Atherton Match News Response

Mar 15, 2020 | Club News

“We thought it correct that we clarify information released regarding our weekend home game with Atherton Collieries FC.
The game was called off, after consultation with the league. With one of our Tuesday opponents, from Gainsborough Trinity, having to self isolate we spoke with the league and it was agreed that the safest thing was to postpone our fixture, in line with current guidelines, protocol and of course, welfare.
With us also having a few people around the club who could be affected in such a situation, including Chairman John Bromley whose wife currently has some serious health issues, the decision brought home the importance of reducing risk and protecting people, at this time.
This also aligns with our duty to players, staff, officials and volunteers.
To clarify, we currently have nobody diagnosed or showing signs of contracting Coronavirus.”

Atherton match preview

Mar 11, 2020 | Club News

When you talk of 6 pointers, then Saturday’s home fixture with Atherton Collieries certainly fits the bill. 22nd placed Rangers at home to 21st place Atherton, with Atherton5 points ahead but with an amazing 7 games in hand. A Rangers win would see us breathing down their necks and with a potential fixture backlog, Atherton could be playing 3 or 4 times a week in April which could stretch their ability to pick up points. Yet another straw we can cling to.

This will be Atherton Collieries first ever visit to Marston Road, and they travel here with an away league record of won 2, (Gainsborough and Stalybridge) 3 draws (Ashton, Matlock and Warrington) and 8 defeats (Bamber Bridge, Basford, Lancaster, Morpeth, Radcliffe, South Shields, Whitby and Witton). Hopefully we can add to their woes and return to Lancashire pointless. On current form we have a slight edge with a draw, win and 3 defeats in our last 5 while Atherton have a win and 4 defeats in the same period. However, on Saturday, while we were beating Whitby, Atherton were enjoying a home win over relegation candidates Grantham. Just shows how tight the game could be.

This will be the first ever meeting of the two clubs, so we need to reflect on their history. Atherton Collieries Football Club was formed in 1916, by miners from the six pits which were operative in the area of the town. The club was created as a means of providing welfare for those at home during the war effort. When the pits were nationalised, the football club was gifted to the people of the town. Their home ground is at Alder House and has been their home from day one. Atherton, known locally as “The Colls” were founding members of the North West Counties Football League in 1982 and remained there until 2017, when earned promotion to the Northern Premier League for the first time in the club’s history. Their turnaround and rise up the pyramid came about when Michael Clegg was appointed first team manager in August 2014 and immediately began assembling a young and local side. The club went on to win the NWCFL Division One title and in his second campaign the Colls won the League Cup, beating the league champions Colne 5-1 at Fleetwood Town’s Highbury Stadium, whilst finishing fourth on the club’s return to the North West Counties Premier Division. The 2016/17 campaign was a momentous one for Atherton Collieries, as in their centenary year they clinched the NWCFL Premier Division title and reached the last 16 of the FA Vase backed by a large and ever-growing local fan base. 2018/19 saw them finish top of Division 1 West, 7 points ahead of second placed Radcliffe, to play at step 3 for the first time.

I fully understand that 3 home games in 8 days puts a strain on the pocket, but it is essential that we see 3 points gained on Saturday, so please come on down and give the team your support. Remember, the great escape is still on, but the fat lady could be tuning her voice.

Games played on March 14th this century

2006 Hednesford H 1-1 Conference North
2009 Droylsden H 0-0 Conference North
2015 Romulus A 0-1 Northern Premier Division 1
2017 Ilkeston A 2-1 Northern Premier League

Gainsborough Preview

Mar 9, 2020 | Club News

Gainsborough Preview

As the season nears to an end games start to come thick and fast, just like Tuesday’s rearranged fixture at home to Gainsborough Trinity. We have no time to reflect on our win over Whitby as another game has to be tackled if we are to retain our step 3 placement. A while back Gainsborough were a side in the mix with us in a relegation battle, but a run of good results has seen then climb away from the bottom of the table. Trinity now lie 12th with 41 points and have an away record of won 5, drawn 4 and lost 6, which includes last Saturdays fine 1-0 win away to play off chasing Lancaster. Wins on the road also include Atherton, Grantham (5-1), Radlciffe and Stalybridge, while they have lost at Ashton, Basford, Matlock, Nantwich, South Shields and Witton. Their away form tends to mirror a typical mid table side. It is therefore up to the Rangers to take the game to Gainsborough in an attempt to keep up our winning run this month.

Gainsborough Trinity Football Club was formed in 1873 as Trinity Recreationists, set up by the vicar of the Holy Trinity Church for young parishioners. Many people forget, but in 1892/93 season Gainsborough were elected to the Football League Second Division and their first game was against Newton Heath, later to become Manchester United. Gainsborough were also founder members of the Northern Premier League.

Historically, this was a regular Northern Premier League fixture in the 70’s. Of the 10 fixtures in that decade we won 7, losing 3 with an aggregate score of 20-7. There were 2 more NPL games in the 80’s winning 1 and drawing 1, but our paths did not meet up again till the noughties where there were 5 Conference North fixtures winning all 5 with an aggregate score of 12-2. Last season we drew 1-1 following Gainsborough Trinity’s first ever relegation in their history. As you can see, we certainly have the upper hand with historical games, but it is the present day that counts, so please get down on Tuesday night to support the team as the great escape could still be on.

Games played on March 10th this century

2001 Welling H 5-2 Southern Premier League
2007 Tamworth H 0-4 Conference
2009 Redditch A 2-2 Conference North
2012 Bradford H 3-1 Northern Premier League
2014 Port Vale H 1-1 Staffs Senior Cup (lost 3-2 on penalties)
2018 Lancaster H 2-2 Northern Premier League