Charnock Richard Football Club 07

OFFICIAL MATCH DAY PROGRAMME SEASON 2019-20 £2.00

Charnock RichardFootball Club 07

V WINSFORD UNITEDNORTH WEST COUNTIES FOOTBALL LEAGUEPREMIER DIVISIONSATURDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER,3.00PM

Chorley Alliance League: 1947-48, 1956-57 | Gillett Cup: 1956-57, 1959-60, 1963-64 | Guildhall Cup: 1957-58, 1968-69, 1992-93 | Preston & District League: 1960-61, 1966-67, 1968-69, 1988-89 | Chorley Amateur Cup: 1960-61, 1961-62, 1964-65 | Hunt Cup: 1969-70 | Lancashire Amateur Shield: 1967-68, 2001-02, 2006-07, 2010-11, 2011-12 | West Lancashire League Division One: 1997-98 | West Lancashire League Premier Division: 2002-03, 2008-09, 2011-12, 2012-13, 2013-14, 2014-15 | Richardson Cup: 2001-02, 2003-04, 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 | Goldline Trophy: 2000-01, 2005-06 | West Lancashire League Reserve Division Two: 1995-96 | West Lancashire League Reserve Division One: 1996-97, 1997-98, 2013-14

All editorial in this programme is copyright of Charnock Richard Football Club and may not be reproduced. The views of the contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the club.

Information correct at the time of going to press.

ISSUE 07EDITORIAL...

CHARNOCK RICHARDFOOTBALL CLUB Unincorporated Association A Charter Standard Club Mossie Park, Charter Lane, Charnock Richard, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 5LZ T: 01257 794288

CLUB OFFICIALSChairman: Shaun TootellVice Chairman: Geoff HaslamSecretary: Dave RowlandAssistant Secretary: Graham RandleTreasurer: Steve MawdesleyCommercial Manager: TBCClub Photographer: Alan WalkerWebsite Co-ordinator: Shaun TootellSocial Media Coordinator: Adam DonnellanGroundsman: Pleasant View GMGround Supervisor: Harold HeatonKit Man: Jim BibbyCommittee: Steve Porter, Dave Smith,Dave Dixon, Lewis Spensley, Brian Lowe, Ian Livesey, Alan Baron.1st Team Manager: Ryan Donnellan1st Team Assistant Manager: Dave Haslam1st Team Coach: Dan CroftsGoalkeeping Coach: Gareth JonesFirst Team Assistant/Analyst: Lewis Spensley Team Physio: Kate SmithReserve Team Manager: Ian MountainReserve Assistant Manager: Paul CharnleyReserve Team Coaches: Tom Charnley, Paul Billington

PROGRAMMEProgramme Co-ordinator: Ian LiveseyContributors: Keith Reader, David Rowland, Shaun Tootell, Ian Mountain, Dave Smith, Gareth Jones, Ryan Donnellan.Design & Print: Andy Calvert www.matchdaycreative.co.uk

H ello all and welcome back to Mossie Park for today’s game with Winsford United.

I’d like to extend the welcome to our friends from Cheshire. Hope you enjoy your stay and have a safe journey home. I write these at just past midnight on what is now Thursday after seeing the Greens pick up another three points away from home at Runcorn Town. To go with our fantastic comebacks against Irlam and Prestwich Heys, this was one that we controlled from the start and despite letting an equaliser slip, further goals from Jordan Darr and Oliver Oxley right at the end to seal the win will install a lot of confidence for all at Charnock Richard FC.

Our visitors currently lie in 15th place, just three points behind us in the early stages of the season. They’re one of the oldest members of the North West Counties League, and have a lot of history behind them having played further up the pyramid for many years previously. Winsford will be looking for their first win of the season since beating Squires Gate 5-4 at home in the middle of August, so we’ll have to be at our best again today to get another three points.

I recently put details on our social media sites for my fundraising initiative for our club and Derian House of my walk to Burscough FC at the start of next month. Donations are welcome and you can come and see me in my seated position in the stand if you’d like to donate. If you fancy the 10-mile trek, then you would be very welcome to strap on your boots and join us. I’m looking to leave at 10:30am to arrive at Victoria Park around 2pm. I did many a walk to Bamber Bridge in my Chorley FC days and over that time we raised hundreds of pounds for our charities. I’m not expecting to raise as much but I hope you can spare something as they say, every little helps! If you’re tech-savvy, then you can also donate online by going to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/TheBigCRFCWalk

Thanks and enjoy the game!

Ian Livesey, Programme Co-ordinator

03THE OFFICIAL CHARNOCK RICHARD FOOTBALL CLUB PROGRAMME

04 THE OFFICIAL CHARNOCK RICHARD FOOTBALL CLUB PROGRAMME

1ST TEAM PLAYER STATS SEASON 2019-20

League Cups Total Overall App Sub Goal App Sub Goal App Sub Goal App Sub GoalAinscough R 1 1 1 Ascroft B 7 6 13 13 Bennett J 3 2 2 3 4 28 32 4Bibby S 6 6 1 12 1 177 51 15Darr J 1 1 3 1 1 2 3 1 2 3Dashti D 400 156 26Davision M 6 1 3 1 9 1 1 67 12 21Eastwood J 2 Fairhurst N 6 1 6 12 1 140 2 17Griffith A 2 1 3 2 5 3 5 7 Grimshaw C 7 7 6 5 13 12 391 22 440Haydock L 5 2 1 6 11 2 1 11 2 1Kay J 2 3 3 1 1 5 4 1 5 4 1McNally L 2 2 Morris O 2 2 3 2 O'Farrell R 4 1 3 2 7 3 154 41 7Oxley O 4 3 1 2 2 6 5 1 20 31 9Pilgrim L 3 Regan D 7 5 1 2 12 2 35 1 4Schofield R 2 2 3 5 2 96 13 2Turner O 1 4 5 17 5 Walker J 6 3 2 9 2 77 6 6Woods M 4 1 3 2 1 7 3 1 135 24 20Young A 2 1 4 6 1 138 5 23

Premier Division Table P W D L F A GD Pts1 Whitchurch Alport 6 5 1 0 17 5 12 162 Rylands 6 5 1 0 15 3 12 163 Irlam 7 4 2 1 19 11 8 144 1874 Northwich 5 4 0 1 17 8 9 125 Longridge Town 6 4 0 2 14 12 2 126 Bootle 6 3 2 1 13 9 4 117 Barnoldswick Town 7 3 2 2 14 14 0 118 Ashton Athletic 7 3 1 3 18 11 7 109 Northwich Victoria 5 3 0 2 11 3 8 910 Avro 7 3 0 4 17 17 0 911 Runcorn Town 6 3 0 3 10 11 -1 912 Charnock Richard 7 3 0 4 14 18 -4 913 Skelmersdale United 7 2 2 3 11 12 -1 814 Congleton Town 7 2 2 3 14 16 -2 815 Winsford United 6 2 0 4 13 16 -3 616 Hanley Town 6 1 2 3 6 11 -5 517 Burscough 7 1 2 4 6 17 -11 518 Squires Gate 6 1 1 4 11 15 -4 419 Padiham 7 1 1 5 6 17 -11 420 Litherland REMYCA 7 0 3 4 4 24 -20 3

I ’d like to welcome officials, players and spectators of Winsford United to Mossie Park. Have a great day with us today.

Our last home game was the very disappointing result against Irlam in the FA Cup. I thought that we competed in the first half but we found ourselves on the back foot. Going 2-0 down at half time we tried to push to get back into the game but unfortunately got caught on the counter attack. It was gutting to go out of the FA Cup having done so well on the competition this season but there were plenty of positives to come out of it.

The following Tuesday was Irlam once again in the league. The game didn’t start to our liking, conceding in the first 30 seconds wasn’t what we wanted and then with Irlam scoring again to make it 2-0 inside 25 minutes gave us a massive task to get back into the game. Although being 2-0 down we dominated the game and in the second half we were a different class. The lads showed great character to get back into the game and ultimately winning convincingly 4-2. It was a fantastic result against an unbeaten side, I felt we had really turned a corner after a poor start.

Last Saturday was a quick return to cup action in the FA Vase against Prestwich Heys. On paper we should have won with ease, but Prestwich really

gave us a game and once again we came from behind to get our name in the hat for the next round, although it did take extra time to do so. It wasn’t the best performance but a win is a win and we have another winnable game against Lower Breck at home in the next round. I think this is a big chance to progress.

It’s been very stop and start so far with games in the league and cup and then Wednesday we faced Runcorn Town in the league. Away from home, it is always a tough place to go. We realised we needed to push on in the league and get ourselves where we belong. We couldn’t have asked for a better start scoring very early from a great finish from our new signing Jordan Darr. Runcorn soon equalised but we managed to get our noses back in front and go in 2-1 up at half time. Throughout the second half Runcorn piled the pressure on us but we were solid and well disciplined to keep them at bay. During the last 10 minutes we killed the game off which relieved the pressure. It was another very good performance and result against a side who always want to compete for promotion every year.

Today we entertain Winsford a big opportunity for us to move further up the table and continue the winning run we are on.

Ryan Donnellan


THE MANAGER RYAN DONNELLAN

CHARNOCK RICHARD F.C. OFFICIAL PROGRAMME

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CHARNOCK RICHARD F.C. OFFICIAL PROGRAMME

G ood afternoon and welcome to Mossie Park for today’s NWCFL Premier Division fixture. On behalf of everyone

here at Charnock Richard FC, I would like to welcome the players, club officials and supporters of today’s opponents Winsford United. We hope that you all have a very enjoyable stay at our club and have a safe journey back home to Cheshire.

