History of the L&C Rep Team
The first games against other leagues were played in the 1912-14 period against the Leeds Amateur and Belfast Alliance Leagues.
The Lancashire Amateur League did not figure until 1921 and that was on Good Friday at the Chorlton-cum-Hardy ground resulting in a 2-2 draw. The League captain on this occasion was J.C.Buckley from Aldermere a team he joined in 1911. He also played in the 1913 game against the Leeds and District League and again in 1914 against the Belfast Alliance. He retired from football in 1922 by which time he had played in 99 games for Aldermere and scored 101 goals.
In season 1921-22 a game against the Irish Alliance in Belfast was arranged for the 22nd April 1922. Unfortunately the game had to be cancelled due to a deteriorating political situation in the Province. Two games were arranged with the Liverpool District League on a home and away basis the first in November 1921 followed by a return the following March, with the Lancashire Amateur League game being played on Boxing Day.
In season 1922-23 two games were played against the Liverpool District League and the Lancashire Amateur League both resulting in defeats.
In 1924 the committee arranged a trial game between players from Lancashire F.A. and Cheshire F.A. affiliated clubs. This decision enabled the committee to make the choice of players for their teams as previously to this game they had relied on recommendations from member clubs. The game was played at the South Manchester ground with the committee having 25 posters and 1,000 handbills printed to advertise the game.
1925 saw the first inter league game for the junior division which played the Stockport Junior League winning 2-1. It was reported that “the game was a thoroughly good one, fast and clean, played in a sporting fashion”. After the game, the teams were entertained by the League for tea and by two committee members to musical items.
Season 1925-26 saw the inter league team play four unbeaten games against the Lancashire Amateur League (twice), Yorkshire Amateurs and the Stockport Junior League. A game with the Lancashire Amateur League was arranged between the “A” Divisions for the first time, which appeared to be out of the League’s grasp at half-time when they found themselves four goals down. However, thanks to the enthusiasm and the splendid efforts of the Bell cousins from Mottram the game finished in a draw. The senior game against the Lancashire Amateur League resulted in a 5-2 victory with a young player from Bradford Parish, Hurst scoring a “hat trick” before half-time. Norman Jones experienced his first representative game. In the game against Yorkshire Amateurs, Hurst scored another “hat trick”, with the team winning 8-3. The average age of the team was quoted as 21 ½ with Jack Rogerson from South Salford making a creditable debut at the age of 18 years, which was to end fifteen years later with twenty five appearances. An inter league trial game was arranged for December 1926 in preparation for the LAL game, which was lost as was the game against Yorkshire Amateurs. The only successful representative team in this season was the “A” Division in defeating the LAL second string. The average age of the team was given as twenty-one and the general opinion of more than one spectator was that the team would give the seniors a good run for their money.
The 1927-28, season saw the LAL achieve a deserved victory by four clear goals. The game was played at South Manchester’s new ground in Burton Road. In 1928 the 2nd Division played a representative game against the Palatine League, selection being restricted to 2nd Division players and resulting in a comprehensive victory by eight goals to two. The final game of the season resulted in victory against the Yorkshire Amateurs X1. A trial match was arranged at Styal in preparation for the annual LAL game but the representative side was comprehensively beaten by the L.A.L. on Boxing Day 1928 by four clear goals. The fourth annual game against Yorkshire Amateurs was played at Harrogate in March 1929, when the team traveled by train in a reserved saloon to Leeds and then by road to the ground. The game ended in a 2-2- draw against a strong side, which had reached the last eight of the Amateur Cup and included two amateur internationals. The first game against the Liverpool Old Boys’ League was arranged in April 1929 for a team to be exclusively selected for players from 2nd Division teams. It was reported that the Old Boys’ League followed the same fundamental rule as the L&C regarding amateur status. The game was lost partly due to being reduced to ten men following an injury to Steel. It was reported that the game was sportingly contested followed by pleasant social fraternizing with solid agreement that the fixture was to become an annual event.
ROLL OF HONOUR
With representative games having been played each season since the League’s inauguration it is interesting to look at the statistics available and show, which clubs supplied most players for the games and which players earned the greatest number of appearances.
Of the clubs still retaining membership of the League, Cheadle Hulme Villa have supplied 51 players, followed by Standians with 46, Old Ashtonians with 45, South Manchester with 44 and Aldermere with 35.
Clubs still involved with other Leagues include, Denton Town supplying 67 players, 54 appearing in the colours of Bradford Parish. They are followed by Monton Amateurs with 52, West Didsbury with 47 and Cheadle Heath Nomads with 46.
