Longridge town
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Manager Lee Ashcroft, formerly an England U 21
international as a player with PNE, West Brom and
Wigan is in his 5th season as Manager at Longridge
having brought silverware to the Club in each of
the past two seasons. Lee, who has also managed
Kendal and Northwich Victoria, was looking
forward to this season, saying before it began, “Last
season was one of consolidation for the team on the
pitch but, for the Club off the pitch, it was one of
huge progress. A lot of hard work went into getting
the ground to the condition it is in now, before
our Ground Grading visit took place, and we now
have a covered 100 Seater stand, turnstiles in place,
planning permission to extend the Clubhouse, and
a new pitch laid by Richard Peel Goundcare so
there is lots to look forward to. I just need to win
some games now!”
Chairman Kevin Harrison echoed Lee’s
thoughts, whilst trying to ensure that their is a
pathway through to non-league football for local
lads, “Last season we re-established our Reserve
side and the majority of the lads are under 21 years
of age, half the side made first team appearances
for Lee, many of them Longridge lads, and it’s vital
that we continue to ‘grow our own’ and give them
the incentive of playing at a good non-league level.”
44 Issue 84
“This season is so exciting for us, going to new
grounds, new rivalries, new experiences and it’s one
we are all looking forward to very much. I played
for the Club in the mid 80’ s when we were still
Longridge United (before the 1996 amalgamation
with Longridge St Wilfred’s) and have followed
the team home and away over the past 10 years.
It is a Club very close to my heart, as I’m sure is
the case with all Chairpersons at this level, and I
was extremely proud to be asked to replace Brian as
only the third Chair in the Clubs’ history.”
“Our manager Lee is very experienced at non-
league level and, whilst having managed at other
Clubs, I would like to think that he has found his
natural home here at The Mike Riding Ground.
We have had excellent support from local business
who recognise the achievement we have made,
particularly from Ben Lee at SWC Ltd, our new
Club Kit Sponsor and regularly attracted 100+
crowds at West Lancs level. The key now is that we
push on, raise awareness of the Club in a growing
community, and give the locals a reason to be
even prouder than they currently are of Longridge
Town.” The club has certainly done that over the
course of the current campaign.