switched the match to Gigg Lane in Bury for 'safety reasons'.

Uttoxeter Town FC was formed in 1972 when they split from Uttoxeter Amateurs after a disagreement on the club's location. Town joined the North Premier Division of the Staffordshire County League, but in the late 1970s the club switched to Sunday league football.

About 30 years later the club reverted back to Saturday football and rejoined the Staffordshire County Senior League. The 2012–13 season saw Uttoxeter win Division One of the league. For the 2014–15 season Town became one of the founding members of the Midland Football League, but only for one term, dropping back to the Staffordshire League for financial reasons.

The club entered the FA Vase in 2015 for the first time, progressing to the third round before being eliminated by Coleshill Town - they were beaten by the same side in the second round the following year. The prize money they earned from their Vase exploits enabled them to overcome their financial issues and they rejoined Division One of the Midland League in 2016.

In 2021 Uttoxeter gained promotion to the Premier Division based on their results in the Covid abandoned 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons. However last time finishing 19th of 20 seemed to prompt demotion and a lateral move to the North West Counties Division One South, but after a failed appeal the club was reprieved of relegation and a move to the NWCFL as Winsford United took voluntary relegation. Their Midland Football League Premier campaign commences next Saturday at home to Darlaston Town.

The 'away' side, Bury FC, was covered, comprehensively, in depth last week. Since the 5-1 walloping of Glossop North End on the opening day, the Shakers won 3-1 at Colne on Tuesday - Colne another club saved by their supporters after turbulent times and reckless previous ownership. Sound familiar ?

Amidst the remnants of Storm Antoni en route a Chapter 8 Traffic Managment van (yes really !!), another vehicle advertising 'For Dogs Sake', and numberplates R4CYS, ROM4N and JP11LOW. Then to Metrosh*t, crowded by fans going to the friendly between Manchester United and Lens (the Reds winning 3-1 but Onana chipped from the half way line) and two cricket Hundreds matches - both subsequently abandoned.

Past a barge titled 'It'll Do', Watch House Cruising Club and graffiti announcing 'No Problemo' brings me to the city centre. The Anthologist, The Alchemist, Nudo Sushi Box and then the Robert Owen statue - founder of the Co-operative movement.

An inquisitive fox at Abraham Moss, Mezzepotamia restaurant at Besses o' th' Barn, Cocklestorm and to Bury. Bury is the birthplace of Robert Peel, twice Prime Minister and founder of the Metropolitan Police Service - and commemorated by a statue and a freehouse.... Sadly the Shakers' mascot, Peeler, is off duty today....

The town centre provides Compendium Escape Rooms, Cup o' Rosie, The Big Fandango, Jacket Inn, Willy's Underwear and Bricks & Motor Insurance. I pay another visit to the East Lancs Railway - 2 steam engines in residence, one dressed up as Thomas the Tank Engine, and outside is the Bury Suicide Remembrance Stone.

Down past Bury Athletic Club to Gigg Lane; so not to Oldfields....

Instead to the Shakers......

£10 in again and this time I'm in the Les Hart (South) Stand, the Neville Neville (North) Stand is also partially open, but both The Len Johnrose (Manchester Road) and Arthur Ashworth (Cemetery End) stands are closed. Town are in yellow and blue, sponsored by Peter J Douglas, and Bury in all white with a crowd of 2,903 against a backdrop of grey sky and drizzle. There is a solitary Uttoxeter Town flag, proudly waved....

The much changed Shakers struggle to find their rhythm, and minnows Uttoxeter take the lead on 11 minutes with Mikey Conlon's deflected shot looping over Jack Atkinson. Ben Price has an opportunity to make it two but plants his header over the bar, whilst Bury's Connor Comber has a shot that rebounds off the chest of Town keeper Charlie Wood.

The 23rd minute changes the course of the game and is a tale of both number 9s. Uttoxeter's Paul Hughes has his effort saved and the counterattack sees a superb crossfield ball, expertly taken in his stride by Benito Lowe, and his first touch finish levels the match up.

Thereafter Abs Obasoto and Louis Gilboy, twice, go close and Comber shoots over the bar. But the Shakers lead 2-1 at the break, with right back Sean Higgins heading down a cross into the roof of the net.

The interval sees the heavens open and no change as Bury dominate. Wood makes a phenomenal save from Comber's header and Obasoto shoots wildly over the bar. At the other end Hughes has a header saved, before Wood comes up with another stunning stop from Comber's drive.

Eventually the pressure tells.... On 72 minutes Lowe outmuscles his marker on the by line and smashes the ball into opposite corner from an acute angle to make it 3-1. Uttoxeter then benefit from the openness of the tie - Eric Graves' shot sees a good block from Atkinson, and Conlon, from distance, fires narrowly over.

But the Shakers finish strongly with Gilboy's effort saved by Wood at the near post. Then in the 94th minute left back Gaz Peet is fouled in the box and Comber finally has his goal, scoring from the spot to finish matters at 4-1 to the 'away' side.

Losers and Shakers - Hillmen Buryed !!!

And so to Gigg Lane in Bury for a North West Counties Football League Premier Division match between Bury FC and Glossop North End AFC, replicating a 1900 Division One fixture, on the opening day of this season - July 29 2023.

