Red Card Sees Visitors' Hopes Go South - Rampant Rovers Zak Attack !!

And so to Keighley for a North West Counties Division One North match between Route One Rovers and South Liverpool.

Route One Rovers FC, Bradford based but playing in Keighley, was established in 2013 starting as a grassroots BAME team in the local leagues - the club name a jokey brainstormer, winning out over AFC Bradford and Bradford Rovers. The side joined the West Riding Amateur Football League in 2015, playing at Esholt (of Emmerdale fame !!) Sports Ground in Shipley.

Rovers moved to the Zara Sports Centre on the outskirts of Bradford and were promoted in 2016 from Division 2, and then achieved back to back promotions the following season, moving up to the Premier Division in 2017.

The club joined the Yorkshire Amateur League Supreme Division following the demise of the West Riding League in 2019. Three top half finishes (7th, 4th and 6th), then Rovers moved to the Marley Stadium, groundsharing with Steeton in August 2022 and produced an invincible unbeaten 2022/23 season, with 23 wins incorporating a 100% home record, 2 draws and 1 abandonment. Route One was accordingly promoted as champions to the NWCFL Division One North, and are now looking to move up the leagues and find a permanent Bradford base.

Rovers have started with a 5-2 home victory over Ashton Town, coming from two goals down, and then a 3-0 win at a reincarnated Shelley. But defeats at Ashton Athletic (2-3) and at home to Ilkley - 3-4, after conceding two injury time goals, have been followed by a 1-0 win at Daisy Hill and Monday's remarkable 4-3 home triumph over Holker Old Boys, after being 3-1 down with 5 minutes to go, leaving Rovers fourth - 30 goals in their first six NWCFL games !!

South Liverpool, now based in Aigburth, date back from the 1890s - their first incarnation coming from a club changing its name from African Royal, moving to the Dingle, and eventually relocating to become New Brighton AFC in 1921. The Rakers were dissolved in 1983, having been Football League members from 1923 to 1951.

The second coming of The South came about in 1935 with the club playing at Holly Park in Garston, and enjoying trophy joy as Lancashire Combination champions in 1937, 1938 and 1939. The club made 10 applications to join the Football League, all unsuccessful, but won the Welsh Cup in 1939, beating Cardiff City 2-1....

The Cheshire County League followed in 1951 and subsequently the club played their first ever match under 'permanent' floodlights against a Nigeria XI (who were reputedly barefoot !) - a game covered by Kenneth Wolstenholme (until it was all over !) on the BBC, with a crowd of 13,007.

Then in 1967 Ferenc Puskas guested for the club in a fundraising friendly, attracting a crowd of 10,000 before South were invited to join the new Northern Premier League a year later. Jimmy Case and John Aldridge both cut their teeth at Holly Park before moving onto better things..

South struggled against wealthier, better supported clubs but in 1983/84 enjoyed their best post war season as they annexed the NPL League Cup, the Lancashire Challenge Trophy and the Liverpool Senior Cup. South’s success was not built upon and whilst two more Liverpool Senior Cup wins followed along with the NPL Presidents Cup, Holly Park was lost (burnt down) in 1989 and the limited company was liquidated in 1991. Holly Park was later converted to the impressive Liverpool South Parkway station.

South supporters had already formed a committee to take over the football club and in 1992 the phoenix club, a merger with Cheshire Lines FC, joined the Liverpool County Combination, groundsharing with Bootle rent free in exchange for Holly Park's floodlights - the clubs separating two years later. A nomadic existence was then South’s main issue but at the dawn of the Millennium they secured a home at the North Field, Jericho Lane in Otterspool. The County Combination joined forces with the I Zingari League in 2006 to form the Liverpool County Premier League.

South were consistent top half finishers in the Liverpool Combination / Liverpool County Premier League and won the George Mahon Cup at Goodison Park in May 2009. In 2011 South took the decision to switch to the West Cheshire League and immediately won two consecutive divisional titles to move up to the top division in 2014. The First Division was won in 2015 and retained in 2016 when two cups were added, making it a triple winning season. Further title success was achieved in 2018.

