SITE No 3
ATHERTON TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB
BUTLER PARK, ECKERSLEY FOLD LANE, HOWE BRIDGE M46 0RQ
The club`s roots were from a team formed out of Briarcroft Youth Club in Howe Bridge, Atherton in 1964. In the following year the team “ merged “ with the Mountain Dew FC and in 1967 the combined team changed their names and, ATHERTON TOWN F C was created.
The first couple years Atherton Town FC were in the local Leigh & District League, then in 1969 the team joined the Bolton Combination.
In 1987, the club then moved into the Manchester Football League and in 1993 Atherton Town FC had their most successful year so far when they won the First Division Championship.
The second team also had some success in the same year by putting silverware in the trophy cabinet by beating Acro FC to win the OPEN TROPHY, and, they also finished runner-up to Avro FC in the league.
Atherton Town FC have also won the ATHERTON CHARITY CUP, WESTHOUGHTON CHARITY CUP & BOLTON HOSPITAL`S CUP.
The club has progressed to become a leading Manchester League club and won the GILGRYST CUP in 2000 for the first time with a Penalties shoot-out victory over local rivals and neighbours Pennington FC.
The club have enjoyed various successes over the years, but, the pinnacle of the club`s success must be in 2002 in the CARLSBERG CUP, this is a competition that gives the clubs at grass roots level a taste of the big time.
Atherton Town were victorious at Liverpool FC ground “ Anfield “ in the Northern Section of the competition to qualify for the U K National Final at the Millennium Stadium, but, unfortunately the team lost to Milton Keynes.
The club also has a thriving junior section with 22 teams as well as Under 21s and Veterans Teams.
Off the pitch Atherton Town have continued to make considerable progress after obtaining a 35 year lease on their ground at Howe Bridge Leisure Centre.
The ground comprises of Two pitches { one of which is enclosed }Pavilion & Changing Rooms. Extensive maintenance is done continually on all aspects of the ground and facilities.
AUGUST 31ST 2019
A huge congratulations to Gerald Butler “ Mr Atherton Town “ on receiving his 50 years service to football award tonight at the Lancashire Football Association awards.
An unbelievable achievement
TO MARK THIS ACHIEVEMENT ATHERTON TOWN FOOTBALL GROUND WAS RE-NAMED
“ BUTLER PARK “
Atherton Town FC have 3 senior teams in the Manchester League, and senior teams in South Lancashire Counties and Bolton Vets league. We also have over 20 junior teams in the Bolton and Bury League. Football. Providing for over 350 players!
ATHERTON TOWN IS NOW USED BY THE BRIDGERS COMMUNITY GROUP AS THEIR BASE AND ALSO THE VENUE FOR THE GROUP COMMUNITY PLANT SALES TO RAISE MONEY TO PAY FOR VILLAGE MAINTENANCE PROJECTS.
IN 2022, WIGAN WMBC DONATED A SHIPPING CONTAINER WHICH WAS SITED ON THE FOOTBALL CLUB LAND TO BE USED AS A STORAGE & WORKSHOP UNIT.
IN 2022, WIGAN WMBC DONATED A SHIPPING CONTAINER WHICH WAS SITED ON THE FOOTBALL CLUB LAND TO BE USED AS A STORAGE & WORKSHOP UNIT.
COST OF DELIVERY FROM WIGAN , SITING AT ATHERTON TOWN F C., PAINT, SHELVING, POWER TOOLS, HAND TOOLS AND OTHER GARDENING AIDS WERE PROVIDED BY THE FUNDING WE RECEIVED FROM THE
“ WIGAN MBC COVID RECOVERY FUND “ WITHOUT THIS FUNDING WE WOULD NOT HAVE THIS AMAZING STORAGE FACILITY, OUR WORKING PRACTICES AND CONDITIONS HAVE IMPROVED IMMENSELY.
THANKYOU WIGAN MBC AND THANKYOU ATHERTON TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB.
PHOTOS SHOW UNIT WHEN WE RECEIVED IT AND, FOLLOWING OUR IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING THE ARRAY OF TOOLS { MOWERS, STRIMMERS, HAND TOOLS } AND SHELVING UNITS
STORAGE UNIT PAINTED TO BLEND IN WITH “ GREEN “ SURROUNDINGS
CABIN ENTRANCE AND APPROACH AREA DECKED OUT AND COMPOST BIN CONSTRUCTED
SHELVES, RACKS FITTED TO HOLD OUR VAST ARRAY OF TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