Bury AFC was formed in 2019 following the expulsion of Bury FC from the English Football League. Created and managed entirely by volunteers with the slogan "By the fans, for the fans" the club was owned by a Community Benefit Society, the Shakers Community Trust, and the Board elected by its members. The Shakers joined the NWCFL in 2020, playing at the Neuven Stadium in Radcliffe, and led the table with 5 wins, one draw and one defeat before the season was written off due to Covid.

The following season Bury AFC was crowned as champions with 89 points from 36 matches - with only one defeat - and promoted to the Premier Division for the 2022/23 campaign. Last term a further promotion bid, not helped by fixture congestion and relocating late season home fixtures to Seel Park in Mossley, came off the rails at the tail end with the Shakers finishing fourth.

The original Bury FC was established and headquartered at Gigg Lane from 1885 from land bequeathed by the Earl of Derby. The Shakers (so named after a pep talk for the 1892 Lancashire Cup Final against Everton - 'shake them up !') were founder members of the Lancashire League in 1889, and were crowned champions in the 1890–91 and 1891–92 seasons, before being elected to The Football League in 1894.

Bury were champions of the Second Division in 1894–95 and won their test match (an ancient version of the play offs ?) to secure promotion to the First Division. They remained in the top flight for 17 seasons, winning the FA Cup in 1900 with a 4–0 victory over Southampton and again in 1903 with a 6–0 win over Derby County, still a record equalling victory. After relegation to the Second Division at the end of the 1911–12 season, Bury secured promotion in 1923–24, before losing their top-flight status in 1928–29, never to return.

After relegation to the third tier in 1957 the club was promoted in 1961 but then spiralled downwards to the Fourth Division. Stan Ternent took them back up to the Second Division, with successive promotions in 1996 and 1997 for a brief two season foray.

Thereafter, fluctuating between Leagues One and Two, alleged gross overspending by previous owner Stewart Day and then 'incompetence' from new incumbent Steve Dale saw the Shakers placed into administration in 2019 and expulsion from the league. Bury FC existed as a dormant shell with the phoenix AFC club splitting local opinion.

In February 2022 Bury fans' group Est 1885 purchased the ground at Gigg Lane and the trading name and assets of Bury FC. October 2022 saw a vote regarding the potential amalgamation of the two clubs fail to meet the 66% threshold. However in May 2023 a second poll from both societies approved the merger, and the club has now adopted the Bury FC name following FA approval in June and has reverted to playing home games at Gigg Lane for this coming season.

And so to Gigg Lane in Bury for a North West Counties Football League Premier Division match between Bury FC and Glossop North End AFC, replicating a 1900 Division One fixture, on the opening day of this season - July 29 2023.

Bury AFC was formed in 2019 following the expulsion of Bury FC from the English Football League. Created and managed entirely by volunteers with the slogan "By the fans, for the fans" the club was owned by a Community Benefit Society, the Shakers Community Trust, and the Board elected by its members. The Shakers joined the NWCFL in 2020, playing at the Neuven Stadium in Radcliffe, and led the table with 5 wins, one draw and one defeat before the season was written off due to Covid.

The following season Bury AFC was crowned as champions with 89 points from 36 matches - with only one defeat - and promoted to the Premier Division for the 2022/23 campaign. Last term a further promotion bid, not helped by fixture congestion and relocating late season home fixtures to Seel Park in Mossley, came off the rails at the tail end with the Shakers finishing fourth.

The original Bury FC was established and headquartered at Gigg Lane from 1885 from land bequeathed by the Earl of Derby. The Shakers (so named after a pep talk for the 1892 Lancashire Cup Final against Everton - 'shake them up !') were founder members of the Lancashire League in 1889, and were crowned champions in the 1890–91 and 1891–92 seasons, before being elected to The Football League in 1894.

Bury were champions of the Second Division in 1894–95 and won their test match (an ancient version of the play offs ?) to secure promotion to the First Division. They remained in the top flight for 17 seasons, winning the FA Cup in 1900 with a 4–0 victory over Southampton and again in 1903 with a 6–0 win over Derby County, still a record equalling victory. After relegation to the Second Division at the end of the 1911–12 season, Bury secured promotion in 1923–24, before losing their top-flight status in 1928–29, never to return.

After relegation to the third tier in 1957 the club was promoted in 1961 but then spiralled downwards to the Fourth Division. Stan Ternent took them back up to the Second Division, with successive promotions in 1996 and 1997 for a brief two season foray.

Thereafter, fluctuating between Leagues One and Two, alleged gross overspending by previous owner Stewart Day and then 'incompetence' from new incumbent Steve Dale saw the Shakers placed into administration in 2019 and expulsion from the league. Bury FC existed as a dormant shell with the phoenix AFC club splitting local opinion.

In February 2022 Bury fans' group Est 1885 purchased the ground at Gigg Lane and the trading name and assets of Bury FC. October 2022 saw a vote regarding the potential amalgamation of the two clubs fail to meet the 66% threshold. However in May 2023 a second poll from both societies approved the merger, and the club has now adopted the Bury FC name following FA approval in June and has reverted to playing home games at Gigg Lane for this coming season.

