1959-60 SEASON

 

In recognition of the time and energy the Chairman had devoted to the League he was honored with the presidency for the year that would also include the Golden Jubilee celebration dinner.

 

Manchester Health Dept. and Heald Green Amateurs were new entrants to the Third Division though resignations were received from More Society and Manchester Ship Canal, as a result of which there was no promotion from the Third to the Second Division, from which there was no relegation. Old Stretfordians and Old Ashtonians were relegated from the First Division with Manchester Architects and Old Bedians taking their places.

 

B. Griffiths of East Chorlton and S. Marsh of Rusholme were selected by Lancashire FA in NCAC games with J. Corry of Wythenshawe Amateurs and K. Ware of Manchester Architects reserves in attendance. The Lancashire FA team reached the final but lost to Cheshire FA who won the competition for the first time. B. Robinson of Bradford Parish was selected to play for an FA XI against an Army Apprentices XI at Harrogate.

 

The Golden Jubilee celebration dinner was held at the Free Trade Hall on the 21st December when in excess of five hundred people attended including, Sir Stanley Rous, Secretary of the Football Association and Walter Winterbottom, the England team manager together with many dignitaries from the local footballing world.

 

League members were involved in helping with a collection for the World Refugee Fund at Manchester United’s ground on Boxing Day when the sum of £104-2-9d was collected. 

 

Games against school teams continued including Manchester and District Grammar Schools and Cheshire Grammar Schools XI. The former were the first school team to inflict a defeat on the League team.

 

East Chorlton had their best run so far in the English FA Amateur Cup by reaching the final Qualifying Round after four successful games but to fall at the last hurdle, before the First Round Proper, to Marine in a closely fought game.

 

Wythenshawe Amateurs carried the League flag through to the Lancashire FA Amateur Cup Semi-Finals with the defeat of Bradford Parish in the Quarter Final. The team was led by Joe Corry, the oldest player at twenty-one. Aigburth PH put paid to Wythenshawe’s celebrations in the Semi-Final, though they were able to get their hands on the Whitehead Cup with a fine win over Rusholme.

 

Bradford Parish had been runners-up in the First Division championship in the previous two seasons and this season, third time was lucky for them with a two-point cushion over Rusholme, who had won the title the previous year. Parish were runners-up in the Reserve Division ‘A’ and also the Aggregate Trophy.

 

Old Stretfordians won the Second Division for the third time in their history. The Third Division provided North Withington with an opportunity of showing their potential by winning the title with a ten-point cushion from Hazel Grove.

 

The Aggregate Trophy was won by Cheadle Heath Nomads, whose Second XI won the Reserve Division ‘B’. Styal were successful in the Reserve Division ‘C’ winning their first trophy since 1933, Old Stoconians won the Third XIs Division, East Didsbury overcame Monton Amateurs in the Rhodes Cup Final and Royton Amateurs defeated Old Stoconians in the Reserves Subsidiary Cup their first trophy win since 1937-38. Stoconians were again on the receiving end in the Hellawell Shield losing to Cheadle Hulme. East Chorlton were only able to lift one trophy, which was the Reserve Division ‘A’ championship for an impressive fourth successive year.

 

1960-61 SEASON

 

The Committee unanimously agreed that Eddie Woollam remained in the Presidential office for a second year as a mark of the League’s appreciation for his fifty years continuous service. Committee lost the services of A. Waddington and R.P. Body following their resignation and their replacements were E.K. Milloy of Bramhall, T.B.H. Sumner of Old Stoconians and L. Delaney of Old Bedians.

 

Committee recorded their thanks to A.B. Craven for his efforts in the organisation of the Annual Presentation Dinner which in 1960 saw an attendance of three hundred and eighty-five. There was a reported referee shortage in the League and clubs were advised to look to club members to officiate in Third XI games where the shortage was most acute.

 

Manchester Health and Heald Green were re-elected with new clubs, Davenport, Handforth and Offerton accepted into the Third Division. Oldham HSOB were relegated from the Second Division, though the other relegation candidate was allowed to hold their place in the division. North Withington and Hazel Grove were promoted. Old Stretfordians and Manchester Old Xaverians were promoted to the First Division with West Didsbury and Old Bedians relegated to the Second Division. There were a record number of fourteen teams in the Third XIs Division. Cepea Amateurs withdrew from the League at the start of the season, the reason being a shortage of players. 

