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.

Oakmen Fell East - Beating The Blues !!!

And so to 2023 and the Wright Robinson Sports College in Gorton for another Manchester League Division One floodlit affair (3pm) between East Manchester and Wilmslow Albion.

East Manchester FC was formed in 1960 as the works team of the Ferranti engineering factory and initially competed in the local Chorlton League, which they immediately won. A switch to the South East Lancashire League brought about several changes of name from Ferranti to ICT to ICL and finally to East Manchester in 1985.

Success in the South East Lancs prefaced The Blues joining the Manchester League in 1981, and a ground move from Mellands to the GMB club, both in Gorton. Winning the second tier title saw the club promoted to the Premier Division of the Manchester League, and a league and cup double arrived in 1992.

East moved venue again to Kirkmanshulme Lane, then settling at Dave Pace's Butchers Arms in Droylsden until 2006. A short return to the GMB ground and thereafter the Blues took up residence at the Wright Robinson College in 2008. The club was relegated in 2015 but bounced back as champions the following season. 

However another demotion, in bottom place, in 2019 sees East at 11th (of 14) this time with 12 points from 14 games after their victory at Manchester Central in their final fixture last year, in the First Division - moving up from next to bottom above today's visitors.

Wilmslow 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 were runners up, 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 currently occupy last place (14th) with 8 points from 15 matches... so that relegation may just have been deferred !

Through Timperley, past Finishing Touch, then Dixons Academy Brooklands, Camperlands and on to the M60. Gratuitous Extinction Rebellion Revolution graffiti, the Crystal Methodist's Pyramid and off at Denton Rock. Numberplates today are AD10S SU and PO0 5TAF (S & C Drain Services) and a van plugging, er, The Party Plug.

Towards Gorton, bypassing Caribbean Cookout, Bundu Khaan, turning at the Lord Nelson and avoiding Pampered Paws and High Bank Bowling Club, we reach the Wright Robinson Sports Village - 'Excellence Is Our Aim'. It's a vast complex with a plethora of astroturf pitches but a crowd of only ten assembles at the furthest tree lined exposed pitch in a knifing wind - in contrast to the well attended East Manchester Junior Football League games alongside. So cold is it that East reluctantly provide the linesman on the opposite side in the teeth of the wind, trundling across the pitch whilst the game is in play - and not bothering at all in the second half....

East naturally are in blue with a mix of Greystones and National Debt Support sponsored shirts, the Oakmen in change orange and black, sponsored by Eastern Revive. Fifteen minutes of utterly forgettable football ensues.

Then Wilmslow see a cross not fully cleared and James Rogers volleys into the top right corner. Cue an East fightback (Eastern Revive ??!) and a sumptuous half volley levels matters on 25, before the Blues take the lead 9 minutes later, their right back hitting the post and the rebound slotted home.

In the second half East are desperately poor, conjuring up a couple of dangerous crosses but little else. Albion equalise six minutes in; Calum McKenzie cutting in from the left touchline, before arrowing in a glorious top corner strike.

A combination of desperate defending and near misses from Albion takes us through rain and then injury time with a draw the likely outcome. However three minutes into stoppage time Wilmslow break and their strike from the right of the penalty area is met with a fabulous save and a collective groan from the away bench... No matter as Rogers sweeps home the loose ball to leave the Oakmen 3-2 victors, their first league win since August - sufficient to take them out of the relegation zone and within a point of East ☺

Outcasts Are Cast Out - East Is East, Blues Is Best........

And so to the Seashell Trust, formerly the Royal Schools For The Deaf, on Stanley Road in Cheadle Hulme for a Manchester League Division One derby between Manchester Central FC and East Manchester FC.

Manchester Central FC was formed in 1928 by Manchester City director John Ayrton and the owner of Belle Vue stadium, John Iles. Ayrton founded Manchester Central because he felt that East Manchester needed a League side - City having moved out of the area in 1923.

The Outcasts played at the Belle Vue Athletics and Speedway Stadium, joining the Lancashire Combination in its first year (1928). With Billy Meredith as coach, the Magpies finished seventh of 20, and applied to join the Football League for the 1929/30 season - which was knocked back.

Central finished runners up the following year, but another attempt to join the League failed. 1930/31 was less successful - 7th and another fruitless League application. However Wigan Borough resigned from the Football League in October 1931 and Central applied to take their place.

