Ormskirk West End FC was formed by the late Bill Howard in 1970 and has provided children in the Ormskirk area with a great opportunity to learn and play football in a safe and friendly environment. We are affiliated to the Liverpool FA and have teams from Under 7’s to Open Age. All team managers and coaches are undergoing first aid training and coaching qualifications.
The aims of the football club are to develop young players to improve their technique and skill and also respect for all those involved in football.
The committee are actively involved in the development of all members of the club, players as well as managers. We have a social committee who organise functions to raise funds for the club and to foster a family spirit within the club.
.....and still making history at Abbey Lane.
The local youngsters who trooped to Bill Howard's home in Court Green in search of a game of football, little knew what they were about to start.
Because from that humble beginning 25 years ago started what is now the largest football club in West Lancashire.
Ormskirk West End Football Club, nine teams in the Craven Minor Football League and two open age are playing in the South East Lancashire League.
To those lads who sought early advice back in 1970, Bill a new arrival to the area with a football background, was already something of a father figure.
They were having problems at that stage, travelling by train from Burscough as far away as Bolton for a game, combatting bad weather, often short of players.
That chat with Bill Howard proved a winner, what was then the Scarisbrick Ward Residents Association bought an assortment of jerseys and a concrete garage was purchased to be used as a dressing room for matches on West End playing field.
Ormskirk West End was the name decided upon by the founder players who became one of the very first to join the Craven Minor League.
By 1973 Liverpool chief scout Geff Twentyman was in town to present no fewer than Five Craven trophies, two cups and a league championship to the under 15s the league and cup double for the under 13s.
In fact they have won every major honour available in what has been an illustrious first 25 years.
And the team seen here from the very early days should stir up more than a few memories in what is the clubs silver jubilee year.
It includes the very first signing of all. Gary Hafez (second from left, front row). How many more do you recall?
Left to right back row, Ian Price, Colin Price, Steve Partington, John Leadbetter, Alan Kennedy, George Price, Martin Holcroft, Gordon Howard, Andrew Cox.
Front row, Brian Pellow, Gary Hafez, Niel Atkinson, Andrew Woodward, Steve Hull, Paul Jackson and Chris Lloyd.
Memories have been cast back this year to the many highlights, the days when former Everton players Derek Timble and Jimmy O'Neil coached the players, the annual reciprocal trip with the famous Dublin club Home Farm FC. Foreign expeditions to Holland and Belgium.
Bill Howard, president and secretary, is still the father figure, chairman Peter Underwood, treasurer Henry Dale.
In its time the club has been to the fore in pioneering for more pitches and recreation areas in west Lancashire.
So what happened at the new Abbey Lane site(where they have been allocated two pitches) on November the 4th was very appropriate.
That's when the first goal was scored at the new venue. The man on target, James Blackhall, his team West End FC under 16s.
Not a bad note to start on as they set off on their next 25 years.
Taken from the Advertiser November 30th 1995
Founding members
Bill Howard, Ernie Price, Mike Wissett, Colin Hafez, and George Swarbrick.
And later
Norman O'Neill, Peter Underwood and Ronnie Hill
The list goes on.
It is estimated that some 3000 local youngsters have played for the club in its 34 year history. Probably its most famous name the new chief executive of Chelsea FC and former Liverpool player Trevor Birch. But with many more passing on to league and non league football.
The local community owes a great debt to Mr Bill Howard for his service to the youth of West Lancashire, made even more remarkable for the fact that Bill had no sons but two daughters.
Bill the clubs life president still attends all the club meetings, and his enthusiasm for the club is as great as ever.
Graham Keyte
My name is Graham Keyte, I am currently the Chairman of Euxton Villa FC (near Chorley). Many years ago when I lived in Ormskirk I played in the very first Ormskirk West End team, I think it was the season before your photograph. I played up front with Trevor Birch, he ended up going to Shrewsbury and I ended up on the beat. I only played one season due to age, under 15's I think. George Price invited me down and Bill was the manager, he's probably forgotten me now. We used to get changed in some sort of shelter off Grimshaw Lane. Gordon his son played in the same team and I still bump into Derek Willis and Chris Lloyd through football. I have been involved in kids football for 13 years, with Euxton, and visit Abbey Lane when we play Ormskirk WE (Crosshalls) in the Central Lancs League. I went on to play for the open age team on Church Fields for a couple of years. The one player of note in our team during that time was Ray Hall, now Academy Director at Everton. If Bill is struggling to remember me I was the one who at Gordons 18th ? (Ormskirk Cricket Club) pushed fresh cream flan into another players face, Bills wife was not impressed. Good luck to everyone at the club, its good to see it go from strength to strength.
Just a couple of small points, my memory isnt the greatest. I think the first season OWE played in the Craven Minor League was 1970. We played in all white strip, as some keen photographer took action pictures during one home game and I still have a copy, somewhere.
Managers George Swarbrick, Brian Pellow and Mike Wissett
David Birch, Mark Brown, John Bolton, Ian Price, Andy Wilson, Martin Holcroft, Neil Atkinson and Brian Pellow.
Mark Wissett, Paul Harrison, John O'Neil, Steve Wissett, David Swarbrick, Neil Horrocks, Neil Yarwood, Nicky Killeen and Chris Lloyd