It has been two weeks since our last home game in the FA Cup against Irlam. Our venture in the FA Cup ended that day with a disappointing 4-0 defeat, which I thought was not a true reflection of the game but Irlam certainly deserved their victory on the day. Despite this disappointment, the lads responded superbly four days later when we met the same team in a midweek league game and we showed some excellent fighting qualities to bounce back from a 2-0 deficit at half time to win 4-2 with an outstanding second half performance. I’m sure that if you were watching the twitter feed that night then the final result would have come as a big surprise.

Following on from that game, we travelled to Prestwich Heys last Saturday in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase and our inconsistent form was evident again with another below-par performance despite clinching the game in extra time. Once again we were reliant upon the scoring prowess of our Captain Carl Grimshaw who grabbed yet another hat-trick in a remarkable career at the club. As I write these notes, just ahead of the midweek Runcorn game, we now know that our next round opponents in the FA Vase first round proper will be Lower Breck who we faced earlier in the season in the FA Cup. No doubt they will be looking for revenge when the tie is played on October 12th but hopefully we produce a similar result when we meet them in the next round.

Since the start of the season, we have seen a similar pattern to recent seasons where our away form has been much better than our home form. It is difficult to understand why this has been the case and the only possible explanation that I can offer is that maybe when we play at home, our opponents are more inclined to sit back and stay more compact in defence which restricts our attacking options. Hopefully we can reverse our recent poor home form today against a team who currently sit just above us in the league.

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that we are now looking for sponsors for the first team players and management which will cost just £40 per player for the whole season. In return, the sponsor will have their names published in both the matchday programme and also on the club website. As we now have around half of the players sponsored, we will be publishing the player sponsorships page in the matchday programme soon until the end of the season. If you do wish to sponsor a player or management team then please speak to either myself or Geoff Haslam at the turnstile.

That’s all from me for now but please enjoy today’s match and as always, give the lads your very best support. Hopefully we can take all three points as we strive to move up the league standings.

Shaun Tootell


FROM THE CHAIRMAN SHAUN TOOTELL

THE BOARDROOM SHAUN TOOTELL

Good afternoon and welcome to Mossie Park for thisthird home league game of the season for CharnockRichard FC in the Hallmark Security League. On behalfof everyone here at Charnock Richard, I would like towelcome the management, players and committeefrom St Helens Town. We hope you all have a veryenjoyable day at our club and have a safe journeyback home.

Our first ever home league game two weeks ago againstAlsager Town was a bit of a wake-up call for us all andshowed everyone that we can expect to face some verydifficult opponents in this league. It is however veryencouraging that as I write this article, the team has sincebounced back with two excellent away wins at Silsden andWhitchurch Alport. We were advised by the league thatone of the management committee would be present at ourfirst home game to offer advice and support on the day andit was the league Ground Grading Chairman GeoffWilkinson who visited us on the day. Geoff is very wellknown to us all here at Charnock and has been offering theclub valuable advice on ground grading matters over anumber of years. It is fair to say that Geoff’s advice hashelped to save the club a lot of money which could havebeen spent unwisely as we developed the Mossie Parkfacility.

On the day, Geoff took the opportunity to update us on ourcurrent Ground Grading status. For those who are notfamiliar with the grading standards, grounds must initiallymeet the FA Grading Standard H to gain promotion into theNorth West Counties League. Following admission into theleague, all clubs must then meet Grading Standard G bythe 31st March in the following year (in our case 31stMarch 2017). The difference between Grade G and H isvery minimal - Grade H requires a minimum coveredspectator accommodation of 50, whereas Grade Grequires a minimum covered spectator accommodation of100 (of which 50 must be seated and located in onestand). Both Grading Standards state ‘All seating mustafford a good view of the pitch’ and whilst our currentseated stand holds just over 100 seats, only the higher 50seats meet this criteria due to the potential for standingspectators along the touchlines blocking the views from thelower seats. It is fair to say that we have visited othergrounds recently and the same argument could be raisedas to whether some ground level seating at other venuesafford a good view of the pitch but we will leave that forothers to debate.

At the end of the day we have a responsibility to complywith the Ground Grading Regulations, so we have apredicament which must be resolved within the next sixmonths. One option would be to raise the height of thecurrent stand to ensure all that all 100 plus seats afford agood view of the pitch - not an easy option but notimpossible. A second option would be to build a coveredstanding area to accommodate 50 or 100 spectators sothat we can meet the Grade G requirements. Theseissues will be discussed at the next committee meetingwhich will be held in a few days’ time and hopefully wewill agree our preferred strategy going forward. Oneissue we mustn’t forget is that should we be the fortunateposition to challenge for promotion to the PremierDivision next season, then the ground must the meet therequirements of Grade F which will almost certainlyrequire us to raise the height of the stand to allow all 100plus seats to give a good view of the pitch.

On a final note I would like to thank many of you whoattended our recent Reserve league game at home toWorkington Reserves. Not only did we get an excellentattendance on a Monday evening but it is fair to say thatit was a superb game of football played by two excellentyoung sides who were both a credit to the game. I lostcount of how many spectators came up to me after thematch to say that they had thoroughly enjoyed the game.

That’s enough from me for the time being, so pleaseenjoy your day and hopefully we can look forward toseeing you again at Mossie Park as the seasonprogresses.

Shaun TootellChairman

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W elcome to Mossie Park for this afternoon’s North West Counties League Premier Division game

against Winsford United and an especially warm Charnock welcome to the players, officials and supporters of our friends from Cheshire. We hope that you will enjoy your stay with us and have a safe and trouble-free journey home after the game. We would also like to take this opportunity to welcome our three match officials in the shape of referee Daniel Bruce and his able assistants James Naisbett and Joseph Wareham.

After finishing in 16th place in the Premier Division last time out, the ‘Blues’ will be keen to improve on that this season. Like us however, United have had a mixed bag of results so far this term. They went out of the FA Cup and FA Vase in the early stages and have struggled for consistency in the league. There is little doubt though that the ‘Blues’ will prove to be a challenge for the Charnock lads this afternoon. Games between us have been closely fought affairs in the past and there is no reason to believe that today will be any different.

Our win at Adie Moran Park last Saturday was hard won; the game eventually being decided in extra-time. Carl Grimshaw’s hat-trick brought his total goal count, so far this season, to 12. His excellent strike, which eventually won the tie for the ‘Villagers’ was his 440th goal for the club in competitive football. Well done Carl.

The tie at Heys was not the first time that we had met Prestwich Heys in a cup competition. We came out of the hat together in the 2nd Round of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy on the 7th November 2017 when Charnock won 3-1 at Adie Moran Park following goals from Matthew Davison, Carl Grimshaw and Jonathan Hession. Alfie Belcher scored the lone goal for the homesters. Previous to this we met four times in the Goldline Trophy with three wins for Charnock and a draw. Our first ever meeting with Prestwich Heys was in the Goldline Trophy on the 20th March 2006 in the Final at Bolton Wanderers Reebok Stadium when Charnock won 2-1 via goals by George Craddock and Dean Taylor. In the following season, 2006-07 we met twice in the competition with Charnock winning the Group D qualifying tie at Prestwich by 3-0 following goals by Kevin Allen 2 and John Sanderson on the 29th July 2006. We contested the Final for the second consecutive year on 12th March 2007 with Heys taking the winners medals after winning on penalties following a 1-1 draw. George Craddock got the Charnock goal. The fourth and last Goldline Trophy meeting between the clubs took place on the

23rd July 2008 at Prestwich in a Group 1 qualifying tie with Charnock winning 6-0. Our goals that day came from Liam Hayton 2, Andy Roberts 2, Jimmy King and Kenny Mayers.

We have met only twice to contest league points. These came in Charnock’s first season in the North West Counties League in 2016-17 when we clashed in Division 1. The first game played between the sides took place on the 29th March 2017 here at Mossie Park when Charnock took all three points following a 5-2 success with goals from Carl Grimshaw 2, Jonathan Hession, Anthony Hough and Daniel Smith. Jamie Baguley and Adam Nutall replied for the visitors. The return game on the 15th April saw ‘The Villagers’ complete the ‘league double’ over the Greater Manchester side following a 3-0 win. Carl Grimshaw was on the mark for Charnock scoring a hat-trick.

Since my last notes we have signed striker, Jordan Darr. Jordan Started his football career at Chorley although he did turn out for our near neighbours Euxton Villa in the West Lancashire League. He came through the ‘Magpies’ youth set-up at Victory Park before enjoying successful loan spells in the 2018-19 season with Bamber Bridge and Northwich Victoria, following an earlier stint with Skelmersdale United. The highly-rated forward signed for Clitheroe in the summer of 2019 before joining the ranks at Charnock Richard on a dual registration in early September. In welcoming Jordan to Mossie Park, we hope that he will enjoy his football with us and have a long and happy association with the club. Jordan made the best of starts in a green shirt scoring the equaliser at Irlam in the premier Division after coming on as a second-half substitute in his first game. Also, centre back, Ryan Schofield, has transferred to Longridge Town. We would like to place on record our thanks to Ryan’s for his contribution to the Charnock cause over recent seasons and wish him all the best with his new club.

Please note that our ‘second string’ are on their travels once again this afternoon with a trip to Freckleton to contest a West Lancashire League Division 2 game. We have been drawn at home to Lower Breck in the 1st Round Proper of the FA Vase. The tie is scheduled to take place on Saturday the 12th October. Due to receiving a bye in the 1st Round of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy, we are not involved in that competition until the first week in November. Let’s hope for a home draw. Thank you for your support today. Believe me, it is well appreciated and thank you for buying this afternoons programme. It does have a Prestwich Heys feel about it but that’s because of having to prepare for a possible publication for a replay. Despite this we hope that you will find it an enjoyable and informative read.Dave Rowland, Secretary


SECRETARY'S REPORT DAVE ROWLAND

SECRETARY’S REPORT DAVE ROWLAND

Welcome to Mossie Park for this afternoon’s DivisionOne game against Sandbach United who are visitingus for the very first time and a warm Charnock welcome to all who have travelled up from deepestCheshire to be with us today. We hope that you willenjoy your stay and have a safe and trouble-free journey home after the game. The East Cheshire sideare a friendly and welcoming club as we found outwhen visiting them on that ill-fated fog-bound afternoon at the end of November. It is hoped that wecan return their excellent hospitality today.

