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Quilligans tie for Reform

4/ 9/2008

HEYWOOD St James Reform AFC will kick off the 2008-2009 football season on Sunday with an away fixture at Drinkwater Park against Host Club Cheers FC, kick off 10.30am.

The beginning of the Bury and District SFL fixtures coincides with the date of the first round of the Lancashire Football Association Sunday Trophy, a competition that Reform have entered but the Heywood Club have a bye – thankfully.

The second round will see Reform entertain Blackpool based Syke FC at Phoenix Park on Sunday 28 September. The kick off time is to be arranged.

The boot is on the other foot for Reform in the North West Sunday football champions competition.

As last year’s Bury and District SFL Premier Division champions, Reform received an automatic entry into the competition this season and, along with 19 other champions, went into the hat for the preliminary round draw which would involve the first eight clubs drawn out of the hat. Reform were sixth out and drawn away to Qulligan’s FC – champions of the Blackpool and Fylde League.

It means a big away day for Reform, the tie having to be played by 31 October.

If Reform are successful on their seaside visit then all their remaining games in the competition will be on the road – dictated by the draw which was carried out in full up to and including the final which takes place at Manchester County FA Complex on May 4 2009.

Participation in the two prestigious cup competitions will undoubtedly lead to some memorable games, and moments, but it will also mean that Reform’s diary will be full and the club will require a fully fit and committed squad to complete what is certain to be a very busy season.

If you like your football – playing or watching – then why not enjoy the ride with Reform.

If you cannot get to watch Reform then keep up to speed with reading the Advertiser which carries fixtures and match reports every Thursday.

With such a busy season ahead of the club secretary Dennis Booth is hoping that some local business might consider a sponsorship, or donation, to assist the club with meeting the cost of transport to far away cup fixtures.

Of course the club will be busy looking at ways to raise funds – from inside the club and from followers – but donations would be welcomed and would be gratefully received.

Last Sunday morning Reform played local side Duke of Wellinging (formerly The Brunswick) in a pre-season pip opener at Phoenix Park. The fixture gave the Reform management team the opportunity to introduce new signings Ricky Bates, Matt Duffy and Gordon Tait into the squad and the trio performed well, showing the skills, strength and determination required to succeed at this level.

Both clubs will have benefited from the run-out with Reform particularly happy with their power packed performance – taking advantage of the many enforced changes that had to be made throughout the game by the unfortunate visitors.

The game was a close affair until the 30th minute when an injury to the Duke keeper Lee Young led to re-organisation and opened the gates for Reform’s strikers Chris Nuttall and Mike Weatherilt. The dynamic duo displayed strikes straight from finishing school with Nutty hitting four and Wev bagging a hat-trick – Gordon Tait also found the net on his debut.

Duke manager John Ogden won’t be too happy with his troop – little went right for them all morning.

Next Sunday the Duke face life in the Rochdale and District SFLs Premier Division – a tough call, but a great challenge for the Heywood club. Good luck to them.

Reform would also like to thank Craig Winter, Andrew Tinker and Kevin Bates – all members of last years championship side – but who, for differing reasons, have left the club to play elsewhere.

They were brilliant servants to Reform football club and are wished all the best with their future club.