Number 27 April 24 2017
Red
Rose County players in PFA Divisional Teams of the Year
The
professional players have voted for their best XI in each of the top four divisions.
Our area contains 17.4% of the teams in the 4 leagues so to have only 7.6% (7
players) selected indicates a disappointing Red Rose season. Of the 44 selected,
27 are from clubs currently in the top two positions of their leagues. Bolton is
our only club so well placed, therefore the “poor show” was to be expected. But
where were Ibrahimovic and Silva in the Premier League selection and Connor
Ripley, the Oldham goalkeeper must have come close in League 1? With the impact
that Accrington Stanley’s Shay McCartan has made over the last few months, a place
in the eleven for him would not have come as a surprise although a lack of
Championship players is no shock. Here are those honoured by their peers.
Premier League:- David de Gea (Manchester United), Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Romelu Lukaku (Everton).
There
are no representatives from our three Championship teams.
Division 1:- Mark Beevers and David Wheater (Bolton Wanderers), James Vaughan (Bury).
Division 2:- Kelvin Mellor (Blackpool).
Marc Beevers; one of the reasons why Bolton
have conceded only 36 goals this season
Is
the success of English football slowly killing English football?
These
are strange times for the English national game. In days gone by, England was
the flag bearer for football world-wide. The organisation of the game through
the FA Cup and the Football League was the blue print for the rest of the world.
The national side never lost at home to foreign opposition, leading to the FA
refusing to enter the first three World Cups on the grounds that it was a
second class competition. There were scarcely any non-British players plying
their trade and the stadiums at the top level were packed as working class men
poured in at 3.00 pm on a Saturday, standing throughout the games where gates of 50,000 and
more were not uncommon. It was well publicised, mainly through the back pages
of the newspapers and occasional Pathe News films prior to the main film at the
local cinemas. The footballers were heroes then, but very much working class
heroes. Did not Tom Finney sit upstairs on the bus amongst the spectators when
travelling to home games? There have been massive changes since then of course with
the advent of television, the internet and digital technology plus the
ubiquitous motor car, increased leisure time and far more choices as to where
and how we spend our money; changing society forever. Football has changed with
it, the players now being socially out of reach of the masses and money is swilling
around the game. Some of our leading clubs have as many supporters in random
countries across the globe than at home. Foreign players, coaches and even
owners fight to be employed and involved in English football, the Mecca of the world
game, drawn by the bottomless pit of money that underwrites the Premier League.
English football should be out of sight in the race for honours, but reality
tells a different story. The national
team will qualify for the 2018 World Cup, but hand on heart, how many of us
truly believe that Southgate’s squad will be capable of progressing further
than the last 16. It is a similar tale with our club football as the Premier League,
over indulged by the media, markets itself as the best in the world. In terms
of merchandising and in excitement, there is an obvious case to be put but in
terms of quality and judged by recent results, it is simply untrue. We have known
golden ages in European competition; in the 10 years leading up to 1985 and
from 2005, but in the last 4 years, there has been little to shout about. Our last
Champions’ League winner was Chelsea in 2012, last runner-up Manchester United
the year before. Last semi-finalist was Manchester City in 2016, but only Leicester
City in the last 8 this time around. This is not what we expect from clubs representing
the greatest league on earth. Manchester United is now the World’s richest
club, but the richness of their play does not match their income. None of our
top clubs now employ English coaches and there is an average of 3 Englishmen
starting each Premier League game. This average drops to around 1.5 amongst the
top 6 clubs. Even more worrying is that since August 2016, 336 adult sides in
this country from Tier 11 down to local amateur leagues have folded. When I
started to play in the Blackburn Combination in 1970, it had 5 Saturday afternoon
divisions. Now there are 2, a statistic which is replicated across the country.
Yet the Premier League, bolstered by massive influxes of TV money from across the
globe grows ever stronger, but could it be true to say that the financial
success of English football is slowly killing English football?
The latest on
who is
going up and going down in Tiers 1 to 10
Teams close to going down:- Tier 1 Burnley
(just possibly) 2
Wigan Athletic (almost definitely), Blackburn Rovers (probably).
