A Memorable Day For Atherton Collieries
Tue 29th November 2011 | Atherton Collieries | By Ian Templeman
Five years ago today, Atherton Collieries recorded an eye catching victory in what was one of the most notable games in their long history.
On the 29th November 2006, Colls went to Gigg Lane to face FC United of Manchester, and came away with a stunning 3-0 win. Anthony Pilkington, now starring in the Premiership with Norwich City, grabbed all three goals in what turned out to be his last appearance in a Colls shirt.
To commemorate the anniversary, Colls secretary Emil Anderson wrote an article about the game, which was published in the match programme for Colls' game against Irlam last Saturday. We reproduce it in full below.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday 29 November 2011 sees the fifth anniversary of a great Colls triumph. The 3-0 away win at FC United Of Manchester in front of 1723 fans at Gigg Lane sent shockwaves through the NWCFL scene and kick started a series of events that sent a Colls star all the way to the Premiership.
There has been enough newspaper column inches and media sound bites recently linking Norwich City's Anthony Pilkington to Atherton Collieries FC and it is fact that Anthony scored all three Colls goals in the game which was subsequently his last ever appearance for the club. The club are rightly proud of his meteoric rise to the top of the game but this piece is not all about him - it is about the fourteen players and management who deservedly achieved this memorable result.
The match should not have been played on Wednesday 29 November 2006. It was pencilled in for a Saturday in September but a water burst outside Gigg Lane saw the game postponed just before kick off on health and safety grounds. Colls were having their best season since promotion to the NWCFL top flight in 1996/97 but had just suffered a hammer blow in losing at Glasshoughton Welfare in the FA Vase in an eminently winnable game.
Manager Phil Brown had galvanised the club, but the cup defeat had drained a bit of confidence and he had to use his skills to lift his players. FC United were clear league leaders having just one league thus far. They were definite favourites, although I do remember speaking to a FC committee lady on the bus heading to Gigg Lane before the game. I told her that we were a good side and that we may spring a surprise. I can't remember if I was just being bullish but I was proved correct. When we got to the ground we were treated stylishly by our hosts and the club's committee were enjoying a glass or two of the falling down water in the hospitality room.
I will not bore you with War & Peace about the game. I will leave this to Colls right back James ‘Titch' Parkinson. He was at the club a couple of weeks ago and I asked him to email me his thoughts on the game. They are reproduced below.
I probably had my worst 5 minutes in football and best 90 minutes in the space of 2 weeks. Prior to the FC United game, I remember playing away at Glasshoughton Welfare in the 2nd round of the FA Vase, where I gave away a penalty and scored an own goal in probably less than 5 minutes. I think I avoided getting sent off through pity from the referee. We got beat 2-1 and I received the "Browny silence treatment" for a couple of weeks (similar to what you get off your missus when you don't come home after a night out), so I was lucky to be involved against FC United.
Prior to the game, we worked on defending during training and if memory serves me right, it didn't go too well - I think we scored a couple more own goals! So preparation for the game wasn't the best and it didn't help on the night of the game with Nezza and Pilky not turning up until 7.40pm - don't think they realised the game was going to have a few more fans than usual!
Due to the poor preparation, FC United putting 5 or 6 past most teams each week and being unbeaten at home since they were formed, Browny's team talk before the game was very different than usual. Browny would expect to perform and win in every game bar none, but he stated "a result tonight might be, not to get hammered!" I was surprised by this, but it took all pressure off because we were never expected to get anything from the game, we were told to enjoy playing in front of a crowd and enjoy the occasion. Maybe this was good management/psychology by Browny or maybe he did believe we were going to get hammered!
They couldn't cope with the pace of Hobby and Pilky, we kept playing balls through defenders or over the top for the strikers to run on to. We had quite a few good chances first half, 2-0 up at half time was well deserved. Pilky turned the centre half inside out for the first goal and slotted it through the keepers legs from a tight angle, 2nd goal - route 1, long kick from Gav Bates, flick on by Hobby and Pilky ran on, took a touch and finished fantastically from 18 yards out.
Half time team talk was a different story, keep it tight for next 15 minutes, don't let them get back in the game and they will get more and more frustrated. They must have had 5/6 good chances but missed the target with every opportunity. Hobby and Pilky had a few more one on one's before Pilky finished off his hat-trick at the end of the game when a poor back-pass left him with just the keeper to beat. Pilky nutmegged the keeper and rolled the ball into the empty net to great acclaim from the Colls fans
Being from Bury, I was happy just playing on Gigg Lane in front of 2000 people but to win the way we did made this even more special.
