Longridge Town boss is planning ahead amid anniversary celebrations

The outcome of the current football season might still be up in the air but Longridge Town boss Lee Ashcroft is already thinking ahead to the 2021/22 campaign.
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This year sees the club celebrate the 25th anniversary in its current guise, having been formed in 1996 after the amalgamation of Longridge United and Longridge St Wilfred’s.

However, the pandemic threatens to cast a shadow over the club’s milestone year with no indication yet as to when clubs from step three down in the National League System can return to action.

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“Hopefully we’ll be able to do something,” Ashcroft said of marking the anniversary.

Longridge Town hope to be celebrating their 25th anniversary this year   Picture: Adam GeeLongridge Town hope to be celebrating their 25th anniversary this year   Picture: Adam Gee
Longridge Town hope to be celebrating their 25th anniversary this year Picture: Adam Gee

“We need half the pitch draining, so we’ve got to try and sort that out and then I can organise a really good pre-season and try to sort something out in terms of bringing teams here.

People only see so much. There’s so much hard work done by everyone behind the scenes, so I’m still working hard and trying to do what I can.”

It’s been said that football is nothing without fans and that is the message coming out of the North West Counties Football League.

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The Premier League down to the National League North and South continues behind closed doors but the NWCFL has said that isn’t sustainable for the majority of its clubs.

It’s a sentiment with which the Town manager agrees.

He said: “We’ve got to pay bills, it’s as simple as that.

“The bill for the referee and linesmen comes to hundreds of pounds, and if you’re paying that every week without anything coming in, then your money soon goes.

“Then you’ve got the electricity and other bills on top of that. We aren’t the only ones in this boat but we can’t play without fans.”

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