And so to Gigg Lane in Bury for a North West Counties Football League Premier Division match between Bury FC and Glossop North End AFC, replicating a 1900 Division One fixture, on the opening day of this season - July 29 2023.

Bury AFC was formed in 2019 following the expulsion of Bury FC from the English Football League. Created and managed entirely by volunteers with the slogan "By the fans, for the fans" the club was owned by a Community Benefit Society, the Shakers Community Trust, and the Board elected by its members. The Shakers joined the NWCFL in 2020, playing at the Neuven Stadium in Radcliffe, and led the table with 5 wins, one draw and one defeat before the season was written off due to Covid.

The following season Bury AFC was crowned as champions with 89 points from 36 matches - with only one defeat - and promoted to the Premier Division for the 2022/23 campaign. Last term a further promotion bid, not helped by fixture congestion and relocating late season home fixtures to Seel Park in Mossley, came off the rails at the tail end with the Shakers finishing fourth.

The original Bury FC was established and headquartered at Gigg Lane from 1885 from land bequeathed by the Earl of Derby. The Shakers (so named after a pep talk for the 1892 Lancashire Cup Final against Everton - 'shake them up !') were founder members of the Lancashire League in 1889, and were crowned champions in the 1890–91 and 1891–92 seasons, before being elected to The Football League in 1894.

Bury were champions of the Second Division in 1894–95 and won their test match (an ancient version of the play offs ?) to secure promotion to the First Division. They remained in the top flight for 17 seasons, winning the FA Cup in 1900 with a 4–0 victory over Southampton and again in 1903 with a 6–0 win over Derby County, still a record equalling victory. After relegation to the Second Division at the end of the 1911–12 season, Bury secured promotion in 1923–24, before losing their top-flight status in 1928–29, never to return.

After relegation to the third tier in 1957 the club was promoted in 1961 but then spiralled downwards to the Fourth Division. Stan Ternent took them back up to the Second Division, with successive promotions in 1996 and 1997 for a brief two season foray.

Thereafter, fluctuating between Leagues One and Two, alleged gross overspending by previous owner Stewart Day and then 'incompetence' from new incumbent Steve Dale saw the Shakers placed into administration in 2019 and expulsion from the league. Bury FC existed as a dormant shell with the phoenix AFC club splitting local opinion.

In February 2022 Bury fans' group Est 1885 purchased the ground at Gigg Lane and the trading name and assets of Bury FC. October 2022 saw a vote regarding the potential amalgamation of the two clubs fail to meet the 66% threshold. However in May 2023 a second poll from both societies approved the merger, and the club has now adopted the Bury FC name following FA approval in June and has reverted to playing home games at Gigg Lane for this coming season.

 

Glossop North End AFC was founded in 1886, joining the North Cheshire League in 1890 before moving to the Combination in 1894 and turning professional. The Hillmen then played in the Midland League for two seasons before being elected to the Second Division of the Football League in 1898.

 

In their inaugural League season GNE finished as runners up to Manchester City and earnt promotion to the First Division. In so doing Glossop became the smallest town to support a Football League club, although this has now been supplanted by Rushden & Diamonds and Fleetwood Town. However Glossop remains the smallest town whose team has played in the English top flight.

 

The club changed name to Glossop AFC to avoid any confusion with Preston North End, but their brief stay in the First Division lasted only the one season. It was followed by 15 seasons in the Second Division as perennial strugglers with the side finishing bottom and failing to gain re-election before the War intervened.

 

Glossop AFC was reformed towards the end of the War by Oswald Partington, spending one season in the Lancashire Combination then joining the Manchester League. The Peakites won the Manchester League in 1927/28 and moved to their current ground in Surrey Street in 1955 largely due to the beneficence of Club President Arnold Goldthorpe - and 68 years later the stadium is still named in his honour.

 

The club became a founder member of the Cheshire County League for the 1978/79 campaign, and, after promotion to Division 1 in 1981, was a founding member of the North West Counties Football League in 1982. The team almost folded in 1990 after the chairman sold the ground to the local council and left the club with large debts.

 

Two years later the Hillmen were promoted to Division One and reinstated the suffix to become Glossop North End once more. Some cup success arrived in the intervening years, but GNE had to battle to avoid relegation for several seasons.

 

In the 2008/09 season they reached the final of the FA Vase where they lost 2-0 to Whitley Bay at Wembley Stadium. But better was to come, with the 2014/15 season the most successful in the club's history - winning the North West Counties Premier to gain promotion to the Northern Premier League, and again reaching the FA Vase final at Wembley losing 2-1 to North Shields after extra time.

However after two encouraging NPL campaigns, including a failed play off attempt, the Peakites began to struggle. This culminated in 18th of 20 last time out (one place lower than the previous season) and a 3-0 play off home defeat to Ashington, prefacing a return to the North West Counties.

To Metrostink and past The Diva Den, an Excellerate van and numberplates en route, GO06BYE, S4CK U, L4DY P. Then the Walton Perk coffee barge, UA92 but no Taylor Swift mannequin as I reach the National Trust's impressive Castlefield Viaduct garden.