Of the clubs no longer in existence, East Chorlton supplied 50 players, followed by Royton Amateurs with 48 and Bramhall with 45. Players who have represented the League in representative games on 10 or more occasions are as follows:-
10 Appearances
A. Brooks, Old Stopfordians, 1990-96
B. Griffiths, East Chorlton, 1955-60
M. Grimsley, United Manchester Hosp, 1979-89
R. Kerfoot, Monton Amateurs, 1966-73
A. Leah, East Chorlton, 1949-56
J. Moran, Old Ashtonians, 2012-16
J. North, East Chorlton, 1959-65
A. Poole, Rusholme, 1958-65
B. Simpson, Heywood Old Boys, 1985-90
A. Smith, United Manchester Hospitals, 1985-90
11 Appearances
B. Cooper, Old Standians, 1965-74
L. Forth, Poynton, 1977-83
D. Pugh, Rusholme, 1965-69
I. Trelfa, Old Ashtonians, 1995-02
12 Appearances
A. Brunt, Wythenshawe Amateurs, 1963-67
R. Green, Moss Side Amateurs, 1968-72
P. White, East Chorlton, 1967-70
13 Appearances
M. Dodd, Birch Vale and Thornsett, 1970-75
A. Douglas, Bradford Parish, 1950-59
M. Prince, Mantact, 1968-81
A. Tunstall, Old Urmstonians, 1948-54
14 Appearances
T. Balloch, South Manchester, 2006-12
A. Fletcher, North Withington, 1964-73
J. Whittaker, Cheadle Heath Nomads, 1947-54
15 Appearances
P. Mayo, Monton Amateurs, 1969-76
M. Rigg, Bramhall/Cheadle H./E. Chorlton, 1967-73
B. Tanner, Hooley Bridge Celtic, 2001-10
E.F. Wilkinson, Old Standians, 1932-48
16 Appearances
T.R. Ellis, Davenport/Old Stopfordians, 1920-39
S. McLean, Heaton Mersey, 1982-96
K. Ware, Manchester Architects/Wythenshawe Amateurs, 1959-70
17 Appearances
J. Corry, Wythenshawe Amateurs, 1955-69
D. Dargie, South Salford, 1928-42
G. Davenport, Bradford Parish, 1953-69
P. Morgan, Woodley Athletic, 1973-80
18 Appearances
D. Berry, Cheadle Heath Nomads, 1946-56
C. Hodson, Aldermere/North Withington, 1958-71
J. Parkinson, North Withington, 1965-71
19 Appearances
H. Cooke, Old Stoconians, 1970-85
D. Hinds, East Chorlton, 1965-72
20 Appearances
R. Bates, Old Ashtonians, 2001-12
D. Bennett, Adswood Amateurs, 1962-72
B. Cheetham, Adswood Amateurs, 1965-83
22 Appearances
G. Doyle, Old Stretfordians, 1962-71
23 Appearances
J. Lane, Monton Amateurs, 1969-78
B. Robinson, Bradford Parish/E. Chorlton, 1949-64
24 Appearances
J. Shurden, Rusholme/East Chorlton, 1951-65
28 Appearances
A. Martin, N. Withington/Adswood Ams, 1964-77
J. Rogerson, South Salford, 1925-42
Season 1929-30 saw the League entertain the LAL and Yorkshire Amateurs at the South Manchester ground and the Liverpool OB League at Styal. The usual trial game prior to the LAL game was played at West Didsbury. The LAL inflicted a defeat on the League, as did the Liverpool OB League. The Yorkshire Amateurs game provided the League with their only success, which was especially well earned against opposition which included three F.A. representatives and Wally Hammond, who was to become the England cricket captain. In addition the Amateurs had recently lost a replay in the English Amateur Cup, victory in which would have given them a place in the semi-finals. The usual trial match was played at the South Manchester ground in preparation for the 1930 Boxing Day game against the LAL which resulted in a 4-2 victory at the YMCA ground which was waterlogged and made movement of the ball most difficult. The League were experiencing difficulty in their selection of players for inter league games, as in some cases players were failing to honour their selection and making no contact concerning their non-appearance on the day. Club secretaries were asked to impress on their players that the League was deserving of loyalty and support. The committee organised an inter-divisional game between the reserve divisions and junior divisions, which were known as the 3rd division and played on the excellent Denton RSOB ground. The result at 5-5 reflected on the high standard of the players selected for the junior division, who were expected to be on the end of a severe beating from their more experienced rivals.
The Boxing Day fixture with the LAL in 1931 was a disaster for the League being on the receiving end of a 6-2 drubbing. Following the success of the previous season’s inter-divisional game a second fixture was played in 1932 and resulted in victory for the seniors. Arrangements were made for a game against new opponents in March, who were the Rochdale and District Sunday School League, founded in 1905-06 with 60 clubs fielding 85 teams every Saturday. The teams in the league were recruited from the Rochdale area and showed the great strength of amateur football in the town. Unfortunately the team, which was experienced and chosen from players in all divisions, was well beaten by their opponents 4-2. The 2nd division team defeated the Liverpool OB League 2-1 at Bramhall.
