The official website for Beechfield United

On Sunday 11th & 18th May 1980 Beechfield United entered two Under 14s team’s into the Greater Manchester Federation of Boys Clubs 7-a-side Soccer Tournament. The event was held at Melland Playing Fields, Mount Road, Gorton.

Leigh & District Junior League Season 1980/81. Entrance Fee per team £3.50 Cup Fee  £1.50. A fee of 25p was payable regarding player transfers. Referee’s Fee’s were £1.50 and all team’s were allowed to use two substitutes in each game. Some of the other club’s who had applied for membership were Salford Lads Club, St Judes, Comit Youth Club, Boothstown United, Barriers FC, Crescent Rangers, Hindley United, Walkden Town and Atherton Central.

The club held a Christmas Disco on Saturday 28th November 1981. Moorside Library was the venue for the Under 12s winter indoor training at a cost of £3 per player.

An application was submitted by Secretary Karl Colehouse to City of Salford’s Recreation Department for the use of a pitch on Brookhouse Playing Fields for season 1981/82. Cost of using the pitch (28 matches maximum) was £37.00 plus VAT.

From documents belonging to Ged Goodwin club meeting’s in 1981/82 were held at the L.U.T. Social Club/Moorside Social Club & Pilkington’s Club. In attendance at most meetings were Chairman was Colin Roden, Secretary Mark John Banner and Committee Members Barry Salisbury and Alan McMahon.

Before the start of the 1981-1982 season Beechfield United Under 12s who were members of the Leigh and District Junior League played a series of pre-season friendly games against various opposition. Four successive  matches were held at Beechfield Road against Salford Lads Club, Erwood Rovers, Roach Dynamos and Stretford Junuior Blues. Then Beechy travelled  to take on Erwood Rovers, Atherton Central and Freehold Juniors. In the away game against Erwood Rovers United made a positive start and both Duncan Roden and Jonathan Jones saw fine efforts flash inches wide of the target. The deadlock was broken in the 20th minute after Carl Horrocks and Neil Matthews combined for Malcolm Whipday to score the opening goal then Mark Jones made it 2-0 just before half time.

Errwood Rovers looked more determined as the second half began and despite a series of fine saves by United keeper Graham Boothman they scored two goal’s in quick succession. Midfielders Stephen Street and Karl Colehouse linked up well with the Beechfield forwards as they tried to get back in the game.

Meanwhile defenders Paul Neill and new signing Justin Cole worked hard to stem the opposition’s wave of attacks. Mark Jones scored his second and United’s third goal when he lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper. But Errwood snatched the equaliser as they made it 3-3 on the stroke of full time.

United entertained Stretford Junior Blues in midweek and gained a deserved 3-2 victory. In heatwave conditions the visitors took an early lead when United were guilty of some poor defending. United’s general play improved after the interval and they equalised when right winger Mark Jones sent the ball deep into the area and Karl Colehouse headed it low into the corner of the net.

Minutes later there was a carbon copy goal as Jones and Colehouse combined and the latter gave Beechy a 2-1 advantage. Jones netted the third goal before Stretford Junior Blues completed the scoring close to full time.

Match reports were submitted to the Swinton Journal on a weekly basis during the 1982/83 season. Details of two exciting games played at Beech Farm involving the Under 13s (Dates Unknown) were as follows :-

BEECHFIELD UNITED 4 v BOOTHSTOWN JFC 3.

United managed to win this entertaining match by the odd goal in seven. At first it appeared as if United were going to enjoy an easy victory after taking the lead in less than five minutes then scoring two more goals in quick succession. Some excellent saves by the Boothstown keeper foiled several fine efforts as Beechy looked to add further goals. Just before the half time break Boothstown managed to get a goal back against the run of play. The second half carried on at the same roaring pace and both teams created some easy chances before United went 4-1 up but Boothstown fought back and increased the pressure on United after making it 4-3 inside the last five minutes. Ian Donnelly (Hat-Trick) and Mike McFarland got the goals.

BEECHFIELD UNITED 5 v HEATHFIELD RANGERS 2

Both teams came into this cup-tie looking for victory and although the match was played in atrocious conditions both teams created some extremely good football. United took the initative early on and went ahead thanks to a goal by Ian Donnelly. Their total committment to attacking play took Rangers by surprise and for most of the first half play was situated in the visitors half.. Goals from Ian Bagshaw and Mike McFarland who produced a tremendous solo effort gave Beechy a 3-1 lead at the break. As the second period progressed it was United who dominated possession and the Rangers defence was given a torrid time. Donnelly and Bagshaw were on target again while Rangers hit their second goal late in the contest.