The city centre abounds with skyscrapers, and MegaCon attendees in fancy dress, but the hour long tram journey goes straight through. The Lower Turk's Head is on my right and a lime green Mohican joins at Shude Hill. Then the sprawling H Marcel Guest paint factory, into Besses o' th' Barn and panoramic views as I reach Radcliffe, Pioneer Mills and ultimately Bury.

Bury is home to the East Lancs Railway, Transport Museum, the award winning Market plus Mill Gate and Rock shopping centres. I find the Jolly Roger chippy, The Blind Tiger bar and Geek Retreat on my travels. Down Market Street, bypassing Bury College and J Rawson & Sons Monumental Masons brings me to the cemetery and Gigg Lane.

£10 for my ticket and a huge crowd of 5,451 assembles, causing kick off to be delayed by 15 minutes to 3.15pm (a throwback to older times ?) - despite the turnstiles being open at 1.30pm and the club asking supporters to turn up early. The weather is changeable - cloudy with sunny spells but three sharp rain showers during the match.

Gigg Lane is all seater - the far Manchester Road end, The Len Johnrose Stand (West Stand), not open today but festooned in flags including 'Beardyman Lives On' !! The Les Hart Stand (South Stand) is packed to its 3,200 capacity and features a Bohairmia advertising hoarding.

I'm in the Cemetery End (East Stand) - again appropriate for Bury FC - and is full with 2,100 spectators. The overflow and hospitality is catered for in the main Neville Neville (North) Stand.

Bury are in white and blue, sponsored by Eyelevel Sunglasses and Glossop are in change orange and black, sponsored by Prosthetic Records. The home side fittingly come on to the pitch to Thin Lizzy's 'The Boys Are Back In Town' and the dreadlocked referee commences proceedings just after quarter past three.

I doesn't take long for the carnival atmosphere to change to ecstasy - 5 minutes and 23 seconds to be exact !! Shakers' centre forward Benito Lowe outmuscling his defender, twisting and turning, and then curling a glorious strike beyond Glossop's keeper Harvey Giles.

Five minutes on a rapid move down the left wing sees Sajj Alhassan chopped down in the box. Lowe sends Giles the wrong way from the penalty spot to make it 2-0.

Lowe is booked midway through the half and has two further long range strikes well over, before Darius Palma's effort is palmed out and Lowe's rebound is smuggled off the line. No matter as the Shakers go three up on 28 minutes; a corner missed by everyone landing at an unmarked Andrew Briggs three yards out who can't miss - and doesn't !

GNE cannot cope with Bury's forward line and its pace - Chris Rowney with a swerving effort just over and Alhassan wide, but the Peakites start to create chances and Jack Atkinson tips one on to the top of the bar just before the interval. The Shakers lead 3-0 at the break.

The second period starts off quietly until left back Jordi Nsaka unleashes a sumptuous drive across Giles on 57 minutes to make it 4-0. Cue a plethora of substitutions and on 70 minutes Atkinson makes a real mess of a Glossop free kick, spilling the ball into the path of Hillmen substitute Bevan Burey, and he scores, at the second attempt, from two yards.

The scoring finishes with two minutes left - Bury's Jack Lenehan given the freedom of the park to waltz through and curl home to leave the final score 5-1 to the Shakers.

Gate's Open For On Song Linnets ...

And so to the Community Stadium (New Victoria Park) in Burscough for an Easter Monday North West Counties Premier League fixture. Burscough FC, 'The Linnets', take on Squires Gate this afternoon.

The first Burscough AFC was formed in 1880 but folded in 1900. It was re-established as Burscough Rangers in 1905 and moved to Mart Lane in 1908, before also folding in 1935. The present Burscough club was founded in 1946 and worked its way up the Liverpool Leagues, Lancashire Combination and Cheshire County League before becoming founder members and first champions of the North West Counties Football League in 1982.

In 1998 they were promoted to the Northern Premier League, and in 2003 became the smallest ever club to win the FA Trophy against Tamworth under the management of Sean Teale - his reward was to be sacked 6 weeks later......

In 2007 the Linnets won the Northern Premier and spent two seasons in the Conference North, their highest ever position. Thereafter three relegations in 2009, 2012 and 2017 and an abortive half season ground share with Skelmersdale United brought them both home and to their current status, North West Counties Premier - which they are in real danger of being relegated from - seven points adrift with only four games left....

The story continues - Burscough sold the old Victoria Ground which was demolished in 2020, and built the Community Stadium adjacent incorporating an all weather pitch, which immediately flooded, and installed the old main stand from Stormy Corner (Skelmersdale's old ground), which was swiftly condemned and then removed. NWCFL refused permission for the new stadium to be used for matches, resulting in games being switched, until matters were finally resolved.

The club's owner at the time was universally reviled in Skelmersdale. Turns out that he also owned Stormy Corner and gave the Blueboys two hours notice of eviction - I was shown a picture of a 'Wanted Dead or Alive - For Money Making' poster that Skem fans produced at the time.

Squires Gate FC from School Road and The Brian Addison Stadium are the visitors - named after club stalwart Brian Addison, who has progressed from player to linesman to manager to Secretary to Chairman and eventually to groundsman.... 