 

The honours for the season were spread across more clubs with double victories by Bradford Parish capturing the First Division championship and Whitehead Cup, Bramhall the Third Division and Third XI Division championship,

 

Old Bedians won their first trophies since joining the League in 1931 with the Aggregate Trophy and Reserve Division ‘B’ and the final double was secured by Wythenshawe Amateurs winning the Reserve Division ‘A’ and Rhodes Cup. The other trophies were lifted by Old Ashtonians winning the Second Division, Davyhulme Hartford the Reserve Division ‘C’, East Chorlton the Reserves Subsidiary Cup and Cheadle Hulme the Hellawell Shield.

 

1961-62 SEASON

 

Eddie Woollam was invited to serve a third year in the Presidential office, which he accepted. There were a number of changes made to the Management Committee structure following the resignation of J.H. Dunne and G.H. Sansome, who were replaced by R.J. Baxter of East Didsbury and T. Ashcroft of Monton Amateurs. A.B. Craven also resigned from the Vice Chairmanship though he stayed on committee and his successor was W.P. Wray.

 

The only new club to enter the League was Newall Green Amateurs though Heald Green were expelled leaving eleven teams in the Third Division, from which Bramhall and Styal were promoted and Prestwich Margaretians and Chapelmoor relegated from the Second Division.

 

Old Ashtonians were promoted to the First Division for the third time in ten years earning themselves the title of the ‘yo-yo’ team. Cheadle Heath Nomads joined them, with South Manchester and Old Stopfordians going down. The Third XIs Division expanded to fifteen teams with Old Stretfordians and MEC fielding two teams each in the division.

 

The Chairman reported to members at the AGM that he was concerned at an increase in the number of offences committed on the field of play and asked club officials to do all they could to tackle the problem. The referee shortage had improved and one hundred and fifteen had registered in the season. The numbers at the Annual Presentation Dinner had increased to a record four hundred.

 

The deaths of J.H. Dunne, A. Gordon and R.F. Hartley, all Vice Presidents and A.B. Craven Vice Chairman were recorded.

 

East Chorlton reported they were leaving Hough End Playing Fields after twenty-six years and moving a mile down Princess Road to the Mersey Bank Playing Fields. The club’s involvement in the FA Amateur Cup continued with victories over Whalley Range, Chapel Town and Hearts of Liddesdale, finally succumbing to Heys Old Boys by the odd goal in seven, meaning they just missed out reaching the First Round Proper, but they were more successful in the Lancashire FA Amateur Cup by becoming Finalists for the third time in eight years only to lose out to the holders Old Boltonians in the Final. East had a remodeled team with centre-forward Bill Tynan scoring forty-eight goals in the season from thirty-eight appearances, which was an improvement of the previous season’s tally of forty-two.

 

Further games were arranged in the series against Grammar schools with Heywood Grammar joining the list. W.J. Tynan of East Chorlton and C. Hodgson of Aldermere were selected as reserves in attendance in a NCAC game against Liverpool FA.

 

It was decided to play an Inter League trial game on Boxing Day and the team that played against the MAA challenged a ‘possibles’ XI. There was good support for the game suggesting a permanent fixture be arranged in the future to take the place of the LAL game, which now seemed doomed to be played in April.

 

Old Stretfordians along with MEC were the first clubs to field four teams in the League. Stretford Grammar’s headmaster, Mr J. Marsh offered the club plenty of encouragement and arranged an annual game between the school and League representative team. Norman Costin was highly involved in the administration of the club and the strengthening of the playing side in an endeavour to hold onto their hard-earned place in the First Division. This work was rewarded in the early part of the season by the defeat in the Lancashire FA Amateur Cup of Wythenshawe Amateurs, who were to become First Division champions.

 

The all-round strength of Bradford Parish was displayed at the Annual Dinner with the presentation of the Aggregate Trophy, the Reserve Division ‘A’ and Reserves Subsidiary Cup for their Second XI and the Rhodes Cup for their seniors, who were runners-up in the First Division being deprived of a ‘hat-trick’ of First Division victories by Wythenshawe Amateurs, who were another club to show how they had developed since entering the League in 1954 by winning the First Division championship and runners-up in the Whitehead Cup giving the club the distinction of having won nine different trophies over the period of their membership. Bramhall were double winners with the Second and Third XI’s divisional championships.

