The history of Cheshire Schools' FA is a story of commitment, dedication and passion. There've been successes and struggles in equal measure, with incredible volunteers leading the way for over a century.
From the Beginning
Cheshire Schools' Football Association was founded in 1921. Here are some extracts from the report of the first ever final played at Canal Street Ground, Runcorn on May 27th, 1922.
"The success of the competition has encouraged the teachers of the County to 'go on and prosper'. The County Secretary Mr Walter McTeare, who has done so much for schools' football, not only in Birkenhead and Cheshire, but throughout the country, is nothing if not enthusiastic, and he trusts that next season all outlying districts will be brought into the competition. The final went to extra time and the match, which was refereed by Mr G Wilson, was played in an excellent spirit. Never had such scenes of enthusiasm been witnessed on the Canal Street Ground as Whitmarsh scored the decider in the final minute of the extended match. It took all the skill and experience of Mr W McTeare to restore order before the Shield was handed over by Mr C J Fleming of the 'Advertiser'. Mr Fleming expressed the interest of his principals in the venture and said that there had been a great readiness to present the trophy for the competition. The 'Advertiser Shield' was then presented to the winners by Mr W Dudley, the Chairman of the Runcorn Urban Council, and he gave a most stirring address on 'Sportsmanship' at the tea which followed."
In the following season, there were 14 teams representative of most of the Associations which took part in many future seasons: Bebington, Birkenhead, Wallasey, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Chester, Stockport, Altrincham, Romiley, Knutsford, Stalybridge, Northwich, Winsford and Crewe.
We have had some difficulty in ascertaining when the first County match was played but it would appear that while it had been intended to play games with Yorkshire and Denbighshire in season 1922/23, it was not found possible to do so until the following season when games were played in 1924 against Lancashire at Rake Lane, Wallasey on Easter Monday, Derbyshire a little earlier in March at Derby and Leicestershire at Northwich. These were the forerunners of many interesting and enjoyable games for the boys of our County.
Schoolboy Football Following the War
The Association continued to develop and the administration remained in the same hands right up to the outbreak of war in 1939. There was often dissatisfaction with the running of the organisation, far too frequently the accounts were not available for scrutiny at the AGM and it would appear too that there was not a properly written constitution. In many of our Association accounts we find reference to this.
However, the Association survived, and after the war, the Chester Association who held the trophy, put it up for competition again in the 1945/46 season, and in the following year, the 'new' Cheshire SFA saw the light of day at the meeting held in Wallasey. Present at that meeting were most of those who held office in the County during the Golden Jubilee celebrations in 1972, the new secretary being Les Raisback.
During the next few years there followed some of the brightest years in the history of schoolboy football in Cheshire, for a succession of fine teams graced the field as our representatives. Perhaps the most important aspect of post war schoolboy football has been the advancement of some of the best of administrators that have existed in any County in England. One thinks of such men as Hubert Stringer, George Cox, Tom Ellwood, Ernie Morgan and Bill Morris our genial ESFA representative. No account of Cheshire County football would be complete without mention to, of our secretary at the time, Bernard Travis, and Mr ESFA, Bill Roberts. Bill was noted throughout England as a wise administrator, a masterful coach, and one of the best after-dinner speakers at functions following matches etc. He brought a stature to the game in the County that brought respect and warmheartedness to past players on and off the field.
A highlight of this period came in 1972/73 when the Cheshire U15 team reached the Northern Counties final, losing 4-2 to Durham.
Following in the footsteps of E McTear (1926/27), Cheshire Schools FA were proud to provide three different chairmen of the English Schools' FA: Bill Roberts OBE (1948/49 and 1963/64), Bill Morris (1970/71) and Bill Travis (1984/85).
In 1974, the recognition of county councils resulted in Cheshire losing four associations (Stockport, Tameside and Trafford to Greater Manchester, and Wirral to Merseyside). In this change, Cheshire gained a new association in Warrington. Since 1974, Cheshire has been made up of seven associations: Chester, Ellesmere Port, Halton, Warrington, Vale Royal (formally known as Mid Cheshire), South Cheshire and Macclesfield & District.
Cheshire's 41 Year Exchange with Heilbronn, Germany
The County once had incredible relations with overseas opposition. Visits to and from Heilbronn (Germany) became a permanent feature of the county programme, and although the game was organised differently in Germany, many fine sporting games have been witnessed between the Heilbronn organisation and our Cheshire pupils.
