James Keeley - Scott White - Brian Davies - Keith Marsden - Mike Yates - Malc Kershaw - Graham Ellis - Ann Evans - John Melia - Geoff Garnett

 

Chairman

Michael YATES: Mobile 07968 162588 Email chairman@landc.org.uk

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I was born in Salford in 1959, but brought up in Stretford, so have been a life-long United fan, where my Dad took me from an early age. My neighbours were Nobby Stiles and Tom Curry’s family, who died at Munich.

 

I went to St Bede’s where my year were county champions twice. After university, I joined Old Gregorians in 1982 and had thirteen fantastic trophy filled seasons in the LAL, eventually dropping to the third team where I was player-manager for three seasons. 
 

In 1995, I joined Old Stretfordians in the L&C and played until I was forty, then became Chairman and we took over the current clubhouse on Flixton Fields and built the club up to five teams. I managed the first team for five seasons and also took the club on three tours to Gibraltar, Antwerp and Newquay. 
 

I was elected L&C President in 2006 and in 2009 left Old Stretfordians to become League Chairman, which I still enjoy and hope to do for many more years .

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Vice Chairman and Welfare Officer

Tim ROEBUCK: Mobile 07930 659750 Email Tim.Roebuck@ets-consulting.co.uk

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 I founded Abacus Media FC in 1997, and played my first football at Manchester Grammar, representing at all year levels, through to 1st XI, in Sixth Form and during this time also playing Sunday League Football in Middleton, representing St Thomas More, Middleton from under 12 through to under 16 level.

 

After playing in the Media 1st and 2nd teams I took on the role of club Chairman, with the involvement of the late John Rees as Club Secretary, gaining the Charter Standard

after being guided by Colin Bridgford, in his early years at Manchester FA

 

We joined the L&C in 2003 but unfortunately, due to Johns’ untimely passing in late 2006, I took on the role as Secretary once again and have continued this ever since, with great assistance from many committee members over the years.

 

I continued to play a role within the 2nd team, usually playing at centre half with the occasional foray up front as a makeshift centre forward when a late equaliser was needed, but in season 2007-08 I suffered a knee injury which would see me in and out of playing, together with regular visits to the doctors surgery and finally towards the end of 2008, I had an MRI Scan, which would reveal a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament.

 

I was honoured to be asked to be L&C League President in 2019, and again in 2021 and joined the LMC in 2020, having followed Harry Jack is Vice-Chair in 2022. 

 

Hon. Treasurer

Philip FAULKNER: Mobile 07957 883165  Email treasurer@landc.org.uk

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I was introduced to participation in local junior football by my middle son back in 1991 when he started playing 11-a side for Richmond Rovers at the tender age of 6.

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As parents do, I became more and more involved being Assistant Manager for his team and ultimately became Chairman of the club for a number of years.

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During this time, my eldest son wanted to be a football referee and as I (as a dad) had taken the whistle on a number of occasions, it was easier to take the course at the same time so in 1996 I became a qualified referee.

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At the closing of the Referee’s Course Keith Marsden came along to introduce the L&C League to us all and I thought – “Why not” and there began my association with the League, refereeing games on most Saturday afternoons.

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Then on Sundays I would referee ladies’ football – well they paid more than the mens’ game !

As my involvement with the League continued to grow I was appointed Assistant Referees Secretary. 

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Then in 2014, my banking background led to me being invited to take over the Treasurer’s role which I have done ever since.

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I have enjoyed every minute of being with the L&C, made some good friends and hope to continue for a while longer yet.

 

Hon. Secretary

Scott WHITE: Mobile 07712 049561 Email secretary@landc.org.uk

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I have been involved in non-league football for nearly thirty years, with clubs and leagues at a number of levels. but primarily with Salford City, Prestwich Heys and Berkhamsted, NWFCL, Manchester League and the Hertfordshire Senior County League in a number of roles.

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I joined the L&C as League Secretary in March 2023 and have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the clubs and their volunteers.

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The League has a long, proud history, and I look forward to helping prepare it for the challenges that lie ahead.

 

Hon. Assistant Secretary

Brian DAVIES: Mobile 07976 471530 Email asstsecretary@landc.org.uk

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I have been Involved with amateur football since the age of 16, playing for the youth team at Old Stoconians, then moving onto other Stockport clubs until at 29 I joined Old Chorltonians, where he continued as a player until 51.

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At Chorlts I was team manager, Treasurer, then Chair until joining the L&C committee in 2007 after a year as Secretary of the league’s FA Respect pilot committee.

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In early 2008 I took over the role of Secretary of the L&C, until standing down in May 2022, but remained on the committee as Assistant to Stephen Howard and now Scott White and served as League President for the 2023-24 season.

