Prescot Cables F.C. - History

History

Prescot Cables joined the Lancashire Combination in 1927–28, taking over the record of Fleetwood who resigned after playing 22 matches. (Until 1968, when the Northern Premier League was formed, the Lancashire Combination was the premier league for non-league football in the north-west of England). Cables came runner-up in the Combination on three consecutive seasons from 1930–31 to 1932–33. In 1932 Valerie Park hosted its record attendance (8,122) in a game against Ashton National. Unfortunately for the Cables, the glory years were not to return for another 20 years.

The years 1954 to 1960 were probably the club's most successful. In 1954–55 they finished Lancashire Combination Division Two runner-up and were promoted to Division One. The next season but one (1956–57) they finished champions of the Lancashire Combination. The following two seasons they were runners-up. In 1954–55 the Cables registered their record victory in a competitive game (18–3) against Great Harwood. In the F.A. Cup too the Cables shone. In 1957–58 they fought their way to the first round proper for the first time, only to be beaten away at Hartlepool United. They were in the first round proper again in 1959–60; this time they were beaten away at Darlington.

By 1975 fortunes at the club had dipped drastically. The Cables joined Mid Cheshire Football League and unsurprisingly they finished champions in 1976–77. In 1978–79 they joined Cheshire County League as founder members of Division Two, finished League Division Two Champions in 1979–80 and won promotion to Division One. This was arguably the highest level of football being played at Valerie Park since 1968. Even better was to follow. In 1982–83 the Cables became founder members of the North West Counties League and in 1986–87 they won promotion to Division One. In 2001–02 they finished runners-up and the following season they were crowned champions. As a reward they were promoted to the Northern Premier League Division One.

In season 2004–05, they started playing in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, their highest ever flight in football. One of the main reasons for their rapid promotion was that the Football Pyramid underwent major changes in 2004. The Cables finished in 5th place that season following the FA's decision to award them 6 points, thanks to the Spennymoor United failing to fulfill two fixtures against Prescot. The club took duly took their place in the playoffs only to lose 3–1 at Workington

The summer of 2005 saw a change in organisation, with a new football committee formed from the Supporter's Club taking over the reins of the club. Andy Gray took over as manager following the resignation of Tommy Lawson and saw his side finish in mid-table for the following three seasons.

Season 2007–08 saw the club finish in 13th position out of 21 clubs, although they needed a 3–2 success at Lincoln United to avoid relegation from the Premier Division. The Cables could not avoid the drop the following season, however, finishing in 22nd place. Soon after, manager Andy Gray left the club to take charge at Burscough.

On May 21, 2009, Prescot Cables announced Joe Gibiliru as their new manager. Gibiliru, who was manager of the club in the early 1990s, saw his side end up 15th in Division One North.

A disappointing start to the season 2010–11 saw the club part company with Gibiliru in November. His assistant Dave Ridler took over as caretaker and was given the job permanently on 23 December 2010, steering the club towards safety. Ridler left the club in December 2011 to take up a coaching role abroad. He was replaced by Shaun Reid, brother of ex Everton and England international Peter. Reid's reign was shortlived, however, as he moved on to take control of Warrington Town. After a 16th place finish at the end of the 2011-12 season, former Ashton Athletic manager Dave Powell was appointed as the club's new manager.

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