Club News
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HOSPITAL CUP SEMI-FINAL MOVED |
| The Bolton Hospital Cup semi-final due to be held at Crilly Park on Thursday 1st May has been moved to Tempest United's ground on the same date. This is due to the clubhouse at Crilly Park being used as a voting station in the local elections. As there are no floodlights at Tempest, kick off will be 6.30pm |
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LR AWAIT THEIR FATE |
| Saturday's 2-2 draw with Abbey Hey means that LR will finish in the bottom two. As things stand, no-one knows whether there will be relegation or not this season from Division One. A few people have tried to announce exactly what will happen, but until the UniBond League gets its act together ( that club is joining us - oh! it's not. Well, this club is joining us - woops, no they're not either. That club is leaving us, er.. no, they're staying.... etc etc etc) we don't know if one or two clubs will be promoted or whether or not any club is joining us from their league. We also don't know if our Division One is to be restored to 22 clubs. If so, would the bottom two clubs, or second from bottom be saved from relegation or would extra clubs be promoted? All in all, a complete and total mess. |
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HOSPITAL CUP SEMI-FINALS UPDATE |
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The match between Ramsbottom United and Turton
may have to be held elsewhere. The game was due to be played at Crilly
Park on Thursday 1st May, but the Laburnums social club is used for voting
on election days, and 1st May is an election day. This means the
clubhouse, including facilities such as toilets, won't be accessible. More
news on this semi-final as soon as details are known. As things stand, LR's match at Tempest is still going ahead. |
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HOSPITAL CUP SEMI-FINALS |
| LR's Hospital Cup semi-final against either Stoneclough or Breightmet United, will be played at Tempest United on Wednesday 30th April with a 6.30pm kick off. The other semi-final between Ramsbottom United and Turton will be played at Crilly Park the following day, 1st May, with a 7.45pm kick off. |
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BBC FILMING AT CRILLY PARK COMES TO AN END |
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Some weeks ago, members of the BBC travelled
round a number of grounds in the area, looking for one that was suitable
for their purposes and decided that Crilly Park was just the ticket. The programme being made, "The Cup" is hotly tipped to be a success when it will be shown in the Autumn. The programme is a six part comedy about an under 11's football club from Bolton, but it focuses more on the obsessive behavior of the ultra-competitive parents of the players, than on the football itself. One of the main stars of the series is Stockport born Jennifer Hennessey, whose career sarted early, singing with the St Winifreds School Choir. Jennifer plays Janice a downtrodden wife of the lead character, Terry, an obssessed football dad whose ambitions for his son to become a football star outweigh anything else. His son, meanwhile, is far more interested in cooking. The Cup has been filmed in a similar fly on the wall style documentary used with such success in programmes such as "The Office". The BBC moved in to the club a week or so ago, and with security guards working 24 hours, the ground has never been safer. Signs were put up over the LR signs for the name of the imaginary club. The BBC filmed all the necessary scenes over six days, meaning club steward, Jane Wilcox had an ealy mornin start, opening the clubhouse 5.30am while the crew and cast arrived. The Tv company had to stop early on Tuesday to allow the club to prepare for their evening match with Maine Road. The club are not disclosing the fee received from the BBC for the use of Crilly Park, but it should pay the gas bill! Jennifer Hennersey has been seen on Tv before in such programmes as "Drop Dead Gorgeous" "The Office" and "Lillies" as well as plenty of other TV programmes, plays and films. The six part programme is due to be shown on BBC2 in the autumn
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ANTHONY FILIPEK |
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Those at Colne will have seen the nasty injury
sustained when Anthony Filipek crashed into an advertising hoarding. The
latest news is that he has dislocated his shoulder and broken his arm in
at least six places, possibly seven. It's clearly going to be some time before he is able to return to the pitch and we all wish Anthony well and a speedy recovery. |
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HOSPITAL CUP NEWS - UPDATED |
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The first of this seasons Hospital Cup games
was played tonight (10th April). Tempest United hosted Ramsbottom United.