I first met United’s secretary, John Clayton, and a coupleof their committee, at the Imperial Hotel on the NorthPromenade in Blackpool when attending the North WestCounties League AGM back on the 11th June. Applicantclubs were asked to remain outside of the meeting untilbeing summoned by League Chairman Paul Lawler whenthe representatives from each of the six applicants werecalled upon to give an introductory speech to the assembled throng before being voted in by the memberclubs. As we waited nervously in an adjacent room, SteveMawdesley and I got into conversation with the Sandbachcontingent and quickly found them to be a very sociablegroup. We got on with them immediately and it was andenjoyable exchange. That day we made our first friends inthe North West Counties League and long may it continue.

Sandbach United are one of the six newcomers to theNorth West Counties League this season and spent theprevious campaign at Step 7 in the Cheshire Leaguewhere they finished in 4th spot in the Premier Division.Like most of the newly promoted clubs they have made agood impression in their first season in the competitionand we wish them well. Today is of course our last homegame of the season not withstanding any play-off gamethat we may be involved in. To say that it has been a special one would be an understatement. We have enjoyed some wonderful football, been to many differentvenues for the first time, met some really great people andmade many new friends. When we left our comfort zone inthe West Lancashire League, we did so because the clubhad grown and developed to a point where new challenges and new horizons had become a necessity.

A new direction was needed if the club was to grow. Remaining stagnant was not an option. We have hadproblems to contend with. Finding funding for essentialground development and finding an appropriate level forour reserve side was only a couple of examples. The immediate aim was to consolidate at Step 6 level in theNational League System and to be in a position to sustain this in the long term. The players of our threesenior teams have had a fine season and once again thishas been due to the management skills and dedication ofthe management teams of all three. On the administration side, we have been joined by David Smithand Brian Lowe who have very kindly agreed to give oftheir precious time and for this we are very grateful.

For me, this is my fifth season as secretary and I canhonestly say, hand on heart, that the 2016-17 campaignis one of the best that I have enjoyed in football. At timesit has been hard graft and there are many individualswho have put in a good deal of that this term, literally. It isthe combined efforts of you all that make this, such aspecial football club and such a wonderful place to be.Of course, we do not know just how things will pan out asafter today. Indeed, we have three very difficult awaygames to negotiate. Whether we are in the play-offs ornot is anybody’s guess but it is a sign of the success thatwe have enjoyed, when we are still talking about wherewe will finish amongst the top group at this stage of affairs. Whatever occurs, well done one and all.

Dave Rowland | Club Secretary

“WE HAVE ENJOYED SOME WONDERFUL FOOTBALL, BEEN TO MANYDIFFERENT VENUES FOR THE FIRST TIME, MET SOME REALLY GREAT

PEOPLE AND MADE MANY NEW FRIENDS.”

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Winsford United have a long and proud history, having been formed way back in 1883. In

those early days, the club was called Over Wanderers and competed in the Welsh Combination Football League. After a few seasons, the club changed to its present name and its present ground - Barton Stadium - although it was called Great Western Playing Field at the outset. The club brought on many good players during this period and after losing several players to Football League clubs, they experienced a somewhat unsuccessful spell that resulted in the club folding.

United reformed in 1913 but it was short lived as World War One broke out. After the cessation of hostilities, United regrouped with under Mr R G Barton (hence Barton Stadium) and the club became a founder member of the Cheshire League, winning the Championship in its second season. After the war, United became a Limited company and the 1950’s saw the glory days on Non-League football when crowds of over 3000 were the norm. In 1959 Winsford won the Cheshire Senior Cup against Ellesmere Port Town in front of a 12,000 crowd at Gresty Road.

Under John Williams in the 1970’s they had the most successful period in their history winning the Cheshire League and the Challenge Cup on several occasions. In 1974 they reached the Senior Cup final again, this time against the then-mighty Macclesfield Town. The final was an epic with three replays and the Silkmen only clinching it after extra time in the fourth match. All the ties were played in front of crowds of over 3,500. The Blues won the Cheshire Senior Cup again in 1980 with a 4-1 victory over local rivals Witton Albion. The goalkeeper in that final was Neville Southall.

Season 1992/93 will go down in United’s folklore as Winsford United won an astonishing five trophies - the NPL Challenge Cup, NPL President’s Cup, Cheshire Senior Cup, Mid-Cheshire Senior Cup and NPL Runners Up Cup. The Blues finished second to Southport and their points total is a record for the most points accrued without winning the title.

Winsford United have a pedigree of producing fine players who have gone on to perform at a higher level. The likes of Wayne Collins and Andy Oakes have come through the ranks, netting the club transfer fees and sell-on clauses which have been used to improve the infrastructure of the club amongst other things.

A period of consolidation in the 2000’s was ended with relegation to Division Two, and with it, a change of policy to concentrate on recruiting and developing local talent. To this end Dave Twite was brought in as Manager in 2003 and three successful seasons followed, however, promotion was missed each season by just a single point.

The Last Ten Seasons2006/2007: Chris Willcock and John Flanagan took over the helm in 2006 and secured promotion. However, the duo moved on to Woodley Sports at the end of the season, taking with them the core of the side.

2007/2008, 2008/2009: This paved the way for two seasons under Joe Gibiliru and he marshalled the side to a respectable 12th place finish in the first season but the second season saw the Blues saved from relegation only in the last match of the campaign.

2009/2010: There followed an unsettled season that started with Terry Murphy in charge and then Mike Alcock and Tony Ledwards took over the reins. With relegation staring them in the face Dave Twite returned and along with Mike Alcock


IN OPPOSITION WINSFORD UNITED

they saved the Blues from what had looked like certain relegation.

2010/2011: The club re-appointed former Manager Chris Willcock, who oversaw a successful start to the season, but in February there was to be a feeling of déjà vu when Willcock announced he was once again leaving to take charge at Woodley Sports, leaving Assistant Manager Ian Street in charge. The club finished the season in a creditable third place. A memorable night at the end of the campaign saw a 1-0 victory in the League Challenge Cup over promoted and hot favourites New Mills.

2012/2013: There followed a season with Ian Street in charge and the end of the campaign saw the team finish in a creditable seventh place.

2013/2014: In close season Lloyd Morrison took over the reins coinciding with plenty of good news off the pitch... Winsford Town Council became the club’s main sponsor, a relationship that promised to last for many years. The season was one of the most successful for years with the club finishing 5th in the league and defeating Northwich Victoria in the final of the Mid-Cheshire Senior Cup.

2014/2015: However, with things on and off the pitch seemingly going so well the club was rocked when two weeks before the start of the season Lloyd Morrison announced he was going to Mossley AFC and he expected to take sixteen registered players with him. This led to an acrimonious situation between the two clubs with Mossley unable to register the players and Winsford refusing to allow their dual registration. Eventually an agreement was reached on Winsford’s terms. Eddy Haslam took over the hot seat and incredibly cobbled together a side to begin the campaign well, including runs in the FA Cup and FA Vase. However, a poor run of results saw Eddy leave by mutual consent paving the way for Rob Byrne to take charge of The Blues. There was also a satisfying end of season victory over Congleton Town in the Mid-Cheshire Senior Cup.

2014-2015: Rob Byrne continued as manager in the next season which saw mixed fortunes but in the end the team finished in a respectable 12th place.

2015/2016: The summer of saw a frenzy of activity off the field with much work being undertaken on the pitch in the hope of resolving the problems with flooding that blighted much of the previous season, particularly important with 1874 Northwich agreeing to stay at the Barton Stadium for a further two seasons.

The new season also saw two important developments within the community with an Under-21’s team being entered in the Cheshire Under-21’s League and the welcoming under the Winsford umbrella of Winsford Wolves VIFC, a visually impaired team.

Three months into the season the Blues found themselves without a manager when promotion at work led to Manager Rob Byrne reluctantly resigning the post. Although there were several high profile applicants, the position was handed to long time Winsford stalwart Lee Duckworth and he took over as Player/Manager. He immediately began rebuilding the team and concentration was placed on fitness and discipline. The Blues finished the season in fourteenth place.

There was no hesitation in appointing the same management team for the 2016/17 season and there was clearly a policy of bringing more local players through although still retaining the players who had performed well in the previous campaign. After a start dogged by inconsistency the team settled down to hopefully climb towards the desired top six place at the end of the season. However, mixed results saw the team finish in a disappointing thirteenth position.

The management team were deservedly retained for the new campaign and quality signings leave the supporters optimistic for a successful season.


C harnock’s progress in the Emirates FA Cup came to an end in this First Qualifying Round with

this 4-0 defeat at the hands of Irlam at Mossie Park. An early penalty put the visitors in the lead and they added a second goal late in the first half. Charnock made a spirited attempt to get back into the game in the second 45 minutes but as the Villagers pushed forward Irlam broke twice in the final stages to add two more goals and make the final score decisive.

There were three changes to the starting eleven that won at Cammell Laird the previous week; Schofield had moved to Longridge so O’Farrell came in at the back. Walker was preferred to Griffith at left back and Woods started in place of Kay. Davison was back from holiday and was on the bench along with Oxley, Griffith and Kay.

It was a fine sunny afternoon with little wind ideal for this important cup tie. Charnock won the toss so Irlam kicked off playing towards the Charter Lane end. The opening minutes were very even, a Woods shot hit keeper Lee White and then a right wing raid finished with Buckley hitting the base of a Charnock post. On nine minutes a Regan centre almost found Woods and then when the ball was returned Haydock just failed to get a decent strike on it. The game was very open with both teams prepared to attack. The visitors took the lead on 17 minutes from the penalty spot through Karl Cassell with Mark Woods who was adjudged to have fouled looking a little disappointed at the decision.