 

The Third Division was won by Old Urmstonians with Old Bedians and Offerton winning the Reserve ‘B’ and ‘C’ Divisions respectively. East Chorlton managed one trophy, which was the Whitehead Cup and Old Bedians added to the previous season’s success with the Hellawell Shield at the expense of Aldermere, who were also the losing finalists in the Rhodes Cup.

 

1962-63 SEASON

 

Jack Rogerson was appointed President for the season in recognition of his loyal service to the League since 1922 when he first played for South Salford. His playing career reached the highest level throughout a twenty-eight-year period and the Management Committee had the benefit of his wise counsel from 1946 to 1972, during which period he took on the responsibilities of Secretary for three years and treasurer for a further twenty-three years.

 

The Chairman congratulated Aldermere at the AGM on celebrating their fiftieth anniversary. A proposal, from a referee was made at the AGM for team captains to wear arm bands as practised on the continent, but the motion was not carried. The deaths of committeemen T. Ashcoft and L. Delaney were recorded and H. Hitchcock resigned. The Chairman welcomed J. Davy, J.T. Brundrit and P. Knowles as new members of Committee.

 

There were many changes in the constitution of the League at the start of the new season, the first being that both bottom clubs, Davenport Amateurs and Chapelmoor did not seek re-election to the Third Division. In the case of Chapelmoor, Committee expressed regret at their decision as the club had been members of the League for over forty years starting membership in 1921.

 

New applications were received and accepted from Adswood Amateurs, Mellor and Old Traffordians for membership of the Third Division. Stockport Georgians and Hazel Grove were relegated from the Second Division with Cheadle Hulme and Bramhall securing promotion to the First Division to replace Monton Amateurs and Old Ashtonians.

 

East Chorlton’s excursion into the English Amateur Cup hit the buffers in the Frst Round against Blackpool Rangers. C. Hodson of Aldermere played in goal for Lancashire FA in NCAC games following in the footsteps of Norman Jones the old Aldermere county FA stalwart and England international.

 

The weather savaged the fixture list in the early part of January 1963 and did not relent until March resulting in two hundred and sixty games being postponed and Committee cancelled the Whitehead and Subsidiary Cup competitions. Clubs had experienced a nine-week lay-off due to snow and frost.

 

East Chorlton and Rusholme reached the Final of the Lancashire FA Amateur Cup, which was played at Manchester United’s ground, Old Trafford and was the first occasion the competition had seen two contestants from the League drawn in the Final. The game was watched by fourteen hundred spectators and ended in a hard-fought draw.

 

The Replay at Whalley Range was another tight affair with East Chorlton’s leading goalscorer, Bill Tynan grabbing the winner ten minutes from time and giving East Chorlton their second success in the competition over an eight-year period in which time they had also been runners-up on two occasions.

 

Rusholme’s disappointment was short lived as they won the First Division by a handsome nine points over East Chorlton and also relegated them to the second spot in the Aggregate Trophy this being the first occasion Rusholme had won this trophy and thanks went to their Second XI by winning the Reserve Division ‘A’ again from East Chorlton, whose hard luck in domestic divisional competitions was turned around in the Rhodes Cup by a victory over East Didsbury thanks to a Bill Tynan ‘hat-trick’.

 

Old Stopfordians won the Second Division title with the ‘yo-yo’ specialists Old Ashtonians joining them as runners-up. In their first season in the League Adswood Amateurs occupied the top spot from Stockport Georgians and also secured the double with their reserves winning the Reserve Division ‘C’. Cheadle Hulme won the Third XIs division and Aldermere the Hellawell Shield.

 

1963-64 SEASON

 

Phil Knowles was elected President in recognition of his outstanding service to his club Cheadle Hulme and more recently the Management Committee. The business of the first committee meeting in the new season was conducted in a strained manner as members had to adjust to the fact that Eddie Woollam would not be attending for the first time in fifty-two years. Harold Croft a past President was elected to Committee and Walter Wray was appointed Chairman with Jack Rogerson adding the role of Vice Chairman to his Treasurer’s brief.

