• West Lancashire League Champions: 1986/87
• Lancashire FA Amateur Shield Winners: 1988/89, 1990/91
Chairman Maurice Watkin
Vice-Chairman David Smith
Treasurer Paul Muspratt
Club Secretary John Squire
Matchday Secretary Gary Fawcett
Manager Kevin Watkin
Manager Dave Round
Safeguarding Officer Steve Thomas
Head of Digital Glen Ritchie
Groundskeepers Alan Wilson & Ian Littlehales
Bar Manager Sam Trewin
Good evening and welcome to Rakesmoor Lane for today’s North West Counties Football League fixture against Maghull.
I’ll be blunt – our recent run of results hasn’t been acceptable. We’re making too many basic mistakes as a collective, and at this level you get punished for them. It’s something we’ve spoken about honestly as a group, because those details make the difference between winning and losing games.
Beyond the errors, the work rate hasn’t been where it needs to be either. The expectation here is simple – we outwork teams first, then let our quality show. Recently we’ve not done either consistently enough, and that’s why results haven’t gone our way. The lads know the standards required and they know what needs to change.
The positive is that football always gives you another opportunity quickly. Tonight is a chance to respond, show some character, and put things right. We’ve got a good squad here and I’ve got full belief in what they’re capable of when the levels are right.
Now it’s about delivering that response on the pitch.
KEVIN WATKIN
Unfortunately we’ve picked up a few more setbacks this week. Our skipper Josh Woodend is now out for the season with a broken collarbone, and Nath Reid turned his ankle again five minutes into the Blackpool game. To add to that, Brad Hubbold misses out tonight through illness.
Looking back at the games against Blackpool, Colne and Maghull, we’ve conceded some poor goals which is frustrating because we’re normally very solid. With all the changes recently, that’s probably played a part.
We also need to be more clinical when we get into good areas. Tonight will be tough against a strong Maghull side, so those chances have to count if we want the three points.
It feels like the fourth or fifth attempt to get this fixture played, so it’ll be nice to finally get the game on tonight. With the fixtures starting to pile up, it’s important we start ticking them off and keeping ourselves moving in the right direction.
For me it’ll still be a case of watching on from the sidelines, which isn’t the easiest thing to do, but that’s part of it for now. The main thing is supporting the lads and hoping they can put in a strong performance.
After Saturday’s defeat I’m sure the boys will be looking to respond. Being back at home gives us a good opportunity to do that, and hopefully we can make the most of it and get the three points on the board.
It’s been a stop-start couple of weeks with this game being rearranged a few times, so it’s good to finally get it played. With the schedule getting busier, it’s important we keep our focus and make these games count.
Saturday wasn’t the result we wanted, but the group has responded well in training and everyone’s keen to put that right. Nights like this give you the chance to reset and move forward quickly.
Being at home is always something we want to use to our advantage. If we start well, keep the tempo high and stay disciplined, we’ll give ourselves a good chance of getting the result.
It’s been one of those fixtures that just hasn’t wanted to happen, so it’ll be good to finally get out there and play it tonight. With games starting to come thick and fast, every one of them becomes important.
Saturday’s result was frustrating and the lads know we can do better. The good thing about football is that you usually get a chance to put things right pretty quickly.
Home games are where we want to be strong. If we approach it with the right attitude and intensity from the start, there’s no reason we can’t get ourselves back on track.
Age: 27
Position: Defender
Sponsor: Abbey House
Occupation: Site Engineer
How long have you been at Holker: 15 Years
Previous Clubs: None!
Childhood Football Hero: Stevie G
What is the best piece of footballing advice you’ve been given: You can’t control the weather, but you can control your attitudes
What is the most memorable game you’ve played: My first trophy in senior football and it was special to win it for groundsman and club legend Al Wilson.
How do you stay motivated during injury: The hunger to get back out onto the pitch is the main thing that keeps me going.
Who at Holker brings out the best in you: Paul Southward - he gave me lots of advice coming through at Holker as a young lad and even though most of it wasn’t great he tried his best. Although now he’s too busy golfing or watching Barrow.
Describe the gaffers in one word: Passionate
Home or Away Games: Home
Favourite Ground to play at: Darwen
Ronaldo or Messi?: Messi
If you could play for one team in the world, who: Liverpool
Early Bird or Night Owl: Early Bird
A Night in or A Night Out: A Night Out
Favourite Film: Goodfellas
Favourite Holiday Destination: Las Vegas
Karakoe Song: David Gray - Babylon
Maghull Football Club, founded in 1921, are based in Maghull, Merseyside, and play in red and white shirts, white shorts and red socks at their home ground (recently upgraded to meet Step 6 standards). After early success in the Liverpool I Zingari Alliance and decades in leagues such as the Lancashire Combination and North West Counties League, Maghull rejoined the NWCFL Division One North for the 2024‑25 season, finishing 10th in their return campaign.
• Founded 1921 – Began with friendlies before entering the Liverpool I Zingari Alliance for 1922‑23.
• Early Silverware – Won Liverpool I Zingari Alliance Division 1 Section B in 1924‑25; early promotion followed.
