ATHERTON Town went down 3-0 on Bank Holiday Monday to BICC in the Final of the Manchester League Gylchrist Cup.

Manager Harold Crilly commented: "We conceded all three goals in an early 15 minute spell and never recovered.

"It was disappointing to lose but more so because we never really showed what we are capable of as a side. The strides made by this club over recent years have been immense and it is only run by a few hard working individuals.

"We let them down a bit with the way we lost because really they deserved us to do a bit better. The final was played at Abbey Hey's ground which was fine but it really doesn't bear comparison with ours and that shows just how far we have come.

"The playing surface at Howe Bridge is the best in the league thanks to the incredible efforts of Eric Boardman and Harry Murphy. We now have our own superb changing rooms and that's down to the unstinting work behind the scenes of secretary Gerald Butler and chairman John Hyde. We will be all out next season to bring them the success that their efforts deserve." 'Lads' quartet make the grade FOUR potential stars of the future have made the first strides on the long, hard road to the top.

Eventually they may look back on their beginning at Bolton Lads club with pride and not a little gratitude. The quartet from the club's under 12s have signed for the Bolton Wanderers School of Excellence and look set to sign off from local soccer in grand style by playing a large part in winning the Manchester League Championship.

There is also the small matter of two cup finals still to come before the campaign is over.

Looking forward to a glittering career, hopefully all at Burnden Park, are central defender Gareth Thornley (son of former Atherton LR and Daisy Hill manger, Dave), midfielder Jon Morris, forward John Lister and goalkeeper John Stanton.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.