Welcome back to Ashton Town
Thu 26th July 2018 | Ashton Town | By Ian Templeman
The familiar name of Ashton Town FC returns to our league for this season, after their one season sojourn in the Cheshire League last season.
Founder members of the NWCFL in 1982, after finishing in 11th place in Division One in 2015-16, no one would have predicted what eventually transpired at the club one year on, when they finished bottom of the table and were relegated at the end of 2016-17.
It was a tough blow for a club long established in our league, as Chairman Mark Hayes admits.
“I really didn’t think that we would get relegated, and it really did hit me hard”, said Mark.
“As a Chairman, ultimately that relegation sits with you, and it was something that had never happened to the club before.
“However, I am not just saying this but I truly think we have, and we will, come back stronger.
“The Cheshire League was quality and we regrouped well, but it took time. We actually only started pre-season last term with two original Town players from the relegation season, and from that, now only one player remains”.
Now, the club is geared up and ready to go again, and Mark says they can’t wait to get started.
“To put our relegation into context, an ex-pro really had to drill it into me that sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards, and I really think we have done that”, he said.
“We appointed a young hungry manager in Dave Dempsey, and he has built an absolutely fantastic team around him. He really has done an amazing job.
“His backroom staff includes Lee Bignell, who was ex-Helsby manager for years, Lee Thompson who has played the game at great non-league levels, and Michael Smith who came from Warrington Town when their reserves folded.
“It’s an absolute honour to be back involved with the Counties, and something the whole club is buzzing about.
“We certainly are not returning to just make up the numbers, and we look forward to both catching up with old friends, and meeting new, with the host of new clubs that have come up with us”.
Welcome back to Ashton Town
Thu 26th July 2018 | Ashton Town
By Ian Templeman
The familiar name of Ashton Town FC returns to our league for this season, after their one season sojourn in the Cheshire League last season.
Founder members of the NWCFL in 1982, after finishing in 11th place in Division One in 2015-16, no one would have predicted what eventually transpired at the club one year on, when they finished bottom of the table and were relegated at the end of 2016-17.
It was a tough blow for a club long established in our league, as Chairman Mark Hayes admits.
“I really didn’t think that we would get relegated, and it really did hit me hard”, said Mark.
“As a Chairman, ultimately that relegation sits with you, and it was something that had never happened to the club before.
“However, I am not just saying this but I truly think we have, and we will, come back stronger.
“The Cheshire League was quality and we regrouped well, but it took time. We actually only started pre-season last term with two original Town players from the relegation season, and from that, now only one player remains”.
Now, the club is geared up and ready to go again, and Mark says they can’t wait to get started.
“To put our relegation into context, an ex-pro really had to drill it into me that sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards, and I really think we have done that”, he said.
“We appointed a young hungry manager in Dave Dempsey, and he has built an absolutely fantastic team around him. He really has done an amazing job.
“His backroom staff includes Lee Bignell, who was ex-Helsby manager for years, Lee Thompson who has played the game at great non-league levels, and Michael Smith who came from Warrington Town when their reserves folded.
“It’s an absolute honour to be back involved with the Counties, and something the whole club is buzzing about.
“We certainly are not returning to just make up the numbers, and we look forward to both catching up with old friends, and meeting new, with the host of new clubs that have come up with us”.