 

The away side was formed in 1948 as Squires Gate British Legion, having accepted an offer from Blackpool Council to take a lease on a new ground on the site of a former tip. The Gate competed in the Blackpool & District Amateur League, changing their name to Squires Gate FC in 1953, and winning the League's First Division in 1955/56 and 1956/57.

 

Having spent one season in the Fylde District League the Gate moved to the newly reformed West Lancashire League in 1961. This proved a sterner challenge, with the Blues eventually promoted as Division 2 champions in 1980.

 

After much soul searching the club applied for membership of the North West Counties Football League and joined Division 2 for the 1991/92 season. In 2003 the Gate missed the runners up spot on goal difference, but were promoted to the top tier following the demise of champions Stand Athletic FC.

 

There they have remained ever since, reaching the FA Vase quarter final in the 2005/06 campaign. Calls for a merger between the 3 non league clubs situated within a 300 yard radius - Gate, Blackpool Mechanics (now AFC Blackpool) and Blackpool Wren Rovers -  have come to naught. The Blues are currently 19th, of 22, and seemingly safe.

It's a wet, murky Bank Holiday lunchtime as I set out past the Co-op Starship robots, the Vegetarian Society (relocating apparently), and into filthy driving conditions on the M6 across Thelwall Viaduct - teeming rain, spray and mist and, yes, imbeciles with no lights on..... Numberplates today are SU51 SAY, SKH4N and R1LEY and a firm advertising a dog grooming business - Short, Bark & Sides....

Past Enigma Industrial Solutions and Movianto I ignore the attractions of Haydock Park, Martin Mere Wetland Centre and Wigan Pier, and exit at Junction 27 and a sign 'We've Got It All In West Lancashire' - well definitely rain and surface water !! Taking in the striking Christ Church in Parbold with The Stocks pub nearby, and the villages of Newburgh (twinned with Newburgh, Indiana !) and historic Lathom, hosting Tawd Vale Adventure Centre, brings me to the outskirts of Burscough. There's no longer The Blue Mallard at Burscough Wharf but The Hop Vine survives in the town centre, before I turn into Tesco for free parking - there is limited parking at the ground.

New Victoria Park is behind Tesco and the Fitness and Racquets Centre, up Bobby Langton Way, past the vandalised, derelict 'The Barons' club, and with new housing on the old Victoria Park, with the original developer having gone bust. Inside there's a snack bar and on the near side the covered all seater stand - the changing rooms are in a separate building set back alongside.

Other than that it's just a walkway round the other three sides with banking and signs, ignored, stating 'Do Not Stand On The Mound'. The surprisingly busy (for a Bank Holiday) train line is at the top end but the other two sides lead onto mud and fields. Sadly the advertising hoarding offering exotic mushrooms is no more, and disappointingly the 'Burscough FC We Are L40' banner is also absent.

£6 in to a cold, exposed, windswept Community Stadium but thankfully the rain has abated, although the temperature is only 8C, feeling like 5C because of the icy wind. The Linnets are in all green, the Blues, strangely, in change red and white, and a solitary cry of 'You're just a bus stop in Ormskirk' greets a crowd of 75. 

As expected Gate start the better and take the lead on 10 minutes. Winger Alex Ralph cuts in from the right and hits a left yard screamer into the top corner.

 

But on 17 minutes a wind assisted cross sails into the far corner from Harry Middlehurst and the Linnets are level. Then eight minutes later a sloppy pass across the box is seized on and Laurence Cant is played in and he comfortably strokes home - Burscough lead 2-1 at the break.

 

Five minutes after half time good work by the corner flag sees the ball laid back to left back Morgan Kinsella and he finishes top bins for 3-1 ☺ On 54 minutes the ball is caught on the wind, drifting over the centre back and Christopher Sang takes advantage with an accomplished strike low into the corner - 4-1.

 

Ten minutes on Xenon Bahula is barged over in the box and Kinsella obliges with the spot kick to leave the Linnets 5-1 up - to some disbelief....

 

Burscough continue to create chances but Gate, belatedly, close the gate and there is no more scoring. However still incident as on 79 minutes Blues' sub Theo Ball is shown a straight red for a late, unnecessary lunge on home keeper Charles Monks.

 

Then on 87 James Boyd is released by Ralph, and he is cleaned out just outside box by Monks, who surprisingly only receives a yellow card. To add insult to injury Monks then makes a fine save from Ralph's free kick - Gate's only effort worthy of mention in the second period, and it finishes 5-1 to the Linnets.

 

However results have gone against Burscough and they are still 7 points adrift, but now with only three games left....

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....

Ravenous Dean, Scor-Ing Goals For Fun !!

And so to The Bowl (The 'Bernabowl') in Douglas on the Isle of Man for an 1800 kick off between FC Isle of Man (Club Sockyr Ellan Vannin) and Longridge Town in the North West Counties Premier Division. The evening start, as with all Isle of Man home games on a Saturday, was devised to avoid any competition with the local Saturday league.

