2 | Final WELCOME TO THE SENIOR CUP FINAL

As the Chairman of the Liverpool Tonight’s match officials are also to County Football Association, it is be congratulated on their appoint- my privilege to welcome you all ments, to this season’s Senior Cup Final. The Association continues to go Congratulations are offered to from strength to strength; with both Prescot Cables and Sou- the help of my predecessor and thport on reaching this presti- our existing staff I will ensure that LIVERPOOL COUNTY gious Final and I sincerely hope we will continue to serve everyone FOOTBALL that, win or lose, the experience connected to the Liverpool Coun- ASSOCIATION will be long remembered for the ty FA. That will see us achieving right reasons. even greater success in the future. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

Our thanks are offered to Pres- Finally, I hope that you enjoy the Chairman: I. Wild cot Cables FC for the use of their game and respect not only each excellent facilities and for pre- other but the facilities as well. I Vice-Chairman: A. Brown paring this evening’s match pro- would also ask that due respect is gramme. afforded to each team when co- Financial Director: J. Garrett llecting their medals at the end of I would also offer my thanks to the the match. Directors: D. Woods, P. Dawson, J. Competitions Committee Mem- Gibiliru, D . Watkins bers and staff who work tirelessly As always, I will continue to su- on your behalf to ensure that the pport the game and look forward Co-Opted Directors: D. Horlick, D. administration provided is first to meeting you during this busy Harrison, R. Gill, P. Farrell, G. Berwick class. Equally, we are indebted to period of matches. the Club volunteers as, without Chief Executive Officer: D. Pugh their dedication it would be im- Ian Wild possible for Clubs to exist. Chairman of the Board of Directors President: T. Lloyd Liverpool County Football Association Committee Members: P. Bridge, Mrs. P. Carter, I. Munro, K. Breen, R. Lucas, TONIGHT’S PROGRAMME OF EVENTS W. Roberts, W. Halfpenny, K. Davies, 7:40pm: The teams will enter the field and be introduced to the Presen- S. Swinnerton, D. Horlick, P. Dawson, tation Party, led by Chairman of Liverpool County FA, Ian Wild. Following D. Hill, D. Morgan, E. Pope, D Pinder, the presentation, the teams will complete the Respect Handshake. I. Dibbert, D. Lace, T. Brownlow, P. Farrell, S. O’Reilly, R. Gill, J. Milligan, 7:45pm: The match kicks-off! If the scores are level after 90 minutes play, M. Pugh, S. Lyon, J. Drury, G. Jones, S. the winner will be determined by the taking of penalty kicks. Smithies, T. Zeverona, J. Owen. 9:40pm (approx)): The players will leave the field before the post-match presentations. Spectators will be invited to assemble on the pitch; access will be provided via a gate on the Main Stand side of the ground. The presentations will then take place in the Main Stand, commencing with the Match Officials, then the runners-up, before the winning team receives the trophy from the Guest of Honour, Ian Wild.

Prescot Cables v | 3 THE PESKY BULLS

PRESCOT CABLES FC: A HISTORY Tonight’s home club are in their 135th year and have enjoyed a resurgence on and off the pitch in recent seasons.

rescot Football Club was formed in 1884 and the Pfirst organised game of As- sociation Football ever played in Prescot took place against the second team of a local St Helens side, St Thomas. Prescot lost the match by a score of 3-1.

After playing friendly games for the first five years, Prescot ente- red the Liverpool & District Lea- gue in 1889. Prescot’s highest finishing position in that league was third in 1891-92, the year in which Prescot entered the FA Cup for the first time. A home game against Alexandra attracted 3,000 spectators to the club’s ‘Slacky Brow’ ground, where Prescot were beaten 7-1.

Prescot joined the Alliance in 1895 and were cham- pions in 1899-1900. The club fi- nished bottom the following year but joined the higher stan- dard Lancashire League for 1901-02. A ground dispute re-

4 | Liverpool Senior Cup Final sulted in Prescot dropping out of the league in 1902-03 and Pres- cot FC was dormant until 1906 when an athletic and football ground was opened at Hope Street and Prescot Athletic FC was formed. Prescot Athletic started in the St Helens & Dis- trict League and won the cham- pionship at the first attempt, -af ter which they joined the Liverpool League for four sea- sons. The Liverpool County Combination became the Pres- cot club’s sixth league, in 1911- 12.

Leagues were suspended in 1914 for the Great War and the post-war Prescot club dropped ‘Athletic’ from its name and joi- ned the Lancashire Combination Liverpool Section. In their first season, 1918-19, Prescot fini- shed runners-up to Tranmere Rovers but did not fare too well the following season and the club returned to the more loca- lly-based Liverpool County

Prescot Cables v Southport | 5 6 | Liverpool Senior Cup Final Combination for the 1920-21 Prescot Cables was re-taken and ll committee being formed from season and spent a further seven in 1982, Cables became a mem- the Supporters Club. The assets years in that league. ber of the newly formed North and liabilities of the old club, West Counties League, where Prescot Cables, were transferred In 1928, the local expanding ca- they remained for 20 years. Pres- over to a new legal entity, namely ble giants, BICC, donated a mag- cot finished in the top 10 in Prescot Football Club Limited, nificent 1,000-seater stand NWCL Division One in all but which continued trading as Pres- (which was destroyed by fire in one season from 1990 and, in cot Cables Football Club. The 1960) to the club. In what was 2001-02, the club had its most new company would subse- clearly an early form of commer- successful season for over two quently be reconstituted as a cial sponsorship, the club’s name decades, winning the Worthing- Community Interest Company was changed to Prescot Cables ton Challenge Trophy (League owned by more than 300 su- and the team colours became Cup) and finishing as Division pporters who each pay a small black and amber to commemora- One runners-up, narrowly mis- annual subscription in return for te a bit of local industrial history, sing out on promotion to the one share. as the first successful insulated Northern Divi- cable drawn at Prescot was co- sion One. On the pitch, the club produced vered with black and amber pa- another mid-table finish in the per. Prescot Cables joined the However, Prescot went one bet- following season to avoid beco- Lancashire Combination In ter in 2002-03 and finished as ming involved in another 1928-29 and, in 1929, applied to champions of the North West non-league ‘shake-up’ that saw join the Football League Third Counties League Division One to two regionalised First Divisions Division (North), along with four win promotion to the Northern being created within the Nor- other hopefuls. All the applicants Premier League Division One. thern Premier League ahead of failed, although one, Ground improvements were ca- the 2007-08 season. Town, was successful two years rried out at Valerie Park (formerly later.The 1950s and early 1960s known as Hope Street) to meet That campaign was a more diffi- were something of a ‘golden era’ the relevant regulations and en- cult one and during the club’s fi- for Prescot Cables, who were the sure that Prescot could take their nal match, Prescot was 15 minu- first winners of the Liverpool Se- place in the higher league. tes from relegation. Two late nior Non-League Cup and lifted goals secured a win at Lincoln the trophy four times within a For the season 2004-05, Prescot United and survival. Due to how decade. During this period, the found themselves playing at the closely contested the division club reached the First Round highest level in their history. Due had been, Cables eventually fini- Proper of The FA Cup on two oc- to a suitable finishing position, shed in 13th place! Shortly after casions and claimed the Cham- and a re-organisation of the Na- the season’s end, the ground was pionship of the Lancashire Com- tional League System, Prescot purchased by Triman Develop- bination. took their place in the Northern ments Ltd from a company con- Premier League Premier Division. trolled by a former Chairman of Prescot Cables changed its name As a result of a club being unable Prescot Cables AFC. The current to Prescot Town in 1964 but the to fulfil their fixtures, and after football club are working on club struggled and in 1975, it the controversial intervention of ground improvements in order to was voted out of the Lancashire the FA, Cables were elevated to provide the team and supporters Combination. Prescot Town joi- fifth position in the final League with an opportunity to move ned the Mid-Cheshire League Table. Cables had the opportuni- forward. and won it at the first attempt. In ty to gain promotion to what is 1978-79 they returned to the now called National League Nor- A lacklustre 2008-09 season saw , in Divi- th, although defeat at Working- Prescot propping up the Nor- sion Two, after an absence of 42 ton in the first play-off game en- thern Premier League Premier years. Prescot were Division Two ded that dream – for now! Division. Manager Andy Gray champions the following season, departed for Burscough. He was with Stanley as run- The 2005-06 season was one of replaced by Joe Gibiliru who ma- ners-up. In 1980, the name of consolidation with a new footba- naged to bring some much nee-

