Match Preview: Maghull (A)

By Brendan Doyle

Bootle FC visit Maghull on Saturday afternoon as Alan Morgan's side gear up their preparations for the start of the 2025/26 competitive season, facing the NWCFL side in the first game of pre-season.

Club History:

Maghull were founded in 1921, and situated 8 miles north of Liverpool on the main A59 Preston Road, they played their home games at Deyes Lane, just one mile away from their present Old Hall Lane ground. They joined the Lancashire Combination in 1972 and then the Cheshire County League six years later. During this time they reached the third round of the FA Vase. In 1984 they became one of the founder members of the North West Counties League and were North West Counties Division 2 Champions in 1993 but were not promoted due to ground grading issues. Maghull joined the West Cheshire League Division One for the 1999–2000 season and played in that league until the 2023/2024 season, when they were promoted to the North West Counties League First Division North. They finished their first season back in the NWCL in a respectable 10th place, recording victories over Droylsden, Darwen and a 7-1 home win against Skelmersdale United during the 2024/25 season.

Form Guide:

DWLLW

The Manager:

Joe Burns stepped up to the gaffer role in 2016 having previously doing the role of thr assistant manager. In the 2023/24 campaign Burns guided Maghull to promotion to the North West Counties League First Division North and gained a respectable tenth placed finish in the 2024/25 campaign.

Key Player:

Adam Hammill has been at Maghull since 2023 but previously has had experience at Litherland Remyca and Prescot Cables. Way back in the early days of his career Hammill came through the ranks at Liverpool’s youth system but failed to make an appearance for the senior team, he did however gain a taste of premier league football at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Fan Guide:

Tickets are £4 for adults and £2 concessions, food and drink are available in the ground where there is also bar.

Last Five Seasons:

2024/25: North West Counties Division One North

2023/24: North West Counties Division One North

2023/22: West Cheshire League Division One

2022/21: West Cheshire League Division One

2021/20: West Cheshire League Division One

Fact File:

Nickname: Blues

Ground: DT Hughes Community Stadium

Capacity: 400 (50 Seated)

Recent Honours:

Promotion to the North West Counties Division One North 2022/23.

Distance From The Berry Street Garage Stadium:

3.5 miles.

No Live Commentary will be available for the game however we will bring you live goal updates on our Twitter/X account, with a Match Report and Match Gallery being able to view after the game.