[FM13] North West Counties to.....

History

Wigan Robin Park Football Club was founded in 2005 and started playing in the Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester Football League, which is a feeder for the North West Counties.

During the first season in 2005/06 a steady start was made and soon mid-table was found. All the players were local lads and soon gelled together resulting in a good start to the Lancashire Shield and Wigan Cup. By Christmas the team had just been knocked out of the Lancashire Shield at the Quarter Final stage by BAE Systems Barrow on penalties and was sitting 7th in the table. At the end of the season the team was unlucky to lose in the semi-final of the Wigan Cup but an appearance in the final of the Murray Shield was a big achievement. The lads just fell short when they were beaten on penalties by Walshaw Sports but the benchmark had been set.

The signs were good at the start of the 2006/07 season with a number of new players joining the club. Another solid start in the league saw the team move into fourth in the table a position they never went below throughout the season. In the Wigan Cup the team progressed to the quarter-final stage but went out in the first round of the Lancashire Shield to Crookland Casuals. The team then went on a remarkable league run which saw them lose on the 14th October then go all the way to the end of the season undefeated. For the second year running the semi- final was the end of the Wigan Cup with a 1-0 defeat to Winstanley St Aidans. But the aim at the beginning of the season was achieved with promotion to the Manchester Premier Division finishing in second place behind Walshaw Sports.

Due to our success in the 06/07 season we now needed a reserve team for 2007/08 to compete in the Manchester Premier League. Two first team players Paul Vermiglio and Craig Barton applied for The Manager and Assistant Manager role respectively and were appointed. After holding an Open day for new players the team was formed and will compete in the Manchester 4th Division. Another influx of new players to the first team again stood us in good stead for the season ahead. A poor start to the campaign saw the team lose four, draw one and win one in the opening six games and also get knocked out of the Wigan Cup in first round. The team then turned the corner and went on an excellent run which saw them lose just once in 24 games in all competitions resulting in final appearances in the Gilgryst Cup and the Lancashire Shield. The team played Euxton Villa in the Lancashire Shield Final at the County Ground Leyland. After 90 minutes the score was 0-0, then with one minute left Ben Kay scored a free kick, but with 10 seconds left Euxton equalized and then went on to lift the cup on penalties. With the season coming to an end a big push was needed to catch leaders Gregorians. Another good run saw the team lose just once in 13 games and it all came down to the last game of the season. A win for the Robins and Gregorians to draw or lose would hand Wigan the title. Wigan saw off Breightmet 4-1 and Gregorians lost 3-2 at Atherton Town handing Wigan Robin Park the title at the first attempt. The reserves also did well in their first season together finishing just outside the promotion places in fourth. After a visit from the North West Counties ground grading committee we were promoted to the North West Counties First Division.

In our inaugural season in the NWCFL we made a decent start winning 7 drawing 3 and losing 2 in our opening 12 fixtures. The highlight of this was being the first team to defeat title contenders AFC Liverpool in front of what would be the highest home crowd of 603 at Valerie Park. The Vodkat Challenge Cup paired us against Premier division outfit Bacup Borough at home. After leading twice in the game Bacup scored with the last kick of the game to take it into extra time. The game finished 3-3 after extra time forcing a replay which Bacup would eventually win. The league cup saw us bow out at the first hurdle at the hands of Norton Utd. The team then lost some consistency but stayed in the top 5 most of the season including top but eventually finishing in fifth position.

Stadium

As you can see we have one main stand holding 400 fans plus another room for 800 fans standing.

July 2012

Pre Season

Results

A good pre season for us with solid performances throughout the team. This squad is very much a work in progress and being an Amateur club makes it easy to chop and change the players through the season.

Squad

Expectations

Neither the board or the media expect much from us but im sure we can manage better than bottom place!

Was undecided if this was to be my club for the long term or a stepping stone to bigger things but i fear my mind may be made up for me given the bank balance

August 2012

Results

Goals have been hard to come by but this is a team getting used to each other and a new formation. Plenty of games to come and im sure there will be changes to the squad over the next few months.

Table

September 2012

Results

The month started poorly. An early red card set the scene for a big defeat at home to Alsager. Just as things picked up against Bootle we were lucky to escape from Colne after having two men sent off in the 62nd minute. The month ended really well with an easy win over struggling Padiham.

Table

FA Vase

A tight win over Midland Football Alliance side Heather St Johns puts us into the 1st Round against league rivals Glossop North End.

Northern League Challenge Cup

Two tight matches needed us to be perfect from the spot to move onto Round Two against Northern Premier 1st Division North side Skelmersdale.