Falling behind took a fair amount of steam out of Charnock and the game changed from being fairly even to the visitors really setting the pace. Ascroft had to turn an Allen-Meredith free kick around the post. Slowly the Villagers picked up their game and White saved from Regan. Irlam’s speedy forwards were a real threat and on 29 minutes Bibby headed off the line and then Nicholas headed over the bar from close range. When Grimshaw broke forward White did really well to get down to block his shot. Irlam were not afraid to shoot and several efforts went wide. On 37 minutes Charnock had a free kick in midfield and when this was headed clear Irlam broke with Perry beating Walker for speed and Buckley turning his cross into the net. Two minutes later a right wing corner for Charnock saw White produce a reaction save from a header. When Grimshaw back heeled the ball to Regan his shot lacked power and White saved. O’Farrell was cautioned for a foul just outside the area but Allan-Meredith’s free kick brushed the wall and that took enough power off the shot for Ascroft to save easily. Two goals down at half time it was going to have to be a big second 45 minutes for the Villagers.

Charnock really took the play to the visitors in the second half but Irlam were prepared to adopt more defensive tactics and rely on quick breaks to add to their lead and it was successful. Charnock produced some decent attacks, had plenty of possession but failed to create real chances; on a number of occasions the final ball was just not accurate enough. Grimshaw and then Woods just could not get a decent foot on a ball in front of goal. A Regan centre from the right went straight to White and the Villagers won a couple


SATURDAY 7TH AUGUST 2019 CHARNOCK RICHARD 0 IRLAM 4

TEAMS: Charnock Richard: Ascroft, Bibby, Walker, Turner (Griffith 52), O’Farrell (Oxley 75), Young, Haydock, Fairhurst, Grimshaw, Woods (Davison 61), Regan. Sub: (Not Used) Kay.Irlam: White, Dilson, Allan-Meredith, Doyle, Ledson, Cassell, Perry (Pollitt 80), Morrison, Buckley, Nicho-las, Southworth (Farrelly 83). Subs: (Not Used) Bolton, Stewart, Icely, McCarthy.

of corners. Oliver Turner had to come off after 52 minutes having taken a knock in the first half with Aaron Griffith coming on in the centre of defence. The Villagers won a succession of corners before Matt Davison replaced Woods on 61 minutes. Charnock were applying a lot of pressure but the visiting defenders were giving nothing away. Haydock miscued a shot in the area from a Davison pass. Charnock, understandably in a cup tie, were pushing forward looking to get back in the game and Irlam were increasingly producing quick breaks that carried real threats. Nicholas shot wide and then Southworth fired over the bar. On 75 minutes Davison broke clear in the inside left position but his left footed shot was weak and straight at White. A goal at this point may well have changed the outcome of the game but Irlam immediately broke and Southworth’s shot beat Ascroft to effectively finish the game. Oliver Oxley who had been waiting to come on now replaced Ross O’Farrell and a minute later Buckley broke forward and Perry beat Ascroft with a powerful shot. Game over. Charnock continued to play the ball around but there was little they could do and the referee blew for time right on the 90 minutes.

Charnock’s hopes of being in the hat for the Second Qualifying Round when most of the remaining non-league clubs join the fray were dashed but they could not be too disappointed because they were certainly second best on this occasion despite producing a competitive performance.


C harnock claimed all three points in another feisty encounter between the two sides, and with

it ended Irlam's unbeaten start to the season, and atoned for the FA Cup loss 4 days earlier at Mossie Park.

All the action seemed to come in an absorbing second half which the Greens turned around a 2 goal deficit with two goals from Carl Grimshaw, a debut goal from new signing Jordan Darr and a first goal for Lewis Haydock.

It was a great start for the home side, and with 18 seconds on the clock, they took the lead. A ball back to Ben Ascroft was lost to Jordan BUCKLEY, and the prolific marksman made no mistake to slot the ball into an empty net. Charnock looked to get into their stride as Matt Davison tested home sides defence by whipping a cross in from the right, but it was headed off Grimshaw easily. James Walker defended a Marcus Perry shot to concede the corner, and Lewis Haydock, who looked lively all night, drilled an effort wide. Irlam then had a chance to double their advantage, a long ball down the left was chased onto by Perry shrugging off Ash Young, he beat Ascroft with the shot but also beat the far post. Just as it did on Saturday in the FA Cup, nothing was getting past the home keeper Lee White. Collecting anything Charnock threw at him, he was turning out to be the thorn in the Greens' side again. Ascroft down the other end saved well from Nicholas, and an audacious 45 yard free kick from Meredith sailed wide on 32 minutes. Danny Regan was cautioned after a

clumsy challenge on Perry, and Ascroft collected the free kick which was headed towards him by Ledson. Oliver Oxley had the best chance of the half for Charnock, firing high from a narrow angle towards goal, White equal to it, beating it away for a corner. Grimshaw rose highest in the box, heading the corner wide. Oxley was again involved on 41 minutes, springing the offside trap and sending in a low cross, with the ball ricocheting in the area, Oxley snatched the shot which flew wide of the target on 41 minutes. A minute later Charnock were two behind. BUCKLEY getting on the scoresheet again firing a shot low on the angle under Ascroft. Charnock started to show their frustration, and Spencer Bibby found his name being taken in the closing minutes of the half. Charnock found themselves two goals down at the break, just as they were on Saturday.

After the break, Charnock started the stronger, and could've had a goal back within 45 seconds. Firstly Regan hit the bar from a strike from 20 yards, but Oxley's follow up was weak and White saved on the line. Three minutes later Bibby's long free kick fell to Regan, and his cross was headed away for a corner. James Walker got onto the end of the cross from the set piece, turned the ball towards goal and was cleared off the goal line. On 51 minutes Charnock were awarded a golden chance to get back into the game. Grimshaw jumped with the defender and fell to the ground, referee Mr McQuillan pointed to the spot. GRIMSHAW dusted himself off, and powered the ball past White. On came Charnock's new forward in the form of Jordan Darr. The exciting player having signed on Sunday evening was in on the action


TUESDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER 2019 IRLAM 2 CHARNOCK RICHARD 4

TEAMS: Charnock Richard: Ascroft, Bibby, Walker, Haydock, Young, Woods, Davison, Fairhurst, Grim-shaw (capt), Oxley, Dany Regan. Subs : Bennett (for Woods 90'), Darr (for Oxley 57'). Not used : Griffith.

Irlam : White, Dulon, Allan-Meredith, Doyle (capt), Ledson, Cassell, Perry, Morrison, Buckley, Nicholas, Southworth.

already. But it was Nathan Fairhurst who had a chance to equalise on 58 minutes, heading Regan's pinpoint cross straight at White. Darr pulled a save from White, but Grimshaw slammed the rebound wide from around 12 yards. Irlam were restricted to being camped in their own half, but Ascroft still had to be alert, and seemingly brought down Buckley when he was through on goal again, the referee waved the penalty appeal away, much to the annoyance of the home fans. With a little more than a quarter-of-an-hour remaining, Charnock were level. Fairhurst's good work and cross over the head of White set up Jordan DARR, turning the ball home at the back post from close range to score a goal 17 minutes into his debut. Three minutes later Charnock were ahead and the comeback was complete. The ball coming out to Lewis HAYDOCK inside the area, drilling the ball past a static White into the bottom right hand corner. White was the busiest of the keepers all night, firstly denying Darr a second goal, which saw Grimshaw sending the rebound into the night sky. Lewis Haydock received a caution for a rash challenge on 83 minutes, and four minutes later, Charnock sealed the win. A Davison cross from the left fell neatly onto the head of GRIMSHAW to plant the ball past White and with it gave Charnock their first three points on the road in a repeat of last seasons scoreline at Silver Street.


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FIXTURES & RESULTS 2019/20 SEASON