Then Pilky disappeared to play full-time and we didn't win 'til February................
I couldn't put it any better than that myself. The night was glorious, FC were graceful in defeat. We had another couple of drinks at Gigg Lane and then a dozen of us ended up in the Rope & Anchor celebrating. Locals could not believe we had beaten the rebels. WHAT A NIGHT!
The players who played that night were -
1 - Gavin Bates, a big unit from Preston who commanded his box well. He made some good stops on the night as FC through everything at him late on to try back into the game. I think he got the NWCFL goalie of the month in November 2006. He played for the club until midway through the 2008/09 season.
2 - James Parkinson, what he lacked in stature he made up for in heart and aggression. He was awesome in the 2006/07 and I think he got one of the player of the year awards. He joined the club as a striker in 2004/05 but moved his way back. A true Colls ‘mon', he left at the beginning of the 2009/10 season with nigh on 150 appearances for the club.
3 - David Rhodes, another one of the Preston contingent. Made a goal scoring debut at St Helens Town on November 2006. He had an eye for goal and scored 4 in 24 appearances in 06/07, his only games for the club.
4 - Dave McCann, assistant manager and centre half. Works with Browny at Myerscough and played against us for Squires Gate in the FA Cup earlier this season. A proper defender who didn't like losing.
5 - Nick Dyson, an accomplished footballer who could play in defence or midfield. Only played for us in 06/07 and made 26 appearances. Wish he had played more.
6 - Alex Lord, captain of the team, son of Alan – Colls legend. Could play in defence and midfield and was a good passer of the ball. Was likely to get the odd sending off but that's not difficult in this day and age. Played around 100 games for the club, his last one towards the end of the early in the 08/09 campaign.
7 - Neil Davies, a combative but stylish midfielder who could cause trouble in a empty house (football wise of course). One of the Myerscough gang who played for England Colleges while he was there. A fans favourite who had a couple of spells for the club. Played for Atherton LR last season but we don't hold that against him.
8 - Andy Walker, still at the club after making his debut at Atherton LR on 26 December 2003. He scored that day and was also sent off. Think he has been sent off 3 times against our town rivals which has given him a cult status at Alder House. Is now approaching 250 games for the club and he was skipper when we lifted our first NWCFL in over 20 years when we beat AFC Liverpool in the First Division Trophy last May.
9 - Craig Hobson, rangy centre forward who caused havoc amongst the FC defence. Pilky may have got the hat-trick but Hobby was the perfect foil. Surprised FC did not come in for him after the game. Didn't play after 06/07 but is now at Stalybridge Celtic in the Blue Square North.
10 - Andy Harvie, tricky wireman. Quietly effective player who showed his commitment to the club by coming from Blackpool for the games. Left at end of season. Last seen at Squires Gate in FA Cup match where he haunted us by scoring the only goal of the game.
11 - Anthony Pilkington, hat-trick hero on last ever appearance. Atherton Collieries, Stockport County, Huddersfield Town and Norwich City. Enough said.
12 - Jermaine Peters, a fine defender who played 180 games for the club from 2002/03 to the end of 2006/07. He could head the ball as good as anybody I have seen on the NWCFL circuit. Scored some vital goals. Not been seen since end of 06/07 a the club. You are welcome anytime Jack.
13 - Barry Massay, legendary non league player in the North West. The term more clubs than Jack Nicklaus has never been more apt. Another Colls cult figure, and he is at LR also. Centre forward who put the fear of god into defenders. Scored goals all his career. Now managing Hindsford who are chasing the Manchester League Premier Division title.
14 - Seydou Bamba, unpredictable but talented Canadian player. His pace left defender floundering and had knack of scoring superb goals. Left at the end of the season when the team broke up but had made a starting slot his own.
Manager – Phil Brown, head coach at the impressive Myerscough College and he brought this professionalism to Alder House. Took the club to it's highest ever NWCFL position of 7th and at end of season I thought the team was as good as the top 3 who got promoted, FC United, Salford City and Nantwich Town. Went onto mange Chorley and is now at Lancaster City along with Myerscough of course.
Goalie Coach – Paul Chapman. Came with Joe Murty in late 2002 and stayed 5/6 seasons. Was a loyal clubman who is now coaching at FC United after previously being at Ramsbottom United.
There you have it, the people who brought about a grand night for ACFC.
THANKS FOR THE MEMORY!
FC United didn't lose in the league again and broke league records. This included a convincing 3-0 victory over us on 6 January 2007. The game was played at Hilton Park, Leigh in front of 1461 punters.
