A.F.C. Liverpool
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| Full name | Association Football Club Liverpool | ||
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| Founded | 2008 (by 1,000 Liverpool FC fans headed up by Alun Parry, Mark Woods and Chris Stirrup) |
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| Ground | Valerie Park Prescot, Merseyside (Capacity: 3,200) |
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| Chairman | Chris Stirrup | ||
| Manager | Paul Moore | ||
| League | North West Counties Football League Premier Division | ||
| 2010–11 | North West Counties Football League Division One, 4th (promoted) | ||
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A.F.C. Liverpool is a semi-professional English football club set up by 1,000 Liverpool football club fans in 2008. Fans are able to buy into the club on a 'one member-one vote' basis.[1][2] The club kicked off the 2010–11 season in North West Counties League Division One.[3] In the 2011–12 season they will play in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division.[4]
The club was formed in 2008 and won the North West Counties First Division Trophy in its inaugural season. It retained the trophy the following season, the only club ever to do so.
The club was managed by the former Southport and Bangor City centre back Derek Goulding from its formation until 7 April 2010.
Goulding was succeeded by previous assistant manager and another former Southport player, Paul Moore, who took over in a caretaker role and brought in Paul Walsh as assistant manager from Ashton Town FC. With an impressive end to the season; winning five and drawing two of the last seven games, and leading the team to victory in the Vodkat First Division Trophy, he was offered the role on a permanent basis.
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[edit] History
[edit] Formation
The club was set up to provide a match-going experience for Liverpool fans who have been priced out of Premier League football.[5] The club has adopted the same colours, fan songs and is based around the same community as Liverpool F.C.. The club is a non-profit organisation. The AFC Liverpool founder Alun Parry said "I've been going to Anfield since the late Seventies when I was six years old. A season ticket in the Kop cost £45 in 1985, today it's £650, which I know is a lot cheaper than some other Premier League clubs, but in inflation terms Eighties prices should equate to £98 today."[5] He also stated that the formation of the club had nothing to do with the debated ownership of Liverpool. Parry stressed that the club was not to be estranged from Liverpool, but he hoped that it would look on AFC as a 'little brother'.
The formation of the club was featured in the Daily Telegraph, The Guardian,[6] Daily Mirror, the Liverpool Echo, the Daily Post,[7] BBC Sport,[8] Radio City, City Talk FM, 106.7 Merseyside's KCR FM BBC Radio Merseyside, BBC London and Sky Sports News.
On the 17 June 2008, AFC Liverpool were officially accepted into the North West Counties League Division One for the 2008–09 season. In addition to this, Prescot Cables also granted AFC Liverpool permission to play their home games at Valerie Park.[9] AFC Liverpool club founder Alun Parry said: "Everybody at the club is delighted. We now have an excellent, atmospheric stadium to play in which has excellent transport links, making it easy for our fans to get to.
"And the decision of the league's AGM puts us as full members of the Northwest Counties (Vodkat) League, and it means that our dream is now a reality."
[edit] 2008–09 season
The first game in the club's history was a friendly played on 16 July 2008 against St Helens Town. The result was a 1–1 draw with the first ever goal for AFC Liverpool being a penalty scored by Martin Crowder. This was followed by success for the club in securing their first trophy on 19 July in the Joe Fagan Commemorative Trophy, achieved after beating Nelson 5–3 on penalties after the match ended in a 1–1 all draw. The club collected its second trophy of the season in The Fans Club Trophy on 2 August beating Runcorn Linnets 4–1.
The club's first competitive game took place on 9 August, at home to Darwen, and resulted in a 5–0 victory in front of 442 fans. A 4–3 away win at Bootle on 27 December resulted in the largest attendance for an AFC Liverpool game so far. This thrilling Merseyside "Derby" also attracted the largest attendance ever at New Bucks Park.
Further success followed on 16 April 2009, when the club secured the First Division Trophy (the league cup competition for North West Counties League Division One) after beating Padiham 1–0. The club finished its inaugural season in 4th place, missing out on promotion to the Premier Division.
