1969-70 SEASON

 

W. Wray served a second season as President and J.D. Lambert and N. Costin joined the Management Committee with T. Sumner stepping down.

 

The Diamond Jubilee of the League was celebrated with a dinner at the Grand Hotel in Manchester, at which the Football Association was represented by Denis Follows and special guests were Walter Winterbottom, director of the Sports Council and Charles Hughes, England Amateur team manager.

 

Committee reported that the Dinner had been a great success, and thanks were extended to Messrs. Costin, Croft and Brundrit and recorded in the minutes. Also, part of the celebrations was a game against an FA XI which was played at Stockport County’s ground, which the League lost 3-0.

 

The team was captained by Geoff Doyle from Old Stretfordians and included four players from North Withington. The FA XI included nine players from the north east and the game was watched by the England team manager, Charles Hughes, who as one of the guest speakers at the Dinner, warned the guests of the direction that football was going with the following comments: -

 

“The problems in football go far beyond shamateurism. The danger is the infiltration of men who set the prize above the game. These days it is success at any price and while in the short run I have no doubt these men will have their success, my fear is that in the long run the price will be the game itself. We must do what we can to redress the balance while there is yet time; when the Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur Football League celebrate their centenary, that balance will have been redressed”.

 

In a series of newspaper articles in celebration of the League’s Diamond Jubilee, Matt Swinnerton concluded his articles with the following comment,

 

”the League established itself as long ago as 1909 by planning its future and the policy has not changed. Today it is still planning for its future, the present always looks after itself and its successors will still be carefully chosen. It is no easy path to obtain recognition around the administration table”.

 

It was reported that Manchester FA were considering the formation of a county league and invite top teams from leagues in the Manchester area. As a result, the League and LAL entered into discussions with a view to the formation of a Premier Division consisting of the top six teams from each of the League’s senior divisions. This plan never left the drawing board mainly due to the failure of the county FA in realizing their project.

 

Prestwich Amateurs and Stockport Georgians were re-elected as bottom clubs in the Third Division, though both were warned that they had to improve their results, otherwise they would lose their membership.

 

By October 1969, Prestwich Amateurs had been expelled from the League. Oldham HSOB and South Manchester were relegated from the Second Division with West Didsbury and Cheadle Heath Nomads the relegated teams from the First Division.

 

North Withington and Wythenshawe Amateurs joined East Chorlton in the Qualifying Rounds of the English FA Amateur Cup with Wythenshawe falling at the first hurdle. Later rounds proved too much for the two remaining clubs, both failing to reach the First Round Proper. 

 

West Wythenshawe College had been members of the League for seven years and finally made their mark by winning the Third and Reserve Division ‘C’ championships and added the Aggregate Trophy.

 

Cheadle Heath Nomads ran the College close becoming runners-up following their success in winning the Second and Reserve Division ‘B’ championships. The First Division champions were Monton Amateurs, who last won the title in 1949, and they were runners-up to surprise winners West Didsbury in the Rhodes Cup.

 

Wythenshawe Amateurs’ strong reserve team won the Reserve Division ‘A’ title and the Reserves Subsidiary Cup from Cheadle Heath Nomads. The Third XIs Division was won by Old Stretfordians, who lost out to Cheadle Hulme in the Hellawell Shield Final.

 

The Whitehead Cup went to Bramhall, which was the first knock-out trophy the club had won in fifty-seven year’s membership of the League.

 

1970-71 SEASON

 

Roy Ward was honoured with the Presidency in recognition of his work with the South Manchester club following in the footsteps of his father who was a founder member. Bert Sumner was appointed a Vice-President following his resignation from Committee. All other members retained their positions. R. Leech had been elected to the Manchester FA Council.

 

Committee introduced goal average as a means of determining league divisional placings where there was an equality of points.

 

Alderley St Phillips and Old Stopfordians were re-elected as bottom teams in the Third Division. Old Urmstonians and Adswood Amateurs moved down from the First Division with Aldermere and Poynton being relegated to the Third Division.

