Title hopefuls in first-day clash

TWO of the D&J Builders (North West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League title favourites meet this weekend when a first full programme of fixtures are played.

High Crompton CC and Hunt Lane Tavern are the teams in question and they go head-to-head at New Barn playing fields, Shaw, on Sunday (2pm).

The likes of Chaddy End FC, Failsworth Dynamos and Holts United are also tipped to be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

Whatever the outcome in nine months’ time, there will definitely be a new name on the premier division roll of honour as last season’s champions, Legends of Lees, have folded.

Nine new teams have joined the league this season, with three divisions of 12 teams.

The newcomers are Avro under-19s, Shahjahal Unity, Khartoum Northern, Rose of Lancaster, Royton Cons, Rifle Range Royal Blues, Oldham United, Northside and White Hart.

Officials are pleased with the number of teams in the league this season (36) and it is hoped that the proposed and much heralded improvements to playing and changing facilities will attract even more new clubs to the league and Sunday football in general.

A five-strong committee, headed by Jack Bamford, has been set up to deal with disciplinary matters and help take some of the pressure off league secretary, Val Broadbent.




Divisional line-ups:

Jack Abbott premier division: Chaddy End FC, High Crompton CC, Lowerhouse United, Hunt Lane Tavern, Failsworth Athletic, Coppice United, Failsworth Dynamos, Royton FC, AFC Church, Holts United, Shahjahal Unity, Avro under-19s.

David Giblin division one: Red Star, Fitton Hill, Springhead Libs, Wellington “A”, FC Broadgate, Parkside, Westwood, Royton Athletic, Crompton and Royton, White Hart, Khartoum Northern, Rose of Lancaster.

Division two: North Star, Limeside Athletic, Steven Caine FC, Old Grey Mare, Marvin Greenwood FC, Wellington “B”, Waggon and Horses, Coppice Rangers, Royton Cons, Rifle Range Royal Blues, Northside, Oldham United.




THE Ashton Sunday League has had a huge pre-season boost by growing in size from twelve clubs to 15.

It is the first time for many years that the league has not started a season with a reduction in numbers and the omens are good for a successful campaign - the league’s 50th.

September 7 is the start date for the league, which boasts newcomers Britannia, Manor, Anglers, Failsworth Home Guard and Charlestown.

There will again be two divisions — eight in the premier division and the remainder in division one.

Dave Cheetham and Chris Lawton have joined the league’s management committee.