Statistics

Match Summary
Biggest Home Win	4-3	30/08/16 v Abbey Hey (Premier Division)
Biggest Away Win	2-0	22/08/16 v Barnton (Premier Division)
Biggest Home Defeat	0-6	02/09/16 v West Didsbury & Chorlton (Premier Division)
Biggest Away Defeat	1-4	27/08/16 v Runcorn Linnets (Premier Division)
Highest Drawn Game	3-3	16/08/16 v AFC Liverpool (H) (Premier Division)
Highest Aggregate Scoreline	7	30/08/16 4-3 v Abbey Hey (H) (Premier Division)

 

League Season at a Glance
	Home		Away		Total
	#	%	#	%	#	%
Played	5		4		9
Won	2	40.00%	2	50.00%	4	44.44%
Drawn	2	40.00%	1	25.00%	3	33.33%
Lost	1	20.00%	1	25.00%	2	22.22%
Scored	9	1.80	6	1.50	15	1.67
Conceded	13	2.60	6	1.50	19	2.11

 

Progression in Cup Competitions
The Emirates F.A Cup	Extra Preliminary Round	1-2	Parkgate	(A)
The Buildbase FA Vase	2nd Qualifying Round	v	Westella & Willerby	(A)
	To be played on Sat 24/09/16
The Macron Cup	1st Round	v	FC Oswestry Town	(A)
	To be played on Sat 01/10/16
Manchester Premier Cup	1st Round	v	Salford City	(H)
	To be played on Tue 04/10/16

 

Home Attendance Summary
Highest Attendance	220	02/09/16 v West Didsbury & Chorlton (Premier Division)
Lowest Attendance	54	20/08/16 v Barnoldswick Town (Premier Division)
Average Attendance	6 games	103

 

Number of Games Since
Last Win	0 games
Last Defeat	2 games
Goalless Draw	0 games
Score Draw	1 game
Scored A Goal	0 games
Clean Sheet	0 games

 

Scored / Conceded This Season
	Scored		Conceded
	#	%	#	%
None	1	9.09%	3	27.27%
One	6	54.55%	3	27.27%
Two	2	18.18%	1	9.09%
Three	1	9.09%	2	18.18%
Four	1	9.09%	1	9.09%
Five or more	0	0.00%	1	9.09%

 

When the Goals Went In
	For		Against		Total
	#	%	#	%	#	%
0-15	2	11.76%	2	10.53%	4	11.11%
16-30	3	17.65%	4	21.05%	7	19.44%
31-45	5	29.41%	4	21.05%	9	25.00%
46-60	3	17.65%	2	10.53%	5	13.89%
61-75	2	11.76%	4	21.05%	6	16.67%
76-90	2	11.76%	3	15.79%	5	13.89%
90-105	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%
105-120	0	0.00%	0	0.00%	0	0.00%

 

History

This particular section of Mitchell Shackleton Football Club was founded in October 1969 by a group of employees working for Mitchell, Shackleton and Company Limited, a well established engineering company based in Patricroft, Eccles, which manufactured marine and diesel crankshafts.

The founding members of Mitchell Shackleton Football Club were Bob Cowlishaw (Chairman), Bill Russell (Secretary) and Charlie Flynn (Treasurer, who served the Club also served as Secretary with distinction from 1981 until his death in 1994). They were ably supported by a Committee comprising of Alf Johnson (now Club President), Ged Moore (Kit Manager) and Stan Catlin (Team Manager). Although the Cub has been in existence for over 30 years, Mitchell Shackleton FC can trace teams playing under the Company's banner as far back as 1935.

Initially, the Football Club was financially supported through the Company's active Sports and Social Club, however the recession of the late 1970's led to the Company restructuring it's business interests, and unfortunately a reduction in the workforce.

These events inevitably led to the dissolution of the Sports and Social Club, and a splintering of the various sporting sections with each individual group becoming self-financing.

The Football Section based its headquarters at the Oddfellows Arms, Patricroft, before moving to St Michael’s Community Centre, Peel Green in 1973, which was to become the Club's permanent base for the next 29 years.

Mitchell Shackleton FC entered the Eccles and District Amateur Football League in 1970 where the Club established itself without winning any major honours. After a two-year association with the Eccles League, the Club sought pastures new by joining the Manchester Amateur League in season 1972-73.

It was in the Manchester Amateur League that the Club's reputation began to grow, winning the Third Division (1973-74) and Second Division (1974-75) Championships in successive seasons, and in 1975 a reserve team was formed.

Between 1976 and 1978, the Club went through a transitional phase with younger players being introduced to the first team, and the formation of a new management team of George Walker, Billy Hall and Jimmy Preston.

During this period, a re-structuring of the League saw Mitchells competing in the Industrial 'B' Division, in which the Club were runners-up in 1979-80.
In season 1983-84, Mitchells finished Industrial 'A' Division runners-up, but ended the season on a high by winning the Gosling Cup.

