Episode 14 Late Kick Off North West

Well, while Lineker and the lads might have done their bit, don't go

making the mistake of thinking football has finished for a Monday

night. We've got 22 goals, two play-off scraps, a team fighting

for their Football League lives and 29 minutes to cram it all in.

Coming up, the sad Saturday. Seconds out, why time might be up

for reserve team football. cannot motivate yourself, then you

should not be in football. shaking them up. Looking back on

Bury's best days. Thanks for joining us, with me to break down

all the action and everything all our eleven Football League teams

have left to play for are former boss of Preston North End Phil

Brown and a man well placed to comment on both ends of League Two,

manager of mid table Morecambe, Jim Bentley. Thanks for coming, guys.

When Late Kick Off came on air in January, Macclesfield Town were a

comfortable12th in League Two. None of us could've predicted what was

to come. In 2012, Macc haven't won a single match and on Saturday were

relegated out of the Football League. They faced Burton knowing

their destiny was out of their hands, they had to win, Barnet had

to lose, and Hereford mustn't win either. As it turned out, The

Silkmen sealed their own fate. We now know how the day finished

for Macclesfield. Yet when I arrived at one o'clock, it was

decidedly more upbeat around the Moss Rose. We will do it.

Absolutely. They are going to do it and we are going to stay up.

always stay up, we always get in trouble and stay up. Her results

have to go away but that will mean everything. Macc's slide down the

League has, of course, been tough for the supporters. Especially

tough for a supporter who's also the club's Chairman. I am not

particularly nervous because I have been through that and out the other

side and I think we are surprised how we are where we are. We are in

a difficult situation but I think we are all being positive and we

are going to have to get on and sort things out however it goes.

And with that, the Chairman promised to speak to us at the end

of the match, whatever the outcome. But three points might give them a

chance of making it to 16 but they have not won in 2012 but today,

they simply have to. Come three o'clock, Macc's moment had arrived.

Brian Horton had been here before in his previous spell as Manager in

2004 - that time he'd come in and led them to safety. But this was

always going to have to be the greatest of great escapes. His team

set out in determined style though, set out in determined style though,

and hit the bar with a header from the tallest man on the pitch, Ben

Futcher. It wasn't neccesarily pretty, but Macc continued to

create some decent chances. But all went begging. It was 0-0 at half

time, Hereford were drawing but crucially, Barnet were ahead in

We have had four headers and not a single goal. They are waiting to go

down. We have disappeared. In truth things fell a little flat in the

things fell a little flat in the second half. Yes, Macc had their

chances and had a shout for a penalty, but never really looked

like scoring. The effort was there, the support was there, but the

the support was there, but the quality just wasn't quite there.

One of the fans has said, come on, 20 minutes left to save our lives.

But time is running out and Barnet are still 1-0 up in their match.

are still 1-0 up in their match. And it was no real surprise that

when the opening goal did come, it went to Burton and Jacques Maghoma.

At which point a minority of fans decided to make clear their

decided to make clear their feelings to the chairman. The

feelings to the chairman. The animosity only increased when, in

injury time, Calvin Zola took advantage of some calamitous

defending to make it two nil and defending to make it two nil and

truly seal Macc's fate. -- 2-0. Gutted, really. We battled for 15

years and it has ended today. have not got enough attendance to

pay the player's wages. It has not been good enough. It is pretty

bleak. They need a Football League It is sad. It is a horrible day and

I feel for the supporters and the players but at the end of the day

we have not done enough over 25 days. Not won a game. Unbelievable.