Prescot Cables v Southport | 7 ded stability to the club as the When matches finally began in saw Cables’ home ground rena- team finished in mid-table in Di- earnest in the New Year, Cables med Volair Park, the club approa- vision One North by the end of produced one of their most suc- ched 2016-17 in a much more 2009-10. However, a significant cessful periods since the 2002- confident fashion. However, due change in personnel meant that 03 North West Counties League to work commitments, Andy Cables initially struggled during Championship season. A scheme Paxton had to step down from the following season. This led to asking donors to sponsor a ‘pitch the role of First Team Manager. Gibiliru being relieved of his du- square’ in order to fund The club moved swiftly to ties around the time of the ‘big much-needed renovations for appoint Brian Richardson. Initia- freeze’ in December 2010 and the pitch took on a life of its own. lly, the First Team struggled fo- assistant Dave Ridler took over. In the end the scheme became llowing the change of Manager, He managed to secure Cables’ over-subscribed and has become but an excellent second half of status an annual event which continues the season saw the club ease for another season. to generate vital funds. Circum- away from the relegation places stances arose that led to David and win the Liverpool Senior Cup The 2011-12 season was a tale Powell leaving the club ahead of for the first time, defeating Sou- of five managers. Dave Ridler the 2014-15 season. His repla- thport in the Final in front of (who left for Australia in January cement was Neil Prince who, more than 900 spectators. 2012), Karl Bell and Karl Conno- aged 31 on his appointment, lly all took charge for at least one must be the youngest manager in The majority of the squad remai- match. Following the controver- Cables’ history and probably in ned with Cables for the 2018-19 sial departure of Shaun Reid to the League at that time. With li- campaign and was supplemen- Warrington Town in March 2012, mited resources, the team mana- ted by some shrewd recruitment Joe Gibiliru took over for the re- ged to retain their membership by Brian Richardson. Prescot maining games. The team and of the Northern Premier League. spent virtually the entire cam- club regrouped after the Reid paign in the top six places and fiasco to finish the season stron- The 2015-16 campaign began eventually finished fifth in the ta- gly, defying the odds to remain disastrously, which led to Neil ble, earning a place in the promo- part of the Northern Premier Prince being relieved of his du- tion play-offs. Trafford were de- League. David Powell was the ties. In came Andy Paxton, and feated in the semi-final, but a 1-0 new man in charge for the 2012- with the same playing staff, he defeat at Bamber Bridge in front 13 season and assembled a vir- managed to haul the team out of of more than 1,600 spectators tually brand-new squad, which danger and finish the league sea- saw Prescot miss out on promo- led to inconsistency during the son in their highest position for tion. However, a 4-0 win at Mari- early months of the campaign. some time. Cables also reached ne ensured that Cables retained The season was also disrupted the Final of the Liverpool Senior the Liverpool Senior Cup, ensu- by the condition of the playing Cup. With the club attracting ring that a memorable season surface and weather conditions new and increased sponsorship, ended with a suitable reward. forcing many postponements. including an arrangement which

8 | Liverpool Senior Cup Final EVO-STIK LEAGUE WEST

As of 30/03/19 P W D L GF GA GD Pts Atherton Collieries 32 21 3 8 74 32 42 66 Radcliffe 32 20 5 7 68 30 38 65 Ramsbottom United 34 19 7 8 70 38 32 64 Runcorn Linnets 33 19 5 9 61 47 14 62 Mossley 32 17 7 8 56 41 15 58 Leek Town 31 17 6 8 67 30 37 57 Colne 31 16 7 8 56 38 18 55 PRESCOT CABLES 32 16 6 10 66 49 17 54 Trafford 33 15 8 10 48 41 7 53 Colwyn Bay 31 14 6 11 63 46 17 48 Kidsgrove Athletic 32 12 11 9 49 35 14 47 Widnes 33 12 5 16 50 55 -5 41 Droylsden 32 11 7 14 55 58 -3 40 Newcastle Town 31 9 10 12 44 58 -14 37 Chasetown 32 9 9 14 49 55 -6 36 Market Drayton Town 33 9 6 18 47 85 -38 33 Clitheroe 33 7 6 20 43 77 -34 27 Glossop North End 31 5 10 16 33 62 -29 25 Kendal Town 33 5 4 24 30 75 -45 19 Skelmersdale United 33 2 6 25 22 99 -77 12

Tuesday 26th March 2019 Saturday 30th March 2019 Tuesday 2nd April 2019 Colne 0-1 Prescot Cables Atherton Collieries 0-1 Radcliffe Droylsden v Kidsgrove Athletic Market Drayton Town 0-2 Atherton Colne 3-1 Chasetown Glossop North End v Chasetown Collieries Droylsden 1-2 Trafford Leek Town v Colwyn Bay Ramsbottom United 1-2 Newcastle Kendal Town 2-3 Leek Town Radcliffe v Kendal Town Town Kidsgrove Athletic 4-0 Skelmersdale Runcorn Linnets 3-0 Kendal Town United Trafford 1-1 Clitheroe Market Drayton Town 3-0 Clitheroe Mossley 1-0 Newcastle Town Wednesday 27th March 2019 Prescot Cables 2-1 Widnes Kidsgrove Athletic 4-0 Mossley Runcorn Linnets 1-2 Ramsbottom United

Prescot Cables v Southport | 9 10 | Liverpool Senior Cup Final PRESCOT CABLES SQUAD MEET THE PESKY BULLS Introducing the players and staff representing Prescot Cables FC

Ben Barnes - Goalkeeper Ben (pictured, left) is a 30-year- old goalkeeper from Skelmers- dale who joined the club in No- vember 2017 from Marine. Ben provides an imposing presence between the posts coupled with a wealth of experience. His com- mand of his penalty box earned him the number one jersey and made him a fans’ favourite.

Ollie Taylor – Goalkeeper Ollie is a 19-year- old student who joined Cables in January 2019 on a dual-registration basis from FC United of Manchester, where he is highly-thought of. He made his First Team debut against Ra- dcliffe and proved himself a ca- pable shot-stopper with good distribution.

Valter Fernandes – Defender Valter moved to Volair Park from Skelmersda-

Prescot Cables v Southport | 11 le United during the second half of the 2016-17 season, making 22 appearances for the Crosby-ba- season. He played for FC Porto B, Maritimo B, and sed club before returning to Volair Park. Pinhalnovense in his native Portugal before moving to Cyprus and has also played for several English Reece Fishwick – Defender / Mid- clubs. A technical yet tenacious full-back, Valter is fielder a double Liverpool Senior Cup winner. An attack-minded with an eye for goal, Reece made 20 First Team James McCulloch – Defender appearances during 2017-18. He The longest-serving player in the is comfortable at anywhere on the Cables’ current squad, James has right flank and has previously played for Kendal now played over 360 First Team ga- Town and Longridge Town. mes for the club since joining from Burscough. James is the club cap- Jordan Wynne – Midfielder tain and leads by example in every match he plays. Jordan is a promising youngster in He lifted the Liverpool Senior Cup following the his third season with the club. He team’s 2-0 win over Southport. has also spent some time with AFC Fylde. As a youth player, Jordan was James Cooper – Defender with Everton, Liverpool and Wigan A new addition to the First Team Athletic and captained Knowsley at the 2017 Da- squad, James has settled quickly llas Cup, leading his team to the Final of the presti- and has made a big impression. His gious international tournament. impressive displays in the centre of defence have caught the eye of su- Baba Conte – Midfielder pporters. An exciting young prospect who made a significant impact during his Louis Coyne – Defender first season with the club and beco- Louis is a centre-back who began me a firm favourite with supporters. his career with and has Baba’s preparations for the new also played for Chorley. He is a pro- season were disrupted by an injury sustained du- mising young player with lots of po- ring a match against Marine, but he is now on the tential who returned to Volair Park road back to full fitness. in September 2018 following a brief spell with Ma- rine. Jack Lenehan – Midfielder Jack is 19 years old and joined Reece McNally – Defender Cables on loan from Chorley, for Reece is a 20-year-old defender whom he has made First Team who made his debut against Tra- appearances. He also has previous fford on 14th September 2017. A Evo-Stik League experience gained former Wigan Athletic youth team at Skelmersdale United. His energy and skill have player, Reece has also played First quickly made him a fans’ favourite. Team football for Curzon Ashton, Buxton, Burs- cough and Skelmersdale United. He has returned Aaron Turner – Midfielder to Cables after a brief spell with Marine at the start Having played at a higher level with of this season. Southport and for local rivals Skel- mersdale United, Aaron brings a James Edgar – Defender / Midfiel- wealth of experience to the squad. der He offers an imposing physical pre- Despite being only 23, James has sence in the middle of the park, coupled with a played for Prescot more than 160 keen eye for a pass. times. A versatile and wholehearted player, James was instrumental in Luke Griffiths –Midfielder Cables winning the Liverpool Senior Cup in 2016- Luke is a relatively new addition to the Cables 17. He briefly moved to Marine at the start of last squad, having joined the club in October 2018. As

