St Helens Town A.F.C.

Football club infobox
clubname = St Helens Town


fullname = St Helens Town Association Football Club
nickname = Town, Saints
founded = 1946
ground = Knowsley Road
capacity = 17,500
chairman = John McKiernan
manager = John Fletcher
league = North West Counties Football League Premier Division
season = 2007-08
position = North West Counties Football League Division One, 14th
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leftarm2=87ceeb|body2=87ceeb|rightarm2=87ceeb|shorts2=87ceeb|socks2=87ceeb

St Helens Town AFC are an English football club, currently playing in the Premier Division of the North West Counties Football League.

The club, based in St. Helens, Merseyside, play their home games at Knowsley Road, the home of St Helens RLFC, the town's rugby league team. The club have the honour of being the only team to play in the North West Counties League (Division One) every season since the league's inception. The club was also where legendary German goalkeeper Bert Trautman began his career. Another notable former player is Dave Bamber, who scored 147 goals during an 11-year, 8-club professional career.

They are due to move to the New St Helens Stadium in the near future.

Records

* Record Win: 10-2 vs Abbey Hey, 3 January 2001 (North West Counties Football League, Division 1)
* Record Loss: 1-8 vs Liverpool Reserves, 1950 (Liverpool Senior Cup)
* Record Apps: Alan Wellens
* Record Goal Scorer: Steve Pennington
* Record League Finish: 3rd (North West Counties Football League, Division 1)

History

The current club is the second to bear the name as the original set up, which lasted twenty years, was founded in 1903 and played at Park Road. The club was re-formed in 1946 when local businessmen led by Mr. George Fryer purchased the Hoghton Road ground. Subsequent years saw a boom period with the star attraction being Bert Trautmann who played for Town until 1946 when he joined Manchester City.

Early honours included lifting the George Mahon Trophy after a victory over Runcorn, following this Town joined the Lancashire Combination and won the Division Two Championship in 1951. A yo-yo existence followed drifting in and out of the First Division until the League was reduced to one division in the late sixties. The early seventies saw Town lift the Lancashire Combination Championship for the one and only time, whilst a 4-3 win over Darwen brought the Bass Charrington Cup back to Hoghton Road in 1972.

In 1975 Town switched to the Cheshire County League finishing consistently in mid-table until the formation of the North-West Counties League in 1982 with the club becoming founder members of Division One. Success was slow to come with relegation narrowly avoided before reaching the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup in 1985.

All this paled into insignificance with a memorable 1987 season. First time entrants to the Vase competition, Town's run to the final saw them play 12 games which ended with a historic FA Vase win at Wembley when near neighbours Warrington Town were defeated 3-2 in what was regarded as one of the best Vase finals seen at the famous stadium.

In 1988-89 Town finished third in the NWCFL Division One, the club's highest placing in seventeen years. The late 80's and early 90's saw Town consistently finishing in mid-table of the NWCFL Division One. Following the departure of Town boss Mick Holgate to Horwich RMI, Jim McBride took over the reins.

In his first season in 1993-94, McBride steered Town to their first Cup final since the FA Vase success, when reaching the Carling Challenge Cup final at Gigg Lane, Bury. However, Town were defeated by Rossendale United 1-0. Season 1994-95 saw Town's best League performance for some time, eventually finishing in third place behind Clitheroe and Bradford Park Avenue, following a very tight finish with McBride's men winning 27 of their 42 league matches. The Reserve side were crowned Champions of the NWCFL Reserve Division erasing the disappointment of the previous season.

On the Cup front season 1997-98 saw Town reach the Floodlit Trophy final before eventually losing 2-1 to neighbours Burscough in a thrilling final. Season 1998-99 saw Town also lift the REALCO Fair Play Award for the first time.

In December 1999, the club's Shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of relocation proposals. Five months later in May 2000 the first step on the road to a prosperous future for Town saw them play their last game at Hoghton Road - their home of over fifty years - a 1-0 victory over Champions Vauxhall GM marked the end of an era for Town. The first season at their next home, Knowsley Road, saw the club involved in the Championship race until the final week; eventually having to settle for a very disappointing fourth place behind Champions Rossendale United, Clitheroe and Ramsbottom.