October 2012

Results

Another average month for us with one good performance, two average and one awful. We seem to be a fan of the 14th to 20th minutes at the moment too.

Table

Despite our lowly position we are only a good month away from being in contention at the top. Everyone seems to be beating everyone right now.

FA Vase

Denied a win late on we were never in the replay. The problem at this level is lots of Saturday/Wednesday games with a squad that struggle with fitness.

Northern League Challenge Cup

What a game it was, from the 90th minute. With the clock showing 91 mins played a bullet header from Skelmersdale captain smashed in off the bar. Heartbreak until the assistant referee flagged for offside. From the resulting kick we attacked and right winger McKenzie shot across the keeper and put us into Round 3.

November 2012

Results

Had the referee only added on 3 minutes to the final game of the month we would have had a 100% return. What a difference a month makes to league positions, particluarly when you beat both the high flying Runcorn sides.

Table

As tight as you like at the top. With only one promotion place up for grabs its going to be tough.

Northern League Challenge Cup

Our run of late goals in this competition continues as our solid backline kept us in it. Round 4 sends us to the well known Scarborough Athletic in December.

December 2012

Results

An up and down month hasn't helped the title charge but this league is so compressed

Table

For a club predicted to finish bottom i am delighted with our position so far.

Northern League Challenge Cup

A third 1-0 cup win on the bounce puts us into the final 16 of the competition.

January sees the 5th Round take place.

January 2013

Results

Fantastic middle to the month, goals flowing and a never say die attitude with us coming back from 2-0 down against Stone Dominoes to score two goals in the final three minutes to win. Start and end to the month disappointing, particuarly the away performance at Padiham.

Table

Joint top and a trip to Glossop North End coming in February.

Northern League Challenge Cup

Two down early on we gave a good performance in front of a massive crowd by our standards. We pushed a side from the Northern Premier League close. Im happy with that.

February 2013

Results

Overall an ok month from us but the defeat has put us back a place or two. It was a late winner that condemmed us at Glossop North End but at least we ended the month with a win. Next month brings us trips against high flying Ashton, leaders Runcorn Linnets and a home tie with the other Runcorn team.

Table

Still well placed going into the final eight games.

March 2013

Youth Intake

Youth Facilities: Minimal

Youth Set-Up: 0

Junior Coaching: Minimal

Youth Recruitment: Limited

Given that i am hardly expecting a Messi or Ronaldo to be put in front of me. Maybe a Heskey or Downing though

As expected every player has the potential to be the best player ever to grace The Robin Park Arena

Of those players, three have made in into my first team squad as back up players for the rest of the season

With that three players were released from the first team squad.

Joshua Ince - Two goals in eighteen matches is not good enough for a striker so Byrne will get a shot.

Dale Whitehead - One of the better players in the squad from his eight appearences but too many injuries and a disruptive influence means he has to go.

Richard Cowan - Centre back featured fourteen times earlier in the season but with us exiting the cups his chances were limited. Wanted to leave so granted his wish.

March 2013

Results

What a month it was. A fantastic win at then high flying Ashton Athletic sent us into the top of the table clash with Runcorn Linnets high in confidence. That lasted all of two minutes as we were battered from start to finish. A home match with Runcorn Town became vital. Three points needed or the charge is as good as over. Five minutes on the clock and we find ourselves 2-0 down. Disaster. But not for the first time at home this year we fight back from such as position and collect the points.

Table

It's in our own hands. Four games this month and the final match is the first weekend of May. Nail biting times...

With two games to go i have been hit with this news....

When taking control the club were in an awful position and as the season comes to a close we have made an additional loss of £21,000.

April 2013

Results

Failure to win more than just one game this month looks to have cost us the title. Going into the final game we need both the top two to lose or if they draw we need a big win.

Table

Despite the form this month it has been a great season. Take that media, predicting 22nd!!

May 2013

Results

Season ends on high with a win. But was it enough....

Table

No.

End of Season 2012/13

North West Counties Premier Division

Table

Graph

Despite missing out on the title by just two points it has been a fantastic season for all.

FA Vase

Results

First round exit to league rivals Glossop North End

Northern League Challenge Cup

Results

Made it to the 5th round before losing out to winners Buxton.

Congratulations goes to Joe Appleyard. Our Centre back ended the season with the highest rating.

Winners

Just as pre-season gets in full swing, i have a list of players im looking to bring to the club...

Slightly annoyed by that statement. Not one single player or backroom staff, including myself, takes home a wage from the club?!? :confused:

So three weeks later

And another week later

I am now sat on July 31st, no new players and all but one player on my list has been snapped up...Maybe our odds of 20/1 for the title this season are about right.