 

Following the resignation of Handforth coupled with the vacancy which occurred during the previous season, Moston Brook HSOB and Excise were elected to the Third Division.

 

Hazel Grove experienced their most successful season since joining the League in 1958 by winning the Aggregate Trophy through their Second XI winning the Reserve Division ‘C’ from Poynton and the First XI finishing runners-up to Poynton in the Third Division.

 

The First Division winners were North Withington, who also had further success in the Reserve Division ‘A’ and the Whitehead Cup in overcoming Mantact in the Final. The First XI of Bradford Parish earned promotion back to the First Division by winning the Second Division for the first time in their history and this was the first trophy they had won for five years.

 

Old Urmstonians won the Reserve Division ‘B’ and Bramhall the Third XIs Division together with the Hellawell Shield. The Rhodes Cup went to Moss Side Amateurs, who defeated Royton Amateurs a beaten semi-finalist in the Lancashire FA Amateur Cup.

 

Wythenshawe Amateurs retained the Reserves Subsidiary Cup defeating Old Urmstonians in the Final. Mantact and Moston Brook HSOB as bottom teams in the Third Division were re-elected with Flixton and Cheadle Hulme relegated from the First Division and Davyhulme Hartford and Offerton from the Second Division.

 

1971-72 SEASON

 

Walter Williamson, the League Secretary was Committee’s choice for the Presidency in the new season in recognition of his twenty-two years’ service on Committee. H. Crow was invited to serve on Committee to take over from R. Leech to cover referees’ appointments. Bob was to move onto fixtures.

 

The Third Division had expanded over the years and Committee was able to split the clubs into two divisions of thirteen with five clubs entering four teams.

 

Adswood Amateurs were the winners of the Stockport FA Senior Cup in a game played at Edgeley Park.

 

Old Urmstonians members of the League for forty-three years were a new name on the Aggregate Trophy following their Second XIs retention of the Reserve Division ‘B’ title from West Flixton and their First XIs success in winning the Second Division championship from Flixton.

 

The First Division was won by Bramhall whose name last appeared on this trophy in 1925. Runners-up were North Withington. Oldham HSOB secured their first piece of silverware since joining the League in 1948 by winning the Third Division from East Didsbury.

 

Moss Side Amateurs won the Reserve Division ‘A’ from Monton Amateurs, who were also runners-up in the Aggregate Trophy. Old Stopfordians won the Reserve Division ‘C’ from Mellor with Bramhall taking Division ‘D’ from East Chorlton and Heywood GSOB Division ‘E’ from West Wythenshawe College to complete the new Third XIs divisions.

 

Wythenshawe Amateurs beat Flixton in the Rhodes Cup with Rusholme defeating Adswood Amateurs in the Whitehead Cup. Cheadle Heath Nomads won the Reserves Subsidiary Cup from West Wythenshawe College and East Chorlton overcame West Flixton in the Hellawell Shield Final.

 

1972-73 SEASON

 

The President elect was Tom Johnson of Royton Amateurs a member of the club’s committee on which he served as Secretary for ten years from 1947 and Chairman for many further years. His family had been involved with the club from the early 1920s.

 

There were many changes to the Management Committee following the resignation of the Chairman Walter Wray due to ill health though he stayed on Committee to look after the Inter League games.

 

Walter Williamson moved from Secretary to Chairman and was replaced by Doug Lambert. E.K. Milloy resigned and became a Vice-President. Geoff Doyle from Old Stretfordians and an Inter League player for many years was invited onto Committee. In recognition of Walter Wray’s service to the League the Reserves Subsidiary Cup was renamed the Wray Cup.

 

Moston Brook HSOB and Offerton were re-elected as bottom teams in the Third Division and Wythenshawe Amateurs resigned leaving thirteen teams in the First Division for the forthcoming season. Relegated teams were Old Stretfordians and Rusholme from the First Division with Gatley and Old Traffordians from the Second Division.

