LATICS OLD BOY'S CAN'T COMPETE AGAINST THE YOUTH OF ASHTON ATHLETIC!
Wigan Athletics’ past players visited Brocstedes Park last night to take on North West Counties League, Division Two side Ashton Athletic. Also popping along was myself, ADMIN, Bar Staff and Lady J, and I must confess that an enjoyable evening's football was served up for us and all the other Latics and Ashton fans who braved the elements to take in the official opening of the Ashton club's floodlights.
The setup at Brocstedes Park took me back by about thirty odd years and I must admit that the club house does this little football club proud.On arriving at the ground the Ashton staff was courteous and showed me the best place to park the car, bearing in mind I then had to find the Catholic Club to meet ADMIN and his mate for a pre match drink. The car park attendant/club house mon directed me to a superb place which meant I had a two minute walk to the club over a field instead of a half hour one retracing the route that I took to get to the ground!After a Kaliber in the Catholic club with ADMIN and his hollow legged mate, it was time to sample the delights of the club house at the ground and it was there that Bar Staff, actually put his hand in his pocket and got a round in!
All of us were impressed with the layout of the place and the friendliness of the staff. Food and warm beverages were available at proper prices, (ask Hollow Legs), the beer was cheap and there was a genuine feeling of warmth and sportsmanship in evidence, and you sensed that the Ashton officials and various volunteers had looked forward to this occasion for a while. To their great credit things ran very smoothly indeed and I hope that all their efforts were rewarded by the end of the evening.
As for the game itself the team, managed by David Glenn and Peter Catterall, with Kenny Morris as team coach, was a combination of players who played for the club from quite a few era's of the club's history. The oldest being Tony Lydon who first played for the club when Allenby Chilton was manager in 1959! Looking around me I was sure that a few Latics past players were also present at the game as I thought I recognised Jack Richardson in passing, (a former Latics goalkeeper in the very early sixties and someone who I last spoke to almost 15 years ago!) The youth of the Ashton team, who I believe were missing quite a few regulars, was just too much for a tired looking Latics outfit and the only surprise at half time was the fact we were only trailing by two goals. "Bloody Rubbish Wigan!"
Lady J brightened up considerably when, an acquaintance of hers, Paul Bohannan, took to the field for Ashton, almost immediately wondering why his shorts were shorter than anyone else's. She lost all credibility with me after that statement, proving beyond doubt the true reason why women watch football!
To be fair though, after his introduction, Latics then conceded two quick goals, the second of which was a comical own goal by Colin Greenall! The introduction of Simon Farnworth didn't help matters either as Ashton gleefully took their tally to six, whilst Latics goals were both scored from dubious penalty awards!It's just a pity the weather was so awful, as I suspect a few more people would have turned out had it been a bit brighter. However, this didn't spoil the enjoyment of everyone present and after Lucozade or two in the club house afterwards, myself and ADMIN came to the conclusion that Ashton Athletic were definitely worth a visit or two this season, Latics fixtures permitting.
Courtesy of The Olde Tree and Crown
The setup at Brocstedes Park took me back by about thirty odd years and I must admit that the club house does this little football club proud.On arriving at the ground the Ashton staff was courteous and showed me the best place to park the car, bearing in mind I then had to find the Catholic Club to meet ADMIN and his mate for a pre match drink. The car park attendant/club house mon directed me to a superb place which meant I had a two minute walk to the club over a field instead of a half hour one retracing the route that I took to get to the ground!After a Kaliber in the Catholic club with ADMIN and his hollow legged mate, it was time to sample the delights of the club house at the ground and it was there that Bar Staff, actually put his hand in his pocket and got a round in!
All of us were impressed with the layout of the place and the friendliness of the staff. Food and warm beverages were available at proper prices, (ask Hollow Legs), the beer was cheap and there was a genuine feeling of warmth and sportsmanship in evidence, and you sensed that the Ashton officials and various volunteers had looked forward to this occasion for a while. To their great credit things ran very smoothly indeed and I hope that all their efforts were rewarded by the end of the evening.
As for the game itself the team, managed by David Glenn and Peter Catterall, with Kenny Morris as team coach, was a combination of players who played for the club from quite a few era's of the club's history. The oldest being Tony Lydon who first played for the club when Allenby Chilton was manager in 1959! Looking around me I was sure that a few Latics past players were also present at the game as I thought I recognised Jack Richardson in passing, (a former Latics goalkeeper in the very early sixties and someone who I last spoke to almost 15 years ago!) The youth of the Ashton team, who I believe were missing quite a few regulars, was just too much for a tired looking Latics outfit and the only surprise at half time was the fact we were only trailing by two goals. "Bloody Rubbish Wigan!"
Lady J brightened up considerably when, an acquaintance of hers, Paul Bohannan, took to the field for Ashton, almost immediately wondering why his shorts were shorter than anyone else's. She lost all credibility with me after that statement, proving beyond doubt the true reason why women watch football!
To be fair though, after his introduction, Latics then conceded two quick goals, the second of which was a comical own goal by Colin Greenall! The introduction of Simon Farnworth didn't help matters either as Ashton gleefully took their tally to six, whilst Latics goals were both scored from dubious penalty awards!It's just a pity the weather was so awful, as I suspect a few more people would have turned out had it been a bit brighter. However, this didn't spoil the enjoyment of everyone present and after Lucozade or two in the club house afterwards, myself and ADMIN came to the conclusion that Ashton Athletic were definitely worth a visit or two this season, Latics fixtures permitting.
Courtesy of The Olde Tree and Crown
posted by
Steve Chairman at 3:02 PM
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1 Comments:
must say the sausage barms were very tasty and the beer in the clubhouse very drinkable
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