• Long‑Term Home from 1927 – Ground established on land purchased by a local entrepreneur; stand added in 1936.
• Cup Success in the 1930s–50s – Won Liverpool County FA Amateur Cup at Goodison Park (1948‑49 and 1957‑58).
• Joined County Leagues – Moved to Liverpool County Combination, then Lancashire Combination, later Cheshire League before formation of the NWCFL.
• NWCL Division Two Champions – Won the North West Counties League Division 2 title in 1992‑93.
• Resigned in 1999 – Left the NWCFL due to ground grading issues; joined West Cheshire League for 25 years.
• West Cheshire League Success – Won the league once and lifted the Pyke Cup twice during their tenure.
• Return to NWCFL (2024) – Promoted to NWCFL Division One North after meeting ground requirements.
• Huge Grassroots Setup – Operate over 50 affiliated teams including extensive junior, girls’, ladies’ and vets sides, and hold a 3‑Star FA Accreditation.
The formation of Maghull Football Club commenced in the winter of 1921 where they played many friendly games before becoming affiliated to the Liverpool I Zingari Alliance League, Division 1 Section B for the 1922/23 Season. They did not have a permanent ground and the games were played at different places around the Maghull area
It did not take long however, for the Club to win their first trophy when in 1924/25 they became Champions of the Liverpool I Zingari Alliance, Division 1 Section B. they also went on to win the Alliance Championship Cup Promotion resulted in the Club joining Liverpool I Zingari League, Division 3
Maghull finished the 1925/26 season in the runners-up position and were promoted to the Second Division of the Zingari League.
In 1927 a local entrepreneur purchased a piece of land from a local farmer and created a Recreation Ground to be used for the Maghull Cricket and Football teams and that is where Maghull played their games for the next 27 years. A Pavilion was built that housed Dressing Rooms and a Tea Bar.
In the 1928/29 Season Maghull were Champions of the Second Division and were duly promoted to the I Zingari First Division but unfortunately in the next season they finished bottom and were relegated back down to the Second Division. It was not until the 1933/34 season that they were again Second Division Champions and promoted back into the First Division.
The 1934/35 Season was a good period where the team finished in the runners-up spot in the League and were winners of the I Zingari and Liverpool County FA Amateur Cups. The venue for the Liverpool Cup game was played at Everton’s Goodison Park.
In the October of 1935 a fund-raising event was started and in the space of one year enough money was raised for a Stand housing eighty people to be built. The Stand was officially opened on the 10 October 1936. Spectators were charged 3 pence admission into the ground and 4 pence for a seat in the stand.
The team lost in the 1937/38 Lancashire Amateur Cup final when the game was played at Preston North Ends Deepdale ground. They did however, win the Cup in 1948/49 when the game was played at Everton’s Goodison Park. In 1956/57 they were runners-up in the same Cup and in 1957/58 they were winners. Both these games were played at Southport’s Haigh Avenue who were a Football League Club at the time.
After thirty-eight years in the I Zingari Football League, the Club joined the Liverpool County Combination League. In the twelve years that the Club spent in this League they were League Champions once, Liverpool County FA Challenge Cup winners on two occasions, and Lancashire Amateur Cup runners-up once.
In 1972/73 the Club applied and received membership to the Lancashire Combination League. They were runnersup twice in the Lancashire County FA Bridge Shield. They did win the Lancashire Combination Challenge Cup in 1977/78.
In 1978/79 Maghull became members of the Cheshire County League but after only four years the Cheshire County League merged with the Lancashire Combination to form the new North West Counties League.
In 1989 the Club received a devastating blow when the Pavilion, Dressing Rooms and Clubhouse were a target for a vicious arson attack. Everything had been destroyed. Irreplaceable records and photographs charting the history of the Club were all lost. It was a difficult period in the Clubs history but the effort put in by the Club Officials and support received from so many were really helpful. Within one year the Club became the proud owners of a new Clubhouse and Dressing Rooms.
In the 1992/93 season the club were Champions of the North West Counties League Division 2 The Club won the Liverpool County FA Challenge Cup in 1979/80, 1980/81, 1985/86 and 1993/94. They were runners-up three times in the Lamont Pils Trophy.
Seventeen years of North West Counties League membership was brought to a close when Maghull resigned in 1999 because it was not able to meet the Leagues ground requirements.
The club joined the West Cheshire League and were members for the last 25 years. They have won the West Cheshire League once and the Pyke Cup twice.
In the 2023/24 season Maghull applied for promotion to step 6, having just missed out on winning the league and also being beat in the final of the Pyke Cup we were rewarded with promotion to the NWCFL 1st Division North after achieving the required ground grading.
Our 1st year back in the ‘counties’ for 2024/25 was a great success with a 10th place finish we gave a good account of ourselves proving tough opposition for most teams in the league. Some well established sides came to visit, underestimated us a little, and left with nothing. We’re here for the long haul and are chomping at the bit for more progress in 2025/26.