After a drab goalless first half, Ramsbottom scored five times in the
second period to go through 5-0. An extra page has been added to the website for the duration of the competition, showing all the results, little reports and photos from the games. The link is at the bottom of the menu on the main page. The
three dates for the remaining games have been confirmed; The final of the competition, at Bolton Wanderers Reebok Stadium, has been moved from Monday 12th May to Friday 9th May. Kick off will still be at 7pm. While talking about links and local cup competitions, the link to the Atherton Charity Cup has been updated as the Leigh Referees Society is giving the competition coverage on their website. |
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LR VIDEO ONLINE |
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A St Helens Town supporter travelled over to
Crilly Park last weekend to watch the match against Colne and managed to
video Colne's first goal and Chris Brinksman's penalty save. You can see
the video by visiting this website; http://www.itvlocalgrassroots.com/Clip.aspx?key=824FA6D67FC60256 |
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GOLDLINE TROPHY FINAL |
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Atherton LR's record of being the only club to
win the Trophy three times is still in tact as Euxton Villa defeated
Charnock Richard 2-0 in tonight's final (31st March) at the Reebok
Stadium. A highly entertaining match could easily have ended 4-4 and both
teams are to be congratulated on providing an excellent advert for
football in the North West.
The success of the competition was proved again with an attendance of 1, 829 for the final and amongst the many famous faces in the crowd was Peter Reid, the ex-Bolton and Everton player and manager of Sunderland for seven years. |
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NEW MANAGER ANNOUNCED |
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Atherton LR today announced the appointment of
Stuart Humphreys as the new first team manager. Stuart is an ex player at
the club and has recent experience of managing Leigh RMI in the Conference
North. We welcome Stuart back to the club and wish him and his
management team well. Malcolm Anderton, who has been caretaker manager since the resignation of Roy Sweeney, made the following statement. "I would like to thank Atherton LR for giving me the opportunity over the last few weeks to be Caretaker Manager. This has enabled me to get to know the players on a more personal level. They have always given their full support and I wish them well with the new manager." Everyone at Atherton LR would like to thank Malc for all his hard work since taking over the position. He has been involved with the club at every level from the first team down to the Junior sides for a number of years and has helped the club on numerous occasions both on and off the pitch. We are extremely grateful to him and trust we will be fortunate enough to retain his services for many more years. Chairman Alan Grundy has gone into hospital for an operation and will be out of action for a while. Deputy Chairman Jane Wilcox will be taking over his responsibilities until further notice. We all wish Alan a speedy recovery. |
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SECRETARY REQUIRED |
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Atherton LR are looking for a Football
Secretary for the 2008/09 season following the decision of Christine
Rowlands to resign at the end of the current campaign. Further details are available from the club on 01942 883950 or Chairman Allan Grundy on 01942 866016 |
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Bolton Hospital Cup |
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This evening (3rd March) the draw took place
for this season's Bolton Hospital Cup.