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17A 3 Rylands a 2-3 131 Ascroft Griffith Walker Woods O'Farrell Bennett Davison Fairhurst 1 Grimshaw 1 Oxley Regan Haydock (6) Schofield (2) Kay (10) Ainscough 6 Barnoldswick Town h 2-1 164 Ascroft Bibby Walker Woods O'Farrell Bennett Davison 1 Fairhurst Grimshaw 1 Oxley Regan Haydock (6) Kay (10) Griffith Ainscough Schofield 10 Lower Breck FAC EPR h 2-1 185 Ascroft Bibby 1 Griffith Woods O'Farrell Haydock Davison Fairhurst Grimshaw Kay 1 Regan Bennett (4) Oxley (10) Morris Walker (6) 17 1874 Northwich h 0-5 216 Ascroft Bibby Griffith Bennett O'Farrell Haydock Davison Morris Grimshaw Kay Regan Ainscough (4) Oxley (10) Walker Schofield (8) 21 Longridge Town a 2-3 195 Ascroft Bibby Walker Haydock Schofield Morris Davison Fairhurst Grimshaw 2 Kay Regan O'Farrell (5) Oxley (6) McNally 24 Longridge Town FAC PR h 1-1 234 Ascroft Bibby Walker Turner Schofield O'Farrell Haydock Fairhurst Grimshaw1 Oxley Davison Morris Kay( ) McNally Young 26 Avro h 1-3 154 Ascroft Bibby Walker Turner Schofield O'Farrell Haydock Fairhurst Grimshaw 1 Oxley Regan Woods (6) Kay (10) Griffith Young 28 Longridge Town FAC PRr a 2-0 525 Ascroft Bibby Griffith Turner Schofield Young Haydock Fairhurst Grimshaw 1 Kay Regan 1 Woods (8) Oxley O'Farrell (6) Walker 31 Cammell Laird FAV 1QR a 3-2 103 Ascroft Bibby Griffith Turner Schofield Young Haydock Fairhurst Grimshaw Kay Regan 1 Woods (10) 1 Oxley O'Farrell (5) Walker (3)S 7 Irlam FAC 1QR h 0-4 209 Ascroft Bibby Walker Turner O'Farrell Young Haydock Fairhurst Grimshaw Woods Regan Davison (10) Oxley (5) Kay Griffith (4) 10 Irlam a 4-2 114 Ascroft Bibby Walker Haydock 1 Young Woods Davison Fairhurst Grimshaw 2 Oxley Regan Bennett (6) Darr (10) 1 Griffith 14 Prestwich Heys FAV 2QR a 3-2 117 Ascroft Bibby Walker Haydock Young Woods Davison Fairhurst Grimshaw 3 Oxley Regan Bennett (11) Darr (10) Griffith (8) Turner 18 Runcorn Town a 3-1 146 Ascroft Bibby Walker Haydock Young Woods Davison Fairhurst Grimshaw Darr 2 Regan Bennett (6) Oxley (10) 1 Griffith (4) O'Farrell 21 Winsford United h 28 Congleton Town hO 5 Burscough a 12 Lower Breck FAV 1R h 19 Bacup Borough LC 1R a 22 Skelmersdale United h 26 Litherland Remyca aN 2 Whitchurch Alport h 9 Padiham h 12 Bootle h 16 Congleton Town a 23 Winsford United a 30 Hanley Town hD 7 Northwich Victoria h 14 Padiham a 21 Squires Gate a 26 Ashton Athletic h 28 Whitchurch Alport aJ 4 Irlam h 11 Rylands h 25 Hanley Town aF 1 Burscough h 8 Northwich Victoria a 15 1874 Northwich a 29 Runcorn Town hM 7 Skelmersdale United a 14 Litherland Remyca h 21 Barnoldswick Town aA 4 Longridge Town h 11 Bootle a 13 Ashton Athletic a 18 Squires Gate h 25 Avro a

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17A 3 Rylands a 2-3 131 Ascroft Griffith Walker Woods O'Farrell Bennett Davison Fairhurst 1 Grimshaw 1 Oxley Regan Haydock (6) Schofield (2) Kay (10) Ainscough 6 Barnoldswick Town h 2-1 164 Ascroft Bibby Walker Woods O'Farrell Bennett Davison 1 Fairhurst Grimshaw 1 Oxley Regan Haydock (6) Kay (10) Griffith Ainscough Schofield 10 Lower Breck FAC EPR h 2-1 185 Ascroft Bibby 1 Griffith Woods O'Farrell Haydock Davison Fairhurst Grimshaw Kay 1 Regan Bennett (4) Oxley (10) Morris Walker (6) 17 1874 Northwich h 0-5 216 Ascroft Bibby Griffith Bennett O'Farrell Haydock Davison Morris Grimshaw Kay Regan Ainscough (4) Oxley (10) Walker Schofield (8) 21 Longridge Town a 2-3 195 Ascroft Bibby Walker Haydock Schofield Morris Davison Fairhurst Grimshaw 2 Kay Regan O'Farrell (5) Oxley (6) McNally 24 Longridge Town FAC PR h 1-1 234 Ascroft Bibby Walker Turner Schofield O'Farrell Haydock Fairhurst Grimshaw1 Oxley Davison Morris Kay( ) McNally Young 26 Avro h 1-3 154 Ascroft Bibby Walker Turner Schofield O'Farrell Haydock Fairhurst Grimshaw 1 Oxley Regan Woods (6) Kay (10) Griffith Young 28 Longridge Town FAC PRr a 2-0 525 Ascroft Bibby Griffith Turner Schofield Young Haydock Fairhurst Grimshaw 1 Kay Regan 1 Woods (8) Oxley O'Farrell (6) Walker 31 Cammell Laird FAV 1QR a 3-2 103 Ascroft Bibby Griffith Turner Schofield Young Haydock Fairhurst Grimshaw Kay Regan 1 Woods (10) 1 Oxley O'Farrell (5) Walker (3)S 7 Irlam FAC 1QR h 0-4 209 Ascroft Bibby Walker Turner O'Farrell Young Haydock Fairhurst Grimshaw Woods Regan Davison (10) Oxley (5) Kay Griffith (4) 10 Irlam a 4-2 114 Ascroft Bibby Walker Haydock 1 Young Woods Davison Fairhurst Grimshaw 2 Oxley Regan Bennett (6) Darr (10) 1 Griffith 14 Prestwich Heys FAV 2QR a 3-2 117 Ascroft Bibby Walker Haydock Young Woods Davison Fairhurst Grimshaw 3 Oxley Regan Bennett (11) Darr (10) Griffith (8) Turner 18 Runcorn Town a 3-1 146 Ascroft Bibby Walker Haydock Young Woods Davison Fairhurst Grimshaw Darr 2 Regan Bennett (6) Oxley (10) 1 Griffith (4) O'Farrell 21 Winsford United h 28 Congleton Town hO 5 Burscough a 12 Lower Breck FAV 1R h 19 Bacup Borough LC 1R a 22 Skelmersdale United h 26 Litherland Remyca aN 2 Whitchurch Alport h 9 Padiham h 12 Bootle h 16 Congleton Town a 23 Winsford United a 30 Hanley Town hD 7 Northwich Victoria h 14 Padiham a 21 Squires Gate a 26 Ashton Athletic h 28 Whitchurch Alport aJ 4 Irlam h 11 Rylands h 25 Hanley Town aF 1 Burscough h 8 Northwich Victoria a 15 1874 Northwich a 29 Runcorn Town hM 7 Skelmersdale United a 14 Litherland Remyca h 21 Barnoldswick Town aA 4 Longridge Town h 11 Bootle a 13 Ashton Athletic a 18 Squires Gate h 25 Avro a

Goalscorers in BOLD | ( ) Indicates substitute was used


D espite our exit from the FA Cup recently, we can take some consolation from the fact that this

season we have played in four ties in the competition, winning two of them. The return at the turnstile and the generous prize money received will go a long way to helping the club balance the books.

Whilst the FA Vase may not be so lucrative or as prestigious as the FA Cup, at least it gives us the opportunity of making progress in a nationwide competition and gives us the chance of meeting clubs that we would not otherwise come across in the league. We found it a difficult task in overcoming First Division South side Cammell Laird at Kirklands in the last round of the FA Vase and last Saturday’s 2nd Qualifying Round tie at Prestwich Heys from Division 1 North also proved to be far from an ‘easy ride’.

There is no stranger game than football as the two recent encounters with Irlam proved conclusively. Irlam came to Mossie Park on Saturday the 7th September and won the FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round tie 4-0. Three days later with nearly the same line-up for each team, Charnock went to Silver Street and came away with a 4-2 win after being 0-2 down at the interval.

To put the enormity of the win at Irlam in to some sort of perspective it must be remembered that the Greater Manchester side had not lost this season and including their pre-season programme of games, they had gone undefeated in 13 games. If they had taken the points that night ‘the blues’ would have gone into second place in the Premier Division. Our friends from Silver Street have been drawn at home to National League North side York City in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup at the weekend in consequence of knocking us out of the competition. However, we don’t begrudge them that and hope that they are successful against their illustrious Yorkshire visitors, who

are presently riding high in the National League North table.

As a consequence of compiling my article for this programme I earnestly set about discovering just how many times that we had played against Prestwich Heys in past years. (See the Secretary’s report elsewhere in this programme). During my research I noticed that we had met on four occasions in the Goldline Trophy.

Many of our older supporters will remember this competition with a great deal of fondness. The competition, which was launched in 1998 and took its name from its links with the Bolton Wanderers lottery, became a high-profile feature of the local football scene, but a decline in interest and the economic downturn eventually prompted the organisers to end its run after 13 years. After the success of its first two seasons when the finals were staged at Leigh’s RMI’s Hilton Park ground, the competition took on a much higher profile in 2000-01 when the final was switched to the Reebok Stadium, the home of Bolton Wanderers. In that season Charnock Richard beat fellow West Lancashire League side Tempest United in the Final with Andy Roberts on the mark scoring the’ Villager’s’ winner. After speaking at length with one of the organisers of the competition, Andy Whittle, who has kept a full record of the Goldline Trophy, it emerged that the local press had made a mistake in publishing the attendance for the game, which they recorded as 1,700. Andy told me that in fact over 2,400 were in attendance that night on November 13th 2001. This, he assured me, was the highest recorded attendance in the competitions thirteen year history. The tournament was originally a pre-season competition. Eventually it became a season-long competition which offered participating clubs competitive pre-season fixtures played on a group basis before knockout rounds leading up to a lucrative final at the Reebok Stadium during the course of the regular playing season. Atherton Laburnum Rovers, one of the established North West Counties League


ISN'T THAT A PIP? DAVE ROWLAND

SECRETARY’S REPORT DAVE ROWLAND

Welcome to Mossie Park for this afternoon’s DivisionOne game against Sandbach United who are visitingus for the very first time and a warm Charnock welcome to all who have travelled up from deepestCheshire to be with us today. We hope that you willenjoy your stay and have a safe and trouble-free journey home after the game. The East Cheshire sideare a friendly and welcoming club as we found outwhen visiting them on that ill-fated fog-bound afternoon at the end of November. It is hoped that wecan return their excellent hospitality today.

I first met United’s secretary, John Clayton, and a coupleof their committee, at the Imperial Hotel on the NorthPromenade in Blackpool when attending the North WestCounties League AGM back on the 11th June. Applicantclubs were asked to remain outside of the meeting untilbeing summoned by League Chairman Paul Lawler whenthe representatives from each of the six applicants werecalled upon to give an introductory speech to the assembled throng before being voted in by the memberclubs. As we waited nervously in an adjacent room, SteveMawdesley and I got into conversation with the Sandbachcontingent and quickly found them to be a very sociablegroup. We got on with them immediately and it was andenjoyable exchange. That day we made our first friends inthe North West Counties League and long may it continue.