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Prescot Cables v Southport | 13 Morecrofts LLP offers legal advice on a broad range of services for individuals and businesses LLP No. OC333433

7467_Morecrofts_My_Planet_Liverpool _Magazine_Advert.indd 1 15/11/2018 10:08 a youngster, he was with Bolton Wanderers and cond half of 2017-18. after leaving the Whites he signed for Runcorn Lin- nets. Luke has also represented Warrington Town Matthew Hamilton – Forward and Marine. Matthew is a young forward who joined Cables from Marine in De- Josef Faux – Midfielder cember 2017. He began his career Australian wide man Joey is hugely as a trainee at Wigan Athletic. Ma- popular among Cables supporters tthew has also represented Lither- for his technical ability and who- land REMYCA. le-hearted approach to the game. Despite having suffered a serious Brian Richardson - Manager knee injury, Joey recently returned to the starting Brian is a hugely experienced coach, line-up after almost a year on the sidelines. who took up the Manager’s role at Prescot in October 2016, following Lloyd Dean – Forward the resignation of Andy Paxton. Lloyd has been with the club since Prior to moving to Volair Park, Brian joining in October 2015. He has had been Assistant Manager at Skelmersdale Uni- previously enjoyed two spells with ted, where he had worked for ten years. In his pla- Clitheroe and also played for Bur- ying days, Brian was a professional with Blackpool scough and Barnton. He made his FC. Since taking the reins, Brian has led Cables to 150th First Team appearance for Cables against successive Liverpool Senior Cup triumphs and the Colne on 9th February 2019, putting in a Man-of- promotion play-off Final. the-Match performance in the process. Lloyd ave- rages close to a goal every three appearances for Steve Pilling - Assistant Manager the club. Steve joined the club in August 2015 as assistant to Andy Paxton, Chris Almond - Forward having previously spent five years Chris has made a significant impact in the dugout at Atherton Collieries, on the team since signing from Skel- with whom he won two cup com- mersdale United, where he had two petitions. spells sandwiched by a period with Southport. A versatile player and a Roy Grundy - Coach firm fans’ favourite, Chris brings experience, skill Roy is a key member of the coaching and goals to the squad. He found the net 50 times staff and brings prior experience at for the Pesky Bulls in less than 70 matches. Ashton Athletic and Wigan Robin Park to his role. Jordan Southworth – Forward Jordan joined the club from Chorley and has previously played in Evo-Stik Garry Williams - Goalkeeping North for Bamber Bridge. He has Coach also played in the National League Garry has worked alongside Roy North for Chorley and has a very promising future. Grundy at Ashton Athletic and Wi- gan Robin Park. His specialist skills Josh Klein-Davies – Forward have proved invaluable to the sto- Josh is a well-travelled forward ppers in the squad. who played in the Football League for Rovers and Luton Town Tony Carroll - Physio before turning out for a number of Playing a vital role, Tony’s expe- non-league clubs in the South-West rience in tending to the team is in- and for Sussex sides Lewes and Hastings United. valuable. Before moving to Volair Having spent time in the Cymru Alliance with Rhyl, Park, Tony held a similar position at Josh returned to English Football with Cables and Warrington Town. averaged a goal every other match during the se-

14 | Liverpool Senior Cup Final PRESCOT CABLES MASCOTS

Prescot Cables will be led out this evening by The winners are shown below. On the left is Daniel two students from St Mary & St Paul’s Church of Hollier, who is in Year 5. Next to him is the other Primary School. successful artist, Abigail Miller, who is in Year 1.

The school is in Bryer Road, Prescot and held a We hope that Daniel, Abigail and their families will competition to identify tonight’s mascots, in which enjoy this evening’s match. students had to design a mascot for their local club.

There were more than 100 entries, making the jud- Congratulations to both the winners and thank you ging process (pictured, above), rather tricky! to everyone who took part.

TONIGHT’S MATCH AND BALL SPONSORS

This evening’s Match and Match Ball Sponsors are:

The Bard Micropub

Morecrofts Solicitors

In Memory of Fred Parr

We would like to thank all the sponsors for their support.

Prescot Cables v Southport | 15 SEMI-FINAL ACTION

HOLDERS REQUIRE SPOT-KICKS

The harder the battle, the swee- The first half saw Cables take Richard Tigwell re- ter the victory. Cables certainly the lead in the 28th minute with ports on a thrilling had to do things the hard way a moment of pure quality from semi-final between as they reached their fourth Li- Chris Almond. verpool Senior Cup final in a row Prescot Cables and following a penalty shoot-out Matthew Hamilton’s dummy Widnes victory over Widnes FC. allowed Almond to receive the ball with his back to goal 25 With the score tied at 2-2 after yards out. He was able to turn, 90 minutes, it was goalkeeper look up and lift the ball beautifu- Ben Barnes, diving low and to lly over the Widnes ‘keeper into his right hand side to save Harry the net to give Cables a 1-0 lead Brazel’s penalty, who ensured at half time. Cables would go on to meet Sou- thport in the Final next month. The second half saw Cables’ in-

16 | Liverpool Senior Cup Final tensity drop, allowing Widnes competition means to this team. And so, to penalties. The North back into the game. The visitors This group of players are back-to- West Roadshow End was pac- were level on 55 minutes when back holders of this competition ked with partisan Prescot fans an innocuous shot from distance for a reason, and they weren’t as they witnessed the first two by forward Ben Hodkinson see- prepared to give up their reign so Widnes spot-kicks missed, and med to bobble on the uneven easily. A free kick on 66 minutes the first three Cables penalties surface past Ben Barnes to make was brilliantly held up at the back scored to give the home side a it 1-1. post by Louis Coyne who would 3-0 lead. Despite Lloyd Dean cross the ball back into the six- seeing his spot kick saved, it was One-all quickly became two-one yard area. The ball came to Ma- Barnes who became the hero of to the visitors. Sensing defensive tthew Hamilton whose scuffed the hour when he read Brazel’s vulnerability, Widnes’ pacey at- shot was hooked in acrobatically penalty and got a hand low down tackers piled forward and were by Almond for his second goal of to his right to produce a magnifi- awarded a free-kick on 58 minu- the evening. Parity resorted, and cent save and see Cables throu- tes after a foul by Cables’ skipper relief all round for the hosts. gh to the final. on the night, Aaron Turner. The resulting free kick saw things go The visitors nearly snatched the Three in a row? Its on! from bad to worse for Turner as win right at the death after ano- he headed the ball past Barnes ther defensive mix-up. With ner- Cables XI: Barnes, Fernandes, into his own net. ves clearly starting to show, Bar- McNally, McCulloch, Coyne, Tur- nes and his back line could only ner (Dean 63), Griffiths, Faux, Al- Anyone who thought that Cables watch as a Widnes shot trickled mond, (Klein-Davies 67), Wynne, would capitulate from this point past an open Cables goal. Hamilton (Fishwick 78). clearly doesn’t know what this

Prescot Cables v Southport | 17 18 | Liverpool Senior Cup Final TONIGHT’S MATCH OFFICIALS

AARON JACKSON - REFEREE Aaron predominatly referees in the and works as an Assistant Referee at higher levels. He is a graduate of the Liverpool FA Referee Academy. He has previously acted as Fourth Official on the 2016- 17 FA Trophy semi-final between Town and Tranmere Rovers.

DANIEL LOCKER - ASSISTANT REFEREE Daniel is in his 12th season as a referee and is an Assistant Referee on the National League’s top division. He was promoted to Level 3 in 2017, meaning that he also referees on the Contributory Leagues, such as the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League. He is a graduate of the Liverpool FA Referee Academy and took charge of the Liverpool County Premier League Cup Final in 2017.

