Red Rose Football Blog Edition 51
October 9th 2017
Red Rose Player of the Week
Nick Powell; Wigan Athletic
He joined the ranks at Gresty Road at the age of 5,
made his first team debut at 16 and scored with a rocket of a volley from
outside Wembley’s penalty area to see the Cheshire side promoted to League 1 in
the following year. As a result, the young Powell was head hunted by Manchester United where he was given a
shirt in the 1st team squad, but he only made 3 Premier League starts
in 4 seasons. He was loaned out to Wigan, Leicester City and Hull City before
the Old Trafford side eventually sold him to the “Latics” in 2016. After an
injury seriously disrupted his last campaign, this attacking midfield player
has enjoyed a thrilling start to 2017-18, spearheading Wigan’s fight to return
to the Championship
and on Saturday, he was the most impressive player on the pitch at Glanford
Park, being sufficiently alert to nip in and score as Wigan Athletic edged past a
strong Scunthorpe United outfit.
This blog deals exclusively with one of the major footballing
strongholds in England; Lancashire, the Red Rose County. This is approximate to
the pre-1974 Lancashire county, stretching from Yorkshire to the coast, from
the South Lakes to the Mersey. It covers the clubs from the Premier League down
to tier 11 which includes the premier divisions of the West Lancs, Manchester
and Liverpool County leagues.
Red Rose Order of Merit (as of October 8 2017), Tiers 1-11e
From the 75,000 plus spectators at the Theatre of Dreams through to the traditional 2 men and a dog watching parks football, there will be spectators at every single game of football on a Saturday afternoon in this area which I believe has always been the home of organised football. Ranking the clubs in order of merit is easy down to Tier 10 because there is only one division per Tier. After that it becomes somewhat random because it is difficult to compare the relative strengths of the 5 leagues at Tier 11. Notwithstanding that, here is my attempt to rank the best 120 sides in the Red Rose County.down to tier 1ounth County leagues.
Team
|
Lge Pos
|
Highest ever Level – Position
– Year
|
Tier
|
League
|
Current Years in league
|
|
1
|
Manchester
City
|
1
|
1 – 1 2014
|
1
|
Premier League
|
16
|
2
|
Manchester
United
|
2
|
1 – 1 2013
|
1
|
Premier League
|
43
|
3
|
Liverpool
|
6
|
1 – 1 1990
|
1
|
Premier League
|
56
|
4
|
Burnley
|
7
|
1 – 1 1960
|
1
|
Premier League
|
2
|
5
|
Everton
|
16
|
1 – 1 1987
|
1
|
Premier League
|
64
|
6
|
Preston
North End
|
6
|
1 – 1 1890
|
2
|
EFL Championship
|
3
|
7
|
Bolton
Wanderers
|
24
|
1 – 3 1925
|
2
|
EFL Championship
|
1
|
8
|
Wigan
Athletic
|
2
|
1 – 10 2006
|
3
|
EFL Division 1
|
1
|
9
|
Blackburn
Rovers
|
7
|
1 – 1 1995
|
3
|
EFL Division 1
|
1
|
10
|
Fleetwood
Town
|
9
|
3 – 4 2017
|
3
|
EFL Division 1
|
4
|
11
|
Blackpool
|
11
|
1 – 2 1956
|
3
|
EFL Division 1
|
1
|
12
|
Rochdale
|
18
|
3 - 2* 1927
|
3
|
EFL Division 1
|
4
|
13
|
Oldham
Athletic
|
19
|
1 – 4 1914
|
3
|
EFL Division 1
|
21
|
14
|
Bury
|
20
|
1 – 4 1926
|
3
|
EFL Division 1
|
3
|
15
|
Accrington
Stanley
|
6
|
4 – 4 2016
|
4
|
EFL Division 2
|
12
|
16
|
Morecambe
|
21
|
4 – 4 2010
|
4
|
EFL Division 2
|
11
|
17
|
AFC Fylde
|
19
|
?
