Division One Watch - Part One

With Pre-Season now underway, and the start of Central’s 23/24 Division One campaign creeping ever closer, we’ll be taking a look through this season’s rivals in a three-part series to get to know the opposition.

ALTRINCHAM HALE

Founded - 2007

Nickname – The Lions

Home Ground – Blessed Thomas Holford School, Urban Rd, Altrincham WA15 8HT

2022/23 Season – Altrincham Hale finished the 22/23 season in 7th place in Division One, just one point ahead of Central. This was their highest finish since coming 3rd in their debut Division One season in 2018/19, and continued their upwards spiral having come 9th, 10th and 11th in the previous three campaigns.

Last Time Out – Two goals from Aria Asqari helped Central to a convincing win when the two sides last met in March. Josh Harper and Kyle Old found the net for the hosts but Elvis Amoakwa, Nuno Medes Delgado and Adam Gunel added to Asqari’s brace to give Central a 5-2 win in WA15.

Did You Know? – Altrincham Hale have three teams under the Lions banner. As well as the Firsts, Hale also have their Reserves who play in the Manchester Football League Division Three, and a District side who take part in the Cheshire and Lancashire League.

AVENUE FC

Founded – 2014

Nickname – The Ave

Home Ground – Heywood Sports Village, W Starkey St, Heywood OL10 4TW

2022/23 Season – The Ave were one of six teams promoted alongside Central following the 21/22 campaign and despite losing three of their opening four games in their maiden Division One season, Avenue recovered well to finish the 22/23 campaign in 5th, just two points off 3rd place and back-to-back promotions. The club also reached the final of the MFL League Cup final where they fell short at the final hurdle coming runners-up to Tintwhistle Athletic.

Last Time Out – Central travelled to Heywood back in February when two Carlton Norford goals either side of a Connor Gladstone strike saw Avenue complete the double over the Outcasts with a comfortable 3-0 win.

Did You Know? – In May an arson attack burnt down Avenue’s clubhouse causing a huge amount of damage and causing the club to lose vital equipment. The club have set up a gofundme page where vital donations can be made to help get them back on their feet. https://www.gofundme.com/f/replace-clubhouse-equipment-at-avenue-fc

BAGULEY ATHLETIC

Founded – 2004

Nickname – The Badgers

Home Ground – Wythenshawe Cricket & Football Club, Longley Ln, Wythenshawe, Manchester M22 4JF

2022/23 Season – Baguley secured promotion from the MFL Division Two with one game to spare. Athletic also reached the semi-final of the Murray Trophy, another side to come unstuck against Tintwhistle in a knock-out competition. The Badgers scored an incredible 90 goals in 22 league games, including 11 goals in the second half of their 1-15 thrashing of Cavaliers, as star striker Victor Abadaki topped the scoring charts with 35 goals in all competitions.

Last Time Out – This season will be the first time Central and Baguley have locked horns so is certainly a fixture to lookout for.

Did You Know? – Baguley Athletic were originally formed as an Under 14s side in 2004 following a breakaway from parent club Woodhouse Park United. The youth set-up folded in 2007 but the Badgers were reformed as a mens side in 2013. In 2019 the mens Saturday team were folded only to return in 2021, joining the Manchester Football League Division Two in 2022 and winning promotion to Division One in their first season.

BOLTON BOROUGH

Founded – 2021

Nickname – The Boro

Home Ground – Eddie Davies Academy, Ox Hey Ln, Lostock, Bolton BL6 4AW

2022/23 Season – Another side promoted with Central at the end of the 21/22 campaign, Boro came agonisingly close to making it back to back promotions in their first two seasons as a club, finishing fourth just one point behind Avro Reserves.

Last Time Out – Fuad Kasali and Aria Asqari had Central in a commanding 2-0 lead at half time when Central last faced Bolton Borough, but a second half comeback saw the hosts run out 3-2 winners courtesy of goals from Nil Grau, Mohammed Nageeb and Aleksander Calaku.

Did You Know? – Bolton Borough are linked with The University of Bolton and share their home with the under 18’s side of EFL side Bolton Wanderers. Boro have even had the chance to hold a league game at The University of Bolton Stadium back in May 2022.

BOLTON LADS AND GIRLS CLUB

Founded – 1889

Nickname – BLGC

Home Ground – Hacken Lane, BOLTON, BL3 1SD

2022/23 Season – Bolton Lads and Girls Club finished the 22/23 season in sixth place, just two points off promotion. Heartbreakingly for BLGC the club were docked three points by the league for fielding an illegible player, a mistake that would prove extremely costly come the end of the season.

Last Time Out – BLGC did the double over Central last campaign, with both victories coming during an eight game unbeaten streak for Bolton. Having already won 2-0 at home, a Zac Stringer goal was enough for Bolton Lads and Girls Club to claim all three points when they visited the Seashell Trust in February.

Did You Know? – As well as the football club, Bolton Lads and Girls Club is also a youth club and registered charity with over 4,000 members offering opportunities to young people all over the Bolton area of Greater Manchester.

That's all for part one of our Division One Watch series, come back for part two as we take a look through the next five teams Central will do battle with this season.