1.Turton v Bolton County In the semi-finals, the winner of game 1 will play the winners of game 2 and the winner of game 4 will host the winner of game 3 No dates have been arranged yet but the first round is to be completed by 23rd April. Semi finals to be played w/c 28th April and the final at the Reebok Stadium is on Monday 12th May, with a 7pm kick off. There will be no extra time in the final, if the scores are level it will go straight to penalties. |
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BRIAN AND EILEEN SEDDON |
| Everyone at Atherton LR would like to express their deepest sympathy to Brian and Eileen Seddon and their daughter Nicole at their terrible personal tragedy. Very few people can even begin to understand how they must be feeling, |
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GOLDLINE TROPHY FINAL |
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This seasons Goldline Trophy final will be
played at the Reebok Stadium on Monday 31st March with a 7.45pm kick off. This seasons final is an all West Lancs League affair with last seasons runners up Charnock Richard taking on Euxton Villa. Both clubs defeated NWCL sides in the semi-finals. While it's Euxton's first appearance in the final, Charnock are in their third consecutive final having beaten Prestwich Heys in 2006 and then being runners up to the same club in 2007. Charnock have also appeared in two other finals, winning the 2001 competition and being runners up in 2002. Their fifth final extends their record for the most appearances and they will be looking to equal LR's record of three cup wins. |
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RAMSBOTTOM MATCH POSTPONED |
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This morning (2nd Feb) LR's match at
Ramsbottom was called off. Snow fall last night onto an already wet pitch,
along with more snow this morning meant there was little choice other than
to postpone the game. LR's last match was on 12th January with three consecutive Saturday games called off since then for different reasons. |
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SQUIRES GATE RESULT STANDS |
| Following the League's decision that the result of the match between LR and Squires Gate, which was abandoned after 80 minutes, should stand, both clubs have said they will not be appealing the decision. The 3-3 scoreline will now be the final result and the stats have been updated accordingly. |
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RESERVE REPORTS |
| Reserve team match reports are being added to the website, thanks to the efforts of Alan Gillespie. The reports have started with last Saturdays match at Padiham (26th Jan). Go to the reserves page and click on the result to see the report. |
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FIXTURE UPDATES |
| LR's fixtures have been updated with the rescheduled games against Colne, Formby and Maine Road added. There is no date as yet for the home game against Winsford United. |
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FORMBY MATCH POSTPONED |
| LR's home game against Formby on 26th January has been postponed due to Formby being involved in an FA Vase game on that date. |
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ABANDONED MATCH RESULT COULD STAND |
| At a meeting last night (9th Jan) League officials decided that the result of the abandoned match between LR and Squires Gate could stand. The game was called off with just under ten minutes remaining with the score at 3-3. It's now up to the two clubs to decide whether to accept a point each or replay the game. |
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FIXTURE CHANGE & NEWS |
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There has been one change to LR's fixtures,
with the game Away v Maine Road moving from 19th April to 1st March,
filling a blank weekend. The away match v Trafford in February is
dependent on their progress in the League Cup competition as the 16th
February is the date for the 4th round matches. Kayde Coppin has left the club and we all thank him for his hard work for the club and wish him well for the future. LR's reserve game on Saturday 5th January at home to Flixton has been called off. Like a few other clubs in our league, after being forced to play last weekend (29th) the pitch has probably been ruined for the rest of the season and the poor weather this week means there's no chance of using it. Finally, we should hear next week whether or not our home game v Squires Gate has to be replayed or if the result will stand. The match was abandoned after 80 minutes with the score at 3-3. Despite verbal comments and statements on various websites, it is clearly stated in the Leagues handbook that if a game isn't played for the full 90 minutes, it's entirely down to the League to decide whether or not the result stands or whether it should be replayed. |
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WEBSITE NEWS |
| Back at last. Sorry for the long delay but hopefully we've found a permanent home for the website now. |
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MATCH ABANDONED |
| Today (22nd Dec) saw LR's home game against Squires Gate abandoned due to fog after 80 minutes with the score standing at 3-3. The visibility became very poor shortly before half time, but the referee allowed the half to finish. By the time the second half started conditions had improved but they gradually became worse, eventually visibility going down to 30 yards or so. Hopefully with both sides gaining a point and such little time left, the score will be allowed to stand, but we await the leagues verdict on that. Until then, the Player Appearances page and any other stats won't include this match. |
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SWEENEY RESIGNS |
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Manager Roy Sweeney announced his resignation
from the club at the beginning of December. Rumours abounded when
Sweeny didn't show for LR's home game against Nelson, and the following
week he contacted club officials to tender his resignation.