Cheshire's First Recorded Titles and National Success in the 90s
Back Row: John Sleigh (Asst. Team Manager), Chris Hancox, Lee Millington, Mark Rivers, Michael Rigby, David Turner, Matthew Nichols, Paul Lagar, Matthew McDonnell, Lee Hughes, Daved French (Team Manager).
Front Row: Liam Byrne, Ben Gunn, Jason Rogers, Stewart Iddon (C), Adrian Brown, Stuart Fraser, Graeme Meredith
Over more recent decades, Cheshire Schools' FA won their first ever Northern Counties Championship and ESFA National Inter-County Title in the 1991/92 season. Our Chairman at the time John Clark, our current serving Vice Chairman and Child Welfare Officer had this to say following the historic season.
"Our U19 team reached the semi-final of the national U19 competition losing narrowly to Essex in a replay. Our U15 team became the first Cheshire team to win the Northern Counties Championship beating Lancashire in a tense final at Witton Albion. We therefore begin the 1991-92 season with our first ever semi-final in the national U15 competition when we play Midlands champions, Derbyshire. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Dave French and Adrian Neeves and their management teams on their achievements last year and wish them every success for the season ahead. Of course, our recent success is due in no small part to the commitment and enthusiasm shown by teachers throughout the county. Inter-school football is the lifeblood of our association and I would like to thank all staff who give freely of their time to organise schoolboy matches. Demands on teachers' time seem to increase every year and we on council are most appreciative of teachers' efforts to maintain the high standards of play and behaviour which characterise schoolboy football. I am particularly appreciative of the efforts and support of my colleagues on council."
In 1991/92, our U16 team beat Essex at Southend FC to become the national inter-county champions. Our U15 team also reached the final of the Northern Counties championship for a second year in succession losing by the odd goal in three to South Yorkshire. During this year, we congratulated Danny Murphy from Chester who became the fourth Cheshire Schoolboy in three years to gain international honours.
Front row from left: Michael Rigby, Dale Hawtin, Adrain Brown, Matthew McDonnell, Liam Byrne, Lee Millington, Jason Rogers, Stuart Fraser, Danny Murphy, Mr John Sleigh.
The First Recorded Girls County Squads
County representative squads for girls began in the year 1998/99 with our first ever U16 girls team formed and the same year the English Schools' FA and Northern Counties Schools' FA launched cup competitions for U16 girls' county teams. The county squad was coached by Aidan Leonard (Sandbach High) and Emma Szymura (Ruskin High), with assistant Helen Tonks. In 1999/00, there were notable performances from Nicola Gentile of Blacon High School, who scored some spectacular goals from midfield, Carly Timmins of Kingsway High School, who was outstanding in goal, and Beth Radgate of Sandbach High School whose pace at the centre of the defence was invaluable to the squad. All three of these players received nominations for the England Schoolgirl trials. It was a tremendous season for the newly formed girls squad in 1999/00, in terms of winning silverware and gaining national recognition. Cheshire beat Greater Manchester 4-0 in the Northern Counties Final and narrowly missed out on a national title with a 1-0 loss to Hampshire, which was held at Ewood Park.
Front row: Kate Bradley, Jenny Brown-Wealls, Beth Radgate, Carly Timmins, Becky Francis, Laura Rose, Cally Reid.
The 2000s and Beyond
The 2000s brought even more success to our County Association. David Newton (Chairman of Cheshire County Council) welcomed the Heilbronn Party to celebrate 40 years of the successes between Cheshire Schools FA and Heilbronn.
In 2002/03, our U16 girls once again became Northern Counties Championship, beating Merseyside in the final 3-2, but went one step further this time securing Cheshire their first ever girls' national title with the ESFA, beating Hampshire 5-2. Both finals were held at Witton Albion FC, and the squad featured future Cheshire Girls' manager, Julia Nolan.
In the 2006/07 season, the U16 boys found success once more with a Northern Counties Championship title and only losing one game all season to Nottinghamshire in the National Quarter Finals on penalties.
Another successful year came in 2011/12 where both U16 and U18 representative teams won their Northern Counties Championship league titles. This was the last time our U16 boys won the Northern Counties league with professional footballer, Joshua Brownhill, scoring Cheshire's goal in the final.
Cheshire's last recorded league title comes from the 2013/14 season where our U18 boys side won the Northern Counties Championship for the second time. This was a 0-3 away win against Durham with goals scored by Ryan Materson (2) and Kyle McLellan. An incredible 40 players from 22 sixth forms and colleges were used across the season.
