Number 23 March 27 2017
Wigan
Athletic; their finest hour
Wigan has always been recognised as a Rugby League town and
the Latics, founded in 1932 were the fifth attempt to establish a strong
football team in the town. From 1921 to 1986, the bottom 4 clubs in the
Football League had to seek re-election in a vote off against successful and
well-resourced non-league clubs. During those 59 seasons, only 13 league clubs
failed to be re-elected as the Football League came to be regarded as a closed
shop; Hartlepool United successfully
re-applying 14 times for example. Since 1987, there has been automatic promotion
but Wigan made 33 attempts to join the League, once bizarrely applying to join
the Scottish League, such was the frustration in the non-league game at that
time. Wigan Athletic was an
extremely strong non-league outfit, winning the Cheshire League and the
Lancashire Combination 4 times each before twice being Northern Premier League
Champions. There was no Conference at that time but in 1978, promotion to the
Football League finally beckoned, replacing close neighbours Southport. Progress was steady as they
inexorably climbed the leagues, winning promotion to the Premier League in
2005. They never achieved a top ten finish but held their own with the Premier
League big boys and by the start of the 2012-13 season, Roberto Martinez had
been manager for 3 years. The club struggled in the league but was on a roll
in the cup, winning 4-1 at Huddersfield in the 5th Round, 3-0 at Everton in the
last 8 and defeating Millwall at Wembley by a 2-0 margin in the semi-final. The
FA Cup Final appeared to be a lost cause, drawn against the reigning Premier League
champions Manchester City. They
boasted world class players in Tevez, Aguero, Silva, Toure, Nasri, Kompany and
Hart. Possession was generally shared throughout the match but City were slipshod,
most of the exciting football being played by Wigan for whom winger Callum
McManaman was outstanding. With 6 minutes to play, full back Zabaleta was
dismissed and Wigan piled on the pressure as injury time loomed. Shaun Maloney
sent over a corner and Ben Watson’s head did the rest. Wigan fans were ecstatic
as Emerson Boyce received the trophy, but the sky-blues slumped away, their trophy
cabinet empty and manager Roberto Mancini was sacked. The Wigan club was unable to extricate
itself from the relegation mire, finishing 18th and setting an
unwanted record. They were the first team to be relegated after winning the FA
Cup and the team broke up with manager Martinez moving to Everton, taking with him Robles, Kone and McCarthy. The season ended on a
bitter-sweet note but it was definitely Wigan Athletic’s finest hour.
Why do you support the team that you support?
Being born and bred in Darwen, I suppose it was inevitable
that I supported Blackburn Rovers.
The first games I saw as a 7 year old were at Darwen FC; my parents considered me too small to go to Ewood Park,
but my father and assorted relatives were all Roverites. My first game was on
Good Friday 1954; the Rovers comfortably defeated Leicester City 3-0. I was
hooked and for better, and often for worse, I still have a season ticket. There
have been times when I have been unable to see many games. Playing regularly,
studying in Leeds, being heavily involved in organising schoolboy football and
living in France for 7 years are quite formidable obstacles to the cause and I
did scout for Burnley for 7 years
which stirred up all sorts of emotional turmoil in my head and heart. But
wherever I have been in the world, my Saturday evening enjoyment has always been
dictated by the Rovers’ score. My mother knew the result by looking at my face
when as a schoolboy, I would walk through the door about 5.30 on a Saturday
tea-time. Fifty plus years on, my wife reads it from my body language. I know
so many of you have similar stories to tell but I am always fascinated as to
why a particular person supports a certain team. For many like me it is
obvious. But who would I have supported if I had been born in a large city. Geography
must determine the outcome in London, Manchester and Birmingham, but what about
Liverpool and Dundee where the grounds are side by side. It is religion in
Glasgow, whilst family influence and possibly the mates you hang out with could
be a factor. But who would I support if I lived in Cornwall or the Lake
District? Tragedies can make a difference. The world wide support for Manchester United was fuelled by the
Munich Air Crash. Quite rightly there was sympathy for them and neutrals
were drawn towards the club. Success is also a massive factor. There were many Liverpool supporters around the North
of England in the 70s and 80s and the Old Trafford Reds have gained support in
the 90s and the 1st decade of the new millennium. It is also de
rigeur for a celebrity to support a famous club; Arsenal, Chelsea or United.