PATRICK NAUGHTON - ASSISTANT REFEREE Patrick began his refereeing career at the age of 14 and started off in the Warrington Junior Football League. He then progressed to open-age foot- ball on the Warrington & District League. Over the years, he has gained promotion on more than one occasion. Patrick is currently a Level 4 Refe- ree, officiating on the Manchester, Liverpool, Cheshire and West Cheshire Leagues. He is also an Assistant Referee on the Contributory Leagues.

Patrick says that some of the highlights of his refereeing career so far inclu- de his appointment as the match referee for the LCFA Sunday U18 Youth Cup Final in the 2016-17 season and acting as Fourth Official at in the 2017-18 season for the FA Youth Cup tie between Liverpool and Arsenal.

LUIS GRIFFITHS - FOURTH OFFICIAL Luis is 22 and a Level 3 referee, meaning that he is a Contibutory Leagues Referee taking charge of matches at Steps 3 and 4. He counts appoint- ments in Portugal and Marbella among the highlights of his career as a match official to date.

When commenting on why he became a referee, Luis observed: “I have always loved football but to be involved in some fantastic games and rea- ding and understanding the game in a different way has always been inte- resting for me.”

Luis’ main abition as a referee is to achieve and develop in every game.

Prescot Cables v Southport | 19 HALF-TIME PUZZLE

We have hidden the names of all the clubs who took part in this season’s Liverpool Senior Cup in the Word Search below. See if you can find them all.

L F D L F N H L S C L E A L T S C W G T E I C V F R U R A O U R L T F E C E E E L T O O B Y A R L M L V W S C P A O F T A Y A O I N S H C F E O K C D R D E R T T L N N C A S E N L U U O I I W E L R R E E B O C V R O R C E E S H L S S E A T B F M M D T C L E R M N R A L N N S F C R P L O E L E A A L A F P O C T W F K R L L C A F O F H O A S T Y A F C L L A S L O O P R E V I L C F A

AFC LIVERPOOL ASHTON TOWN BOOTLE

BURSCOUGH CITY OF LIVERPOOL EVERTON

LOWER BRECK MARINE PRESCOT CABLES

REMYCA RYLANDS SKELMERSDALE UTD

SOUTHPORT ST HELENS TOWN TRANMERE ROVERS

WIDNES

20 | Liverpool Senior Cup Final Thingumajig THEATRE presents Kit and Caboodle A static theatre show which involves a giant puppet show with songs themed around migration. Aimed at everyone and especially children aged 5 to 13.

Thursday 18 April 2019 12 noon and 3pm shows with Q and A Halewood Library Tickets £3 per child and adult. Available from Halewood Library or via searching “Kit and Caboodle” on Eventbrite (additional charge applies). For further details please contact Carla Simkin on 0151 443 5353. This event is part of the GEM (Great Emerging Marvellous) Places an Arts Council England funded project that brings exciting cultural activities to libraries in Knowsley.

Prescot Cables v Southport | 21 22 | Liverpool Senior Cup Final FEATURE

LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL’S SHOWPIECE

Roy McDonald explores the history of the Liverpool Senior Cup.

The Liverpool Senior Cup is the re were several seasons where premier knockout tournament the competition was left unfini- staged by the Liverpool County shed, due to fixture congestion, Football Association. ground unavailability etc. Con- sequently, this evening’s match The competition is one of the marks a milestone as the 125th oldest County Cup tournaments Final tie of the competition du- in the country, having first been ring it’s 136-year history. staged in season 1882-83, with the competition being held in The first winners of the Compe- most seasons since then. The tition, in 1883, were the original Cup was suspended during the Bootle side. Bootle would win First World War, but was played the trophy on two more occa- throughout the Second World sions in the 1880s before going War. During the 1960s the- on to play one season as a Foot-

Prescot Cables v Southport | 23 ball in 1892 and fol- ment up to the turn of the Cen- in 1925, allowing teams to place ding soon after. tury, with only the short-lived their strongest sides on the field, Rock Ferry club breaking the should they think fit to do so. The format of the tournament Blues’ grip of the trophy. This has changed on several occa- led to a serious falling off of in- For the 1927-28 season, Mer- sions. terest taken by spectators in the seyside’s fifth League club, Sou- Senior Cup. As a result, in 1901 thport, affiliated with the -Liver In the early days, the tournament the Liverpool County FA re- pool County Football Association was an open, knock-out compe- vamped the competition, again, and applied for entry into the Li- tition, contested by the leading and ten of the strongest teams verpool Senior Cup. As this now teams across the region, inclu- in the district were entered to became a five team tournament, ding sides from as far afield as compete for the handsome cup it necessitated the introduction Southport, Skelmersdale, St He- and medals offered. They were of a preliminary round tie, before lens and . Everton, Liverpool, Southport the semi-finals. Central, Wrexham, Tranmere Ro- In season 1892-93 the first chan- vers, , Melrose, Whi- In 1929, Liverpool set the record ge was made when the competi- te Wanderers, Hudson’s, score for the Senior Cup Final, tion was limited to eight invited and Warrington. Everton and when they thrashed Tranmere sides, being Aigburth Vale, Ain- Liverpool were exempted from Rovers by nine goals to nil, at An- tree Church, Bootle, Chester, the first two rounds of the tour- field. Earlestown, Everton, Liverpool nament, giving them free passa- and Southport Central. The fi- ge into the semi-finals. Looking In 1931, Southport won the tro- nal of the revamped competition back, it does seem remarkable phy for the first time, defeating was the occasion of the first ever that Wrexham – even as leaders Tranmere Rovers in the final, competitive meeting of - Liver of – and breaking a 34 year strangle- pool and Everton Football Clubs, were invited to participate! hold on the cup by Everton and played at Bootle’s Hawthorne Liverpool. The Sandgrounders Road ground. By 1903, the LCFA decided to retained the cup the following dispense with the qualifying season. As the Liverpool Mercury noted: rounds for the Senior Cup and leave the final to be fought out For season 1935-36, Mersey- “It is the very irony of fate that the- between Everton and Liverpool, side’s three Lancashire Combi- se two clubs should be thus thrown with the proceeds of the gate to nation teams, South Liverpool, together after having designedly be divided, equally, between the Marine and Prescot Cables, were kept apart hitherto for well unders- Association and the two clubs. invited to enter the Senior Cup, tood reasons. They are the divided making it an 8 team knock-out representation of the old Everton This arrangement persisted for tournament. Club, and having taken rival sides the next ten years, until the com- on a matter of policy, are in strong petition was expanded to four The Senior Cup competition con- competition for local prestige, al- clubs for the 1913-14 season, tinued during the Second World most to estrangement. However, with ’s other two lea- War and, once again, the tour- they meet at last, and the issue of gue sides, Tranmere Rovers, and nament was restricted to just their first contest will be watched New Brighton making up the the five Merseyside clubs in the with great interest”. numbers alongside Everton and Football League. Liverpool, who now fielded their Everton showed their disdain for reserve elevens. However, the 1940-41 compe- the final tie, by arranging first tition was unfinished and scra- team friendly against the Glas- The four team arrangement con- pped, due to fixture congestion gow side, Renton, for the same tinued after the war. However, at the end of the season. To avoid day. In the event, Liverpool won despite the Blues and the Reds a repeat, it was agreed that the this first “derby” game, 1–0. continuing to dominate the com- 1941-42 cup ties would be tele- petition, the LCFA eliminated scoped into the Football League Everton dominated the tourna- the reserve team requirement games, and either Regional or