I cannot apologise enough. It is just devastating. The chairman is a

genuine guy that is 100 % behind the club. A without him, this club

would not be here. At this point we were due to speak to Macc Chairman,

Mike Rance. In the end, it was General manager Jon Harris who came

out to speak to us. There was a small group of supporters that made

it quite clear that they wanted to be critical of his ten-year and I

felt for the safety of everybody if it was good for him to get away and

get a his faults and we will kick, again on Monday. -- gather his

thoughts are. The Macclesfield Town flag will continue to fly high,

From next season though, there'll be no Football League flag beside

It is a harsh game. Brian Horton has left but have you talked to

him? What has happened? We have been speaking quite regularly. You

have got to get your support regardless of whether it is the

ball telephone call. He had a draw against Barnet. He had changed the

system, going to a bank three. He got a clean sheet but the problem

was scoring goals. If you are not scoring goals it is a recipe for

disaster but it is obviously down to the big players that have been

sold during the season and have not been replaced. They have been

replaced by players not in the league and that is not being

disrespectful but in 25 games... They have gone from 12th to bottom

and it is been spectacular. Massively. Like we said, they have

not done well with the players that we have got in the summer. We had

some of the best defending in the middle of the season but they have

been hampered by injuries to key players. They have not put the ball

in the back of the net, they have struggled and found themselves at

the bottom. The chairman said he wanted to get back as soon as

possible and that it was a difficult to lead to get out of.

Can they do it? It the new manager get a decent and competitive but it,

they can do. It is a tough league and I played at that level for a

few years myself. They will find it difficult but I am sure that they

can get it together. Well, while Macc have been battling at the

bottom of the table, another Cheshire side have been making a

right old run on the play-offs. With the latest from Crewe and the

rest of our League Two teams, fate in their own hands after a

dramatic point at Torquay. They went behind through Danny Steven's

goal down in Devon but were thrown a lifeline 14 minutes from time

when Nick Powell was upended in the box. Harry Davies stepped up for

the spot kick but Bobby Olejnik guessed right and pushed the

penalty away. But Crewe's loyal and impressive army of away fans would

be rewarded at the death. Describing the drama, BBC Radio

Stoke's Graham McGarry. He goes back and they might finish it here!

They have done. Crewe Alexandra have got the point. Wonderful,

wonderful news! Morecambe rounded off an average home campaign with a

draw against Plymouth. The visitors took a fourth minute lead after a

fine run from Luke Young which ended in the Shrimps net via a

slight deflection. The home side hit back after the break, firstly

though Jordan Burrow who headed home an Isaac Reid cross and then

through Lewis Alessandra. Reid was again involved, playing a fine

through ball which found Alessandra in space and the striker finished

in fine style. Accrington came up against a team in tune at Bristol

Rovers. Andy Dorman's third was the pick of the home side's five goals,

while Stanley's consolation came direct from Kevin McIntyre's corner

much to the delight of the fancy His voice went so high he smashed

His voice went so high he smashed my glasses! Well let's take a look

at where that leaves Crewe with one game to go. Crewe Alexandra face

Aldershot and Oxford have a tricky Aldershot and Oxford have a tricky

trip to Port Vale. How good are they? They are good, very good. At

first win was actually against us. They have got plenty of good young

players and they have played football in the right way and they

have gone from strength to strength and they are nearly there. And that

is a sign that they missed a penalty with 40 minutes and get

something in injury-time. Good team spirit. The ball comes to the

penalty box and we had seven players in the box and they have

thrown the kitchen sink at it and had a fantastic result. How good

are they? They are very good. The players are had a good age and

scoring goals. I think they will do OK. Another from the Crewe

production line. We can have a little stick a preview of next

week's programme courtesy of Adam Dugdale and Matt Tootill. What is

the name given to a baby Swan? do not presage before you answer.

Babies one. -- baby swan. Hang on? General knowledge is not my

strength. Dark. That is wrong. Some animal. A sick note. What?

We will bring you the very best or should that be worst of the most

memorable bits of all the 11 clubs Now, reserve team football has long

been at the heart of the game. It gives youngsters a chance to

showcase their skills and offers players returning from injury game

time. But its future is now under threat. More and more clubs are

leaving the League. Sarah Mulkerrins looks into the impact

it's having on our clubs. It is 2pm. But it is pouring rain,

and there at 10 people watching. Reserve football in all its glory.

The Central League was formed in 1911. At its height, they had to 44

teams competing. However, these numbers are falling. Blackpool are

one of the founding members, but last year, opted out of the

competition. The fixtures were not flexible. The standards of fixtures

was not beneficial to the club. We had occasions where one week we

would be playing against Preston, the next week Accrington's children.

We took the decision to play behind closed doors. That is no disrespect

to the local clubs we have played against. This here we have played

so many teams. Five at our 11 Football League teams in the North

West do not play reserves football. Accrington Stanley pulled out of

the Central League last season due to the fixture pressures. Now, five

years ago, there were 36 teams competing in the Central League.