 

The advantages of playing annual games between the combined LAL/League team and an LFA XI was questioned by Committee as League players were failing to be selected. The LAL were supportive of the game and this season provided representation for M. Rigg of East Chorlton, who was selected to represent the county.

 

Heywood GSOB had a weekend off so that they could support David Cross playing for Norwich City against Tottenham Hotspur in the Football League Cup Final at Wembley. David had started his career at Heywood, before entering the professional game at Rochdale. He became the second player from the League to play at Wembley following in Steve Highway’s footsteps.

 

Alderley St Philips had their best season since joining the League in 1968 by winning the Aggregate Trophy through their Second XI being champions of the Reserve Division ‘C’ from Aldermere and their First XI finishing runners-up in the Third Division to Birch Vale and Thornsett.

 

Bramhall also had a successful season winning the Rhodes Cup, their Third XI the Hellawell Shield from Old Stretfordians and finishing runners-up to Heywood GSOB in Division ‘D’. They were also runners-up in the Reserve Division ‘A’ to Bradford Parish, who were runners-up in the Whitehead Cup and the Aggregate Trophy.

 

Adswood Amateurs were runners-up in the Second Division and Wray Cup with their main success coming in the Whitehead Cup. Monton Amateurs were the First Division champions from North Withington with Hazel Grove earning promotion by winning the Second Division title.

 

Poynton were the Reserve ‘B’ Division champions with West Wythenshawe College runners-up. West Flixton tasted success for the first time in nine years winning Division ‘E’ from runners-up Old Ashtonians.

 

Moss Side Amateurs were the Wray cup winners and their First XI runners-up in the Rhodes Cup. Cheadle Heath Nomads and West Didsbury were relegated from the First Division with Rusholme and East Didsbury moving from the Second Division giving Rusholme the unenviable record of relegation in successive seasons.

 

1973-74 SEASON

 

The new President was Trevor Brundrit, who had been a member of the East Chorlton club since the war and served as Club Secretary for seventeen years from 1957 joining Committee in 1962.

 

Jack Rogerson’s association with the League was drawing to a close with his resignation as League Treasurer, a position he had held for twenty-three years, though he agreed to continue as Chairman of the selection committee. Denis Brabin from Old Urmstonians was appointed Treasurer.

 

The constitution of the League was subject to major changes with the resignation of Bramhall, after eighty years membership, Flixton and North Withington. In addition, Offerton and Davyhulme Amateurs did not seek re-election leaving Wilmslow Albion and Woodley Athletic to become members of the League. Egerton Park Old Boys disbanded at the start of the season also causing their resignation.

 

These defections promoted urgent debate in Committee on the future development of the League.

 

The questions considered were the strict membership requirements of new clubs, the deterioration in standards of grounds and dressing accommodation of existing members and the need to tighten up on club administration. In addition, the Chairman, in his address to clubs at a meeting prior to the start of the new season, expressed his concern at the increasing success of Sunday football and the attitude of amateur players to watch the professional game on Saturday and play on Sunday. Despite this observation two thousand players registered with the League in the season.

 

Monton Amateurs made the season one to remember with the defeat of St Dominics in the Final of the Lancashire FA Amateur Cup and they added the Aggregate Trophy, retained the First Division championship and their Second XI won the Reserve Division ‘A’ and Wray Cup, beating Bradford Parish in the Final. They were runners-up in the Division ‘D’ championship to Old Stretfordians and again runners-up to Old Standians in the Rhodes Cup which, was the first major honour won by Standians in their fifty-year membership of the League. Standians were also runners-up to Monton in the First Division.

 

Old Stretfordians won the Second Division title from Styal and Mantact escaped from the Third Division after twenty-three year’s membership by winning the divisional title from Aldermere.

 

Mantact were also runners-up to South Manchester in the Whitehead Cup. Aldermere added Division ‘C’ to the Division ‘E’ title and the Hellawell Shield after overcoming Cheadle Hulme and they were also runners-up in the Aggregate Trophy making their season the most successful for twenty years.