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Associated with the League for thirty years, it is my intention to continue to contribute to running the League in the coming seasons, in some capacity on the Committee.

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Alongside the men’s football roles, I also coached and managed Stockport County Ladies teams from when his daughter joined in 1997 for around twelve years.

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I look enjoy touring around the league grounds, meeting team officials, players and match officials. This is something I have always done as League Secretary and is one of the most rewarding parts of the role – getting out and meeting people who are simply there to enjoy the matches and the friendships Saturday afternoon football brings.

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We were among the first leagues in the country to implement Respect, became an FA Charter Standard league, and won a Bronze Award in 2013. It did make a difference back then. It is all of our jobs to keep it in participant’s minds to continue the traditions of this historic football league.

 

Referees Appointments Hon. Secretary

Russell HOYTE: Mobile 07876 688978 Email refsec@landc.org.uk

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This season, sees me complete 40 seasons involvement in grassroots open-age football as a player, coach, manager, club captain club secretary, Fixtures Secretary, FA Disciplinary Officer, Match Official, Referees Secretary, Referee Mentor and Observer, Manchester FA Competitions Working Group (CWG) Officer... I think that's it for now!!!

 

Having been lucky enough (as a number of boys were) to be taken by a group of Teachers, to join our Schools Old Boys Team (Burnage High School Old Boys) back in 1985, I've loved every day of it. This added to the sound grounding.

 

Whether it be travelling to Southport or Lymm, in the Lancashire Amateur League (LAL); within the M60 corridor for games in the Lancashire and Cheshire League (L&C); or across Greater Manchester in the Manchester Football League or Crewe to Merseyside in the Cheshire League (CL) as a Match Official, Saturday afternoons and a few evenings, between August (now sometimes July) and May (now sometimes June) are blocked off for football - my football.

 

There's been highs and the odd low, but I've been fortunate enough to win League and Cup medals, officiate in Cup Finals (League and nationally for the English Schools FA) and had the honour of appointing Officials to League Cup Finals.

 

I owe everything to those teachers - Misters Yardley, Hope, Ward, Watling for inviting me and the others into their breakaway space all those years ago.  Added to the sound club grounding I received and developed me into the grassroots footballing person I am today.

 

There's been the demise of great playing venues that were packed on match day with back-to-back football and now have the numerous, some totally overpriced 3G/4G/5G pitches which have guaranteed (snow permitting) games going ahead throughout the playing day.  

 

The footballing landscape has most certainly changed.  Playing commitment, unfortunately, is not the same.  With the take it or leave it attitude taking over.  Managers now being more about Team than their Club, and not buying into the ethos of supporting the fluidity of player movement.

 

The saturday leagues such as the L&C and LAL, who used to be for clubs with four, five and six teams, are now quite often with one or two at the most.  And the days of post-match hospitality by clubs are a thing of the past.

 

Football has brought me some great memories and lots of friend for life.

When asked which is my favourite game - simple answer, my last and my best experience, a very simple response – will be my next.

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Referee Marks and Referees Reports to be returned to:

Harry JACK: Mobile 07905 583392 Email refsmarks@landc.org.uk

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I played for Hyde St George’s in the Stockport League and Lancashire Amateur League between 1965 and 1979, serving as Secretary in two spells between 1970 and 1973, and 1975-79. A highlight of my playing career was captaining the Stockport League Inter-League team in 1977.

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Towards the end of my playing days, I took up refereeing in the Hyde Sunday League, eventually becomg Class One in 1979.

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I joined the L&C as a referee in 1980, and joined the Committee in 2000, becoming a Life Member, Director and then League President.

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In addition, I was the League Representative to the Stockport and District FA for five years, which later became the North East Cheshire District FA until it was dissolved in May 2024.

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In recognition of thirty-five years, I received a Long Service Award from Lancashire FA in 2007.

 

Discipline Secretary

John MELIA: Mobile 07913 912107 Email discipline@landc.org.uk

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I started my career in the L&C in 1970, playing for the recently formed Moston Brook HSOB, a team comprising mostly ex students and a number of teachers. In my first game I recall we lost 5-2 to a very experienced and successful South Manchester, playing on the ‘mud heap’ that was our home for many years. It was some time before Moston Brook enjoyed any success and we found ourselves, for a number of seasons, languishing at the bottom of Division 3. The team, mostly, stayed together for a number of years and success eventually followed.

 

I stayed with Moston Brook for over 20 years, twice representing the divisional league team, and seeing the club grow to four teams along with introducing a Junior Section. Eventually, time caught up with me, and a logical move was to switch to refereeing, but not before one of my proudest moments when I played in the Moston Brook first team alongside my 15-year-old son. I had qualified with MFA as a referee in the mid 70’s and found the move into refereeing rewarding and enjoyable, progressing relatively quickly to become a class one referee and becoming a regular Premier Division appointee.