They never say that they support Bury
or Morecambe because presumably that is uncool. But is there not a touch of inverted
snobbery in those of us who support the likes of Blackburn? Can it impress
people who may think we are martyrs for the cause? Err…..well perhaps not, but nothing
will ever stop us from keeping the faith because that is what a genuine supporter does.
Tommy Briggs
I was there on the 5th
February 1955 when he scored 7 goals v Bristol Rovers.
Performances of the last week
Fourteen goals in the last 4 away games is certainly promotion form and that is what Bolton Wanderers are closing in on following their 4-2 win at Oxford United in mid-week and a 2-0 win at Shrewsbury at the weekend. Having lost just once in the last 2 months at leaders Sheffield United, the Wanderers are now 6 points clear in 2nd place in League 1. The goals are being shared around with centre-backs Wheater and Beevers contributing, so Bolton’s sojourn in Tier 3 may soon be over after just one year. Rochdale in the same league have been subject to a couple of torrid months following such a bright first half of the season, but they may be making a late run for a Play-Off spot following a comfortable 3-1 win at Chesterfield; extending their unbeaten run to 3 games. Congratulations are also in order to both Bury (0-0 v Fleetwood Town at Gigg Lane) and Oldham Athletic (1-1 at home to Sheffield United); possible relegation candidates but holding the big guns at bay.
In League 2, Blackpool has leapt 2
places to fifth after a less than convincing 2-1 win over Hartlepool United.
They had keeper Dean Lyness to thank for several outstanding saves, but
although an automatic place seems beyond reach, they are now one of the bookies favourite to make the Play-Offs.
Also in League 2, Accrington Stanley
is virtually safe after a last minute free kick from Shay McCartan sailed into
the Grimsby net to give them a 1-1 draw. It was the ex-Burnley trainee’s 7th goal in 10 games in what was his
101st appearance for Stanley.
On the non-league scene, Barrow’s National League Play-Off hopes received a
boost when they won 4-2 at Solihull Moors and Southport hauled themselves off the bottom with a Liam Nolan winner
in their hard fought 1-0 victory over Boreham Wood. The wheels seem to be
simultaneously dropping off the promotion challenges of AFC Fylde, Salford and Chorley as they all lost at Nuneaton (4-1),
at Boston (2-0) and 3-0 at home to Curzon
Ashton respectively in the National League North.
Skelmersdale United’s sorry season hit new depths, crushed at home
10-1 by Ashton United who set a
record away win for the Northern Premier League. Matty Chadwick had a
night to remember, scoring 4 with 4 assists as the Skelmersdale youngsters were
destroyed. Meanwhile Warrington Town’s stubborn
refusal to give up on the chase for a Play-Off spot continued as they won yet
again, this time 1-0 at home to Hednesford Town. In the Northern Premier League 1 North,
there were wins galore for Red Rose County clubs with the highlight being Lancaster City moving clear again at
the top following a comprehensive 3-0 win at Radcliffe Borough. Trafford,
Colne and Clitheroe kept alive their
hopes of a Play-Off spot, the latter having won at then leaders Farsley Celtic
in mid-week. Droylsden, marooned in
mid-table throughout the season, suddenly came alive and knocked 6 past one
time league leaders Ossett Town.
North West Counties Premier leaders
Atherton Collieries stayed in front
following a 3-1 win over neighbours Ashton Athletic, assisted to some extent by Bootle losing 2-1 at home to fellow title
contenders Runcorn Linnets. At the other end of the table, AFC Darwen’s shock 2-0 win at AFC
Liverpool on Friday evening makes it even less likely that Nelson, defeated 2-1 at home by Hanley
Town, will escape the drop. In Division 1,
Charnock Richard savaged Daisy Hill 7-1 away to move into 3rd
place, 9 points behind leaders Litherland
REMYCA (who scraped past lowly Atherton
LR 2-1), but with 4 games in hand.
