Glossop North End A.F.C.

Glossop North End

Full name	Glossop North End Association Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Hillmen
Founded	1886
Ground	Surrey Street, Glossop
Ground Capacity	2,374 (209 seated)
Chairman	David Atkinson
Manager	Chris Willcock
League	North West Counties League Premier Division
2012–13	North West Counties League, 13th
Website	Club home page
Home colours Away colours
Current season

Glossop North End A.F.C. are an English football club based in Glossop, Derbyshire. Former members of the Football League, they are currently in the North West Counties League Premier Division and are members of the Derbyshire County Football Association. They play their home matches at Surrey Street, which has a capacity of 2,374 (209 seated, 2,165 standing). The club play in blue, and are known as the Hillmen. Between 1899 and 1992 the club were known as Glossop.

Glossop is often cited as the smallest town in England to have had a Football League club, and the smallest town to have played in the English top flight.^[1] At the turn of the 20th century, Glossop played in Division One, bankrolled by Sir Samuel Hill-Wood, who was later to become chairman of Arsenal, with whom the club retains connections to this day.^[1]

History

Early years

Glossop North End were founded in 1886, when they played friendly amateur matches. They played at various grounds in the town, including Pyegrove, Silk Street, Water Lane and Cemetery Road before settling at North Road. The club joined the North Cheshire League in 1890, before moving to The Combination in 1894 and turning professional. In their first season in the Combination, 1894–95, they finished as runners-up. After ending the following season, 1895–96, in third, the club moved to the Midland League and in the 1896–97 season finished as runners-up. After a second season in the Midland League, they were elected to the Second Division of the Football League in 1898–99 finishing as runners-up to Manchester City and winning promotion to the First Division.^[2] They then changed their name to Glossop (to avoid any confusion with Preston North End) before spending their one and only season in the top flight, 1899–1900 when they finished in last place and were relegated back to the Second Division, having won only 4 matches, all at home, against Burnley, Nottingham Forest, Blackburn and Aston Villa.

They then spent the next fifteen seasons in the Second Division, during which time they reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in 1908–09 where they lost to 1–0 to eventual finalists Bristol City in a replay on 10 March 1909. The club's chairman and benefactor at the time was Sir Samuel Hill-Wood, who was later to become chairman of Arsenal. However, the club became perennial strugglers in the Second Division.^[3][4]

The 1913–14 season saw a club record attendance of 10,736 for an FA Cup second round match against Preston North End on 31 January 1914.^{[citation needed]} However, the following season they finished bottom of the league. The start of World War I meant the Football League closed down. Glossop were re-formed toward the end of the war by Oswald Partington, but failed to be re-elected to the Football League. Glossop then joined the Lancashire Combination, playing just one season, 1919–20.^[3][4] Northern Nomads ground-shared with Glossop for several years during this time.^{[citation needed]} The club then dropped out of the Lancashire Combination and into the Manchester League. In the 1920s and 1930s they won the Gilcryst Cup three times and were crowned Manchester League champions in 1927–28. They won the Gilcryst Cup for a fourth time in 1947–48.^[3][4]

1950s onwards

During 1955, the club moved from its original home of North Road to their current ground Surrey Street. In 1957 Glossop rejoined the Lancashire Combination, finishing in eighth in 1957–58. They spent nine seasons in the league before dropping back down once more to the Manchester League after the 1965–66 season. They joined the Cheshire County League as founder members of Division Two in the 1978–79 season, finishing in 17th. In 1980–81 they were Division Two runners-up, only losing out on the title on goal difference, but still winning promotion to Division One. After a sixth place finish in 1981–82, the club became founder members of the newly formed North West Counties Football League in 1982 when the Cheshire County League merged with the Lancashire Combination. In 1986, the club marked their centenary season with a match with sister club Arsenal.^[1] They joined Division One, however they struggled in the league for the next six seasons and after finishing bottom in 1987–88 were relegated to Division Two. The 1990–91 season saw the club reach the fourth round of the FA Vase where they lost to Cammell Laird 2–1 in a replay. They also won the North West Counties Football League Division Two Cup, beating Cheadle Town 2–1 in the final.^[5] However, the club almost folded in 1990–91 when their then Chairman sold the ground to the local council and left the club with large debts. The present Board of Directors took over in January 1991. After a sixth place finish in 1991–92 they were promoted back to Division One over higher-placed clubs and after the season the directors reverted the club's name back to Glossop North End.^[2][3][4]

In their first season under the club's original name, they reached the semi-finals of the North West Counties League Cup, before losing to Nantwich Town 5–2 over two legs.^[6] They reached the semi-finals of the League's floodlit Cup in 1994–95, losing to Penrith 3–1 over two legs.^[7] In the 1996–97 season they beat Trafford in the final of the Manchester Premier Cup at Old Trafford, before winning the competition again the following season, this time beating Radcliffe Borough in the final at Maine Road. They also reached the semi-finals of the North West Counties League Cup, losing to Vauxhall Motors 4–1 over two legs.^[6]

