LANCASTER CITY FC Giant Axe, West Road, Lancaster Lancashire LA1 5PE Telephone & Fax: 01524 382238 Email: [email protected] Website: www.lancastercityfc.com

Welcome . . . WWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW WWWWWWWELCOME Good afternoon and welcome to our opening home Northern game against Bas- ford United.

We would like to extend a warm welcome to their Players, officials and supporters along with the match officials and hope they enjoy their visit.

The midweek FA Cup tie proved to be a tense affair and I am sure none of us anticipated it ending up with a penalty shoot out. Whilst out performance was below par, credit should also go to Runcorn who were competitive throughout and could have secured a win themselves. The game also saw a visit from the police to check on our Covid safety procedures which high- lighted a few issues which has resulted in extra precautions being implemented. It is important that we all follow the regulations in place if we are to continue operating as we are now. The draw for the next round has paired us with another North West Counties side, Skelmersdale United which gives us a great opportunity to progress further although we will almost certainly need a better performance than Tuesday to progress Basford United have not made the start to the season I am sure they were looking for having lost both games to date. An opening league fixture against Warrington Town is always going to be a tough start but they will have been extremely disappointed to have gone out of the FA Cup at Chasetown in midweek. I am sure they will be determined to put things right today so will prove tough opposition. We are at home again on Tuesday evening when Morpeth Town visit Giant Axe before the FA Cup tie at Skelmersdale on Saturday

Enjoy the game. Andrew Satterthwaite

CITY CLUB DIRECTORY President Ian Sharp LIFE Vice President : Barry Neswham Chairman : Stuart Houghton General Manager : Graham Dockerty Non Executive Directors : Eric Williams (Supporters Club) : Keith Winder Club Secretary : Sarah Pearce Assistant Secretary : Mike Sparks Club Treasurer : Amy Evans Gold Bond Co-ordinator : Pam Satterthwaite

COACHING STAFF First Team Manager : Mark Fell Assistant Manager : Graham Lancashire First Team Coach : Rob Henry Goalkeeping Coach : Mark Thornley Sport Therapist : Paul Winstanley Medical Consultant : David Rhodes Kit Manager : Michael McGahon Assistant Kit Manager : Stuart Wilson Assistant Kit Manager : Michael Wilson

OTHER PERSONNEL Youth Squad Manager : Lee Dodgson Club Solicitor : Peter Rutherford Club Chaplin : Fr Anthony Keefe Club Historian : David Cunliffe Commercial Manager: Alex Everett Club Webmaster : Eric Williams / Graham Dockerty LCFC Media : Alex Everett Club Safety Officer : Rob Hill Welfare Officers : Jan Walsh / Peter Davies Groundsman : Aran Rigg GroundStaff : David Hughes / Peter Benson / David Cunliffe / Moreen Cunliffe/ Rob Hill / Billy Heron / Tony Moorby / Steve Wright / Pam Satterthwaite

PROGRAMME TEAM Editors : Andrew Satterthwaite / Barry Newsham Contributors : Fr Anthony Keefe / Steve Wright / Keith Winder / Ian Wood Printing / Compiling : Andrew Satterthwaite / Graham Dockerty Public Address : Eric Williams Raffle / Golden Goal Sellers : Jan & Ron Walsh

SUPPORTERS CLUB General Secretary : Keith Winder Treasurer : Steve Wright

LANCASTER CITY FOOTBALL CLUB IS A TRADING NAME OF LANCASTER CITY FC LTD REG No 06010739 THERE ARE 8 SHAREHOLDERS ALL OWNING 11.3% OF THE SHARE CAPITAL THESE ARE : D.NEEDHAM. I. SHARP. E.WILLIAMS. S.HOUGHTON. M.HOYLE. R.MUCKLE. G.DOCKERTY. AND T.CLARKSON. THERE ARE 10 FURTHER SHAREHOLDERS EACH HOLDING NO MORE THAN 1.3% OF THE SHARE CAPITAL REGISTERED OFFICE : THE CLOSE, QUEENS SQUARE, LANCASTER, , LA1 1RS ACCOUNTANTS : CWRCHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS, THE CLOSE, QUEENS SQUARE, LANCASTER, ENGLAND, LA1 1RS

Fell’s View . . . with City boss Mark Fell . . .

Mark Fell & Graham Lancashire

Well football is back and it’s doing my head in already! – says Mark Fell this week !!

“Saturday we did everything but put the ball in the net multiple times. I thought we looked fit, strong and creative, we just lacked that ruthlessness in front of goal. Killer grabbed us a point but there was no one in Bower Fold who didn’t think we did enough to win it, including Simon Howarth (’s Manager) who was very complimentary about us.