Next season, they expect only 15. It was a good, strong competition.

The fixtures were a bit inconvenient. We ended up with a

backlog of fixtures. It all became a little bit inconvenient.

Convenience aside, there is also the cost of competing to consider.

The young match officials, we have got a lot of wages to pay out just

to open the ground. Every penny counts, and money we save can go

into the first team's scored. Bentley got all his coaching

experience with their reserves. For bringing young talent through to

the first team, he is adamant reserves football is the only

option. There has to be some structure in the first team. To cut

that out would be a big ask. So, for me, it is a massive part of any

football club. Great for bringing down players through, yes, but how

do the more seasoned professionals feel? Mark is well versed in all

things reserves. Reserved football -- reserves at football... This is

where I want to be. You have got to motivate yourself. His manager

believes that the reserves are vital, and has stern words for

those players who are motivated. you want to get the first team, and

you cannot motivate yourself, you should not be in football. If my

manager was watching, I would be making sure I would be doing

everything they could to make sure, come Saturday, I was very good.

Well, clearly the Central League does have a problem. It offers a

competitive league. But the falling numbers show it is not working for

many. It needs to ask itself if it has a future as a meaningful

competition. Visiting his death throes? It seems that way.

Something has got to give. Blackpool pulling out, for example.

It one Madrid teams pull-out, the whole thing starts to unravel,

doesn't it? I is scrapped the reserves at Derby because my budget

was based on the first team. It would be too much of a strain. I

the -- I thought the key point there was a flexibility. You do not

need the stewards. And you can go behind closed doors. How easy is it

for more come to get behind closed doors? -- for Morecambe. We do not

have our own training ground. We cannot just turn up at his school

and play on a pitch. I can understand, but it is difficult.

The weather determines what goes on and games can be get -- endgames

can get a job at a hat, just like that.

Now, when the likes of Phil, Jim and I were lads, Saturday morning

wasn't Saturday morning without football comic Roy of The Rovers.

Striker Roy Race was the master of the unlikely comeback, world class

goal and unimaginable football storyline. It was brilliant. But

not even Roy could have come up with what happened at Deepdale on

Saturday. With League One action, here's BBC Radio Manchester's

Nathan Middleton. 1,000 games over 20 years, but a

home clash. A guard of honour and a momento for the occasion. Alexander

started on the bench. His side were started on the bench. His side were

firmly on the back third. They failed to clear their lines. David

Gray fans may want to turn away now. Grey's replacement would spare some

of his blushes. But the real heroics could only belong to one

man. With time almost up, a final free kick. A such a big thing for

me to stop playing football. Povey, I have repaid everyone. Bury and

Oldham played out a golf. David Worrall seemed to put it on a plate

for the striker, who fell to get any touch whatsoever. Other chances

keeper might have done better with the home side's second goal,

failing to cut a to a cross. James Wallace halved the deficit seven

minutes after the break, but Colchester would restore the

advantage. It was just one of those days for Rovers. They made it 3

have and to. Finally, at Rochdale, who lost their last home game to MK

Dons, they were 2-0 down. They Dons, they were 2-0 down. They

travel to Leyton Orient next week. I brought him back to the club. He

was the frontrunner. As they 40- year-old, you think, you are taking

a chance. He wanted to come back and played the football club. It is

testimony to the lad. To come on and get the equaliser is fabulous.

I heard him talking the other day. He wants to go into coaching. Does

he have the ability? I believe so. He talks very sensitively and

passionately about football. You meet him eye to eye, and you get a

sense that there is greatness end it there. There is a possibility he

will be a manager in the future. went -- he has played 1023 games.

The normal stuff. Well, Preston fans have a chance to

quiz manager Graham Westley when he's a live guest on BBC Radio

Lancashire on Wednesday evening. He'll be in conversation with

sports editor Gary Hickson and taking calls from fans between six

and seven o'clock. That should be a fantastic listen, Wednesday night,

six o'clock, on BBC Radio Lancashire.

We might still have a week of the regular season to go in Leagues One

and Two, but it was game 46 of 46 in the Championship on Saturday.

