North West Evening Mail: Fc United Spoil Holker’s Party

Source: North West Evening Mail

FC UNITED SPOIL HOLKER’S PARTY
Published on 19/12/2005

HOLKER Old Boys chairman Steve Livingstone said he was proud of his club after a huge crowd of more than 2,300 watched the first-team lose 2-0 to FC United on Saturday.

Hundreds of travelling FC United fans sang for the full 90 minutes, creating a carnival atmosphere inside Craven Park for arguably the biggest game in Holker’s 69-year history.

Two second half goals in the space of three minutes earned the visitors the win, but for Holker it was a proud day.

Livingstone said: “All the effort that we had put in was made worthwhile, it was a brilliant day and everyone enjoyed it.

“The atmosphere was just tremendous and from what I know there was no trouble.

“The feedback I’ve had from everyone has been brilliant. The landlords from pubs around the ground said the atmosphere prior to kick-off was electric.

“I’m very proud of the club and it was great to see everyone mucking in together.”

The Moore and Co Construction Solicitors Division Two clash had been moved to Craven Park from Holker’s Rakesmoor Lane to accommodate a large crowd.

In total 2,303 people watched the game, with Holker selling around 900 tickets, FC United around 1,100 and the rest paying on the gate.

Livingstone hopes the game will have pocketed the club around £8,000.

He said: “That kind of money means we can start investing a little bit in the infrastructure at Rakesmoor Lane, making it more secure and creating a training area for our juniors.”

Holker were the better team in the first half of Saturday’s game, but they failed to take their chances and were punished by the league’s runaway leaders in the second period.

United’s first goal came in the 64th minute when midfielder Simon Carden hit a stunning volley past Ross Liddicott. Adie Orr added a second three minutes later.

Holker Old Boys manager Derek Birrell said: “The result is disappointing, but I think the lads can hold their heads up, FC United are a quality side.

“The atmosphere was great and it didn’t intimidate us. The lads did say though that it was so loud that they couldn’t hear each other or my instructions!”

FC United manager Karl Marginson — a former player with Barrow AFC — praised Holker’s work-rate and said they were “up there” with the best teams they have played so far this season.

* Livingstone this morning announced that Dave Staunton, who was joint-first-team manager at Holker, has left to rejoin West Lancashire League strugglers Furness Cavaliers.