LANCASTER CITY F.C. HISTORY
With thanks to Terry and Grahame Rowley for the following information and pen-pictures.This Page
27 August, 2000 Lancaster's football club has had a chequered history since joining the Lancashire Combination in 1905 as Lancaster Town. Briefly in 1911, the club played in the West Lancashire League, but rejoined the Lancashire Combination Division 2 in 1911/12, winning promotion in 1914/15. After the First World War, the club played in the Lancashire Combination Division One until 1970, changing its name to Lancaster City after 1937 when the town was granted its City Charter to celebrate the coronation of King George VI. In season 1970/71, the club joined the Northern Premier League.
Lancaster City are now in their fifth season back in the Unibond Premier Division, hoping to improve on last season when, besides winning the Unibond League Challenge Cup, they achieved their highest ever league finish of sixth place, following three seasons in the bottom half of the table. City have had high finishes in the past.
In 1976/77 they finished 7th, but after that things went downhill at Giant Axe and the club were forced to drop out of the Northern Premier League, in 1982, in order to survive. After five seasons of struggle in the North West Counties League, the formation of the Northern Premier league First Division in 1987, propelled the club back to a higher level.
Success eluded City until 1994/95 when the club won the President's Cup and full recovery was completed by promotion in 1995/96, when the club achieved the double of First Division Champions and Cup-winners. The same period saw the opening of a new social club, The Dolly Blue Tavern, and several ground improvements. City are now well on the way to bringing the Giant Axe ground up to Football Conference standard and hope to provide facilities to allow greater involvement by local schools and the community.
Lancaster City FC Pen-Pics
An experienced goalkeeper who had spells at Barrow and Bamber Bridge last season. Joined City at the beginning of August.
A fullback or central defender who started his career with Preston North End before moving on to Barrow and Stafford Rangers, from where City signed him in the summer of 1999.
A distinctive left back or wide left player, Jimmy made over 200 appearances for Bradford City, Rochdale and Hull City before moving into non-league football with Guiseley, from where he joined City. He has been the side's regular left-back for four seasons, in which time he has become a firm favourite with City fans.
Versatile central defender or midfield player who had previous Unibond experience with Bamber Bridge and Chorley, and Football Conference experience with Morecambe, from where he signed for City in the summer of 1999.
A defender or midfield player who gained Football League experience with Crystal Palace, Rochdale and Preston North End before joining City in September 1999.
A fullback or midfield player, Brian made over 100 appearances for Blackpool before moving to Stockport County, Halifax, Southport and Leigh RMI. He won two England semi-pro caps while at Southport and helped Leigh RMI to win last season's Unibond League Championship before signing for City in July.
Another of Tony Hesketh's summer 1999 signings, Phil is a strong central defender with previous League experience at Leicester, Lincoln, Halifax and Blackpool, and at Southport in the Football Conference.
A strong central midfielder who made over 300 Football League appearances for Halifax and Scunthorpe. Impressive for Lancaster in his first season, Dean moved on to Stalybridge Celtic, then in the Conference, but returned to Giant Axe in September 1999.
A 19-year old striker who was signed from Fulwood Amateurs in the summer of 1999, after impressing in Reserve and pre-season matches. Chris had previously been top scorer for Springfields FC in the West Lancashire League, and ended his first season in the Unibond Premier Division with 22 goals.
A striker with League experience at Chester City and Wigan Athletic, Neil has previously worked with City manager, Tony Hesketh, at Barrow and Morecambe, from where he signed in August 1999.
A strong midfield player, who joined the club in February 2000, John has Football League experience with Cambridge United and Preston North End. He has also played for non-league sides, Kettering and Cambridge City.
A pacey wide player, Shane was on the books at Blackpool and Cambridge United as a youth. After a brief spell with Bamber Bridge he played in the North West Counties League with Squires Gate and Rossendale United before signing for City in October 1999.
Midfield player, Paul, is another of Tony Hesketh's signings to have played for Blackpool. More recently he has played for both Morecambe and Barrow in the Football Conference.
A midfielder or forward, who has played at every age group for the club, Mark forced his way into the first team squad at the back end of the 1997/98 season.
A midfielder or forward, Paul moved to Lancaster to study at St Martin's College. Previously on Leigh RMI's books, he made his City debut in the 1998/99 season after several outstanding performances for the reserve side.
A striker who made five appearances for City in 1998/99 after signing from Fleetwood Freeport. He then joined Blackpool, played in the Football League, before re-signing for City in the summer of 1999. Kevin has previous Unibond League experience with Netherfield.
A wide midfield player who joined Lancaster from Oldham Athletic in March 2000. An injury restricted his first team appearances towards the end of last season, but he is now fully recovered.
Tony has a wealth of experience in League and non-league football, as a player with Preston North End, Wigan Athletic and Chorley, and as a manager with Netherfield and Barrow. For 3 years he was assistant manager at Football Conference side Morecambe before joining City in early 1999.