Fast forward to Tuesday, and if I had any hair left, it’s in the stand next to the directors box. I know my post-match interview raised some eyebrows but it’s the truth, we dropped our levels and that’s not acceptable. On another day we’d have been knocked out and that would be a disaster for the football club. We got let of the hook massively and although we’ll move on quickly, we need not to forget how vulnerable we are (or any team is) when not at our best. It wasn’t necessarily workrate that I was critical of, more that, with the players at this club our quality on the ball has to be better.

Ironically; I know that we’ll be better Saturday. Basford will come and we’ll raise our game against one of the league favourites, we always do!

On the playing front, two young players, Ben Anderson and Jamie Hodgson who trialed for us in pre-season have gone to Kendal for some game time and more experience. Paul Dawson should return this week and Nozza’s (and mine) ban is complete. Sam Bailey is our only worry with a badly bruised ankle.

Finally a plea, that all supporters adhere to the social distancing guidelines at all times in the stadium. It’s a blow that we’ve been further reduced to 200 fans and that will have a knock on effect financially, we’ve been unfairly targeted in my view, especially seeing how little other clubs have done compared to us, but we need to be absolutely squeaky clean to get that num- ber back up ASAP. So if stewards or club officials remind you of the need to distance, please follow the requests, whilst enjoying the game and getting behind the lads.”

Our Visitors ~ BASFORD UNITED Introducing our Pitching In NPL Premier Division Opponents . . . Basford United FC have been on a meteoric growth achieving 5 promotions in the last 8 years and will this season 2020-21 play again at Step 3. Promoted to the , Premier Division for the sea- son 2018-19 the team adapted well to the new challenge and finished a very respectable 6th place in our de- but season at this level.

The club have this preseason appointed ex Forest legend Steve Chettle as 1st team Manager and Head of Basford United Football Academy.

Basford United FC are collectively working towards the objectives of Step 1 National League Football by 2022- 23 and Football League by 2025-26 and are backed by our ambitious Chairman.

Expanding on our recent history which has been staggering;

In 2017-18 Basford were promoted following an emphatic Northern Premier League Division One South cam- paign, winning the championship, recording a century of points gained and goals scored.

One of Nottingham’s oldest established football clubs, with a history stretching back to 1900, Basford have had a very established existence. Our current Chairman Chris Munroe joined the club in 2007 as manager and oversaw the 1st team for 3 years until handing over the reigns to Darren Saunders, with Chris Munroe taking over as Chairman.

For the 2010-11 season the club achieved promotion from the Notts Senior League entering the National League System by joining the Step 7 Central Midlands League South Division.

The stay in the Central Midlands League was short as tin 2011-12 Basford United won the League and Floodlit Cup in their first season to earn promotion to the Step 6 East Midlands Counties League for 2012-13. Basford stormed through the EMCL, winning the league at their first attempt with a record points total and becoming the first club to do the league and cup double.

Whilst in the EMCL, Basford also entered the FA Vase for the first time, reaching the Second Round where they went down 5-3 away to AFC Rushden & Diamonds in front of a near 600 crowd.

Success in the EMCL saw the club promoted to Step 5 for 2013-14. Basford debut at Step 5 of the NLS was in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division. A creditable fifth place finish in a season that also saw Basford’s return to the FA Cup after a long absence under the guidance of Martin Carruthers who was ap- pointed manager during this campaign.

Basford were then laterally moved sideways into the newly formed Midland Football League Premier Division for 2014-15, a move the club took in its stride winning the league at the 1st time of asking. Earning promotion into Step 4 into the Northern Premier League South for season 2015-16, which was the sixth successive season that the club have played in a new league, surely some sort of record.

Basford proved more than equal to the challenge by finishing their first NPL season in fourth place, losing to eventual promotion winners Coalville Town in the play-offs. Some consolation was gained by winning the Notts FA Senior Cup for the second successive sea- son. 2016-17 Basford finished 6th missing out on the playoffs by 1 point, this then led to promotion in 2017-18 as mentioned above. Our Visitors ~ BASFORD UNITED Introducing our Pitching In NPL Premier Division Oppo- nents . . .

Under the watch and investment of Chairman Chris Munroe the clubs home facility, that prior to 2011 was an open field, now represents a state of the Art Football Facility fit offering prospects for further expansion with over £3.0M worth of investment over this period. The major investment over this period occurred during 2016 with a £750k investment backed by a £500k Football Foundation Stadia Improvement Grant. This comprised a complete redesign of the existing foot- ball stadia and a state of art 4G Artificial surface replacing the previous sloping grass pitch. Alongside this investment came an irrigation water extraction system allowing a pitch sprinkler system to be installed as part of the 3G installation. The installation of the new 3G corresponded with the formation of our Basford United Football Education- al Academy. The Educational Academy have mirrored the achievements of the 1st team winning the Na- tional League U19 Midland Division. 2018-19 season saw the group make it to the National Final on the National League, losing to South Shields Academy on Penalties in the final. Former Basford players who have gone on to play professionally include Bert Bowery (Nottingham For- est), Chris Freestone (Middlesbrough, Northampton, Hartlepool), Will Hoskins (Brighton), Shaun Derry (Notts County, Sheffield Utd, Leeds Utd, QPR) and Paul Cox (Notts County). More recently Kirmari Smith (Sheffield United), Colby Bishop (Accrington Stanley) and Kole Lambert (Norwich City), have all graduat- ed from our Football Educational Academy.