 

Old Bedians and MEC resigned in the close season and were replaced by Gatley and West Wythenshawe College, who would both occupy places in the Third Division, to which Prestwich Margaretians and Manchester Health were re-elected. Heywood GSOB escaped relegation from the Second Division with Adswood Amateurs and Stockport Georgians moving up.

 

Bramhall and Royton Amateurs were relegated from the First Division being replaced from the Second Division by Old Stopfordians and Old Ashtonians.

 

The death of Johnny Edwards was recorded. He had been connected with the League since 1911 through West Didsbury and the Management Committee and more recently had been a League Auditor with his brother.

 

Rusholme suffered the same fate as many of their rivals in the League with the loss of players to semi-professional clubs in the close season. Worth, McDonough and Harvey moved to clubs in the Cheshire League though an approach to Brennan was turned down by the player. This type of poaching also happened between clubs in the League with East Chorlton capturing Stan Marsh from Rusholme and Brian Robinson from Bradford Parish. Marsh soon proved his goal scoring abilities by netting seven times in one game to create a record with his new club.

 

An interesting statistic arose when Old Stoconians held East Chorlton to a no score draw in February 1964, which was the first time East Chorlton had featured in a game without goals since March 1960 again against Old Stoconians.

 

The English FA Amateur Cup provided another disappointment to East Chorlton when they failed to clear the first hurdle. They did however have North, Tynan and Mitchell selected to play for Lancashire FA in their NCAC matches.

 

The Lancashire FA Amateur Cup provided a happy hunting ground for League teams with East Chorlton and Rusholme once again reaching the Semi-Finals being drawn against each other so missing out on a repeat of the previous season’s final.

 

East Chorlton had appeared in fifty games in the Lancashire FA Amateur Cup competition over a period of twelve years from 1952 during which time they had reached five Semi-Finals, with the forthcoming game the third in successive years and four finals with two victories. Despite this record, Rusholme avenged their defeat in the last year’s Final by winning with four goals to spare and carried their form into the final at Old Trafford by beating Quarry Bank Old Boys with four changes from last season’s team by the inclusion of Hennessey, Griffiths, Waugh and Jones. Rusholme were hoping to add the League’s First Division title to their honours but drew their last game to their arch-rivals East Chorlton giving the title by one point, for the first time to Moss Side Amateurs. Thanks to the efforts of their Second XI, proving the depth in quality enjoyed by the club, Rusholme were able to retain the Aggregate Trophy and Reserve Division ‘A’ adding the Reseves Subsidiary Cup to their Second XIs achievements.

 

Moss Side Amateurs secured the double by defeating North Withington in the Rhodes Cup Final. Stockport Georgians won the Second Division championship from Adswood Amateurs, who had gained promotion in successive seasons from the Third to the First Division.

 

Newcomers Gatley also celebrated their first season in the League by winning the Third Division from another new club, West Wythenshawe College. North Withington added to their successful trophy haul by winning the Whitehead Cup and the Reserve Division ‘B’.

 

Hazel Grove won their first trophy with their Second XI adding their name to the Reserve Division ‘C’. The Third XIs Division was won by Old Flixtonians gaining their first honour since joining the League in 1938. The Hellawell Shield was won by Old Stopfordians.

 

1964-65 SEASON

 

The elected President was A. Waddington, who had served the East Chorlton club as a player and committee man including Secretary since the 1930s. He also served on the League Management Committee for eleven years from 1949. Jack Kelly from South Manchester was elected to Committee to replace E.K. Milloy as Referees’ Appointments Secretary.

 

Manchester Public Health and Prestwich Margaretians as bottom clubs in the Third Division were re-elected and a new application was received from Flixton Villa which was accepted subject to the club dropping the name ‘Villa’.

 

Gatley and West Wythenshawe College moved into the Second Division at the expense of Heywood GSOB and South Manchester, who were to experience their first ever season in the Third Division.

 

Relegated to the Second Division were Old Ashtonians and Manchester Old Xaverians replaced by Stockport Georgians and Adswood Amateurs, who reached the First Division with promotion in successive seasons after their admission to the League in 1962.

 

At the start of the new season, Eddie Woollam was invited to become the first ‘Patron’ of the League. Unfortunately, his retirement from football was brought to an early end following his death on the 6th March 1965.

 

The only representative honours were earned by G. Doyle of Old Stretfordians and K. Ware of Wythenshawe Amateurs who were reserves in attendance for Lancashire FA.

