Moston Brook AFC

The Old Boys are Born

The idea of an "Old Boys" soccer club was first brought about in 1969 by a group of school teachers at Moston Brook High School. They applied for membership of the Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur Football League and had to play a number of friend lies against League opposition before being formally accepted for the season of 1970/71.

With their small Committee of Alan Manship (Chairman), John Wallis (Secretary), Tony Scott (Assistant Secretary) and Glynn Levis (Treasurer), Moston Brook High School Old Boys were born.

The Club ran two teams in its first season in the League, a mixture of teachers and ex-pupils, all of whom purchased their own kit of White shirts and Black shorts. It was not a good start as both teams finished bottom of their respective divisions, but the Clubs objectives were being fulfilled. They were "To promote the game of football and to provide for its members social and recreational amenities and other advantages of a club".

The following season saw the start of the 3rd XI; this was an ambitious step for such a new Club. On the field the 1st XI continued to struggle but the 2nd XI showed signs of improvement and finished a creditable sixth, while the 3rd XI struggled in their first season. This season saw us start with our Club colours of Green and Black when the Club purchased their first sets of Green and Black Striped shirts.

The next three seasons saw all three teams improve and finish in respectable mid-table positions. It was during these seasons we had our first "League Representatives", notably Chris Barratt, Eric Henshaw, Alan Martin, Mike Melia, Jimmy Pearson, Dave Schofield and John Ward.

Promotion for 1st Team

At the start of season 1975/76 and another change of colours, yellow shirts with a green and black stripe. The 1st XI won their opening five games but then could not manage another victory in the next three. However all was well in the end as they hung on to runners up spot in Division Three, behind Gatley. The 2nd XI had a good season finishing fifth, though as a result of the 1st teams position were also promoted. It was a disappointing season for the 3rd XI who finished second from bottom.

In season 1976/77 both 1st and 2nd XI's were looking to consolidate their positions in new Divisions. The 1st XI however had an excellent season and with their last remaining game to play required only a point to win promotion for a second consecutive year. With five minutes to go and the score 2-2, they conceded a free kick on the edge of the Area and the promotion dream was over as our opponents Old Stoconians, took full advantage by scoring with a well worked set piece, to win the game 3-2 and themselves take the runners up spot. The 3rd XI made up for the Clubs disappointment, taking runners up spot in Division E, scoring 92 goals in only 20 games on the way. The Club also made its debut in The Lancashire Amateur Cup beating Manchester YMCA of the Lancashire Amateur League, 6-4 in the opening round, before losing 0-2 to Burnley GSOB also of the L.A.L. in the next round.

350 attend Dance

Off the field the Club ran a number of successful Dances, one of these at The Concorde Suite in Droylsden was attended by over 350 people.

The season after saw the start of the 4th XI, which comprised mainly of pupils from the School, and after a start of four wins out of four the future looked bright. However a disappointing end to the season saw them finish only mid table. Sadly at the end of the season the 4th XI were disbanded because of difficulties in arranging transport with most of the players still at school.

1978/79 again saw all three teams have a mediocre season, although the 1st XI did reach the last 32 of the Lancashire Amateur Cup following wins against Old Chaddertonians, 4-1 after a replay and Newburgh Sports Centre, 4-3, they were finally beaten by eventual finalists Quarry Bank Old Boys from Liverpool, 0-7.

Into Europe

Two firsts for the Club in season 1979/80, when we ventured abroad for the first time and played in our first Cup Final, all in the space of three days. The trip abroad was to The Hague, where we played and lost our first "International", 2-3. After a disappointing League Season the 1st XI reached the Final of The Whitehead Cup, only to lose 0-2 to Woodley with several players suffering from "boat-lag" after our Continental trip two days earlier.

The following three seasons were again disappointing for all our teams. The 3rd XI were relegated from Division D, the 2nd XI were relegated from Division B with the 1st XI only just avoiding the drop.

In 1980/81 we reverted back to our traditional colours of Green and Black

Lucky Escape

In season 1983/84, the 2nd & 3rd XI's finished in respectable top half of the table positions, but the 1st XI came the closest to relegation they had ever been when they finished second from bottom only to escape when only one team were relegated.

In the following three seasons all three teams seemed to overcome their problems, putting some fine winning runs together and with a little more consistency could have been pushing for honours.

Season 1985/86 we had our first League Representative in Keith Mackenzie since Mike Wallace in season 1982/83 and John Melia in 1979/90.

1986/87 season and the 1st XI finish a disappointing third from bottom, the 2nd XI failed to gain promotion by a single point, this after a poor start when they picked up just four points out of a possible twelve. The 3rd XI finished fifth in Division E but still gain promotion to Division D.

