Old Standians traveled to Accrington to seek revenge for the previous weeks 2-0 home defeat to our hosts, Accrington Ammies.It was obvious from the start that lessons hadn’t been learnt and so it was to prove on 10 mins when, after three half hearted attempts to clear the ball, accy pounced to fire the ball home.The scholars were busy but not really creating anything, but that was to change on 28 mins when the ref awarded a free kick just inside accys half. Matty Martin floated a superb ball over the top of the home defense for PENCHION to rise like a salmon and power a downward header under the home custodian.The game became scrappy, neither team really finding any rhythm when on 37mins disaster struck.A mix up between Rooney and Taylor resulted in accy again slotting into an unguarded net, 2-1 to the home team and that’s how it stayed till the break.

Harsh words were needed and these were duly provided by Standians keeper, DAVE TAYLOR, with one of the best rants I have ever witnessed in over 30 years in the game.

The second half got under way and it was clear that 1 or 2 players feathers had been ruffled, the hope from the managers was that it had a positive effect on the team. HEALEY came on for the hard working HUME and suddenly Standians looked more in control of the game.Healey it was who provided the thru ball for JEPSON to coolly lob a stranded home keeper and level the scores. Standians were now playing some great football and accy were just glad to clear their lines, although their big number 9 was always a threat. A fantastic passing move involving 4 players provided the chance for DANNY HARRISON to burst clear and expertly slide the ball into the far corner to put the scholars 3-2 up . After about 5 mins of added time the ref blew his whistle and Standians it was who left with all 3 points.

A big mention to the lads in defense, who, after the horrors of the 1st half, put in a great performance in the 2nd to shut out the home forwards. 3 points keeps us on the tails of the leaders, but lessons have to be learnt if we are to maintain a serious challenge for promotion.

On the back of successive victories, The scholars travelled to cheshire in good form. A game for the purists this was not, but 3 points and a clean sheet were reward enough for our days work. Standians made hard work of breaking down the home defence, but the break through came on 22 mins when a long throw from Jepson was steered home brilliantly by ROSS SPEIGHT.The goal settled the lads down and allowed them to play some great football, only poor finishing and good goalkeeping, preventing them from adding to their lead. A second goal was needed and duly arrived on 38 mins when JAMES BARLOW stuck a great shot into the top corner. H-T 2-0.

The 2nd half was one to forget, the spoiling tactics of the home team not allowing the game to flow.After umpteen missed chances it was JEPSON who finally put the hosts to bed with a 3rd goal.

All in all not a classic, but 3 on the spin sets us up nicely for next weeks home game to Old Boltonians fc. SCOTT ROONEY took the man of the match award for a solid defensive display.

Tuesday night saw Old Standians fc travel down the M60 to take on Chadderton fc. A midweek game at this time of the year calls for floodlights, these duly provided by our hosts. However it was The Scholars who provided the dazzle, a superb team performance seeing the lads return with all 3 points. Chaddy started the game strongly looking for all to see a more experinced team than their visitors, standians finding hard to cope with the more robust midfield than we are normally used to. An injury to midfield general JAMIE HULME on 10 mins forced a change IAN YEATS coming on to replace him. This seemed to galvanise the lads and on 20 mins JEPSON was released down the right., he cut in and unleashed a powerfull shot on the home goal, twice seeing his efforts blocked, but on his 3rd attempt he drilled the ball home, 1-0 to the Scholars. The lead lasted all of 10 mins when a cute ball from the left hand side cut the visitors midfield in 2, allowing the home forward a clean run on goal to dispatch past the despairing dive of TAYLOR, 1-1 and game on. Undettered standians continued to take the game to their hosts and on 44 mins were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area. up stepped YEATS to expertly stroke the ball into the bottom corner, 2-1 standians.

As the second half got underway, the travelling support could sense an air or confidence about the visitors, and so it proved on 65 mins when yeats played a superb ball over the top for HARRISON to race onto. he beat the keeper to the ball and cooly finished into the far corner, 3-1 up and looking strong. Chaddy huffed and puffed without too many clear cut chances,although TAYLOR in goal had to be at his best to keep out 2 late efforts.

The whistle went to jubilant scenes, not just for the victory, but the amount of effort put in by all 14 players who took part. DANNY HARRISON was a unanimous choice for man of the match , quite were he gets all that energy from only he knows. On we go to LYMM FC on saturday were the story continues.

Mark whittles promising under 15s travelled the short distance to bolton to take on FC LOURDES in the LANCASHIRE CUP and came away with a fantastic 2-1 win. this victory sees the lads into round 3 and all at the club are hoping the lads can go all the way in this prestigous competition.

Well done to all players and managers, things are looking good for the future of OLD STANDIANS FC

Old standians 1st team travel to
OLD STANDIANS 1st team travel to CHADDERTON FC on tuesday evening in a rearranged LANCS AMAT LEAGUE DIV 2 fixture. The game is being played under the floodlights at CHADDERTONS Andrew street home, whose 1st team play in the 1st division of the VODKAT LEAGUE.The scholars will be looking to carry on the good form that saw them win 2-1 away last week.

All spectators are invited along to cheer the lads on , kick off at ANDREW STREET being 7-30 pm.

HARRISON chased a hopefull ball down and put the home keeper under pressure, his weak clearance falling nicely into the path of JEPSON who slotted home from 25 yards to put THE SCHOLARS 1 up. The lead was short lived however as 5 minutes later, a ball over the top caught the STANDIANS defence ball watching and allowed the home number 10 to stroke the ball past TAYLOR unchallenged. the rest of the half saw STANDIANS well on top but unable to make use of the many chances created.