 

Old Urmstonians were runners-up in the Reserve Division ‘A’ and Old Stretfordians won the Reserve Division ‘B’ from Poynton. Finally new club Woodley Athletic finished runners-up in the Reserve Division ‘C’.

 

Relegated were Adswood Amateurs and Moss Side Amateurs from the First Division and Old Stoconians with Old Ashtonians from the Second Division.

 

1974-75 SEASON

 

Geoff Wolfenden was elected President in recognition of his work with Old Flixtonians (later to become West Flixton) over many years including a spell of sixteen years as club secretary.

 

Jack Rogerson resigned ending a twenty-eight-year association with Committee. All remaining members continued in office.

 

East Didsbury and Wilmslow Albion were re-elected and Disley became members of the League.

 

Attendances at the Annual Presentation evening were declining and as an experiment an evening at a Stockport night club was arranged for clubs. Whilst this was a financial success it was decided that the main event would continue in its existing format.

 

The League’s finances were subject to scrutiny due to the effects of inflation and decisions were made at the AGM to increase League fees and instigate a programme to reduce costs especially in the areas of handbook printing and Inter League games.

 

In only their second year in the League, Woodley Athletic won the Stockport FA Senior Cup and the Aggregate Trophy following their First XIs success in winning the Third Division from South Manchester and their Second XI the Reserve Division ‘C’ from Old Ashtonians.

 

Monton Amateurs’ four teams collected a good haul of silverware with their First XI retaining the First Division title from Bradford Parish, the Second XI also retaining the Reserve Division ‘A’ from Heywood HSOB, their Third XI the Division ‘D’ from West Wythenshawe College and added to this came the defeat of Cheadle Heath Nomads to win the Rhodes Cup for the first time and defeat also of Old Standians to retain the Wray Cup. Becoming runners-up in the Aggregate Trophy which they won in the previous season was almost seen as a failure.

 

The Second Division champions were Cheadle Hulme from Moss Side Amateurs, the Reserve Division ‘B’ champions were Birch Vale from Poynton, who won the Division ‘D’ from Oldham HSOB. In their sixtieth year, Royton won the Whitehead Cup for the first time from Cheadle Hulme and the Hellawell Shield became the property of Old Stoconians for the first time in their forty-six-year history.

 

1975-76 SEASON

 

Jim Edmondson from Old Stoconians became President for the season in recognition of his long association with the Old Stoconians club stretching back thirty years with the past fifteen as club secretary. Harold Croft left committee after fifteen years’ service and was replaced by last season’s President, Geoff Wolfenden. All other members of committee continued in office.

 

Bob Leech was re-elected to the Manchester FA Council. Unfortunately, Walter Wray was forced to resign from Committee due to ill health bringing to an end thirty years of continuous service on Committee, from which Geoff Doyle also resigned during the season.

 

After an awful season collecting only two points, East Didsbury resigned from the League after fifteen years membership. Old Traffordians were re-elected and East Chorlton relegated from the First Division in which they had been members for twenty-seven years. Styal joined them. Mellor and West Didsbury were relegated from the Second Division.

 

Bluecoat Old Boys was elected to membership of the Third Division.

 

The League’s finances came under the spotlight again and a ‘Grand National’ draw was organised. This proved a financial success with the League benefitting in the sum of £200 and the clubs to the tune of £369.52p.  The night club evening was arranged for a second season and failed to find support with the members.

 

Whilst Adswood Amateurs were the winners of the Stockport FA Senior Cup and Rhodes Cup at Mantact’s expense, they were outgunned by Monton who won the First Division championship for the fourth successive season, the Reserve Division ‘A’ for the third successive year and as a result edged Woodley out of winning the Aggregate Trophy despite Woodley’s success in the Second Division over South Manchester and also the Reserve Division ‘B’ again at South Manchester’s expense. Sympathies went to South Manchester who lost the Second Division title by one point and the Reserve Division ‘B’ on goal average.