The 1932-33 season games started well for the League with a victory against their Rochdale rivals and this was followed by a convincing 5-1 defeat of the LAL on Boxing Day. The inter section match between the reserve divisions and the 3rd division resulted in a comprehensive victory by four goals to two for the junior division. Players that showed outstanding ability included Phil Knowles from Cheadle Hulme who was to become such a stalwart in the League for the next fifty years. The junior division entertained the Manchester Central Amateur League in their first inter league game and were beaten 5-3. The 2nd division representative side defeated the Liverpool OB League comfortably by 4-2.
The 1933 season started well for the League team with a comprehensive victory over the Rochdale SS League by six goals, followed with a draw against the LAL in a game played at the Manchester City Police ground on Platt Lane, now the home of the Manchester City club. The Liverpool OB League visited Bramhall for their annual fixture and returned convinced they should have stayed at home following a defeat by seven clear goals.
Season 1934-35 started with a defeat at the hands of the Rochdale SS League by five goals to four and their opponents were praised as being one of the best teams the League had met for some time. The Boxing Day fixture against the LAL produced a hatful of goals for the League winning by six goals to two. Richards of East Chorlton produced a hat-trick on his inter league debut and Eric Wilkinson from Old Standians received rave notices for his goalkeeping display, a position he made his own for many years.
The first representative game of the season in 1935 was against the Rochdale SS League and produced another close encounter with goalkeeper Eric Wilkinson from Old Standians producing a brilliant display helping the League to a one all draw. Despite another sterling performance by Wilkinson the League side suffered defeat at the hands of the LAL by two goals to one. The Rochdale SS League at this time was one of the largest in the country and they held an annual sportsman’s service on the Sunday after the inter league game. The address at the service was read by the secretary of the FA Stanley Rous.
The final game in the season resulted in a win against the Liverpool OB League by three goals to one. The 3rd division played a game against the lower divisions of the Rochdale SS League and lost by two goals.
The 1936-37 inter league season got under way with the game against the Rochdale SS League at the Bradford Parish ground. The game was played in an arctic wind with blinding sleet showers and despite using the adjacent street lights and car headlights the darkness beat these efforts and the game was abandoned at 1-1. The Boxing Day game against the LAL ended in a 3-3 draw after the League team had built up a two goal lead with ten minutes to go. The outstanding players for the League were Rogerson, not for the first time and a 17 year old by the name of Gibson, who was a Manchester Boys player, from Bradford Parish. He was described as showing a cool head, excellent ball control and discreet passer of the ball. The away game against the Liverpool OB League resulted in a comfortable win by four goals to one. The final game of the season resulted in the 3rd division side drawing with the Rochdale SS League.
The annual fixture with the Rochdale SS League always seemed to produce poor weather conditions and there was no exception in 1937-38 when the game was played with snow and ice underfoot. The players adapted to the conditions and produced a thrilling encounter which ended even at three goals a piece. The following Boxing Day game was won by the League team by the odd goal in five with a fine leader’s performance by captain Rogerson, playing in his twelfth year of inter league games. He had fine support from Wilkinson of Old Standians, Baker of Aldermere, Johnson of Bramhall and another promising performance from the young Wilde. The final senior game against the Liverpool OB League at Bramhall ended in a 2-2 draw. The recently introduced 3rd division game against the Rochdale SS League produced an easy victory for the opponents.
The opening encounter in 1938-39 with the Rochdale SS League resulted in a 3-0 victory due to a strong defensive display inspired by Jack Rogerson. The Boxing Day fixture with the LAL was cancelled due to a frost bound pitch and efforts to rearrange the game failed. The weather also put paid to the resumption of games with Yorkshire Amateurs as the game at Leeds fell victim of a waterlogged pitch. The game against the Liverpool OB League away did provide a result for the League winning by three clear goals. The 3rd division representative team played against the “C” and “D” divisions of the Rochdale SS League and in poor conditions lost in a close encounter.
Despite the onset of war the 1939 Boxing Day game against the LAL went ahead and resulted in a 3-3 draw. Members of committee who witnessed the game were drawn to reminisce on past encounters between the Leagues and came up with their perfect League representative team chosen from teams during the 1912 to 1939 period and came up with the following:- Jones (Aldermere), Ellis (Davenport), Schofield (Bradford Parish), Stanway (West Didsbury), Rogerson (South Salford), Smith (Old Trafford SJ), L.Smith Davenport), Dargie (South Salford), Hanson (Bradford Parish), Lowsby (Bramhall), Ibbotson (Bradford Parish).
Games against the Rochdale SS League were arranged between 1940 and 1944 and teams included players from the RAF, RAPC, MUTEC and Manchester University, which clubs fielded teams in the war time games arranged by committee.
A game was played in 1945 against the LAL which the League won by three goals to two, though following the introduction of peace-time football the LAL started the new era with a victory on Boxing Day in 1946.
The League selection committee was experiencing difficulty in deciding on their best XI in view of the loss of so many of their pre-war squad. As a result they arranged a trial game and cancelled the League fixture programme, so that they could look at a full complement of likely players and select the strongest squad for the LAL game.