The 2nd half started in much the same way, standians playing the neat football, CHADDERTONIANS hoping to catch them on the break. On 70 mins standians had a great chance to go in front when, after the home defender handled in the area, the ref awarded a penalty. Up stepped YEATS and pulled his shot wide.It looked like that was STANDIANS chance, but with just 2 mins to go, and after the ref had waved away a strong penalty appeal for the home side, HARRISON broke clear ,racing on to a fine ball from man of the match PENCHION. The keeper saved his 1st shot but the ball fell nicely back to him and he side footed home to give OLD STANDIANS all 3 points.

All in all a good solid performance with all the 14 man squad contributing, managers MICK NORMAN and STEVE HILL hoping that this is the start of a long unbeaten run.

The 1st half performance was as good as the club as seen for a long time, with just poor finishing undoing some fine build up play. The game changed on a terrible decision from the referee, who failed to see the burly GALGATE no 9 bundle the keeper into the goals along with the ball. To everyone’s amazement he awarded the goal, a throw back to the days on Nat Lofthouse at Bolton. 1 down at half time the mangers made a substitution, bringing on BRAD OWEN, FOR TOM PEARSON. Unfortunately the chances dried up, and it was a re grouped GALGATE who took control for much of the 2nd half.

1 – 0 became 2-0 as the scholars began to look a little tired, the introduction of DANNY GLYNN, providing some much needed fresh legs. It was Glynn on 70 minuets who pulled a goal back, chasing a long thru ball from “man of match” CHRIS JEPSON , before coolly slotting the ball past the home custodian. 2 late goals sealed a place in round 2 for the home team, but on the whole, a spirited performance from THE SCHOLARS, which will bode them well for Saturdays return to league action.

- Johnson

Long and proud history within the local community

The Old Standians Association was formed in 1907 for former members of Stand Grammar school. The Association formed a football club for its members in 1922 and has continued for 85 years.

In 1950 the Association bought a plot of land at Ringley Road as a new ground, although it was not to be ready for use until a few years later. This ground was dedicated as a memorial to the Old Stand boys who gave their lives for their country in the Second World War and a plaque recording this fact still hangs proudly on the wall of the club house.

Standians Today

The Club has two teams that play in the Lancashire Armature League and a U15’s in the Radcliffe and Bury League.

Changes in management this season have seen the club beginning a new phase of re building. As part of this effort we are very grateful …………?……………. has taken up our main club shirt sponsorship agreement. In addition we are pleased that other local businesses and interests WILL AGREE to support our plans.

In addition, we completed a 10 team football tournament which gained considerable local coverage and interest which certainly helped raise the profile of the club.

We continue to seek out local interests who are willing to support the club and we actively invite any ideas or proposals that might promote any mutual interests.

Old Standians do have a number of sponsorship plans available at present although any suggestions as to how these might be altered or merged to meet a particular requirement are encouraged;

1. Club Sponsorship
• The club will design jointly with the partner a 1 x 2 metre sign to be attached to the ground side of the Club house.
• Corporate logo and any promotion material displayed in club house for 12 months
• Corporate logo displayed in all match programmes during sponsorship period
• In addition corporate logo and messaging will be added to the club web site, which receives around 400 visits per month.
• Will also include a link from the club website to the Sponsors own web site.
• Sponsorship hospitality refreshments package for every home game

Indicative price – £600 up front and £50 per month for 12 months. Inclusive of signage production/installation and web site design costs.

2. Match sponsorship (2 home matches)
• The club will advertise the match sponsors details/logo etc for two weeks before the first match until weekend of second match.
• Temporary signs will be placed over the entrance to the Club house and in the club lounge on match day. Free hospitality refreshments package for sponsor representatives at the match.
• Pictures of match sponsors with players and club officials together displayed on club web site for two weeks thereafter.
• Match reports provided to local press to include references to match sponsor

Indicative price – £75 including signage production, web design

3. Player sponsorship
• Corporate logo/name placed against individual players picture/profile on club web site for 12 months.
• Corporate logo displayed in club house on list of club sponsors for 12 months

Indicative price – £25

4. Team kit sponsorship for either 1st team, 2nd team, Youth team
• Company logo and messaging printed on team shirts, worn to all games and training sessions
• Corporate logo displayed in club house on list of club sponsors for 12 months
• Corporate logo/name placed on club web site for 12 months.
• Sponsorship hospitality refreshments package for every home game

Indicative price – £500

5. Training top sponsorship
• Company logo and messaging printed on club training tops for both teams, worn to all games and training sessions
• Corporate logo displayed in club house on list of club sponsors for 12 months
• Corporate logo/name placed on club web site for 12 months.
• Sponsorship hospitality refreshments package for every home game

Indicative price – £300

6. Club presentation night Sponsorship
The Club holds an end of season reception.
On the night a number of trophies are presented, including Player of the Season, Players Player, etc. A number of sponsorship options are available for this particular event.
• Event Sponsorship – Main Sponsors signage displayed in main room together with any marketing materials. Sponsor representative to present First team Player trophy. Signage and pictures on club web site for one month
Indicative price – £150
• Trophy Sponsorship – Sponsor signage displayed. Sponsor representative to present related trophy. Signage and pictures on club web site for one month
Indicative price – £75

Pleas contact for further information and opportunities:
Secretary: Steve Hill: 07807120929
General Manager / Treasurer: Mike Norman: 07793794401