 

Old Urmstonians were First Division runners-up as well as losing out to Heywood HSOB in the Wray Cup. Heywood’s Third XI won the Division ‘D’ title from West Wythenshawe College who gained their revenge in the Hellawell Shield Final.

 

Gatley won the Third Division title repeating their feat of 1964 at the expense of Moston Brook HSOB. Division ‘C’ gave Excise their first taste of success with Old Ashtonians finishing runners-up. Division ‘E’ produced an interesting finish with Old Standians ‘B’ becoming champions over their ‘A’ team rivals.

 

The Whitehead Cup saw Aldermere defeat Bradford Parish and Oldham HSOB finished runners-up in Reserve ‘A’ Division. Royton Amateurs and Cheadle Heath Nomads were relegated from the First Division with Aldermere and West Flixton leaving the Second Division.

 

1976-77 SEASON

 

Derek Breeze was elected President for the season in recognition of his service to the Stockport Georgians club including a period of six years as club secretary. B.P. Howarth of Hazel Grove became Press Secretary following Geoff Doyle’s resignation, G. Wolfenden the Representative Games Secretary and Jim Edmondson was selected to take over referees’ appointments duties after serving his year as President. All other members retained their positions. Frank Prescott died during the season. He had served on committee for ten years following long service with Monton Amateurs.

 

Old Urmstonians resigned their membership and Moss Side Amateurs resigned, withdrew their notice and then were expelled by Committee. Wilmslow Albion had been subject to speculation that they were joining with other local teams to form a new club in the area and finally resigned in 1976. The new club proposal did not materialise, and the club withdrew their resignation and applied for re-election after finishing bottom of the Third Division and were duly re-elected, together with Bluecoat Old Boys.

 

The financial state of the League was improving with the help of the ‘Grand National’ draw which again provided the League and clubs with a healthy profit. The night club social evening was tried again but failed to provide an interest with the clubs.

 

Concerns were being expressed that Committee were not focusing on the problems being faced by the League regarding the decline in the quality of football and facilities provided by the member clubs. A discussion paper was presented to the clubs and covered the following headings: -

 

Fall-off in the standard of football and the lack of competition, insufficient fixtures, poor quality of grounds and facilities, insufficient referees and the use of ex-contract players.

 

No definitive answers arose out of the discussions, but solutions became the subject of debate in future committee meetings.

 

Whilst Old Stoconians had only experienced one success in the 1970’s their Second XI won the Reserve Division ‘B’ championship from Poynton and their First XI triumphed in the Stockport FA Senior Cup for the first time and finished runners-up to Gatley in the Second Division. Excise retained the Reserve Division ‘C’ from Stockport Georgians and added the Third Division title from new club Disley and these successes gave them the Aggregate Trophy for the first time.

 

Monton were not to be outdone and continued last season’s success starting with the Aggregate Trophy runners-up spot, followed by their fifth successive First Division title from Hazel Grove and their fourth successive Reserve Division ‘A’ from Adswood Amateurs. They were also runners-up in a new Manchester FA ‘Champions of Champions’ competition.

 

Old Standians won the Division ‘D’ from Wythenshawe College and the Division ‘E’ went to Mantact from Moston Brook. Woodley Athletic added the Rhodes Cup to their impressive trophy collection in their four years of League membership.

 

Adswood Amateurs were runners-up, but their Second XI secured the Wray Cup at the expense of Wythenshawe College, who overcame Heywood HSOB to retain the Hellawell Shield. Heywood was again runners-up to West Didsbury in the Whitehead Cup. Relegation came to Cheadle Hulme and Old Stretfordians from the First Division and Royton Amateurs and Old Stopfordians from the Second Division.

 

1977-78 SEASON

 

After twenty-seven years’ service on the Committee, Walter Williamson retired and was unanimously invited by Committee to become President for the season. Norman Costin accepted the nomination to replace Walter, with Trevor Brundrit becoming his deputy. Derek Breeze joined Committee after completing his presidential year and all other members retained their positions.