Back row: Sturgess (Bramhall), Baker (Aldermere), Hopkinson (Royton Amateurs), Richards East Chorlton), Wilkinson (Old Standians)
Second row: Faulkner (Denton RSOB), Stalker (South Salford) Captain, Brady (South Salford), Cunliffe (Stockport Georgians)
Front row: Henson (Cheadle Heath Nomads), Ellis (MEC)
L&C v Rochdale Sunday School League 1935
L&C v Lancashire Amateur League 1949
Back row: E. Wilkinson (League Secretary), Reddish (Monton Amateurs), Lendon (Cheadle Heath Nomads), Naylor (East Chorlton), S.E. Woollam (League Chairman), Tunstall (Old Urmstonians), Redfern (Bradford Parish) Berry (Cheadle Heath Nomads, J. Rogerson (League Treasurer)
Front row: Heywood (Cheadle Heath Nomads), Bate (Bradford Parish, Locke (East Chorlton) captain, R. Blezard (League President), Bell (Withington), Chalmers (Cheadle Heath Nomads
Season 1947-48 saw the return of a full inter league programme starting with the Midland Amateur Alliance new opponents, which game was won 3-2, followed by the LAL, which was lost 2-3, but due to travelling problems the game was played on the 27th December and finally the Liverpool Old Boys League, who were beaten 2-1. There were continuing problems with the LAL concerning the suitability of the use of Boxing Day for the inter league game.
Travelling difficulties were the root cause of the dispute as the League’s ground preference was for the use of facilities in South Manchester and the LAL were looking for grounds in the Bolton area.
The 1948 game was again played on the 27th December and resulted in a no score draw with another draw against the Midland Alliance and a victory over the Liverpool OB League.
The Rochdale SS League was added to the programme in 1949 playing a side from the League’s reserve divisions resulting in a 4-1 victory and the remaining three fixtures against the Midland Alliance, Liverpool OB League and LAL all resulted in victories. The LAL game was played on Boxing Day at the Lad’s Club Federation ground in Chorlton.
It was decided in 1950 that games against schools elevens should be re-introduced and invitations were sent to schools having “old boys” teams in the League.
The 1950 inter league season started with a defeat at the hands of the Midland Alliance followed by victory in the 25th encounter with the LAL on a pitch which was likened to “chilled granite” and in a fog which made it impossible to see from goal to goal. The game against the Liverpool OB League resulted in an easy victory giving the League eleven wins out of thirteen games since the first game between the Leagues in 1931. The final game against the Rochdale SS League resulted in a defeat for the League’s reserve division teams.
Selected players were invited by committee to a dinner a few days before inter league games.
The inter league team were presented with a new challenge in the early part of 1951 by accepting an invitation to a game from Oxford University, who were entertained at the Aldermere ground. The game was lost by three goals to one. The remaining games proved successful with victories against the MAA, LAL and Rochdale SS League and a draw with the Liverpool OB League.
The weather finally caught up with the LAL game in 1952 after threatening so often in the past, as the game was abandoned due to fog. Following a draw against the MAA, wins were recorded against Liverpool and Rochdale. Problems had been brewing for a number of seasons with the LAL over the date of the annual encounter. Boxing Day was deemed to be unsuitable due to travelling for their northern section players and finally in 1953 the fixture was moved to April which seemed to suit our opponents who won rather easily 5-1. Anxious to have a fixture on Boxing Day, Northern Nomads accepted an invitation to play at the Ship Canal ground and the League won by two clear goals. Further victories were secured against the MAA and Liverpool OB League though defeats came at the hands of Rochdale SS League and new opponents, the Wilmslow and District League, who played the 3rd division side.
There was a record number of seven inter league games arranged in the 1954-55 season. Doug Berry of Cheadle Heath Nomads, a regular with Cheshire FA played his twelfth game for the League against Northern Nomads, who provided the Boxing Day opposition at Stalybridge Celtic’s ground. Eddie Joyce a League representative pre-war and now with East Chorlton returned to inter league action with four goals in the win against Northern Nomads and another two against the MAA. Further victories followed against the LAL, Liverpool OB League and the Wilmslow & District League. A draw was achieved against the Rochdale SS League and the only blemish on the season’s record was at the hands of Loughborough College who were 4-2 winners.
Whilst the number of games in season 1955-56 reduced to five the results were better than the last season as victories were secured against the MAA, Northern Nomads, again the Boxing Day fixture and the Rochdale SS League, with draws against the LAL and Liverpool OB League.
1956-57 did not turn out to be a successful season with defeats at the hands of the LAL and Rochdale SS League and draws against the Midland Alliance and Liverpool OB League.
In 1957-58, the games started well with a victory by five goals against the MAA, who had just beaten Cambridge University. The League team had five players making their debut in representative games. The remaining games against the Liverpool OB League and Rochdale SS League resulted in victories giving the League an impressive thirteen to three goals difference. The LAL game did not take place due to the ongoing differences on an agreed date other than Boxing Day.