Pre Season 2013/14

Results

Not the best of reults but we are ready and waiting for the opening game now.

With the summer money problems i could only start adding to my squad from 20th August

Some real experience coming into the squad now. This has not altered the boards view of what is expected this season

And the media think....

I have lost my assistant manager John Cope who has joined Cheltenham Saracens as assistant manager.

Highly rated defender Joe Appleyard has attracted plenty of offers and as Auguest ends Ellesmere Rangers, Penrith and Continental Star has all offered him a contract.

August 2013

Results

An up and down start but better than last year. Hopefully Lee Trundle can start banging in the goals and we can keep Appleyard.

Table

Solid enough position but far to early to read anything into it.

September 2013

Results

Somehow i can look back at this awful and not be too downhearted. In the one draw and three defeats we only let the opposition have 8 shots on target in total. Amazingly SIX of those shots went in. Stockport, Padiham and Winsford all scored with their only efforts on target while Stone Dominoes scored two from four.

Table

Given the month we have had its no surprise we are way off the pace.

Northern League Challenge Cup

Something to cheer at least. A trip to Midland Alliance leaders Quorn FC up next.

October 2013

Results

Another poor month at least ends on a high. Again performances have been ok but single mistakes and a lack of firepower costing us.

Table

FA Vase

Comfortable home win with Morgan scoring FOUR on his debut.

Northern League Challenge Cup

That little graphic does nothing to describe the two mathes we have had. Firstly we had to fight back from 2-0 to grab a replay. The replay went all the way to penalties and i have never been involved in such a shoot out!!

November 2013

Results

A bit of everything this month. Two comfortable wins, with a treble from each of my main forwards. The draws were fair enough, should have lost one of the games and should have won the other. Then the defeats....The Maine Road one brings an unwanted record for us.

Table

Our poor season continues so its all about taking it a game at a time and trying to climb that league.

FA Vase

Fantastic cup win, why can't we do this is the league??

Northern League Challenge Cup

Would be gutted to be on the end of that last minute comeback.

December 2013

Results

Again we end the month strong to give me hop we have turned a corner. Can we salvage something from this season??

Table

5 points from 10th place, that the aim from January.

FA Vase

Can't be too disappointed with that. Whitley are a good team and we have to rest 7 players for the replay.

Northern League Challenge Cup

Again a 92nd minute winner to keep one piece of silverware in sight.

January 2014

Results

A busy month with plenty of goals. Sadly though not enough points for us. Need a good run. Marvin Morgan picked up a quickest goals record for his strike against Stones Dominoes.

Table

Northern League Challenge Cup

Thats the hopes of silverware over for this season. Going to be a long final 12 games.

Transfers

Four players have been brought in meaning we have a huge squad now. Will be trying a new formation for the remainder of the season and will be releasing plenty of players over the coming weeks.

February 2014

Results

Two games, two defeats. Not a great start with new formation. Following these matches 7 first team memebers were released.

Table

Transfers Out

Lee Trundle is the biggest name to depart. The 37 year old had scored ten goals in twentyfour league games but during January had asked to leave. We agreed the end of the season but with the change in formation and Marvin Morgan scoring 19 in 24 i decided to let him go. We have streamlined the u-18's too, with 16 players left although i expect more to leave after the youth candidates come in.

March 2014

Youth Candidates

Nothing much to shout about. Will take a few on and get some friendlies arranged for the u-18.

March 2014

Results

Where did that come from?? Fantastic month for all involved.

Table

Setting sights on a 7th placed finish after that month.

April 2014

Results

Another unbeaten month for us. Great form to end the season. Just champions Runcorn Linnets at home to come.

Table

7th is still there for us. Would be a great end to the season.

New record for us.

This month saw my 100 games come up at Wigan Robin Park. Not a bad win rate, 49%.

May 2014

Results

A god point against the champions.

Table

Have to be delighted with that finish. 7th is better than media predicted, we ended on a ten game unbeaten run winning eight. With ten to play we were twelve points shy of maine Road and managed to overhaul them. High hopes for next season!

Nice little record to end the season with.

End of Season 2013/14

North West Counties Premier Division

Table

Graph

Although disappointed to finish 7th given how things went in the first 32 games i cannot complain. High hopes for next year going into the season on the back of ten games unbeaten. Marvin Morga will be key after hitting 28 goals in 34 games.

FA Vase

Results

Made it to the 3rd round this year which is an improvemwnt on last season. Whotley went on to make the QF.

Northern League Challenge Cup

Results

5th round for a second year. Without doubt will remember this seasons run for the penalty shoot out against Quorn FC.

Winners