 

During the season the death of Walter Wray was recorded and that of Joe Corry, who first played in 1954 with Wythenshawe Amateurs when they joined the League. He was a regular member of the Inter League team and won many honours during his playing career.

 

West Flixton was re-elected and the other bottom club, Rusholme resigned after fifty years membership of the League. During this time, they had won eighteen League trophies and the Lancashire FA Amateur Cup. Their purple patch came in the 1960s when they won thirteen trophies.

 

Styal resigned but committee refused to accept their late application. After the club appealed to the Cheshire FA and Lancashire FA the League stepped down and another club with a fifty-year history left the League. Whaley Bridge was elected to membership.

 

The annual amendment of League rules included two important changes affecting the season and these were the acceptance of a registration by clubs of one ex-contract professional player and the allowance of promotion/relegation between teams in Reserve Divisions ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ irrespective of the relative positions of the club’s First XI. The word ‘Reserve’ was to be omitted from these three divisions in future.

 

Old Ashtonians enjoyed a successful season winning the Aggregate Trophy for the first time in twenty-six years following their First XIs unbeaten league season resulting in their finishing top of the Third Division from Whaley Bridge and their Second XI were runners-up to Aldermere in the Reserve Division ‘C’. Aldermere had further success in the Hellawell Shield defeating Wythenshawe College in the Final.

 

Woodley continued their winning ways since joining the League by retaining the Rhodes Cup at the expense of Old Standians and they just failed by one point to take the First Division championship which went to Adswood Amateurs for the first time in sixteen years membership.

 

Monton Amateurs failed to win any trophies for the first time in six years after their marvellous run. They were runners-up to Old Standians in Reserve Division ‘A’, which club also won the Wray Cup defeating Mantact in the Final giving Old Standians the taste of success. Mantact’s Second XI won the Reserve Division ‘B’ from Excise, who also finished runners-up to Poynton in the Second Division and earned the title of ‘nearly men’ by becoming runners-up in the Aggregate Trophy and the Stockport FA Senior Cup Final.

 

Old Stoconians won the Division ‘D’ title from Poynton and the Whitehead Cup beating Bradford Parish in the Final.

 

1978-79 SEASON

 

Reg Baxter was forced to resign from Committee due to a job transfer and resulted in the appointment of Alan Jones from Old Ashtonians as a replacement. It was reported that Jack Rogerson had died and following discussions with his family agreement was reached that the Second Division trophy be named after him and be suitably engraved. Jim Davy became President.

 

Old Bedians were welcomed back into membership under the new name of Bedians and they were joined by United Manchester Hospitals. Manchester Customs and Excise were accepted but were not released by their league due to a late application. In an effort to increase the number of games in the First Division, Gatley were the only club relegated and Royton Amateurs and Old Stopfordians were re-elected.

 

Adverse weather during the season resulted in the curtailment of all cup competitions, with league games played well into May to help clear the backlog. Adswood Amateurs were the most successful club retaining the First Division championship and winning the Division ‘A’ title for the first time. In addition, they won the Stockport FA Senior Cup for the fourth time and in a close call with Aldermere were runners-up in the Aggregate Trophy. Aldermere’s season was paved with silver as they added the Third Division and Division ‘B’ titles to the Aggregate Trophy.

 

In their first season back in the competition, Bedians won the Division ‘D’ title from Poynton and Old Stretfordians finished ahead of Old Ashtonians in Division ‘E’.

 

In their first season in the First Division, Excise acquitted themselves well in coming second. East Chorlton raised themselves back into the First Division in finishing second in the Second Division.

 

Oldham HSOB were runners-up in Division ‘A’ as were Poynton in Division ‘B’ and Bedians in Division ‘C’. The principal speaker at the Annual Dinner was Steve Heighway of Liverpool FC who had come a long way since his early playing days in the League with Bramhall.