Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 32
Wed 5th March 2025 | Manager Reactions | By Jay Cooper
With a good amount of NWCFL teams in League action across this past weekend - especially with the 2025 Groundhop taking place - there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers and representatives for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
Groundhop 2025
Jonothan Gains, General Manager at Stockport Town:
"For a number of seasons, we have always been interested in participating in the NWCFL Groundhop weekend and to find out that our local derby game against Cheadle Town was chosen for this seasons GroundHop was a great achievement for Stockport Town Football Club.
"To see so many people, from different areas of the UK attend the game was brilliant to see, and whilst the added benefit of income from the increased crowd was very welcome, it was equally important for people to witness the matchday experience at Stockport Sports Village and hopefully we can see them back at SSV very soon."
Nigel Barlow, Secretary of Droylsden:
"It was wonderful to host the last game of the Groundhopper weekend. The Butchers Arms has had its biggest crowd of the season so far and we feel that both teams put on an entertaining game for the spectators.
"The atmosphere was fantastic in the ground and I hope that for those new to Droylsden, they will have liked what they have seen and make a return visit, where they will be more than welcome."
Dan Bates, Director of Communications at Glossop North End:
"I'm sure we can all agree that a top night was had by all on Saturday evening, as we welcomed a fantastic crowd of 830 to the Asgard Engineering Stadium for what was a great advert for the league and step 5 football in the North West. Two well supported sides, along with a healthy ground hopping contingent made for a great atmosphere under the lights.
"Like almost all outfits in the NWCFL, GNE is a largely voluntary organisation that relies on the efforts of the few people who make the club what it is, whilst the night took a lot of putting together, the revenue generated from the event certainly helps the cashflow situation in the short term as the season draws to a close. We'd like to thank everyone who came down on the night and we hope to see you all again soon."
Jeff Owen, Secretary for Stockport Georgians:
"For Stockport Georgians it was another first and we were honoured and delighted to be selected for the Groundhop 2025. A fantastic experience, it's days like Saturday that make football special.”
Other games
Premier Division
Andy Harrison, of Colne (Colne 3-2 Charnock Richard):
“It's nice to be able to come back from 2-0 down and win late on - it's usually us who go 2-0 up and wind up losing it late on, so it's a nice change! But this just shows that the mentality of our group is changing.
“We were really good value for the win as well. An easily avoidable own goal and a silly individual error led to their goals, so on another day, it could’ve been a comfortable 3-0 or 4-0 win. Now, we’ve got eight cup finals to go.”
Gary Moore, of Lower Breck (Longridge Town 1-5 Lower Breck):
“Another big win on road against one of the best young footballing sides you will play at any level. With their patterns, movement and confidence on the ball, they hard to contain, but once we got that bit between our teeth, we stepped up a gear and took the game away from Longridge very quickly.
“We were coming off the back of a tough LCFA Cup win against a Step 3 side on Thursday, going away from home 48 hours later on a heavy pitch. Not only did we come away with the three points, but to bag five goals as well shows how hard this group of lads are working for each other game after game.”
First Division North
Paul Gregory, of Thornton Cleveleys (Garstang 0-2 Thornton Cleveleys):
“It was a much-needed win on the road. Our recent performances have deserved results like these. Garstang made us work hard for the result, as we expected.
“We feel we have finally got a grip of what is required at this level and it's just a shame we only have five games left. The wheels are already in motion for us going into next season.”
First Division South
Darren Moore, of Runcorn Town (Stafford Town 1-5 Runcorn Town):
“Every one of our players was at a 10/10 level on Saturday - they all turned up and put a massive shift in. In my opinion Stafford are the best footballing team in the league, so to beat them in the way that we did was so pleasing for myself and Liam.
“We were really good with the ball and created a lot of chances, we looked dangerous every time we went forward, but the best part for me was the way our lads played without the ball. We were defending from the front to the back. working hard for 90 minutes.
“A great win for us, three more points and another step in the right direction for the club. Best wishes to Adam Wall and his Stafford team for his upcoming semi-finals. and of course, for their promotion push.”