Change in Management

Could a change in management stop the 1st XI slide? After six years in charge John Wallis stepped down and allowed the more youthful track-suited manager Eric Henshaw take over. The answer was NO as the team went 19 games before recording their first and only win of the season and were duly relegated for the first time in the Clubs History. The 2nd XI also with a new manager in Steve Teasdale finished third again, The 3rd XI under a manager for the first time in Larry Johnson, started the season with a first game drubbing but finished in a respectable mid table position in Division D.

This season also saw us encounter problems off the field when we were forced to find an alternative home pitch, and training facilities, halfway through the season. We moved temporarily to Eccles.

Season 1988/89 and the Club were full of optimism. The 1st XI dropped down a Division and were confident of a good season back under manager John Wallis. The 2nd XI confident of promotion after finishing third for the two previous seasons, and the 3rd XI hoping to improve on their previous good season. We were also back home on Moston Brook.

The 1st XI started off steadily, but after a record 9-1 victory against Romiley, lost their remaining six games and finished a disappointing third from bottom. The 2nd XI after a shaky start began to climb the table, but for a third season on the trot could only finish third, missing promotion by only one point again. The 3rd XI finished bottom and were relegated to Division E

20 years on

In October 1989 we celebrated our 20th Anniversary with a Dinner at Wilson's Social Club, Guest Speaker Tommy Docherty, M.C. John Gwynn (ex Moston Brook teacher and former player) and 230 past and present players had a memorable evening.

The next season our Club Chairman was elected on to the Lancashire and Cheshire League Committee, when John Wallis took on the role of Divisions 2 & B Fixture Secretary.

One sad note was the death of Jim Davy who, although had never played for the Club, had been a Member since the Club's origin. In fact it was thanks mainly to Jim that we gained entry to the League all those years ago. He had been a member of the League Committee for over 30 years.

This season saw the creation of our Junior Section, who entered two teams at under 10 and under 14 levels in the Manchester Youth Sunday League. Their season finished with a two day Football Tournament in Lytham St Annes, which has now become an annual feature.

Season of sadness

Season 1990/91 became the saddest in our Club's history with the deaths of two stalwarts. On 16th November, John Wallis while attending a League Committee meeting suffered a brain haemorrhage from which he never recovered. John was one of the original Members and served as Chairman, Secretary and 1st XI Manager and made 183 Appearances for the 1st team. He was the very soul of the Club.

Then on 31st May after a short illness we lost Dave Webb, our 1st XI team captain. Dave had been with us since 1974 making 237 appearances for the 1st team and winning Player of the Year award on four occasions. Both John and Dave are sadly missed both on and off the field.

On the field the Juniors continue to develop and reach their first Cup Final. The under 10's, managed by Dave Grayson played the Final at Ashton United, but unfortunately the boys went down 1-3.

The following season saw us work hard to recover from the previous tragedies. Graham Brown who had taken over the 1st team Managers role and steered them to their most successful season for many a year, with a serious promotion challenge that only faded in the last few weeks of the season. Dave Kinder made his 500th 1st XI appearance in a 0-4 defeat by Champions Fletcher Bolton. The Junior Section had expanded to four teams and all looked well for the future. Eric Henshaw became the second Club Member to join the League Committee when he took on the role of Results & Records Secretary.

Juniors reach Final again and again

1992/93 season saw the 1st XI plummet down the League and record its worst season since we first entered the League finishing bottom of Division 3 and needing to apply for re-election. For the first time since 1978 we relaunch our 4th team but they also finish bottom. On a bright note the Juniors reach their second Cup Final with the under 14's, managed by Steve Harrison. The Final was played at Mossley F.C. against Glossop Juniors, and after drawing 1-1 in normal time, were beaten by a hotly disputed penalty in extra time. Dave Kinder replaced Eric Henshaw on the League Committee as Results & Records Secretary. John's wife Barbara Wallis and daughters, Denise & Elaine continue to run the Results answer phone Service for the League.

Season 1993/94 and the 1st team are again under new management when Mike Wallace takes over, and but for a disappointing run mid-season should have gained promotion, eventually finishing fourth. The 2nd team like the 1st started and finished well. The juniors again provided our best opportunity of bringing Silverware to the Club when the under 14's. managed by Steve Harrison, again reach the Final. The Final like the previous year was played at Mossley F.C. but unlike the previous year was not as close, going down 1-5 to Fletcher Moss, although Fletcher were in a higher Division.