Games to look forward to this week
Four out of the top 7 in the Premier League clash over the weekend with the Merseyside derby being the highlight. Liverpool are unbeaten against top 6 sides this season but Everton are 7th and on a roll, so which club is going to make be the “April Fool”. This is the 98th fixture at Anfield and the Toffees have won just 23, but it is a game they need to win if they are to gate crash Europe’s biggest party. Jürgen Klopp on the other hand desperately needs a Champions’ League place to prove that Liverpool is progressing under him. It’s a fascinating fixture! Equally important is the Arsenal v Manchester City clash on Sunday. Guardiola was somewhat over the top in his reaction to the Liverpool draw last week; I felt it was 2 points squandered, so a win at the Emirates is vital. Which Arsenal side will turn up and will Wenger still be there are the big questions, but City cannot allow Spurs to lengthen the gap?
There is much uncertainty at both ends of the Championship
and Preston North End is still potentially
one win away from being Play-Off contenders. They are a physically strong side and Paul Gallagher has the skill to
unlock any defence in this league but Saturday’s opponents Nottingham Forest have a new manager. They may benefit therefore
from the Mark Warburton bounce but all PNE fans want to know if Tom Barkhuizen will
score again?
Paul Gallagher
Into his 30s, but
still a class act in the mid-field jungle
Suddenly Uwe Rosler’s Fleetwood
Town are experiencing the less attractive side of the game; namely that you
cannot win them all. They face Swindon Town in the EFL League 1 on Saturday and it
is a game they should win. Bolton
has stolen a march on them in the last few days so the Cod Army will have every
incentive to gain 3 points to put the pressure back on their rivals. A few
miles round the corner on the Fylde coast, Blackpool
will be heading to Luton for what must be their most important game of the
season in League
2. The Bedfordshire side are side by side with the Tangerines in the
Play-Off positions, occupying 5th and 6th places. Blackpool
is unbeaten in their last 9 games and 3 points will be sweet music to the ears
of the fans at this beleaguered club.
Quiz of the Week (Answers at the foot of the Blog)
Each question has a Red Rose County connection
1 Who was the last Burnley player to score at the World Cup Finals, doing so for Northern Ireland in 1982?
2
Who is the Oldham
Athletic goalkeeper and the son of a member of Blackburn’s Premier League
winning side, who has recently been voted into the League 1 team of the year?
3
Which Red Rose
County club playing in the Northern Premier League has a home ground called
Cantilever Park?
4
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has
only played in La Liga for one season; for which team?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Wherever he goes he scores goals
5
He played in the
Premier League for Blackpool, was transferred to Queen’s Park Rangers and is
now at West Bromwich Albion. Who is he?
6
Aiden McGeady, the
Preston loanee from Everton, plays for which national side?
7
He scored the 5th
England goal in their 5-1 thrashing of Germany in 2001 and was bought by Wigan
Athletic in 2006. Who is he?
8
Who was the
Blackburn Rovers winger born in Bolton who was a member of the Premier League
winning side in 1995?
9
Who did Everton sign
from Standard Liege for £15 million in 2008 and sell in 2013, making a cool
£12.5 million on the deals?
10
Leroy Sane started
in midweek against England but which other Red Rose County player came on after
66 minutes for the Germans?
Leroy Sane
Played the full 90 minutes
for Germany v England
Post Weekend Musings
It was sad to see Seamus Coleman stretchered off in Dublin on Friday night. He is one of several outstanding right backs playing in the Premier League at the moment, along with Walker and Valencia (Moses will probably be classed as a wing-back). The double fracture of the Republic of Ireland’s tibia will take rest, recuperation and time but hopefully he will be back for the start of next season. Incidents like this remind us that serious injuries come with the territory. I do not believe that Taylor intended to commit carnage on his opponent’s leg but it was a seriously bad tackle. With the pace of the game being so fast, it is becoming increasingly difficult to time a tackle. A fraction of a second late can sadly cause damage, a sending off and the ruination once more of a very competitive game. We can only hope for no complications and a swift return for the Everton defender.
