(Re)introducing the new member Clubs: City of Liverpool FC
Tue 22nd July 2025 | City of Liverpool | By Media Team
With all of the brand new clubs introduced, there are a couple of clubs left to welcome back who make a return to the NWCFL after a sojourn at higher levels. The first of those clubs that we will take a look at is City of Liverpool.
The club's history is short in terms of time, having been formed just nine years ago, but the Club have certainly had a ride during that time. After joining our First Division as a brand new club in the 2016/17 season, the 'Purps' (christened as such as purple is the "civic colour" of the city - mixing Everton blue with Liverpool red!) went from strength-to-strength in their early years, winning promotion through the play-offs after finishing 4th alongside scooping an unprecedented League cup double. They followed this up with a 4th-placed finish in their inaugural Premier Division season before winning the League title in 2018/19, pipping rivals and at-the-time landlords Bootle to pole position.
Of course, the following two seasons were never completed due to the pandemic but the 'Purps' never risked a return to Step 5 upon football's return; finishing 9th and then 12th in the NPL West. The 2023/24 season turned out to be the on-pitch peak of the club's short history to date as amid off-field drama that saw the club without a secure home, the side finished 5th in the table and earned themselves a shot at the play-offs and promotion to Step 3.
A 2-0 victory away at Runcorn Linnets meant that the 'Purps' were just 90 minutes away from a third promotion in six complete seasons, but it wasn't to be as they fell to a two-goal defeat at the hands of Prescot Cables in the final. The 2024/25 season couldn't have been a bigger downfall as they won just three league games all season and finished rock bottom of the table on 15 points - 35 adrift of guaranteed survival.
That leads us to the present day and Club Chairman Paul Manning is realistic about the prospects of the coming twelve months:
"We were last at the NWCFL AGM in June 2019 as the Champion Club ahead of our promotion to the NPL.
We were back at the Imperial Hotel 6 years later having finished rock bottom in the NPL West!
In some ways it was very different, but in other ways it felt very familiar.
The club has undergone a massive overhaul since the end of the Season both on and off the pitch.
We are building our membership throughout July and August and although we were behind the 8 ball with regards to Pre-Season fixtures, we have managed to secure 5 games and so far had 3 wins under new Manager Karl Clair.
Step 4 football is highly competitive on the pitch, but off the pitch is a big administrative undertaking and becoming increasingly more difficult in a volunteer led organisation.
Its no surprise to me that the last 2 teams to finish last in that division were both supporter owned clubs, in ourselves and 1874 Nortwich.
For Season 25/26 we are looking for the club to collectively catch its breath in the NWCFL Premier Division.
We have recently announced that we will be sharing the Community Ground at Burscough FC and we are looking forward to our 4th "home" in 9 seasons, as we continue to fight to get a ground in Liverpool.
We have tasked Karl with getting the new squad back to winning its fair share of football matches, perhaps a cup run or two and an upper mid table finish.
Only time will tell if this is achievable or not, but I know the Volunteers and Members are looking forward to a re-set and an exciting (and mammoth) Season ahead, but mostly looking forward to enjoying the football again!"
As recently announced, the club will be playing their home fixtures at Burscough's Community Stadium for the coming season and 2026/27. They open their campaign with a trip to Glossop North End on 26th July. Their first home fixture is an FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie against Euxton Villa, with the visit of Atherton LR seven days later being their first time hosting in the league.
(Re)introducing the new member Clubs: City of Liverpool FC
Tue 22nd July 2025 | City of Liverpool
By Media Team
With all of the brand new clubs introduced, there are a couple of clubs left to welcome back who make a return to the NWCFL after a sojourn at higher levels. The first of those clubs that we will take a look at is City of Liverpool.
The club's history is short in terms of time, having been formed just nine years ago, but the Club have certainly had a ride during that time. After joining our First Division as a brand new club in the 2016/17 season, the 'Purps' (christened as such as purple is the "civic colour" of the city - mixing Everton blue with Liverpool red!) went from strength-to-strength in their early years, winning promotion through the play-offs after finishing 4th alongside scooping an unprecedented League cup double. They followed this up with a 4th-placed finish in their inaugural Premier Division season before winning the League title in 2018/19, pipping rivals and at-the-time landlords Bootle to pole position.
Of course, the following two seasons were never completed due to the pandemic but the 'Purps' never risked a return to Step 5 upon football's return; finishing 9th and then 12th in the NPL West. The 2023/24 season turned out to be the on-pitch peak of the club's short history to date as amid off-field drama that saw the club without a secure home, the side finished 5th in the table and earned themselves a shot at the play-offs and promotion to Step 3.
A 2-0 victory away at Runcorn Linnets meant that the 'Purps' were just 90 minutes away from a third promotion in six complete seasons, but it wasn't to be as they fell to a two-goal defeat at the hands of Prescot Cables in the final. The 2024/25 season couldn't have been a bigger downfall as they won just three league games all season and finished rock bottom of the table on 15 points - 35 adrift of guaranteed survival.
That leads us to the present day and Club Chairman Paul Manning is realistic about the prospects of the coming twelve months:
"We were last at the NWCFL AGM in June 2019 as the Champion Club ahead of our promotion to the NPL.
We were back at the Imperial Hotel 6 years later having finished rock bottom in the NPL West!
In some ways it was very different, but in other ways it felt very familiar.
The club has undergone a massive overhaul since the end of the Season both on and off the pitch.
We are building our membership throughout July and August and although we were behind the 8 ball with regards to Pre-Season fixtures, we have managed to secure 5 games and so far had 3 wins under new Manager Karl Clair.
Step 4 football is highly competitive on the pitch, but off the pitch is a big administrative undertaking and becoming increasingly more difficult in a volunteer led organisation.
Its no surprise to me that the last 2 teams to finish last in that division were both supporter owned clubs, in ourselves and 1874 Nortwich.
For Season 25/26 we are looking for the club to collectively catch its breath in the NWCFL Premier Division.
We have recently announced that we will be sharing the Community Ground at Burscough FC and we are looking forward to our 4th "home" in 9 seasons, as we continue to fight to get a ground in Liverpool.
We have tasked Karl with getting the new squad back to winning its fair share of football matches, perhaps a cup run or two and an upper mid table finish.
Only time will tell if this is achievable or not, but I know the Volunteers and Members are looking forward to a re-set and an exciting (and mammoth) Season ahead, but mostly looking forward to enjoying the football again!"
As recently announced, the club will be playing their home fixtures at Burscough's Community Stadium for the coming season and 2026/27. They open their campaign with a trip to Glossop North End on 26th July. Their first home fixture is an FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round tie against Euxton Villa, with the visit of Atherton LR seven days later being their first time hosting in the league.