The Ravens set up in 2019 - their badge made up of a black raven (a populous native bird on the island) and red and white colours, representing the island's sunsets and Manannan's cloak - Manannan, a Manx warrior, being the 'son of the sea'. The four water lines reflect the four sides of the isle and the motto 'Bee ny Share' is Manx for 'Be Better'. The triskelion (the three legged national flag) is stitched into the back of the shirt.

Isle of Man was accepted into the North West Counties for the 2020/2021 season and played their inaugural match in July 2020 against Guernsey in the Skipton Cup at The Bowl, winning 1-0. A reverse fixture in September produced a 1-1 draw with Guernsey winning on penalties.

Sadly the Covid-19 pandemic and local quarantine requirements meant the club could not start their league adventure - the club was temporarily suspended by the NWCFL in December 2020 for its failure to fulfil fixtures by the season end date. In any event the league season was abandoned in February 2021.

Nonetheless the Ravens kicked off 2021/2022 at Maine Road, playing 16 consecutive away fixtures, before hosting Brocton FC on 30 October. A hugely impressive first season left the Manxmen finish second, and then home play off victories against Wythenshawe Amateurs (3-0) and New Mills (4-2) saw the club promoted to the Premier Division.

Unfortunately this season has proved to be a step (almost) too far - a real struggle, seeing manager Chris Bass sacked in November 2022 and Paul Jones, Director of Football, taking over as interim manager to the end of the season. The Ravens lie 20th, one place above the relegation zone, but 10 points clear of Burscough who occupy the last relegation spot.

Longridge Town FC, from The Recycling Lives (formerly the Mike Riding) Ground on Inglewhite Road in the town, was formed in 1996 when the two main clubs in the town, Longridge United and Longridge St Wilfred’s, amalgamated. Both clubs had histories dating back to the 19^th century when Longridge St Wilfred’s and Longridge St Lawrence were established.

The clubs were based on sectarian grounds and played in their respective religious leagues. That situation existed to 1929 when Longridge St Lawrence became a non-sectarian club and changed name to Longridge United.

The new club started in the Preston & District League and subsequent promotions saw The Ridge elevated to the West Lancashire League Division Two in 2008. A runners up spot in their first season took them to Division One, where they were crowned champions in 2012.

The 2016/17 Premier Division title was clinched with a last day 1-0 win at closest rivals Blackpool Wren Rovers. The season after Town finished third and successfully applied to join the North West Counties Football League Division One North. Immediate success followed as champions with 144 goals scored taking Longridge up to the Premier -  followed by 2 Covid ravaged seasons and mid table in 12th last time. Currently the Ridge start one place above the Ravens, on goal difference, in 19th, of 22, but with three games in hand and also ten points clear of relegation.

En route to the airport numberplates BT04STY (heating engineer) and RUM3N, plus a van advertising Pawfection on the island....

A 27 minute flight, soaring over Calf of Man, then a packed bus, Ballasalla Steam Railway station, Mann Cat Sanctuary and Ballavartyn Equestrian Centre. Past the Home of Rest for Old Horses, the National Sports Centre and the Bowl into Douglas, home of the Thirsty Pigeon (a very welcome post match pint of Okells ☺), the Blind Pig, Wine Down, Bored Room and Mad Jack's Axe Throwing. The return journey is via Onchan and features the pub The Cat With No Tail and, fittingly outside, a Manx cat !

Into town there's the Tynwald (House of Keys), the Bee Gees statue, Tower of Refuge, Douglas War Memorial, Gaiety Theatre, the Horse Tramway (since 1876 !) leading onto the Manx Electric Railway at Derby Castle and its museum - sadly closed. On the way back is the Manx Museum from 1922, with a free centenary Museum 100 exhibition, the Manx Steam Railway and then up to the Bowl off Circular Road, turning left at Exit Strategy, an 'escape room'. Then Pulrose Power Station, the Isle of Cider on the Riverside Industrial Estate next to the River Glass, and to the 3,500 capacity Bowl.

Tonight's attendance is 627, with a healthy away following despite the misty, drizzly weather - the stadium is all seater, with one side and two corners covered, trees on every side and the ground in the midst of an industrial estate featuring fast food chains and local businesses. £10 in, card only, which is rather steep for this level but the Ravens are strictly amateur and have to pay for the visitors' travel and accommodation...

Mascot Raymond P Raven puts in an appearance with the Manxmen in red and black, Ridge in change lime and grey - and a pulsating first half ensues... 

Within 3 minutes Ridge's marauding full back Mitch Mitchell crosses low and hard and the ball is diverted into his own net by Ryan Burns to put Town 1-0 up. No matter as five minutes later Ste Whitley's cross finds captain Sean Doyle whose header sails home, but Ridge's keeper James Aspinall should have done better...

Six minutes on a ball is played in by Charlie Higgins and Doyle rolls his man and then hammers home. Doyle's 13 minute perfect hat trick is completed on 21 minutes, diverting home with his left foot after a fabulous Ravens' team move.

For the visitors Dean Ing plants a header wide but, fair warning, then shoots low under Dean Kearns to make it 3-2 on 33 minutes. We then see a goal line clearance from the Ravens and Higgins denied by Aspinall in a one on one as half time finds the Manxmen 3-2 up.