 

East Chorlton was on the receiving end of player poaching as Bill Tynan moved to Wythenshawe Amateurs. The player had maintained an incredible scoring record during the four years at East Chorlton with one hundred and fifty-six goals from one hundred and forty-one appearances. During this time, he played in five Inter League games scoring nine goals. Despite this setback East recruited the services of three Old Xaverian players, from whom great things were expected. Early in the season East suffered an early exit from the English Amateur Cup and a double defeat at the hands of Bradford Parish.

 

North Withington kept up the League’s recent form in the Lancashire FA Amateur Cup by reaching the Semi-Final stages only to be eliminated by Manchester University to a disputed penalty. Bradford Parish and Moss Side Amateurs were eliminated at the Quarter Final stage, the former by North Withington. Cheadle Heath Nomads maintained their form in the Cheshire FA Amateur Cup only to fail again at the Quarter Final stages. They last reached the Semi-Finals in the early 1950s.

 

The season’s honours went to Rusholme again with the winning for the third successive year of the Aggregate Trophy and Reserve Division ‘A’. Added to this was the First Division title and Whitehead Cup.

 

The dominance of East Chorlton and Bradford Parish was in decline during the season with the only trophy success between them being the Rhodes Cup going to Bradford Parish. North Withington won the Second Division championship and finished runners-up in the Aggregate Trophy.

 

In their first season, Flixton won the Third Division after a ‘Play-off’ with South Manchester. The Reserve Division ‘B’ went to Bramhall and Heywood GSOB secured the Reserve Division ‘C’ title. The Third XIs Division was won by Cheadle Hulme and Monton Amateurs won the Hellawell Shield and Reserves Subsidiary Cup.

 

1965-66 SEASON

 

W.E. Williams was elected President in acknowledgement of his sterling work with the Stockport Georgians club over a thirty-year period during which time he played until the age of forty-two and served as Club Secretary and President. He also served on the League Management Committee for seven years.

 

There were no resignations from the League and only one new applicant, Egerton Park Old Boys, who were admitted into the Third Division, which now had fifteen members. The Third XIs Division had reached a maximum of sixteen teams. Hazel Grove and Prestwich Margaretians were re-elected to the Third Division and were joined by Old Flixtonians and Manchester Old Xaverians relegated from the Second Division, to which Flixton and South Manchester were promoted.

 

Stockport Georgians and Old Stopfordians dropped down from the First Division and were replaced by North Withington and Monton Amateurs. Manchester Old Xaverians resigned from the League during the season after a run of poor results despite dropping down into the Third Division. The club had been members since 1950 and were founder members in 1909 though their membership at that time only lasted one season. Tony Brunt of Wythenshawe Amateurs was chosen as reserve for the Lancashire FA in NCAC games.

 

There were surprise winners of honours at the end of the season with Heywood GSOB landing the Aggregate Trophy for the first time following their First XI winning the First Division and their Second XI retaining the Reserve ‘C’ Division championship. In addition, they won the Whitehead Cup completing a surprising but well-deserved treble.

 

North Withington continued their impressive run of form following last season’s promotion from the Second Division by winning the First Division title by a clear seven points.

 

Old Standians won the Second Division title with Wythenshawe Amateurs taking the Reserve ‘A’ Division and Old Ashtonians the Reserve Division ‘B’ together with the Hellawell Shield.

 

The Third XIs Division was jointly held by Cheadle Hulme and Wythenshawe Amateurs. The Rhodes Cup was won by the holders Bradford Parish for the seventh time and East Chorlton’s Second XI defeated Cheadle Hulme in the Reserves Subsidiary Cup Final with the help of Inter League players John Shurden and Stan Marsh both nearing retirement but still looking forward to regular football. John turned out on thirty-one occasions with Stan appearing in twenty-six games and scoring forty-seven goals. Adswood Amateurs were the League’s first holders of the Stockport FA Senior Cup as well as finishing runners-up in the First Division.

 

1966-67 SEASON

 

The new season’s President was F.C. Prescott from Monton Amateurs, where he had been a player and administrator with the club since 1933. J. Rogerson stepped down from the position of Vice-Chairman, which was taken over by A. Waddington, who also became Rules and Regulations Secretary allowing W. Wray to concentrate on the role of Chairman.