24 | Liverpool Senior Cup Final League War Cup matches could also count also for the Liverpool The two competitions ran si- Liverpool and Everton have, Senior Cup. de-by-side for nearly three deca- both, won the trophy on several des, but by the mid-1960s there occasions since the merger of With New Brighton dropping were a number of seasons when the tournaments. Although they out in the 1942-43 season, the the competition was not conclu- have not taken part in recent completion saw the introduction ded, mainly because Liverpool seasons, Liverpool have won the of two-legged semi-finals, which and Everton could not fit in the trophy on the most occasions also doubled up as league ga- extra games involved owing to a (8, plus one shared), closely fo- mes. Remarkably, it was undeci- glut of priority fixtures in the Lea- llowed by Marine (7) and Ever- ded whether the final, between gue, F.A. and F.L. Cups and Euro- ton (6, plus one shared). Liverpool and Everton, would be pean matches. Interest in the Li- a one-off game, or two-legged – verpool Senior Cup was waning. However, there is no doubt that even after Liverpool won, at An- Similarly, for the non-league si- the inclusion of the non-league field, by 4 goals to 1. Eventually, des, the Senior Cup was beco- sides revitalised the competition it was decided that a second leg ming more of a hindrance and and has seen it develop into one would be played at Goodison clubs were increasing indifferent of the top County Cup Compe- Park, which was won by Everton, to participation. titions. Since 2000, teams from but Liverpool lifted the trophy, 6 the Evo-Stik (Northern Premier) – 4 on aggregate. During these It was clear that change was nee- and Hallmark Security (North wartime games, it was common ded, and for season 1977-78 the West Counties) Leagues, such as practice for clubs to include two Senior Cup competitions Burscough, Marine, Skelmersda- some guest players, in the team. were merged into a new Liver- le United, Bootle, AFC Liverpool, However, Southport took this to pool Senior Cup, with the inclu- and Prescot Cables have all rea- extremes in lifting the 1944 tro- sion of the area’s top non-league ched the Final. In 2009, Water- phy, naming 10 guest players in sides, alongside the four Football loo Dock became the first side their side for each of the two fi- League clubs (who were exemp- from the Liverpool County Pre- nal games against Everton! ted to the quarter finals). The fo- mier League to reach the Final. llowing year Southport failed to In season 1949-50, the Liver- gain re-election to the Football Overall, Everton and Liverpool pool County F.A. introduced a League, but continued to com- dominate the Liverpool Senior new competition, known as the pete in the Senior Cup as a Nor- Cup winners table, but this may Liverpool Non-League Senior ther Premier League side. be considered a somewhat mea- Cup, in order to provide a trophy ningless statistic, given that, for for the area’s senior clubs outsi- Formby were the first winners many years they were the only de the Football League. The final of the restyled tournament, teams eligible to contest the fi- was a two-legged affair – the beating Tranmere Rovers 1 – 0 nal, or were the senior sides in first contested by Bootle and in the final, to lift the original, the four match tournament. South Liverpool. Prescot Cables handsome trophy. 1969 saw the reached the final of this compe- first all-amateur final when Mari- Should Prescot Cables win the tition five times in the first 12 ne defeated Guiness Exports. In game tonight, it will be their third years, defeating Skelmersdale 1979-80, Prescot Town reached consecutive victory in the com- United (twice) and Bootle, and the final but were narrowly bea- petition. If Southport triumph, it losing to New Brighton and Sou- ten 1 – 0 by a strong Liverpool will be their 10th victory overall, th Liverpool. reserve side. and their 5th in the “open” era.

Prescot Cables v Southport | 25 LIVERPOOL SENIOR CUP 2018-19

Preliminary Round 09/10/2018 Ashton Town 2 - 1 Burscough 23/10/2018 Prescot Cables 3 - 1 St Helens Town (pictured, below)

First Round 27/11/2018 Bootle 0 - 6 Prescot Cables 06/11/2018 Ashton Town 3 - 3 Rylands (Rylands won 4 – 2 on penalties) 21/11/2018 Lower Breck 2 - 0 Skelmersdale United 28/11/2018 Litherland REMYCA 0 - 1 AFC Liverpool 17/12/2018 Widnes 2 - 1 City of Liverpool 22/01/2019 Southport 2 - 0 Marine

Quarter-Finals 23/01/2019 Lower Breck 3 - 4 Prescot Cables 05/02/2019 AFC Liverpool 1 - 4 Rylands 19/02/2019 Widnes 3 - 2 Everton 12/02/2019 Southport 1 - 0 Tranmere Rovers

Semi-Finals 10/03/2019 Prescot Cables 2 - 2 Widnes (Prescot won 3 – 1 on penalties) 12/03/2019 Rylands 1 - 3 Southport

Final 02/04/2019 Prescot Cables v Southport

26 | Liverpool Senior Cup Final £25 PER MONTH PROMO CODE: olutions earea Res NewNe Y hy 11. Be BeB HealthHealth Fitt 22. Get GetG FitFit y Foccused 33. StayS StayStay F FWeightg . L s ppe 44. LoseL LoseLose We WeISSShapeSha 5.5 G Get t I In n S Prescot Cables v Southport | 27 SEMI-FINAL ACTION

Action from the semi-final between Rylands and Southport. Photo by Julia Irwin

SANDGROUNDERS TOO STRONG

Southport sealed a place into fore Archer equalised seven mi- Stephen Killen their second final of the season nutes later. describes how the with a 3-1 win over Rylands FC, Sandgrounders thanks to a brace It was a cold, windy night at Gor- and Morgan Homson-Smith’s sey Lane and thanks to the hard- won at Rylands to free-kick. work of the groundsmen, they book their Final got the pitch into a playable con- Port came from a goal behind to dition which passed the 4:30pm place. beat the Blues in the Liverpool pitch inspection. County FA Senior Cup semi-final. The Hallmark Security League Both sides went in at the break First Division South league lea- level but it was Stuart Wellstead ders started brightly and soon who broke the deadlock for the got a reward for their early pres- Blues after just 12 minutes be- sure when Wellstead stabbed

28 | Liverpool Senior Cup Final home from Stephen Boothman’s Both teams had 45 minutes to Sayer failed to deal with a punt deep free-kick. secure their place in the final, forward, Archer leapt onto the Southport pushing for their first mistake and fired underneath Falling behind was a wake up final since 2017 with the Blues McCall. for the Yellows. They pushed eyeing history, looking to be the forward, looking to break throu- first Warrington-based side to As the clocked ticked down, gh the resilient hosts and were make a Liverpool Senior Cup fi- Rylands pressed for an avenue soon back level. Archer sprung nal. back into the tie. They were soon the offside trap and poked home given a life-line as a penalty was past the emerging Graeme Mc- With the game edging closer awarded after Port goalkeeper Call. towards penalties, Liam Moran Joshua Tibbetts was penali- foolishly pulled back Charles in sed for unfairly challenging the Port continued to push for the a dangerous area. Morgan Hom- Rylands goal scorer. lead in the first half, Dion Char- son-Smith stepped up and curled les, Archer and all his left-footed free-kick into the Stephen Boothman stepped up coming close but failing to make top-right corner. only to be denied by a fine ri- the net bulge. ght-handed save from Tibbetts. Minutes before the end, Tony

Prescot Cables v Southport | 29 THE SANDGROUNDERS

SOUTHPORT FC: A HISTORY Southport FC is one of the oldest clubs in the region and has a storied past, which includes decades in the Football League

he original Southport Football Club began as a Trugby team in the 1870s but a series of heavy defeats saw the switch to football and it was on Thursday 12th November 1881 that Southport took to the field against Bootle “second” in their first match under Associa- tion Rules.

Southport were founder mem- bers of in 1911 and in 1918 were taken over by the Vulcan Motor Com- pany – playing as Southport Vul- can for one season, the first club to use a sponsorship label as part of their name.

In the FA Cup Southport became the first Third Division North club to reach the Sixth Round in 1931, losing away from home against the mighty Everton 9-1. A season later a re- cord gate of 20,010 saw the Sandgrounders draw in the Four- th Round with Newcastle. Sou-

30 | Liverpool Senior Cup Final Southport FC play at the Merseyrail Commu- nity Stadium

Southport reached the Fifth Round of the FA Cup in 1965-66

thport reached the 6th round in 1965 after defeating Cardiff City before losing at Hull City. Sou- thport’s last Third Round appea- rance was under in 1996-97 when the hopes of a big club were dashed being de- feated by Orient.

Southport had two promotions as a Football League side, in 1966-67 under and as Champions in 1972-73 under , sadly the second promotion lasted just one season with the club relega- ted and the slide into Non Lea- gue football gathered pace. Twenty Third in 1975/76, 76/7 and 1977/78 saw the club ha- ving to apply for re-election and it was third time unlucky when Wigan Athletic took The Sand- grounders place in the Football League, quite a contrast in fortu- nes for the two clubs in the fo- llowing 33 years!

