SAINTS' POWER SHIFT IS INTACT

A PIVOTAL sliding doors moment of Gwyneth Paltrow proportions impacted Non-League circles in the Merseyside town of St Helens three years ago.

- Tony INCENZO

Up until then, St Helens Town were traditionally the prominent football team locally. They famously instigated the post-war career of legendary goalkeeper Bert Trautmann prior to winning the FA Vase in 1986/87 at Wembley Stadium.

But 'Town' were relegated from the North West Counties League First Division North in 2022 and are presently playing at the equivalent of Step 9 in the Cheshire League Division Two.

By sheer coincidence, 2022 also saw FC St Helens gain promotion via the Cheshire League to the NWCL First Division North. Last season, 'FC' clinched that division by a nine-point margin to attain Step 5 status. Interestingly, FC were launched as recently as 2014 following a split from St Helens Town Reserves.

I wanted to find out more about this dramatic shift in St Helens football hierarchy, so I drove up to watch FC entertain Cheadle Town in NWCL Premier Division, held at their SMS Pro Soccer Park home within Windleshaw Sports Ground.

Having witnessed a single-goal in front of 136 hardy followers, I chatted to FC chairman/founder Steve Leather to unpack details of his club’s rapid rise.

“I ran St Helens Town’s 20 junior teams from 2006 onwards,” said Leather. “As the youngsters grew in age and stature, they naturally evolved into the reserve side of the time.