Steve Chettle: The third highest appearance holder for Nottingham Forest is in his second season as Basford United manager, after guiding his side to fourth in the 2019/20 season before it was declared null and void. His former coaching roles include a spell as Ilkeston Town boss and manager of Notts County’s under 23s side.

Michael Leslie: The former Basford United defender is in his third season a first team coach at the club after impressing as manager of the club’s community side as well as in a scouting role. He also had a five-year spell in Australia where he played and coached professionally.

Rob Duffy: Re-joined the club last season as a coach following a successful spell as a player at Greenwich Avenue, where he was involved in the side that achieved promotion the NPL Premier Division back in the 2017/18 season. As a player Duffy worked under Steve Chettle at both Ilkeston FC and Nuneaton Borough when Chettle was assistant manager at the two sides.

Graeme Rodger: Like Steve Chettle he is in his second full season at the club after joining in March 2019. He has previously had coaching spells at Barnsley Academy and Shirebrook as well as playing for Blidworth and Forest Town.

Cameron Nind- He has been at the club for seven years now and has worked in football for over eight years. He holds a BSc in Sports Therapy with Rehab and a MSc in Physiotherapy.

Kieran Preston: He was Basford’s number one for last season, playing 38 times, keeping 10 clean sheets in the process, and will be looking to keep that spot this season. The former Scotland under-21 international signed for the club from fellow NPL side Grantham Town in 2018 after spells at Derby County and Bristol Rovers.

Jordan Pierrepont: The 20-year old was a summer recruit from Heanor Town where he kept 11 clean sheets. The youngster has featured for NPL side Matlock Town as a 17-year old and also had a spell at Chesterfield FC. Our Visitors ~ BASFORD UNITED Introducing our Pitching In NPL Premier Division Oppo- nents . . .

Stefan Galinski: The former Grantham Town captain is Basford’s vice-captain and spent time at Hednesford Town, Stalybridge Celtic and Alfreton. Last season he was an ever present in the heart of Steve Chettle’s back line making 38 appearances and chipping in with two goals up the other end of the pitch.

Charlie Gatter: Another of Chettle’s summer additions. He joins the club from Hednesford Town, where he previ- ously partnered Stefan Galinski at the heart of their back line. The 22-year old is well known to Basford boss Steve Chettle after the pair spent time at Nottingham Forest’s academy together when Gatter was an apprentice at the Championship side.

James Clifton: The right back signed for Basford over the summer from Corby Town. Like Gatter, he has worked with Steve Chettle in the past. The duo worked together when Chettle was assistant manager at Nuneaton Borough.

Owen Betts: The 19-year old is one of Basford’s most recent signings and joined the club after being released by Notts County. He spent most of last season out on loan after making a senior appearance for Notts. Betts was also a member of Steve Chettle’s Under 23s side at the National League club before Chettle left for Basford.

Lewis Carr: One of the longest serving players at the club, he signed back in 2016 from Grantham Town. He also had spells at Stamford and Quorn as well as playing professionally for Cambridge United. Last season Carr made 22 appearances for Steve Chettle’s side both in the centre of defence and in midfield.

Ryan Wilson: The former Northern Ireland youth international was most recently at Telford before signing at Greenwich Avenue. He is into his second full season at the club having made 29 appearances last season. Wilson also has a long history with manager Steve Chettle having worked with him at both Ilkeston FC and Nuneaton Bor- ough.

Dom Roma: The veteran full-back signed for the club back in 2017 from Scarborough Athletic and has been in- volved in coaching the first team following the departure of former manager Martin Carruthers before Steve Chettle took charge. Last season he made 22 appearances for the club as well as spending time on loan at Scarborough.

Kyle Dixon: The midfielder signed from Newark Flowserve, where he made 38 appearances and scored 11 goals as well as being in double figures for assists, back in March as the pandemic called an end to the season. Like much of the squad Dixon has worked with Steve Chettle before, the pair were briefly at Ilkeston Town together in the 2018/19 season.

Declan Dunn: The central midfielder signed alongside Owen Betts after leaving Notts County this summer. Dunn was involved in Notts’ first team at the start of last season before moving to Grantham Town on loan. He was also a member of Steve Chettle’s under 23s side at Notts.

Callum Chettle: Son of manager Steve, Callum joined the club last season. He played professionally for Peterbor- ough United and has had spells in non-league at clubs such as Ilkeston FC and Alfreton Town. He was heavily in- volved in the Basford squad last season with 34 appearances.