The second half is all about Ridge, as the Ravens fail to take flight, and eventually on 63 minutes Ing beats the offside trap and equalises for 3-3. Four minutes on Cian McDermott's effort is well saved but Ing powers home the rebound for his hat trick and puts Town 4-3 ahead.

But his game isn't over, as with five minutes left, he wins the ball and plays an exquisite pass to sub Ben Finley who scores with aplomb to make it 3-5; Finley then bends one round the post but Longridge end up deserved 5-3 winners in a compelling match ☺

High Noon For High Lane - Bury At The Death !!!

And so to the William Scholes Playing Fields in Gatley, otherwise known as Scholes Park (named after a former Gatley resident and estate agent), for a bonus match in the Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur Football League Division One between High Lane FC and Bury Amateur AFC. This match is running alongside Cavaliers v Astley & Tyldesley in Manchester League Division Two on the Athletics Track - a game comfortably won 5-1 by the visitors.

High Lane FC was founded in 1985 as High Lane Juniors Football Club to allow local residents' sons to play in competitive junior football. The club grew over the years and in 2008 became High Lane FC introducing an open age team, initially playing in the East Cheshire Sunday League, and then moving to the Lancs and Cheshire on Saturdays.

Champions of Division 3 in 2014, and then winning Division 2 the following year, Lane are currently top of the First Division this time, albeit having played more games than their rivals.

Bury Amateur AFC had two predecessors - Bury Athenaeum who lasted six seasons starting in 1903 and Bury Doric's who played one pre World War I campaign and never resurfaced. The Ammies were established on 28 February 1921 at the town's Derby Hotel, playing at the old Golf Links on Manchester Road.

The club won three successive Central championships in the Lancashire Amateur League between 1924 and 1926. During this period the Ammies merged with Bury Sports Club in 1925, but it was not a happy relationship and was terminated in 1934, and the team relocated to Redvales, off Manchester Road. Another move to the Warth Riverside Ground, betwixt the River Irwell and the Manchester to Bury electrified railway came about two years later in 1936.

Further championships were won after World War II, but the team became groundless in 1965, and was forced to play their fixtures at the Lancashire Fusiliers Regiment barracks. Bury won two more championships in 1985 and 1990.

But the club's long term future was secured early in the Millennium with the amalgamation with Prestwich-based junior club, Drinkwater Warriors, and the Ammies now play at Drinkwater Park in Prestwich. Joining the Manchester League in 2008 Bury won the First Division in their second season to be promoted to the Premier - but the first team quit to become Bury A F C in 2011.

However the rest of Bury Amateur AFC remained unchanged, playing in the Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur Football League. As runners up in Division Three in 2013 the side was promoted, and then moved up to Division One a year after, where they remain, currently lying mid-table.

Storm Otto has wreaked its havoc with trampolines on the railway line and tarpaulins on the overhead wires. But still beyond House of Boba and Cheshire Stoves & Fires I reach Timperley village centre and the iconic Frank Sidebottom statue.

Thereafter it's Altrincham Kersal RUFC, Baguley, home of Wythenshawe Town (a third game later on for the second half - it finishes 3-0 v Litherland REMYCA), then Wythenshawe Park, Menorah Synagogue and Sharston, home of Wythenshawe Amateurs and Hellermann Tyton before I arrive at Gatley - numberplates en route are CA2 1 WUF and L99 GND, with a gardener advertising himself as The Lawn Ranger... Honeybear Nursery, the Horse and Farrier and the old Tatton cinema - now a Co-op - precede a right turn, by the railway station, into Oakwood Avenue and then Beech Avenue, at the end of which is Scholes Park.

Scholes Park hosts four football pitches, a strange children's slide and a grassed over athletics track, where Cavaliers play, plus a sports club building with changing rooms. The top end is bounded by the Airport railway line - a steady stream of passenger services and one freight today - above is the flight path and with plenty of parking it really is Planes, Trains and Automobiles !!

The crowd barely scrapes double figures on a mild, cloudy afternoon, with the home fans seemingly not knowing who today's opponents are... The game kicks off at four minutes to two, with Lane in blue and black, Bury in red and black.

It's a tight, feisty, noisy affair with a flurry of yellow cards - but no goals, mainly due to some breathtaking saves from Bury keeper Liam White. That is until the 90th minute when Ammies' Anthony O'Brien breaks free on the right and hits a rising, stunning piledriver into the top corner - Bury Amateur snatch the points 1-0 and High Lane fall to third in the table.

Oakmen Felled and Outgovaned !!

And so to the Manchester League Division One and the Armitage Centre in Fallowfield for this afternoon's clash between a rechristened Govan & University of Manchester (clearly not from Glasgow - more of which anon...) and Wilmslow Albion, fresh from their injury time win at East Manchester last week.

Govan Athletic was established in 2001 by Jack Norbury, who still manages the team. Apparently Jack was so inspired by Sir Alex Ferguson's autobiography that he set up a football club named after Fergie's birthplace, as you do....

Athletic competed in the Stockport Football League in 2001/02, finishing as runners up, and moved up to the Lancashire & Cheshire Amateur League as a consequence. Division 2 was won in 2007/08, with Govan champions of Division 1 the following season. 

