Brief Club History
The current club is the second to bear the name as the original set up, which lasted twenty years, was founded in 1903 and played at Park Road. The club was re-formed in 1946 when local businessmen led by Mr. George Fryer purchased the Hoghton Road ground. Subsequent years saw a boom period with the star attraction being Bert Trautmann who played for Town until 1949 when he joined Manchester City. Early honours included lifting the George Mahon Trophy after a victory over Runcorn, following this Town joined the Lancashire Combination and won the Division Two Championship in 1951. A yo-yo existence followed drifting in and out of the First Division until the League was reduced to one division in the late sixties. The early seventies saw Town lift the Lancashire Combination Championship for the one and only time; whilst a 4-3 win over Darwen brought the Bass Charrington Cup back to Hoghton Road in 1972. In 1975 Town switched to the Cheshire County League finishing consistently in mid-table until the formation of the North West Counties League in 1982 with the club becoming founder members of Division One. Success was slow to come with relegation narrowly avoided before reaching the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup in 1985. All this paled into insignificance with a memorable 1987 season. First time entrants to the Vase competition Town’s run to the final saw them play 12 games which ended with a historic FA Vase win at Wembley when near neighbours Warrington Town were defeated 3-2 in what was regarded as one of the best Vase finals seen at the famous stadium. In 1988-89 Town finished third in the Bass NWCFL Division One, the club's highest placing in seventeen years. The late 80's and early 90's saw Town consistently finish in mid-table of the North West Counties League Division 1. Following the departure of Town boss Mick Holgate to Horwich RMI, Jim McBride took over the reigns. In his first season 1993/94 McBride steered Town to their first Cup Final since the FA Vase success, when reaching the Carling Challenge Cup final at Gigg Lane, Bury. However Town were defeated by Rossendale United 1-0. Season saw 1994-95 Town's best League performance for some time, eventually finishing in third place behind Clitheroe and Bradford Park Avenue, following a very tight finish to the season with Jim McBride's men winning 27 of their 42 league outings. The Reserve side were crowned Champions of the NWCFL Reserve Division erasing the disappointment of the previous season. On the Cup front season 1997-98 saw Town reach the Floodlit Trophy final before eventually losing out 2-1 to neighbours Burscough in a thrilling final. Season 1998-99 saw Town also lift the REALCO Fair Play Award for the first time. In December 1999 the club's Shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of relocation proposals. Five months later in May 2000 the first step on the road to a prosperous future for Town saw them play their last game at Hoghton Road - their home of over fifty years - a 1-0 victory over Champions Vauxhall GM marked the end of an era for Town The first season at their new home, Knowsley Road, saw the club involved in the Championship race until the final week; eventually having to settle for a very disappointing fourth place behind Champions Rossendale United, Clitheroe and Ramsbottom. February 2002 saw the resignation of long time manager Jim McBride. Having comfortably led the NWCFL Division 1 for some time, the team suffered a sudden and unexplainable dip in form, which culminated in only one win from six games and ultimately the manager paid the price. Two weeks later former Burscough management team of John Davison and Peter King were appointed to the Knowsley Road hot-seat; bringing with them a wealth of experience. Their tenure was to be short lived as after a disappointing season 2002-03 during which Town finish 7th the clubs need to make financial cuts saw the pair along with all of the playing staff depart during the close season. The 2003/4 season saw Paul Lodge take over the reigns with Alex Wright taking over as his assistant. Lodge an ex-professional with Everton, Bolton, Preston and Stockport was also a well travelled Non-League player. This partnership was to last until the end of January when with Town struggling at the bottom of the table Lodge stepped aside to allow Joe Paladino to take over the reigns. Palladino along with Mark Cox steered Town to a comfortable 19th place finish. Town were to challenge eventual Champions Fleetwood Town in the early part of the 2004/5 season. Highlights of the season included a FA Vase 2nd round victory at Fleetwood and a narrow 1-0 defeat at Knowsley Road to Liverpool in the Liverpool Senior Cup. Joe Paladino’s reign at Town came to an end after the defeat at Ramsbottom United on the 12th of March 2005. Assistant Manager Joe Gibiliru took over team affairs with Lee Madin as his number two. Town finished the season in 3rd place and through this high finish earned an exemption to the 1st round of the 2005/6 FA Vase.Joe Gibiliru’s first season in sole charge saw the team progress well in the FA Cup and maintain a high position in the table for the majority of the season without ever looking likely to threaten the clubs battling for promotion. Financial restrains on the squad budget did not help matters and after some turnover of players a final finishing of 8th was better than could have been hoped for. The 2006/7 season started badly and Joe resigned early in September due to the pressure of off the field issues. The board appointed former assistant manger Alex Wright as the new manager with John Fletcher as his assistant. The club had to wait until late September to secure their first league victory but the young squad who were playing catch up matured as the season progressed and finished in a creditable 19th place comfortably clear of the relegation places. With Town managing to secure the services of the vast majority of the squad from last term Alex Wright will be looking for improvement on last seasons efforts
St Helens Town TimeLine
1903: Original Club was founded and played at Park Road (the club lasted
twenty years).
1946: Club re-formed when local businessman George Fryer purchased Hoghton Road and the club joined the Liverpool County Combination.
1972: Won the Lancashire Combination Championship & The Bass Charrington Cup beating Darwen 4-3.
1985: Reached the 4th Qualifying round of the FA Cup taking Morecambe to a replay before losing 1-0.
1987: Won the FA Vase at the 1st attempt beating Warrington Town 3-2 at Wembley.
1989: Finished 3rd in the NWCL Division One their highest placing to date.
1994: Lost to Rossendale United 1-0 in the Carling Challenge Cup Final at Gigg Lane.
1995: Equaled best ever NWCL finish, ending the season 3rd behind Clitheroe and Bradford Park Avenue.
1996: Celebrated 50 Years.
1998: NWC Floodlit Trophy Finalists losing 2-1 to Burscough.
1999: Won REALCO fair play award
2000: Sporting Club St Helens formed. May saw Town play their last game at Hoghton Road, beating champions elect Vauxhall GM 1- 0.
2006: Celebrated 60 years