Alex Howes: The third player to join Basford from Notts County this summer. Howes featured at as a 16-year old for Notts in League Two and has since spent time at Coalville Town on loan. Like Owen Betts and Declan Dunn, Howes was a part of Steve Chettle’s under 23s side at Notts.

James Tague: The midfielder joined the club in the summer from fellow NPL side Gainsborough Trinity after spending most of last season at Matlock Town. As a youngster he also spent time at Derby County and Mansfield Town.

Matt Thornhill: Basford United’s captain joined the club back in 2017 from Gainsborough Trinity after spells with Nottingham Forest and Hibernian in the professional game. Last season he made 35 appearances and chipped in with five goals from midfield. Our Visitors ~ BASFORD UNITED Introducing our Pitching In NPL Premier Division Oppo- nents . . .

Niall Towle: The forward was a summer addition from Midland Premier Division Side Long Eaton United. His spell at the step five club was highly impressive as he found the back of the net on 42 occasions.

Kane Richards: The winger signed for the club in 2019 from Kidderminster and is in his second season at Greenwich Avenue. He had previously worked with Steve Chettle at Ilkeston FC. Last season he was influential in Basford’s push into a play offs spot as he scored 11 times in 34 games as well as reaching double figures for assists.

Rev James: The forward signed for the club in the middle of last season after a successful loan spell at Greenwich Avenue from Oxford United in the previous season. He featured towards the end of the season making seven appear- ances

James Carvell: The former Derby County academy and Barnsley player joined the club in 2019 after a spell over in America where he played for Oregon State University. Last season he made six appearances for the club, scoring once. He spent the end of the season on loan at Belper Town but saw his game time limited due to fixture postpone- ments.

Marcus Marshall: The forward signed for the club, from Matlock Town, back in March alongside Kyle Dixon. He featured 38 times for the Derbyshire club scoring 14 times in the process.

Wayde Hines: The 16-year old signed for the club last season on a dual-registration from Eastwood CFC. He has since committed his future to the club and joined the educational academy.

Mackenzie Rooney: The 17-year old defender is a member of the club’s educational academy and is in the second year of the programme. He made his first team debut last season, coming off the bench against Nottingham Forest Under 23s in the Senior Cup.

************************* FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round ties involving NPL Premier Division clubs Guiseley v Atherton Collieries Southport v Morpeth Town Stalybridge Celtic v Longridge Town Farsley Celtic v Radcliffe Ashton United v South Shields Curzon Ashton v FC United of Manchester Hyde United v AFC Fylde Skelmersdale United v Lancaster City Nantwich Town v Barwell Mickleover v Newark Buxton v Stafford Rangers Grantham Town v Matlock Town

Lancaster City Supporters Club with Supporters Club General Secretary Keith Winder . . .

Fixtures

I obviously didn’t have enough to occupy me during the pandemic lockdown, because I dreamt one night that the League had reissued last season’s fixture list in its entirety to run this season ! And the more I thought about it, the more logical it seemed. After all, the 22 Clubs are identical; last season is alleged to have never happened, with all records ‘expunged’ (even though Chuck Norris, and Mark Fell, have both been serving out disciplinary punishments this week for sins committed last season); and the League had limited time to get a new fixture list together, given the uncertainty around re-start. So all credit to the League for getting the new fixtures out in double-quick time, and for almost reversing the pattern of fixtures from last year – for example, last year we started at home to Stafford, this year we finish with that fixture. Last year, we had an early trip to Morpeth, this year they have an early trip to us. Similarly, that early season trip to Nottinghamshire to meet Basford is reversed this year.

Looking at the fixture list, it doesn’t look as if the League has been able to do its normal diligent job in avoiding the longer trips during the week – not too many affecting us, but it is noteworthy that for the second time in three seasons, we visit South Shields on a Tuesday evening, this time in the dead of winter (23rd February). The compressed nature of the fixture list is also going to mean more re-scheduled League matches for those Clubs that do even moderately well in the FA national competitions, even if the Clubs involved mutually agree to ‘play to finish’ in the first game of the round – already our fixture a week on Saturday at Stafford has been lost to the FA Cup 2nd Qualifier (the draw for which, incidentally, takes place at 1300 hrs today).

Whether the fixture puzzle gets further complicated by League Cup and County Cup competitions remains to be seen. Without a sponsor, the League Cup is an expensive luxury for the Clubs, and is hardly likely to sit high up anyone’s priority list. And we’ve still to conclude last season’s County Cup competition, where we are finalists but have not been given an opportunity to play the final !

Covid-Secure – How Was It For You ?

