For the first time in their 70-year history, St. Helens Town have missed out on a game in the early stages of the FA Cup, having just failed to qualify for the competition by virtue of ending last season in seventh place in the First Division of the North West Counties League.  Five of the six teams who finished above them gained entry into the game’s premier knock-out competition, but St. Helens Town and Stockport Town were omitted.  Although the club are naturally disappointed, they have failed to win an Extra-Preliminary Round tie since moving from Knowsley Road in 2010 and will be hoping to make amends with a higher league finish this time around to guarantee qualification.

In the FA Vase, Town have secured a home draw in the First Round Qualifying against fellow Hallmark Security League First Division club Chadderton, whom they beat twice in league games last season, although they lost to the Oldham-based club in a re-scheduled Reusch First Division Cup-tie after extra-time 6-3 at Andrew Street in their last meeting in December.  That game will take place at Prescot on 10th September, the winners travelling to either Maltby Main (Rotherham) or Widnes in the Second Round Qualifying a fortnight later.

For those teams not engaged in the FA Cup, league fixtures begin on Saturday, 6th August, and St. Helens Town have been handed a trip to one of the league’s new boys, Carlisle City.  The club have been members of the Northern Alliance for many years, playing most of their matches in the North East and as they feel more of an affinity with Cumbria and the North West, they applied to the North West Counties League via the FA for permission to move for the 2016/17 season. They play at Gillford Park, which was the ground used by the former Carlisle Rugby League club towards the end of its 15-year stay in the Rugby League.

Meanwhile, the pre-season continues.  After this Thursday’s opener (14th July) at Coppull United (6.45pm), Town are in action again at Lostock St. Gerard’s, Lostock Hall, Preston, on Tuesday 19th July at 6.45pm and then on Saturday 23rd July away to Lytham Town, Ballam Road, Lytham St. Annes, with a 3pm start.