• 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 afternoon and welcome to Rakesmoor Lane for today’s North West Counties Football League fixture against Thornton Cleveleys.
Good afternoon and welcome to Rakesmoor Lane for today’s North West Counties Football League fixture against Thornton Cleveleys. It’s great to finally get another game on after yet another frustrating postponement in midweek. The focus now is on building from the last two victories and making this busy run of fixtures count.
The squad is extremely stretched at the moment with injuries to some key players, which means there have been changes week to week. That’s never easy to manage, but credit to the lads who have stepped in. When it has mattered they’ve shown real character, fought for each other and produced some big results in difficult circumstances. That togetherness has been vital.
Today also marks the start of a run of three home games, and that period could be really important for us. We’re facing three good sides, but playing at Rakesmoor Lane gives us an opportunity to put points on the board and build some momentum. If we approach the games with the same effort and discipline we’ve shown recently, we’ll give ourselves every chance of taking a good return from them.
KEVIN WATKIN
The last two games have been a pleasure to watch. We’ve gone into both with a depleted squad, but the lads have dug deep and given everything to make sure we got the three points. The win against Maghull was especially impressive after going down to ten men.
We then followed that with another big result away at Maine Road. It wasn’t pretty, but with tired legs the lads still found a way to get the job done.
Today will be another tough test against a good Thornton side. We’re missing a few again with Tyler Spence away and Patty Allington unavailable after the arrival of his baby, so the lads will need to rally together again.
The lads have picked up some great results over the last week or so with two really gritty performances. Against Maghull they created plenty of chances and, even after the setback of going down to ten men, they dug in and managed to come away with the three points.
Away at Maine Road it would have been easy to think the win had slipped away after conceding so late, but the boys kept going and showed great character to find a winner in stoppage time.
Thornton Cleveleys are a side right in the mix this season, so we know it will be another tough game. But if the lads can replicate the effort and attitude from the last couple of matches, hopefully it will be another three points on the board.
The last couple of games have shown the sort of character we’ve got in the squad. The win against Maghull took a lot of work, especially after going down to ten men, but the lads stayed organised and kept pushing until the end.
Then at Maine Road the belief in the group really showed. Conceding late can knock the wind out of you, but the reaction was spot on and finding the winner right at the end summed up the attitude in the team.
Thornton Cleveleys will be another big test because they’re up there with the top sides. If we bring the same energy and discipline we’ve shown recently, we’ll give ourselves every chance of getting the result.
It’s been a good week for the lads with a couple of strong results. The Maghull game was a proper battle, especially after the red card, but the team showed real resilience to see it through.
The win away at Maine Road was another big moment. When you concede late it can feel like two points have slipped away, but the reaction was brilliant and the stoppage-time winner showed the belief in the squad.
Thornton Cleveleys are right up there for a reason and they’ll make it difficult. But if the lads approach the game with the same determination and work rate as the last couple, there’s no reason we can’t keep the run going.
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
Thornton Cleveleys FC, formed in 1980 and based in Thornton-Cleveleys on the Fylde Coast, rose from works-team origins linked to the ICI chemical plant. The club play in red and white and moved into a new £1 million facility on their historic ICI ground in 2022. After decades in the West Lancashire League, they earned promotion to the North West Counties League Division One North in 2024.
• Industrial Roots – Early football in the area was linked to an ICI works team in the early 1900s.
• Modern Club Founded (1980) – Formed when Thornton Catholic Club side relocated to the ICI Thornton ground.
• West Lancashire League Entry – Joined the league in 1981 under manager Mike Sillis.
• First Title Success (1982) – Won West Lancashire League Division Two in just their second season.
• Name Change in 1992 – Became Thornton International following the closure of the ICI plant.
• Club Merger (1995) – Thornton-Cleveleys Junior FC merged with Thornton International to form the present club.
• Cup Success (2003) – First team won the Tavern Cup while the reserves completed a league and cup double.
• Lancashire Amateur Shield Winners (2014) – Claimed the county trophy for the first time.
• West Lancashire League Champions – Won the Premier Division in 2022 and again in dramatic fashion in 2024.
• Promotion to Step 6 (2024) – Entered the North West Counties League Division One North after title success.
Library records indicate, ICI Ltd founded and sponsored a football team for their workers at the chlorineproduction plant in the early 1900’s. Its unconfirmed how long these early beginnings and precursor to the current teams were maintained throughout the early 1900’s but the records show a team known as Thornton Jubilee Football Club in the 1930’s and Trunnah United in the 1950s.
The present seniors club, in its more familiar guise was formed in July 1980 when Ronnie Andrews brought the Thornton Catholic Club side to ICI Thornton and in August of 1981 the club joined the West Lancashire League with Mike Sillis as Manager.
The clubs Reserve side, managed by Ronnie Andrews played in the Premier Division of the Blackpool and Fylde Football Combination. In 1982 the First team finished the season Division Two Champions.
By 1987 the Reserve side had moved to the West Lancashire League Reserve Division and in 1991 they won the league championship. Following the closure of the ICI Plant at Thornton the club renamed as Thornton International in 1992 and for the 1991/92 season the first team were once again West Lancashire Division Two Champions, and also runners-up in the Presidents Cup.
1995 Thornton-Cleveleys Junior Football Club merged with the open age teams of Thornton International FC, previously known as ICI, to form Thornton-Cleveleys Football Club.
In April of 2003, the first team won the Tavern Cup and the Reserves were double winners in the 2003/04 season being both Reserve Division 2 champions and winning the Houston Cup.In 2010 the first team were Division 1 winners seeing a return to the Premier Division and in 2014 lifted the Lancashire Amateur Shield for the first time.
In 2021, after over 20 years at its home on Bourne Way the club spent a transient year while a new £1 million facility was built on their former ICI Football Club ground.
In 2022 Thornton Cleveleys won the West Lancashire Premier Division League and followed a year later in 2023 winning the Presidents Cup. In 2024 the club regained the West Lancashire League title winning in a dramatic ending to a season that was literally decided on the last minute of the campaign. Two weeks previously Thorntons Second team won the West Lancashire Reserve Division.
The Club was promoted to The North West Counties League Division One North in 2024.
Holker’s Digital Media Team hand-picks their favourite photo this week.
DATE 05.07.25
BARROW AFC
A few pints in hand - the classic non-league view. Fans catching up on a Saturday afternoon at the football. It’s scenes like this that make it what it is.
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.