Prescot Cables v Southport | 31 The old pals act didn’t work out not apparent for most of the nours but the departure of Wri- the third time with older board club’s chequered history. ght saw Phil Wilson take over members Jack Clough deceased and it turned into disaster. In No- and John Church no longer chair- ’s 1992-93 side won vember 2002 after going unbea- man. Disastrously Chairman the Northern Premier league in ten in their first seven league ga- Walter Giller failed to canvas and real style amassing 96 points and mes the squad became FA Cup on a second ballot at the Café scoring over 100 goals. They also giant killers. In front of a near Royal on June 2nd Southport lost reached the second round of the 4,000 gate a rousing 4-2 perfor- their league status. Southport’s FA Cup for the first time since mance coming back from 2-0 fifty years in the Football League 1968. Kettle took the club into down destroyed Notts County in was over. Their last home Foot- the Vauxhall Conference fini- front of the Match of the Day ca- ball League match was against shing fourth. Billy Ayre in his first meras. But a long sequence of Huddersfield Town on April 22nd season went one better finishing unsatisfactory results led to Phil drawing one all while their last third, just eight points off cham- Wilson’s departure in January ever Football League match was pions Macclesfield Town. Had with the club in 9th place but sli- away to Graham Taylor’s Wat- play offs been in existence back pping down the table. ford, losing 3-2 in front of 10,089 then, who knows Southport supporters as Watford’s rise up could be back playing in the Former Irish international defen- the leagues began. Football League, a status everyo- der Mike Walsh was given the ne connected with the club is post originally for a short spell The club stabilised on the pitch desperate to get back. and then until to the end of the under former reserve team ma- season. Walsh was expected to nager Harry McNally who having Paul Futcher’s 1997-98 squad make the impact Mark Wright assembled a talented squad by achieved a first for both the club had done as a motivator but he November 1978, saw the club fi- and the town – a Wembley FA didn’t. A disastrous run of just 2 nish in an excellent fifth position. Trophy final. Futcher, formerly wins in 15 Conference matches Considering at one point the club the most expensive defender in saw Southport spectacularly looked dead and buried this was British football, at the age of 40, slump to defeat and relegation at a remarkable achievement. The achieved a personal lifetime am- on the last day of the board’s refusal in the spring of bition by running out on the 2002-03 season. 1979 to take up an invitation of a Wembley turf. The town rallied place in the new Football Allian- with over 10,000 enjoying a Walsh stayed on and recorded ce (the forerunner of today’s wonderful day. Whilst Steve Co- four straight victories at the start Conference) primarily on finan- tterill’s scored a late of the season but an autumn of cial grounds i.e. travelling costs, winner it was Southport who repeated reversals saw his de- impacted badly, losing players took the plaudits but not their parture and the appointment of and supporters. The early 1980s chances. Futcher was unable to ex Runcorn player manager Liam were dark days from which the build on his Wembley squad and Watson, a former England semi club only just survived after va- former England captain Mark professional international. rious Board re shuffles and finan- Wright took over the Haig Ave- cial crises. nue reigns. Wright inherited a The appointment of Liam Wat- number of talented younger pla- son in autumn 2003 re-energi- took a place on yers assembled by Futcher and sed the club, Liam, the youngest the board in 1982 and became motivated them, taking them up manager in the club’s history sig- chairman in 1984. He had the fi- from second from bottom in the nalled a new era at Southport in nancial acumen that had been Conference to a respectable 9th which a new younger supporter missing – a long term vision and position. Wright’s full season of base blossomed and the trans- with careful negotiations plotted 2000-01 saw the Sandgrounders formation was remarkable. Wat- the club slowly out of its rising finish a fine fourth behind Brian son radically restructured his pla- near crippling debts. Today he is Talbot’s Rushden and Diamonds. ying staff in rapid time and lifted one of the longest serving chair- the Nationwide North title as the men in the pyramid and the club The 2002-03 season was expec- division’s inaugural champions. is financially secure, something ted to see the Club push for ho-

32 | Liverpool Senior Cup Final did a tremendous place. Considering The Sand- dium he is still the only Southport job to maintain Southport in the grounders shocking away form in player to score four league goals Nationwide Conference as a part 2010-11 it took everyone by sur- in a game and sits in fifth place in time club in 2005/06 but his de- prise when the club went on a the club’s goalscorer charts. Co- parture when the decision to go remarkable eight game winning leman managed Southport to sa- full time was made for 2006/07 run away from home to beat the fety before leaving the club at took the club by surprise and the club record which had stood sin- the end of the season. appointment of didn’t ce 1956. work out and he departed early Charged with leading Southport in 2007. Cook was replaced by The 2011-12 season saw Sou- through 2014-15 was Martin Fo- former England international Pe- thport finally get a good draw as yle, a vastly experienced mana- ter Davenport but the ‘Port na- a Non League Club when they ger in The Conference. Martin’s rrowly missed out on conference pulled Wednesday out last appointment was at troubled survival despite a late rally. In of the hat which saw the Club’s Hereford United and everyone March 2008 after a run of poor first ever live TV game on Terres- was looking forward with great results Davenport was replaced trial Television. Although the anticipation to seeing him pull by Gary Brabin. “Brabs” was a big ‘Port went down 5-2, they twice together a new look squad as Southport favourite and guided equalized and gained many ad- Southport looked to push for a Southport into the Play offs but mirers amongst the watching mi- play off spot but after a string of they fell at the semi-final stage llions. The Sandgrounders went poor performances and results on penalties at Stalybridge and in into 2012-13 with expectations left the Club to be the summer he moved on to be- raised after such a thrilling cam- replaced by Gary Brabin. Gary re- come manager of Cambridge paign but Southport only ensu- turning for a second stint in char- United. Liam Watson returned to red their survival with one game ge having had a brief spell (49 the club from Burscough on 30th to go. A run of six consecutive days) as the boss at the end of June 2008 bringing most of the defeats in March saw the club the 2007/08 season. However Burscough squad with him and a plummet from a comfortable after just 13 league games in season of consolidation in 2008- 13th place down to 20th posi- charge Gary left the club to take 09 saw the club reach the Play tion but wins at Braintree and up a coaching role at Everton Offs, losing over two legs to Ga- Forest Green with a draw at with Gary’s number two, Paul teshead. in the space of ten days Carden taking over the hot seat. ensured safety. Late goals against The Sandgrounders fought a tita- were the order of the day with It was to be a shaky start for Paul nic battle on and off the field 21 points dropped in the closing but after seven winless games he with Town in 2009- minutes of games steered the club to safety despi- 10 and sealed the Blue Square te an horrendous end of season North title on the final day of the Liam Watson announced his in- injury and suspension crisis season at Eastwood Town in tention to step down at the end which saw the club able to field a front of over 700 jubilant fans. of last season and received a three man bench at one point great send off in the club’s final and one of those was a ‘keeper. The 2010-11 season saw Sou- home game of the season. Alan Safety was assured with a surpri- thport finish in 21st place and Wright was appointed as a roo- se home draw against Grimsby relegated to Blue Square North kie manager to take over the re- when despite the lack of availa- but after a dramatic close season ins from Liam Watson but after ble player’s the best home lea- the club gained a reprieve as just 25 games in charge and a run gue game of the season in front Rushden & Diamonds were ex- of poor form, Alan left the club of the best gate of the season pelled from the Blue Square Pre- by mutual consent and was re- ended 2-2. mier The Sandgrounders surpas- placed by John Coleman, a vastly sed everyone’s expectations in experienced manager who is The overall highlight of what was 2011-12 and made the most of best known for leading Accring- a pretty miserable season was the reprieve occupying a play off ton Stanley back into the Foot- the FA Cup Run to Round Three place for a large part of the sea- ball League. A former player at which saw 2652 (plus a few son before finishing in seventh The Merseyrail Community Sta- more) Southport fans make the