Sandbach United are one of the six newcomers to theNorth West Counties League this season and spent theprevious campaign at Step 7 in the Cheshire Leaguewhere they finished in 4th spot in the Premier Division.Like most of the newly promoted clubs they have made agood impression in their first season in the competitionand we wish them well. Today is of course our last homegame of the season not withstanding any play-off gamethat we may be involved in. To say that it has been a special one would be an understatement. We have enjoyed some wonderful football, been to many differentvenues for the first time, met some really great people andmade many new friends. When we left our comfort zone inthe West Lancashire League, we did so because the clubhad grown and developed to a point where new challenges and new horizons had become a necessity.

A new direction was needed if the club was to grow. Remaining stagnant was not an option. We have hadproblems to contend with. Finding funding for essentialground development and finding an appropriate level forour reserve side was only a couple of examples. The immediate aim was to consolidate at Step 6 level in theNational League System and to be in a position to sustain this in the long term. The players of our threesenior teams have had a fine season and once again thishas been due to the management skills and dedication ofthe management teams of all three. On the administration side, we have been joined by David Smithand Brian Lowe who have very kindly agreed to give oftheir precious time and for this we are very grateful.

For me, this is my fifth season as secretary and I canhonestly say, hand on heart, that the 2016-17 campaignis one of the best that I have enjoyed in football. At timesit has been hard graft and there are many individualswho have put in a good deal of that this term, literally. It isthe combined efforts of you all that make this, such aspecial football club and such a wonderful place to be.Of course, we do not know just how things will pan out asafter today. Indeed, we have three very difficult awaygames to negotiate. Whether we are in the play-offs ornot is anybody’s guess but it is a sign of the success thatwe have enjoyed, when we are still talking about wherewe will finish amongst the top group at this stage of affairs. Whatever occurs, well done one and all.

Dave Rowland | Club Secretary

“WE HAVE ENJOYED SOME WONDERFUL FOOTBALL, BEEN TO MANYDIFFERENT VENUES FOR THE FIRST TIME, MET SOME REALLY GREAT

PEOPLE AND MADE MANY NEW FRIENDS.”

07


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top Division sides, were the most successful club in the competition’s history with five wins, including the inaugural final. Charnock Richard were by far the most successful of the County League sides having reached the Final no less than five times. The club only failed to reach the knockout stage once. That was in our first season in the competition in 1999-00. Charnock played a total of 63 games in the Goldline Trophy and won 39 of them, drawing 11 and losing 13. We scored a very impressive 178 goals and conceded 73. The highest scoring win of 12-0 was recorded on the 27th July 2010

when Charnock destroyed Lancashire Amateur League outfit Bolton Wyresdale at Mossie Park in a Qualifying Group 4 tie. Carl Grimshaw scored six goals in the first half with Chris Robinson completing a hat-trick in the second half. For the record, Dave Burrows, Matthew Mawdesley and Andy Roberts were the other goal-scorers. Charnock’s heaviest defeat came on the 30th July 2007 in a Qualifying Group 1 tie when they suffered a 1-5 defeat at North West Counties League Division 1 side Atherton Collieries. Now isn’t that a pip?Dave Rowland, Secretary.


Charnock Richard FC acknowledge that every young person or adult who plays or takes part in football should be able to do so in a safe and enjoyable manner. The club also acknowledges that all the above mentioned should be protected from poor practice and free from abuse be it verbal, physical or racial. The club will not tolerate any form of foul or abusive language from spectators, guests, visitors or club officials of both teams on the sidelines, especially abuse which is directed at an individual player or match official. Admission to the ground and the right to remain is on condition that spectators adhere to the above. Throwing missiles of any description or encroachment on to the playing area, climbing on boundary fences or buildings will not be tolerated. Alcohol must not be brought into or consumed in the ground unless it has been purchased in plastic glasses from the Clubhouse. By order of Charnock Richard Football Club.

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CHARNOCK RICHARD 3 EAGLEY 0West Lancashire League Premier Division20th September 2014

Team: Gavin Bates, Jamie Sanderson (Spencer Bibby 74), Damian Dashti, John Sanderson, Ross O’Farrell, Jack Bennett, Danial Hogg, Andy Roberts (David Fisher 78), Carl Grimshaw, David Burrows (Danny Nolan 74), Alex Porter. SUBS: (Not Used) Andy Pendlebury.

Charnock should really have won by a hatful of goals but some poor finishing and, at times, unlucky bounces of the ball meant that they were restricted to only three goals. Charnock despite dominating the play could only convert two chances in the first half and Eagley, who improved for the second half, would be pleased that they only conceded one goal in the second 45 minutes.

The number of players unavailable for this game, particularly defenders, meant that once again Charnock were struggling to field a competitive side. Matt Mawdesley, Woods, Fletcher, Hayton, King and Beattie were all unavailable for a number of reasons; Bain and Dickinson were not considered to be match fit.

So defensively Charnock lined up with both Sanderson brothers in the back four. Dashti showed his versatility by moving from centre back to left back. In midfield Bennett made his first start for the first team. Carl Grimshaw returned from suspension.

It was an overcast afternoon but warm for this time of year.

The game kicked off with Charnock playing towards the Mawdesley Plantation end.

Charnock could have been three goals up in the first six minutes, Roberts twice shooting narrowly wide from good positions and Grimshaw heading over the bar right in front of goal from a Porter cross. Charnock took the lead on eight minutes, Jamie Sanderson hit a diagonal ball into the box, keeper McDonald came but spilt the ball and ROBERTS hit the loose ball into the net. Charnock continued

to dominate and create chances. Burrows played Hogg in but he shot wide and then Hogg pushed forward from the centre circle, fed Porter on the left and Burrows just could not get enough on his header at the back post. John Sanderson was performing superbly in his unaccustomed position at centre back and he produced a succession of excellent passes throughout the game. After 19 minutes he fed Burrows who cut across goal and Grimshaw turned his cross into the net but he was given offside. Eagley had a rare chance after 20 minutes Davies surged forward but his shot was just over the bar. Burrows just failed to control a Dashti cross before, on 40 minutes, a Porter right wing corner dropped in the six yard box and McDonald failed to grab the ball and GRIMSHAW scored. The half ended with Charnock creating a number of chances Hogg’s powerful header was straight at McDonald and when Grimshaw played Burrows clear he rounded the keeper but from a narrow angle his shot came back off the far post. Grimshaw was flagged offside when he netted on the stroke of half time,

Eagley picked up their game for the second half and could have pulled a goal back when a defensive mix up gave them a shooting chance but the shot was well wide. Bowman then made room for a shot and Bates turned his dipping effort over the bar. When John Sanderson ventured forward Porter was flagged offside and then in the 70th minute Burrows interchanged passes with Bennett but David’s final lobbed shot was just over the bar. When Hogg surged to the bye line on the right and crossed Porter’s shot from a very narrow angle came back off the post. HOGG finally added to the score line after 80 minutes cutting in from the right and shooting between McDonald and the near post.

When Dashti centred from the left McDonald did really well to turn Nolan’s header over the bar. Substitute Simon Whaley had a free kick just over the bar but the final score did not represent the domination that Charnock had enjoyed throughout the game.


GAMES FROM THE PAST 5 YEARS AGO

Charnock Richard 1 Vickerstown 2West Lancashire League Premier DivisionSaturday 19th September 2009

Team: Kevin Baldwin, Damian Dashti, Mark Kerr, Craig Duckworth (Phil Dennett 54), Tony Hartley, Phil Jackson, David Prout, Danny Grimshaw (Scott Priestley 66), Jimmy King, Liam Hayton, George Craddock. SUB: (Not Used) Lee Clitheroe.

The game was almost a rerun of the same fixture last season with Vickerstown grabbing a winner in added time after Charnock had dominated large periods of the game. Charnock penned their visitors back in their own half for the first quarter of an hour of the game but failed to make the most of their domination. Vickerstown took the lead in in one of their rare attacks and then held firm until the break. Phil Jackson equalised early in the second half and although Charnock tested the keeper several times it was Vickerstown who took the points by converting a penalty in the 92nd minute.

Charnock were missing Roberts, Sanderson and Randall through suspension and leading scorer Carl Grimshaw was away on holiday. There was further disruption to the side when James Price rang to say that he was tied up at work. George Craddock made his first start after his return from Euxton Villa. Danny Grimshaw was back after suspension and Phil Bennett, who had returned to the club that week, was on the bench.

It was overcast as the game kicked off with Charnock playing towards the Mawdesley Plantation End. Vickerstown came with the statistics of having the tightest defence in the division and it was sorely tested in the opening quarter of an hour. Charnock passed the ball around neatly with Jimmy King a constant threat down the left and David Prout involved in everything in the midfield. Vickerstown hung on grimly as shots from Hayton and Craddock were blocked and twice Danny Grimshaw tested the keeper from distance. Prout put a free kick just

past the post. Slowly Vickerstown weathered the pressure and began to test out the home defence. There were however no problems until the 24th minute when Jackson and then Duckworth lost the ball in midfield and Charnock were caught short of defenders and the ball trickled into the net at the back post. Charnock continued to press forward but they failed to carve out any real chances for all their neat football. The visitors heartened by taking the lead were much more of an attacking force than earlier in the game. Half time arrived with Charnock still losing.

Charnock equalised after four minutes of the second half, Phil Jackson cut in from the right wing and his left foot shot beat the keeper although it appeared to take a deflection.

Vickerstown’s attacks were sporadic as Charnock maintained the pressure for a winning goal. The visiting keeper brought off a fine save after Craddock diverted a powerful shot.

