Date: Tuesday Aug 09 2011
Ground: Silver Street
Comp: NW Counties League Division One (step six)
Match: Irlam 1 Wigan Robin Park 4 HT: 0-0
Burgess 90; Judge (pen) 49, Howard 65, 78, 80
ATT: 55
Additional: Entrance £4.00, Programme £1.00
Silver Street in pictures
Ground Statistics (marks out of ten, maximum 40)
Character 5, Structures/Terracing 5, Hospitality 7, Backdrop/Scenery or aesthetics for larger stadiums 5
Total 22
Irlam FC, from West Manchester, started off as Mitchell Shackleton FC in 1969. They have only been at step six in the North West Counties league division one for three season, before that playing mostly in the Manchester league. They changed their name to Irlam Mitchell Shackleton in 2001, but then discarded two thirds of their name to become just Irlam FC. (I did see an old sign in the coffee bar of Irlam Town AFC though?)
They won 9-1 on the opening day at Nelson, so I was expecting to see an impressive attacking display. The visitors are also new to the NWCL, joining in the same year. Wigan Robin Park were only founded in 2005 and play at an athletics ground next to Wigan Athletic’s DW Stadium.
The game was a surprise, no hint of Irlam’s nine goal haul from Saturday was on show in a cagey first helf. WRP took full advantage in the second half with four goals. Irlam got one back in the dying seconds to give a rather flattering 4-1 win for the visitors and Irlam a very lopsided early record. You can here the nearby M62 during the game.
While I took my camera here, I forgot the memory card, so had room for just six pictures. These were supplemented by my phone camera.
The Groundhog 
Irlam Town folded in 1995. They were founder members of the Northern Premier League First Division, staying there for a couple of seasons before going back to the NWCL.