2019 saw South’s home ground move 200 yards to the Jericho Hub complete with floodlights, cover and stand. After the cancellation of the 2019/20 season South stepped up and took the abbreviated league title in 2021, achieving promotion to the North West Counties League for 2021/22, thirty years after semi pro status had been lost. South finished 13th of 19 in their first season at the higher level, and 10th of 18 last term. An opening day defeat this time at Bacup has been followed by three victories, an abandonment at Darwen, due to a sexist comment directed at a young female assistant referee, now under FA investigation, and a 2-1 home win against Daisy Hill on Wednesday - that means South Liverpool currently sit one place below Rovers.

So after the Navigation - its portico erected in 1780 and reconstructed in 1937 - it's a drizzly start turning to a pleasant sunny summer's day that brings me onto Manchester Road and I come across numberplates 2YYY, W4XCD and M11EYE plus a van advertising Dog Meats Bone ☺

Beyond the Sale Postal & Telegraph Office dating back to 1911, 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 (already offering Christmas Day lunch at £49.99...), Hedge Hogg, the Hartley Homes, Wycoller Country Park (no cars allowed in the village of Wycoller) and The Atom Panopticon. Then the sprawling village of Cowling, past the football club (no game today - they start at Skipton in a fortnight), before arriving at the sign for Glusburn & Cross Hills (coming t'other way the sign has the names reversed), home of Funky Monkey, The Old White Bear and dominated by the Cirteq factory, part of the Titgemeyer Group. There follows a lengthy 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 still 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, following a different route via Cliffe Castle and Ghosijah Masjid, 'Verily Our Time Is Appointed', - the impressive Markazi Jamia Masjid mosque is in the town centre. Then The Livery Rooms (Wetherspoons), Sham Syrian Shawarma, a Persian takeaway, The Kindred Bizzare, the Boltmakers Arms, Taylors on the Green and the market, featuring Arctic Storm Clothing. 

Onto Chic n Tique, Grind n Groove records and the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway - 75078 again on duty for the £14 return 25 minute journey to Oxenhope. My final destination, after Pineoakio Furniture, is the Keighley Bus Museum - in the middle of nowhere on the River Technology Park.

Eventually to the Marley Activities & Coaching Centre where Route One are in grey and white, South in red and black. £5 in, a crowd of 105 including a healthy away contingent, some of whom have travelled on the team bus, and inside at the top end are two shelters - the Varley Boilers covered stand, the other one unsponsored, and nearside the Keighley Kia & Mazda seated stand in front of the clubhouse - which is closed.....

The ground is sited on an industrial estate, the A650 at one end, picturesque views of the countryside, the National Trust's East Riddlesden rising into the hills on my left and surrounded by council football pitches - local games yet to commence.

Route One have an early chance and South respond with a fizzer over the bar from a corner. But on 7 minutes it really is Route One as a long ball produces a flicked header on, and Mohammed Husnain outmuscles his marker and shoots across South's keeper Lucas Allan to put Rovers ahead. 

James Cottrell has South's best chance with a volley on 37 minutes and Rovers hit the post in injury time. Two good footballing sides, cancelling each other out, and guilty of overplaying and imperfect passing leaves it 1-0 to the hosts at the break.

In the second half South start better with sub Lewis Williams proving to be a lively threat. But the game pivots in the 57th minute as the speedy Husnain again outstrips his marker, and in a tangle of legs, is brought down whilst bearing through on goal. Cottrell is deemed to be last man and is red carded to home megaphone taunts of 'Early showers, early showers'.....

That megaphone is back in use, along with an air raid siren and a drummer, five minutes later as a one two beyond a static defence leaves Zak Khan to double the lead through Allan's legs. Rovers then hit the post from a deflected shot midway through the half.

The match finishes with two further goals; with four minutes to go Khan's first effort is saved by Allan, but the ball is recycled and Khan rams it home. Then at the start of injury time Khan has his hat trick, bursting forward and then a beautiful curling finish from 25 yards into the bottom right corner leaves Route One triumphant at 4-0.

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....