On 2 May the fans' player of the season, was awarded to influential midfielder Ian Sheridan. The leading goalscorer for the season was Dean Thurston with 21 goals in 26 appearances (5 as substitute).
[edit] 2009–10 season
The club started its second season in the First Division with mixed form, finishing September in 5th place with five wins and two defeats from seven matches. The club's form improved in October, ending the month in third place with three games in hand over the clubs above them. In the club's first appearance in the FA Vase they exited in the second qualifying round after losing narrowly at home 1–2 to Dinnington Town. The club progressed to the second round of the Liverpool Senior Cup where they were eliminated by Skelmersdale United. They went on to win the Vodkat League First Division Trophy, the only team to retain it since its inception in 1989–90.[10] Derek Goulding, the manager since the club was formed left the club in April and they finished the season in fifth place.
[edit] 2010–11 season
The club entered the FA Cup for the first time in this season but were eliminated in their first match in the competition losing 4-1 to Hemsworth MW.[11] In the FA Vase they progressed to the third round of the competition knocking out Dinnington Town, Hallam, and A.F.C. Blackpool, before being knocked out by Whitley Bay. Their early league form saw them move to second in the league by mid-November. Moving into 2011, AFC Liverpool's season was stalled by one of the worst winters in recent years. The whole of non league football was disrupted, however many of AFC Liverpool's biggest rivals have managed to play more games, which pushed the club backwards in the league. They were also been hindered by player movements in the club (most notably the club's star striker Steven Jones who signed for Welsh Premier League team Newtown).[12] Eventually, they finished fourth in the division after the runaway success of AFC Blackpool and league newcomers Runcorn Town. After reaching the final of the First Division Trophy for the 3rd successive year, they were beaten 3–2 in extra time by Atherton Collieries.[13] On the 18th June 2011 AFC Liverpool were granted promotion to the North West Counties Football League Premier Division due to Rossendale United being expelled from the league and 3rd placed Holker Old Boys declining promotion.[14]
[edit] First team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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[edit] Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
 Paul Moore |
Manager |
| Paul Walsh |
Assistant Manager |
 Bill Pirrie |
Physio |
 John Aldridge |
Club Patron |
 Vegard Heggem |
Club Patron |
 Erik Meijer |
Club Patron |
 Joey Jones |
Club Patron |
| David Johnson |
Club Patron |
| George Sephton |
Club Patron |
[edit] Competition history
| Season | League | Level | Pld | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | Pos | Average Home Att.1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–09 | North West Counties League First Division | 10 | 34 | 22 | 3 | 9 | 82 | 39 | +43 | 69 | 4/18 | 316 |
| 2009–10 | North West Counties League First Division | 10 | 32 | 15 | 4 | 13 | 60 | 43 | +17 | 49 | 5/17 | 178 |
| 2010–11 | North West Counties League First Division | 10 | 34 | 19 | 6 | 9 | 65 | 34 | +31 | 63 | 4/18 (promoted) |
126 |
| 2011–12 | North West Counties League Premier Division | 9 | 25 | 4 | 4 | 17 | 27 | 49 | -22 | 16 | 21/22 | 135[15] |
1: League games only
Last Updated: 9 December 2011
[edit] Honours
| Honours | No. | Years |
|---|---|---|
| North West Counties League First Division Trophy Winners | 2 | 2008–09, 2009–10 |
| North West Counties League First Division Trophy Runners-Up | 1 | 2010–11 |
| Joe Fagan Commemorative Trophy Winners | 2 | 2008–09, 2009–10 |
| The Fans Club Trophy Winners | 3 | 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11 |
[edit] Records
- Record League victory: 7–0 v Eccleshall, 25 September 2010,[16] 7–0 v Winsford United, 16 November 2011[17]
- Record League position: 4th North West Counties Football League Division One, 2008–09, 2010–11