A Memorable Day For Atherton Collieries
Tue 29th November 2011 | Atherton Collieries
By Ian Templeman
Five years ago today, Atherton Collieries recorded an eye catching victory in what was one of the most notable games in their long history.
On the 29th November 2006, Colls went to Gigg Lane to face FC United of Manchester, and came away with a stunning 3-0 win. Anthony Pilkington, now starring in the Premiership with Norwich City, grabbed all three goals in what turned out to be his last appearance in a Colls shirt.
To commemorate the anniversary, Colls secretary Emil Anderson wrote an article about the game, which was published in the match programme for Colls' game against Irlam last Saturday. We reproduce it in full below.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday 29 November 2011 sees the fifth anniversary of a great Colls triumph. The 3-0 away win at FC United Of Manchester in front of 1723 fans at Gigg Lane sent shockwaves through the NWCFL scene and kick started a series of events that sent a Colls star all the way to the Premiership.
There has been enough newspaper column inches and media sound bites recently linking Norwich City's Anthony Pilkington to Atherton Collieries FC and it is fact that Anthony scored all three Colls goals in the game which was subsequently his last ever appearance for the club. The club are rightly proud of his meteoric rise to the top of the game but this piece is not all about him - it is about the fourteen players and management who deservedly achieved this memorable result.
The match should not have been played on Wednesday 29 November 2006. It was pencilled in for a Saturday in September but a water burst outside Gigg Lane saw the game postponed just before kick off on health and safety grounds. Colls were having their best season since promotion to the NWCFL top flight in 1996/97 but had just suffered a hammer blow in losing at Glasshoughton Welfare in the FA Vase in an eminently winnable game.
Manager Phil Brown had galvanised the club, but the cup defeat had drained a bit of confidence and he had to use his skills to lift his players. FC United were clear league leaders having just one league thus far. They were definite favourites, although I do remember speaking to a FC committee lady on the bus heading to Gigg Lane before the game. I told her that we were a good side and that we may spring a surprise. I can't remember if I was just being bullish but I was proved correct. When we got to the ground we were treated stylishly by our hosts and the club's committee were enjoying a glass or two of the falling down water in the hospitality room.
I will not bore you with War & Peace about the game. I will leave this to Colls right back James ‘Titch' Parkinson. He was at the club a couple of weeks ago and I asked him to email me his thoughts on the game. They are reproduced below.
I probably had my worst 5 minutes in football and best 90 minutes in the space of 2 weeks. Prior to the FC United game, I remember playing away at Glasshoughton Welfare in the 2nd round of the FA Vase, where I gave away a penalty and scored an own goal in probably less than 5 minutes. I think I avoided getting sent off through pity from the referee. We got beat 2-1 and I received the "Browny silence treatment" for a couple of weeks (similar to what you get off your missus when you don't come home after a night out), so I was lucky to be involved against FC United.
Prior to the game, we worked on defending during training and if memory serves me right, it didn't go too well - I think we scored a couple more own goals! So preparation for the game wasn't the best and it didn't help on the night of the game with Nezza and Pilky not turning up until 7.40pm - don't think they realised the game was going to have a few more fans than usual!
Due to the poor preparation, FC United putting 5 or 6 past most teams each week and being unbeaten at home since they were formed, Browny's team talk before the game was very different than usual. Browny would expect to perform and win in every game bar none, but he stated "a result tonight might be, not to get hammered!" I was surprised by this, but it took all pressure off because we were never expected to get anything from the game, we were told to enjoy playing in front of a crowd and enjoy the occasion. Maybe this was good management/psychology by Browny or maybe he did believe we were going to get hammered!
They couldn't cope with the pace of Hobby and Pilky, we kept playing balls through defenders or over the top for the strikers to run on to. We had quite a few good chances first half, 2-0 up at half time was well deserved. Pilky turned the centre half inside out for the first goal and slotted it through the keepers legs from a tight angle, 2nd goal - route 1, long kick from Gav Bates, flick on by Hobby and Pilky ran on, took a touch and finished fantastically from 18 yards out.
Half time team talk was a different story, keep it tight for next 15 minutes, don't let them get back in the game and they will get more and more frustrated. They must have had 5/6 good chances but missed the target with every opportunity. Hobby and Pilky had a few more one on one's before Pilky finished off his hat-trick at the end of the game when a poor back-pass left him with just the keeper to beat. Pilky nutmegged the keeper and rolled the ball into the empty net to great acclaim from the Colls fans
Being from Bury, I was happy just playing on Gigg Lane in front of 2000 people but to win the way we did made this even more special.