Twice Craddock was clear on goal, the first time, under heavy pressure, his shot was straight at the keeper and then his shot was just over the bar. King had a dipping right foot shot just over the bar. Vickerstown almost took the lead with a clear header but Kevin Baldwin stuck out an arm to divert the ball for a corner. Scott Priestley replaced Danny Grimshaw and Charnock continued their chase for a winning goal but the visiting defence was living up to its reputation and chances were difficult to create. In situations like this the attacking side are often looking for the odd bounce or blocked shot to fall favourably but Vickerstown rode their luck and just as it looked as if they would be going home with a point they were awarded a penalty two minutes into added time. The spot kick was converted and for the second season running Vickerstown spoilt Charnock’s unbeaten home record and travelled back to Cumbria with three points after a 2-1 win.


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Y et another hat-trick from Carl Grimshaw saw Charnock through to the first Round Proper of the

Buildbase FA Vase as they once again had to come from behind to beat Prestwich Heys 3-2 after extra time. The game saw plenty of end to end football with both teams missing a hatful of chances but Charnock were guilty of again failing to produce their best football. Prestwich took the lead but Charnock equalised before a dreadful mistake gifted the home team the lead in added time in the first half. Charnock struggled in the second 45 minutes and were heading for defeat but they equalised with four minutes remaining. The winner came in the first period of extra time and they hung on for the win.

The starting line-up was the same as the eleven that kicked off at Irlam on the previous Tuesday. Turner was fit enough to join Bennett, Darr and Griffith on the bench.

Charnock won the toss and Heys kicked off playing toward the Sandgate Road end. Both teams showed their intention to attack from the kick-off. Charnock had a chance to take the lead after six minutes when Davison beat Sanders to the ball but his shot from the edge of the area cannoned off a defender. Almost immediately the winger had another chance Photiou blocking his

first shot and he then screwed a follow up effort wide. Walker blocked a shot from Dan White and Ascroft collected an angled drive from ex-Chorley player Payne. Charnock then saw a Fairhurst shot going wide find Grimshaw but he skied his effort. Prestwich took the lead on 25 minutes; Payne cut in from the right and powered a left foot shot past Ascroft into the far side of the goal. There then followed a period of pressure from Heys which Charnock managed to survive. On 37 minutes a cross found Grimshaw who chested the ball down but his volley was miss hit and it was an easy save for Sanders. Only a minute later Oxley did well and Haydock delivered a cross to the back post which GRIMSHAW headed into the net. Sanders then dived to turn a Grimshaw shot away for a corner. Three minutes into added time at the end of the first half Charnock conceded a really poor goal; Ascroft kicked the ball out straight to Payne who surged forward, rounded the goalkeeper, and hit the ball into the empty net.

Regan failed to appear for the second half and Bennett came on. A powerful shot from Oxley went narrowly over the bar. After 58 minutes Charnock made a second substitution Darr coming on for Oxley. Charnock survived several near chances before, after 71 minutes, Davison had a shooting opportunity but again his shot lacked power. Then a mix-up between Bellamy and his goal keeper saw Fairhurst nip through but he chested the ball wide. Grimshaw turned and had a shot which was blocked and Darr fired high and extremely wide. When Davison crossed from the left it was fractionally too high for Grimshaw. Then Foulds hit a weak shot straight at Ascroft from right in front


SATURDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 2019 PRESTWICH HEYS 2 CHARNOCK RICHARD 3 AFTER EXT

TEAMS: Prestwich Heys: Saunders, Photiou, Holt, White, Bellamy, Wood, White (Shawcross 75), Sixsmith, Sinnott (Foulds 63), Pendlebury (Pickering 72), Payne, Subs: (not Used) Fitton, Sherlock.Charnock Richard: Ascroft, Bibby, Walker, Haydock, Young, Woods, Davison, Fairhurst (Grif-fith 92), Grimshaw, Oxley (Darr 58), Regan (Bennett 45) Sub: (Not Used) Turner.

of goal and with Charnock increasingly pushing forward there was another chance of a break for the home team on 85 minutes but a poor pass stopped the move dead. Charnock finally equalise on 86 minutes, Woods swung in a centre from the right and GRIMSHAW crashed a powerful headed past Sanders. Both sides made serious attempts to clinch a win but the game, at 2-2 at 90 minutes, went into extra time.

Grimshaw had a volley over the bar before on 92 minutes Griffith replaced Fairhurst. Bennett then had a shooting chance but his effort was weak and it was an easy save for Sanders. Payne again cut in from the right but his shot this time went narrowly over the bar. Young then had a header over the bar before on 98 minutes GRIMSHAW hit a powerful shot into the corner of the net and for the first time in the tie Charnock were in the lead. On 105 minutes Darr got free but Sanders did really well to pinch the ball off his toe as Jordan tried to go around him.

In the final 15 minutes a Darr shot rebounded off a post and Haydock then hit the other post with a shot. In the final 10 minutes the Villagers, as most teams do with a narrow one goal lead, dropped back on defence and with Heys digging deep into their reserves it was a case of Charnock hanging on. There were two or three good chances for the homesters in the final minutes but they failed to take advantage and Charnock hung on for a vital win.

Overall it has been an entertaining cup tie with plenty of goal action but it had been a somewhat disappointing performance from Charnock. They had failed to approach the standard of football that they produced in the excellent 4-2 win at Irlam in the previous game but importantly they had dug deep and secured an important win.


I t was another memorable night for those present in Cheshire as Charnock Richard claimed all

three points against an always strong Runcorn Town. Manager Ryan Donnellan made one change to the starting line up from Saturday's win in the FA Vase at Prestwich, bringing in Jordan Darr for his first start for the Green's with Oliver Oxley dropping to the bench. Defender Ross O'Farrell also returned to the squad following a break.

Charnock kicked off and DARR made an instant impact. Picking the ball up just on the edge of the area from Haydock's lay off, curled an unstoppable shot past Adam Reid into the far top corner. From the restart, Charnock could have doubled their lead, Carl Grimshaw slipped the ball through to Haydock who wriggled free from his marker, only to see his rising effort sail over the bar.This spurred the home side into action, and started to get down the wings to put in some crosses.

One a free kick given away by Mark Woods as he fouled Aidan Roxburgh, but the resulting kick was easily cleared. Darr then headed wide a Danny Regan deep cross. A minute later the scores were level, Joseph Holt's shot from the edge of the area was too hot to handle for Ben Ascroft, the ball slipping through his gloves and dropping into the backside of the net. Ashley Young had to be alert to divert a smart cross on the right from Roxburgh, and David Forbes blasted over from the set-piece. Runcorn then started to find gaps in the Charnock defence, and Owen Dursley dragged a shot wide

when gifted the ball.Charnock broke in the box and Haydock wasn't given time to shoot and his pass was fired wide. Holt drove a shot wide from 25 yards out, and Grimshaw almost got a head onto Spencer Bibby's chipped ball down the middle, but two minutes later, Charnock were back in front. A similar ball down the middle was back-headed to his own goal by captain Simon Thelwell, it came off the foot of the post but after a scramble for the ball in the six-yard box, Jordan DARR tapped in from two yards out for his second of the game. Forbes brought a good save from Ascroft following a corner set-piece for Runcorn, and Town's top scorer Craig Cairns, who was kept reasonably quiet all night, almost connected from a low cross sent in by Roxburgh. Forbes had his name taken by referee Mr. Neild for fouling Nathan Fairhurst 30 yards from goal. Bibby's well struck free kick was hit underneath the wall, but Reid was equal to it getting down low at his right hand post. Ashley Young had to be on hand to sweep a Dursley cross away, and on the counter attack, Marcus James picked up a booking for fouling Matt Davison. The referee brought an end to the half after Woods' free kick sailed over everyone in the area, and Charnock went in leading with the odd goal in three.

Four minutes into the second half, saw two more players in the book. Paul McManus for the home side, and Haydock for the Greens, both for rough challenges. As Runcorn looked to get the elusive equaliser, Cairns had the ball taken off him by Holt just inside the area as he looked to pull the trigger. Down the opposite end, Davison was set up by Haydock, but struck the effort over the crossbar. A worrying injury to leading light Darr


WEDNESDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER 2019 RUNCORN TOWN 1-3 CHARNOCK RICHARD

TEAMS: Charnock Richard : Ascroft, Bibby, Walker, Haydock, Young, Woods, Davison, Fairhurst, Grimshaw (capt), Darr, Regan. Substitutes : Bennett (for Woods 84'), Oxley (for Darr 52'), Griffith (for Haydock 77'). Not used : O'FarrellRuncorn Town : Reid, Turner, Dursley, Thelwell (capt), James, McManus, Holt, Weaver, Forbes, Cairns, Roxburgh. Substitutes : Wallis (for James 88'), Webster (for McManus 77'), McQuade (for Forbes 74'). Not used : Wainwright, France.

followed, he limped off and was replaced by Oliver Oxley on 52 minutes. Oxley was involved in a Charnock attack a minute later, Bibby starting it down the right, and Haydock had the final say as he missed the target posting the ball wide of goal. Three Runcorn corners in a row were dealt with, and on the hour Runcorn's dangerously positioned free kick was knocked over the bar by Weaver. Town thought that resulted in a corner, but Mr. Neild signalled a goal-kick. A heart-in-mouth moment came on 66 minutes, Holt, who had already got one leveller in the first half, blasted a shot which flew inches wide of the far post when he was placed inside the area. Runcorn continued to pile on the pressure. Another corner was met by the head of Weaver, this time it sailed out for a goal-kick. Ascroft was on hand to palm away a Holt header from a Roxburgh cross. Another triple corner saw Cairns head straight at Ascroft. Holt had yet another chance to equalise on 82 minutes, this time his header going wide from a Roxburgh cross. Danny Regan followed up a short pass from Fairhurst but failed to hit the target. With Runcorn pressing, they were always going to be vulnerable to a Charnock attack. On 87 minutes, the Greens made sure of the points. A low ball on the right found the feet of sub OXLEY, and he went on to plant the ball past Reid into the bottom corner after shrugging off a defender. The game petered out for the final few minutes as the home side had resigned themselves and Charnock claimed their third league win of the season so far.