The status and uncertainty surrounding our season didn’t feel great as we kicked off last weekend, but the situation has become even more uncertain with the government announcements this week about further restrictive measures within society to contain the spread of Covid-19. The planned resumption of spectator admission to Football League and Na- tional League fixtures in early October is now in serious doubt, and there are bound to be questions about whether the release of Steps 3 to 7 of the non-league pyramid to admit supporters was the right decision, and whether it should be rescinded. And there will no doubt be a review of evidence from the first week of the season, which will help in the making of that decision – and may indeed be the determining factor.

It appears that City had a largely favourable impromptu assessment from Lancashire Police for its arrangements on Tuesday night, though it appears the view was we had too many supporters in the ground to assure social distancing. This is nonsense – again, as at Stalybridge, this is about behaviour. 200 City supporters chose to congregate on the West Road terrace in the second half, because we were attacking that goal – the Shed was empty save for a handful of loyal (and vocal) Runcorn supporters. However, I acknowledge that we are not in a strong position to challenge at the moment. In some respects, the Club has probably devoted too much space to walking routes at the expense of stand- ing, and has taken a far too literal view of the 2 metre rule over seating availability in the stand, but even so, there was plenty of space for everyone to stand or sit and comply with requirements – if they chose to.

Clearly, the risk of ‘choosing not to’ is that the authorities will decline to continue to support our fragile return. Every- one of us needs to reflect upon that at Saturday’s game against Basford – if we don’t, it could be the last game we play. INTRODUCING YOUR COVID-19 SECURE

GIANT AXE BY GRAHAM DOCKERTY For the foreseeable future matches at Giant Axe will be subject to the club strictly adhering to the guidance provided.

Consequently, a maximum of 300 spectators are allowed for all our competitive matches, managed through a new online DIGITAL TICKETING system to ensure we do not exceed the capacity guidelines and control the flow of entry. Our digital ticketing system is set for launching ahead of the first home match, this Saturday 12th September v Spennymoor Town. Season Ticket holders will have priority and be guaranteed entry to all our Northern Premier League home fixtures. Fans will notice changes with respect to social distancing and are requested to wear a face covering when mov- ing around the ground. Risk assessments have been produced and published with the following key changes to your usual match day experience; o Fans must adhere to social distancing at all times o Pedestrian barriers and a gangway around the ground will allow fans to move safely, one way at a time o Crowd management by Stewards and Marshalls at cross-over points o Social distance spacing of available seats in the John Bagguley stand and 2m squares marked in all spectator standing areas o Area behind the dug-outs cordoned off to form a safe area for players and management (barriers will open at full-time to allow fans to leave via this side) o Positioning of infra-red activated hand sanitisers around the ground o 2m queuing introduced for the turnstile(s), Netbusters’ Bar, Dolly’s Diner, Tea Bar and toilets o Cashless payments only for Netbusters’ Bar and Dolly’s Diner The club have also produced a Coronavirus Code of Behaviour to provide further guidance when attending matches. We would ask fans to observe these guidelines and bear with us whilst these necessary restrictions are imposed upon us, but the safety of our fans is our number one priority. We want all spectators to enjoy coming to Giant Axe to watch The Dollies in a safe environment. Thank you for your continued support in these diffi- cult times. For further information please contact Graham Dockerty (01524)-382238 CORONAVIRUS CODE OF BEHAVIOUR BY GRAHAM DOCKERTY In order to assist our staff, stewards and marshalls, and to help protect you and your fellow spectators.

In order to assist our staff, Stewards and Marshalls, and to help protect you and your fellow spectators, you are kindly requested to follow these guidelines when attending all fixtures:- · Make sure in advance that you know where your entry point is, and if an entry time is specified on your tick- et or when making your booking, please adhere to your allotted time. · Arrive in good time to go through all of the necessary entry procedures. · At all times, and in all parts of the ground, please observe social distancing and avoid close contact with those not in your ‘bubble’. · Be aware that all payments inside the ground should be contactless where possible. · Maintain good hygiene: use the sanitiser dispensers provided and avoid touching your face or other com- monly-touched surfaces, such as handles and railings, whenever possible. · We advise you to wear a mask or face covering within the ground when you are able, especially when inside a building, e.g. the front part of the queue for Netbusters’ Bar or using the toilets. · If you need to access any of the ground’s amenities, such as toilets, Dolly’s Diner, Netbusters Bar and tea bar, check to see if any of them have queues and plan accordingly. · Remain in your seat or viewing position at all times where it is possible. · If you need to leave your viewing position, wait for a time when the gangway is clear and follow any sign- age indicating which way to go, or the directions of the stewards. · If you are seated, when moving past spectators to and from your seat, please avoid face to face contact with other spectators. · If you are standing, please stay within your social bubble and remain aware of the movements of others at all times. · Please observe respiratory etiquette: always cover your mouth if needing to cough or sneeze. · Avoid hugs, high-fives and any close contact with people who are not in your social bubble. · Minimise shouting, singing or celebrating where possible, and if you do sing or shout please wear a mask or face covering. · If you are attending with other members of your social bubble, please make sure they have read and under- stand these guidelines too. Thank you for your co-operation: STAY SAFE!