February 2002 saw the resignation of long time manager Jim McBride. Having comfortably led the NWCFL Division 1 for some time, the team suffered a sudden and unexplainable dip in form, which resulted in only one win from six games and ultimately the manager paid the price. Two weeks later former Burscough management team of John Davison and Peter King were appointed to the Knowsley Road hot-seat; bringing with them a wealth of experience. Their tenure was to be short lived as after a disappointing 2002-03 during which Town finished 7th, and the pair along with the playing staff departed in heavy financial cuts.

The 2003-04 season saw Paul Lodge take over the reins with Alex Wright taking over as his assistant. Lodge, an ex-professional with Everton, Bolton, Preston and Stockport, was also a well travelled Non-League player. Their partnership was to last until the end of January when with Town struggling at the bottom of the table, Lodge stepped aside and allowed Joe Paladino to take over the reins. Paladino along with Mark Cox steered Town to a comfortable 19th place finish.

Town were to challenge eventual Champions Fleetwood Town in the 2004-05 season. Highlights of the season included an FA Vase 2nd round victory at Fleetwood and a narrow 1-0 defeat at home to Liverpool in the Liverpool Senior Cup.

Joe Paladino's reign at Town came to an end after the defeat at Ramsbottom United on the 12th March 2005. Assistant Manager Joe Gibiliru took over team affairs with Lee Madin as his number two. Town finished the season in 3rd place and through this high finish earned an exemption to the 1st round of the 2005-06 FA Vase.

Joe Gibiliru's first season in sole charge saw the team progress well in the FA Cup and maintain a high position in the table for the majority of the season without ever looking likely to threaten the clubs battling for promotion. Financial restraints on the squad budget did not help matters and after some turnover of players a final finish of 8th place was a respectable outcome. Joe resigned in September 2006 and the committee appointed former assistant manager Alex Wright as the new manager. John Fletcher is the new assistant manager.

On Seturday 10th Feb 2007, Danny Leyland dislocated his hip against Maine Road FC (Manchester). He spent 4 weeks in Manchester Royal Hospital.

On Saturday 31st March 2007, Prescot Cables FC hosted Town's home game against Silsden in a match which Town won 2-1. Town also played a home match against Abbey Hey on the 7th April at Prescot and lost two nil.

The club finished in 19th place at the end of the 2006-2007 season. Their last home game of a difficult campaign saw them draw 4-4 with Nelson on the 26th April, having come from two goals behind twice. Their last game of the season was on the 28th April, losing 3-2 away at Colne.

The club's sponsors for the 2007-2008 season were 438 Design, a north west based firm and this is the largest deal in the club's history.

A legal dispute erupted in August 2007 between Town and the local rugby club after an article was published in the Guardian newspaper. Town have accused the rugby club of backtracking on a promise to provide the football team with a ground for eighty years and a team budget as part of a deal made seven years ago. The rugby club have labelled the article by respected journalist David Conn as being defamatory.

In September, an article was published in the Liverpool Echo stating the financial problems the football club have been facing. In the same month, manager Alex Wright stepped down resulting in assistant John Fletcher taking over the position as first team manager.

In October, the club signed striker Rob Whyte from Runcorn Linnets. His goals were instrumental for the club in avoiding relegation from the division. This resulted in Whyte receiving the fans player of the year award in April 2008, despite leaving in January to join Prescot Cables only to return to Town the following month. Winger Karl Ledsham was awarded the young player of the yeard award and defender Andy Webster picked up the players player of the year trophy.

The 2007-2008 season saw the club struggle in the bottom half of the table throughout the season. However, an excellent end of season run which saw the team lose just once in their last nine league games resulted in a respectable fourteenth place finish in the league. Newly arrived goalkeeper Andy Lynskey's performances were an important part of this excellent run having signed for the club in February following Graham McCall's departure.

Prolific striker Rob Whyte, whose goals helped ensure the club's survival in the league last season, re-signed for Runcorn Linnets in June 2008. Consistent midfielder Steve Williams retired in July.