|
5
|
National League
|
1
|
18
|
Barrow
|
20
|
3 - 5 1932
|
5
|
National League
|
3
|
19
|
Salford City
|
2
|
6 – 4 2017
|
6
|
National
League 1 North
|
2
|
20
|
Chorley
|
7
|
5 – 17 1989
|
6
|
National
League 1 North
|
5
|
21
|
Curzon Ashton
|
15
|
6 – 11 2016
|
6
|
National
League 1 North
|
3
|
22
|
Southport
|
16
|
3 - 4* 1939
|
6
|
National
League 1 North
|
1
|
23
|
FC Utd of Manchester
|
20
|
6 – 13 2017
|
6
|
National
League 1 North
|
3
|
24
|
Warrington Town
|
1
|
7 – 10 2017
|
7
|
Northern Premier League
|
2
|
25
|
Ashton United
|
8
|
6 – 21 2005
|
7
|
Northern Premier League
|
13
|
26
|
Lancaster
City
|
9
|
6 – 13 2005
|
7
|
Northern Premier League
|
1
|
27
|
Marine
|
21
|
7 - 1+ 1995
|
7
|
Northern Premier League
|
39
|
28
|
Bamber
Bridge
|
2
|
7 - 1+ 1996
|
8
|
Northern Premier
League 1 North
|
13
|
29
|
Ramsbottom
United
|
5
|
7 – 17 2015
|
8
|
Northern Premier League
1 North
|
2
|
30
|
Prescot
Cables
|
6
|
7 – 5 2005
|
8
|
Northern Premier
League 1 North
|
9
|
31
|
Droylsden
|
10
|
5 – 24 2008
|
8
|
Northern Premier
League 1 North
|
4
|
32
|
Mossley
|
11
|
7 - 1+ 1980
|
8
|
Northern Premier
League 1 North
|
11
|
33
|
Clitheroe
|
14
|
8 – 6 2011
|
8
|
Northern Premier
League 1 North
|
14
|
34
|
Trafford
|
15
|
7 – 10 2014
|
8
|
Northern Premier
League 1 North
|
3
|
35
|
Atherton
Collieries
|
16
|
?
|
8
|
Northern Premier
League 1 North
|
1
|
36
|
Radcliffe
Borough
|
18
|
7 – 9 2005
|
8
|
Northern Premier
League 1 North
|
4
|
37
|
Colne
|
20
|
8 – 5 2017
|
8
|
Northern Premier
League 1 North
|
2
|
38
|
Skelmersdale
United
|
21
|
7 – 6 2014
|
8
|
Northern Premier
League 1 North
|
1
|
39
|
Bootle
|
3
|
9 –
2 2017
|
9
|
North
West Counties Premier League
|
9
|
40
|
Charnock Richard
|
4
|
?
|
9
|
North
West Counties Premier League
|
1
|
41
|
West Didsbury & Chorlton
|
6
|
9 –
5 2016
|
9
|
North
West Counties Premier League
|
5
|
42
|
City of Liverpool
|
8
|
?
|
9
|
North
West Counties Premier League
|
1
|
43
|
Irlam
|
9
|
9 –
8 2017
|
9
|
North
West Counties Premier League
|
2
|
44
|
Widnes
|
10
|
?
|
9
|
North
West Counties Premier League
|
1
|
45
|
Padiham
|
11
|
8 –
19 2014
|
9
|
North
West Counties Premier League
|
3
|
46
|
Maine Road
|
13
|
9 –
2 2013
|
9
|
North
West Counties Premier League
|
10
|
47
|
AFC Liverpool
|
14
|
9 –
7 2014
|
9
|
North
West Counties Premier League
|
7
|
48
|
AFC Darwen
|
15
|
9 –
18 2017
|
9
|
North
West Counties Premier League
|
3
|
49
|
Ashton Athletic
|
16
|
9 –
5 2015
|
9
|
North
West Counties Premier League
|
4
|
50
|
Barnoldswick Town
|
18
|
9 –
4 2012
|
9
|
North
West Counties Premier League
|
8
|
51
|
Abbey Hey
|
19
|
9 –
10 2016
|
9
|
North
West Counties Premier League
|
8
|
52
|
Burscough
|
21
|
6 –
8 2008
|
9
|
North
West Counties Premier League
|
1
|