Prescot Cables v Southport | 33 trip to Derby County to see the win was sacked as loss of form which saw a slide side get within 30 seconds of manager to be replaced by Steve down the table to 16th place. bringing The Rams back to Sou- Burr. In a shake up of the Club’s Alan Lewer and Mark Wright left thport for a replay with a very Board, former manager Liam the club and were replaced by late but undisputed penalty Watson along with Nigel Allen as manager with going against the heroic Sand- and Dave Barron were invited to John Dreyer assisting. grounders. Southport had bea- become Directors. ten Tamworth after a replay, lasted 144 days before he was It took Kevin a few games to get Football League & sacked after a run of poor results going but after a 3-0 home win Redbridge also after a replay and including an FA Trophy exit at against Chorley on New Years big spending Eastleigh to reach home to Nationwide South side Day he lead the team to a club Round Three. The win against Wealdstone. The next man to record 6 consecutive home wins D&R was the club’s first against a take up the reins was Andy Pree- and from 21st to 8th in the table. Football League team since ce whose 15 games in charge 1998. lasted 299 saw just two wins and the inevi- The rollercoaster ride that is Sou- days in the managerial hot seat table relegation confirmed early thport Football Club continued before he left the club by mutual in April. Southport’s seven year however as the good run was consent after a run of bad results stay in the top flight of Non-Lea- then followed by 7 consecutive including a very disappointing gue football came to an end with defeats leaving the club flirting 1-0 defeat in the FA Cup at Sal- relegation to National League with relegation. Safety was assu- ford City. Next to take up the re- North for the 2017-18 season. A red and the club finished in 15th ins was Dino Maamria. Dino record number of defeats (27) a place. Kevin Davies was dismis- oversaw a transformation that record number of players used sed at the end of the 2017-18 saw the club equal its Conferen- (50) and a record number of goals season and replaced by Liam ce winning run of six consecutive against (97) made it a season to Watson who returns to the club wins lifting the club up to 14th forget. Off field turmoil, inclu- for his third spell in the hot seat. place at one point. However, af- ding a fans revolt forced Chair- ter just 116 days in charge Dino man Charlie Clapham to stand Off the field, the club revealed stood down as manager citing fa- down and he was followed by ambitious plans to regenerate mily and travel reasons and he Vice Chairman Sam Shrouder the ground and reinvigorate the was replaced on a caretaker basis and Commercial and Community club. The exciting new vision was by Andy Bishop. Director Haydn Preece. In the presented to the supporters at end the whole of the existing the Southport Conferencing Andy led the club to safety fini- board resigned and the Club Centre. shing in 16th place and was came under the control of a new rewarded with the job on a per- Board of Directors. The club went into the 2018-19 manent basis ahead of the final season with a completely new off game of the season. The 16th Alan Lewer took up the manage- field team and a playing squad fi- place finish was the club’s hi- rial reins with Mark Wright as lled with experience at this level ghest placing since 2011-12. Head Of Development. A full and above and hopes are high scale player recruitment saw a that the much needed stability The Club faced a difficult set of brand new look on the field. Af- on and off field is in place to opening fixtures in 2016-17 but ter an excellent start to the sea- allow the club to progress. after eight games and just one son the club suffered a serious

34 | Liverpool Senior Cup Final VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH

As of 30/03/19 P W D L GF GA GD Pts Chorley 37 22 8 7 74 32 42 74 Stockport County 36 21 9 6 64 31 33 72 Brackley Town 36 18 10 8 64 37 27 64 (Park Avenue) 37 17 11 9 67 51 16 62 Spennymoor Town 36 17 10 9 64 40 24 61 Altrincham 35 17 8 10 67 48 19 59 AFC Telford United 36 16 10 10 58 50 8 58 Harriers 37 15 8 14 60 56 4 53 Chester 36 14 11 11 50 50 0 53 Boston United 37 15 7 15 58 52 6 52 Blyth Spartans 35 13 9 13 57 58 -1 48 Alfreton Town 36 13 9 14 47 51 -4 48 York City 37 13 9 15 49 57 -8 48 Curzon Ashton 36 13 9 14 41 54 -13 48 Southport 37 11 13 13 51 50 1 46 Hereford 36 11 12 13 42 50 -8 45 Leamington 37 10 13 14 47 56 -9 43 Darlington 37 9 13 15 50 60 -10 40 Guiseley 36 7 16 13 40 51 -11 37 FC United of Manchester 37 7 10 20 45 74 -29 31 Ashton United 37 8 6 23 37 79 -42 30 Nuneaton Borough 36 4 7 25 35 80 -45 19

Tuesday 26th March 2019 Saturday 30th March 2019 Monday 1st April 2019 Bradford (Park Avenue) 1-2 AFC Tel- AFC Telford United 1-1 Blyth Spar- Curzon Ashton v Blyth Spartans ford United tans FC United of Manchester 3-3 York City Altrincham 2-1 Kidderminster Harriers Tuesday 2nd April 2019 Guiseley 1-0 Curzon Ashton Boston United 4-1 Curzon Ashton Spennymoor Town v Guiseley Hereford 0-2 Brackley Town Bradford (Park Avenue) 1-1 Alfreton Stockport County 2-1 Ashton United Town Chester 0-0 Chorley Wednesday 27th March 2019 FC United of Manchester 0-4 Nunea- Darlington 0-1 Chester ton Borough Guiseley 1-1 York City Leamington 1-0 Ashton United Southport 0-0 Brackley Town Spennymoor Town 0-2 Hereford Stockport County 2-0 Darlington

Prescot Cables v Southport | 35 Photos in this section are by John Middleton

36 | Liverpool Senior Cup Final OUR VISITORS’ SQUAD MEET THE SANDGROUNDERS Introducing the players and staff representing Southport FC

Dan Hanford (Goalkeeper) Former United and Ga- teshead goalkee- per Dan Hanford joined Southport as the Club’s first summer signing ahead of the 2018-19 season. international experience to the Club, having represented Wales at U17 and U19 level. Dan started his ca- reer in Swansea City’s youth set up before moving to Clitheroe in 2010, appearing in every lea- gue game that season. Dan then joined the Glen Hoddle Aca- demy and spent time at Jerez. The Swansea-born goalkeeper then moved to Hereford United where he spent two years. After a spell in Malta (lifting the Mal- tese FA Trophy in the process), Dan then joined EFL League 2 side Carlisle United, making 33 appearances in two years.

Jordan Richards (Defender) Jordan began his career at Hart- lepool United, going on to spend six years with the North-East

Prescot Cables v Southport | 37 club and making over 60 Football League appea- Fleetwood. rances. He made 15 appearances on loan at Alfre- ton before going on to join AFC Fylde. David Morgan (Midfield) David signed from Town. Ryan Astles Beginning his career at (Defender) Forest, he spent time on loan at 24-year-old central defender Ryan Lincoln City, Dundee and Tamwor- Astles joined Southport FC as the th. After leaving Nottingham Forest club’s second summer 2018 signing. David spent time at Ilkeston before transferring to The towering 6″4 centre-half spent Nuneaton and later AFC Fylde. Born in , Da- his junior years at Tranmere Rovers and Chester vid has represented the Northern Ireland national City before joining Wigan Athletic on a scholars- team at U17, U19 and U21 level, captaining the hip as a 16-year-old in 2010. After leaving Wigan, latter. Ryan then moved into Welsh football, joining Buc- kley Town and then Rhyl, where he won Manager’s (Midfield) Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year. Devarn joined the Sandgrounders in Following a stint at Northwich Victoria, Ryan joi- the summer on a two-year deal from ned Chester in January 2016, and went on to make Tranmere Rovers. The 21 year-old over 100 appearances for the Blues. started his career at Burton Albion before a move up North to Black- burn Rovers as a 16 year-old. Progressing through (Defender) their academy, he signed a professional contract Andy re-joined Southport in the with the East Lancashire outfit and later went on to summer for his third spell at the have spells at Cardiff City and in non-league with Club. The 26-year-old Liver- Hednesford Town, Stourbridge and most recently pool-born Parry can play either in Tranmere, who paid an undisclosed fee for his ser- defence or midfield. First joining in 2011, Andy vices back in October 2017. made 62 appearances for the Sandgrounders in his first spell at the club. The 26-year-old became (Striker) a firm fan-favourite at Southport, with his perfor- Jason won the 2018-19 Vanara- mances securing a move to Luton Town for an un- ma National League North Golden disclosed fee. In 2013 Andy featured for England C Boot after finishing top scorer with against the Czech Republic. While at Luton, Andy 26 goals last season. He was a club made loan appearances for AFC Telford United, Al- record signing from FC United Of trincham, Barrow and Southport, where he added Manchester in October 2017 having scored 11 four more appearances to his tally for the Club. goals for them before adding a further 15 for The Following his time at , Andy earned a Sandgrounders. Jason signed for FC United fo- permanent move to Barrow, where he made a total llowing his release from Premier League side Bur- of 22 National League appearances. nley. The 23 year old scored 29 goals in 62 appea- rances for FC United and started his Southport Dion Charles career in sensational style grabbing a debut goal in (Midfield) the FA Trophy and became the first ever Southport Dion weighed in with some crucial player to score a hat-trick on his league debut for goals for Southport last season, ha- the club. ving signed in January 2018 from Fleetwood. Dion can play on the (Striker) left or right wing or as a number 10; he began his Jack won the Supporters Player Of career in the youth academy at Blackpool, before The Year award for 2017-18 and joining AFC Fylde in 2014. Dion made 52 league with he was the only appearances for Fylde, scoring 14 goals during the player who started the season to club’s promotion season in the National League still be at the club on the final day. North. Following promotion, he scored 4 goals in Jack had a slow start to the season but under the 12 games for Fylde before securing a transfer to guidance of Kevin Davies he flourished. He adds