Fifty Four Years On by Fr. Anthony Keefe . . .

IAlan Bennett entitled his first play “Forty Years On”, which, I believe, is based on the school song of some public school or other. Incidentally, does anyone remember the days when many educational establishments had a school song? I believe that Skerton did, and the Girls’ Grammar—what about Greaves, Dallas Road, and the rest? I know about Skerton, because one day, in the dining hall at Our Lady’s, a couple of the dinner ladies launched into a chorus of their (Skerton) school song, and the illustrious Wendy, from the balcony, treated us to a rendition of the LGGS song.

At the East Road Jailhouse, we had a nauseatingly sentimental obscenity known as the “Song of the Red Rose” which was rolled out annually on Speech Day in the Ashton Hall. In the programme for the event, it used to state “It is the custom during the singing of the School Song for members of the school, past and present, to stand, while all others remain seated”, so all around the hall could be seen doddery old codgers staggering to their feet to mumble “Do you recall the schoolhouse on the hill?”. If I were ever to return for “Speech Day”, to which, I should point out, wild hors- es would not drag me, I would now be numbered among those old codgers, but would not be expected to stand, as the loathsome ditty was put out of its misery in the mid-60s.

All of this is by way of pre-amble, as I want to recall what I wrote concerning late January of 1966 when, along with a high proportion of the population of these islands, I fell victim to the flu epidemic. I mentioned that, on the Saturday afternoon, I was listening, courtesy of my brand new Ever Ready Sky Baby transistor radio, to a play entitled “The Green Isle of the Great Deep” and that, as three o’clock approached, I realised that the performance had a second part which would be broadcast the following Saturday, when I should be up, about, and at the Giant Axe watching the Dol- ly Blues play Marine. Consequently, I would not know how the play continued and finished—an ignorance which remains to this day.

Lo and behold, that ignorance is now on the point of being dispelled. A few days ago, a package dropped through my letter box. Puzzled, I tore it open, to discover nothing less than the novel “The Green Isle of the Great Deep” on which that long ago radio play was based. Dolly-in-Yorkshire-exile Dave Towers had come across it and, taking pity on my plight, had despatched it in my direction. Thus, not forty years on, but fifty four, I will be able to discover what went on in the aforementioned green isle. I only hope it was worth the wait. Incidentally, there was a time when people were reluctant to open unidentified postal items. I am speaking of the late 70s to early 80s, when “letter bombs” had become the weapon of choice for various disaffected members of society. I was based near Wigan at the time, and was nonplussed to receive, one day, what I have to describe as a “suspect pack- age”. I wasn’t expecting anything, and was somewhat unnerved by the inscription SCSA. This rang no bells whatsoev- er.

“Perhaps,” I thought, “SA stands for Secret Army” and I was seriously contemplating heading down to the police sta- tion with my newly acquired gift. Reason, or the fear of embarrassment (delete as applicable) took over. “Nobody would want to blow me up” I thought, perhaps unduly smugly, “and in any case, I will look a right pudding taking something almost certainly innocent to the police.” Not entirely convinced, I opened the package very gingerly, to reveal—a diary from the Stockport County Supporters Association. A few weeks previously I had attended a match at Springfield Park, Wigan, where Stockport had been the visitors, and had bumped into an acquaintance from years be- fore, who had mentioned that he was the secretary of County’s Supporters’ Club. Clearly, he had decided to prove his credentials by sending me a present displaying the club’s initials. Memo to Keith Winder: beware of sending diaries in the post.

This was supposed to be an introduction to U is for Unforgettable (continued). You may have to wait fifty four years for that. Netbusters 2020-21 the latest update on pledges and totals from Steve Wright . . .

Good afternoon everybody, & welcome to our first home league game of the new campaign. Our visitors today, Bas- ford have travelled from Nottinghamshire to be here with us this afternoon. I’d like to wish them a warm welcome, and to say that I hope that their journey was safe & uneventful.

They opened their league campaign with a two-nil home defeat to Warrington last Saturday, followed on Tuesday by exiting the FA Cup two-one at Chasetown. I think that Warrington will be realistic title contenders this time, and Chasetown are a decent side with a good set up, as we learnt a few years back when we went there for an FA Trophy replay. As a result, I don’t imagine that anyone around the Axe will be looking at this game as anything other than a stern test. As confirmation of this, the Lions finished last term’s abandoned season one place ahead of us in forth place, and the season before in seventh place.