Quotes from the Weekend: Matchweek 32
Wed 5th March 2025 | Manager Reactions
By Jay Cooper
With a good amount of NWCFL teams in League action across this past weekend - especially with the 2025 Groundhop taking place - there was plenty of scope to speak to club managers and representatives for their opinions on what their teams produced in their 90 minutes.
Groundhop 2025
Jonothan Gains, General Manager at Stockport Town:
"For a number of seasons, we have always been interested in participating in the NWCFL Groundhop weekend and to find out that our local derby game against Cheadle Town was chosen for this seasons GroundHop was a great achievement for Stockport Town Football Club.
"To see so many people, from different areas of the UK attend the game was brilliant to see, and whilst the added benefit of income from the increased crowd was very welcome, it was equally important for people to witness the matchday experience at Stockport Sports Village and hopefully we can see them back at SSV very soon."
Nigel Barlow, Secretary of Droylsden:
"It was wonderful to host the last game of the Groundhopper weekend. The Butchers Arms has had its biggest crowd of the season so far and we feel that both teams put on an entertaining game for the spectators.
"The atmosphere was fantastic in the ground and I hope that for those new to Droylsden, they will have liked what they have seen and make a return visit, where they will be more than welcome."
Dan Bates, Director of Communications at Glossop North End:
"I'm sure we can all agree that a top night was had by all on Saturday evening, as we welcomed a fantastic crowd of 830 to the Asgard Engineering Stadium for what was a great advert for the league and step 5 football in the North West. Two well supported sides, along with a healthy ground hopping contingent made for a great atmosphere under the lights.
"Like almost all outfits in the NWCFL, GNE is a largely voluntary organisation that relies on the efforts of the few people who make the club what it is, whilst the night took a lot of putting together, the revenue generated from the event certainly helps the cashflow situation in the short term as the season draws to a close. We'd like to thank everyone who came down on the night and we hope to see you all again soon."
Jeff Owen, Secretary for Stockport Georgians:
"For Stockport Georgians it was another first and we were honoured and delighted to be selected for the Groundhop 2025. A fantastic experience, it's days like Saturday that make football special.”
Other games
Premier Division
Andy Harrison, of Colne (Colne 3-2 Charnock Richard):
“It's nice to be able to come back from 2-0 down and win late on - it's usually us who go 2-0 up and wind up losing it late on, so it's a nice change! But this just shows that the mentality of our group is changing.
“We were really good value for the win as well. An easily avoidable own goal and a silly individual error led to their goals, so on another day, it could’ve been a comfortable 3-0 or 4-0 win. Now, we’ve got eight cup finals to go.”
Gary Moore, of Lower Breck (Longridge Town 1-5 Lower Breck):
“Another big win on road against one of the best young footballing sides you will play at any level. With their patterns, movement and confidence on the ball, they hard to contain, but once we got that bit between our teeth, we stepped up a gear and took the game away from Longridge very quickly.
“We were coming off the back of a tough LCFA Cup win against a Step 3 side on Thursday, going away from home 48 hours later on a heavy pitch. Not only did we come away with the three points, but to bag five goals as well shows how hard this group of lads are working for each other game after game.”
First Division North
Paul Gregory, of Thornton Cleveleys (Garstang 0-2 Thornton Cleveleys):
“It was a much-needed win on the road. Our recent performances have deserved results like these. Garstang made us work hard for the result, as we expected.
“We feel we have finally got a grip of what is required at this level and it's just a shame we only have five games left. The wheels are already in motion for us going into next season.”
First Division South
Darren Moore, of Runcorn Town (Stafford Town 1-5 Runcorn Town):
“Every one of our players was at a 10/10 level on Saturday - they all turned up and put a massive shift in. In my opinion Stafford are the best footballing team in the league, so to beat them in the way that we did was so pleasing for myself and Liam.
“We were really good with the ball and created a lot of chances, we looked dangerous every time we went forward, but the best part for me was the way our lads played without the ball. We were defending from the front to the back. working hard for 90 minutes.
“A great win for us, three more points and another step in the right direction for the club. Best wishes to Adam Wall and his Stafford team for his upcoming semi-finals. and of course, for their promotion push.”