- Worst League Position: 5th North West Counties Football League Division One, 2009–10
- Record win margin: 7
- 7–0 v Eccleshall, 25 September 2010
- 7–0 v Winsford United, 16 November 2011
- Record League defeat:
- 1–4 v Stone Dominoes, 5 December 2009
- 0–3 v Padiham, 22 November 2008
- Record competitive defeat:
- 1–7 v Whitley Bay, 8 January 2011, FA Vase 3rd round[18]
- Record League attendance: Valerie Park, Prescot – 604 v Wigan Robin Park, 6 September 2008
- Overall Record League attendance: New Bucks Park, Bootle – 723 v Bootle, 27 December 2008
- Overall Record attendance: Hillheads Park, Whitley Bay - 738 v Whitley Bay F.C., 8 January 2011
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "The fans are revolting". Daily Mirror. 2008-03-08. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/more/2008/03/08/the-fans-are-revolting-89520-20344000/. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
- ^ "Liverpool fans plan AFC Liverpool". icLiverpool. 2008-02-25. http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/0500liverpoolfc/0100news/tm_headline=liverpool-fans-plan-afc-liverpool&method=full&objectid=20521205&siteid=50061-name_page.html. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
- ^ Conn, David (2008-05-08). "AFC Liverpool join the rebels with vow of football for all". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/may/08/1. Retrieved 2008-05-08.
- ^ "AFC Liverpool promoted". Liverpool FC. 18 June 2011. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/afc-liverpool-promoted?. Retrieved 18 June 2011.
- ^ a b George, Ricky (2008-03-18). "Liverpool fans form a club in their price range". The Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2008/03/18/sfnliv118.xml. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
- ^ Roughley, Gregg (2008-07-16). "Liverpool's little brother prepares to enter the world". The Guardian (London). http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/07/16/liverpools_little_brother_prep.html. Retrieved 2008-07-16.
- ^ "Hunt for 1,000 fans for AFC Liverpool football club". Liverpool Daily Post. 2008-03-07. http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/03/07/hunt-for-1-000-fans-for-afc-liverpool-football-club-64375-20571833/. Retrieved 2008-03-07.
- ^ "Reds fans form 'affordable' club". news.bbc.co.uk. 2008-03-18. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/football/teams/l/liverpool/7303144.stm. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
- ^ "http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N160254080617-1500.htm". Liverpoolfc.tv. 2008-06-17. http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N160254080617-1500.htm;. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
- ^ "AFC Liverpool Retain The first Division Trophy". VodkatLeague.com. 2010-04-27. http://www.vodkatleague.com/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=573&cntnt01returnid=15. Retrieved 2010-05-03.
- ^ "Highlights: Hemsworth MW 4-1 AFC Liverpool". AFC Liverpool. 2010-04-27. http://afcliverpool.org.uk/go/1st-team/highlights-hemsworth-mw-4-1-afc-liverpool.html. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
- ^ "Steve Jones, Newtown AFC 10/11", Newtown AFC, http://www.newtownafc.co.uk/id30.html, retrieved 5 May 2011
- ^ "Atherton Collieries - 1st Division Trophy Winners", Vodkat league, http://www.vodkatleague.com/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=1335&cntnt01returnid=51, retrieved 10 May 2011
- ^ League Constitution 2011–12 – AFC Liverpool promoted
- ^ NWCFL Premier Division – Non League Matters
- ^ "Eccleshall 0 v 7 AFC Liverpool". AFC Liverpool. 25 September 2010. http://afcliverpool.org.uk/go/1st-team/eccleshall-0-v-7-afc-liverpool-match-result.html. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
- ^ AFC Liverpool 7 v 0 Winsford United
- ^ "Whitley Bay 7-1 AFC Liverpool". AFC Liverpool. 8 January 2011. http://afcliverpool.org.uk/go/1st-team/whitley-bay-7-1-afc-liverpool.html. Retrieved 9 January 2011.
[edit] External links
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