Tomorrow's Opponents: Bootle

The second of a string of three consecutive away matches sees Cheadle Town travel to Bootle.

There has actually been two Bootle FCs. The 'original' Bootle FC were formed in 1892...and then disappeared a year later after only spending one season in the football league. Saturday's version were formed in 1953, joining the Lancashire Combination League in 1974. They won this league twice on the trot (1976 & 1977) and then joined the Cheshire County League Division 2. They won that and all, thus earning them promotion to Division 1.

That league was one part of the merger that ended up forming the North West Counties League in 1983, with Bootle being placed in Division 1. On the two occasions when they were relegated to Div 2 - 1991/92 & 1996/97 - they bounced straight back up after just one season, however they didn't manage it for a third time when they were relegated again in 1999/2000. Despite finishing 6th in 2001-2002, they dropped out of the NWCFL and went into the Liverpool County Combination. 2006-2007 saw them make a return "home" as they were re-elected to the NWCFL.

As far as this season is concerned, they're not doing too bad at all: they currently stand in 5th place with 18 points from 11 games. In hope, they're not completely infallible at home - both New Mills and Padiham have gone there and come away with all three points.

Cheadle Town's football this season has shown that they have the ability to be the third team to win there and pick up their first away points of the season. I would guess that being without a win since the end of August means that Cheadle are somewhat lacking the other important factor at the moment - belief. They can do it. Come on Cheadle!

I'm off on my travels this week so I'm not able to attend this one (nor the next away day to Ashton Town), so it's over to Polardin for the match report this weekend (and next). He'd better look after you lot or else he'll get a slap when I get back.....