 

In 2005 I was delighted to be appointed L&C Referee of the Year and was rewarded with the appointment as Rhodes Cup Final referee, an occasion of great personal pride. I have since gone on to referee the Wray Cup Final twice, the Whitehead Cup Final three times and the Hellawell Shield twice, along with officiating a number of Inter League fixtures.

 

In 1997 I was asked by League Chairman Keith Marsden to take on the role of League President, an appointment which was a source of great pride and a genuine honour. I then allowed Keith to persuade me to join the league committee as Vice Chairman, before taking up the role of Discipline Secretary, a position I held for 5 years before work commitments forced me to stand down. I did, however, maintain my commitment as a referee and continued to enjoy many enjoyable years in the L&C and in 2025 I was recognised for my service to refereeing by Manchester FA with an award for 50 years involvement.

 

Upon retiring from work in 2012, Mike Yates invited me to return to the committee, in my former position as Discipline Secretary, a role I have fulfilled until the present day.

 

League Development and Grounds Secretary

Graham ELLIS: Mobile 07790 567259 Email development@landc.org.uk

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I started playing in the L&C age of 17, first for West Flixton and later moving to Aldermere FC, where I played for almost 20 years until I was 40 years old.

 

During this period also played for various other teams mostly associated with my profession and workplace.

 

In 1995, due to a lack of youth football in my home area, I helped to form Boothstown Lads FC, now Boothstown FC, even though at that time my children were not even playing.
 

I managed several junior and youth teams for the club, including later my son’s team and even became the Club Chair for a few years.

 

During my time as chair I campaigned within the club for a transition of players from our youth teams into open age and Boothstown FC now have adult teams playing in higher leagues including the L&C

 

Whilst managing the youth teams it was apparent that we wouldn’t get a referee every week and I seemed to be the only person that would take it on.  So, for some credibility I decided to do a referees course which was being offered by Lancashire FA and the Wigan Youth League. Strangely, I quite enjoyed inflicting this pain on myself and carried on to become what was then the top level, of Class 1. This eventually became the current Level 5 Senior County Referee.

 

When I retired from playing, It seemed a natural progression to referee in the L&C which I have been doing for almost 30years and still do.

 

I also refereed and acted as assistant referee at higher levels of the football and was appointed by The FA as Assistant in three FA Vase matches.

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Some 25 years ago I was approached to join the L&C Management Committee which I was quite eager to do.

 

Initially, my role was to assist the then Secretary Brian Davies with his workload, but I was eager to also have a role of my own.

 

My career background was in architecture and construction, so it seemed logical for me take on the role of looking at the Grounds and Facilities within the L&C so that we can maintain the league standards, and I still have this role at present.

 

In the future I’d like to increase the standard of the grounds and changing facilities used in the L&C, so that we can provide an improved experience for all our participating players.

 

I also Chair the Development Committee which aims to keep the L&C moving forward in all different areas and maintain our commitment to all participants.

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Match Reports Secretaries

James KEELEY: Mobile 07478 667760 Email matchsheets@landc.org.uk

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My involvement in football began with Refereeing in 2002. As I grew up in America, ‘soccer’ wasn’t such a popular sport, hence when we moved back to the UK, football was somewhat unfamiliar to me. My Dad wanted to get me involved, and somehow talked me into a Referee’s course. I ended up both learning a lot and enjoying it. It seems to surprise people that someone could enjoy Refereeing but it is possible!

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I work in Aviation which has given me the opportunity to move and ref in a lot of different places around the UK.

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When I eventually settled in Manchester (at the third attempt!) I was invited to join the Committee as Matchsheets Secretary which is one of the more minor roles compared to the hard work of some colleagues.

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I also have the honour and responsibility of L&C President for the 2024-25 season. Thinking back across all the Leagues I have been involved with, the L&C is by far the best with the most comprehensive and visible support thanks to the hard work of the Committee and member Clubs.

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Outside of work in no particular order there is football, my dog and a classic car. None seem to favour the weather, but if I can combine all three into a weekend then its good going.

 

Registrations Secretary

Keith MARSDEN: Mobile 07841 573015 Email registrations@landc.org.uk

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I played for Bedians from 1967 until the mid-eighties, mainly in midfield but then (badly) in goal after a cartilage injury.

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I was Club Secretary from 1983-90 and then became Chair of Old Bedians Sports Centre for four years, overseeing the building of the new clubhouse after a fire wrecked the old wooden building.