What did you make of Tuesday night then? Not just the game, but the whole “covid football” thing? You probably all know that I usually operate the Long Marsh Lane end gate, but under current circumstances found myself alongside Mr Heron in what is usually Tony Moorby’s kingdom. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with how smooth- ly entry to the ground went. The E-tickets were a particular success in my opinion. Some people had printed them out, but most had them on their phones, which lead to yours truly’s glasses being on & off like a whoooah… I can’t say that in a family publication… maybe I can say up & down like a bride’s nighty? Anyway, I had to laugh because I’ kept one chap waiting that long (no, not at the fact that I’d kept him waiting, I wish you’d wait for it instead of making it up yourself) that his phone had returned to the lock screen & he was left trying to gain entry by showing me a picture of his dog. It was a vey handsome dog mind you.

I understand that today the club will have to use some sort of NHS tracking app, displaying a QR code (no, me nei- ther) that you can scan as you enter the ground. Anyone not having the equipment/will/ability to do that may have to leave some contact details, just as on Tuesday. As I said earlier, I was very happy with people’s understanding & ac- ceptance of the issues this created for your numpty gatemen, & their help with it. Despite all that, apparently the po- lice weren’t 100% happy with the social distancing element of the evening, so we need to try to get this right too. I think that’s going to be difficult myself, football fans are pretty gregarious, but we all need to do what’s best for both ourselves & the club. The football itself seems to have generated differing opinions. Mark Fell wasn’t too impressed, while some of our supporters seemed to think that we’d done ok.

Anyway, I’m almost done (finally!) I have received & added to the list below some new pledges, but please if you can add your name to it too. After Tuesday the latest netbusters total now stands at £24 Thank you for your support If you wish to join in, you can contact me by phone/text on 07960062621 or by email at [email protected] I will also be at the ground for as many home games as my shifts allow

Up the Dollies!

Steve Wright

Pledges for the 2020/21 season

Per league win -£2 Phil Nightingale, £1 Luke Wilson Per league point-£1 Dave Cunliffe Per win- £2 Tony Keefe, Brian Kendrick, £1 Dave Weston Per away win-£2 Derek Johnson, £1 Steve Wright Per league clean sheet-£1 David Owen Per clean sheet-£3 Brian Kendrick, £2 Billy Heron, Tony Keefe, £1.50 Dave Cunliffe, £1 Sarah Pearce, Michael Wright, Steve Wright Per goal scored by LCFC-50p Pam Satterthwaite Per goal scored by the following players Sam Bailey-£1 Deborah Johnson Rhys Turner-£2 Billy Heron Tom Kilifin-£2 Billy Heron, John Dickerson, £1 Steve Wright Charlie Bailey- £1 Steve Wright For each game in which no LCFC player receives neither a red or yellow card-£3 Dave Cunliffe For each hat trick scored by an LCFC player-£3 Luke Wilson If LCFC score four or more goals in a game-£10 Jake Carney-Jackson Per league goal scored by LCFC’s top scorer-£1 Jake Carney-Jackson For each game that Paul Dawson plays & doesn’t get booked-£2 Billy Heron For each game that Ben Hudson starts & doesn’t get subbed off-£1 Sue Winder Per penalty scored by LCFC-£5 Keith Winder Netbusters 2020-21 the latest update on pledges and totals from Steve Wright . . .

For each game in which no LCFC player receives neither a red or yellow card-£3 Dave Cunliffe For each hat trick scored by an LCFC player-£3 Luke Wilson If LCFC score four or more goals in a game-£10 Jake Carney-Jackson Per league goal scored by LCFC’s top scorer-£1 Jake Carney-Jackson For each game that Paul Dawson plays & doesn’t get booked-£2 Billy Heron For each game that Ben Hudson starts & doesn’t get subbed off-£1 Sue Winder Per penalty scored by LCFC-£5 Keith Winder Per league penalty scored by LCFC-£1 Phil Nightingale Per penalty saved by LCFC’s keeper-£10 Keith Winder Per FA Cup win-£5 David Owen, £2 Derek Johnson Per FA Trophy win-£5 David Owen, £1 Derek Johnson Per League Cup-£1 Derek Johnson If LCFC…….. Finish in the playoff places-£10 Luke Wilson Win promotion via the playoffs-£20 Luke Wilson Win the league-£30 Luke Wilson Win the LFA Trophy-£10 Derek Johnson Reach the FA Cup 1st round proper-£10 Derek Johnson

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TODAY’S FIXTURES

Premier Diviision Buxton v Whitby Town FC United of Manchester v Scarborough Athletic Grantham Town v Atherton Coillieries Hyde United v South Shields Matlock Town v Stafford Rangers Mickleover FC v Morpeth Town Nantwich Town v Stalybridge Celtic Radcliffe FC v Witton Albion Warrington Town v Gainsborough Trinity

North West Division Clitheroe v Prescot Cables Dunston v Colne Kendal Town v Workington Marske United v Brighouse Town Mossley v Pickering Town

South East Division Belper Town v Chasetown Glossop North End v Cleethorpes Town Newcastle Town v Frickley Athletic Spalding United v Carlton Town Stocksbridge Park Steels v Loughborough Dynamo

The City Match Report by the LCFC Media Team . . .