Club officials held a meeting with the players, all of whom agreed to stay with the club and Assistant Manager Rob Hope was appointed Caretaker Manager along with Reserve Team Manager Malcolm Anderton. The club would like to register it's grateful thanks to Roy Sweeney for all the time, work and effort he put into the job. At times the team played as well as the best in the league under his managership. He leaves the club with no bad feelings and we wish him well for the future. We would also like to thank Rob Hope for agreeing to help manage the side and Malcolm Anderton who has stepped in many times in the past, in various capacities, to help out in an hour of need. |
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BERMINGHAM LEAVES |
| The club has lost the services of Chris Bermingham. We would like to thank Chris for all his work since joining and we wish him well for the future. |
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GOLDLINE TROPHY SEMI-FINALS RESULTS |
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Monday 12th November Ashton Town v Charnock Richard 2 - 2 (4-5p) Monday 26th November Euxton Villa v Ashton Athletic 2 - 0 (aet) Both games were played at Chorley FC's Victory Park ground |
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GOLDLINE TROPHY SEMI-FINAL |
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The draw for the Goldline Trophy semi-final was made by
Premiership referee Mark Halsey during the half time interval of the game
between Bolton Wanderers and Aston Villa. The draw had been due to be made
last Thursday but problems with the PA system at the Reebok Stadium meant
it was postponed for a few days. The semi-final draw is; Ashton Town v Charnock Richard The final quarter final game was played on Monday 29th October when Euxton Villa collected a surprise 4-3 win at Atherton Collieries |
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RESERVE DIVISION CUP |
| LR's reserves have been drawn at home to Kirkham & Wesham Reserves in the first round of the reserve division cup. No date has been arranged yet. |
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BERRY MOVES ON |
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LR's Ian Berry has left the club and featured as a
substitute for Curzon Ashton in their game at Chorley last weekend (20th
October). Everyone at the club would like to thank Ian for his hard work and we wish him well for the future |
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GOLDLINE TROPHY FIXTURES |
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The one remaining quarter final between Atherton Collieries
and Euxton Villa has been set for Monday 29th October at Alder Street with
a 7.45pm kick off The draw for the semi-finals will be made during the half time break at the Reebok Stadium on Thursday 25th October where Bolton Wanderers will be playing SC Braga in the UEFA cup. |
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FIXTURE CHANGES |
| LR's game at Flixton has been moved to 31st October and the outstanding fixture at Silsden wil be played on Saturday 3rd November |
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FA VASE DRAW |
| In the second round of the FA Vase, LR will host Northern League side Newcastle Benfield at Crilly Park on 17th November. It will be the first ever meeting of the two clubs. |
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NEWCASTLE GAME 13th OCTOBER |
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The game at Newcastle on 13th October will kick off at 3pm.
There was some discussion about changing the kick off time due to the
England match being played, but with some players working Saturday morning
it wasn't possible to organise an earlier kick off. Of course, it can be easily argued that instead of disrupting thousands of games up and down the country, it's the England game that should be moved to a more sensible time. |
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GOLDLINE TROPHY QUARTER FINALS |
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Two more Goldline Trophy quarter finals have been
completed;
Monday 1st October Atherton Town v Charnock Richard 0
- 1 (at Atherton Collieries) Ashton Town have already qualified for the semi-finals after beating Breightmet United 2-0 in their quarter final tie. The remaining quarter final between Atherton Collieries and Euxton Villa is still to be arranged. |
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PITCH INSPECTION AT CHADDERTON |
| After a week of rain, there will be a pitch inspection at Chadderton tomorrow morning (Sat 22nd) before deciding if the FA Vase game can go ahead. |
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LANCS CO-OPERATIVE CHALLENGE TROPHY |
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LR have been drawn away to Fleetwood Town on 9th October in
the first round of the Lancs Trophy. Atherton
Collieries v Marine Byes for Barrow, Burscough, Leigh RMI and Southport |
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FA VASE |
| After today's results, LR will travel to Chadderton in the 2nd Qualifying round of the FA Vase on 22nd September |