The LAL game in 1958-59 was played in April and the date obviously did not suit the League as they were on the end of a 6-3 thrashing. The remaining games did not go according to plan with only one victory against a new opponent, Leeds University with a following draw against the MAA and further losses at Liverpool and Rochdale.
1959-60 was an improvement for the League team with wins against the MAA, LAL and Rochdale SS leaving the Liverpool OB League standing in the way of a clean sweep.
Such form deserted the team in 1960-61 as defeats were inflicted by the LAL, Liverpool OB League and Rochdale SS League with the only glimmer of hope coming in the MAA game which resulted in a draw.
A communication was received from Sir Stanley Rous at the FA in 1961 asking for recommendations of suitable players for international or representative honours. It was agreed a member of their Amateur selection committee would attend our game against the MAA. The member turned out to be Norman Creek, the England Amateur team manager, who was quoted as saying he was impressed by the standard of the League team and in particular their second half performance when they scored five goals to overwhelm the MAA by six clear goals. A further victory was secured against the LAL with draws against the Liverpool OB League and Rochdale SS League. The scoring brilliance of Bill Tynan of East Chorlton and John Worth of Rusholme came to prominence against the MAA in 1962 when the League won easily by eight goals to three with Worth claiming three goals and Tynan five. The 2nd division team were not to be outdone by their seniors, as the Liverpool OB League were on the receiving end of a nine-goal drubbing, with Saxon Riley from Styal maintaining his League form, which included ten goals in two Cheshire Senior cup games, with five goals. Further wins were recorded against the LAL and an FA Colts X1 managed by Norman Creek.
The 1963-64 season started an association with the South Yorkshire League which still exists to this present day. The first game resulted in a 4-2 victory and set the standard for the other games which resulted in a win against the Rochdale SS League and draws with the MAA, LAL and the Liverpool OB League. Clubs started expressing concern at the loss of key players to the inter league side resulting in playing weakened sides in League competitions. Committee considered the views expressed to them, but member clubs at the AGM voted against a proposal to allow clubs to cancel games where they had players engaged in representative games.
The South Yorkshire League spoilt a potential clean sweep in the 1964-65 inter league programme by recording a victory in the second game between the two leagues. All other games resulted in victories with the LAL beaten by six goals to one and the Liverpool OB League by seven goals to two. Charles Hughes the new, England amateur team manager was a spectator at the South Yorkshire game.
It was the turn of the Liverpool OB League to spoil the 1965-66 season after victories against the South Yorkshire league, MAA, Rochdale SS League and the LAL by defeating the League team 3-1. The LAL game was played midweek in May and watched by a handful of spectators, a far cry from the Boxing Day games watched by a thousand supporters.
The Liverpool OB League again spoilt the party in 1966-67 season by holding the League team to a draw otherwise there would have been a clean sweep of victories as all the remaining games finished in the League’s favour. There was a welcome return to Boxing Day for the LAL fixture which was played at Whalley Range in front of a large crowd. The past two seasons had been most successful with eight wins, one draw and one defeat, during which time only twenty-six players were used with skipper Joe Corry being an ever present and Geoff Doyle, Ken Ware, George Davenport and Tony Brunt missing only one game.
The winning run was maintained during the 1967-68 season with victories over the five leagues finishing with an impressive twenty-five goals scored against only six conceded. The most comprehensive win came against the MAA with a 9-0 scoreline.
1968-69 provided much of the same with wins against the MAA and Rochdale SS League and a draw against the Liverpool OB League. The game against the South Yorkshire League was postponed. The League enjoyed their fifth successive win over the LAL.
The Diamond Jubilee season, 1969-70 provided a programme of seven games plus the combined LAL/L&C fixture against the LFA select X1. In addition to the loss against an FA X1 the LAL stopped the League’s successful run against them. Apart from a draw with the Liverpool OB League, victories were secured against the South Yorkshire League, MAA, Rochdale SS League and a Lancashire Schools X1. Al Martin from North Withington scored four goals against the MAA making a total of twenty goals he had scored in fifteen representative games played since his debut in 1965.
The following season also ended with an inter league programme of seven games with one draw against the LAL and victories in all remaining games including new opponents the Eccles and District Amateur League. The goals scored created a record at thirty-one. The trial game with the LAL against the Lancashire FA continued, making the whole programme exhaustive for committee and players. It was decided to play the MAA and South Yorkshire League in alternate seasons and review the new fixture with the Eccles League in the future.
The 1971-72 programme extended to six games with victories against the South Yorkshire League, MAA and Liverpool OB League with defeats at the hands of the LAL, Rochdale SS and Eccles and District Leagues. Al Martin was again prominent with five goals in two games.
The LAL again spoilt the representative team’s efforts in 1972-73 inflicting their only defeat. Victories were recorded against four other opponents, with no game against the MAA.
The only disappointment in the 1973-74 results was the draw with the Eccles and District League following victories against the MAA, LAL, Liverpool OB League and Rochdale SS League. After discussion in Committee it was decided to withdraw from the trial game with the Lancashire FA as the general feeling was that there was no material benefit to players in the League.