Then Pilky disappeared to play full-time and we didn't win 'til February................
I couldn't put it any better than that myself. The night was glorious, FC were graceful in defeat. We had another couple of drinks at Gigg Lane and then a dozen of us ended up in the Rope & Anchor celebrating. Locals could not believe we had beaten the rebels. WHAT A NIGHT!
The players who played that night were -
1 - Gavin Bates, a big unit from Preston who commanded his box well. He made some good stops on the night as FC through everything at him late on to try back into the game. I think he got the NWCFL goalie of the month in November 2006. He played for the club until midway through the 2008/09 season.
2 - James Parkinson, what he lacked in stature he made up for in heart and aggression. He was awesome in the 2006/07 and I think he got one of the player of the year awards. He joined the club as a striker in 2004/05 but moved his way back. A true Colls ‘mon', he left at the beginning of the 2009/10 season with nigh on 150 appearances for the club.
3 - David Rhodes, another one of the Preston contingent. Made a goal scoring debut at St Helens Town on November 2006. He had an eye for goal and scored 4 in 24 appearances in 06/07, his only games for the club.
4 - Dave McCann, assistant manager and centre half. Works with Browny at Myerscough and played against us for Squires Gate in the FA Cup earlier this season. A proper defender who didn't like losing.
5 - Nick Dyson, an accomplished footballer who could play in defence or midfield. Only played for us in 06/07 and made 26 appearances. Wish he had played more.
6 - Alex Lord, captain of the team, son of Alan – Colls legend. Could play in defence and midfield and was a good passer of the ball. Was likely to get the odd sending off but that's not difficult in this day and age. Played around 100 games for the club, his last one towards the end of the early in the 08/09 campaign.
7 - Neil Davies, a combative but stylish midfielder who could cause trouble in a empty house (football wise of course). One of the Myerscough gang who played for England Colleges while he was there. A fans favourite who had a couple of spells for the club. Played for Atherton LR last season but we don't hold that against him.
8 - Andy Walker, still at the club after making his debut at Atherton LR on 26 December 2003. He scored that day and was also sent off. Think he has been sent off 3 times against our town rivals which has given him a cult status at Alder House. Is now approaching 250 games for the club and he was skipper when we lifted our first NWCFL in over 20 years when we beat AFC Liverpool in the First Division Trophy last May.
9 - Craig Hobson, rangy centre forward who caused havoc amongst the FC defence. Pilky may have got the hat-trick but Hobby was the perfect foil. Surprised FC did not come in for him after the game. Didn't play after 06/07 but is now at Stalybridge Celtic in the Blue Square North.
10 - Andy Harvie, tricky wireman. Quietly effective player who showed his commitment to the club by coming from Blackpool for the games. Left at end of season. Last seen at Squires Gate in FA Cup match where he haunted us by scoring the only goal of the game.
11 - Anthony Pilkington, hat-trick hero on last ever appearance. Atherton Collieries, Stockport County, Huddersfield Town and Norwich City. Enough said.
12 - Jermaine Peters, a fine defender who played 180 games for the club from 2002/03 to the end of 2006/07. He could head the ball as good as anybody I have seen on the NWCFL circuit. Scored some vital goals. Not been seen since end of 06/07 a the club. You are welcome anytime Jack.
13 - Barry Massay, legendary non league player in the North West. The term more clubs than Jack Nicklaus has never been more apt. Another Colls cult figure, and he is at LR also. Centre forward who put the fear of god into defenders. Scored goals all his career. Now managing Hindsford who are chasing the Manchester League Premier Division title.
14 - Seydou Bamba, unpredictable but talented Canadian player. His pace left defender floundering and had knack of scoring superb goals. Left at the end of the season when the team broke up but had made a starting slot his own.
Manager – Phil Brown, head coach at the impressive Myerscough College and he brought this professionalism to Alder House. Took the club to it's highest ever NWCFL position of 7th and at end of season I thought the team was as good as the top 3 who got promoted, FC United, Salford City and Nantwich Town. Went onto mange Chorley and is now at Lancaster City along with Myerscough of course.
Goalie Coach – Paul Chapman. Came with Joe Murty in late 2002 and stayed 5/6 seasons. Was a loyal clubman who is now coaching at FC United after previously being at Ramsbottom United.
There you have it, the people who brought about a grand night for ACFC.
THANKS FOR THE MEMORY!
FC United didn't lose in the league again and broke league records. This included a convincing 3-0 victory over us on 6 January 2007. The game was played at Hilton Park, Leigh in front of 1461 punters.