Teams
Relegated:- Tier 5 Southport, Tier 7 Skelmersdale
United, Tier 8 Burscough, Tier
9
Nelson, Tier 10 Ashton Town.
Teams
Promoted:- Tier
6
AFC Fylde, Tier 8 Lancaster City, Tier 9 Atherton Collieries, Tier 10 Widnes
Teams close to automatic promotion:- Tier 3 Bolton Wanderers (probably), Fleetwood Town (just possibly). Tier 10 Charnock
Richard (most probably), Litherland
REMYCA (just possibly).
Teams
challenging for Champions’ League places:- Tier 1 Manchester
City (possibly), Liverpool (possibly), Manchester United (probably).
Teams in
Play–Offs:- Tier 3 Bolton Wanderers (definitely), Fleetwood Town (definitely), Rochdale (just possibly). Tier 4 Blackpool (possibly), Accrington Stanley (just possibly).
Tier 6
Chorley (possibly), Salford City (possibly). Tier 8 Colne (definitely), Tier 10 Charnock Richard (definitely), City
of Liverpool (definitely), Litherland
REMYCA (definitely).
Since
May 1st 2016, 63 clubs out of the 116 in the country’s 5
professional leagues (53.5%) have changed their managers. The principle reason
for change is the sack, although the phrase “by mutual agreement” is appearing
more and more. Does this mean the same thing? The answer is almost certainly
“yes”. We might have hoped that the Red Rose County, usually more traditional
in its ways, may have contributed somewhat less to this figure, but regrettably
this is not the case. Of the 18 clubs in the 5 Divisions, 11 have made the
change; a percentage of 61. Messrs Dyche and Klopp from the Premier League,
Grayson from the Championship, Hill from Division 1, Bentley and Coleman
from Division
2 and Cox from the National League are the survivors. Hopefully
there can be some stability over the summer, the traditional time for the night
of the long knives, but I am not betting on it. 
The class of 92; will they see Salford City
promoted again?
Performances of the last week
Manchester
United edged their way into the last 4 of the Europa League by beating RSA
Anderlecht 2-1 and then won away at Burnley
2-0 three days later to enhance their prospects of qualifying for next season’s
Champions’ League. Once again in the cup tie, it was a case of how many do you
miss, as United failed to take advantage of numerous chances created; the
exceptions being an early Henrikh Mkhitaryan opener and yet another classy
finish from Marcus Rashford towards the end of extra-time. The opposition for
the Reds in the semi-final will come from Northern Spain’s Celta Vigo,
currently 10th in La Liga. Wayne Rooney scored at Turf Moor, a
collector’s item these days to add to Anthony Martial’s opener but Burnley have
only won once in their last 11 games.
In the Championship, four out of the six
bottom clubs recorded victories, the exceptions being Wigan Athletic and Blackburn
Rovers. Both teams produced goalless draws, the Latics at home to Cardiff
City making their escape from relegation almost impossible. The Rovers drew
away to Wolverhampton Wanderers, a decent result in normal circumstances but
one that now makes it difficult to avoid the drop.
The result of the day was Fleetwood Town’s come from behind 3-2
win at Gillingham to keep them in the race for automatic promotion from League 1,
but Bolton Wanderers retain their 2
point advantage following a 2-0 win at Port Vale. Bury are almost safe after thumping Northampton Town 3-0 with two
from goal machine James Vaughan. Oldham
Athletic and Rochdale fought out
a 1-1 draw in the “EL Flatcapico”, the Dale still hanging on to a possible
Play-Off spot if the final results go their way next Sunday, whilst Oldham are
absolutely safe.
Accrington
Stanley’s 15 game unbeaten run came to an end on a ploughed field at
Newport County, blowing away their Play-Off hopes in League 2. Blackpool however comprehensively despatched Cheltenham 3-0 and 4
points from their remaining 2 games ought to ensure a Play-Off spot.
The champagne corks were popping at
Boston United as AFC Fylde won 3-0
to wrap up the National
League North title, Danny Rowe’s double strike taking him past the
100 goal mark for the Coasters in just 3 seasons. In the race for the Play-Off
spots, Salford City strengthened
their claim by winning 2-1 at lowly Worcester City whilst Chorley twice came from behind to draw 2-2 at Gloucester City.