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FIXTURE CHANGE |
| With LR having been knocked out of the FA Cup, the blank weekend of the 1st September has been filled by an away match at Abbey Hey. |
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GOLDLINE TROPHY QUARTER FINALS |
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The Goldline Trophy quarter final draw will be updated here
as and when the information becomes available. Scroll down to get the
Group results Ashton Athletic v
Atherton LR (Tuesday 2nd October) 7.45pm |
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Goldline Trophy Group 3 |
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| Breightmet United | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 9 |
| Atherton LR | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Daisy Hill | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Bolton County | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 1 |
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Note: goals scored - not goal difference - decides the places for clubs on equal points. |
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LR QUALIFY FOR QUARTER FINALS |
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After Saturdays result, which saw Breightmet defeat Daisy
Hill (scroll down a bit for all the results) LR and Breightmet United have
qualified for the quarter finals of the Goldline Trophy. Which of the two
clubs finished top of the group will be decided on Tuesday night when the
teams meet at Breightmet. Also qualifying for the quarter finals are Euxton Villa and Atherton Town though again the final finishing positions have yet to be decided. The other two groups are still undecided. |
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FRIENDLY GAME CHANGED |
| Tonight's (2nd Aug) friendly match has been changed. The team were originally due to meet Crewe Town but they cancelled at short notice after being unable to organise a team for the game. Manager Roy Sweeney made a few phone calls and Manchester League side Wigan Robin Park will be coming to Crilly Park instead. |
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EXTRA FRIENDLY GAMES ARRANGED |
| Having had all the pre-season friendly matches postponed, the club have arranged three more before the start of the season. Tomorrow night (2nd August) Crewe Town come to Crilly Park, the following Thursday (9th) LR are at home to Cheadle Town and a game has been arranged against Atherton Town for Saturday 11th August |
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GOLDLINE TROPHY FIXTURES/RESULTS 2007/08 |
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| Home |
vs |
Away |
Grp |
Date |
KO/Score |
| Charnock Richard | v | Hindsford | 1 | 23rd July |
5 - 1 |
| Euxton Villa | v | Prestwich Heys | 2 | 23rd July |
2 - 2 |
| Atherton Town | v | Eagley | 2 | 23rd July |
2 - 0 |
| Atherton LR | v | Daisy Hill | 3 | 24th July | 3 - 0 |
| Elton Vale | v | Tempest United | 4 | 24th July | 3 - 4 |
| Ashton Athletic | v | Ashton Town | 4 | 25th July | 4 - 4 |
| Charnock Richard | v | Stoneclough | 1 | 25th July | 3 - 2 |
| Hindsford | v | Atherton Collieries | 1 | 26th July |
A - A |
| Eagley | v | Prestwich Heys | 2 | 28th July | 3 - 3 |
| Atherton LR | v | Bolton County | 3 | 28th July | 0 - 0 |
| Stoneclough | v | Hindsford | 1 | 30th July | 4 - 6 |
| Atherton Collieries | v | Charnock Richard | 1 | 30th July | 5 - 1 |
| Elton Vale | v | Ashton Town | 4 | 31st July | 0 - 1 |
| Daisy Hill | v | Bolton County | 3 | 31st July | 4 - 0 |
| Euxton Villa | v | Eagley | 2 | 1st August | 3 - 0 |
| Ashton Athletic | v | Tempest United | 4 | 1st August | 3 - 1 |
| Bolton County | v | Breightmet United | 3 | 2nd August |
1 - 3 |
| Prestwich Heys | v | Atherton Town | 2 | 4th August | 2 - 2 |
| Daisy Hill | v | Breightmet United | 3 | 4th August | 1 - 3 |
| Breightmet United | v | Atherton LR | 3 | 7th August | 3 - 0 |
| Elton Vale | v | Ashton Athletic | 4 | 7th August | 3 - 6 |
| Tempest United | v | Ashton Town | 4 | 8th August | 1 - 2 |
| Stoneclough | v | Atherton Collieries | 1 | 8th August | 1 - 1 |
| Atherton Town | v | Euxton Villa | 2 | 9th August |
2 - 0 |
| Hindsford | v | Atherton Collieries | 1 | 23rd August |
1 - 2 |
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Please check before travelling. As long as we can obtain details from Daisy Hill and Bolton County, there will be a small programme issued for both LR's home games in this competition |
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FATHER GED |
| Everyone at the club sends their congratulations to Ged McAllister and his partner following the birth of their daughter Lexie Elily on Saturday 28th July. |
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FIRST LEAGUE GAME POSTPONED |
| LR have a match postponed before the season has even started. The team should have started on 11th August at Silsden, but the Yorkshire based side share with the local rugby club who are using the ground that weekend. LR's first match of the new season will now be on Tuesday 14th August at home to St Helens Town. |
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PRE-SEASON |
