Hubbry Logo
Bootle F.C.Bootle F.C.Main
Open search
Bootle F.C.
Community hub
Bootle F.C.
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Bootle F.C.
Bootle F.C.
Bootle F.C.
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Bootle Football Club is an English football club based in Bootle, Merseyside. The club are members of the Northern Premier League Division One West and play at New Bucks Park.

Key Information

History

[edit]

Previous clubs in Bootle

[edit]

The original Bootle F.C. were formed in 1879 and played their first fixture in 1880 on Hawthorne Road, adjacent to Bootle Cricket Club. The club were Everton F.C.'s main rivals and competed with Everton for the prestigious place in the newly formed Football League. Because only one club per area were permitted to join, Bootle narrowly lost out, despite the fact that in the run up to the decision Everton were banned from both the FA Cup and the Liverpool Senior Cup the previous year. However Bootle lost out and in 1889–90 Bootle became founder members of the Football Alliance. That season was the most successful as the club finished league runners-up and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, losing to Blackburn Rovers. When the Alliance merged with the Football League in 1892, Bootle became founder members of the new Football League Second Division. However, despite finishing in a respectable 8th place, the club dropped out after one season due to ongoing financial problems. Ironically a new local club, Liverpool, took Bootle's place in the second division.

The possible resurrection of a Bootle team became a distinct probability in August 1947 when local councillors identified the popularity and talent on show in the ‘Bootle JOC’ league and knew the town was big enough to be put back on the football map with its own team again. For years it had been an exporter of its many players to other clubs, both professional and semi-professional. The promise of sponsorship money from local businesses brought great optimism and the issue of one shilling shares further boosted club finances. After local residents were assured that the ground at Bootle Stadium (Maguire Avenue) would not be used solely as a football ground, an application to join the Lancashire Combination for the 1948–49 season was made, and accepted. Club colours even posed a problem; red or blue were dismissed for fear of showing favour to either of the ‘big two’ so it was agreed that, as the original Bootle FC wore white shorts, this colour would be adopted. Players mostly came from the local league and surrounding clubs, however one player that Bootle overlooked was a tall ex-prisoner-of-war German, Bert Trautmann. Trautman, then living in Huyton, trained with Bootle at the stadium for several weeks but, with the area taking such a heavy pounding during the war, it was decided not to tempt any local bitterness and he was allowed to join St Helens Town and later moved on to FA Cup and Manchester City folklore. They kicked off their new campaign in 1948 against Barnoldswick and district. The league was won at the first attempt. However, Bootle struggled in the top-flight and after several tough seasons and also a change in Council priorities they withdrew from the league and folded during the 1953–54 campaign.

Modern club

[edit]

In 1953, the current club was formed as Langton with Frank Doran Senior and Ben Dunning being two of the founding members. The club played in the various local Bootle leagues. After a successful spell in the Liverpool County Combination, winning multiple leagues and cups, the club requested to change its name to the latest incarnation of Bootle FC. This was accepted in 1973 and a year later ‘the Bucks’ joined the Lancashire Combination.

After winning the Combination in both 1976 and 1977, Bootle then joined the Second Division of the Cheshire County League, which was won in the first season, and were promoted to the First Division. In 1982 the Cheshire County League was one of the leagues that merged to form the North West Counties League, which Bootle duly joined, becoming a member of the First Division (Which is now called the Premier Division). The club spent most of their time in the First Division until 2000 when the club was relegated to the Second Division.

However, despite finishing 6th in 2002, the club dropped into the Liverpool County Combination as Bucks Park on Copy Lane closed its doors for the final time. In 2006 the club, with a new ground on Vesty Road, were elected back into Division 2 of the North West Counties League. In 2009 Bootle won promotion to the NWCFL Premier Division and also won the Championship. In 2009–10, the first season back in the NWCFL Premier Division Bootle finished a NWCFL high for the first time reaching 3rd place. In 2010–11 finished 6th place. They equalled the 3rd place again in 2012. More success followed in 2013 when the club lifted the Liverpool Senior Cup.

In 2017 Bootle finished runners-up for the first time in the NWCFL Premier Division, losing out to Atherton Collieries for the title.