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My League Committee work started with Fixtures in 1987 for three seasons (all manual in those days, no software help); I was League Vice-Chair from 1995-97 and then Chair until 2010, since when I have mainly been responsible for player registrations.

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I also volunteer for the FA, being involved with both the Leagues Working Group and the Regulations Strategy Group at Manchester FA as well as being a member of the FA’s Northern Region Discipline Team. This means sitting on discipline panels for the various county FA’s around the North of England for Step 5 and below.

 

Fixtures and Results Hon. Secretary

Malcolm KERSHAW: Mobile 07802 191911 Email fixtures@landc.org.uk

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I am now the last man standing at what is now Old Stretfordians Gregorians who attended Stretford Grammar School for Boys. The Club was formed in 1928 to provide football for ex-pupils.

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On leaving the Grammar School at seventeen years old I played, managed briefly and in 1987 became Club Honorary Secretary and still continue in that post to this day.

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In 2011 I retired from BT and was headhunted by Harry Jack, the then L&C Fixture Secretary, to help with fixtures. I took over the post the next season, and a year or two later, I was invited to become an L&C Director.

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I continue in those League posts to this day.

 

Results Secretary

John McGARTLAND: Mobile 07837 042992

 

Press and Publicity Hon. Secretary

Geoff GARNETT: Mobile 07884 254350 Email ggggarnett@aol.com

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I began playing in the L&C in 1969 as a goalkeeper at East Didsbury FC and won the Rhodes Cup in 1960.

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I came to live in Manchester as a teacher in 1968 and taught for four years at Greenfield Boys School in Hyde and just missed out on Harry Jack being one of my students!

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I moved to teach in Manchester in 1962 at Old Moat High School, which became Whalley Range High School for Girls in 1968.

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Also played for the Inter League team and was secretary at East Didsbury for a couple of years before retiring from playing to take up refereeing in the L&C and in higher leagues eg Cheshire League and Lancashire Combination (now North West Counties).

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Also refereed Schools Football including games at Old Trafford, Maine Road, Oldham Athletic, Rochdale, Stockport County and was assistant ref at Wembley and Man United for England Schools games.

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Also at this time was coaching Manchester Boys, which included a trip to Florida in 1978 and success in County and England Schools matches- players included Peter Barnes, Nicky Reid, Paul Power, Alex Williams, Paul Stewart and many others who enjoyed good professional careers.

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I joined the L&C committee in 1985 as press secretary and was President in 1986 and also helped to manage the Inter League teams for several years.

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I retired from teaching in 1989 and got involved with journalism and photography with the MEN and many other publications – thanks to the work I was doing for the L&C and developed that as my new career.

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Plenty of change in the League Structure and rules etc since then but I have worked with some superb committed individuals who have done fantastic jobs in the league.

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Apart from football I also played good level cricket for South West Manchester CC and Ashley CC for 40 years as wicket keeper, batsman and bowler and I am a Life Member at South West and Ashley-where I have also been President for several years.

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I have also been involved in golf for many years at Didsbury GC where I was secretary for seven years and President in 2011-12 and also with the Cheshire Union of Golf Clubs where I am their press secretary and have attended many top events over the years including Open Championships and met up with many top stars, including Mike Yates.

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I have also been the secretary for Manchester Teachers’ Golf Society for about 40 years, which was founded in 1937 and has been active ever since.

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It’s being so busy that keeps you cheerful.

 

Press and Publicity Officer

John TRAIN: Mobile 07845 655156 Email john.william.train@gmail.com

 

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Ann EVANS: Mobile 07789 485969 Email: edi@landc.org.uk

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I was appointed as ED&I Officer in late 2024, having been around football for about eleven years, first as a ‘Football Mum’ then I spent a couple of years as a volunteer with Prestwich Heys AFC (in the North West Counties League), and the last six years as the ‘Secretary’s secretary’.

 

I know quite a bit about the challenges of running an amateur football club, and for the last few years the challenges of running a football league - but this is my first official Committee role. 

 

I first met the L&C Committee in 2022 at a match at Bedians AFC and I felt very welcomed and thought they were a thoroughly good and dedicated bunch with great experience of grass roots football.

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I assisted in an unofficial capacity from 2023 and then decided to take on the ED&I role, since it was vacant and I had some ideas about supporting people from diverse communities and backgrounds and encouraging them to participate in the L&C.

 

There are areas needing attention and I have a few ideas to promote equality, diversity and inclusion issues; including an ED&I Charter, working with other organisations on promoting inclusivity in football and setting up an ED&I working party with volunteers from the Clubs to find out what we should be doing as a league and where people need support.

 

Community Engagement Officer

Vacant

 

Revenue and Grants Officer

Vacant