The games in 1974-75 were reduced to four with the MAA taken out in rotation, no game arranged with the Eccles League and apart from losing to the LAL all other games resulted in victories.
The Eccles and District League were included in the 1975-76 fixtures the game resulting in a win as did the LAL encounter. Draws were recorded against the MAA and Liverpool OB League with the Rochdale SS League registering a win.
The LAL game in 1976-77 was postponed resulting in an unbeaten season with draws against the Eccles and Liverpool Leagues and wins against Rochdale and South Yorkshire.
The 1977-78 season produced a mixed bag of results with two wins and three defeats against the Liverpool and Eccles Leagues and the LAL by the amazing score of 4-7. Victories were recorded against Rochdale and the MAA.
Four games and only one goal difference in all four was the unlikely result of the 1978-79 season’s games. Obviously close encounters with the only defeat for the first time in fourteen years at the hands of the South Yorkshire League.
The 1979-80 season proved to be the worst for many years with only two victories out of five against the MAA and Rochdale SS League.
The following season showed a vast improvement with the only defeat coming from the LAL.
1981-82 showed a further improvement with wins against Eccles, Liverpool and Rochdale Leagues, a defeat against the MAA and the LAL game was postponed.
The 1980’s were not proving to be too successful for the League team as three defeats were suffered in the 1982-83 season with the only win registered against the Eccles League and a draw against Rochdale. This state of affairs saw some improvement in the following season with wins against the MAA, Liverpool and Rochdale with the only loss coming at the hands of the LAL.
The lack of consistency by the League side was demonstrated again in 1984-85 with wins against the Eccles and Liverpool Leagues and losses against the LAL and Rochdale SS League. The fixture against the Eccles league was played under floodlights at the Manchester City Platt Lane complex in 1986 and committee came to the conclusion that this was not the preferred way of playing inter league matches. In addition problems were arising in team selection for the Boxing Day fixture with the LAL as players had other commitments over the holiday period and were refusing to play.
Whilst the Eccles game provided a positive result the remaining three games in the 1985-86, season were lost adding to the disappointing run of results during the 1980’s.
In 1986 a trial game was arranged under floodlights on the Platt Lane synthetic surface in an effort to arrest the slide in our fortunes. The season produced a mixed bag of results with a win against the South Yorkshire League, a draw against the LAL and defeat at the hands of the Rochdale Amateur Alliance (change of name).
New opponents were introduced in 1987-88 though the League team continued their poor run of form losing to the Stockport League. Another loss was suffered at the hands of the LAL leaving a victory against the Liverpool OB league and a draw with the Eccles league as a form of compensation.
Back row: Norburn (West Didsbury), Mountaine (Heywood Old Boys), B. Simpson (Heywood Old Boys), P. Leadbetter (Disley), E. Jundi (West Didsbury), D. Branch (Bedians)
Front row: M. Rahman (Mellor), K. Trotman (Manchester Royal), P. Lutkevitch (Heywood Old Boys), A. Smith (Manchester Royal), Captain, S. Hambleton (Disley), P. McMahon (Manchester Royal)
L&C v Lancashire Amateur League 1988
Back row: Geoff Garnett, Williams, Holgate, McMahon, Platt, Merrick, Atkinson, Halliwell, Cordwell
Front row: Potter, Leadbetter, Arden, Rattief, Gordon, Nash, Scott, Connor
L&C v Lancashire Amateur League 1992
1988-89 saw no improvement with the only success against the Eccles League, a draw against the Rochdale Alliance and defeats to the LAL and South Yorkshire Leagues.
The end of the decade brought a slight improvement with wins against the Eccles and Rochdale Leagues and defeats to the LAL and Liverpool OB League in the 1989-90 season. In the Eccles game there was the usual spate of late withdrawals from the team leaving selectors with no goalkeeping substitute. Frantic telephone calls produced a response from the Hooley Bridge secretary, who offered his goalkeeping services to the League after 670 club appearances. The offer was duly accepted, and Terry Lutteral was presented with a League representative badge.
A new decade and a new start for the inter league teams with three victories over the Eccles and South Yorkshire League and the LAL, which was the first for some time. Following agreement between the two Leagues the LAL game was played under floodlights in February and brought to an end the Boxing Day tradition. The only defeat came at the hands of the Rochdale Alliance. 1991-92 didn’t turn out as hoped with three draws and a defeat to the LAL.
1992-93 was another mixed bag with two wins, a draw and defeat followed by a season where the weather won with two games cancelled and a win against Liverpool and defeat to Stockport.
The 1994-95 season provided a glimmer of hope with a win over the LAL and South Yorkshire and defeat to Stockport again and the weather won against Rochdale.
The 1995-96 season of games provided the League teams with what they have been waiting for some time, with two wins against the Stockport League and the LAL by a 6-2 scoreline and draws with the Liverpool and Rochdale Leagues.