Mines a Double

1994/95 and we celebrated our 25th Anniversary in style with a  Dinner at The Clayton Arms, Oldham, where Guest Speakers Pat Crerand & Malcolm Allison along with M.C. John Gwynn and Comedian Mickey Finn entertained our guests.

All four Senior teams were under Managers for the first time. The 1st team under Eric Henshaw and later Paul Power and 2nd team under Chris McHugh both finished sixth in their respective Divisions. The 3rd team under Paul Newsome finished ninth in Division E. The 4th Team Managed by Steve Andrew finished in fourth place in their first season playing as a Veterans XI.

Silverware at last for the Club when the under 13's, managed by Charlie Macmillan, not only win the League but the Cup as well. After winning the League they played the Final at Wardle in Rochdale where they beat Whittles 6-2 to clinch the Double.

Its a Double Double

Season 1995/96 and what a season this might have been. On Sat. 11th November the 1st XI were lying second in Division 3, the 2nd XI were top of Division C, the 3rd XI were top of Division E and the 4th XI were top of  Division F. We could only go down from these positions! And we did. The 1st team finished ninth, the 2nd team finished third missing out by one point again, the 3rd team finished seventh and the 4th team needing to win their final game against Vymura Hyde could only manage a 2-2 draw which secured the Title for Vymura and left the 4th XI as Runners-up.

It was again left to the Juniors Section to bring home the Silverware when for the second year on the trot the under 14's achieved a remarkable Double. After securing the league by four clear points they took on Whittles again in the Final at Avro's, beating them 5-0 to clinch the Double.  Macmillan's Marvel's

On the same day at Avro's the under 16's played Alkrington Dynamos in their Final, and in their last game under Steve Harrison, just edged the game 1-0 to win the Cup as well as finishing Runners-up in the League.

Vets take Juniors example

and clinch double

Silverware for the Seniors at last as the 4th Team win League and Cup Double in 1996/97, winning the League by seven clear points and beating Old Ashtonians in the final of The Hellawell Shield 3-2 after extra time. The 1st team, under new Manager Steve Ritchie, also clinch honours     finishing runners up in Division 3 missing out on the Championship by just one point. Disappointment for 2nd & 3rd teams, the 2nd Team after a good start finishing half way but the 3rd Team finishing second from bottom.

The Junior section not to be outdone also win Trophies with the under 12's, managed by Steve Hamlet. winning their League and Cup Double. Due to managerial problems the Junior Section only ran three teams this season.

In 1997/98 season we saw a number of changes, we ran a fifth team for the first time, the team comprised mainly of players still playing for the juniors with the addition of a few experienced older heads. For a young team playing in open age football for the first time, they coped remarkably well and finished mid table, a little disappointing after a bright start, but encouraging for the future. After the vets success in the previous season, they would become the 3rd XI and would play in Division D. Despite the jump of two divisions, they proved they could hold their own by finishing in a respectable mid table position. The 1st XI following promotion finished seventh and with a little more consistency could have been pushing for promotion, they also reached the last 16 of the Lancashire Amateur Cup where they were beaten 2-3 by Liverpool outfit MANWEB. The 2nd XI and 4th XI (formerly 3rd XI) both finishing again mid table but would be regarded as disappointing seasons. The 4th XI drawing a club record 11 games out of 26.

League President

All change again in 1998/99, the 5th team (Juniors) become the 3rd XI, the vets become the 4th XI and the previous years 4th team become the 5th XI. Confused, because it gets worse the 5th team becomes the 3rd team for selection purposes. Graham Brown Snr takes charge of the 1st XI again for his second spell, but the team struggle and finish tenth. The second team under Paul Newsome are hampered by the selection restrictions and finish second from bottom. The third team (Juniors), managed by Charlie Macmillan, start the season with a 1-9 defeat but eventually finish sixth and reach the Whitehead Cup Final where they outplay Old Ashtonians only to lose 0-2. The Vets are again our highest positioned team finishing third in Division E, where they inflicted, Champions Old Standians, only defeat of the season. The fifth team had a poor season finishing bottom of Division F. This season saw the Club honoured by the League when it chose John Melia to become League President, our first president since Jim Davy over twenty years ago.

Since the first trip to the Hague we have organised annual weekends away, visiting London (three times), Paris, Ostend (twice), Amsterdam, Hamburg and the Isle of Man (twice). In 1994 we returned to Ostend for the third time, where we took our biggest part of players (25) to play two games and come back undefeated with two draws.1996 took us to Dieppe where 12 players went and came back with a 0-2 defeat.

Of the original two teams that started in season 1970/71 only one player still remains, Dave Kinder who has now played over 550 games for the 1st team. Charlie Macmillan, John Melia and Mike Melia have now completed over 25 years with the Club.