In 2019 the Bucks missed out on the title yet again, finishing runner-up after a 20 match winning streak was halted by a final day draw at home to Northwich Victoria saw City of Liverpool claim the league.

The club was promoted to the Northern Premier league west division at the start of the 2021–22 season. After a difficult start to the season long standing manager Joe Dorian resigned from his position stating that he “Had taken the club as far as possible.”

Shortly after, Joe Johnson took over the club and was appointed trustee with his company Berry Street Garage becoming the main club sponsor.

Notable former players

[edit]

Players who have gone on to play for professional clubs include:

Honours

[edit]

Records

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Bootle F.C.

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Bootle F.C. is an association football club based in Bootle, Merseyside, England, that competes in the Northern Premier League Division One West, the eighth tier of the English football league system. The club plays its home matches at the Berry Street Garage Stadium and serves as a community-focused organization with youth teams and commercial partnerships. The original Bootle F.C. was established in 1880, initially playing on Hawthorne Road adjacent to Bootle Cricket Club, and quickly became rivals to nearby Everton F.C. while competing for a place in the Football League. This early incarnation joined the Football Alliance as founder members in the 1889–90 season, finishing as runners-up, and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup that year before entering the Football League Second Division in 1892–93. However, financial difficulties led to the club's resignation from the League after one season, resulting in its folding in 1893. The modern Bootle F.C. traces its origins to 1953, when it was founded as Langton F.C. before being renamed F.C. in 1973. The club joined the Combination in 1974–75, winning the title in both 1975–76 and 1976–77, and later secured promotion through the County League in 1978–79. As founder members of the North West Counties League in 1982–83, achieved the Division One championship in 2008–09 and earned promotion to the in 2021–22. Since relocating to its current Vesty Road ground in 2006, the club has established itself as a competitive non-league side with a history of resilience amid occasional points deductions and play-off appearances, including a semi-final loss in 2023–24. In the 2024–25 season, Bootle finished 14th in the division, and as of November 2025, they continue to compete there.

History

Predecessor clubs

The original Bootle F.C. was established in 1879, initially known as Bootle St Johns AFC, and played its first match in October 1880 against local rivals Everton, defeating them 2–0 at . The club quickly became a prominent force in football, fostering intense rivalries with Everton during the early 1880s, including competitive fixtures in the Liverpool Senior Cup where attendances often swelled due to local interest. Bootle played its home games on , adjacent to the Bootle Cricket Club grounds, sharing facilities and benefiting from the local sporting infrastructure. In 1889–90, became a founder member of the , a rival league to the Football League, and achieved its most successful season by finishing as runners-up, four points behind champions Rovers Olympic. When the Alliance merged with the Football League in 1892, was elected as a founder member of the new Second Division, completing the 1892–93 campaign in a respectable eighth place with 19 points from 22 matches. However, mounting financial pressures, exacerbated by competition from nearby clubs like Everton and , led to the club's resignation from the Football League in 1893 and its subsequent dissolution later that year. Following , a new iteration of Bootle F.C., often referred to as Bootle Athletic, was reformed in 1948 under the inspiration of local figure Peter Mahon and gained entry to the Lancashire Combination's Second Division for the 1948–49 season. The club enjoyed immediate success, winning the Second Division title in their debut campaign and earning promotion to the First Division. Despite this early achievement, persistent financial difficulties forced the club to resign mid-season in 1953–54, with their record expunged, leading to its folding and paving the way for the modern Bootle F.C.'s formation later that year.