Seamus Coleman
He has
had an outstanding season in the Premier League
March 31st is the
deadline for clubs to ensure that their grounds will meet the grading criteria
for next season. Rumour has it that several North West Counties Division 1
sides had plenty of work to do after the January inspections and there was the
threat that irrespective of the final league positions, clubs not meeting the
requirements would be relegated. Two clubs from Tier 11 have applied to join,
Wythenshawe Town from South Manchester and North Staffordshire’s Abbey Hulton.
If all clubs pass the “ground test”, Wigan’s Ashton Town and Eccleshall from
South Staffordshire seem almost certain to be relegated.
The London press as well as Sky
Sports and Talk Sport Radio seem undecided between Alli and Kane when
discussing England’s best. They are both outstanding players, in particular the
mid-field player who has the physicality and eye for a goal to complement his
impressive skills set. But what about Adam Lallana? He would surely be
everyone’s first pick in a school yard match because nobody would take the ball
from him. Adept going left or right, with radar vision and Mo Farah stamina,
he dominated during the International week. Perhaps a few more goals would
force even the blinkered southern journalists to sing his praises.
The following Red Rose County
players started games for the 5 Nations of the British Isles in the last week. Burnley:- Keane (England), Hendrick, Ward
(Republic of Ireland). Everton:- Coleman (Republic of Ireland),
Williams (Wales). Liverpool:- Lallana
(England). Manchester City:- Stones,
Sterling (England). Manchester United:-
Smalling (England). Blackburn Rovers:-
Mulgrew (Scotland). Fleetwood Town:- McGlaughlin
(Northern Ireland).
Red Rose County Player of the Week
Michael Keane
Nowadays it is rare for a rookie England player to stay on
the pitch for all 180 minutes of his first 2 international games but this has
happened to Michael Keane. Injuries to Jones and Smalling plus Cahill’s
suspension may have helped the Burnley starlet but his ever so mature
performances against Germany and Lithuania will have pushed him close to the
front of the queue of centre backs hoping to go to Russia for the 2018 World
Cup. The worrying question however is will our “Player of the Week” still be at
Turf Moor at that stage of his career?
Tier 11 Club of the Week
Lower Breck FC
Five seasons ago, Lower Breck was a
pub team. Known as the “Famous Grapes”, it moved up from the legendary “I
Zingari League” and changed its name, linking it to its geographical location.
The Lower Breck area of the city is between Walton and Queens Drive and the
club now play on a 3G pitch at the Walton Sports Centre at the end of
the East Lancs Road or at Lower Breck Playing Fields. Their rise in the last 4
years has been staggering and, currently topping the table, they now have a
chance to win the Liverpool County Premier League. They have a 3 point lead,
but Aigburth Peoples Hall, champions for the last 3 years have 3 games in hand.
The standard of football is high in this league but because the city has such a
shortage of private enclosed grounds, the majority of games are played at
Sports Centres or Playing Fields. Unless clubs like Lower Breck can find a
solution to this problem, promotion which is warranted by level of performance,
will always be blocked by failure to meet ground criteria. With 4 games left to
play, title success is out of their hands and they will have to depend on other
sides beating their Aigburth rivals. Scoring goals however has not been a
problem, averaging 4.6 per game and Lower Breck have certainly made their mark
at this level of football in 2016-17.
Quiz
Answers
1 Billy
Hamilton, 2 Connor Ripley, 3 Warrington Town, 4 Barcelona, 5 Matt Phillips,
6 Republic
of Ireland, 7 Emile Heskey, 8 Jason Wilcox, 9 Marouane Fellaini, 10 Emre Can,