Athletic joined the Manchester League in 2016, were relegated to Division 2 in their first season, but were promoted back to Division One the following year. 6th from 13 and 6th from 12 in the two Covid truncated seasons pointed to mid table consistency.

Last time Govan finished 4th of 11 before partnering in the close season to become Govan & University of Manchester and moving from Platt Fields to the Armitage Centre. It's a transition that's working as Govan lead the league (first of 14) with 34 points from 13 games.

Today's visitors are the Oakmen from Wilmslow Albion - Albion, from Oakwood Farm (in Styal), was established in 1919 and spent the majority of its formative years in the South East Lancashire League, finishing as runners up in 1928/29.

Subsequently Albion joined the Mid Cheshire League where they finished second, behind Linotype (now Cheadle Heath Nomads), in 1961. A move to the Manchester League, combined with a decline in fortunes, led to a merger with local side Lindow and a change of name to Wilmslow Town - plus a switch to the Lancashire and Cheshire League.

But soon after Wilmslow Albion was reborn, merging with Dean Vale in 1976/77. Albion relocated from the Old Carnival Field on Water Lane in Wilmslow to Oakwood Farm and reverted to the Manchester League in 1998.

Promotions to the top tier in 2003 (relegated in 2006) and 2016 - a one season aberration that saw two wins, 26 defeats and a goal difference of -83, leaves the Oakmen back in Division One. Last term Wilmslow kicked off with a 4-0 thumping of Tintwistle Athletic, but finished 11th with only one more victory (at Altrincham Hale) and bottom with 7 points, comfortably adrift and counting themselves lucky there was no relegation. This time Albion again were occupying last place (14th) with 8 points from 15 matches.... but last week's victory took them above Hindley Juniors and out of the (one place) relegation zone !

Past Zen Tiling and Bathrooms, a broken bus, roadworks, Garvey's advertising St Patricks (which year ?) and a couple of outlets still selling Xmas trees. Then off at Essoldo, bypassing Iglesia Ni Cristo, shocking roads in Chorlton, and beyond Vietnamese Potbellied, Zaxxfried, King Bee records, Gita Bhavan Hindu Temple, Whalley Range High School, crossing Princess Road, to Moseley Road, St Kentigerns, Holy Innocents, Ya Souvlaki, Arabian Nites, and the Armitage Centre, Fallowfield complex.

Opposite are terraced houses, the car park, and to the left is the campus, whilst up top is the pavilion and an 8 step terrace outwith the cage. A crowd of 23 gathers in the cold but glorious sunshine 🌞 Today's numberplates are AM1 8EAU and P16 DOC, and a van advertising Paws & Tours.

The Armitage Centre lies on part of the site of the Fallowfield Stadium constructed in 1892 - and which hosted the 1892/93 FA Cup Final, switched from Kennington Oval. Wolves beat Everton 1-0 with a 15,000 stadium capacity but 45,000 apparently in attendance - Everton claiming, in vain, a replay due to overcrowding. The stadium also hosted 2 Rugby League Challenge Cup finals in 1899 and 1900 and a Calcutta Cup Rugby Union international between England and Scotland.

Bought in the early 1960s by Manchester University, demolished and then redeveloped as student housing and the university's sports facility, the Armitage Centre is now a gym, sports hall, with fitness classes and sports pitches (football, plenty of hockey - one player wearing a 113 shirt today, and rugby) and squash courts.

The Armitage Centre holds three fond Cup memories for me from my banking days:

• Playing for 35 King Street against Altrincham Stamford New Road and scoring the tie's opening goal. Immediately asking to be substituted because of injury, but reluctantly persuaded to stay on, and ending up scoring five in a 6-3 victory,
• The 1994 Subsidiary Cup Final for Manchester Corporate Banking Office which finished all square and went to penalties. We had missed a penalty and were staring defeat in the face when the floodlights went out - car headlights proving insufficient and meaning a replay the week after. That replay saw one goal separate the sides with me breaking from half way to slot home,
• The last ever Subsidiary Cup Final in 1996 again for Manchester CBO, a goal and a comfortable 4-1 win - and guess whose lounge the Cup now resides in ?

And there's an e-programme for today's game:

Govan are in red and black, sponsored by GBR Solutions - strange as the club badge and colours are purple and white and their hashtag is #purpleandproud (even stranger they play in white for the following week's home fixture against Boothstown). Albion are in change blue with black flashes, sponsored by Eastern Revive.

Govan govern the entire game and after hitting the post with a deflected shot, and a header cleared off the line from the resultant corner they eventually score through Matt Turner. Three decent saves from Wilmslow's keeper follow but Athletic are frustrated by a hard working Albion who pose no attacking threat whatsoever - their only effort a late shank by Calum McKenzie deep into the second period. 

1-0 at the break and after a bad miss, hitting the post again and having a goal disallowed, Louis Rhodes eventually twists and turns in the box, stroking home to double the advantage with a quarter of an hour to play.

Then it's sub Colin May's show as he scores a 7 minute hat trick - a 20 yard drive across the keeper on 83 minutes and then two penalties, both for clear trips, on 88 and with the final kick of the match. The league leaders triumph 5-0, having been only a goal in front with 15 minutes left.