 

Prestwich Margaretians and Mantact were re-elected to the Third Division, joined by new member Poynton and relegated Stockport Georgians and Bramhall. Heywood GSOB and Offerton joined the Second Division as did Monton Amateurs and Aldermere relegated from the First Division, which welcomed West Didsbury and Old Standians as promoted clubs. 

 

Shortage of referees had always been a problem to the League and an approach was made to the FA for the League to be classed as a ‘feeder league’ for the guaranteed enrolment of referees. Unfortunately, the application was turned down and the League was left with the annual problem of recruiting sufficient referees to cover the increasing number of games arising from the League membership of one hundred teams. M. Flanagan from Rusholme had been selected to play for Lancashire FA against Durham FA.

 

Whilst substitution of injured players is taken for granted in the modern game prior to their introduction many matches had been subject to a lottery with teams being reduced to ten men or less. The League tried to introduce substitutes in all cup semi-finals and finals in the season, but their request was refused by the Lancashire FA.

 

Steve Heighway from the Bramhall club was selected to play against the Rochdale Sunday School League and soon after signed for Liverpool FC and served the club and professional ranks with distinction throughout the 1970s winning many honours and after retirement staying with the club in a coaching capacity. The Bramhall club had also recruited the services of League representative and captain John North from East Chorlton.

 

East Chorlton were drawn against Chadderton in the First Qualifying Round of the English FA Amateur Cup and after a replay moved onto the next round. Both games were played at Chorlton as Chadderton did not have a suitable ground acceptable to the FA. The next round provided another victory over Dukinfield Town, but their run of success came to an end at Linotype in the Third Round.

 

There were no dominant clubs taking the honours in the 1966-67 season. Monton Amateurs had the best record in lifting the Aggregate Trophy with their First XI finishing as runners-up in Second Division, their Second XI winning the Reserve Division ‘B’ and Third XI were runners-up in the Hellawell Shield, which was won by East Chorlton, who were runners-up to Bradford Parish in the Reserves Subsidiary Cup Final, renewing old rivalries between the two clubs.

 

North Withington retained the First Division championship with their third title win in successive seasons. In addition, they beat Cheadle Hulme in the Whitehead Cup Final and finished runners-up to Old Stoconians in the Third XIs Division.

 

South Manchester lifted the Second Division following a Play-off with Monton Amateurs and Egerton Park Old Boys the Third Division as well as the Reserve Division ‘C’ added to which came the Stockport FA Senior cup making a memorable season for a club which had been members of the League for only one season.

 

East Chorlton added the Reserve Division ‘A’ to their other success. Davyhulme Hartford, a member of the Second Division beat Adswood Amateurs in the Rhodes Cup Final. 

 

Charles Hughes, the England amateur team manager was the guest of honour at the League Presentation Dinner, and he confirmed he was preparing an England team for the 1968 Olympics.

 

1967-68 SEASON

 

Norman Costin was elected President in recognition of his long association with Old Stretfordians both in a playing and administrative capacity. He represented the League and received Lancashire FA recognition and his connections with the Committee were to continue for a further twenty-three years.

 

The Management Committee was subject to change due to A. Waddington’s move to Yorkshire. H.R. Croft took over the position of Vice-Chairman with F.C. Prescott becoming Rules and Regulations Secretary.

 

Manchester Public Health and Prestwich Margaretians were re-elected and an application from Grove United was defeated at the AGM in favour of the existing clubs. Prestwich changed their name to Prestwich Amateurs and Newall Green Amateurs were expelled from the League but later re-instated under the name of Sale Amateurs, which club resigned during the season. The Third XIs Division was proving popular and had eighteen members including two teams from Old Stopfordians.

 

Whilst the referee shortage continued the Lancashire FA gave the League ‘Feeder status’ for First Division games only and they and Cheshire FA supplied five referees to the League. During the season the Lancashire FA convened a meeting of member leagues and referee representatives to discuss the referee shortage, and it was decided that each region would form a committee to tackle the problem and hopefully find a solution.

 

The League and the LAL provided a combined team to play the Lancashire FA in a trial game early in the season and as a result, T. Thompson of Moss Side Amateurs represented the county with G. Doyle of Old Stretfordians as reserve. Representative games against school teams were continuing with Ashton Grammar School the latest to request a fixture.

