Formby FC

Ground 39

Match 40

Founded 1919 Formby United

North West Counties Div 1

Ground Altcar Lane

Capacity 2,000

Admission £5

Programme £1.50

Kit Gold/Blue

Nickname The Squirrels

Formby 1-2 Rochdale Town

Attendance 38

Distance Travelled 22 miles

Seated Stand Holds 220 behind the home goal Altcar Road End .



Formby F.C. are based in the borough of Sefton , Merseyside. They currently play in the North West Counties Football League Division One and are members of the Liverpool County Football Association. They were the first non league side to win the Liverpool senior Cup ( 1978 )
In 2002 Formby moved from Brows Lane to Altcar Lane but were demoted as the new ground did not meet required standards at the time .
The area is a popular tourist destination during the summer months, with day trippers attracted to its beaches, sand dunes, and wildlife - most particularly the red squirrels.
I approached via Southport along the A 565 and its a pleasant journey . It would have been easy to head the wrong way towards the village but i continued past Formby Golf Club and the RAF base which brought back fond memories of my Uncle who was in Nine Squadron , though not based here .
The ground is situated close to a large Tesco superstore and there's plenty of parking space . You enter via the main tea cabin and programme / entrance hut .
The 2011-12 season team is filled with young players with a couple of experienced heads . Formby are 14th in the league but have played the fewest games , Rochdale or ' The Angels ' are fifth and looking to consolidate and put pressure on the teams above .

Teams enter the pitch



View showing the open expanse far side of the ground where the dugouts are located.



A three feet high walled perimeter fence surrounds the pitch which is in decent condition considering the lousy weather we've had lately . The staff and locals are friendly enough and its a shame there's not a few more in .

Both teams settle quickly and there 's chances at both ends . The Town keeper Fleming makes an early save whilst at the other end ' The Angels ' fire wide with the goal gaping . ' The Squirrels get a grip of the game and Mark Kirby fires them into a deserved lead . Having seen Formby earlier in the season i know they're a good passing team but lack concentration at times .Right back McKane and winger Goulding combine well along the flank without much reward . The Squirrels allowed Town to equalise one minute before half-time after failing to clear the ball . They switched off for a split second and were punished by a clinical finish from Town .

The far goal side with covered terrace



Entrance to the Ground



We all converge on the main tea cabin and bar but swiftly move towards the main entrance cabin when told theres no hot water . Pies and Sausage Barns at £1.50 - £2 are excellent and the staff cope adequately with the influx of customers .
The match programme is a good read and there's an interesting article about an old programme from 1947 against Wigan Athletic which the editors believe could equal their record crowd and re-write the clubs history .

Town are more robust in the second period whilst Formby appear deflated after conceding that last minute equaliser in the first half . The Squirrels hit the upright and are once again denied by reflex saves from Fleming in the Town goal .
Town push forward and take the lead through Jason Hill after 63 minutes . They also miss a gilt edge opportunity after a header is put over the bar with the goal gaping .
Formby can't find the illusive equalising goal and finish with no points from a game they seemed capable of winning . It must drive their manager and supporters nuts !

Cabin/bar touchline view



Match Officials 9/10 Game flowed Can'tremember any serious foul play to deal with

Formby photos February 18, 2012">