It was the final league fixtures in
the Northern
Premier League and Marine
signed off with a crazy 5-5 draw against Buxton. In Division 1 North however, Lancaster City scored 5 before
half-time, Jordan Connerton netting another hat-trick en route to a 5-2 win at
Glossop North End. Even more importantly, the win gave them the title and
promotion to the NPL next season. In the fight for the Play-Offs, both Colne and Trafford could only draw, the East Lancashire side battling out a 0-0
score line at home to Droylsden, a
result which squeezed them into the all-important 5th place.
Trafford’s 1-1 draw at Ossett Town meant they missed out by 1 point.
Atherton
Collieries beat Abbey Hey 1-0 to clinch the North West Counties Premier League
and are promoted to the NPL Division 1 North, playing at Tier 8 for the first
time in their history. In Division 1, Widnes have gone from strength to strength and after edging out Charnock Richard 2-1, are now
Champions. Charnock Richard only managed a draw at City of Liverpool but will almost certainly be promoted. Litherland REMYCA and City of Liverpool are secure in the
Play-Offs.
Games to look forward to this week
The game of the week is on Thursday evening; the Premier League
fixture between Manchester City and Manchester United. It has consequences
which may seriously affect next season. City have one opportunity to reach the
Champions’ League, by finishing 4th or above. United have a similar scenario
but with a fall-back position; winning the Europa League. Failure to qualify
will be disastrous for both sets of fans as it will also for Liverpool who visit Watford on Sunday.
The result of each of these games is vital to all of the three Red Rose County clubs.
Only two from three can qualify. Which will be the odd one out?
Jesus Navas; his selection at right
back has not pleased every Sky Blue fan.
The sands of time are ebbing away for Blackburn Rovers as they attempt to remain in the Championship. On
Saturday they play host to Aston Villa, a fixture of great historical
significance. The Rovers won their first home clash against the Villa by a 5-1 score line in 1888 but any victory this Saturday will satisfy the Ewood faithful and enable them to travel to Brentford the following weekend with a hope of staving off relegation to Tier 3 for the first
time since 1979.
The situation in League 1 is simple. The games kick off at
12.00 on Sunday and if Bolton Wanderers draw
against Peterborough at the Macron, they are up. If they fail to do so, a Fleetwood Town victory over Port Vale
will steal their spot. The odds say that the Cod Army will have to go through
the Play-Offs where they may be joined by Rochdale,
providing they can defeat Bradford
City at Spotland and other results go their way.
League 2 spotlight is on Blackpool who travel to meet a Notts County side resurgent under ex-Bolton
star Kevin Nolan. The Tangerines need at least a draw to reach the Play-Offs.
In the National
League North, Chorley (home to FC Halifax Town) and Salford City who play host to Darlington
have tough hurdles to negotiate if they are to feature in the Play-Offs. Both
sides of course are playing clubs with a much stronger fan base and with
Football League traditions, but home advantage may give them the edge. Everything
is settled in the North West Counties Premier League,
but in the North
West Counties League 1, the game at St Helens Town where Charnock
Richard are the visitors, will give the village side an opportunity to bag
automatic promotion; a draw being sufficient to consign Litherland REMYCA to the Play-Offs. In the Manchester Premier League, if Rochdale Sacred Heart beat East Manchester, they will probably be crowned
champions.
Quiz of the Week (Answers at the foot of the Blog)
Each question has a Red Rose County connection
1
Who in 1976 became
the first man to win the Football League Cup as a manager, having previously been
on the winning side as a player?
2
Two clubs have
eliminated Manchester United on 4 occasions from the knock-out stages of the
European Cup/Champions League since 1956. Real Madrid and .......?
3
The career of which Blackburn
Rovers forward never recovered after a near-tragic holiday motor cycle
accident soon after almost making the 2002 England World Cup squad?
4
When promoted in
2009, which town is reputed to be the smallest ever to host a Premier League
club?
5
What is the
nationality of Alberto Moreno, the Liverpool left-back/left wing back?
Alberto Moreno; struggled to keep his place due to outstanding form of James Milner
Alberto Moreno; struggled to keep his place due to outstanding form of James Milner
6
Who captained
Everton from 2007 to 2013 including in the 2009 FA Cup Final?