38 | Liverpool Senior Cup Final & Presents

HALF TERM TREAT! An exciting storytelling show about emotions, featuring puppetry, music and lots of roaring GREAT FOR AGES 5+ from dragons around the world. AND THEIR FAMILIES

Knowsley Library Tour: THURSDAY 30th May 11am Stockbridge Village Library THURSDAY 30th May 3pm Kirkby library FRIDAY 31st May 11am Halewood Library FRIDAY 31st May 4pm Prescot Library

TICKETS £3 available to purchase at each library Adults and children or Search“When Another Dragon Roars” on Eventbrite. For further information please contact Carla Simkin on 0151 443 5353

These performances are part of the GEM (Great Emerging Marvellous) Places project an Arts Council England funded project that brings exciting anPrescotd cu lCablestura lv aSouthportctivitie |s 39 to libraries in Knowsley. height to the side at six feet two inches and formed clubs also include AFC Fylde and Kendal Town. a great partnership with Jason Gilchrist scoring 9 goals and providing many assists. Josh Tibbetts (Goalkeeper) After spending 11 years at Birmin- Bradley Bauress (Midfield) gham City, the -ba- A gifted left-footed midfielder, sed goalkeeper made the switch to Bradley started his career in the Peterborough United in May 2017. youth ranks at Blackburn Rovers, Most recently, Josh had a short- gaining the captaincy of the U21 term loan deal at National League side Solihull side in the process. He spent time Moors and then decided that a move away from at Colwyn Bay followed by a successful spell at the Posh was in his best interests. Witton Albion, where he was top scorer in their 2016-17 promotion season, earning him a move to Marcus Wood (Midfield) Barrow in the National League. Midfielder Marcus Wood has joi- ned the club on loan from Bolton Dean Winnard (Defender) Wanderers., having signed for the Dean captained the Under-18 and Trotters on a one-year contract in Reserve teams at Blackburn Ro- the summer, having spent time as vers but was released in 2009 wi- a youth player at Manchester City. Born in Sale, thout appearing for the first team. Wood played for City in the UEFA Youth League He signed for Accrington Stanley in and has also represented England at Under-18 and June 2009 and went on to make 250 appearances Under-19 level. for Stanley before signing for Morecambe in June 2016. He made 43 starts for Morecambe over the Liam Davies (Midfield) two seasons he was there. The older brother of Everton star Tom Davies, Liam was another sum- Reagan Ogle mer recruit, signing for Southport (Defender) from Chester. Reagan is on loan from Accrington Stanley until the end of the season having had an initial one month loan Jordan Archer (Forward) period extended. Aussie-born Rea- Jordan Archer joined the club on gan has made the left back position his own after loan from Bury FC. The 24 year-old some excellent displays. Coming through the ranks signed for the EFL League Two side at Stanley, he joined the Reds in 2015 and made in July 2018 on a two-year deal and his debut for the club in the Checkatrade Trophy has spent the first two months of in November 2016. From there he has continued the 2018-19 season on loan at National League to make a handful of appearances for his parent side Maidenhead United. He arrived at Southport outfit. He has also played on loan for Ramsbottom in November 2018. United and Wealdstone. (Defender) Morgan Homson-Smith (Forward) Liam Edwards joined Southport on A right-winger, Morgan joined Sou- loan from Bolton Wanderers. He is thport from the Football Develop- a Centre-Back who is also the Tro- ment Agency (FDA) Academy where tters U23 Captain. Born in Crewe, he had spent 15 months. An ex-Mo- Liam joined Bolton in July 2017, recambe scholar, the left-footed at- signing a professional contract with the Cham- tacking player is confident on the right wing or in pionship club in June 2018, whilst making appea- a forward position and is another addition with a rances in the Premier League 2 format as well as promising future ahead. Between March and Sep- the EFL Trophy. The defender, who can also play tember 2018, he spent time at Prescot Cables, on the right, spent time in the youth teams at Stoke where he put in some match-winning performan- City before making the move to Bolton. ces, after moving from Harrogate Town. His other

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Prescot Cables v SouthportPressBoards MFC Logo A1P.indd 1 | 08/02/2010 11:3141

2018 07 04_Match Program Hallmark.indd 1 04/07/18 16:02 Please make any donations by placing products into the Red Box next to the Real Ale Bar.

42 | Liverpool Senior Cup Final Thank you! Matty Platt (Defender) A defender and an academy gra- Liam Watson (Manager) duate from Blackburn Rovers, the Liam needs little introduction to 21 year-old has progressed quic- Southport fans, being the most kly through the ranks at Ewood successful manager during the Park. Last season saw him captain club’s non-league era with 336 ga- the Under-23s whilst spending time at Barrow mes in charge. Liam has returned on loan. He has also played on loan for Accrin- for his third spell as manager having managed gton Stanley. the club to the National League North title in both 2004-05 and 2009-10 together with achie- Paddy Lacey (Midfield) ving a 7th place finish in the National League Paddy is a hard-tackling central midfielder and in an incredible 2011-12 season, breaking the is an experienced footballer after enjoying spells club’s consecutive away wins record in the pro- at Altrincham, Accrington Stanley, as well as cess. Liam has won the National League North National League North success with Barrow in as manager three times in total having also suc- 2014-15. The 25 year-old has signed a contract cessfully managed AFC Telford United to the tit- with the Port until 2020 after initially joining on le in 2013-14. Following his spell on Southport’s non-contract terms. Board of Directors during the 2016-17 season he has most recently been carrying out a scou- Andy Hollins (Defender) ting role for United. A towering defender, Andy is from Liverpool and has spent time at Liverpool and Everton as Jon McCarthy (Assistant Manager) well as Stoke City and Rochdale. Andy was out Jon made over 700 career league appearances as on loan at Marine for the first part of the season a player, as well as 18 appearances for Northern and then out to Droylsden, He scored two goals Ireland. Jon joined the backroom staff at Ches- on his Southport debut in the Lancashire Junior ter before taking the managerial job following Cup at Holker Old Boys. the dismissal of Steve Burr. He then went on to Port Vale working with as fitness Lewis Doyle (Midfield) coach. Jon brings a wealth of coaching and ma- Lewis progressed from Southport Juniors and nagement experience at this level and above and made his debut as a substitute last season, al- did an excellent job at Chester despite severe fi- most scoring on his debut. He is a very promi- nancial constraints and a policy of moving on his sing prospect who turned 18 as the season got best players. underway.

Prescot Cables v Southport | 43 Today’s Squads Prescot Cables v Southport Tuesday 2nd April 2019, 7:45pm Prescot Southport Cables Amber Shirts, Black Shorts, Black Socks White Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks

NUMBER GOALS NUMBER GOALS

Ben Barnes (GK) Dan Hanford (GK)

Jack Morton(GK) Josh Tibbetts (GK)

Ollie Taylor (GK) Ryan Astles

Chris Almond Liam Edwards

Baba Conte Andy Hollins

James Cooper Reagan Ogle

Louis Coyne Andy Parry

Lloyd Dean Matty Platt

James Edgar Jordan Richards

Joe Faux Dean Winnard

Valter Fernandes Bradley Bauress

Reece Fishwick Dion Charles

Luke Griffiths Liam Davies

Matthew Hamilton Lewis Doyle

Josh Klein-Davies Devarn Green

Jack Lenehan Paddy Lacey

James McCulloch David Morgan

Reece McNally Marcus Wood

Jordan Southworth Jordan Archer

Aaron Turner Jason Gilchrist

Jordan Southworth Morgan Homson-Smith

Jordan Wynne Jack Sampson

Brian Richardson MANAGER Liam Watson

Steve Pilling ASSISTANT MANAGER Jon McCarthy Roy Grundy & Garry Williams COACHES

Tony Carroll PHYSIO / SPORTS THERAPIST Daniel Gabrielson

REFEREE: Aaron Jackson ASSISTANT REFEREES: Daniel Locker & Patrick Naughton FOURTH OFFICIAL: Luis Griffiths

44 | Liverpool Senior Cup Final