A number of years ago the Club embarked on setting up a junior section and this has proved a real success with a number of junior players making the step up to the first team. We run a mini-kickers session for children aged 4 to 6 where there are some 50 kids involved and there are 1st team players now that started their journey with us in those Mini Kickers sessions.
There are 14 girl’s teams aged between 7 and 16 and one Ladies team. We also have 28 boy’s teams aged between 7 and 16. Our 17 year and 18 year-old youth teams have performed well and brought great success recently with the U17 wining the treble in 2025/26 and the U18 doing the double in their final year of youth football. 2025/26 will prove another strong year for us at youth Football as we enter another U17 team in the Liverpool Premier League and 2 U18 sides in the West Cheshire Youth League.
The club will always prioritise providing an opportunity for our youth players to develop and progress into Adult football and remain with us as long as they wish, this is a proven model for us shown by players in our 3 vets teams (O35’s, O45’s & O50’s) that have followed the same pathway.
Adding the vets sides with the youth, open age & inclusion teams we now operate a 3 Star FA Accredited club with over 50 affiliated teams, one of the biggest in the region, and our aim is to continue this growth and keep providing a pathway for the people in our community to enjoy Football at every level of the game.
Holker’s Digital Media Team hand-picks their favourite photo this week.
DATE 16.10.22
Burscough
Full stretch, fingertips out, a proper save from the keeper. One of those moments that keeps you in the game, and a class action shot too.
Founded in 1936, Holker Old Boys AFC began as an under-16 side, formed by the former pupils of Holker Central Secondary School, originally located on Holker Street in Barrow-in-Furness. While the school has long been replaced by a bingo hall, the club’s legacy continues to thrive.
Founded in 1936, Holker Old Boys AFC began as an under-16 side, formed by the former pupils of Holker Central Secondary School, originally located on Holker Street in Barrowin-Furness. While the school has long been replaced by a bingo hall, the club’s legacy continues to thrive.
By 1939-40, Holker joined the North Western Open Age League, playing on local fields. Their commitment to youth football remained strong, with junior teams keeping their roots alive. The club expanded into the West Lancashire League in 1967, running teams in both leagues and later securing a permanent home at Rakesmoor Lane in 1971 - a site with a history as an isolation hospital and allotments.
The formation of the Furness Premier League in 1980 saw them enter two teams, with the Reserves progressing into the West Lancashire League Division 2. Success followed in the mid-80s, with a runner-up finish in 1985/86, before claiming the West Lancs League Division 1 title in their Golden Jubilee season (1986/87). The late 80s brought further glory, as Holker lifted the Adidas Lancashire Junior Shield twice, triumphing over Walkden Town (1988/89) and Park United (1990/91).
With ambitions to compete at a higher level, Holker faced the challenge of upgrading their Rakesmoor Lane ground. Through sheer determination and community effort, they expanded facilities, built new changing rooms, and enclosed the pitch. Their hard work paid off in 1991 when they secured a place in the North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) Division Two.
Holker adapted well to the higher level, finishing third in 1993/94 and earning promotion to Division One. Their time in the top flight was mixed, peaking at 11th place in 1995/96 before a difficult spell led to relegation in 1998/99. This prompted a period of rebuilding, both financially and structurally. The club expanded its setup to include three open-age sides and a thriving junior section, covering ages six to sixteen, plus a girls’ team.
By 2002/03, Holker had regained stability, finishing fifth in Division Two. Off the pitch, significant investments followed, with £80,000 secured for stadium improvements, pitch drainage, and parking. Though the mid-2000s saw inconsistent league performances, there were standout moments: reaching the FA Cup’s Second Qualifying Round (2004/05) and hosting FC United of Manchester in 2005/06 before a record crowd of 2,303. These achievements provided vital funds for further ground improvements, including floodlight upgrades in 2006/07.
The club’s commitment to youth development was also recognised with the FA Charter Standard Development Club Award. This dedication bore fruit in 2006/07 when the U18s, featuring many future first-team players, won the LFA Furness Building Society Youth Cup. By 2008/09, the senior team had climbed to ninth in the renamed Vodkat League First Division.
Under Dave Smith and Maurice Watkin, Holker enjoyed a resurgence, finishing third in Division One in 2010/11. A managerial change in 2011/12 brought challenges, but Smith’s return helped steady the ship. The 2012/13 season was tough, with the club narrowly avoiding last place, though an FA Cup run provided a financial boost.
The 2013/14 season marked a turning point, with Gary Fawcett and Stuart Roberts leading the team to a respectable sixth-place finish and a semi-final appearance in the NWCFL Challenge Cup. Further improvements followed between 2017 and 2019, including pitch enhancements, bar refurbishments, and an extended kitchen. Chairman Maurice Watkin ensured a warm, modern club atmosphere.
Holker reached a milestone in 2018/19, playing their 1,000th NWCFL league game and receiving a commemorative trophy. Despite a challenging season, the team avoided relegation, with Kevin Watkin, Paul Southward, and Glyn Dixon taking the reins to guide the club to safety.
Through decades of highs and lows, Holker Old Boys AFC remains a club built on passion, resilience, and a deep-rooted community spirit - one that continues to shape its future with ambition and pride.