Formation and early years

Bootle F.C. was established in 1953 as Langton F.C. by a group of local dock workers in , , with Frank Doran Senior serving as one of the founding members. The club initially played its home matches at Bootle Stadium, situated in the center of a cycle track, and entered local competitions such as the South Liverpool League to build its presence in the community. This formation came in the wake of earlier predecessor clubs' collapses, which had left a strong legacy of football enthusiasm in the working-class area. During its early years, Langton F.C. experienced steady growth through participation in regional leagues, including success in the Liverpool County Combination where it secured multiple league titles and cup victories. The club faced typical challenges for amateur outfits of the era, such as limited access to dedicated facilities and reliance on shared local pitches, which underscored the resource constraints in post-war . Deep community ties were evident from the outset, with support drawn from local businesses, volunteers, and families, fostering a sense of belonging in Bootle's tight-knit dockland neighborhoods. In 1973, following a period of consolidation and achievements in lower-tier football, the club successfully applied to change its name to Bootle F.C., reviving the historic moniker associated with the town. This rebranding also introduced the nickname "The Bucks," derived from the depiction of a deer on the club's crest, symbolizing local pride and resilience. The following year, in 1974, Bootle F.C. elevated its status by joining the Lancashire Combination, where it quickly established itself as a competitive force. Bootle F.C.'s early momentum in the Lancashire Combination culminated in back-to-back championship wins in 1976 and 1977, showcasing disciplined play and growing fan support. Building on this success, the club transitioned to the League Second Division in 1978 and promptly claimed the title in its debut season, earning promotion and marking a pivotal step in its development. These accomplishments highlighted the club's integration into Bootle's social fabric, where matches served as communal events amid ongoing facility limitations like makeshift changing areas and variable pitch conditions.

League career and recent developments

Bootle F.C. entered the (NWCFL) upon its formation in 1982, as founder members of Division One following the merger of the League and Lancashire Combination. The club achieved consistent mid-table finishes throughout the and 1990s, with occasional points deductions for administrative issues, establishing a stable presence in the top flight of the league. Relegations punctuated this period, including a drop to Division Two in 1992 on after finishing second-bottom, though immediate promotion followed as runners-up in 1992–93. Another relegation occurred in 1997, but Bootle returned to Division One the next season via promotion ahead of higher-placed teams on tie-breakers. The early 2000s brought further challenges, with relegation to NWCFL Division Two in 2000 after finishing 21st in Division One. In 2002, despite securing sixth place, the club was forced to drop to the Liverpool County Combination due to the closure of their Bucks Park ground on Copy Lane, which lacked the facilities required for NWCFL membership. returned to NWCFL Division Two in 2006 after securing a new home at Vesty Road, but faced an initial four-point deduction. Recovery came swiftly, as the club won Division Two in 2008–09 to earn promotion to the Premier Division, also claiming the league championship that season. Back in the top tier, finished as runners-up in the Premier Division in 2016–17 and 2018–19, narrowly missing promotion on both occasions. In 2021, gained elevation to the (NPL) Division One West as part of a restructure of the National League System, alongside fellow NWCFL clubs. The club ended their debut NPL season in seventh place in 2021–22, followed by a mid-table finish in 2022–23. In 2023–24, finished 4th in Division One West and reached the play-off semi-finals, losing to Prescot Cables. They finished 14th in Division One West in 2024–25. As of November 2025, in the 2025–26 season, are competing in Division One West, positioned mid-table after early matches. Key off-field developments include the 2013 Liverpool Senior Cup victory, secured 4–3 on penalties against after a 1–1 draw, ending a 124-year drought in the competition. In March 2025, Alan Morgan was appointed manager, combining the role with his position as player development manager at Tranmere Rovers, succeeding Mick McGraa after nine months as assistant.

Stadium and facilities

Ground history

The modern iteration of Bootle F.C. traces its origins to 1953, when it was established as Langton F.C., a associated with the local docks. The club initially played its home games at Bootle Stadium on Maguire Avenue, a multi-purpose venue featuring a enclosed within a cycle track, during the and into the . This unconventional setup often resulted in match balls entering the surrounding cycle area, adding unique challenges to play. Following a period of competition in local Bootle and regional leagues, the club underwent a name change to Bootle F.C. in and relocated to Bucks Park on Copy Lane, marking the start of a stable era at the venue. Bucks Park served as the club's primary home ground for nearly three decades, supporting their entry into higher tiers of , including the North West Counties League. In 2002, Bucks Park closed permanently, compelling the club to drop into the Liverpool County Combination and rely on temporary arrangements while seeking a new permanent base; this relocation briefly disrupted their competitive standing in the North West Counties League. The resolution came in 2006 with the construction of a new facility at Vesty Road in , named New Bucks Park, which met league standards and facilitated the club's readmission to North West Counties League Division Two. Over the ensuing years, the ground acquired sponsorship , becoming known as the Delta Taxis Stadium by the mid-2010s.