The weather played a part in the following season with only two games played, one victory against the South Yorkshire League and one defeat against the LAL.
The President, Geoff Smith felt so strongly about the number of selected players failing to show for the LAL game he made reference to this lack of interest by players in representing their League.
He asked the question, “What is the point? I would ask that we take this on board and reflect on whether we want our League to maintain its traditions and be one in which we are proud to serve in whatever capacity.”
This problem highlighted by Geoff had been plaguing selectors for years and regrettably since these remarks were made the situation has not improved. County FAs are no longer selecting players for the NCAC competitions preferring to appoint a club to supply a team to represent the county. This was a step we would not want our League to follow.
1997-98 was almost a repeat of the previous season with only two games played resulting in a victory against the Liverpool OB League who were celebrating their 75th anniversary and defeat at the hands of the LAL. In the following year the result against the LAL was reversed and a loss was registered against the South Yorkshire League. Both games were played under floodlights which was now the preferred method for the games. In the millennium year the League registered two victories in the games played giving a 100% record for the first time in many years and hopefully was an omen for the new century. The games produced a impressive goals total of eleven to one.
The policy for selection of players in inter league games had always been based on a split between players from the three divisions. The LAL, MAA, South Yorkshire and Eccles League games used players from the First Division. The Liverpool OB League match used players from the Second Division, and the Third Division supplied players for the Rochdale Alliance game. It was decided that selection should now be based on the strongest possible team available from all divisions for all games.
2000-01 drew a blank thanks to the weather and in 2001-02 there were two games against the LAL and Liverpool OB League both ending in draws.
In 2002-03 there was only one game played and that was against the LAL at the Lancashire FA headquarters in Leyland and resulted in a defeat.
There were three games played in 2003-04 with a victory over the South Yorkshire League and draws against the LAL and Liverpool OB League.
In a two-game season 2004-05 proved the most successful for some time with victories over the LAL and South Yorkshire Leagues.
Season 2005-06 saw the appointment of Mark Caldwell from Denton Town and Alec Gill from Hooley Bridge Celtic to manage the representative team. They brought a new style of approach, to which the players responded, and the result was an unbeaten series with a draw against the LAL and wins against the South Yorkshire and Liverpool OB Leagues. This success was maintained in the following season with wins against the LAL and South Yorkshire League, which game was played on the all-weather 3G pitch at Woodley Sports FC.
The League forged links with the Birmingham Amateur Football Alliance, which resulted in the first game in 2007-08, season. Despite an evening trip to Birmingham sufficient players responded to take the inaugural fixture by a healthy 6-0 margin. The remaining games produced a win, draw and defeat.
Following a challenge match against Bedians, who were celebrating their 80th anniversary representative games in the centenary 2008-09 season were played against our old rivals the LAL and South Yorkshire League resulting in a defeat by the LAL and a victory against the South Yorkshire League on penalties the first occasion a representative game had gone to this format.
The reason was to find the first winner of a fine trophy presented by our opponents at the centenary dinner and to be played for annually. Our new friends, the Birmingham Amateur League ran out winners in our second fixture with them. All opponents and League players received a commemorative centenary medal. Alex Gill continued his work with the team and received a medal in appreciation of his input.
The 2009-10 season saw the League enter the F.A. Carling National League System cup resulting in a 1st round victory against our rivals the Birmingham & District AFL followed by a defeat at the hands of the Cambridgeshire County League. It is to be hoped we will experience greater success in this competition in seasons to come. During the season Alex Gill resigned as team manager and his role was taken on by Anthony Vanterpool of South Manchester and Jack Norbury of Govan Athletic.. Under their stewardship the game against the South Yorkshire League was abandoned due to frost with the score 3-1 in our favour and the LAL game resulted in a 0-0 draw.
The 2010-11 season saw the League team playing in the F.A. Carling National League System cup again with an away fixture to the Northern Alliance League at Peterlee, where a close game was finally conceded on penalties after a draw in normal time. Anthony Vanterpool continued as manager of the team and defeats were inflicted by the LAL, South Yorkshire and the Cheshire County League who we were playing for the first time. The Bedians cup played against the Premier Division champions, Whalley Range was won by the League team.
The 2011-12 season stared with the League team entertaining last season’s champions, Whalley Range for the Bedians centenary cup. The champions added their name to the trophy for the first time with a 2-1 victory.
New managers, Rob O’Connor and Nick Woods took control of their first game. Nick Woods was unable to continue his duties which were taken over by Paul Marshall the AFC Oldham 1st XI manager. The League team suffered defeats at the hands of the Stockport Sunday League and the LAL, which fixture was played on the traditional Boxing Day at Bedians and it was decide by both Leagues that the fixture would continue to be played over the Christmas period. The annual fixture is now to be played for the John Howard Trophy, which was presented to the League in recognition of John’s contribution to grass roots football and the League. Success came against the South Yorkshire League on penalties after a final score of 2-2.