Ian Livesey


CAR PARKTo prevent inconvenience to local residents on Charter Lane it

would be appreciated if all players, officials, visitors and supporters would PLEASE USE THE CLUB CAR PARK

W ith our Reserve team manager Ian Mountain being away for a couple of weeks, it was left

to Paul Charnley to give us a couple of reports from the recent games.

Charnock Richard 2-2 Dalton United - Saturday 14th SeptemberWe started well, and went a goal up very early on and controlled the game for the first 20 minutes. We then seemed to lose momentum and some composure and let Dalton back into the game heading to half time 1-1. After the break we again started well again with an early goal from Liam McNally, the game then settled down and we battled hard only to allow Dalton to score an equaliser towards the end of the game. We just need to cut out some of the mistakes and we will become a great side and hopefully we will be able to service the First Team in the near future.

Burnley United 1-4 Charnock Richard - Wednesday 18th SeptemberWe travelled to Burnley on Wednesday evening knowing it was going to be a tough game. We tweaked about with the formation for this match and it seemed to work well, the lads worked very hard for each other and played an excellent game of football. We fought out a great 4-1 win away from home and fully deserved the 3 points.

West Lancashire League Division 2Reserve Fixtures/ResultsAug S 3 Storeys a 2-0 Charnley, McNallyT 13 Burscough Dynamo h 3-2 Meite,

Morris, TurnerS 17 Furness Cavaliers a 3-0 Meite, Pilgrim, C RigbyW 21 Rossendale a 0-3 S 24 Walney Island a 1-5 TickleS 31 Galgate h 7-1 McNally 2,

Banks, Blackhurst, Hendy, McLoghlin, MorrisSep S 7 Chipping a 2-3 McNally 2S 14 Dalton United h 2-2 Hendy, McNallyW 18 Burnley United a 4-1 Hendy,

Lindley, Tickle, TurnerS 21 Freckleton a 3.00pmS 28 Mill Hill St Peters a 3.00pmOct S 12 Garstang Reserve a 3.00pmS 19 Kendal United h 3.00pmS 26 Longridge Town Res a 3.00pmNov S 16 Burnley United h 2.00pmS 23 Storeys h 2.00pmDec S 7 Burscough Dynamo a 2.00pmS 14 Chipping h 2.00pmS 21 Galgate a 2.00pmJan S 4 Furness Rovers h 2.00pmS 18 Furness Cavaliers h 2.00pmS 25 Rossendale h 2.00pmFeb S 1 Kendal United a 3.00pmS 8 Garstang Reserve h 3.00pmS 15 Mill Hill St Peters h 3.00pmS 22 Longridge United Res h 3.00pmMar S 7 Dalton United a 3.00pmS 21 Freckleton h 3.00pmtba Kendal United htba Walney Island htba Furness Rovers a


FROM THE RESERVES IAN MOUNTAIN

T he golden rule states that nothing can be concluded by looking at the league tables before the end of September

and I believe that it is largely true. However, I intend to ignore this view and assess the progress of clubs even though it is only mid-September.

First of all it is perhaps wise to look at the progress of the North West Counties League over the last three seasons. Prior to 2016, when Charnock were promoted, the league for many years did not have a full complement of clubs; two divisions of 22 teams was the desired membership but the lower division ran with around 18 clubs. It all changed for season 2016/7 when, as well as Charnock, five other teams joined the league. There was another large intake of new clubs for the 2018/9 season when Division 1 was split to form North and South sections. It was all rather surprising that so many clubs could seek admission to the NWCL when previously applications had been very scarce.

The end of this season will see another major change to the set-up of the league as there will be promotion for the top three teams in the Premier Division and four teams will be promoted from each section of Division 1.

Several clubs in the Premier Division have been around the top positions in the table in recent years but have not managed to finish in the top spot. Bootle, Runcorn Town and 1874 Northwich come to mind. So looking at the table on 12th September it is interesting to see newly promoted Rylands in top spot. In only their second season in the league only Kirkham and Wesham have made such an impact in the last 15 years. 1874 Northwich are in third place whilst Bootle, after a rather faltering start, are three places behind them. Both clubs are handily placed but Northwich Victoria, who are desperate to move back up the pyramid, and Runcorn Town are already seven points behind the top club. Congleton Town certainly have the potential to be challenging for promotion but they are only mid-table with only two victories from six games. At the foot of the table are Litherland REMYCA having yet to win having played six matches, and Padiham and Squires Gate are also

struggling both with only one win. Of the clubs new to the NWCL in the last three years City of Liverpool have been the most successful winning, last term, promotion to the Northern Premier League. Whitchurch Alport having consolidated last season after promotion are unbeaten and presently lie in second place in the table.

Of course we at Charnock have not had the best of starts to our league season and were in 19th position until our fine win at Irlam. Inconsistency, the uncertainty of not knowing how the team is actually going to perform on the day and our progress in the FA Cup have seen the Villagers fail to win points so far this season.

If we look now at Division 1 North Lower Breck, who were chasing promotion last season, are top of the North Section with 19 points from eight games. Ashton Town are in second position, a remarkable turnaround considering that they were relegated from the league in 2017, and Daisy Hill, a club who have usually been in the lower reaches of the table, are fourth. Shelley who joined the league last season make up the clubs in the promotion places. Steeton are in 20th place with Garstang, who have made a disappointing start to the season, just one place above them. The ex-West Lancashire League champions have changed their manager already this season.

It the South Section Vauxhall Motors and FC Oswestry share the top spot with 21 points with relegated West Didsbury and Chorlton in third spot just two places behind them. With the support that they attract they should be still competing in the Premier Division. The final promotion spot is taken by Stone Old Alleynians another club who only joined the league last season. At the bottom of the table are New Mills, without a point, who only a few years ago were competing in the Northern Premier League.

The season still has still another seven months to run so there is plenty of time for the fortunes of clubs to change but often a good start sees clubs enjoy a successful season.

Keith Reader


THE LAST WORD KEITH READER

THE LAST WORD KEITH READER

Due to printing and editor deadlines I have to writethis final column of the season with four leaguegames outstanding so it is impossible to comment onCharnock’s final position in the table and, most importantly, where they will be playing their footballnext season. Will it be in the Premier Division by automatic promotion or through the play-offs ormaybe we will have to be satisfied with having a second season in Division One but whatever happensit has been a very successful and exciting first seasonin the North West Counties League.

This season saw Charnock make their debut in the FAVase and it has been very satisfactory but with a little bit ofluck it could have been even more successful. In the preliminary rounds we won at Whickham in the North Eastthen visited Yorkshire to beat Harrogate Railway Athletic.The First Round Proper saw a home tie against old opponents Barnoldswick Town which we won after extratime. The home defeat at Mossie Park at the hands ofStaveley Miners Welfare was largely due to having to fieldan understrength team; suspensions for Spencer Bibby,Josh Norgate and Mike Fletcher all made them ineligible,Ashley Young missed through a knee problem and thenlosing Danny Smith to injury before half time and a missedpenalty all contributed to the defeat. If we had won wewould have had a trip up to play South Shields of theNorthern League who are now through to the Wembleyfinal. At the time they were averaging gates of over 1200.Win or lose it would have been a bumper pay day for theclub with a share of the gate receipts and more FA money for reaching that stage of the competition. As it was Staveley made the journey, pocketed the money andlost 3-0.

Charnock were drawn away to Bamber Bridge in the firstround of the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy, it was ourdebut in the competition and against all the odds cameaway with a 2-0 win. Drawn away at Ashton Athletic in thenext round we had plenty of chances to win the game inthe first half but in the end lost 1-0. Ashton went on to win2-1 against Radcliffe Borough in the final at the MacronStadium after knocking out Chorley in the semi-final. A littlemore accuracy with our shooting at Ashton and who knowswhat could have happened? In our league cup debuts wemade early exits in both competitions. In the Macron Cupwe were unlucky to lose 2-1 at Handley Town, the winningpenalty being awarded for the ball hitting Josh Norgate’sshoulder. We successfully negotiated our way through theReusch First Division Cup to the quarter-finals where welost 4-1 at home to Widnes.

Football squads inevitably evolve over the years and anumber of new signings were made for this season.Some players have fitted in well and have made regularappearances others disappeared; several did not evenmake one appearance. Over previous seasons CarlGrimshaw and David Burrows formed a successful goalscoring partnership for the club. Last season they totalled77 goals between them and there was the expectancythat they would score a similar number this season. Unfortunately domestic problems resulted in Dave making himself unavailable and he has been sorely missed.

In the 2015-16 season Damian Dashti passed the landmark of 500 appearances for the first team and hehas continued to feature in most match squads this season. He is now approaching 550 appearances whichis another remarkable record of dedication to CharnockRichard FC. There have been other impressive performances by players this season but for me oneplayer has stood out above anyone else - Ross O’Farrellhas had an outstanding season to date. Ross is anotherplayer that has been at Charnock for almost all his career first appearing in the ‘A’ team back in season2007-08 from where he has worked his way up to become a regular in the first team squad. He is mychoice as “Player of the Year”.

Finally I must mention the support that the club have enjoyed both home and away. To date home attendanceshave only dropped below 100 once and the average sofar is 140. Everyone at the club has put in a remarkableamount of time and effort and come May we will be looking forward to our second season in the North WestCounties League. I hope to be writing this column againnext season, many thanks for reading it.

Keith Reader

30


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