Several new players have arrived for the 2008/2009 campaign. Paul Rudd and Chris Burke in defence, Ste Edwards, Anthony Cole, Marc Stevens in midfield and Graham and Paul Mitchell in attack, who have joined from Warrington Town.

The 2008-2009 campaign will see the club continue to play home fixtures at the Knowsley Road stadium. The two new sponsors for the 2008-2009 campaign are Brooklands Estate Agents and Centrix Asset Finance.

So far the pre-season build up has been promising with a one all draw against AFC Liverpool and wins away to FC Bootle, Vauxhall Motors and Beeches of the Warrington Premier League.

* 1903: Club was founded and played at Park Road (the club lasted twenty years).
* 1946: Club re-formed when local businessman George Fryer purchased the team's previous ground, Hoghton Road; the club joined the Liverpool County Combination.
* 1949: Joined the Lancashire Combination League Division Two.
* 1951: Won the Lancashire Combination League Division Two Title; promoted to Division One
* 1952: Relegated back to Division Two.
* 1975: Joined the Cheshire County League.
* 1982: Founder member of the North West Counties League Division One.
* 1985: Reached the 4th Qualifying round of the FA Cup taking Morecambe to a replay before losing 1-0.
* 1986: Entered the FA Vase for the 1st time.
* 1987: Won the FA Vase at the 1st attempt beating Warrington Town 3-2 at Wembley.
* 1989: Finished 3rd in the NWCL Division One - their highest placing to date.
* 1993: Jim McBride appointed manager after having previously been reserve team manager and assistant manager.
* 1994: Lost to Rossendale United 1-0 in the Carling Challenge Cup Final at Gigg Lane.
* 1995: Equalled best ever NWCL finish, ending the season 3rd behind Clitheroe and Bradford Park Avenue.
* 1996: Celebrated 50 Years (since club reformed).
* 1998: NWC Floodlit Trophy Finalists losing 2-1 to Burscough.
* 1999: Won REALCO fair play award
* 2000: Moved to Knowsley Road, home of St Helens rugby league team.
* 2001: Recorded biggest ever win.
* 2002: Long serving manager Jim McBride resigns.
* 2005: Finished 3rd in the NWCL Division One.
* 2006: Town host FC United of Manchester with over 1,700 fans in attendance.
* 2008: Town host AFC Liverpool in a pre-season friendly at Ashton Town.

quad and Club Staff

Playing Staff:

GK -

Andy Lynskey,Kevin WoodsJohn Fletcher,

DR -

Neil Jones,Adie Reilly,Andy Webster,Paul Cliff,Chris Burke,Paul Rudkin,Peter Phillips,Clive Locke,John Elias.

MD -

Iain Dyson (Club captain),Karl Ledsham,Tom Sumner,Adam Gilchrist,Andy Walker,Chris Bermingham,Anthony Cole,Marc Stevens.Paul Monteith.

FD -

Muktar Mahama,Phil Mitchell,Graham Mitchell,Brian Hatton,Ste Edwards,Mike Scully.
*

Club and Coaching Staff:

*John Fletcher - Manager.
*John McKiernan - Chairman.
*Brian Humphreys - Assistant.
*Stuart Steen - Fitness and Conditioning Coach.
*Joe Ferguson - Club Physio.
*Jeff Voller - Matchday Secretary .
*Steve Leather - Junior Club Secretary.

Additional Information

The club publishes a matchday programme for each home match detailing the team line-ups, history of the opposition, statistics, player profiles and various other information.

One player of note was Michael Allison who many see as being destined for the football league before bad knee injuries took their toll.

The club also has several junior teams.

The club runs a 100 club each week.

Age groups from under 7 through to under 10's compete in the Rainhill and St Helens Mini Soccer League, with all games being played on a Saturday morning. Under 11's and under 13's compete in the Warrington Junior Sunday Football League.

References

* [http://www.sthelenstownafc.com Official Site]
* [http://www.nwcfl.co.uk NWCFL Official Site]
* [http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2007/08/01/saints_show_little_charity_for.html Saints show little charity for Town's plight]