The 2012-13 season saw Rob O’Connor and Paul Marshall continue in their roles and the League team defeated Mellor the previous season’s Rhodes cup winners. The game was played at the West Didsbury club under floodlights.
The 2013-14 season started with a defeat for the Inter League team to AFC Oldham for the Bedians Centenary Trophy. However form improved with a victory over the LAL in the Christmas fixture followed by two victories over the Manchester League in the Jeff Walton Memorial Cup with an outstanding final tie in this competition waiting to be played for at the start of the 2014-15 season. The final was played at Warrington Town and against all the odds the League team won the game 3-1 to win the competition. The success continued into the LAL Boxing Day fixture with another victory and this was followed with a 16-1 defeat of the South Yorkshire League at New Year. The new Jeff Walton competition continued with two hard earned draws against the Liverpool County League and West Lancashire League paving the way for a semi-final game against the Cheshire County League which on this occasion we lost by one goal. The League drew the LAL in the FA Inter League Cup and our run of successes came to an end.
The Boxing Day fixture against the LAL coincided with the celebrations commemorating the Christmas peace in the 1st World War. As a mark of respect for the soldiers from both sides in the conflict who engaged on a Christmas Day football match, a collection was made, the proceeds of which went to the Help for Heroes charity and a programme was issued a copy of the appropriate wording is given below.
To-day’s game is of historical significance. Our Leagues first played representative matches 100 years ago. The LAL’s first game was against the South East Lancashire League in 1913 as was the L&C’s in the same year against the Leeds and District League.
Both Leagues have witnessed a changing landscape over the past 100 years, but one aspect has remained a constant and that is the aims and objectives of the founders have been maintained through the continued commitment by a succession of enthusiasts in providing grass roots football for all. Both our Leagues were organising football prior to 1914, but competition was suspended due to war being declared on the 4th August.
The 1914-15, season never saw a game played and competition was suspended until 1919. The FA, Premier League, Football League and British Council declared a “Football Remembers week”, with the aim to engage football fans and players at every level to commemorate the centenary of one of the most iconic moments of the 1st World War-the 1914 Christmas Truce.
On 25th December 1914, soldiers from both sides put down their weapons and crossed into “no man’s land”, to share in an impromptu ceasefire. First-hand accounts from the time include references to football being played and photographs taken.
To-day, 100 years on our two Leagues are taking the opportunity to remember the many players and officials, who gave their lives in the Great War. The Lancashire Football Association made an appeal in 1914, “to the patriotism of all who are interested in the game to support the Nation in the present serious emergency- players and spectators who are physically fit and otherwise able are urged to join the army at once”.
It is known that over 200 recruits from clubs associated with our Leagues enlisted before conscription was introduced. How many players’ lives were lost in the conflict is not known, though the heaviest casualties suffered by one club, understood to be Cranford from Knutsford, losing eight of their team, killed in France.
As a consequence, this highly successful club was unable to re-form after the war and was lost to football forever. Who knows, players associated with our Leagues may have been a party to the Christmas Day Truce. As a mark of respect to the fallen of our Leagues in the Great War, we are to share a minutes silence before to-day’s game.
As a reminder of the horrors of war we are quoting a poem written by one of the war poets, Siegfried Sassoon, titled,
“Aftermath”
Have you forgotten yet?
For the world’s events have rumbled on since those gagged days,
Like traffic checked while at the crossing of city-ways:
And the haunted gap in your mind has filled thoughts that flow
Like clouds in the lit heaven of life; and you’re a man reprieved to go,
Taking your peaceful share of Time, with joy to spare.
But the past is just the same-and War’s a bloody game….
Have you forgotten yet?
Look down, and swear by the slain of the War that you’ll never forget
Do you remember the rats; and the stench
Of corpses rotting in front of the front-line trench
And dawn coming, dirty-white, and chill with a hopeless raid.
Do you ever stop and ask, “Is it all going to happen again?”...
The League entertained the South Yorkshire League on the 2nd January 2016 at Bedians and defied convention by fielding an under 21 team captained by the experienced Jimmy Moran. The decision was hailed a success with a 5-4 win and the team showcased the young talent playing in the League which bodes well for the future of the League. The final game of the season was against the LAL at Cheadle Town, which was a double header for the John Howard Trophy and the 1st round of the NW Inter League Jeff Walton cup. The game finished 2-2 with the League team coming out on top 4-3 in the penalty shoot-out.
The League were drawn against the Liverpool County League in the semi-final of the Jeff Walton cup losing out by 5 goals to one early in the 2016-17. The annual Christmas fixture against the Lancashire Amateur League for the John Howard Trophy was played at the Bolton Lads Club ground in Bolton and created a record following a draw at the end of normal time 3-3 followed by a penalty shoot-out resulting in the taking of 24 penalties with the hosts edging out 8-7 winners.
The 2017-18 LAL fixture was played at the FC United of Manchester ground and again went to penalties resulting in a 5-3 victory to the L&C after a 2-2 normal time result.