Good Luck to Campion AFC
Fri 15th July 2022 | Campion | By Jay Cooper
After a sole season in the NWCFL, we say goodbye to Campion AFC, as they laterally move across to the Northern Counties East league in rhe same way they did to us before 2021/22.
Last season, the Manningham-based side plied their trade in the NWCFL Division One North, and ended the campaign in 16th place - one spot above the relegation zone. That said, the two teams below them, Atherton LR and the team then known as AFC Darwen, were both given repreives from relegation. They ran out with a points total of 40 and a goal difference of -6.
They featured in a few eye-catching games throughout the season, namely high-scoring home contests against South Liverpool and St Helens Town, which finished 6-1 and 7-1 to Campion respectively. In addition, before the turn of the year, they also embarked on two unbeaten runs of six and seven games in all competitions respectively, both of which were ended by Holker Old Boys.
We reached out to Campion secretary Dave Keegan and he had this to say about his side's stint in the NWCFL.
"I would like to pass on my thanks to all of the other clubs for their hospitality and warm welcome that we received from everyone last season. There are some very hard working people who give up their time to ensure that their clubs are run well. The facilities at many clubs are something that each club should rightly be very proud of. I would like to wish all the clubs ub the NWCFL the very best for the future."
As mentioned earlier, the move to the NWCFL in 2021 was due to lateral movements, and it was at the clubs request that they were moved back this time. Dave added:
"The move to the NWCFL was something that Campion neither sought or wanted. We had been in the NCEL since we moved up to Step 6 in 2016 and we had always finished in the top half of the table. Last season was the worst season playing wise and a major reason was due to the amount of travelling perceived the club would be undertaking. With three trips to Liverpool and two to Cumbria I couldn't blame the players.
"There was a mass exodus before the season started of players, and we struggled to replace them as potential new players also highlighted the travel. In the end we were only too happy to avoid dropping into the relegation spots. The FA need to look at the impact to clubs like this."
Looking ahead to the forthcoming 2022/23 season though, Dave is really optimistic saying:
"Since our lateral movement back to the NCEL was confirmed, our management team have been very active on the recruitment front and several players have joined from teams at Step 5. A push for promotion is the aim, and we believe we can do it now we are back in NCEL.
"To summarise, we enjoyed our 12 months in the league, it was lovely to meet new friends which is a big reason we all enjoy football at this level. We enjoyed our stay and we wish everyone well, but lets hope though that we are not moved laterally back to the NWCFL anytime soon!"
Good luck to Dave and to Campion on their promotion push in the 2022/23 season.
Good Luck to Campion AFC
Fri 15th July 2022 | Campion
By Jay Cooper
After a sole season in the NWCFL, we say goodbye to Campion AFC, as they laterally move across to the Northern Counties East league in rhe same way they did to us before 2021/22.
Last season, the Manningham-based side plied their trade in the NWCFL Division One North, and ended the campaign in 16th place - one spot above the relegation zone. That said, the two teams below them, Atherton LR and the team then known as AFC Darwen, were both given repreives from relegation. They ran out with a points total of 40 and a goal difference of -6.
They featured in a few eye-catching games throughout the season, namely high-scoring home contests against South Liverpool and St Helens Town, which finished 6-1 and 7-1 to Campion respectively. In addition, before the turn of the year, they also embarked on two unbeaten runs of six and seven games in all competitions respectively, both of which were ended by Holker Old Boys.
We reached out to Campion secretary Dave Keegan and he had this to say about his side's stint in the NWCFL.
"I would like to pass on my thanks to all of the other clubs for their hospitality and warm welcome that we received from everyone last season. There are some very hard working people who give up their time to ensure that their clubs are run well. The facilities at many clubs are something that each club should rightly be very proud of. I would like to wish all the clubs ub the NWCFL the very best for the future."
As mentioned earlier, the move to the NWCFL in 2021 was due to lateral movements, and it was at the clubs request that they were moved back this time. Dave added:
"The move to the NWCFL was something that Campion neither sought or wanted. We had been in the NCEL since we moved up to Step 6 in 2016 and we had always finished in the top half of the table. Last season was the worst season playing wise and a major reason was due to the amount of travelling perceived the club would be undertaking. With three trips to Liverpool and two to Cumbria I couldn't blame the players.
"There was a mass exodus before the season started of players, and we struggled to replace them as potential new players also highlighted the travel. In the end we were only too happy to avoid dropping into the relegation spots. The FA need to look at the impact to clubs like this."
Looking ahead to the forthcoming 2022/23 season though, Dave is really optimistic saying:
"Since our lateral movement back to the NCEL was confirmed, our management team have been very active on the recruitment front and several players have joined from teams at Step 5. A push for promotion is the aim, and we believe we can do it now we are back in NCEL.
"To summarise, we enjoyed our 12 months in the league, it was lovely to meet new friends which is a big reason we all enjoy football at this level. We enjoyed our stay and we wish everyone well, but lets hope though that we are not moved laterally back to the NWCFL anytime soon!"
Good luck to Dave and to Campion on their promotion push in the 2022/23 season.