7
Chris Maxwell the
Preston North End first choice goal keeper was signed from which Red Rose County
club in the summer of 2016?
Chris Maxwell; a future Welsh
international?
8
In 2012, the Bolton
Wanderers player Fabrice Muamba momentarily died on the pitch during a Premier
League game; thankfully recovering. What was the ground?
9
Which Tameside club
which plays at the Butcher’s Arms in the Northern Premier League North, is
nicknamed the “Bloods”?
10
Bury’s fixture with
which club is known as the M66 derby?
Post Weekend Musings
Post Weekend Musings
London had cornered the market in the Premier League and has now completed the double by adding the FA Cup to its list of 2016-17 conquests. Following Chelsea’s defeat of Tottenham Hotspur in the semi-final on Saturday, Arsenal achieved a 2-1 extra-time victory over Manchester City on Sunday, qualifying to meet the West London club in the Wembley final. It will be the first all London final since the same two sides clashed in 2002, but it is the first time ever that the capital has provided both finalists plus the top two in the Premier League/1st Division in the same season. Red Rose County clubs have long been more successful than their southern rivals and have actually performed this outstanding double 5 times since the war, namely 2013, 1995, 1986, 1985 and 1977.
Tim Sherwood, winning Premier League captain in that great Red Rose County season of 1995
Meanwhile in the Cheshire League, Wythenshawe Town from South Manchester
is the only Red Rose County club to have met ground grading criteria for
promotion to the North West Counties Division 1. They are
currently in 2nd position and with a top 5 finish, they will be
promoted. They have however played far more games than at least 4 of their
rivals, each of whom can pass them in the next 3 weeks. Wythenshawe must win
their last 2 games and then pray for a miracle.
In
January of this year, Southport FC
went public with their plans to ensure Football League status by 2019. Since
then they have sacked their manager, been relegated to Tier 6 and now the
Chairman and Vice-Chairman have resigned; the plans for the future no doubt
binned. It is a stark reminder of just how difficult it is to be successful in
non-league football, particularly in a holiday resort like Southport where the
fan base can be transient and where the competition from the two Merseyside
giants must be suffocating in the extreme.
Red Rose County Player of the Week
Marcus Rashford, Manchester
United
Mourinho’s
insistence in playing Ibrahimovic at every opportunity has severely limited the
opportunities for Marcus Rashford to play in his best position. Now with the
Swede injured, the young Mancunian will have that opportunity but the fans need
never have worried. His winner in the
Europa last 8 tie, this time an assured finish with his supposedly weaker left
foot proved that he is both the real deal and the Red Rose County Player of the
Week.Tier 10 Club of the Week
Ashton
Town
Although
Ashton in Makerfield is now part of Wigan Metropolitan Borough, Ashton Town,
founded in 1953, originally played out of town. Having dominated the Warrington
and District League, they were admitted to the Lancashire Combination in 1971.
For the next 15 years they moved between the Cheshire, North West Counties and
Manchester Leagues before finally settling in the North West Counties Football League in 1986 where they have
remained to this day. Unfortunately their status after 31 years is hanging by a
thread as they sit bottom of Division 1 with the prospect of relegation fast becoming
a reality. The club has never been promoted since finally settling at Tier 10,
their best performance being a 6th finish in 2013, a rare excursion
into the top half of the table. They have finished bottom on 3 occasions, but
never been relegated. This season looks different with 2 clubs in waiting for
promotion but in the world of Tier 10 football, the constitution of leagues is
never clear until the end of June. Nonetheless the prospect for the Ashton
Stadium club seem bleak which is a shame because the club has a solid
infrastructure and they are heavily involved in supporting local charities. Their
only chance of escape is if a couple of clubs either fail to pass a ground
grading test or decide to resign from the league; long shots but you never
know.
Quiz
Answers
1
Tony Book, 2 AC Milan, 3 Matt
Jansen, 4 Burnley, 5 Manchester City,
6
Phil Neville, 7 Fleetwood Town, 8 White Hart Lane, 9 Droylsden, 10 Rochdale.
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