Champions crowned as North Lancashire Football League season ends

The North Lancashire & District Football League concluded its 123rd season last week with champions of both the Premier Division and Division 1 decided.

King George FC (Torrisholme) won the Premier Division title after going undefeated over the 14 games in the season, winning 12 and drawing two.

Manager Graham Huddleston spoke to Beyond Radio about winning the title.

“I'm very proud of the boys for all their hard work and commitment to training and matchdays," he said.

“After finishing runners up last season in our first year in the Premier Division, we wanted to go one better if we could.

“To win the top division in the North Lancs without losing a game is a huge achievement, to do this is great whatever level you play at.

“As a club we have only been going for six years so we have come a long way in such a short time. Huge thanks to all the club sponsors, without them we wouldn't even exist never mind be winning leagues.”

Marsh United FC Reserves (Lancaster) finished a close second, also winning 12 games and losing two.

The final game of the season was a title decider between the top two teams in the division at Marsh United’s Willow Lane Ground. King George went on to win the game beating Marsh United 3-2 at Willow Lane.

Caton United, who won the Premier in 2021/22 came third this season.

At the bottom of the league, Middleton & Overton FC Reserves finished bottom on 4 points.

Castle FC (Heysham), who only formed as a football club in 2022, had a fantastic first season in the league finishing in first place in Division One on goal difference with 38 points.

Speaking to Beyond Radio about the achievement, manager Scott Thornton said: "We have had an amazing first season as a club, going unbeaten in the league and reaching the league cup final.

“The lads have bought into everything we have tried to put across to them and our performances have been surreal at times.

“I have been helped along the way with two top assistants in Brian Hood and Dan Thornton. Without these lads we wouldn’t be where we are right now!

“We always strive to improve and I am sure this group of lads will only get better.

"We hope to put on a performance in the cup final to showcase how far we have come and hopefully get the right result.

“Finally a massive thanks must go out to our sponsors who have helped funding the setting up of Castle FC. Also thank you to our fans who have been invaluable, supporting us throughout our first season.”

Hest Bank United FC came second. Both teams were undefeated in all 14 league games both winning 12 and drawing two.

Even though the league season is over, most of the 16 teams from both divisions of this local league are now playing in one or more of the seven cup competitions.

The various cup competitions have commenced at different times throughout the season and all are at different stages. You can check the sports guide on Beyond Radio’s website’s local sport section for all the fixtures.

The first two cup finals take place this Saturday (April 22) at the J Robs Ground Maintenance Football Stadium on Parkside Road, Kendal - Kendal Town FC’s ground:

Holden Law/Gibson Challenge Cup (Division One Cup): Hest Bank United FC v Castle FC, 1pm

Bay Logistics/Sam Price Memorial Cup (Premier Division Cup): Marsh United FC Reserves v Caton United FC, 2.30pm

Most teams are still at various stages of the competitions and finalists are not all yet decided.

Tuesday May 2: Robert Hockham Junior Challenge Cup. - Mazuma Stadium, Morecambe FC 7pm

Wednesday May 3: Steve Presnail Printers / Whiteside Cup - J Robs Ground Maintenance Football Stadium, Parkside Road, Kendal Town FC 7pm

Wednesday May 10: Ashley Cross / Remembrance Cup, J Robs Ground Maintenance Football Stadium, Parkside Road, Kendal Town FC 7pm

Friday May 12: Lawrie Postlethwaite Invitational Cup, J Robs Ground Maintenance Football Stadium, Parkside Road, Kendal Town FC 7pm

Monday May 15: Robert Hockham Senior Challenge Cup, Mazuma Stadium, Morecambe FC 7pm

The admission price for the finals this season will be: Under 11s - free 11 - 16 years - £1 Adults 16+ - £4