Irlam

Irlam FC, from the town of the same name in 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.

They started life playing games at the Oddfellows Arms in Patricroft as members of the Eccles & District Amateur Football League before moving to St Michaels Community Centre in Peel Green in 1973 by which time they had joined the Manchester Amateur League where two promotions as champions were achieved.

The club became members of the Manchester League in 1989, changing their name to Irlam Mitchell Shackleton in 1992 as they moved to Irlam. The side lifted the Manchester League title in 2002-03 and finished runners-up in 2004-05.

Winning the league came with the news that their Salteye Park home ground would be requisitioned to become part of the new stadium for Salford Red Devils RLFC. This meant a move to Silver Street in Irlam, which was the former home of Irlam Town FC with compensation and Football Foundation cash to assist them. 

In 2006 they changed their name to Irlam FC to raise awareness and look towards gaining sponsorship. Despite finishing eighth in the Manchester League in 2007-08, the club was given a place in Division One of the North West Counties League the following season.

Managers, Dave Mann, Ryan Gilligan and then Nick Parker all played their part in ensuring that Irlam acclimatised to their new status before the appointment of Steve Nixon in the summer of 2014, while hard work went on behind the scenes. 

A new clubhouse was opened as 2015-16 went down a huge season for the club, as the young team that had been developed finished as league runners-up to win promotion to the Premier Division of the NWCL. Eighth place in their debut season was an excellent start while the underage sides also progressed.

Nixon moved upstairs to become club chairman, with Michael Dodd taking over as manager ahead of the 2017-18 campaign. Excellent runs in the FA Cup and FA Vase followed in 2018-19 before the club, like all others, missed two seasons owing to the worldwide pandemic. 

Dodd stood down in March 2021 to be replaced by John Main, whose side continued to maintain their status with solid league positions. Irlam finished thirteenth in 2023-24

Irlam FC will be playing in the North West Counties League Premier Division in the 2024-25 season.

My visit

Tuesday 20th July 2010

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.

The kind gentleman 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 before I ended up at the friendly game between Trafford and Altrincham.