St Margaret’s Old Boys FC lift league title

St Margaret’s Old Boys Football Club has been crowned winners of the Liverpool Old Boys League following a superb 5-2 victory.

The team, made up of former students from St Margaret’s CE Academy in Aigburth, beat Collegiate Old Boys in the title-deciding match with goals from Matthew Robinson (2), Michael Taylor (2) and James Bradley.

It has been an impressive season for the amateur team with high scoring wins over rivals at the top of the table including 5-1, 4-0 and 4-1 wins versus Woodstreet FC.

Due to inclement weather, the team had to play 17 matches in the last two months of the season, making the achievement even more special.

Special mentions for outstanding performances go to captain James Bradley, who has scored 35 goals; 18-year-old goalkeeper Matthew Jackson who has been excellent in his debut season for the club and Michael Taylor who leaves the club this summer to go to America having played 58 games, scoring 55 goals and assisting 57.

St Margaret’s Old Boys Football Club was formed in 2011 by Greg McLean, who is a former student of the school, his dad Derek McLean who acts as team manager and is supported by coach Reg Towner.

The club has played over 200 games in the last seven years across Under 21 football, before moving into adult football in 2016. The team are no stranger to trophies; in 2015 and 2016, a number of the players were part of the school First XI team that were named the NDS Trophies Champions and in 2017 became the Bill Murphy Champions and Play-off Cup Winners.

Team member Adam Hurst played for the school’s First XI football team before moving to the Old Boys team. Now 21, Adam has just graduated from University with a First Class Honours degree in Primary Education, but still finds the time to put on his footy boots for St Margaret’s Old Boys.

Adam said: “It’s great to play for the Old Boys team and continue my association with St Margaret’s. There is a real family spirit between all the players, especially as many of us played together in school for the First XI team. The team are proud to represent St Margaret’s and to lift that trophy was a fantastic moment for everyone.”

Coach Greg McLean said: “Winning our first League title and lifting the trophy with the team was such a rewarding feeling. The team and all the coaches have worked so hard over the last seven years to establish the club and get where we are today.

“We are an FA Charter Standard Club and take great pride in being an inclusive provider of football to former students of the school. Everyone who works with the team is passionate about developing and supporting grassroots football and sport.

“I’m so proud of the team and our achievements to date, and can’t wait for the new season to start!”