 

The death of the League auditor A.L. Edwards was recorded by Committee and this brought to an end a long association between the League and the Edwards family which started in 1911 through Old Trafford St John's.

 

North Withington with ten years membership of the League celebrated in fine style by winning the Lancashire FA Amateur Cup to add to the six trophies which had been won over this period. The Final was a close-run affair with Hathershaw School Old Boys, the winning goal by Al Martin coming ten minutes from time, when extra-time seemed inevitable. On their way to the Final North beat East Chorlton, winners five years previously, who were experiencing a downturn in their fortunes in outside cup competitions losing out in the FA Amateur Cup, Manchester FA Junior Cup and Lancashire FA Amateur Cup all in the First Round. Whilst North Withington were runners-up in the First Division and in the Third XIs Division, East Chorlton had a more successful domestic season winning the Rhodes Cup for the eighth time, the Reserve ‘A’ Division for the third successive season and the Reserves Subsidiary Cup.

 

Bramhall secured the Aggregate Trophy for the first time in fifty-four years through the combined efforts of their First XI winning the Third Division championship and their Second XI the Reserve Division ‘C’.

 

Rusholme enjoyed a successful season winning the First Division title and Whitehead Cup thanks to a final ‘hat-trick’ from Brian Donaldson, who scored fifty-three goals in the season. Heywood GSOB won the Second Division, Royton Amateurs the Reserve Division ‘B’ and Old Stoconians retained the Third XIs Division. Old Standians completed the honours winning the Hellawell Shield from Bramhall.

 

1968-69 SEASON

 

W. Wray was elected President in recognition of his long service to football and the League which commenced in 1933. The Management Committee saw the resignation of J. Kelly and his replacement by R. Leech a capable administrator with first class refereeing experience.

 

Applications were received and accepted from Alderley St Phillips and Birch Vale and Thornsett both clubs occupying places in the Third Division and were joined by Styal and East Didsbury the relegated clubs from the Second Division.

 

Stockport Georgians and Manchester Public Health being the bottom two clubs in the Third Division duly applied for re-election and the latter failed in their application ending their eleven-year membership of the League. Bramhall and Poynton were promoted to the Second Division, to which Bradford Parish and South Manchester were relegated from the First Division, to which in turn Heywood GSOB and Old Urmstonians were promoted. The Third XIs Division had eighteen members with Old Stretfordians and Old Stopfordians fielding two teams each.

 

Following the experiment of allowing one substitute player in all League cup competitions in the previous season, it was approved at the AGM that this rule would apply to all games in the new season.

 

East Chorlton was joined by Wythenshawe Amateurs in the English FA Amateur Cup with both teams progressing to the Second Qualifying Round, when East Chorlton was the only survivor. This run came to an end in the Third Qualifying Round when East went out in extra-time to Blackpool Mechanics.

 

Geoff Doyle of Old Stretfordians strengthened his chances of selection for the Lancashire FA following a hat-trick in the trial game between an FA XI and a combined LAL/League team. This was not to be as J. Parkinson of North Withington was the only member of the squad selected as reserve.

 

The last sixteen of the Lancashire FA Amateur Cup included past winners North Withington, East Chorlton and Rusholme together with Moss Side, West Didsbury and Royton Amateurs. Moss Side and Royton Amateurs were the only clubs to survive and move into the Quarter Final, with Moss Side Amateurs making it through to the Fnal, only to lose.

 

The season belonged to North Withington, who won the Aggregate Trophy, First Division title, Rhodes Cup and Hellawell Shield together with runners-up in the Reserve Division ‘A’. Royton Amateurs won the Second Division championship for the second time, the first being in 1938.

 

Old Traffordians won their first trophy by finishing top of the Third Division and runners-up in the Reserve Division ‘C’ helping them to become joint runners-up in the Aggregate Trophy with Bramhall, who won the Reserve Division ‘B’.

 

East Chorlton’s Second XI won their third successive Reserve Division ‘A’ title. Birch Vale and Thornsett’s Second XI won the Reserve Division ‘C’ in their first year of membership. Old Stretfordians retained the Third XIs Division and were losing Hellawell Shield finalists.

 

Monton Amateurs defeated Moss Side to take the Whitehead Cup and finished runners-up in the First Division. The Reserve Subsidiary Cup became the property of Davyhulme Hartford.