53
|
Squires Gate
|
22
|
9 –
6 2015
|
9
|
North
West Counties Premier League
|
16
|
54
|
Prestwich Heys
|
2
|
9 –
12 1972
|
10
|
North
West Counties League 1
|
2
|
55
|
Litherland REMYCA
|
3
|
10
– 3 2017
|
10
|
North
West Counties League 1
|
4
|
56
|
AFC Blackpool
|
8
|
9 –
9 2012
|
10
|
North
West Counties League 1
|
2
|
57
|
Holker Old Boys
|
14
|
9 –
11 1996
|
10
|
North
West Counties League 1
|
10
|
58
|
Bacup Borough
|
15
|
9 -
1+ 1947
|
10
|
North
West Counties League 1
|
3
|
59
|
Chadderton
|
16
|
9 –
3 1993
|
10
|
North
West Counties League 1
|
20
|
60
|
Atherton Laburnum Rovs
|
17
|
8 –
10 1996
|
10
|
North
West Counties League 1
|
6
|
61
|
St Helen’s Town
|
18
|
9 –
3 2005
|
10
|
North
West Counties League 1
|
3
|
62
|
Nelson
|
20
|
9 -
1+ 1952
|
10
|
North
West Counties League 1
|
1
|
63
|
Daisy Hill
|
21
|
10
– 8 2015
|
10
|
North
West Counties League 1
|
40
|
64
|
Blackpool Wren Rovers
|
1
|
9 – 4 1992
|
11
|
West Lancashire Premier League
|
17
|
AVRO
|
1
|
11 – 1+ 2011
|
11
|
Manchester League
|
10
|
|
Waterloo Dock
|
1
|
11 - 1+ 2011
|
11
|
Liverpool County Premier League
|
12
|
|
South Liverpool
|
1
|
11 - 1+ 2016
|
11
|
West Cheshire League
|
4
|
|
68
|
Garstang
|
2
|
11 - 1+ 2008
|
11
|
West Lancashire Premier League
|
4
|
Wythenshawe Ams
|
2
|
11 - 1+ 1993
|
11
|
Manchester League
|
31
|
|
Old Xaverians
|
2
|
11 – 2 2011
|
11
|
Liverpool County Premier League
|
12
|
|
71
|
Euxton Villa
|
3
|
11 – 3 2011
|
11
|
West Lancashire Premier League
|
14
|
East Manchester
|
3
|
11 – 1+ 1992
|
11
|
Manchester League
|
2
|
|
Lower Breck
|
3
|
11 – 2 2017
|
11
|
Liverpool County Premier League
|
4
|
|
74
|
Longridge Town
|
4
|
11 – 1+ 2017
|
11
|
West Lancashire Premier League
|
6
|
Heyside
|
4
|
?
|
11
|
Manchester League
|
1
|
|
Alder
|
4
|
?
|
11
|
Liverpool County Premier League
|
1
|
|
Mossley Hill Athletic
|
4
|
11 – 2 2017
|
11
|
West Cheshire League 1
|
7
|
|
78
|
Maghull
|
5
|
10 - 1+ 1993
|
11
|
West Cheshire League 1
|
19
|
Wythenshawe Town
|
5
|
11 – 4 1995
|
11
|
Cheshire Premier League
|
2
|
|
East Villa
|
5
|
11 – 2 2015
|
11
|
Liverpool County Premier League
|
12
|
|
Royton Town
|
5
|
11 - 1+ 2004
|
11
|
Manchester League
|
16
|
|
Tempest United
|
5
|
11 – 6 2017
|
11
|
West Lancashire Premier League
|
2
|
|
83
|
Rylands
|
6
|
11 – 1 1984
|
11
|
Cheshire Premier League
|
49
|
South Sefton Borough
|
6
|
11 – 3 2013
|
11
|
Liverpool County Premier League
|
12
|
|
Hindsford
|
6
|
10 – 6 1951
|
11
|
Manchester League
|
13
|
|
Fulwood Amateurs
|
6
|
11 - 1+ 1999
|
11
|
West Lancashire Premier League
|
3
|
|
87
|
Warrington Town Reserves
|
7
|
11 – 8 1996
|
11
|
Cheshire Premier League
|
1
|
Custy’s
|
7
|
?
|
11
|
Liverpool County Premier League
|
1
|
|
Prestwich Heys Reserves
|
7
|
?