This was initially accepted but a formal complaint was lodged jointly by Manchester City and Manchester United, on the grounds that Manchester could not support a third League side. The Football League backed the existing sides, United receiving hugely critical media coverage, and Central were denied, subsequently resigning from the Combination, continuing in the Manchester Amateur League for a few years before becoming defunct.

The club was revived in 2016, joining the Manchester League Division One, and promoted to the Premier as runners up in 2018 - a season culminating in Murray Trophy and Terry Wood cup successes. Despite finishing second in the top tier the Outcasts chose to opt out at the end of the 2018/2019 campaign, before rejoining in Division Two in 2021 and earning promotion to Division One - five wins and a draw from 10 matches leaves the Magpies mid table (8th of 14) this term.

East Manchester FC, from the Wright Robinson College in Gorton was formed in 1960 as the works team of the Ferranti engineering factory and initially competed in the local Chorlton League, which they immediately won. A switch to the South East Lancashire League brought about several changes of name from Ferranti to ICT to ICL and finally to East Manchester in 1985.

Success in the South East Lancs prefaced The Blues joining the Manchester League in 1981, and a ground move from Mellands to the GMB club, both in Gorton. Winning the second tier title saw the club promoted to the Premier Division of the Manchester League, and a league and cup double arrived in 1992.

East moved venue again to Kirkmanshulme Lane, then settling at Dave Pace's Butchers Arms in Droylsden until 2006. A short return to the GMB ground and then the Blues took up residence at the Wright Robinson College in 2008. The club was relegated in 2015 but promoted back as champions the following season. However another demotion, in bottom place, in 2019 sees East playing, next to bottom this time with 9 points from 13 games, in the First Division.

Belatedly onto Park Road, delayed by roadworks, past a pony being led in a pink coat then De Luxe Chicken (still no sign of opening !) and Beauty by Peaches & Cream. Thereafter the Moss Trooper, Hare and Hounds, Al Khans, Cheshire Dog Spa and Bowdon Rugby Club on Clay Lane. All these intertwined with numberplates 123 ANY and JU51 BOX (a greengrocer) and a van emblazoned with 'The Rutland Fox'... and another with Willow Goat Crafts....

To Roaring Gate Lane, Hale Top Farm, Etrop Grange and the Manchester Airport Relief Road - thankfully not flooded today.... Off at the Handforth turn and Little Acorns Nursery - Fun Frogs in the opposite direction - and then right at the Waggon and Horses into Stanley Road.

The vast complex is on the left, tree lined, bounded by the Relief Road, construction works aplenty and a mix of residential housing (Sir Norman Stoller Way) and the Academy. Problems with the electric gates, both in and out, lead, eventually, via a pot holed access road to the car park, changing rooms and astroturf pitch. Confusion regarding kick off time but it's finally clarified as 3pm under the floodlights.

Central are in white and black with single back and red hoops, sponsored by iMap, East in all blue and a mix of Greystones and National Debt Support sponsored shirts. The referee is wearing gloves before a crowd of 12, with light rain turning to blustery winds and a leaf strewn (but not leaf logged !!) pitch.
 
The Magpies are sluggish in the first period, incohesive and lacking any real threat. No real surprise that the Blues take the lead just after the quarter hour - a clumsy challenge in the box, and the penalty comfortably converted. 90 seconds later it's 2-0 as a left wing cross is adeptly flicked into the far corner.
 
Finally the Outlaws get going and their best chance sees Gabriel Wiwoloku turn and fire, but it is deflected just wide. But it could be worse - East's right full back shoots from 25 yards, a minute before half time, and his sweet strike smacks the foot of the post before coming out.
 
A quadruple substitution for Central at half time sees no change as East hit the side netting - but then the substitutions start to make a difference... On 49 minutes sub Ruben Abreu receives the ball, beats his man, pulls back and scores to halve the deficit. Seven minutes later Abreu shows sublime skill to square to Kaine Martin who taps in, virtually on the goal line, and it's 2-2.
 
Just beyond the hour Abreu finds Junior Silva and his shot is blocked, desperately, on the line - East immediately counterattack for a two on one, which ends in a disappointing finish wide. Half an hour of end to end entertaining football follows, the crowd enthralled as to which (if any) side will poach the winner...

Then in the 90th minute the Blues break and, at the third attempt, their left back shoots into the roof of the net despite shotstopper Dan Whiting's vain attempts to save. East take the points from their 3-2 win, moving up to 11th, whilst the Outcasts reflect on 10 weeks without a home league win.....