Current stadium and capacities

Bootle F.C. plays its home matches at the Berry Street Garage Stadium, located on Vesty Road in Bootle, , L30 1NY. The venue, also known as The U-Lock-It Stadium through sponsorship arrangements as of November 2025, serves as the primary ground for the club's first team, women's team, and youth sides. Originally constructed in 2006 as New Bucks Park, the stadium has a total capacity of 2,500 spectators, comprising an all-seater stand accommodating 250 and a covered terrace for additional standing areas. Key facilities include a clubhouse featuring Frank’s Bar for matchday , modern changing rooms, and floodlights enabling evening fixtures. The stadium's location provides strong accessibility, situated adjacent to the for easy vehicular access and supported by nearby public transport options including stations in . Beyond competitive football, the venue hosts community events such as charity matches and local gatherings, fostering engagement in the surrounding area.

Players and staff

Management team

Bootle F.C.'s current first-team management is led by Alan Morgan, who was appointed as manager on March 19, 2025. At 52 years old, Morgan brings experience from non-league coaching, including a prior role as assistant manager at from September 2023 and as Player Development Manager at Tranmere Rovers. The coaching staff supporting Morgan includes Dave Miley as first-team coach and Director of Football Operations, Jack Hook as first-team coach, and Neil Mathieson as goalkeeping coach. Additional support roles encompass Caz Green as first-team physiotherapist, Marc Mardell as kit manager, and Lewis Jackson as sports scientist. Public details on assistant staff remain limited beyond these core positions, with announcements primarily from club channels. The club's board operates as a community-based structure under an elected committee of 13 members, emphasizing fan and local involvement since promotions in the . Key administrative figures include Chair and Treasurer Joe Doran, Vice-Chair Peter Symes, Club Secretary Lewis Raper, and Welfare Officer Dave Miley. Morgan's appointment came as part of efforts to stabilize the team during the 2024–25 season in the Division One West.

Current squad

As of November 2025, the first-team squad of Bootle F.C. for the 2025–26 season in the Division One West comprises 15 players, with an average age of 28.3 years; several players were acquired as free transfers during the summer 2025 window. The squad emphasizes a blend of seasoned professionals and young talents, overseen by the management team to align with the club's promotion ambitions.
PositionPlayerAgeNationalityNotes
GoalkeeperTony Thompson31England
Centre-backTom Hannigan37England
Centre-backAnthony Miley33England
Centre-backLewis Earl24England
Centre-backMatty Fenton25England
Left-backSean Smith30England
Left-backEthan Gouldbourne25England2025 free transfer from
Right-backAyden Garrigan18England2025 from Preston North End U18
Central midfielderJordan Lussey31England
Central midfielderJack Lenehan26England
Central midfielderEoin Hogan25England
Central midfielderStephen Edmondson18England/US
Central midfielderHarry Rimmer19England2025 from Athletic U18
Centre-forwardCourtney Duffus30Ireland/England
Centre-forwardDior Angus31England2025 from
Centre-forwardJack McGowan33England2025 from

Notable former players

One of the most notable former players from Bootle F.C. is Larry Carberry, a right-back who began his career with the club before transitioning to professional football. Signed by Ipswich Town from in 1956, Carberry contributed to the club's success, including winning the Third Division South title in his debut 1956–57 season and the Second Division championship in 1960–61, as well as the First Division title in 1961–62 under manager . Lee Steele, a forward, featured for during the 1994–95 season in , where he scored 15 goals in 50 appearances before moving to professional clubs. He later joined Shrewsbury Town in 1997, embarking on a career that included stints at & Albion, where he was part of back-to-back promotions from the fourth and third tiers in 2000–01 and 2001–02, as well as Oxford United and Leyton Orient in the Football League. Paul , a left-back, joined Bootle from Skelmersdale United in 2013, making his debut in a League Challenge Cup match against St Helens Town and bolstering the club's defense during a competitive season. Prior to and following his time at Bootle, Byrne had experience in higher divisions, including appearances for Port Vale and Cardiff City in League Two and the Conference National. Eddie Clarke, a defender, played for from February to June 2023 after spells at Town and Flint Town United. Earlier in his career, Clarke had professional experience with Tranmere Rovers, where he made 16 competitive appearances and contributed to their promotion from the National League to League Two in 2018. Curtis Anderson, a , represented in semi-professional football around 2023 while balancing a career outside the game. A former Manchester City youth academy product, Anderson was part of the under-17 team that won the alongside players like and , and he had prior loan spells in League One with Plymouth Argyle.