With Burnley's swansong and Blackpool's play-off warm-up,

here's BBC Radio Lancashire's Andy So, it's Blackpool-Birmingham in

the play-off semi-finals after The Seasiders drew their final match at

Seasiders drew their final match at in-form Millwall. Andy Keogh put

the home side ahead but Ian Evatt headed them level midway through

the first half. Nouha Dicko edged Ian Holloway's side ahead after the

break but they couldn't hold on for the win which would have earned

them a home second leg in the play- offs. Harry Kane with The Lions'

equaliser. Burnley finshed the season doing what they've done

throughout its entirety - losing leads and dropping points at home.

They went ahead through Dany Ings who worked space for the shot

nicely before beating substitute goalkeeper Liam Fontaine in fine

style. Typically, though, The Clarets couldn't hold on and

succumbed to another sweetly-struck Well, after 46 games, it's a 13th

place finish for Burnley who will hope for much better next season

and a fifth place for Blackpool. The Seasiders will take on

Birmingham City in the play-offs with the first leg at Bloomfield

Road on Friday and the return at St Andrew's a week on Wednesday. All

the build-up, coverage and reaction to both legs will be on BBC Radio

Lancashire, while all of the North West's BBC local stations will

carry the news from all of our clubs in the run-up to next

weekend's final League games. Birmingham in the first leg. Can

they do it? I hope so. I think they were great for the Premiership. It

would be nice to see them get back- up. It is another remarkable

achievement. Both managers must be applauded. Ian for coming down,

because it was tough at the start and he has managed to get his team

into the play-offs. But Chris as well. He has done a fantastic job,

in the face of adversity. We do wish Blackpool or the best.

Now, establishing themselves in the third tier of English football

means a successful season for Bury, but there was a time when

expectations were far greater at Gigg Lane. So great, in fact, that

winning the FA Cup was seen as anything but a surprise.

Home to Bury since 1885, a look around Gigg Lane tells you

everything they need to know how they viewed their heritage. It was

a group of players at the turn of the 18th century who gave the club

its greatest success. These were the men whose achievements will

never be forgotten, symbolised by two stars on the crest. It is

important we do display at and it does not get forgotten in time.

Even though we are in League One, not a lot of clubs can boast that.

Strangely enough, it is a Sunderland supporter that is

helping keep the memories alive with his book, All Shook Up. They

were this area's best side, at the end of the Victorian and start of

the Edwardian period. Not that things were exactly glamourous for

the players. To try and save money, the directors took the players by

the latest available train, that so they just arrived for two minutes

before the semi-final was due to start. Still, a winner sent The

Shakers through to meet Southampton. Newspaper reports are stored at

Bury library. This was a big deal. It was decided to play the same

team... A large number of spectators assembled, it where the

men were given a hearty send-off. The gates in the period before that

collapsed at Gigg Lane because people were saving frantically to

go to the match. They were outnumbered by the number of

Southampton supporters, and on that day, Bury played exceptionally well.

At the first win was good, the nothing was -- the second was

nothing short of amazing. They created a record that will probably

never be Brett -- broken. We went through the whole tournament

without conceding a goal. They won in the final 670. The best player

was undoubtedly George Ross. He is the finest footballer to play for

Bury. The significance was depicted by artists in the local newspapers,

but emphasises the amount of supporters. The write-up tells of

the post-match celebrations and gentlemanly sportsmanship from the

opposition. Congratulations from Derby. A generous appreciation.

Your great and overwhelming victory... It was a happy company

which assembled in Piccadilly Circus, and as one couldn't expect,

it was an enjoyable evening. Long time ago, but we still won it.

might never get nearer to gain. But it is there in history. What

Richard Barker is achieving now is not comparable to winning the FA

Cup, but he's doing a wonderful thing with The Shakers. He is doing

a great job. They have got a good mid-table Finnis is the season.

They were threatened with relegation. Briefly, it puts it

into context, doesn't it? Finished top half and above Preston, which

is no mean feat. You would say prison was the bigger club, but

they have had a great season. thank you very much indeed full

stop Well, that's it for this week. My

thanks to Phil and to Jim. The show will be on the BBC iPlayer all week