Irlam

Irlam Football Club, from Greater Manchester was formed as Mitchell Shackleton Football Club in October 1969 by a group of employees working for Mitchell, Shackleton and Company Limited, an engineering company based in Patricroft, Eccles.

Irlam played local football before joining the Manchester League in 1989 before changing their name to Irlam Mitchell Shackleton in 1992 as they moved to the town from their original area. In 2006 they became Irlam FC.

I laughed my head off when I saw the sign for the ground with the one underneath.

I hope it isn't a reflection on the players!

In 2008 the club progressed into the North West Counties League as the club looked to continue their progress as players came in from further afield.

In season 2012-13 Irlam FC will be playing in the North West Counties League Division One.

My visit

Tuesday 20th July 2010

The kind gent gave me the invitation to go onto the pitch for better photo opportunities. I told him of my tight schedule and he laughed as he told me that Flixton FC was only ten minutes away on foot as the crow flew. It was just a shame the River Irwell was in the way!

I headed back to Liverpool Road where fortunately a bus arrived to take me back to the station in time for my connection. Ironically it turned up late and the rain started to fall. It was about to be a very damp evening for me.

I was in the Greater Manchester area for a few days to quench my inquisitive nature and visit football clubs in the area as well as enjoying the social delights that the city had to offer. I had been to eight clubs already on the eastern side of the conurbation before taking the train back into Manchester.

The packed commuter train from Oxford Road station took me westbound on the Liverpool line to Irlam. I had limited time before my return back up the line to Flixton so I had to get a move on. I was quite dismayed to find the station down quite a long lane from the main road. Luckily a bus soon picked me up and I was on my way.

The ground was right at the far end of Silver Street. The gate was opened and as I went in i was met by a club official who also doubled up as the groundsman. It would appear the club were doing the right things in the community as there were decent facilities and practice pitches. The main ground consisted of changing rooms and a clubhouse near the entrance in the corner of the ground. Further up that side was a

seated stand with a covered shelter behind the near goal. The rest of the ground consisted of flat open concrete and grass.