Achievements and records

Honours

Bootle F.C. has secured a number of titles in lower-tier English football leagues and local cup competitions since its reformation in 1953, primarily within the system and Merseyside-based tournaments.

League Honours

  • Liverpool County Champions: 1964–65, 1965–66, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74
  • Lancashire Champions: 1975–76, 1976–77
  • Cheshire County League Division Two Champions: 1978–79
  • Division One Champions: 2008–09

Cup Honours

  • Liverpool Senior Cup Winners: 2013
  • Liverpool Challenge Cup Winners: 1964–65, 1975–76, 1978–79
  • Liverpool Amateur Cup Winners: 1965–66, 1967–68, 1973–74
  • Lancashire Amateur Cup Winners: 1969–70
  • Tennants Floodlit Trophy Winners: 1993–94
The club has also reached several cup finals as runners-up, including the North West Counties League Challenge Cup in 2007–08.

League performance

Bootle F.C. joined the Lancashire Combination in 1974 and achieved success in the mid-1970s, winning the league title in the 1975–76 and 1976–77 seasons, which elevated the club's status within regional . Following these triumphs, the club entered the Cheshire County League Division Two in 1978, securing promotion as champions in the 1978–79 season to the First Division. In 1982, became a founding member of the (NWCFL) Premier Division upon the merger of the Cheshire County League with other regional competitions. The club maintained a consistent mid-table presence through the 1980s and 1990s, typically finishing around 10th to 14th, though it experienced fluctuations including relegations to Division Two in 1992 and 1997, followed by immediate promotions as runners-up in 1992–93 and via promotion in 1997–98. A further relegation to Division Two occurred in 2000, after which the club struggled with ground issues leading to a drop to the County Combination in 2002. Reinstated to the NWCFL Division Two in 2006 following the development of a new ground at Vesty Road, Bootle gradually rebuilt its standing. The club won Division Two (renamed Division One in 2008) as champions in 2008–09, earning promotion to the Premier Division. In the Premier Division from 2009 to 2021, Bootle achieved strong finishes, including third place in 2009–10, 2011–12, and 2012–13, and runners-up positions in 2016–17 and 2018–19, though it remained just short of promotion to step 4. In 2021, Bootle was promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One West at step 4 of the National League System, marking a significant advancement. The club finished seventh in 2021–22, 13th in 2022–23, and fourth in 2023–24, narrowly missing playoffs in the latter season. As of November 2025, in the 2025–26 season, Bootle occupies 13th place in the division, reflecting a mid-table position amid ongoing competition. Throughout its modern history since reformation in 1953, Bootle F.C. has competed for over 40 seasons at steps 5 and 6 of the non-league pyramid, with recent elevation to step 4, but has no record in the top flight or higher professional divisions.

Statistical records

Bootle F.C. has recorded a highest modern attendance of approximately 1,200 during their 2018-19 promotion push in the North West Counties League Premier Division. Typical average attendances in the Northern Premier League Division One West range from 150 to 200 per home game, with recent seasons seeing figures around 347 to 430. Historical peaks from predecessor clubs reached over 4,000 in the 1890s, though these are attributed to the original Bootle F.C. (1879–1893) and not the current entity reformed in 1953. The club's record for goals scored in a season stands at over 100 during the 1975-76 Combination campaign, when won the league title. In recent years, Ben Hodkinson has approached the all-time top scorer mark, needing just 12 goals as of October 2025 to surpass it. Bootle F.C.'s longest unbeaten run is 15 games, achieved during the 2008-09 North West Counties League Division One season that culminated in promotion as champions. Among other notable statistics, long-serving players from the Miley family have contributed significantly to the club's stability, with multiple generations involved in appearances and operations. Win percentages have varied by decade, peaking at around 50% in the amid back-to-back Lancashire Combination titles in 1975-76 and 1976-77.