In the 2000–01 season they won the Derbyshire County Football Association Senior Challenge Cup beating Glapwell in a two-legged final, drawing 3–3 away and 2–2 at home before winning 4–2 on penalties. In the league the club struggled to avoid relegation from Division One throughout much of the early 2000s, before finishing ninth in 2006–07, the highest position attained by manager Chris Nicholson in his six seasons at the club.^[2][4] Nicholson announced in March 2007 that he was to step down at the end of the season following confirmation of his emigration to Perth, Australia. As a result the vacancy was advertised and his assistant Steve Young was eventually appointed manager for 2007–08.^{[citation needed]} In the 2008–09 season they reached the final of the FA Vase where they lost 2–0 to Northern League First Division side Whitley Bay at Wembley Stadium, on 10 May 2009.^[8] Due to this achievement, Arsenal, with whom they retain connections due to Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood's grandfather Sir Samuel Hill-Wood having owned and bankrolled Glossop during their run in the Football League, invited them to their state-of-the-art London Colney training ground during their stay in London, to prepare for the FA Vase final.^[1] Further links with Arsenal are to follow.^[1]

In April 2011 Glossop parted company with their manager Steve Young and while assistant Terry Hincks took charge as caretaker until the end of the season the search started for a long term successor. 24 May 2011 saw Paul Colgan appointed as the new manager.

Following a review of the future direction of the club, in mid December 2012, the Directors announced that there was to be some changes in the management of the footballing side of the organisation and the club parted ways with manager Paul Colgan and announced the appointment of Paul Williams and Garry Brown to the position of joint managers. However at the end of the 2012–13 season both left the club. In late May 2013 the club appointed Chris Willcock as first team manager.

Grounds

The club's home ground Surrey Street (official title: The Arthur Goldthorpe Stadium) has a capacity of 2,374 with 209 seated. They moved to the ground in 1955 from North Road. Floodlights were installed in 1992.^[4]

During the off-season of 2010 the Supporters Club funded and helped build the new team benches, replacing the aged and basic ones with new spacious dugouts. In the summer of 2011 the club upgraded more of the facilities at Surrey Street. The new clubhouse, dressing rooms, refreshment bar and hospitality room were completed in a relatively short amount of time being ready for the first pre-season game of 2011–12. By March 2012 the club/ground had achieved the FA Ground Grading grade of E which is required for football clubs at step 4 of the National League System.

Players

Current squad

As of 31 Jan 2014 Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player 1 GK Andrew Jones GK Stefan Fielding DF Matthew Russell DF Lincoln Adams DF Kelvin Lugsden DF Harry Brockarie DF Dave Young MF Alex Byrne MF Ben Richarsdon MF Nick Allen MF Sam Hare

No. Position Player MF Lee Morris MF Andrew Kilheeney MF Gavin Lee Ellison MF Chris Hirst MF Martin Parker MF Paul Smith MF Lee Blackshaw FW Tom Bailey FW Kyle Riley FW Kieran Lugsden

Former players

(Players who have international playing experience or top division experience who have played for Glossop)

• Thomas Bartley
• / Alec Campbell
• David Copeland
• Billy Fitchford
• Thomas Fitchie
• Joe Frail
• Archie Goodall
• John Goodall
• Bob Jack
• Bert Maddlethwaite
• John Robertson
• Fred Spiksley
• Irvine Thornley

^[9]

Club Staff

Current backroom staff

As of August 2013

Name	Role
Chris Willcock	Manager
Lee Donafee	Assistant Manager
Steve Murphy	1st team Coach
Mike Langhorn	1st team Coach
Dave Young	Coach/Scout
Stacey Webster	Physio

Notable former managers

(Managers who have international playing experience before managing Glossop)

• Archie Goodall: 1904–05

Managerial records

Based on win % in all competitive matches

Name	From	To	Record
			P	W	D	L	%
Chris Willcock	2013		39	26	3	10	66.67
Paul Williams/Garry Brown	2012	2013	21	5	5	11	23.81
Paul Colgan	2011	2012	81	37	15	29	45.68
Terry Hincks	2011	2011	10	3	4	3	30.00
Steve Young	2007	2011	215	108	39	68	50.23
Chris Nicholson	2001	2007	301	95	54	152	31.56
Syd White	2001	2001	16	2	1	13	12.50
Mickey Boyle	1999	2001	91	27	18	46	29.67
Syd White	1996	1999	171	70	33	68	40.94
Ged Coyne	1993	1996	154	64	33	57	41.56
Pete O'Brien	1993	1993	6	1	0	5	16.67
Gordon Rayner	1993	1993	20	7	7	6	35.00
Roy Soule	1991	1993	106	41	23	42	38.68
Brent Peters	1990	1991	56	25	15	16	44.64

^{*Stats correct as of 01 Feb 2014(Bacup)} Source: GNE Unofficial Website

Honours

• Football League Division Two Runners-up: 1898–99
• Manchester League champions: 1927–28
• North West Counties League Division Two Cup winners: 1990–91
• Derbyshire County FA Senior Challenge Cup winners: 2000–01
• Manchester FA Premier Cup winners: 1996–97, 1997–98
• Gilcryst Cup winners: 1922–23, 1929–30, 1934–35, 1948–49

Attendances

Records

• Largest home attendance: 10,736 vs Preston North End, FA Cup 31 January 1914.