Industrial 'A' Division runners-up once again in season 1985-86, and defeated finalists in the Gosling Cup of 1988-89 signalled the end of the Club's 17 year association with the Manchester Amateur League with Mitchells again looking for a new challenge by joining the Manchester League in 1989.

Mitchells quickly found their feet and gained promotion to the Premier Division at the second attempt, finishing as First Division runners-up in 1991.

A change of management saw Paul Traynor and Kenny Davies take on the first team responsibilities, with George Walker and Ron Parker managing the reserves.

In 1993, Mitchells reached the Gilchrist Cup Final, only to lose out to Woodley Sports in the Final.

1994 saw the formation of a third team which was entered into the Eccles and District League, and in the same year, Paul Traynor departed due to work commitments and Kenny Davies assumed control, ably assisted by Billy Hall.

This management team took Mitchells to their highest ever league position in the Premier Division, runners-up to Abbey Hey in 1995.

The Club was rocked prior to the commencement of 1997-98 season when Kenny Davies walked out, taking with him several first team players to local rivals Monton Amateurs.

Dave Rowan and Craig Woodley, who had forged a successful partnership with the reserves, were promoted and asked to rebuild the side. Roy Bluer, a successful manager in Sunday football, was recruited to run the reserves.

By the end of December 1997, the first team were rock bottom of the Premier Division with two points, and were twelve points adrift and facing certain relegation. However, the Club kept faith with its management team and a run of six wins, three draws and only two defeats saw Mitchells catch the side above them. Losses in the next two games saw Mitchells drop into the bottom two, but a dramatic win against fellow strugglers Wythenshawe Town and mid-table Monton Amateurs saw the Club stave of relegation.

The experience was too close and the team have not been out of the top six since, finishing fifth in 1998-99, third in 1999-2000 and fourth in 2000-01.
It also saw the departure of Craig Woodley and the formation of a new management team of Rowan, former Willows boss Gary Fellows, and team coach Dave Mann, who have rebuilt the squad and introduced several young prospects.

League form fell short of early expectations, but the team did put together a good Gilchrist Cup run to reach the Semi-Finals.

Mitchell Shackleton were proud winners of the Albert Booth Sportsmanship Trophy in 1998-99, a testament to the spirit in which the Club plays the game.

Also, in June 2000, Club Secretary Ian Street was named Secretary of the Year at the Annual General Meeting.

A major change at the Club occurred in 2002 when Mitchells were informed that Salteye Park, their existing ground at Barton was to be purchased and subsequently used for what has now to become the new Salford Reds rugby League stadium.

The hunt was on for a new ground, and with compensation from their move, plus football foundation assistance, Silver St in Irlam, once home to Irlam Town became an obvious choice.

The start of the 2001-02 season saw the Club change its title to Irlam MS in anticipation of a proposed move to Silver St, the site of the then defunct Irlam Town FC.

The new ground at Silver St was officially opened in 2003 with a visit from Brian McClair's Milk Cup winning, Manchester United youth team.

A further name change saw Irlam MS become Irlam FC, and the appointment of Warren Dodd as secretary of the Club, from Irlam Rangers Junior Club saw development increase at the ground. 

The Club made the decision in 2006 that they would pursue a place in The North West Counties League, and entry via ground improvements at Silver St meant that the Club entered their highest level of competition in their history in readiness for the 2008/2009 season. That inaugural season, under the guidance of manager Dave Mann remains our best season to date in the competition, finishing in 8th position on 52 points.

The Clubs performances to date have fluctuated in the NWCFL as the Club adjusts to the higher level of competition. Previous managers Dave Mann, Ryan Gilligan and Nick Parker have all poured their effort and commitment into the Club, culminating in the most recent appointment, Steve Nixon, a local manager with an impeccable coaching CV.

Seasons 2013/2014 and 2014/15 were a learning curve for the new management team as the season presented plenty of positives from probably the youngest squad in the league. A large pool of players competing in the North West Counties, a reserve team in the Cheshire League and U18s in the North West Youth Alliance league really put the accent on youth at the Club. Notable highlights for the 1st team in 2014/2015 was a semi final appearance in the Manchester FA Premier Cup against Mossley FC, along with a mid table finish in Div One.

The Reserves had a season of success in season 2013/2014, finishing 4th in the Res Division as well as winning the Reserve Div Trophy against Glossop as well as runners up in the Reserve Div Cup final against Darwen.

With manager Steve Nixon at the helm for his 3rd campaign for the 2015/2016 season, the future is looking bright both on and off the pitch at Silver St. The opening of a brand new Clubhouse at the ground again pushed the Club to greater heights, creating a real non-league footballing set up at Silver St.

On the pitch, a maturing side, borne out of patience with a group of talented younger players over previous season, the prospects look good as the Club continues with its ambition to gain promotion to the North West Counties Premier League.