AFC Liverpool

AFC Liverpool History

AFC Liverpool was formed in 2008, by Liverpool FC fans, who had becoming increasingly frustrated at the cost and difficulty in obtaining tickets for the Premiership. The supposed `39th game` in which Premier League fixtures would be played in different parts of the world proved to be the final straw, highlighting that top flight football is more concerned about money than its fans.

A website was created and, with the response being positive, work began to move to the next stage and create a steering group to make the club a reality.

At the beginning of March 2008 AFC Liverpool was officially formed and it was made clear that the club was not in any way a response to the ownership issue at Anfield or a protest against Liverpool Football Club, more a reaction to issues at the top end of football in general.

By May, AFC Liverpool had appointed its first manager in Derek Goulding. The following month the club arranged a groundshare with Prescot Cables and had been accepted into the North West Counties Football League.

The club`s first game was a 1-1 draw in a friendly with St Helens Town on 16th July 2008 and they began their inaugural league season extremely well, beating Darwen 5-0 in their first competitive game and going on a run of ten wins in the first 11 games.

However they failed to keep this momentum going, and the club eventually finished forth in the League. The season did prove fruitful though as a victory in the final of the 1st Division Trophy over Padiham at Ashton Athletic provided the Clubs first piece of silverware.

2009-10 began with three successive victories but after this the season became very indifferent. After a 5-2 home defeat to Atherton Collieries on Easter Monday, Derek Goulding left the club and ex assistant and goalkeeping coach Paul Moore was appointed Caretaker manager.

Under Moore`s stewardship AFC had a strong end to the 2009-10 campaign, winning five out of their last seven league games to climb to fifth in the league and they also retained the 1st Division Trophy, coming from behind to beat Cheadle Town 2-1 in the final at Flixton. AFC Liverpool became the first Club to win the Trophy, not only twice but also successfully defending it.

2010-11 also began in promising fashion, the Reds going on a ten game unbeaten run after an opening day loss at AFC Darwen. However despite amassing their highest ever points total promotion never looked probable due to the form of would be Champions AFC Blackpool and second placed Runcorn Town resulting in a forth placed finish, missing out on third by goal difference.

There was disappointment too in the 1st Division Trophy when they reached the final for a third consecutive time only to lose to Atherton Collieries 3-2 in extra time. In the FA Vase, steady progress was made to the 3rd round, where their dreams of Wembley were dashed by a defeat at Whitley Bay, who would go on to claim a 3rd successive triumph.

However at the League AGM in July 2011 there was a surprise when Rossendale were expelled from the league and Formby demoted to the 1st Division. Holker Old Boys, who finished third on goal difference, declined an invitation to take up a place in the premier division, meaning AFC Liverpool, were invited and accepted the chance that was offered to them.

The 2011-12 season started badly in terms of results but not performances for AFC Liverpool as they had to wait until November for their first League victory, which came about in the form of a 7-0 demolition of Winsford United.

From that point, AFC Liverpool, who had been rooted to the foot of the table, began the steady climb out of danger, ultimately finishing in 19th Place, sixteen points clear of the relegation places.