MATCH REPORT: LANCASTER CITY VS RUNCORN TOWN

Lancaster City’s FA Cup dream got underway on Tuesday evening when they played host to Run- corn Town at Giant Axe. w with Stalybridge the week previous in the dollies first league game of the season set a positive tone heading into the cup clash with a side that was two divisions be- low them. However they had to overcome Runcorn via a penalty shootout to book their place in the second qualifying round.

The first real chance of the game came for the Dollies when they won a free kick on the edge of the box with Sam Bailey’s effort coming close to putting City in front. However, a fantastic defensive performance from the visitors kept Dollies at bay for most of the first half.

Another City chance came in the 33rd minute when Rhys Turner’s shot was blocked by Adam Reid. The end of the first half was a dramatic one to say the least, a long throw into the box by Sam Bailey found multiple heads with the ball coming off the underside of the bar. City keeper Sam Ashton had to make a dramatic save at the end of the first half when Dale Jennings unleashed a shot from thirty yards out, but Ashtons hands kept the score locked at 0-0 as the half time whistle sounded. The second half was as good as the first when it came to chances but it was City who had the attacking advantage throughout, however their play in the final third is something they certainly struggled with.

Glenn Steel had City’s first chance score with a header but once again the visiting goalkeeper had hands of steel to deny the Dollies.

The biggest talking point of the game though was a shot by City that looked to have gone into the back of the net much to the please of the crowd at Giant Axe who cele- brated but the referee decided that the ball had not crossed the line so the score remained 0-0.

Defensive qualities of both sides remained strong, but City looked the fitter side, however the game ended 0-0 with no more real chances emerging.

The penalty shootout came around and Giant Axe was so silent you could hear a pindrop, it took five penalties before Runcorn missed leaving the shootout open for City to win it.

However the penalty shootout came to an end when Runcorn missed their final pen- alty with City advancing to the next round of the cup.

Basford –Match Preview by the LCFC Media Team . . .

Lancaster City will be looking to get their first three points of the season when they take on Basford United at Giant Axe.

The Dolly Blues were held to a 1-1 draw with Stalybridge Celtic after Tom Kilifi scored an equaliser in the 83rd minute.

Midweek action also took place at the Giant Axe with City facing Runcorn Town in the 1st qualifying round of the FA Cup, but they had to win via a tense penalty shootout. City were not playing to their usual standard with boss Mark Fell left frustrated fol- lowing the clash but knows that his squad need to focus on this weekends clash.

For Basford they will be looking for their first competitive win since February, an FA Cup exit at the hands of Chasetown saw the Nottingham based club lose their open- ing two games of the season following a 2-0 loss to play off chasers Warrington Town in the first league game of the season.

Midfielder David Norris is set to return to league action after missing out on last weekend’s match due to suspension.

Head to Head The last time the two sides met was in August last year with Basford coming away 4- 1 winners with Jack Thomas, Nathan Watson and Courey Grantham all bagging goals whilst Charlie Bailey scored the Dollies only goal of the game.

LCFC STATS A ON Off G P PM Ass OG PS YC RC CS Pla

S Ashton 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Goalkeeper C Bailey 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Midfield S Bailey 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Midfield M Blinkhorn 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Striker N Cowperthwaite 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Midfield L Fensome 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Defender J Gregory 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Defender T Kilifin 2 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Centre Forward D Norris 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Midfield C Sloan 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 Midfield G Steel 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Defender A Teague 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 Central Defender R Turner 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Midfield S Wills 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Midfield R Wilson 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Midfield

AAppearances ONSub On OFFSub Off GGoal PScored Penalty PMMissed Penalty ASSAssist OGOwn Goal PSSaved Penalty YCYellow Card RCRed Card CSClean Sheet Bonus PLAPlayer of the Match

TODAY'S TEAMS

LANCASTER CITY BASFORD UNITED Blue, Blue, Blue Red, Red, Red

1 Sam Ashton 1 Jordan Pierrepoint 2 Lewis Fensome 2 James Clifton 3 Charlie Bailey 3 Dom Roma 4 Niall Cowperthwaite 4 Matt Thornhill Capt 5 Andrew Teague 5 Stef Galinski 6 Glenn Steel 6 Charlie Gatter 7 Sam Bailey 7 Kane Richards 8 Rob Wilson 8 Callum Chettle 9 Matty Blinkhorn 9 Niall Towle 10 Rhys Turner 10 Rev James 11 Christian Sloan 11 Ryan Wilson

12 Ben Hudson 12 Declan Dunn 14 Jacob Gregory 14 Alex Howes 15 Paul Dugdale 15 Kyle Dixon 16 Simon Wills 16 James Carvell 17 Tom Kilifin 17 James Tague

Referee Ian Walsh Assistant Robert Denton Assistant Liam Oliver

v