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Atherton LR's pre-season hasn't gone according to plan with
all the friendly games arranged having been called off because of the bad
weather. This means the only pre-season matches now are the three Goldline
Trophy group names. However, manager Roy Sweeney isn't too downhearted as
he has been extremely impressed with the players hard work on Tuesdays and
Thursdays training. A few of last seasons regulars will miss the very early stages of the season. Craig Spurling, injured at Nelson last season is still a few months away from returning to the first team while Ian Givin, though having recovered from the injuries received at St Helens, has other commitments. Dave Morgan is out for three weeks after a minor knee operation, David Derefaka is likely to be out for six weeks, Chris Bermingham might miss the first couple of weeks because of a hamstring problem and Andy Morris has a back injury. Despite all that, the return of Ged McAllister and Lee Hughes along with a few new faces and familiar ones from last season have given Sweeney confidence for a good start to the season. |
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GOLDLINE TROPHY FIXTURE CHANGES |
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Ashton Town have switched their two home games to their
opponents grounds on 25th and 31st July The opening game between Bolton County and Breightmet United on 19th July is off. It has been pencilled in for 2nd August. |
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FRIENDLY DATE CHANGES |
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There have been a few changes to the pre-season friendly
games. The fixture list has been updated. As things stand there is no charge for coming to watch the friendly games, while the Goldline Trophy matches will have a £2 entry fee with £1 concessions. Games will kick off at the regular times (3pm or 7.45pm) except for the friendly against Hyde on 17th August which is due to be a 7.30 kick off and the away match at Breightmet United which is set for 6.30pm. This Saturdays game against a Witton Albion XI is in doubt at the moment because of the amount of rain we've had. Please check with the club before travelling. |
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ADIE MORAN |
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Everyone at Atherton LR sends their deepest sympathy to the
family, friends and collegues of Adie Moran, the Manager and Chairman of
Prestwich Heys who has died following an accident while on holiday. The full story is on Prestwich Heys website - click here to visit |
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EXTRA FRIENDLY ARRANGED |
| Another pre-season friendly has been arranged for Thursday 26th July when LR will host Leigh RMI |
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PROGRAMME NEWS |
| It has only just come to my attention that in the Soccer Club Swap Shop's 14th annual programme awards, LR's programme not only was voted best in the NWCL, but also was placed 2nd Nationally. Marske United's 100 page programme came top, LR second, Chelmsford City third and Gateshead fourth. For a club of our size to have the second best non league programme in the whole country is quite impressive |
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PRE-SEASON GAMES |
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Having recently held trials at the club, manager Roy
Sweeney is enthusiastic about the coming season. All of last seasons
players have re-signed and a number of new faces should be on show.
Unfortunately, the injury Craig Spurling received at Nelson is likely to
keep him out for another couple of months.
Apart from the Goldline Trophy matches, four games have been arranged. On Thursday 5th July there will be trial game at Crilly Park against Witton Albion Reserves. Sweeney will use this game to have a look at some of the reserves and trial players. Witton Reserves return on 14th July to take on LR's first team for the first "proper" friendly of the season. Following that on 18th July, Hyde United come to Crilly Park and on 21st, LR take on Fleetwood Town at home. Details of any more pre-season games will be posted. The high standard of pre-season friendlies should give the team a good work out prior to the season. Sweeney has been talking to both Everton and Manchester City about games and both clubs have indicated that they will agree to play LR, even if the games end up being during or at the end of the coming season. Away from the first team, Sweeney has decided to take on the responsibility of coaching LR's Under 17's in the coming season. The team features a number of talented youngsters, they finished runners up in their league last season. Sweeney himself came through various youth teams with plenty of success until his later teens when he found himself cut adrift. He is determined that these young players will not suffer the same fate and possibly be lost to the footballing world. He intends to ensure they get proper training and is hoping to arrange some high profile friendly games for the team during the season. |