Averages

"Attendances – North West Counties Premier Division". Tony's English football site. Retrieved 11 March 2009.  "Attendances - 2012/13 NWCFL". NWCFL Match Centre. Retrieved 5 May 2013. 

Average attendances:

• 2013–14: 186 as of 01 Feb
• 2012–13: 148
• 2011–12: 181
• 2010–11: 185
• 2009–10: 236
• 2008–09: 198
• 2007–08: 135
• 2006–07: 150
• 2005–06: 97
• 2004–05: 115
• 2003–04: 124

Source: English football site Source: GNE Unofficial Website

Historical kits

1896–1897	1898–1900	1904–05	1906–07	1907–10	1910–14	1914–15
1966?	1982?	1993–97	1997–2000	2004–07 Davis Blank Furniss	2007–09 Davis Blank Furniss	2009–10 Speedwell Buses
2010–11 The Hillmen	2011/12 (no sponsorship)	2012–14 JJ Training Ltd

Ladies and youth teams

The club have a ladies team, Glossop North End Ladies F.C. which was established in 1998.^[10] Glossop North End Ladies are currently competing in the North West Women's Regional League (Division 1 South) where they have been for over 10 years.

Glossop North End AFC Juniors was established in 1989, with teams in age groups from 6 years old right to Under-19.^[11] They were accredited the F.A. Charter standard Award in 2004.

References

External links

• Glossop North End website
• Glossop North End Unofficial website
• Glossop North End Match Reports on Glossop Radio
• Glossop North End Juniors website
• Glossop North End at the Football Club History Database
• Glossop at the Football Club History Database
• Glossop results and players in the English National Football Archive

v t e Former Football League clubs Aberdare Athletic (1921–27) Accrington (1888–93) Accrington Stanley (1921–62) Aldershot (1932–92) Aldershot Town (2008-13) Ashington (1921–29) Barnet (1991-2001, 2005-13) Barrow (1921–72) Bootle (1892–93) Boston United (2002–07) Bradford Park Avenue (1908–70) Burton Swifts (1892–1901) Burton United (1901–07) Burton Wanderers (1894–97) Cambridge United (1970–2005) Chester City (1931–2000, 2004–09) Darlington (1921–89, 1990–2010) Darwen (1891–99) Durham City (1921–28) Gainsborough Trinity (1896–1912) Gateshead (1930–60) Glossop North End (1898–1915) Grimsby Town (1892–1910, 1911–2010) Halifax Town (1921–93, 1998–2002) Hereford United (1972–97, 2006–12) Kidderminster Harriers (2000–05) Leeds City (1905–19) Lincoln City (1892–1908, 1909–11, 1912–20, 1921–87, 1988–2011) Loughborough (1895–1900) Luton Town (1897–1900, 1920–2009) Macclesfield Town (1997–2012) Maidstone United (1989–92) Merthyr Town (1920–30) Middlesbrough Ironopolis (1893–94) Nelson (1921–31) New Brighton (1923–51) New Brighton Tower (1898–1901) Northwich Victoria (1892–94) Rotherham County (1919–25) Rotherham Town (1893–96) Rushden & Diamonds (2001–06) Scarborough (1987–99) South Shields (1919–30) Southport (1921–78) Stalybridge Celtic (1921–23) Stockport County (1900–2011) Thames (1930–32) Wigan Borough (1921–31) Wimbledon (1977–2004) Workington (1951–77) Wrexham (1921–2008)

v t e North West Counties Football League Premier Division Abbey Hey Alsager Town Ashton Athletic AFC Blackpool AFC Liverpool Bacup & Rossendale Borough Barnoldswick Town Bootle Colne Congleton Town Glossop North End Maine Road Norton United Runcorn Linnets Runcorn Town St. Helens Town Silsden Squires Gate Stockport Sports West Didsbury & Chorlton Wigan Robin Park Winsford United Division One 1874 Northwich Ashton Town AFC Darwen Atherton Collieries Atherton Laburnum Rovers Chadderton Cheadle Town Daisy Hill Eccleshall Formby Hanley Town Holker Old Boys Irlam Leek County School Old Boys Nelson Northwich Flixton Villa Oldham Boro Rochdale Town Widnes Vikings Seasons 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14

Coordinates: 53°26′43.83″N 1°57′28.63″W / 53.4455083°N 1.9579528°W / 53.4455083; -1.9579528