BUFC resigned from the Leigh and District Junior League and a letter dated 27th May 1982 was hand delivered to the league’s committee by Colin Roden. Three teams were allocated places in the Salford Junior Sunday League (£10 per team) Annual Presentation Evening was held on Saturday 19th June at Pilkingtons Social Club Station Road, Swinton.

The Under 12s lost 3-0 to Salford Aztecs in the final of the Greater Manchester Police 5-a-side Football Competiition (Salford Police Festival Cup) United entered two teams into the Competition with the first set of games being played at Clarendon Sports Centre, Liverpool Street, Salford on Tuesday 13th & 27th July 1982. All group winners would then compete in the semi-final’s which were held along with the final at the Salford Show, Buile Hill School on Sunday 15th August. The United team who reached the final were as follows :- Beechfield United (A) Carl Horrocks, Duncan Summers, Neil Matthews, Mark Jones, Duncan Roden, Peter Brown & Malcolm Whipday. Beechfield United’s (B) team players were Michael Wolstenholme, Stephen Street, Lee Lomas, Ian Donnelly, David Higgins,  Karl Colehouse & Andrew Fryer.

On 12th March 1983 Acting Secretary Mark Banner issued a letter to both Players and Parents informing them about the forthcoming club Presentation Evening (held at Swinton Liberal Club on Friday 27th May) and possible friendly games in Blackpool and North Wales. He also apologised about the increase regarding the players sub’s. With immediate effect they would increase from 25p to 35p per match.

Under 12s, 13s, & 14s played their football in the Salford Junior Sunday League while the Under 16s were members of the Bury Friendship League. (Season 1983/1984) It was announced that end of season Player of the Year Trophies were being sponsored by Mr.J.Whitehead, Mr.G.Brearley, Mr.P.Gillard and Drome Car Hire. The annual presentation evening was held at Eccles Liberal Club.

A letter written in April 1984 by Club Secretary Barry Salisbury was sent to the sports desk of the Swinton Journal. He was looking for Players and Adults to help run the teams in season 1984-1985.

Michael Wolstenholme remembers his playing days with the club in the early 1980′s. He gave the names of three other players Andrew Fryer, Dennis Robbins and Mike McFarland who’s father also called Mike was at the time Team Manager. With reference to an estimated guess Michael thinks the season the team won three trophies was when they played in the Salford Junior Sunday League in1984/1985. Michael’s estimation proved to be correct because  Ian Donnelly confirmed that he still has the trophies he won in that season which were League Champions, Supplementary Cup Winners and Cup Runners-Up. Ian has a Sportsman of the Year Trophy but unfortunately he is unable to name the year. Also he’s kept trophies given to him when he represented the Inter League sides in 1984 and 1985. The team originally played in a Red kit but after being sponsored by Dolphin Taxis the colours were Orange shirts, Black shorts and Orange shorts. Another kit (all Silver/Grey) was worn for the first time in the cup final in 1984/85 which Beechy lost 1-0.

Another former player Karl Colehouse (Junior) provided some vital information about his time with the club. In 1981 he was a member of the Under 12s  and says that he went to the same school as most of his team mates. Karl Colehouse (Senior) set-up and was Manager of the original Beechfield Juniors team, initally there was an Under 16s team, then in 1980 an Under 11s team. The club officially became known as Beechfield United in 1980 after a match was played on Moorside Junior School Playing Fields against the late Barry Salisburys team. It was then that Barry and Colin Roden came on board.

At an end of season Presentation Evening held in 1987 (no official date known) Trophies were awarded to players from the Under 10s to Under 16s teams. U/10s PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Michael Twiss,  CLUBMAN OF THE YEAR – Stuart McLoughlin, MAN OF THE MATCH  - Anthony Hodgson, MANAGER’S INDIVIDUAL AWARD – Ben Hamilton. U/11s POTY – Mark Johns, COTY – Craig Ramage, PPOTY – Steve Kelly. U/12s POTY – James Livesey, COTY – Phil Jones, PPOTY – Paul Modlinsky, MOTM – Neil Owens, MIA – Paul Hulme. U/13s POTY – Darren Brookes, COTY – Stuart Twiss, PPOTY – Lee Abrams, MIA – Steven Knield, SOTY – Colin Grounds, MOTM – (Shared between) Adrian Knott, Andy Watson & Mike Worsley. U/14s POTY – Richard Mellor, COTY – Mike Langabeer. U/16s POTY – David Curren, COTY – Lawrence Whelahan, PPOTY – Lawrence Whelahan. Kearsley Shield (Most Sporting Team) U/11s – Manager John Ramage. REFEREE’S AWARD – (Sponsored by Mike Wilde) – Adam Unsworth (U/11s)