References

  1. https://www.bootlefc.com/
  2. https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/officialbootlefc/a/our-history-29277.html?page=1
  3. https://fchd.info/BOOTLE.HTM
  4. https://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Bootle/Bootle.htm
  5. https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/other-sport/amateur-sport/its-the-original-merseyside-derby-3430360
  6. https://beyondthelastman.com/2019/11/05/blink-youll-miss-it-bootle-fc-1892-93/
  7. https://fchd.info/BOOTLE1.HTM
  8. https://gameofthepeople.com/2022/02/11/the-football-alliance-the-forgotten-league-from-the-victorian-age/
  9. https://fchd.info/BOOTLEA.HTM
  10. https://www.bootlehistory.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9304
  11. https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/officialbootlefc/a/our-history-29277.html
  12. https://www.bootlehistory.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2440
  13. https://www.bootlefc.com/copy-of-honours
  14. https://www.nwcfl.com/news-articles.php?id=7480
  15. https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/promotion-bootle-fc-lower-breck-20373126
  16. https://www.thenpl.co.uk/tables/west
  17. https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bootle-beat-afc-liverpool-penalties-5775504
  18. https://www.tranmererovers.co.uk/news/2025/march/19/alan-morgan-appointed-bootle-manager-alongside-rovers-role/
  19. https://www.nwcfl.com/news-articles.php?id=4748
  20. https://x.com/Bootle_FC/status/1989660904456073583
  21. https://us.soccerway.com/teams/england/bootle/19988/venue/
  22. https://www.bootlefc.com/frank-s-bar
  23. https://fc-utd.co.uk/grounds/new-bucks-park
  24. https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/bootle/berry-street-garage-stadium/charity-match-for-zoe-s-place/e-bvyjjj
  25. https://bootle-football-club.wheree.com/
  26. https://www.bootlefc.com/post/alan-morgan-appointed-first-team-manager
  27. https://www.bootlefc.com/first-team-staff
  28. https://www.bootlefc.com/copy-of-club-history
  29. https://www.thenpl.co.uk/articles/bootle-appoint-morgan-as-new-manager
  30. https://www.transfermarkt.us/bootle-fc/kader/verein/42556
  31. https://www.bootlefc.com/post/bootle-fc-retained-list-25-26
  32. https://www.transfermarkt.us/bootle-fc/startseite/verein/42556
  33. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ipswich-town/startseite/verein/677/saison_id/1956
  34. https://www.footballdatabase.eu/en/player/details/58699-lee-steele
  35. https://inparallellines.blog/2023/01/09/mixed-fortunes-at-brighton-for-liverpudlian-lee-steele/
  36. https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/other-sport/amateur-sport/bootle-fc-hand-debut-new-3353084
  37. https://www.transfermarkt.us/paul-byrne/profil/spieler/108547
  38. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/eddie-clarke/
  39. https://the-nomads.co.uk/team/player.php?id=623
  40. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12202947/I-played-Phil-Foden-win-World-Cup-Im-office-job.html
  41. https://www.the-sun.com/sport/8362026/world-cup-phil-foden-jadon-sancho-curtis-anderson/
  42. https://www.national-football-teams.com/club/8276/1883_1/Bootle_Fc.html
  43. https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/northern-premier-league-west-division/league-table
  44. http://www.european-football-statistics.co.uk/attn/aveengnl.htm
  45. https://www.thelinnets.co.uk/homeattendances.php?l=14
  46. https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/officialbootlefc/news/bootle-fc-21-everton-fc-1888-2761409.html
  47. https://www.bootlefc.com/post/home-joy-at-last
  48. https://www.bootlefc.com/post/changes-to-off-field-operations
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.