|
11
|
Manchester League
|
1
|
|
Turton
|
7
|
11 – 3 2005
|
11
|
West Lancashire Premier League
|
2
|
|
91
|
Denton Town
|
8
|
11 - 3 2017
|
11
|
Cheshire Premier League
|
7
|
Rainhill Town
|
8
|
11 – 4 2017
|
11
|
West Cheshire League 1
|
3
|
|
Aigburth People’s Hall
|
8
|
11 – 1+ 2017
|
11
|
Liverpool County Premier League
|
10
|
|
Springhead
|
8
|
11 - 1+ 1998
|
11
|
Manchester League
|
30
|
|
Southport Hesketh
|
8
|
11 – 3 2014
|
11
|
West Lancashire Premier League
|
6
|
|
96
|
Slyne with Hest
|
9
|
11 – 3 2015
|
11
|
West Lancashire Premier League
|
7
|
MSB Woolton
|
9
|
11 – 13 2017
|
11
|
Liverpool County Premier League
|
2
|
|
Ashton Town
|
9
|
10 – 5 1972
|
11
|
Cheshire Premier League
|
1
|
|
Marshall’s
|
9
|
11 – 8 2011
|
11
|
West Cheshire League 1
|
1
|
|
100
|
Walshaw Sports
|
10
|
11 – 2 2015
|
11
|
Manchester League
|
11
|
AFC Liverpool Reserves
|
10
|
11 – 5 2012
|
11
|
Liverpool County Premier League
|
1
|
|
Eagle Sports
|
10
|
11 – 3 2015
|
11
|
Cheshire Premier League
|
9
|
|
103
|
Burscough Richmond
|
11
|
?
|
11
|
West Lancashire Premier League
|
1
|
Liverpool NALGO
|
11
|
11 – 4 2017
|
11
|
Liverpool County Premier League
|
3
|
|
105
|
Coppull United
|
12
|
11 – 3 2004
|
11
|
West Lancashire Premier League
|
15
|
AFC Monton
|
12
|
11 – 2 2014
|
11
|
Manchester League
|
7
|
|
Byrom
|
12
|
11 – 8 2017
|
11
|
Liverpool County Premier League
|
3
|
|
108
|
Richmond Raith Rovers
|
13
|
11 – 7 2017
|
11
|
West Cheshire League 1
|
2
|
Billinge
|
13
|
11 -15 2015
|
11
|
Cheshire Premier League
|
1
|
|
Alumni
|
13
|
11 – 12 2017
|
11
|
Liverpool County Premier League
|
2
|
|
Rochdale Sacred Heart
|
13
|
11 - 1+ 2017
|
11
|
Manchester League
|
5
|
|
Thornton Cleveleys
|
13
|
11 – 4 2011
|
11
|
West Lancashire Premier League
|
8
|
|
113
|
Redgate Rovers
|
14
|
11 – 6 2017
|
11
|
West Cheshire League 1
|
2
|
Hesketh Bank
|
14
|
11 – 7 2017
|
11
|
West Lancashire Premier League
|
4
|
|
Bolton County
|
14
|
?
|
11
|
Manchester League
|
1
|
|
116
|
Haslingden St Mary’s
|
15
|
11 – 2 2007
|
11
|
West Lancashire Premier League
|
1
|
Manchester Gregorians
|
15
|
11 - 1+ 2009
|
11
|
Manchester League
|
12
|
|
118
|
Waterloo GSOB
|
14
|
11 – 6 2017
|
11
|
Liverpool County Premier League
|
3
|
Greenall’s Padgate St Oswalds
|
16
|
11 – 1+ 2011
|
11
|
Cheshire Premier League
|
14
|
|
Vickerstown
|
16
|
11 – 4 2015
|
11
|
West Lancashire Premier League
|
9
|
·
= In 3rd Division
North. Only 1 promoted per season from 3rd North & 1 from 3rd
South
+ =
Finished first but not promoted ? = 1st season at current Tier
Blackpool
FC (pictured) celebrating
their victory over Exeter City in the Wembley League 2 Play-Off Final of 2017.
It was the goals from Brad Potts and Mark Cullen which saw them home in front
of many empty seats, caused by the fan’s boycott in protest at the continued
intransigence of the Oyston family who own the “Tangerine” club. Into the new
season, nothing seems to have changed off the field, but Gary Bowyer’s boys
continue to perform well on it.
The Best Performances of the last week
Chorley continued their good run in National League North, travelling down to Derbyshire to collect 3 points from a 2-0 win at Alfreton Town. Nicholas Haughton was again on target with a strike in either half and Matt Jansen’s side are now closing in on the Play-Off places.