Former Club Official George Vernon kindly supplied vital information regarding Beechfield United’s most successful team. In season 1990/91 the Under 13s won the Manchester FA Challenge Cup, Salford Junior Sunday League Championship, Supplementary Cup, Kearsley Shield and were Knock-Out Cup Runners Up. George has all the original trophies to prove it and also provided the names of the players who were the major part of this marvellous achievement. In alphabetical order they were Stephen Done, John Paul Elliott, Ian Gibson, Bobby Hodgson, Lee MacDonald, Craig McNichol, Carl Openshaw, Wes Pollard, Gary Roberts, Neil Rothwell, Michael Twiss, Paul Vernon, Chris Wallis and Danny Watson. The league’s end of season Presentation Night was held at the Lancastrian Hall and presenting the trophies was a young Ryan Giggs.

On a date unknown in 1991 a  Beechfield United Junior Team travelled to Stoke-on-Trent to take part in a pre-season competition organised by Trubshaw Cross Lads and Dads Club. This Beechy team were obviously successful because they came home with a winners trophy.

One day in 1992 a Trophy was presented to Beechfield United FC for it’s 10 year loyal service to the Salford Junior Sunday League. This was confirmed by former committee member Ken Barnes.

Volume 1 of a Newsletter for distribution to persons with parental responsibility for players representing the Under 10s was prepared and compiled by Mike Hill and Paul Drench in September 1994. The team who were registered with the Salford Junior Sunday League started the season on 4/9/1994 with a home game against Swinton Boys. Each player paid a £6 signing on fee plus a £1 per week subscription which went towards the purchase of training equipment, refreshments on match days etc. Parents were made aware that each age group was expected to contribute £245 per year towards the costs of running the club. TEAM SELECTION. Team Selection will always be based on what the Manager/Assistant considers to be the best team for each game, this also applies to the substitutes. It should be noted however, that a boy who does not regularly attend training sessions or exhibits unacceptable behaviour, is unlikely to be picked for the team. It is inevitable that with a squad of 18 registered players some boys will not always get a game, it is also inevitable and understandable that parents may wish to query team selection, on this and any other issue, please feel free to discuss the matter with Paul Drench, Mike Hill or Keith Lawrence.

An Under 14s team playing in the Bolton Boys & Girls Federation won the B Championship Trophy in season 1994/1995. (More details to follow)

In the Winders Eccles Sunday Football League United’s Youth Team were 1st Division Runner’s-Up in season 1994/1995 and in season 1995/1996 were Supplementary Youth Cup finalists.

The Under 11s advertised for sponsors prior to the 1995/96 season in the Salford Junior Sunday League. A letter sent out to local companies provided an indication of the costs of certain items that the team required. For those sponsors who wished to purchase an item of clothing (kit, training tops etc) had the option of their company name printed on it, with the corresponding commercial value in terms of advertisement this could bring.

Michael Twiss born 26th December 1977 began his professional career as a Trainee at Manchester United, but despite being a regular in the Reserve Team from 1997 to 2001 failed to make the grade. At the club his only 1st Team appearance in 1997-1998 was as a 78th minute substitute in an FA Cup 5th Round replay with Barnsley at Oakwell on 25/2/1998. He spent most of the 1998-1999 season on loan with Sheffield United in the First Division. He returned to Old Trafford in March 1999 and made just one appearance in the 1999-2000 season. On 13th October he was in the United team who lost 3-0 to Aston Villa at Villa Park in a League Cup 3rd Round game. This was Michael’s first and final start under Alex Ferguson and he was released at the end of the season. He signed for Port Vale in 2000, moving on to non-league outfit Leigh RMI a year later. In 2002 he transferred to Chester City, joining Morecambe FC two years later. He won promotion into the Football League with both clubs. After a six year association with Morecambe FC, he moved onto Altrincham FC via Stalybridge Celtic in 2010.