Warrington Town moved back into
the top spot in the Northern Premier League after a 2-1 home win
versus the always competitive Whitby Town, James McCarten and Josh Hines
scoring the goals. The result of the day however was at Mickleover Sports when
the always unpredictable Ashton United scored three times in the last 7
minutes to record a thrilling 5-2 away victory, Matthew Chadwick netting
another double. The FA Trophy Preliminary Round saw wins for a
number of our Tier 8 clubs, namely Bamber Bridge, Clitheroe, Mossley,
Prescot Cables, Ramsbottom
United and Droylsden after a replay, but
there was no doubting the most memorable performance. After a run of
disappointing results, Atherton Collieries
journeyed to the impressive Stocksbridge Park Steel from the Northern Prem 1
South but completely turned the form book upside down with a comprehensive 4-1
win, the scorers being Kristian Holt, an own goal, Iain Howard and Ben
Hardcastle. There was a somewhat surprising result in the North West Counties Premier League with Padiham taking an early 2 goal lead over the ambitious
City of Liverpool and holding on for a 2-0 win.
Jordan Icely took the individual honours with a hat-trick in Irlam’s 4-0 win over bottom placed Barnton. The predicted
game of the day in NWC League 1 was at
Alsager in South Cheshire where Prestwich Heys
won 3-2 with a last minute Jamie Baguley goal, his second of the game. This win
moves the Greater Manchester side into second place; an automatic promotion
spot.
Games to look forward to this week
There
is no argument about Saturday’s match of the day. It is the 12.30 kick-off
between those deadliest of enemies from the opposite ends of the East Lancs
Road, Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield in the Premier League. Historically speaking,
these are the two most successful clubs in the English game and there have been
so many titanic clashes between them. The animosity may have subsided a little
since the retirements of Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher, but by general
consensus, this is always the country’s match of the year. At Old Trafford,
“United” would be firm favourites this season, but it is too close to call at
Anfield. Both sides will be desperate for a win; the Manchester side because
they dare not let their city rivals draw clear and the “Merseysiders” because
they have under-performed thus far. It is perhaps too soon to say that Jürgen
Klopp’s head is on the chopping block, but his side has to do better. It looks
like a good draw to me. Burnley will
hopefully be too organised for West Ham United at Turf Moor and I can see only
one result at the Etihad, a thumping win for Manchester City v Stoke City. Brighton & Hove Albion however
will test Everton to the full. The
recently promoted Sussex side appears to be coming to terms with life at the
top but Ronald Koeman is convincing no-one at Goodison Park that he has the
answers to arrest the slump. It is a massive game for the “Toffees” and their
manager.
Once again we ask the question,
can Bolton
Wanderers achieve their first victory this weekend? Their opponents
Sheffield Wednesday have so far failed to meet the high standards of last
season when they narrowly failed to win promotion but the “Wanderers” have
scored a mere 4 goals in 11 league games. It will be another hard ask for Phil
Parkinson’s men. It will be equally difficult for Preston North End as they journey to
the capital to meet Championship challengers Fulham. The Londoner’s
have certainly missed the presence of the former Blackburn Rovers play maker
Tom Cairney now injured, but 10 points from the last 5 games is at least Play-Off
form. “PNE” have still lost only once this term so this could be a very tight
encounter.
The “Cod Army” have stuttered of late but they should have too much class for a “Dale” side which, although having conceded the least number of goals in the bottom half of the table, have had major problems in scoring at the other end. Twelve places separate the “Latics” and the “Rovers” and although the former have suddenly climbed out of the relegation places with 2 straight wins, the Ewood Park side has become difficult to beat under Tony Mowbray and still looks a good bet for promotion.
There will be lots of interest in
the League 2
game at Accrington Stanley where Coventry City are the
visitors. It was Jimmy Hill, at one time England’s only bearded footballer, who
took control of the “Midlanders” in the 1960s and propelled them up the
leagues. They pipped Blackburn Rovers for promotion in 1967 and played their
first Tier 1 game ever at Burnley the following season. They remained at the
top level for 34 years, winning the FA Cup in 1987. Since the turn of the
millennium, they have slowly fallen down the leagues, dropping down to Tier 4
last summer for the first time since 1959. Now they find themselves at the Wham
Stadium, level on points with “Stanley”; both teams occupying Play-Off spots. Coventry
are potentially the biggest club in the league, but the Lancashire side will
provide stern opposition.
Both clubs have been impressive at the higher level and although the Yorkshire side has a 6 point lead, the “Dolly Blues” have 2 games in hand as they too battle for Play-Off glory. An all Red Rose clash is the stand-out game in Northern Prem 1 North. Bamber Bridge now top the league but will find Mossley from the heights of the Pennines no push-overs. The “Lilywhites” are unbeaten at home but will have to considerably improve their away form if they are to leave the Preston area with anything to show for their efforts.
One of the most interesting rises
in current football is that of Charnock Richard. Two years ago they were fighting hard to retain their
West Lancs League title before ultimately losing out to Blackpool Wren Rovers. Now, two levels advanced, they are in with a shout
for the North West Counties Premier League crown
and on Saturday they travel to Manchester to take on Maine
Road. The Brantingham Road side have made a less than impressive start
to this season but with home advantage, they may push the village side all the
way. There is also a Red Rose derby in the North
West Counties League 1. St Helens Town
have shown recent improvement as they settle into their new ground, but AFC Blackpool are one of the league’s surprise packets
this term and a victory here could catapult them into the Play-Off zone.
Post Weekend Musings
With the Manchester teams leading the Premier League race, you could have expected a higher representation from these two great clubs, although Jesse Lingard came on as a substitute as did Liverpool’s Sturridge at the expense of Rashford. England were frankly poor in both 1-0 victories (the first being against Slovenia) and the Red Rose County, so often the provider of national talent is so overrun with foreign stars that only 20 Englishmen out of 55 starters were on show in the last full week of fixtures for Burnley, Everton, Liverpool and the two Manchester clubs. I am reminded that in 1953, England started with 4 Blackpool players in their line up v Hungary, at the time, the world’s best side. It was a different age, irrelevant for today and England lost 6-3, but on Sunday they were playing the world’s 120th ranked side. It is not a good time to support England or to marvel at the English talent currently plying their trade in the North West.
There are now no pointless Red
Rose County sides. With a 2-0 win over Cheadle Town last Saturday, Nelson became the latest Red Rose County side in
Tiers 1-11 to win their first game of the season. An own goal followed by a
second from David Patrick in the closing moments of the game helped the North West Counties League 1 side to open their
account. There are sides however which are still waiting for their first win. Bolton Wanderers
with just 2 draws hold up the Championship, Burscough in
the North West Counties Premier League have just
4 draws to show for their efforts, Alumni with three draws
and Waterloo Grammar School Old Boys with one
prop up the Liverpool County Premier League, whilst Manchester Gregorians from the Manchester Football
League have only 4 draws to their name.
The life of a footballer has always
seemed attractive, the stuff that boyhood dreams are made of. Whereas this is
obviously true for a number of top players, and we only need to look at the praise
lauded on Sir Bobby Charlton who this week has celebrated his 80th
birthday, there are many others for whom the game kicks them in the teeth. Take
Burnley’s Jon Walters for example. He has long been recognised as a journeyman
professional who gave his all for Stoke City and as a result, rewards in the
shape of 51 Republic of Ireland caps have come his way. During the close
season, he left the Potteries to sign for Sean Dyche at Turf Moor, a sensible
move at the age of 34, hopefully guaranteeing him a couple more years at the
top. On September 2nd he was injured and has not played since. No
date has been set for his return, a sure sign that it is a serious knee injury
and to add insult to injury, he has missed vital World Cup qualifiers including
the shoot-out with Wales in Cardiff as well as a home and away Play-Off in
November. He has enjoyed an exciting career and with luck he could be
challenging for a place in the “Claret’s” side once more post-Christmas, but
this is an injury he could have certainly done without at this stage of his
career.
Sadly there is no
Quiz this week. We are in France packing up and closing up after an 11 week
stint in the Red Wine and Foie Gras region and something had to give; namely
the Quiz. It will be back next week in the 52nd edition of the Blog.
Red Rose County Non-league Club of the Week
Bootle FC
The club has worked its way through to the 1st Round of the FA Vase and they travel to South Yorkshire’s Rossington Main a week on Saturday. With a healthy average home support of 153, they are never short of fans to shout them on. They share the ground with City Of Liverpool FC, their tenants and rivals in the same league. Bootle no doubt yearns for the support and infrastructure of Liverpool’s latest club but they have built themselves into a challenging position in the NWC Premier League and there is no reason why they cannot make the step-up to Tier 8 in the next few years. There is also no doubt that this part of the Sefton Borough shares its passion for football with the whole of the Merseyside region; a passion which needs to be rewarded with good crowds and ultimately success for Bootle FC, its inhabitants and the town itself.
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